Amazon.com Review
As they say in Glasgow, you'd have to be a right numpty not to rejoice at a third book in Debi Gliori's delicious Pure Dead comedy adventures. Things are in a turmoil, as usual, at StregaSchloss, the ancestral castle of the Strega-Borgias in Argyll: Titus and his sister Pandora are at odds because their grandfather, Don Chimera di Carne Borgia, known as
il grande parmigiano, or "the big cheese," is about to make Titus the sole heir of the family fortune; Signora Strega-Borgia has invited her flaky classmates at the Institute of Advanced Witchcraft to spend a week at the castle practicing their spells; Ffup, one of the house dragons, is sulking about her diaper-changing responsibilities as a teenage single mom; and grouchy Marie Bain, possibly the worst cook in the British Isles, has created an accidental specialty of kippers in raisin and rat pee sauce. Worst of all, word has gotten around in demonic circles that the long-lost Chronostone is secreted someplace in the castle, and the sinister Astoroth, Second Minister of the Hadean Executive, is hot on its trail, as is another demon, Flamma d'Infer, who is disguised as one of the apprentice witches. Events take a decidedly random turn when the family's wise and comfortable magical nanny, Mrs. McLachlan, discovers that the baby Damp is an infant magus. And that's only the beginning of this gothic romp that can only be described as, well, pure dead brilliant. (Ages 10 to 14)
--Patty Campbell
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
Grade 4-7-Young readers will be "dying fain" at the arrival of the third installment of the zany adventures of the Strega-Borgia clan. Young Titus is about to inherit a massive fortune from his mafioso grandfather, and his family won't leave him alone. Between their mother's witchy houseguests-one of whom might well be plotting evil-and a definitely evil uncle's nefarious plans to get the fortune for himself, the Strega-Borgias barely have time to breathe, and the Beasts in residence are once again in rare form. Gliori's excellent turn of phrase and sense of humor will instantly draw readers into the mystical world of Strega Schloss and its inhabitants. Readers will roar as each page turns and new, even more preposterous scenarios arise. The "Gliossary" in the back is also a helpful touch for the wee laddies and lassies new to Scottish slang. Filled with fun phrasing and plenty of scatological bits thrown in for good measure, the story is sure to be popular with fans of the first two outings.
Elaine Baran Black, Gwinnett County Public Library, Lawrenceville, GACopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
