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Magical Mayhem #2
To Prevent Chic Costumes
Chronos doesn’t want to be a villain. She also doesn’t want a houseguest. Unfortunately for her, Kendra is insisting on both, and the former magical girl will not listen to reason.
In desperation, Chronos goes to the one person she trusts least for
Her sister, Rhea.
Rhea, who is a fashion designer for villains. Rhea, whose favorite hobby is corrupting magical girls.
In desperation, Chronos goes to the one person she trusts least for
Her sister, Rhea.
Rhea, who is a fashion designer for villains. Rhea, whose favorite hobby is corrupting magical girls.
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
41 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 26, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 28, 2017
To Prevent Chic Costumes is the second book in Emily Martha Sorensen’s Magical Mayhem series. As with To Prevent World Peace, it is an extremely short read, one that came be completed in under an hour, but it will leave you intrigued about what happens in the next instalment.
In my review of To Prevent World Peace, I mentioned how the book had a rather anime feel about it, feeling like a magical girl anime. I felt it even more with this one. To Prevent World Peace was the introduction episode, the one that gave us the basics we needed to know whether or not we’d be watching more, and To Prevent Chic Costumes was the second episode that really brought us into the story. I’m not usually a big fan of stories told by the episode, were each short tale gives just a single element of the overall story, but I’m finding myself rather enjoying it with this one. It’s very much like returning to my childhood days, only I’m reading the magical girl anime rather than watching it on television.
As with the first book, it was short and sweet, straight to the point. Across just four chapters the story moves us forward, introducing a few new elements to us. New characters and the promise of new events, mixed together with what we’d already come to know in the first story. Whilst there is plenty of promise of what may come, of things we will wish to see, things are left rather open – again, reminding me of watching anime when I was younger. Rather than waiting a day until the next episode airs, however, you just need to pick up the next book to see how things play out.
Whilst I enjoyed To Prevent World Peace, I was a little bit tentative about what was to come. To Prevent Chic Costumes removed that feeling, leaving me excited about where this series is going to head. I’m super excited to dive into the next story.
In my review of To Prevent World Peace, I mentioned how the book had a rather anime feel about it, feeling like a magical girl anime. I felt it even more with this one. To Prevent World Peace was the introduction episode, the one that gave us the basics we needed to know whether or not we’d be watching more, and To Prevent Chic Costumes was the second episode that really brought us into the story. I’m not usually a big fan of stories told by the episode, were each short tale gives just a single element of the overall story, but I’m finding myself rather enjoying it with this one. It’s very much like returning to my childhood days, only I’m reading the magical girl anime rather than watching it on television.
As with the first book, it was short and sweet, straight to the point. Across just four chapters the story moves us forward, introducing a few new elements to us. New characters and the promise of new events, mixed together with what we’d already come to know in the first story. Whilst there is plenty of promise of what may come, of things we will wish to see, things are left rather open – again, reminding me of watching anime when I was younger. Rather than waiting a day until the next episode airs, however, you just need to pick up the next book to see how things play out.
Whilst I enjoyed To Prevent World Peace, I was a little bit tentative about what was to come. To Prevent Chic Costumes removed that feeling, leaving me excited about where this series is going to head. I’m super excited to dive into the next story.
October 27, 2017
To Prevent Chic Costumes is the second book in Emily Martha Sorensen's Magical Mayhem series. It is written in third-person and is from several different characters' points-of-view. The two main characters in this story are Chronos, a born mage with the ability to see the future whose family just happen to be villains; and Kendra, a fifteen-year-old ex-magical girl who has become a villain in order to save the world.
This is another fantastic addition to Magical Mayhem. The more I learn about Kendra and Chronos's world, the more I want to know. This second part of the story is filled with humor as well as plenty of new info about this world of magical girls and villains.
For Fans of: magical girls, superhero stories, female main characters, and fantasy
This is another fantastic addition to Magical Mayhem. The more I learn about Kendra and Chronos's world, the more I want to know. This second part of the story is filled with humor as well as plenty of new info about this world of magical girls and villains.
