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Table of Contents
About The Book
With elves waging war on scientists, it’s up to thirteen-year-old master chef Lailu Loganberry to save both her restaurant and her city in this final book in The Mystic Cooking Chronicles, which Kirkus Reviews calls “perfect for Top Chef fans with a penchant for the fantastical.”
Lailu is in hot water. After the events of the Week of Masks, Wren keeps sending insect-like automatons to attack Lailu. However, they’re more irritating than dangerous, and Lailu is more worried about the elves, who have been quiet so far. Too quiet.
When Lailu heads out of the city on a hunt with Greg, the elves finally strike. They put up a magical shield separating the Velvet Forest from the rest of the city. Now no human can enter…and unfortunately for Lailu and Greg, no human can leave, either. Ryon shows up to save them both, claiming they were caught unintentionally, but Lailu isn’t sure she believes him.
Tensions between the elves and the scientists are reaching a boiling point, and the question is which side will snap first. And in the middle of it all is Lailu. Trusted by both sides, she’s selected to deliver messages and help negotiate a truce between the parties before war becomes inevitable.
Easy as pie, right? Not so much. Lailu’s new role as mediator may be one recipe that's headed for disaster!
Lailu is in hot water. After the events of the Week of Masks, Wren keeps sending insect-like automatons to attack Lailu. However, they’re more irritating than dangerous, and Lailu is more worried about the elves, who have been quiet so far. Too quiet.
When Lailu heads out of the city on a hunt with Greg, the elves finally strike. They put up a magical shield separating the Velvet Forest from the rest of the city. Now no human can enter…and unfortunately for Lailu and Greg, no human can leave, either. Ryon shows up to save them both, claiming they were caught unintentionally, but Lailu isn’t sure she believes him.
Tensions between the elves and the scientists are reaching a boiling point, and the question is which side will snap first. And in the middle of it all is Lailu. Trusted by both sides, she’s selected to deliver messages and help negotiate a truce between the parties before war becomes inevitable.
Easy as pie, right? Not so much. Lailu’s new role as mediator may be one recipe that's headed for disaster!
About The Authors
Photograph © Devi Pride
Heidi Lang managed to stumble upon the two best jobs in the world: writing for kids and walking dogs. If she’s not out on the trails surrounded by wagging tails and puppy kisses, she’s probably hunched over her laptop working on her next book. She lives in northern California with her husband and two adventure-loving dogs, and she is the coauthor of the Mystic Cooking Chronicles and Whispering Pines series, and author of Out of Range. Find her on X (previously known as Twitter) @HidLang or visit the website she shares with her writing partner at HeidiandKatiBooks.com.
Photograph © Portia Shao
Kati Bartkowski was originally drawn to illustration before she got swept up in the world of words. Nowadays she’s a fan of creating fantastical creatures and feisty heroines in both mediums. If she’s not reading, writing, or drawing, she’s probably chasing after her high energy little girl. She lives in northern California and is the coauthor of the Mystic Cooking Chronicles and Whispering Pines series. Find her on X (previously known as Twitter) @KTBartkowski or visit the website she shares with her writing partner at HeidiandKatiBooks.com.
Product Details
- Publisher: Aladdin (July 16, 2019)
- Length: 384 pages
- ISBN13: 9781534437111
- Ages: 8 - 12
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Raves and Reviews
The plot rockets along, the third-person narration peppered by agreeably colloquial dialogue. Mix a dash of humor with some action and adventure, throw in a couple of cute boys plus a gutsy heroine—this novel is a recipe for success—perfect for Top Chef fans with a penchant for the fantastical.
– Kirkus Reviews on A Dash of Dragon
This middle grade fantasy introduces an exciting world where engaging human and magical characters live together. The title tackles themes of abandonment, loneliness, risk-taking, trust, and friendship. Readers are likely to become wrapped up in Laila’s story and anxious to know what her fate will be.
– School Library Journal on A Dash of Dragon
A Dash of Dragon, by sisters Heidi Lang and Kati Bartkowski, is fast-paced, funny and chock-full of action. Lailu is a brilliant chef, a brave and skilled hunter and a savvy business owner--but she is still very much a 13-year-old, whose curses include "What the spatula?" and, when she's really upset, "Butter knives!" Absolutely charming." "
– Shelf Awareness, *Starred Review* for A Dash of Dragon
"A zingy, buoyant adventure where the happy ending is certain but the path to it is enjoyably twisty."
– BCCB on A Dash of Dragon
"A wildly inventive fantasy with wide appeal."
– Booklist on A Dash of Dragon
Lang and Bartkowski continue Lailu’s adventures in a world that cooks up magic, fantastical beasts, steampunk science, and a dash of murder mystery in a story that will attract readers who enjoy not only fantasy adventure but cooking TV shows, such as MasterChef Junior.""
– Booklist on A Hint of Hydra
"Lang’s gripping tale is chock-full of adventure and action."
– School Library Journal on A Hint of Hydra
"solving the magical whodunit and battling against steampunk-inspired automatons easily reinforce Lailu’s heroism and allow for an engaging, self-contained adventure."
– BCCB on A Hint of Hydra
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): A Pinch of Phoenix eBook 9781534437111
- Author Photo (jpg): Heidi Lang Photograph © Devi Pride(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit
- Author Photo (jpg): Kati Bartkowski Photograph © Portia Shao(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit
