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Title: Magic Below Stairs
Author: Caroline Stevermer
Series: This seems to be a spin-off from the Sorcery and Cecilia series. It is not cowritten with Patricia Wrede, nor is it in the form of a Letter Game, but it features many of the same characters.
Genre: Young adult fantasy.
Setting: Post-Napoleon England, in a world where magic is known.
Reason for Reading: I'm pretty much a sucker for YA fantasy set in this time period.
Finished In: Days
Pages: 208
Copyright Date: June 2010
Cover: A boy in a cravat stands before a fireplace. A snake made of smoke lurks behind him.
First line: "In which Frederick makes himself useful."
Best part: It was really funny. I also enjoy it when minor characters get to take the lead in later books - this book was actually in my view much better than The Mislaid Magician, which features the original leading characters of the series.
Worst part: I wanted it to be much longer than it was. Over too quickly!
Imaginary Theme Song: "Scarborough Fair" has some of the old-fashioned feel of the book.
Grade: B. I would read it again but not right this minute.
Recommended for: Any reader over the age of ten who likes magic or Harry Potter.
Related Reads: Sorcery and Cecilia, first book in the series this spun off from. Fly by Night by Frances Hardinge. The Book Thief by Cornelia Funke.

The Mislaid Magician by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer

Title: The Mislaid Magician or Ten Years After: Being the Private Correspondence Between Two Prominent Families Regarding a Scandal Touching the Highest Levels of Government and theSecurity of the Realm
Author: Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer
Series: Sorcery and Cecelia, book three
Genre: YA fantasy, Letter Game
Setting: ... ten years after Sorcery and Cecelia.
Reason for Reading: I really enjoyed Magic Below Stairs and wanted to follow up.
Finished In: Days
Pages: 336
Copyright Date: 2009
Cover: A young girl stares into a scrying bowl. A ray of light emanates from it, illuminating a tower behind her in the distance. In the middle ground a smiling woman strolls through a field with a letter in her hand.
First line: "Dearest Kate, It was splendid to see you and Thomas and your boys again this fortnight past."
Best part: I loved the use of the railroad in this book.
Worst part: It was a little too cloying for me. Everyone is all settled down and cozy, and the antics of children are more interesting to me from the first person perspective. From the perspective of indulgent parents not so much.
Imaginary Theme Song: John Henry by Woody Guthrie
Grade: C+
Recommended for: People who like writing about children from the parents' perspective. I know they're out there. They're just not me.
Related Reads: Sorcery and Cecelia, which began the series. The Mummy Case by Elizabeth Peters.