For Fans of: magical girls, superhero stories, female main characters, and fantasy
October 21, 2017
I don't want to give away too much here. In this short “episode,” Chronos is stuck with an unwanted houseguest and in desperation turns to her sister, an evil fashion designer who makes super villain costumes. It’s easy to laugh at the desperate situation, treated with a light tone. The writing is solid with a great voice. Even the editing is good. I received a free copy for review.
October 28, 2017
Magical Mayhem Book 2 - To Prevent Chic Costumes
The Magical Mayhem series is (so far) four books all titled To Prevent…
The first is To Prevent World Peace, the second … Chic Costumes, the third … Clear Paths, and the fourth, … Smart Choices. The announced fifth book, I suspect not the last, is To Prevent Warm Welcomes.
Ms Sorensen, a USA Best Selling author, is known for clean stories for middle grade and young adult audiences. This series hits YA targets throughout, in my opinion.
The books are all quick reads, four chapters long, and to be honest, might work better as one whole volume. I read them all in one sitting, but I do tend to binge read series, so your experience might be different. That said, I believe they should be read in order; too much is lost if the reader isn’t aware of previous events in the universe. I fear the same is true of these reviews... you should start with the first one, To Prevent World Peace.
To Prevent Chic Costumes develops Kendra’s relationship with Chronos. Unwilling might be a good description. The unstoppable force against the immovable object paradox comes to mind; Ms Sorensen develops this aspect of the conflict well.
The costumes of the title allow the introduction of Chronos’ older sister, Rhea, one of the villains Chronos does not wish to be, because Rhea’s a fashion-maker in Paris, and any magical girl-turned-villain needs first and foremost, a suitable costume. The suitable costume must be accompanied by a new lair for the new villain. Chronos makes that sacrifice to be free of Kendra.
As I’ve said previously, Ms Sorensen’s writing is crisp and eminently suitable for a YA reader. Or an adult one, for that matter.
My only, and continuing, complaint is that the story, while it does close an arc, is too short. I’ll not mention it again.
I read this book on my Macbook Pro using the Kindle for Mac app; it worked perfectly. Also, I opened it on my Kindle Voyage and had no issues. I’d expect no problems using another platform to read. I noticed no typos or bothersome mechanical problems, as expected for Ms Sorensen’s work. The cover calls for a color display, but that’s the only loss moving to a monochrome device, and the contrast in the cover art allows the Voyage to render it nicely.
I recommend To Prevent Chic Costumes to any reader looking for an enjoyable, clean fantasy that doesn’t shy away from real-world problems, but I strongly suggest you begin with To Prevent World Peace, the first book in the series.
This review will appear at Amazon and on my blog in slightly different form, and the portion dealing with the series will appear in reviews of the other three books.
The Magical Mayhem series is (so far) four books all titled To Prevent…
The first is To Prevent World Peace, the second … Chic Costumes, the third … Clear Paths, and the fourth, … Smart Choices. The announced fifth book, I suspect not the last, is To Prevent Warm Welcomes.
Ms Sorensen, a USA Best Selling author, is known for clean stories for middle grade and young adult audiences. This series hits YA targets throughout, in my opinion.
The books are all quick reads, four chapters long, and to be honest, might work better as one whole volume. I read them all in one sitting, but I do tend to binge read series, so your experience might be different. That said, I believe they should be read in order; too much is lost if the reader isn’t aware of previous events in the universe. I fear the same is true of these reviews... you should start with the first one, To Prevent World Peace.
To Prevent Chic Costumes develops Kendra’s relationship with Chronos. Unwilling might be a good description. The unstoppable force against the immovable object paradox comes to mind; Ms Sorensen develops this aspect of the conflict well.
The costumes of the title allow the introduction of Chronos’ older sister, Rhea, one of the villains Chronos does not wish to be, because Rhea’s a fashion-maker in Paris, and any magical girl-turned-villain needs first and foremost, a suitable costume. The suitable costume must be accompanied by a new lair for the new villain. Chronos makes that sacrifice to be free of Kendra.
