Bursting with imaginative detail, this whimsical fantasy series follows Spella De-broom Cauldroneyes, a blue-freckled magical foundling and her very extensive family. Discovered in the bottom of a cauldron as a baby, Spella lives with centuries-old Aunt Cauldroneyes, a mummified cat named Egypt, and a vast assortment of anthropomorphic hats. An unfortunate accident that turns her best friend's feet purple at the beginning of the book sparks a journey that eventually leads the crew to visit Mummy City, where dastardly smoke heart Stonescare may once again be up to no good. In addition to the densely detailed text, this book contains footnotes about various flora and fauna, articles by Madam Millith Muddles, an advice columnist for mummies, and illustrations, which were not complete at the time of this review. This lengthy ingredient list comes together to make a vibrant reading experience that can also be overwhelming. The major conflict doesn't fully arrive until very late in the text, stalling the action, and sweet plot lines and themes centering found family, kindness, and loyalty are at times difficult to follow against the elaborate worldbuilding. Major characters cue white. VERDICT Recommended as a secondary purchase or for libraries where complex fairy tales are popular. --School Library Journal "10/1/25"