The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
Release date: 2008 / 276 pages
Synopsis (from front cover): Twenty-seven-year-old Josey Cirrini is sure of three things: winter in her North Carolina hometown is her favorite season, she’s a sorry excuse for a Southern belle, and sweets are best eaten in the privacy of her hidden closet.
First Line: When Josey woke up and saw the feathery frost on her windowpane, she smiled.
Review: Allen’s first novel was such a delight that I have recommended or bought it for countless readers, who all responded with glowing reports. So, when I discovered that Allen had written a second novel, I was so excited! I have to start by stating that the above synopsis does not do this second effort justice.
As she did in Garden Spells, Allen creates memorable characters who quickly feel like friends. Also similar to Garden, Allen manages to integrate magical realism in a way that is truly magical (who wouldn’t want water to boil when near a loved one? Or, even better, find books whose titles reveal exactly the right advice?) The magical elements are less prominent in Sugar Queen than in Garden, but still add an otherworldly feeling to the realism of the characters’ lives.
The genre of Sugar should be classified as a romance, but it is much more than this – a heroine’s journey would better describe it. Was it quite as good as Garden? Probably not, but this could be subjective since I had such high expectations after reading her first novel. Will I read her next novel? Absolutely.
Here’s a taste of Allen’s writing:
“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. Sometimes what’s inside will change your life, but sometimes you don’t even have to read it. Sometimes it’s a comfort just to have a book around.”
Amen! 
I love the quote you shared. I need to pick this one up, for sure.
I love that excerpt about books that seem to “jump out” at you; also, that they’re a comfort just to have around. I must believe that, because I have huge TBR stacks (slowly decreasing in size!), because those books did jump out at me. And I love having them around.
My Sunday Salon:
http://laurel-rainsnowsaccidentallife.blogspot.com/2010/01/sunday-salon_17.html
I love both of her books! Great reads and one’s I’ve added to my permanent collection!
I like the quote you chose from her book. Hope you’ll visit my Sunday Salon
Love the quote you shared! How is it I have not heard of Allen before? I’m thinking she’s making my TBR list. Thanks for the review!
Oh good! I’m so glad I could introduce a lovely new author! I recommend starting with Garden Spells — I just loved it…
She has a new one coming out, did you know?? Can’t wait!
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