Chai Jinxed

Pinto, Emi. Chai Jinxed

October 22, 2024 by HarperCollins

E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus

Misha has been expelled from six schools, and her classmates refer to her as 'the Teapot Princess" because she seems to be just as cursed as the Teapot Prince of legend. At her latest school, her fiasco involves giving Professor Hamster a love chai instead of a family brew, and when he chucks it out of the window, it lands on a frog who comes into the classroom, enamored of him. When Misha tries to find an "anteadote", she only succeeds in making the frog gigantic! She must go back to her family's Diyann Tea Shop in shame. There, her problems mount as she tries to help her cousin Aahori, even though she has instructed her to touch nothing. When Emery Sunny stops by with a gift from her parents' shop, Misha uses the sugar Emery has brought, only to find out that it is sabotage spice, and more chaos ensues. Customers have come by the shop looking for the little witch who makes everything go wrong, but Misha is most interested in the person who says that she will get an invitation to Margaret's Academy of Tea and Brewing. It's a strict school, so her cousin didn't want to go there, but Misha is desperate. On the grounds, she meets new students Percival, and well as Emery Sunny, who claims she didn't know about the sabotage spice. Misha fails her test, but another student, June, gives her a gold apron anyway. Students at the very best levels wear these; those at the bottom wear gray. Misha is paired with Emery in Professor Mariposa's class, and manages to brew up a duplication spell that forces the students out of the classroom when it fills up with candy conversation hearts! June finds Misha a place to sleep, and things seem to be going well. Emery even invites her to go to the Night Bazaar with her. When the students find out that the renowned Wizard of Chai is looking for an apprentice at their school, things become complicated with challenges and double crossing. Will Misha be able to escape all of her bad luck to save the day and really earn her gold apron?

Strengths: Making it through the day without embarrassing oneself is a challenge for many middle school students, so reading about someone who is constantly having troubles is rather a relief. Misha has many mishaps, but they involve delicious sounding tea and a variety of cakes as well. Her friend drama with Emery is realistic; middle school relationship often run hot and cold. Magical academy stories are always popular, and the cover of this will appeal to readers who liked the Yummy and Tasty graphic novels. The cover is adorable. 
Weaknesses: I would have liked some explanation for why Misha was always having REALLY big disasters and feel like I might have missed something. 
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like Abe's Eva Evergreen books, O'Neill's Tea Dragon Society books, or other magical books like Nichol's The Apprentice Witch or Burgis' The Dragon With a Chocolate Heart.