SAVE THE PAIGE WORKSHOP! Anne has finally attained the title of Silver Sugar Master, but not without paying a price―Challe has sold his freedom to Bridget Paige, the daughter of the Paige Workshop maestro. Determined to get him back, Anne travels to the Paige Workshop and learns they’ll return him if she agrees to work for them. But then she’s assigned the difficult task of reviving the debt-ridden business, which is close to shutting down! Set on rescuing Challe, Anne doesn’t shy away from the challenge, but with only five candy crafters, and their faction’s long history of set traditions restricting her actions, how will she save the Paige Workshop…?
Much as I enjoyed the anime adaptation, the source novels provide so much more context and make for a better telling of the story. The additional details here, such as Challe's feelings and how a certain someone first appears in the plot, really add a lot and make things less oblique. Let's just say that it'll make my sister - who spent hours ranting about certain aspects of the anime's finale - much happier.
I considered docking this a star or two because I hate the Paiges so much, but that wouldn't be fair to the book since it's not an issue with HOW they're written, I just detest them as people with every fiber of my being.
Really enjoying this series. The characters and concepts are expanded on since there is more time than in the anime. Can't wait for the next translation.