Something Close to Magic

A bakers apprentice reluctantly embarks on an adventure full of magic, new friendships, and a prince in distress in this appealingly breezy (Kirkus Reviews) and deftly written (School Library Journal, starred review) young adult fantasy thats perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson and Gail Carson Levine. Its not all sugar and spice at Basils Bakery, where seventeen-year-old Aurelie is an overworked, underappreciated apprentice. Still, the job offers stability, which no-nonsense Aurelie values highly, so she keeps her head down and doesnt dare to dream biguntil a stranger walks in and hands her a set of Seeking stones. In a country where Seeking was old-fashioned even before magic went out of style, its a rare skill, but Aurelie has it. The stranger, who turns out to be a remarkably bothersome bounty hunter named Iliana, asks for Aurelies help rescuing someone from the dangerous Underwoodwhich sounds suspiciously like an adventure. When the someone turns out to be Prince Hapless, the charming-but-aptly-named prince, Aurelies careful life is upended. Suddenly, she finds herself on a quest filled with magic portals, a troll older than many trees (and a few rocks), and dangerous palace intrigue. Even more dangerous are the feelings shes starting to have for Hapless. The more time Aurelie spends with him, the less she can stand the thought of going back to her solitary but dependable life at the bakery. Must she choose between losing her apprenticeshipor her heart?