Book Review: "The Candy Shop Wars" by Brandon Mul

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

Nate is a kid moving into a new town that seems small and dull. He isn't even impressed with his new friends but things change when he meets Mrs. White, the owner of a candy shop. She offers him and his friends candy with magical properties if they do certain tasks for her. But things get confusing as the tasks get more dangerous and they start to wonder who is trustworthy.

OUR CAST OF CHARACTERS

Nate is the main character. His family has moved to a new town and he has to go to a new school. He is less than thrilled at the prospect. His observations are often sarcastic and exaggerated.

Pigeon is the geek of the group. His parents are rather protective of him and later plays a role that involves snooping and acting.

Summer is a daredevil, not easily intimidated nor lacking in energy. She isn't afraid to get dirty, or to go crashing on a bicycle.

Trevor is slightly less distinct than the other three characters. Although later he shows that he is selfless and brave.

Mrs. White is the owner of the candy shop. She seems sweet and dull at first, until she reveals the secret of her candy.

John Dent is introduced in the beginning. He has a vast knowledge of the world that our characters enter.

Mr. Stott is an elderly man who has an ice cream truck. He plays an important part in the story.

PROLOGUE

The prologue doesn't show the main characters but instead John Dart. It paints a world that is full of questions, and pushed me right into the story. Why does he have so many weapons? What are “the council”? What is the “secret” they talk about?

PACING-SPOILERS

The pacing is decent. Once our characters get the candy, they get missions that aren't super fast, but definitely keep you anxious. Both involve sneaking and breaking into somewhere. Although we do get some action fights in the book later on, when some school bullies get involved.

MYSTERIES

The story doesn't just have action, but some mysteries as well. We learn of a Family called Haag but have to find the family member that is important. There is also another mystery presented early on that we know has to play an important part in the plot. As well as an incident that frightens Nate's mom that is later explained.

FORESHADOWING

There is good use of foreshadowing with both Dart and Mrs. White. Since we get Dart in the prologue and the reader keeps wondering when he is going to come into the story. And when he does, we don't get his name introduced, just his physical appearance. So we start wondering, wait, is this him? This helps push the reader forward. Also, a seemingly unimportant character gets a small part but plays a key role later on. See if you can spot them.

And the mysteries I mentioned above are foreshadows of things to come as well.

SPLITTING WAYS-SPOILERS

There is a point in the story where the kids are questioning Mrs. White. Pigeon and Summer admit they will no longer work for her but But Nate and Trevor agree to stay. I felt like this should have been slightly more dramatic.

LEAVING ONE BEHIND-SPOILERS

A character gets left behind in one mission and the surviving character doesn't react too strongly when he leaves them behind. But later it shows him breaking down and crying. I thought this felt out of the blue and some of these feelings of anxiety and hesitation should have been expressed earlier on.

THE FUDGE-SPOILERS

Mrs. White gives out fudge that dulls the senses of adults, so the kids can use magic around them. This gets so out of hand that the kids notice their parents are morphing into other people, less caring people; lazy people. I really appreciated seeing this aspect of our main characters: how they relied on their parents and loved them.

Too often the parents get neglected in childrens' books, either ignored or portrayed as a nuisance. Seeing as the relationships between parents and children are the most important in all of our lives, I loved how this was accurately shown.

CLIMAX

A large portion of the climax leaves most of the action to Nate. Nate's idea isn't revealed on on how to defeat Mrs. White, so the reader has to keep pushing on and guessing what is going to happen. And when the truth is revealed you have to recall an earlier event and then it all falls into place perfectly.

CONCLUSION

Mul creates an original story with likable characters, from the bold Summer, to the geeky Pigeon. The candy abilities create unique situations and the pacing is good; The characters have good back and fourths where Mul reveals his sense of humor. There is enough foreshadowing and hints at what is to come and Mul puts all of the pieces together rather well. I give “The Candy Shop War” four stars.