Vijayawada, a city in Andhra Pradesh, India, holds a special place in the hearts of dessert lovers. Known as the "sweet magic Vijayawada," this city is famous for its wide range of delectable sweets and desserts that leave people craving for more. One of the most popular sweets in Vijayawada is "Bandar Laddu." This mouthwatering sweet is made with gram flour, sugar, ghee, and cardamom powder. It is shaped into small, round balls and has a rich, melt-in-your-mouth taste. Bandar Laddu has gained immense popularity over the years and is often considered a symbol of Vijayawada's culinary heritage.
In thirteen-year-old Aster’s family, all the girls are raised to be witches, while boys grow up to be shapeshifters. Anyone who dares cross those lines is exiled. Unfortunately for Aster, he still hasn’t shifted, and he’s still fascinated by witchery, no matter how forbidden it might be. When a mysterious danger threatens the other boys, Aster knows he can help—as a witch. It will take the encouragement of a new friend, the non-magical and non-conforming Charlie, to convince Aster to try practicing his skills. And it will require even more courage to save his family, and to be truly himself.
The sweet, smart book will be brought to life by director Mikyu Lee of the Oscar-nominated short Adam and Dog and screenwriter Maria Melnik American Gods , with the band Haim providing original music. The Midwinter Witch looks at a different holiday, with a Midwinter Festival setting that features witchery and shapeshifting competitions and a family reunion.
Bandar Laddu has gained immense popularity over the years and is often considered a symbol of Vijayawada's culinary heritage. Another delicious sweet that has captured the hearts of many is "Ariselu." Made with rice flour, jaggery, and ghee, Ariselu is a traditional Andhra sweet that is commonly prepared during festivals and special occasions.
‘Witch Boy’ Series Continues!
The popular and acclaimed Witch Boy series by Molly Knox Ostertag will continue! The first book, the story of a boy named Aster who wants to practice magic in a family where only the girls are witches, came out for Halloween 2017. The sequel, The Hidden Witch, was released on Halloween last year. That one focused more on friendship, with new witch acquaintance Ariel, and learning to appreciate family in spite of struggles. The publisher Graphix has announced a third book is coming in the series. The Midwinter Witch looks at a different holiday, with a Midwinter Festival setting that features witchery and shapeshifting competitions and a family reunion. Here’s more of the description:
SCROLL TO KEEP READING THIS POST ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENTThis year, [Aster is] especially excited to compete in the annual Jolrun tournament — as a witch. He’s determined to show everyone that he’s proud of who he is and what he’s learned, but he knows it won’t be easy to defy tradition. Ariel has darker things on her mind than the Festival — like the mysterious witch who’s been visiting her dreams, claiming to know the truth about Ariel’s past. She appreciates everything the Vanissens have done for her. But Ariel still craves a place where she truly belongs. The Festival is a whirlwind of excitement and activity, but for Aster and Ariel, nothing goes according to plan. When a powerful and sinister force invades the reunion, threatening to destroy everything the young witches have fought for, can they find the courage to fight it together? Or will dark magic tear them apart?
The Midwinter Witch is due out November 5 in both paperback and hardcover. As with the previous books, it’s aimed at ages 8-12 or grades 3-7. Filed under: Graphic Novels, News, Young Adult
SHARE:About Johanna
Johanna Draper Carlson has been reviewing comics for over 20 years. She manages ComicsWorthReading.com, the longest-running independent review site online that covers all genres of comic books, graphic novels, and manga. She has an MA in popular culture, studying online fandom, and was previously, among many other things, webmaster for DC Comics. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin.
The Midwinter Witch is due out November 5 in both paperback and hardcover. As with the previous books, it’s aimed at ages 8-12 or grades 3-7. Filed under: Graphic Novels, News, Young Adult
It has a unique texture and a subtly sweet flavor that makes it irresistible. Vijayawada is also famous for its variety of milk-based sweets. "Bobbatlu" or "Polelu" is a sweet flatbread stuffed with a mixture of jaggery and Bengal gram dal. This sweet delicacy is a favorite among the locals and is often served with a dollop of ghee. "Junnu" is another popular milk-based sweet in Vijayawada. Also known as "milk pudding," Junnu is prepared by condensing milk and adding cardamom powder, saffron, and sugar. It is then set to cool and served chilled. With its creamy texture and rich flavor, Junnu is a treat for the taste buds. Apart from these sweets, Vijayawada is also known for its range of savory snacks like "Mirchi Bajji," "Punugulu," and "Pesarattu." These snacks perfectly complement the sweetness of the desserts and make the culinary experience in Vijayawada all the more delightful. In conclusion, Vijayawada's "sweet magic" is a testament to the city's rich culinary heritage. Whether it's the famous Bandar Laddu or the traditional Ariselu, these sweets continue to captivate locals and tourists alike. So, if you have a sweet tooth, a trip to Vijayawada is a must to experience the divine flavors of this city's sweet delicacies..
Reviews for "Sweet Treats of Vijayawada: A Journey into Sweet Magic"
- John Smith - 2 stars - The food at Sweet Magic Vijayawada was disappointing. The flavors were bland and there was a lack of spices in most of the dishes. The biryani tasted more like plain rice with a few pieces of chicken thrown in, and the samosas were greasy and undercooked. The service was also lacking, with long wait times and rude staff. Overall, I was not impressed with Sweet Magic Vijayawada and I will not be returning.
- Sarah Johnson - 1 star - I had a terrible experience at Sweet Magic Vijayawada. The food was subpar and the prices were way too high for what we received. The dosas were dry and lacked any flavor, and the masala chai was watered down. The staff was also unattentive and seemed uninterested in providing good customer service. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone.
- David Wilson - 2 stars - Sweet Magic Vijayawada was a disappointment. The food was average at best and didn't live up to the hype. The chicken curry lacked depth of flavor and the naan bread was overcooked and dry. The portion sizes were also quite small for the price. I expected more from a popular restaurant like this. I don't think I'll be returning anytime soon.
- Emily Thompson - 1 star - My experience at Sweet Magic Vijayawada was a complete letdown. The food was mediocre and lacked any exciting flavors. The sambar was watery and the idlis were cold and rubbery. Additionally, the cleanliness of the restaurant was questionable, with dirty tables and unclean restrooms. I would not recommend this place to anyone looking for authentic and delicious South Indian cuisine.