Scott Bailey (Children's Literature)
In Bath’s debut novel, he introduces us to the hard-to-find Barony of Cant and its population of traditional albeit eccentric inhabitants. (Cant is on the map, but you have to look really hard to find it, or so Bath claims.) The heroine of the novel, Lucy Wickwright, is a maidservant to the sole heir to the Barony, Pauline Cant. When Lucy is suddenly sent on an errand to deliver money to a prisoner, she is thrust into the conflict known as the Chewing Gum Rebellion that leads her down the path to discover her true identity and what really happened to her parents and beloved younger brother Casio the night they died. Throughout her adventures, she discovers the true meaning of friendship and the corruption of power behind the many closed doors of Castle Cant. Even though this is Bath’s first full-length book, he is no stranger to the writing world, having been published in numerous literary journals in the forms of short stories and novellas. He has taken his talent for writing and given the world a classic children’s novel full of adventure, mystery, and a touch of old-world charm. All these elements combine to make this quirky and funny novel a must for young readers and one that even adults might enjoy. 2004, Little Brown and Company, $6.99. Ages 8 up.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, September 1, 2004 (Vol. 72, No. 17))
The Barony of Cant is difficult to find on a map, usually hidden within the folds, but within this anachronistic land, which uses catapults and dungeons, but receives hand-me-down clothes from America, lives Lucy Wickwright. An orphan and maidservant to mischievous Pauline, heiress to the throne, Lucy finds herself an unlikely spy for the Chewing Gum Rebellion. More than an anti-loyalist faction that wants to rid the barony of overpriced, imported chewing gum, which keeps the commoners slaves to the aristocracy, the Cause is spreading rumors that Lord Cant had an illegitimate daughter before he married. This unknown child would be the rightful heir. Claiming the throne isn't an easy task, however, when a diabolical would-be regent wants to usurp control, and loyalty over status guides one's heart. Lucy must choose her true alliances, family, and future in this clever debut. With its quirky medieval setting and unpretentious, underdog heroine, this story will appeal to young fans of that other popular orphan. 2004, Little, Brown, 292p, $16.99. Category: Fiction. Ages 10 to 14. Starred Review. © 2004 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Sharon R. Strock (Library Media Connection, April/May 2005)
As readers enter the curious and unusual world of Lucy, the hardworking servant to the Baron of Cant's daughter, they encounter a world of intrigue, whimsy, and the fantastic. The story takes place in the Barony of Cant where Lucy and Pauline (the Baron's daughter) are a mischievous team. Their antics include catapulting wet laundry into the courtyard, running through the castle's secret passages, and getting involved in a shadowy rebellion against chewing gum. One might think the story takes place in the Middle Ages, but hints of the present day are evident. Through all her trials and tribulations as a servant, Lucy remains loyal to Pauline. Eventually, she finds out that she is actually the true heir of the Barony of Cant, as she is the older, illegitimate daughter of the Baron. Loyalty and friendship are major themes in this wonderful story. Lucy and Pauline are strong female heroines. It is an adventure of epic proportions with a cast of rather eccentric characters. Bath creatively weaves a story that will engulf the reader and includes many elements of literature such as imagery and similes. Christiana, adding nicely to the text, creatively embellishes the chapters with drawings. Recommended. 2004, Little, Brown and Company, 304pp., $16.99 hc. Ages 8 to 13.

Timnah Card (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, September 2004 (Vol. 58, No. 1))
Lucy Wickwright, illegitimate daughter of the Baron of Cant, works as a servant in the castle where her father rules. Since she is ignorant of her true identity and birthright (Cantish law decrees that all heirs are equal, whether their parents were married or not), Lucy serves cheerfully, looking after the Baron's legitimate younger daughter, Pauline. On his deathbed, the Baron calls both girls to him and reveals his secret to them but dies before he can dictate a statement in front of witnesses. Unfortunately for Lucy, the Baron's surreptitious behavior has placed her squarely in the political spotlight, and she finds herself in danger of cooptation by rebels and imprisonment by loyalists. The story, which begins with a rather deceptively lighthearted hurling of underwear from the battlements and includes characters named Sauersop, Stomata, Retsch, and Lemonjello, gradually deepens into a full-blown tale of murder, mystery, and intrigue involving nicely developed characters of all ages but never faltering from Lucy's preteen perspective. A spurious author's note and acknowledgments page assert that the Barony of Cant indeed exists and that this account is merely an historical chronicle thereof, and that it is under no circumstances to be derogatorily referred to as "a novel." This and other marks of spoofery (including occasional puns and facetious footnotes) belie the rounded nature of the narrative but serve to prepare readers for the unusual ending. A map and an appendix explaining the basics of heraldry are included. (Reviewed from galleys) Review Code: R -- Recommended. (c) Copyright 2004, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2004, Little, 304p, $16.99. Grades 6-8.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Spring 2005)
Set in a country hidden by mountains, this story follows Lucy, the young servant of Cant's next ruler, and the mystery surrounding Lucy's birth and the murder of her family. The entertaining yarn's lack of focus results in a confusing plot but is mitigated by Lucy’s steadfast support for Pauline, her mistress. Further adventures of these two are sure to follow. Category: Intermediate Fiction. 2004, Little, 292pp, 16.99. Ages 9 to 12. Rating: 4: Recommended, with minor flaws.

Timothy Capehart (VOYA, December 2004 (Vol. 27, No. 5))
In the tiny Barony of Cant, most of the aristocracy is addicted to the vile scourge of chewing gum. Importing it from the outlands has nearly drained the country's coffers. The Baron has fallen ill, and his only heir, Pauline Esmeralda Simone-Thierry von Cant, is but a child, who in the company of her devoted maidservant Lucy Wickwright, is always getting into trouble by following her "whims." Count Orloff, who has been responsible for the chewing gum addiction, has set events in motion that will guarantee his appointment as Regent when the Baron dies. There is also a rebellion brewing of peasants tired of working so the rich can chew. When the Baron dies, Lucy and Pauline discover that they are actually sisters, and they are pulled and pushed by the adults jockeying for power. Their friendship holds true as they escape together to an uncertain future. Nothing of consequence occurs in the first one hundred pages of this glacially paced "adventure" tale. Once the adventure begins in earnest, it ends too quickly and leaves far too much unresolved. This novel is Pratchett's Discworld on Valium without the magic and much of the humor. Bath's attempts to lend uniqueness to his first novel get in the way of storytelling, challenge credulity, and defy logic. Even within the confines of the world set up in the book, it makes little sense that Cant is a medieval-seeming barony nestled in the modern world or that chewing gum is an expensive and addictive commodity. Bath's writing does have its moments, but they cannot save this misguided first draft in search of an editor. It is recommended only for the largest of collections. VOYA CODES: 2Q 2P M J (Better editing or work by the author might have warranted a 3Q; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2004, Little Brown,, 304p., $16.99. Ages 11 to 15.