Chapter 13: Sadie’s Summoning Attempt and Gigi’s Memorial Dinner
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Sadie wakes to the reality that her mother, Florence, has returned. Overwhelmed, she escapes to her café to bake lemon rosemary cake for clarity. Jake checks on her briefly. Later, desperate for answers about the curse, Sadie persuades Seth to help her perform a summoning spell from Calliope Madizza’s book. In the woods, a malevolent cold presence interferes; the spell fails, and a patch of sweet peas withers. Seth carries her away, scolding her for reckless magic. On the day of Gigi’s memorial dinner, extended family arrives. During preparations, Florence accidentally reveals that Seth and Raquel are secretly together. Sadie is shocked but not angry. At the dinner, Sadie toasts Gigi’s rule number five: “A legacy without love ain’t worth a damn, sugar.” Florence attempts a reconciliation, but Sadie keeps her emotional guard up. The chapter ends with the family recipe.
Key Events
- Sadie avoids her mother and heads to the café to bake lemon rosemary cake.
- Jake visits, but Sadie remains focused on her quest for clarity.
- Sadie sketches a summoning diagram from Calliope’s book and forces Seth to assist.
- A freezing, malevolent presence disrupts the ritual; Seth ends it by carrying Sadie away.
- The sweet peas that Jake revived are found shriveled and dust-like.
- Seth learns Sadie has been sensing the cold spirit before.
- On Thursday, the house fills with extended family for Gigi’s memorial dinner.
- Florence blurts out that Seth and Raquel are romantically involved.
- Sadie gives a heartfelt toast to Gigi’s rule number five.
- Florence and Sadie share a quiet moment washing dishes; Sadie resists opening up.
- The countdown reaches fifteen days until the full moon.
Character Development
- Sadie: Her grief and fear drive her to reckless magic. She struggles to trust others, especially Florence, and clings to control, but shows vulnerability when Seth hugs her after the failed spell.
- Seth: Takes on a protective role, physically carrying Sadie away from danger. He admits his own fear but insists they face the curse together, showing maturity and a commitment to their twin bond.
- Florence: Attempts to reconnect with Sadie, acknowledging her past mistakes. Her accidental reveal of Seth and Raquel’s relationship creates tension but also forces honesty.
- Raquel: Confirms her relationship with Seth, apologizing to Sadie; her loyalty remains clear.
- Jake: His brief appearance and the ruined sweet peas hint at the fragile connection he is rebuilding with Sadie.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Legacy vs. Love: Gigi’s rule number five — “A legacy without love ain’t worth a damn” — becomes the chapter’s emotional anchor, contrasting with the cold, loveless magic Sadie attempted.
- Family as Sanctuary: The chaotic, loving dinner prep and the embracing house stand in opposition to the malevolent spirit that attacks in the woods.
- Secrets and Trust: The revelation of Seth and Raquel’s secret relationship mirrors Sadie’s own hidden feelings for Jake and her guardedness toward Florence.
- Ritual and Baking: Both are forms of magic; baking brings clarity and community, while the summoning spell brings danger and destruction.
Why This Chapter Matters
- It reduces the full-moon countdown from 20 to 15 days, increasing urgency.
- It introduces a malevolent supernatural presence that will likely play a larger role.
- Seth and Sadie’s partnership deepens, moving past their earlier resentment.
- The memorial dinner allows the extended family to gather, reinforcing the theme that Gigi’s true legacy is love, not magic.
- Florence’s attempt at reconciliation sets up future emotional conflict for Sadie, who must decide whether to trust her mother.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Sadie decide to perform a summoning spell, and what does her choice reveal about her state of mind?
Sadie is desperate for guidance on how to break the curse and save Seth. With only twenty days left, she resorts to a dangerous ritual because she feels she has no other options. This shows how grief and fear are pushing her toward reckless decisions, overriding her usual caution.
2. How does Seth’s reaction to the failed spell contrast with Sadie’s, and what does it tell us about his character growth?
Seth immediately stops the ritual, physically removes Sadie, and scolds her for using dark magic. He later admits he is also scared but insists they face the curse together. This shows Seth has moved from being the absent brother to a protective partner, willing to share the burden.
3. What is the significance of Gigi’s “rule number five” in the context of Sadie’s struggle with the curse?
The rule — “A legacy without love ain’t worth a damn” — reminds Sadie that magic without family bonds is hollow. The curse threatens to take not only Seth’s life but also Sadie’s ability to love and be loved. The chapter suggests that saving her brother may require re-embracing love, including forgiving Florence and trusting Jake.