Return to Cardamom
(Caramel Cardamom Trilogy, Book #2)
Author: Julie Anne Grasso
Publisher: Independent
Publication Date: July 17, 2013
Pages: 136 (Paperback)
Recommended Age: 9+
Summary: Life is sweet for Caramel and things are finally getting back to normal. Well, as normal as it can be for a telepathic elf who can train trees and control computers, but she soon finds life on Cardamom is not all cupcakes and apple cider. A saboteur is hiding in the rainforest canopy, and the elves’ precious cardamom export has been wiped out. Caramel is certain it’s another trick of Alexander222 and her Aunt Isabel, but no one will believe her, and the clock is ticking.
She must expose the saboteur in time to save the crop or the Elves of Cardamom will lose their livelihood. Caramel won’t rest until her theory is proven. While she is on the hunt, she makes a shocking discovery, one that will change everything.
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My Review – ★★★★★
Caramel and her friends return to our bookshelves in another great adventure that’s dotted with mouth-watering treats. The Intergalactic Council is being courted by a dastardly scoundrel, who claims to have the key to their power needs. If he were to succeed with his plan, it would remove everyone’s reliance on Cardamom for energy. Given that our mind-reading heroine’s home planet grows the Cardamom crop, it would spell disaster to lose the trade. Out of nowhere, planet Cardamom’s crops fail, and the call goes out for all elves to return home to repair the damage, and raise and harvest a new crop in record time.
Caramel suspects that her old foes (Alexander222 and her Aunt Isabel) are behind it, but not everyone is convinced of her theory. She needs to take control of the situation and find the proof. As the story unfolds, Caramel holds onto her beliefs, follows her intuition and proves her resilience. Teaching young readers that they should never give up on things that they believe in. The plot has some exciting twists and turns that entertain and keep the reader engaged. A major event in the latter part of the first half (that I didn’t see coming) cranks up the adventure, which rolls along to an exciting and surprising outcome. To see what happens for yourself, you’ll need to read it 🙂
This was a great follow up the first book, Escape from the Forbidden Planet. Caramel’s skills are growing and her character is building. I look forward to the next adventure.
My bottom line: Julie Grasso has delivered a sound follow-up to her first book. I’m confident that fans of book 1 will relish the new adventures and character growth of their heroine, Caramel.
Note: I don’t claim to be a pro-reviewer, I am a reader. My reviews are based on my personal thoughts around the story that the book is trying to tell. I try to focus on the story (which is the reason I read) rather than dissect the book and pass comment on typos, writing style or structure.
Here’s a Special Offer to celebrate the launch of Return to Cardamom
Get your FREE COPY of the first book of the trilogy
‘Escape From the Forbidden Planet‘ by Julie Anne Grasso
July 17 to 21, 2013. Available for 99 cents after July 21, 2013.Also, you can check out my review of Book 1
Escape From the Forbidden Planet here.
All about Julie Anne Grasso
Julie Anne Grasso is an Australian author with a background in paediatric nursing. She spent many years literally wrapping children in cotton wool. Every day she witnessed great courage and resilience from the tiny people she cared for, which inspired her to write stories about a little girl elf just like them. Add in some very funky technology, her love of science fiction and desire to impart great values through her little girl elf named Caramel and there you have it, the Adventures of Caramel Cardamom Trilogy was the result.
Julie lives in Melbourne with her husband Danny and their little elf Giselle. Most days she can be found sipping chai lattes, chasing a toddler, and dreaming up wonderful worlds that often involve consumption of cupcakes.
Book Website: http://www.julieannegrassobooks.com/
Author Blog: WhenIgrowupIwannawriteakidsbook
Facebook page: Julie Anne Grasso Books
Twitter: @Jujuberry37
Goodreads Author: Julie Anne Grasso
Return to Cardamom Blog Tour Giveaway
Prize: One winner will receive a copy (print in U.S./Canada & e-copy interntionally) + a $50 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash
Contest runs: July 17th to August 7th, 11:59 pm, 2013
Open: Worldwide
How to enter: Enter using the Rafflecopter link below.
Terms and Conditions: A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send us an email!
Return to Cardamom Blog Tour Schedule (2013)
S.W. Lothian | Books | Movies | Streaming 
Congrats on a wonderful 5 star review, Julie Anne! Love your cover! Sounds like you have a busy schedule lined up. Wishing you all the best! Cheers!
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Thanks Sharon. I am over the moon that Steve liked this book hurrah and yes I love the cover too, Dave is one talented guy.
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I really enjoyed this book as well. Great review, Steve!
Congratulations, Julie!
Cool Mom/Christine M.
Techie for S&K
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Cool Mom, you are so wonderful, I think you have visited every stop on my tour, Thank UUUUU. Your encouragement means the world to me
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My pleasure. I’m visiting while I can. It will make up for my disappearance at the end of the tour. 😉
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Thanks for your visit gang …. 🙂
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Thank you to the moon and back Steve. It means so much to me that you liked this book lol. Thanks for being a part of my blog tour.
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You’re very welcome Julie. I bet you’ll be exhausted after this hundred stop tour.
Thanks for giving me to opportunity to read and review book 2. Best of luck with the launch.
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Oh, come on Steve… there’s not quite 100 stops! lol
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Thank you for a great review of Return to Cardamom Steve! I agree that the action seems to be packed in this one. 🙂
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What an excellent review of an excellent book! Keep up the good work, Steve and Julie!
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Cheers Jemima …. thanks for dropping by 🙂
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Great review, I really like your thoughts and I can’t wait to dig into the first book. I too, love the cover, can’t say enough about it, but I’ll say one more thing. The colors are awesome, they really catch the eye and draw your attention. Great job!
Paul R. Hewlett
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Cheers Paul. The cover is definitely hard to resist. I can remember how impressed I was the first time I saw both books for the first time.
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment.
It’s always great to have feedback from visitors.
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I need to find out more about these Cardamom crops! It could possibly solve this world’s problems! : )
Nice review!
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