As I’ve said previously, Ms Sorensen’s writing is crisp and eminently suitable for a YA reader. Or an adult one, for that matter.
My only, and continuing, complaint is that the story, while it does close an arc, is too short. I’ll not mention it again.
I read this book on my Macbook Pro using the Kindle for Mac app; it worked perfectly. Also, I opened it on my Kindle Voyage and had no issues. I’d expect no problems using another platform to read. I noticed no typos or bothersome mechanical problems, as expected for Ms Sorensen’s work. The cover calls for a color display, but that’s the only loss moving to a monochrome device, and the contrast in the cover art allows the Voyage to render it nicely.
I recommend To Prevent Chic Costumes to any reader looking for an enjoyable, clean fantasy that doesn’t shy away from real-world problems, but I strongly suggest you begin with To Prevent World Peace, the first book in the series.
This review will appear at Amazon and on my blog in slightly different form, and the portion dealing with the series will appear in reviews of the other three books.
December 22, 2017
*I received a free ARC of this book. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.”
Another short installment, comic-book style, in this t(w)een girl-power series where the heroes are all girls, and so are the villains.
The main focus of the story here is still scene-setting, with more of Chronos’ family history introduced and the firm establishment of her inability to shake off the increasingly annoying Kendra.
I feel there is a great plot brewing here that we haven’t quite reached at this point, by book 2, and I think that it is due to the way these novelettes are structured; they don’t really stand alone and need to be read almost as individual chapters that just happen to have their own covers. This effectively means that the pacing will flow more smoothly once the series is complete and ready to binge read!
There are some fascinating ideas here about girl- and womanhood, female power and relationships, and the very concepts of what makes us ‘good’ or ‘evil’, and the character of Chronos is very relatable. I just feel that a little more action, or more focus on the overarching plot might help to drive the story along in these early installments.
“I have no interest in being part of a team!” Chronos exclaimed.
Kendra shrugged. “Neither did I, originally. It grew on me. Teams can accomplish far more than one individual alone, and we both have goals we need the other to accomplish.”
“I have no goals at all,” Chronos snarled.
“Yes, you do,” Kendra said calmly. “You want to stop having nightmares about bad things. I eavesdropped on you while you were sleeping the first night. You talk a lot in your sleep.”
Chronos gritted her teeth.
“Meanwhile, I want to save the world,” Kendra said reasonably.
– Emily Martha Sorensen, To Prevent Chic Costumes
(Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog)
Another short installment, comic-book style, in this t(w)een girl-power series where the heroes are all girls, and so are the villains.
The main focus of the story here is still scene-setting, with more of Chronos’ family history introduced and the firm establishment of her inability to shake off the increasingly annoying Kendra.
I feel there is a great plot brewing here that we haven’t quite reached at this point, by book 2, and I think that it is due to the way these novelettes are structured; they don’t really stand alone and need to be read almost as individual chapters that just happen to have their own covers. This effectively means that the pacing will flow more smoothly once the series is complete and ready to binge read!
There are some fascinating ideas here about girl- and womanhood, female power and relationships, and the very concepts of what makes us ‘good’ or ‘evil’, and the character of Chronos is very relatable. I just feel that a little more action, or more focus on the overarching plot might help to drive the story along in these early installments.
“I have no interest in being part of a team!” Chronos exclaimed.
Kendra shrugged. “Neither did I, originally. It grew on me. Teams can accomplish far more than one individual alone, and we both have goals we need the other to accomplish.”
“I have no goals at all,” Chronos snarled.
“Yes, you do,” Kendra said calmly. “You want to stop having nightmares about bad things. I eavesdropped on you while you were sleeping the first night. You talk a lot in your sleep.”
Chronos gritted her teeth.
“Meanwhile, I want to save the world,” Kendra said reasonably.
– Emily Martha Sorensen, To Prevent Chic Costumes
(Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog)
October 21, 2017
To Prevent Chic Costumes is the second book in the Magical Mayhem series. This continuation is just as funny and exciting as the first! These characters are such a riot. Each new character that is introduced has her own personality and flare that gives to the story. In this sequel we learn a little more backstory of Chronos and her sister Rhea. I look forward to book three!
