A Pinch of Phoenix

(Hardback)

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Description

With elves waging war on scientists, its up to thirteen-year-old master chef Lailu Loganberry to save both her restaurant and her city in this final book in The Mystic Cooking Chronicles, which Kirkus Reviews calls perfect for Top Chef fans with a penchant for the fantastical.

Lailu is in hot water. After the events of the Week of Masks, Wren keeps sending insect-like automatons to attack Lailu. However, theyre more irritating than dangerous, and Lailu is more worried about the elves, who have been quiet so far. Too quiet.

When Lailu heads out of the city on a hunt with Greg, the elves finally strike. They put up a magical shield separating the Velvet Forest from the rest of the city. Now no human can enterand unfortunately for Lailu and Greg, no human can leave, either. Ryon shows up to save them both, claiming they were caught unintentionally, but Lailu isnt sure she believes him.

Tensions between the elves and the scientists are reaching a boiling point, and the question is which side will snap first. And in the middle of it all is Lailu. Trusted by both sides, shes selected to deliver messages and help negotiate a truce between the parties before war becomes inevitable.

Easy as pie, right Not so much. Lailus new role as mediator may be one recipe that's headed for disaster!

Reviews

The plot rockets along, the third-person narration peppered by agreeably colloquial dialogue. Mix a dash of humor with some action and adventure, throw in a couple of cute boys plus a gutsy heroinethis novel is a recipe for successperfect for Top Chef fans with a penchant for the fantastical. * Kirkus Reviews on A Dash of Dragon *
This middle grade fantasy introduces an exciting world where engaging human and magical characters live together. The title tackles themes of abandonment, loneliness, risk-taking, trust, and friendship. Readers are likely to become wrapped up in Lailas story and anxious to know what her fate will be. * School Library Journal on A Dash of Dragon *
A Dash of Dragon, by sisters Heidi Lang and Kati Bartkowski, is fast-paced, funny and chock-full of action. Lailu is a brilliant chef, a brave and skilled hunter and a savvy business owner--but she is still very much a 13-year-old, whose curses include "What the spatula" and, when she's really upset, "Butter knives!" Absolutely charming." " * Shelf Awareness, *Starred Review* for A Dash of Dragon *
"A zingy, buoyant adventure where the happy ending is certain but the path to it is enjoyably twisty." * BCCB on A Dash of Dragon *
"A wildly inventive fantasy with wide appeal." * Booklist on A Dash of Dragon *
Lang and Bartkowski continue Lailus adventures in a world that cooks up magic, fantastical beasts, steampunk science, and a dash of murder mystery in a story that will attract readers who enjoy not only fantasy adventure but cooking TV shows, such as MasterChef Junior."" * Booklist on A Hint of Hydra *
"Langs gripping tale is chock-full of adventure and action." * School Library Journal on A Hint of Hydra *
"solving the magical whodunit and battling against steampunk-inspired automatons easily reinforce Lailus heroism and allow for an engaging, self-contained adventure." * BCCB on A Hint of Hydra *

Author Bio

Heidi Lang managed to stumble upon the two best jobs in the world: writing for kids and walking dogs. If shes not out on the trails surrounded by wagging tails and puppy kisses, shes probably hunched over her laptop working on her next book. She lives in northern California with her husband and two adventure-loving dogs, and she is the coauthor ofthe Mystic Cooking Chronicles andWhispering Pines series, and author ofOut of Range. Find her on Twitter @HidLang or visit the website she shares with her writing partner at HeidiandKatiBooks.com.

Kati Bartkowski was originally drawn to illustration before she got swept up in the world of words. Nowadays shes a fan of creating fantastical creatures and feisty heroines in both mediums. If shes not reading, writing, or drawing, shes probably chasing after her high energy little girl. She lives in northern California and is the coauthor ofthe Mystic Cooking Chronicles andWhispering Pines series. Find her on Twitter @KTBartkowski or visit the website she shares with her writing partner at HeidiandKatiBooks.com.