I read this a good while ago, having read 'Chocolat', one of my all time favourites. It was lovely to catch up again with familiar characters Yanne, Rosette and Annie. But the devious and seductive Zozie de l'Alba appears on the scene and has plans of her own. The usual twists of mystery and touch of fantasy as always with Joanne Harris.
This is reserved for swan-scot at a mini meet up in Aberdeen.

Passing on to a fellow bookcrosser swan-scot when we meet for coffee at Books and Beans in Aberdeen.

Received from Inver at a mini bookcrossing meet in Aberdeen.

I look forward to reading this book. Thanks!

Wow, what a read. I had read Chocolat years ago and really enjoyed that story with likable characters and an itruguing plot.

I was delighted to meet Vianne and Anouk again although this time they have travelled on and have different name and identities. Also Vivian has a second daughter. I enjoyed reading of their attempt to make a sucess of thie new life in Paris and meeting the new characters.

The first third of the book which creates the backbone of the story was enjoyable. However I felt the book lost its way a bit, or at least lost my interest, when there was a heavy focus on Zozie and her magic practice. Magic had been present in Chocolat, but it was very subtle and questioned as maybe coincidence or karma. Here it was spelt out in names of signs and symbols, incantations and invocations and even effigies in the form of peg dolls.

The final third of the book became a bit more believable again and the plot moved along quickly and was a page turner.

Quite apart from the ancient magic, the modern methods used by Zozie to steal identities were interesting and alarmingly easy.