Kendra, recently turned villain, is slowly coming to terms with what being a villain means. Chronos is realizing what her spontaneous actions have done to Kendra and while she has no intentions to help Kendra she realizes she may have to.
I would recommend this story to a teenage audience (though as an adult I found it very interesting as well!)
Final Rating: 5 Stars
Kendra, recently turned villain, is slowly coming to terms with what being a villain means. Chronos is realizing what her spontaneous actions have done to Kendra and while she has no intentions to help Kendra she realizes she may have to.
I would recommend this story to a teenage audience (though as an adult I found it very interesting as well!)
Final Rating: 5 Stars
June 28, 2017
After Kendra´s defection, sh sets her mind up to winning Chronos as her new teammate... or force her to accept the fate regardless. The naive oracle, absolutely inexperienced in mundane life, regrets her decision to warn the stubborn former magical girl every minute, and desperately tries to get rid of her. So desperately that she even contacts her sister, Rhea, and asks her for advice. Chronos even buys a lair for the fresh villain.. but of course, there is always a catch. And this one remains mysterious.
Entertaining and funny quick read, with several facepalm moments, moments of utter disbelief, and moments when you don´t know whether to laugh or cry. Kendra´s twisted view of reality is absolutely amusing, and if she decided to get stuck with me as her teammate, I would probably go insane. I pitied Chronos most of the time. But all in one, I am truly curious how things will develop for these two unlikely allies.
I read an ARC of the story and voluntary provide my honest feedback.
Entertaining and funny quick read, with several facepalm moments, moments of utter disbelief, and moments when you don´t know whether to laugh or cry. Kendra´s twisted view of reality is absolutely amusing, and if she decided to get stuck with me as her teammate, I would probably go insane. I pitied Chronos most of the time. But all in one, I am truly curious how things will develop for these two unlikely allies.
I read an ARC of the story and voluntary provide my honest feedback.
July 7, 2017
“She had never failed to do what was necessary, no matter what the cost. She would do whatever she had to to protect world peace.”
Kendra and her friends are Magical Girls that have to ‘Protect World Peace’. They act like little kids because they are little kids. However, they are starting to “grow up”. Will they lose their powers?
Chronos is a born mage. She’s still trying to figure out good and evil. Will stopping Magical Girls change things? Even that thought changes her from a recluse to confronting Kendra. What will happen?
This short book is a verbal telling of To Prevent World Peace,Sorensen’s graphic comic. One of the good things is that I see these characters in a different light without the graphics. Both are welcome in a world trying to figure out good and evil. Recommended 4 stars
Kendra and her friends are Magical Girls that have to ‘Protect World Peace’. They act like little kids because they are little kids. However, they are starting to “grow up”. Will they lose their powers?
Chronos is a born mage. She’s still trying to figure out good and evil. Will stopping Magical Girls change things? Even that thought changes her from a recluse to confronting Kendra. What will happen?
This short book is a verbal telling of To Prevent World Peace,Sorensen’s graphic comic. One of the good things is that I see these characters in a different light without the graphics. Both are welcome in a world trying to figure out good and evil. Recommended 4 stars
October 21, 2018
Whimsical Mischief
Be prepared to use the dictionary (built into my reader) on words you don't know. I have an immense vocabulary--yes, from reading!--and ran into a few new words I plan to have fun with. And meanwhile we have a scared, bossy, overbearing teenager confronting a wouldn't-be (isn't that the opposite of wannabe?) villain who is clearly, at the very least, an abject introvert who wants nothing to do with our erstwhile heroine . . . Oh, this is so much fun! And, fair warning, CLIFFHANGER! Because, duh! It's a serial and it is only Part 2!
Short, totally NOT sweet, but delicious. And the answer to the title is buried about half way through this episode. Bad guys can be so much fun--at least in books.
