The Cup and the Crown

October 1, 2012

Gr 5-8-Molly is a lady of Westria now, raised from servant to noble status by King Alaric in The Silver Bowl (HarperCollins, 2011). Political unrest with neighboring kingdoms means Alaric must secure an alliance by marrying a princess who doesn't want to marry him. He asks Molly to find the Loving Cup, rumored to be made by her grandfather, which will cause anyone who drinks from it to fall in love. He assembles a crew, including Tobias, friend of Molly and fellow former peasant, to go on a quest to find the cup. The journey leads them to Harrowsgode, the land of Molly's magical ancestors, but this village has a sinister secret, and in order to keep it, no one is ever allowed to leave. Richard the Ratcatcher, a particularly well-rounded and delightful character, is key to helping the Westrians complete their mission and escape. The fast-moving adventure is wildly creative, and suspense builds on every page. Readers who already know Molly will be happy to see her again, but this story stands alone. Background information is skillfully placed, and it never interrupts or bogs down the new tale. The strong friendship between Molly and Tobias and slightly awkward growing feelings for one another is sweet and feels genuine. A story to be cherished and read again and again.-Mandy Laferriere, Staley Middle School, Frisco, TX

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2012
Molly, the heroine from The Silver Bowl, returns for a second test of her wits, strength, and magic powers. Young King Alaric of Westria needs a particular magical loving cup to convince the princess in a neighboring kingdom to consider his proposal of marriage. Since it is Molly's grandfather who made the cup, Alaric sends her on a secret errand to find it. Molly follows her visions of the loving cup to the isolated walled city of Harrowsgode. Her delight at finding that her relatives originally came from this city quickly turns to horror when she discovers that the town elders plan to trap her so they can use her prodigious magical abilities. Yes, Molly escapes, but no, the story is not predictable, nor is it simple. Stanley's characters are complex; even a minor player like the rat catcher is memorable -- funny, wise, and even heroic. Molly's friendships and loyalties change realistically and are tested in ways that readers will recognize from their own lives. It is the suspense of the plot that propels the reader through the story, but Stanley enriches that suspense with humor, strong sensory details, and an intelligent, engaging heroine. maeve visser knoth

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)