From School Library Journal
Grade 6-9–As this sequel to The Secret of Castle Cant (Little, Brown, 2004) opens, Lucy Wickwright and her half sister, Pauline von Cant, are seeking refuge from the two men who want to be their regents and are involving the Barony of Cant in a civil war. Before she learned of her parentage and heritage, Lucy served as Pauline's maid, and the two girls are best friends and loyal only to each other. Helped by a small group of friends, they attempt to travel unobserved through the country as they learn a variety of secrets related to their past and the Barony's economy. A confusion of plots, schemes, disguises, and escapes follows as the girls try to sabotage the gum trade that lies behind the revolution and claim rule in their own right. Wordplay, a lively narrative voice, absurd situations, and exaggerated characters add humor to the story. Unfortunately, it fails to progress over the course of the novel, leaving the characters more knowledgeable but still on the run at the predictable conclusion. Fans of the first book will enjoy reading more about Pauline, Lucy, and their friends, but they'll be left waiting for more. The focus on illegitimacy and the questionable parentage of both girls adds an edge of maturity to the otherwise innocent fun.
–Beth L. Meister, Pleasant View Elementary School, Franklin, WI Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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