Be prepared to use the dictionary (built into my reader) on words you don't know. I have an immense vocabulary--yes, from reading!--and ran into a few new words I plan to have fun with. And meanwhile we have a scared, bossy, overbearing teenager confronting a wouldn't-be (isn't that the opposite of wannabe?) villain who is clearly, at the very least, an abject introvert who wants nothing to do with our erstwhile heroine . . . Oh, this is so much fun! And, fair warning, CLIFFHANGER! Because, duh! It's a serial and it is only Part 2!
Short, totally NOT sweet, but delicious. And the answer to the title is buried about half way through this episode. Bad guys can be so much fun--at least in books.
November 2, 2017
I liked this even more than the first one. There's some humor in it. I'd recommend this story. It's very interesting and fun; good escapist fare.
At the start Kendra ("the pest") was bugging Chronos. Villain costumes and lairs can be insanely expensive, especially when Chronos's sister gave her the special rate, i.e., ten times the normal price for the costumes. The shopping for a lair part was fun - one had no dead bodies and a fully-furnished plotting room (to normal people that would be a conference room). At the end Kendra and Chronos seemed to be getting along better, so I'm guessing that in future stories they'll work together. Can't wait to see what happens next!
At the start Kendra ("the pest") was bugging Chronos. Villain costumes and lairs can be insanely expensive, especially when Chronos's sister gave her the special rate, i.e., ten times the normal price for the costumes. The shopping for a lair part was fun - one had no dead bodies and a fully-furnished plotting room (to normal people that would be a conference room). At the end Kendra and Chronos seemed to be getting along better, so I'm guessing that in future stories they'll work together. Can't wait to see what happens next!
December 11, 2017
This is book 2 in the Magical Mayhem series and it is such a great read. I am loving short stories lately! I really like this book because the author puts enough information in the story to make it worthwhile, and leaves you wanting more. Kendra and Chronos are hilarious. They are so opposite and everything they went through made me smile through pretty much the whole book. I can't wait to read the next installment to find out what happens next. I highly recommend this book to teens, young adult, and adults. I am 43 years old and loved it!
*I received this book from the author. All opinions stated are solely my own.*
*I received this book from the author. All opinions stated are solely my own.*
July 6, 2017
In this edition, Kendra forces herself on Chronos, since In Kendra’s mind, Chronos is responsible for setting Kendra down the path of villainy to begin with. The back and forth between the two characters is amusing as well as Chronos’s attempts to get rid of Kendra from her life. A cute tale complete with that comic book feel. An easy read for a short spurt of young humor. This voluntary review is based against an advance copy.
July 15, 2018
This "town" just isn't big enough for the pair of us
A quick coffee break read that goes down extremely well. They say that no good turn goes unpunished. Chronograph finds that she now has an unwelcome houseguest that is driving her insane. Nothing she says will dislodge them and her apartment is just too small for the two of them. What to do? Great little humorous read but just too short. The characters as always are terrific.
A quick coffee break read that goes down extremely well. They say that no good turn goes unpunished. Chronograph finds that she now has an unwelcome houseguest that is driving her insane. Nothing she says will dislodge them and her apartment is just too small for the two of them. What to do? Great little humorous read but just too short. The characters as always are terrific.
October 18, 2017
This book was a fantastic way to continue. Kendra gets to realize some consequences of her choice. Chronos gets to show some of her backstory, and even sees how her choice could have been different. It was nice to see the in between stages without the magical girl powers. Just to see a bit more of the world here.
November 2, 2017
what a funny book 2 to the series. Although a quick read, I laughed through most of it. It started with a bang and got better. I thought lair hunting was a hoot. I cannot wait to see what happens next. Chronos is clueless and Kendra funny and a typical girl kind of. And Rhea, I giggle as I think of her. I loved it. This is just a great clean funny series to read.
November 9, 2017
I liked it and it is the 2nd installment in the Magical Mayhem series to Prevent World Peace. Poor Chronos is trying desperately to get rid of Kendra but to no avail. She is so desperate she goes to see her sister and buys a house for Kendra but it won’t work. Kendra won’t leave.
It’s a fun read and I think adults will enjoy it as much as teenage girls.
