THEY'RE BACK. All those marvellous characters from Winnipeg author Rae Bridgman's highly successful first novel, The Serpent's Spell, are indeed back . . . . It's an action-packed story abuzz with excitement and suspense . . . . [A] whole new universe and vocabulary of Sister Bees and Brother Drones with Bee-Veins and Bee-Bodies and a "joyous Buzzhum of the Bees" musically unfolds for believers in magic and mystery.
- M. Wayne Cunningham, Books in Canada
With magic, engaging protagonists, nasty villains, a Secretariat on the Status of Magical Creatures, a dragonfly festival complete with entomophagy (eating insects) and Marco Magnifico, the bee motif, Buzz songs, the complex and fascinating City of Wax, eyeglass frames changing colour according to mood, disappearing honeybees, magical honey, and mystery, Amber Ambrosia should engage young fantasy fans and have them eagerly awaiting the next Sophie and Wil escapade. [Highly recommended]
- Darleen Golke, CM: Canadian Review of Materials
Author Rae St. Clair Bridgman has crafted a fantastic sequel that more than lives up to the quality of the first installment. I think the work is perfectly paced for the target age group to offer a great blend of suspense and some new magical elements, building on the previous world to deepen and expand our understanding, as well as amping up the danger for the central cast. I found the bonds of friendship really endearing between the characters and Wil’s continued development into a highly capable and endearing young hero creates a compelling narrative that keeps the reader hooked until the very end.
- K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Taking a known criminal down has turned Wil Wychwood and Sophie Isidor into heroes. The 10-year-old cousins, having nearly finished their first year at a magic academy, are ready for the summer off. But it’s not long before they’re staving off boredom, even eyeing a beekeeper’s Help Wanted sign—“Besides, what else have we got to do?” Sophie asks....Youthful adventures and magical touches make for an entertaining tale.
- Kirkus Reviews
Science, suspense and some good old sleuthing make Amber Ambrosia a sweet mystery...The setting contains many captivating elements that will stir the imagination of younger readers. Sophie and Wil are extraordinary in a delightfully ordinary way.
- Joyce Handzo, Curled Up with a Good Kid's Book
People like to read about strange things. They like to read about aliens in Star Wars or dinosaurs in Jurassic Park. This was like that but even stranger. With writing that brings crystal balls and tea leaves together with snakes and criminals and items that boggle that mind, this book had me interested from the start. It's amazing how much I read about bees, dragonflies, and honey in this book. I liked it a lot. That is this author's strength; to write about things that not many people would write about in an adventure story.
- Dylan James (age 12), Reader Views, reviews by kids, for kids
Far and away the best part of Amber Ambrosia is the world of the honeybees. Author Rae Bridgman does a wonderful job describing how they live and what their language might sound like. Wil and Sophie continue to be wonderful characters to follow through both the usual events of 10-year-old life and the more fantastic ones Middlegate provides.....Their magical world with their quirky aunts and unique adventures continues to be interesting and exciting. I look forward to seeing what mysteries and myths the future holds for them.
- Laura Lehman, BellaOnline BellaOnline
Young readers who like fantasy will surely enjoy this book, and the Serpent's Chain series, especially with its local setting and interesting characters, such as Aunt Violet with her purple hair, and Sophie, whose eyeglasses change colour along with her emotions. The author's attempt to picture life as a human honeybee, with its many dangers, is also an interesting concept.
- Donna Gamache, Prairie Fire Magazine
True to the fantasy genre, Bridgman’s characters dabble in magic, solve mysteries while still fretting about getting their chores done around the house....The anthropologist in Bridgman shines through in Amber Ambrosia when she speculates about what a world of honeybees (or a city of wax) might look like and how the language of bees might be articulated.
- Dale Barbour, University of Manitoba Bulletin
Young readers will be especially tickled by Sophie’s eyeglasses. Why? They are "mood" glasses. When Sophie’s emotions change, so does the color of her glasses. The frames change from darkest black to "lollipop yellow." For this and a slew of other reasons, the adventures of Wil and Sophie in their efforts to save the bees of Middlegate, is a delightful fantasy.
- Harold N. Walters, My Shelf
In this second installment of the series I could almost hear the author spreading her wings and having fun. [Highly recommended]
- Amberdrake, FantasyBookSpot
With its adventure and action, Amber Ambrosia is a story that holds your attention. I liked the storyline and the troubles Sophie and Wil find themselves in. The middle and how the cousins solve the mystery was quite a surprise. The magykal honey was a cool twist, as were its results.
