Kate & Cecy take on Europe and treachery

books:


	• The Grand Tour : Being a Revelation of Matters of High Confidentiality and Greatest Importance, Including ... Caroline Stevermer, Patricia C. Wrede, 2004 - 480 pages average customer review:based on 30 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Kate & Cecy take on Europe and treachery

This is a direct sequel to the authors' Sorcery and Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot, told alternately through Cecy Tarleton's "deposition to the joint representatives of the British Ministry of Magic" and entries in Kate Schofield's "commonplace book," or journal. The two cousins have just married their gentlemen and are setting off on the Grand Tour of Europe. Before they've done more than land in France, a mysterious "Lady in Blue" bestows on them a small vial of unknown provenance--and someone immediately attempts to steal it. Gradually the two couples learn that various items of traditional coronation regalia from countries all over Europe have been disappearing without a trace, and that their vial is one of them. And their old foe Sir Hilary Bedrick has turned up dead in Paris. Ultimately they discover that an Italian magician, in an effort to forestall Bonaparte several years earlier, has created a spell to apply "modern theories of magic" to the ancient traditional coronation rituals and legitimize a pan-European ruler. Unfortunately unscrupulous people have found out about it and are taking steps to crown a puppet ruler--a young Englishman who has no idea what's in store for him. The quest of the Tarletons and Schofields to forestall them leads from Paris to Venice and across the Alps to Nemi, with intrigue, narrow escapes, and magic aplenty; in fact, this volume in the series begins to explicate more clearly the way in which magic works in this alternate Universe, and although longer than its predecessor is at least as quick-moving and, in my opinion, more exciting and suspenseful, while retaining the wry humor of the first book. And, since the quartet are already safely married, there's less of the romantic entanglements that characterized the latter. For those who enjoy light fantasy with a strong leaven of political suspense, "The Grand Tour" should make a perfect read.

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What an AWSOME book!

I suggest checking out all three of Cecelia books. They are just great. A little magic, a little mystery, a little romance, makes a LOT of these books. It is probably one of the best series since Harry Potter and Charlie Bone, but this one is written about two young WOMEN! If you like the stylings of historical romance novels, but without the naughty parts, then you should really read this series!

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Change in style and mystery...

Sorcery and Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot told the story via letters exchanged between Cecy and Kate. In The Grad Tour the story is told by entries in Kate's (now Lady Schofield) commonplace book and Cecy's (now Mrs. James Tarleton) deposition to the Joint Representatives of the British Ministry of Magic, the War Office, and the Foreign Office. Cecy and Kate are on their honeymoon with their husbands (Cecy's James and Kate's Thomas), Lady Sylvia, and assorted servants. Of course Lady Sylvia will be staying in Paris where she makes her home. But as soon as they land in France, they are involved in mysterious events: the delivery of a strange bottle of scent, a robbery, a servant who is missing, and the news from the British representative that coronation regalia is being stolen throughout Europe and that two couples on their Grand Tour are just the ones to solve the case.

The story is cleverly written in diary entries and depositions. Cecy and Kate are very independent women of their times. They know the rules and follow them but within that they stand their own ground and their husbands have come to understand that there is no way to protect them when they decide to act.

If you enjoy the period following the Napoleonic Wars and comedies of manners, you'll enjoy these books. The characters are well drawn and the mystery is convoluted and in some ways simple. You think you have it all figured out quite handily and then in the end it takes a weird but logical turn. The characters are all so of their times that only the addition of magic takes it from being a historical to a fantasy mystery.

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Another 4 1/2 for this fun sequel

"The Grand Tour" is a sequel. But wait! Before you fall back hopelessly upset and disappointed, read on. Because "The Grand Tour" is just as fun as its predecessor. It's still witty, charming, and enjoyable. But in a slightly different way.

Unlike "Sorcery and Cecelia", "The Grand Tour" has one complete story. It is not the casually fun back-and-forth between our two now-beloved cousins, but rather two separate accounts of the same trip, the grand tour of Europe. Rather than the somewhat predictable yet adorable previous book, here we've got a mysterious setting and another grand adventure. But of an entirely different sort.

"The Grand Tour" has much more mystery/intrigue/history than magic (though fear not - there are still wacky and oddball spells to wonder at). It's got a charming mix of history and magic, as well as a fun road-trip feel. At times the descriptions of dreary carriage rides through mud may seem like a bit much, but on the whole, they're just so much fun.

Because once again, Wrede and Stevermer have created a fun and charming novel that will delight readers. It is clearly a sequel (one MUST have read the previous book to understand this - I'd also recommend rereading the charming original to refresh your memory before delving into this one), but not a failed one. Perhaps it won't lure quite as many people as "Sorcery and Cecelia" did, with its flair and charm. But "The Grand Tour" is still a grand read - fun, exciting, and delightful all the way along. Less predictable, but still a sequel.

Another solid 4 1/2 recommendation.

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Who's up for round two?

I was shocked to find this book on my weekly bookstore wanderings. I had no idea these imaginitive writers planned on another adventure and I immediately snatched it to see what Kate and Cecy were up to now. I confess this book was not as good as the first, but well worth the time to read. The first book interested me to the point that I could not put it down however, the second seemed to lag on a bit. Despite its minor flaws, I loved it. The character development and the Grand Tour in general was magical. After reading Grand Tour I did not expect a third, but there was one. I could not help myself. It is like going to a highschool reunion every time I see another of Wrede and Stevermer's books on the shelves.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Kate and Cecy and their new husbands, Thomas and James, are off on a Grand Tour. Their plans? To leisurely travel about the Continent, take in a few antiquities, and--of course--purchase fabulous Parisian wardrobes.

But once they arrive in France, mysterious things start to happen. Cecy receives a package containing a lost coronation treasure, Thomas's valet is assaulted, and Kate loses a glove. Soon it becomes clear that they have stumbled upon a dastardly, magical plot to take over Europe.

Now the four newlyweds must embark on a daring chase to thwart the evil conspiracy. And there's no telling the trouble they'll get into along the way. For when you mix Kate and Cecy and magic, you never know what's going to happen next!

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