Fish and Sphinx.

Cathy currently works as a Programs Coordinator for the Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation at the University of Toronto.  She holds a BA from York University and is currently a graduate student in Theory and Policy Studies at OISE/UT, working towards her M.Ed.  Cathy lives in Scarborough with her husband, 10 year old son, her Cat, Buddy and her Boston Terrier, Max.  In her spare time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family.

In Amber Ambrosia, Wil and Sophie are ten-year-old cousins who live in a magical community called MiddleGate, which is hidden in a separate realm behind present day Winnipeg, Manitoba. Wil and Sophie’s summer is dragging on, but then an unusual woman appears in MiddleGate to try to sell her family home. At the same time the bees in MiddleGate start to get sick. Will and Sophie think this is more than just a coincidence and take up a beekeeping internship with one of their teachers, to try to understand more about the bee sickness. The house finally sells to a couple with twins, Phinneas and Beatriz, whom Sophie and Wil become quick friends with. However, the friendship gets put to the test when Sophie and Wil magically transform into bees and finally uncover the connection between the strange woman and the strange bee sickness.

In Fish and Sphinx, Wil and Sophie are beginning their fifth year at Gruffud’s Academy for the Magical Arts when Wil’s grandmother appears from beyond the grave to tell him that he is now the keeper of the last black medallion of the Serpent’s Chain. Sophie and Wil are intrigued by the medallion and begin to research its mysterious significance and the secret society of the Serpent’s Chain. Their interest leads them to the river and a strange half fish/half woman named Catfysh. There seems to be more to the Serpent’s Chain medallion than Wil and Sophie thought, and Catfysh needs their help.

Amber Ambrosia and Fish and Sphinx are two books in a series, reminiscent of the Harry Potter series, but with younger characters and with some Canadian content. At times, the plot is disjointed, the reader is expect to understand the mysteriousness of a situation without having much context into what is happening and why it is important. On the surface, each situation is interesting but the lack of explanation and context make the stories difficult to follow. There are many subplots in each book that simply do not get resolved, as such, the novels appear to abruptly end without a complete resolution. I feel those who enjoy the fantasy genre will also find these books to be entertaining but the confusing subplots and the array of underdeveloped characters can make them a difficult and unfulfilling read.

Recommended with reservations.