- Mena (age 14), Sarah's Stars
The details included in AMBER AMBROSIA offer incredible detail into the structure and management of hives. This drew me into the story and held my attention throughout.
- Tracy Farnsworth, Roundtable Reviews for Kids
- M. Wayne Cunningham, Books in Canada
With magic, engaging protagonists, nasty villains, a Secretariat on the Status of Magical Creatures, a dragonfly festival complete with entomophagy (eating insects) and Marco Magnifico, the bee motif, Buzz songs, the complex and fascinating City of Wax, eyeglass frames changing colour according to mood, disappearing honeybees, magical honey, and mystery, Amber Ambrosia should engage young fantasy fans and have them eagerly awaiting the next Sophie and Wil escapade. [Highly recommended]
- Darleen Golke, CM: Canadian Review of Materials
Author Rae St. Clair Bridgman has crafted a fantastic sequel that more than lives up to the quality of the first installment. I think the work is perfectly paced for the target age group to offer a great blend of suspense and some new magical elements, building on the previous world to deepen and expand our understanding, as well as amping up the danger for the central cast. I found the bonds of friendship really endearing between the characters and Wil’s continued development into a highly capable and endearing young hero creates a compelling narrative that keeps the reader hooked until the very end.
- K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Taking a known criminal down has turned Wil Wychwood and Sophie Isidor into heroes. The 10-year-old cousins, having nearly finished their first year at a magic academy, are ready for the summer off. But it’s not long before they’re staving off boredom, even eyeing a beekeeper’s Help Wanted sign—“Besides, what else have we got to do?” Sophie asks....Youthful adventures and magical touches make for an entertaining tale.
- Kirkus Reviews
Science, suspense and some good old sleuthing make Amber Ambrosia a sweet mystery...The setting contains many captivating elements that will stir the imagination of younger readers. Sophie and Wil are extraordinary in a delightfully ordinary way.
- Joyce Handzo, Curled Up with a Good Kid's Book
People like to read about strange things. They like to read about aliens in Star Wars or dinosaurs in Jurassic Park. This was like that but even stranger. With writing that brings crystal balls and tea leaves together with snakes and criminals and items that boggle that mind, this book had me interested from the start. It's amazing how much I read about bees, dragonflies, and honey in this book. I liked it a lot. That is this author's strength; to write about things that not many people would write about in an adventure story.
- Dylan James (age 12), Reader Views, reviews by kids, for kids
Far and away the best part of Amber Ambrosia is the world of the honeybees. Author Rae Bridgman does a wonderful job describing how they live and what their language might sound like. Wil and Sophie continue to be wonderful characters to follow through both the usual events of 10-year-old life and the more fantastic ones Middlegate provides.....Their magical world with their quirky aunts and unique adventures continues to be interesting and exciting. I look forward to seeing what mysteries and myths the future holds for them.
- Laura Lehman, BellaOnline BellaOnline
Young readers who like fantasy will surely enjoy this book, and the Serpent's Chain series, especially with its local setting and interesting characters, such as Aunt Violet with her purple hair, and Sophie, whose eyeglasses change colour along with her emotions. The author's attempt to picture life as a human honeybee, with its many dangers, is also an interesting concept.
- Donna Gamache, Prairie Fire Magazine
True to the fantasy genre, Bridgman’s characters dabble in magic, solve mysteries while still fretting about getting their chores done around the house....The anthropologist in Bridgman shines through in Amber Ambrosia when she speculates about what a world of honeybees (or a city of wax) might look like and how the language of bees might be articulated.
- Dale Barbour, University of Manitoba Bulletin
Young readers will be especially tickled by Sophie’s eyeglasses. Why? They are "mood" glasses. When Sophie’s emotions change, so does the color of her glasses. The frames change from darkest black to "lollipop yellow." For this and a slew of other reasons, the adventures of Wil and Sophie in their efforts to save the bees of Middlegate, is a delightful fantasy.
- Harold N. Walters, My Shelf
In this second installment of the series I could almost hear the author spreading her wings and having fun. [Highly recommended]
- Amberdrake, FantasyBookSpot
With its adventure and action, Amber Ambrosia is a story that holds your attention. I liked the storyline and the troubles Sophie and Wil find themselves in. The middle and how the cousins solve the mystery was quite a surprise. The magykal honey was a cool twist, as were its results.
- Mena (age 14), Sarah's Stars
The details included in AMBER AMBROSIA offer incredible detail into the structure and management of hives. This drew me into the story and held my attention throughout.
- Tracy Farnsworth, Roundtable Reviews for Kids