It’s a fun read and I think adults will enjoy it as much as teenage girls.
June 29, 2017
Cute story with Chronos is desperately trying to get rid of magical girl, Kendra. The girl won't take "No" for an answer. Chronos wants no part of the battles between villians and magical girls. As a last resort, Chronos goes to her sister for advice. I can't wait for the next one.
December 2, 2017
Intriguing and short read.
How to convince someone to be on your team when she is convinced she doesn’t need anyone?
Can Chronos and Kendra work it out or not?
I received an advanced reader copy and this is my honest and voluntary review
How to convince someone to be on your team when she is convinced she doesn’t need anyone?
Can Chronos and Kendra work it out or not?
I received an advanced reader copy and this is my honest and voluntary review
November 2, 2017
a fun light hearted tale ... A continuation of Chronos' travails and her unwanted room mate... very enjoyable but it's over too soon!
June 12, 2023
To Prevent Chic Costumes is the second book in Emily Martha Sorensen’s Magical Mayhem Series. I really like all of Emily Martha Sorensen’s stories. Nearly all of them have some sort of magic, and each series has its own sort of magic that is different from all the others. I don’t see how she does it, but she does it well.
The Magical Mayhem Series is kind of a lightweight series with really short books (perfect if you don’t want to get bogged down in long books). It seems to have begun as a webcomic that was spun off into a series of books, which probably accounts for the short length of the books.
Although there are one or two prequel books, the main story began with Kendra, a powerful magical girl whose magical girl persona had gone by the name of Cream Angel. Chronos, a young woman from a villainous family who can see the future foresaw a time when all the villains had been defeated, and Kendra, leading an alliance of magical girls who suddenly found themselves without a purpose, set off a campaign that wound up destroying the world. Trying to prevent this future, Chronos went to Kendra and showed her this future. Kendra, who isn’t really a bad person (although sometimes it isn’t easy to tell this) took the hint and decided to defect and become a villain instead.
Unfortunately for Chronos, Kendra followed her home and now refuses to leave, insisting they should become a team to prevent the world-ending scenario from happening.
In desperation, Chronos finally turns to her sister for advice, although she doesn’t especially like her sister. Rhea, the sister, suggests that what Kendra needs is a new costume. And a lair.
The Magical Mayhem Series is kind of a lightweight series with really short books (perfect if you don’t want to get bogged down in long books). It seems to have begun as a webcomic that was spun off into a series of books, which probably accounts for the short length of the books.
Although there are one or two prequel books, the main story began with Kendra, a powerful magical girl whose magical girl persona had gone by the name of Cream Angel. Chronos, a young woman from a villainous family who can see the future foresaw a time when all the villains had been defeated, and Kendra, leading an alliance of magical girls who suddenly found themselves without a purpose, set off a campaign that wound up destroying the world. Trying to prevent this future, Chronos went to Kendra and showed her this future. Kendra, who isn’t really a bad person (although sometimes it isn’t easy to tell this) took the hint and decided to defect and become a villain instead.
Unfortunately for Chronos, Kendra followed her home and now refuses to leave, insisting they should become a team to prevent the world-ending scenario from happening.
In desperation, Chronos finally turns to her sister for advice, although she doesn’t especially like her sister. Rhea, the sister, suggests that what Kendra needs is a new costume. And a lair.
December 13, 2017
DISCLAIMER: I received a free e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own! :D
I couldn't wait to delve into the next part of the Magical Mayhem series, and it did not disappoint. We get some very interesting hints as to past events, and I really hope those will be explored later in the series! :D The only problem I had with this story was the same problem I had with the first - it felt more like it was part of a larger story!
Would recommend this series, and I can't wait to see where it goes from here! :D
I couldn't wait to delve into the next part of the Magical Mayhem series, and it did not disappoint. We get some very interesting hints as to past events, and I really hope those will be explored later in the series! :D The only problem I had with this story was the same problem I had with the first - it felt more like it was part of a larger story!
Would recommend this series, and I can't wait to see where it goes from here! :D
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