Sugar Queen

The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen

I'm not done with this author yet! But this will be a brief review, because those following my reviews already know that I love Allen's writing voice, and how her characters find transformation through building & maintaining friendships, community, and relationships. And that just seems so very relatable. So the magic aside (which btw I absolutely love!) these are very real stories.

In this book we've got 3 characters, Josey, Della & Chloe who are drawn together for reasons that would be spoiler-y to explain here, but in knowing each other begin to make healthier life choices. I know the way I worded that sounds kind of boring, but it's actually very beautiful. Each begins the story in a difficult situation, and in course of our story they learn, take ownership and grow.

My personal favorite element of magical realism in this one is Chloe's magic, because books appear to her out of thin air when she might need them. And I think fellow bibliophiles will find this particular aspect of the book both humorous & enchanting.

Favorite Quotes

“She accepted it from then on. Books liked her. Books wanted to look after her.”

“Snow flurries began to fall and they swirled around people's legs like house cats. It was magical, this snow globe world.” 

"She thought cold snaps were like cookies, like gingersnaps. In her mind they were made with white chocolate chunks and had a cool, brittle vanilla frosting. They melted like snow in her mouth, turning creamy and warm.”

 “Books can be possessive, can’t they? You’re walking around in a bookstore and a certain one will jump out at you, like it had moved there on its own, just to get your attention.