by Kathleen Baldwin
Macmillan-Tor/Forge
May 2015
Set in 1814 England at the time of Napoleon's machinations, this book is very appealing because of its unexpected setting for adolescent females who do much more than fit into English society's expectations for women.
What's different about this book
The students at the unusual school have been quietly abandoned by their families because they don't fit into the traditional roles for young ladies in 1814. Instead, the girls have much more to offer, and the Stranje School is just the place for them to develop their unusual talents and find a way to serve their country and international politics.
It's fun to watch the plot develop and to see the characters reveal their talents. I was sometimes impatient with the main character, Georgiana, as she is slow to catch on to what the reader clearly sees. Georgie has to mature, and that is sometimes irritating to me as a reader.
What I'll do now that I've read the book
I'll enjoy introducing my readers, probably the female patrons, to historical fiction at the same time as strong females, some with decided STEM talents. Not a usual combination for young adult literature. This is an entertaining and engaging read.
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