Candy Shop War: Carnival Quest by Brandon Mull

At the close of their arcade adventure, Nate, Summer, Trevor, and Pidgeon were warned about Belinda and Jonas White’s remaining magical sister, Camilla. Several months later, the Dreams and Screams International Carnival comes to town and odd things begin to happen. People go missing, carnival patrons obsessively return, and outlandish items pop up around town. However, any outside magic is blocked from the carnival’s premises. Facing a new threat, John Dart enlists the Blue Falcons again to find out if Camilla’s magic is behind the attraction. The friends uncover that the carnival is stealing patrons’ dreams and using that power to expand the attraction at an insane rate. As the carnival’s influence grows, both dreams and reality are at risk. Nate, Summer, Trevor, and Pidgeon must use their past magical experiences and some new magic candy to save both the dream world and the real world before the carnival takes over both.       

After eleven years, Mull has delivered on his promise to write a final book to his Candy Shop War series. And the wait is well worth it for both new and old fans of the series. Using his incredible imagination, Mull unlocks another magical dimension where Nate, Summer, Trevor, and Pidgeon use their experience, courage, and determination to face off against a new magical threat. But unlike previous adventures, some non-magical problems start to trickle into their closeknit group, like hitting puberty and vying for the friendship of their new famous classmate, YouTuber Zac Foster. They all must decipher between what is real and what is fantasy when it comes to staying friends, facing personal fears, and working together to stop the carnival’s influence. A thrilling, suspenseful, and colorful roller-coaster read sure to mesmerize and excite readers until the sweet finish. Appropriate for ages twelve and up.      

The Candy Shop War: Arcade Catastrophe by Brandon Mull

The clues of John Dart's and Mozag's disappearance lead Nate, Summer, Trevor, Pigeon, and Lindy to the newly opened Arcadeland. On the outside it may look like a regular arcade, but the kids can sense foul magic behind the establishment. Once a player gains a certain amount of tickets, they can use their winnings to buy a hand stamp that gives them the powers of the stamp’s image: tank, race car, submarine, or jet. However, once stamped the players are forced into a deadly competition to find magical artifacts for the wizard Jonas White, Mrs. White's brother. As the missions get harder and players disappear, Nate is the only one left to stop Jonas White.

Fans of the first book will welcome this deeper and more detailed world in which Nate and his friends live. But this story exceeds its prequel in terms of action, adventure, suspense, danger, and humor. Readers will be able to see the personal progression of the main characters from the first book. Nate and his friends have learned to be more mature and courageous from their past magical challenges and they use these strengths in solving more mystical dilemmas. And with that added maturity and courage, Nate and his friends teach it to other children caught in Jonas White's clutches. Like the first book, this story is also a great read-aloud book the whole family would enjoy. Mull will release a third and final book in the near future.

The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull

A new ice cream and candy shop has opened in town and four friends—Nate, Summer, Trevor, and Pigeon—are naturally interested in the establishment. After several visits, the owner, Mrs. White, decides to share with them some special candy she keeps in the back. This candy gives the children magical powers, such as the ability to defy gravity or be unbreakable. But to earn this candy, Mrs. White enlists the children into doing some strange tasks, such as steal certain items around town. The children begin to question Mrs. White and her motives and break their deal with her. As soon as they end their commitment with Mrs. White, the children get mixed up in a magicians’ war. Only with their clever use of the magical candy can they help end it.

Mull has created an enchanting and tantalizing read with The Candy Shop War. The four friends grow and progress realistically as they see the deception through the sweets. Instead of letting go of the problems they created, they take responsibility for their actions—even to the point of sacrificing themselves to make things right. Few books today showcase this honest progression from innocence to maturity. Mull does it splendidly while adding immense suspense and drive to the story. This book can be a helpful resource to teachers, librarians, and parents as they use the reading guide at the end to spark conversation and lesson plans about the book. The second book is called Arcade Catastrophe.

(Full review found on The Children's Book and Play Review: https://ojs.lib.byu.edu/spc/index.php/CBPR/article/view/19130/17824)