When I first read the blurb about this book I thought elves, syrup, um… maybe too sickly for me. But then I realised what a kick-ass (excuse me) heroine Caramel is!

The book starts with an accident – which introduces us to Caramel and her mum – a healer in the elf-emergency squad. They heal by the power of the mind, and Caramel’s mum is an ace healer – but even so, Caramel is left with a dodgy leg and tends to limp a lot. Fast forward a few years and Caramel is dashing about all over the place – linked in with technology to her friends in the forest canopy and the ones at the Pizza parlour. Caramel is just about to take her EATs (Elf Aptitude Tests) and although she wants to be a healer like her mum, on a short holiday in the canopy, picking cardomom pods, she discovers she can also talk to trees.

However, she is not the only one in the canopy; an alien race of Alexanders – whose aim is to dominate the world in communications devices – has a spy in their midst. A spy who will stop at nothing to elevate his own status and who discovers that cardomom is the secret ingredient he has been looking for.

There are more twists in this tale than a curls round a candyfloss stick (cottoncandy) – and did I mention that it is full of food? Do not read this if you are on a diet! I have been generously supplied with the recipe for the sticky date and chocolate cake with cardomom caramel syrup, and I intend to use it at the next opportunity! But that does not influence my impartial review – Escape is a rollicking sweet and sticky high-tech story that people from about 8 upwards will enjoy to the full! ( )

Escape From the Forbidden Planet by Julie Ann Grasso is an absolutely rib-tickling science fiction story that I assure you will give you a couple of hours of pleasure. I just finished a free review copy provided me for an unbiased review – unfortunately, my review is a bit biased, because I fell in love with it within the first ten pages.
Caramel Cinnamon is a tiny girl – elf actually – who resides on the planet of Cardamom. Her rather idyllic existence is disrupted with the arrival of Alexander222 from the planet Ishqwartz, known as IQ by its inhabitants, and under the management of the IQ Corporation. Alexander is a clone from a long line of Alexanders, but with a difference – his planet is losing its source of power, a crystal substance, and he is determined to find a substitute.
Alexander222 finds the desired substitute in the sugars of Cardamom, and in order to gain control over it, he kidnaps Caramel’s grandparents, and subsequently her and her parents and transports them to Earth, the forbidden planet.
You’ll find yourself laughing until your teeth hurt as you read Grasso’s hilarious account of how Caramel and a band of Earth children turn the tables against Alexander222’s machinations and get him brought up before the Intergalactic Council.
Grasso is a master of comic timing and a beautiful melding of humor, human emotions (in aliens at that), and technology. I can hardly wait for the sequel to Escape to see what further mischief Caramel gets up to. Though written primarily for younger readers, it will thrill everyone who is young at heart. ( )

Meet Caramel Cinnamon, an elf who lives in Cardeville on the planet Cardamom. Caramel’s bad accident when she was little has left her with a gammy leg, but that doesn’t stop her doing all kinds of things an elf of her age would do—such as spending two weeks visiting her friend Jemm Jasmine in the tree canopy village and having loads of fun. But treachery and tragedy lie in store for the unsuspecting inhabitants of Cardamom. The villainous Alexander222, an off-world explorer, along with his sidekick clone, Lex, arrive from the planet Isqwartz. His planet resource is crystal, but supplies are dwindling. They need a renewable resource to trade with other members of the Intergalactic Council. Cardamom is just perfect, especially when the properties of this amazing plant become evident. Alexander222 is desperate to impress the Clone Council and get back into favor. The elves are betrayed by someone close to them, and things turn ugly. Caramel’s grandparents (the King and Queen of Cardamom) are kidnapped and Caramel recognizes their attacker. Before she can make trouble for him, Alexander222 dumps Caramel and her parents on the forbidden planet (Earth) that the Alexanders desperately try to avoid after a bad incident there (Roswell!). Although Earth isn’t as technologically advanced as Cardamom, Caramel and her parents make plans to rescue the King and Queen … until things go horribly awry! Now it’s up to Caramel to do it all on her own, with some help from her new Earth friends.

This is an enchanting fantasy tale to delight readers of all ages. Cardamom’s elves are not your ordinary fairytale elves. Science and technology rub shoulders comfortably with a twist of fantasy in this magical world. These elves have telepathic skills as well as healing talents. Caramel is not just an elf, she’s a princess, and she rises to meet the responsibilities thrust upon her with new-found inner strength and determination. Author Julie Anne Grasso has woven a wonderful story with all the elements to intrigue young readers and keep them turning those pages. There’s danger, a test of our heroine’s courage and resourcefulness, intergalactic travel, super-science, geek talk, and a mission to accomplish. Caramel is a lovely, real character, and touches such as her limp emphasize the importance of believing in yourself and being … well, yourself! Family relationships and friendships are also precious to the elves. There are some humorous touches parents will enjoy such as references to modern culture. Mentions of delicious food abound and one wonders why the author did NOT include the recipe for sticky date and chocolate cake with caramel cardamom syrup. (Pass the pudding please!) ( )