Fourteen-year-old Mona possesses a niche magical talent: she can manipulate dough and animate baked goods. Her quiet life in her aunt’s bakery ends when she discovers a dead body on the floor, thrusting her into a political conspiracy. As an assassin targets the city’s few remaining magic users and an invading army approaches the gates, the adult defenders fail to act. Mona must protect her home using a grumpy sourdough starter, tactical gingerbread men, and her ability to persuade crackers to provide reconnaissance.
This story serves readers who enjoy subversions of the chosen one trope where the protagonist is unequipped for traditional combat. It appeals to those looking for a mix of whimsical humor and grim stakes, particularly regarding the ethical burden placed on children during a crisis. Readers finish the book with a perspective on how mundane skills can be weaponized and how grit functions when institutional protection collapses. It provides a grounded look at the physical and emotional cost of heroism.
- Published
- 2020
- Language
- EN
