The premise is fizzier than the execution.
In this third series outing, five young ladies with exceptional abilities continue to work together as British counterespionage agents during the Napoleonic wars.
The plot kicks off as the cocky, white American inventor Alexander Sinclair prepares to sail his new warship to London to be used by the British navy against the French invasion. Lady Jane, a white Stranje House girl narrating in an Austen-esque tone, conveniently stumbles upon two spies conspiring in the dead of night, learning that they know of the existence of this secret military steamship. The ladies of Stranje House, along with Mr. Sinclair, concoct an ingenious idea to secretly smuggle the steamship into London under the watchful eyes of the enemy. As cover, headmistress Miss Stranje decides to host a coming-out ball for the young ladies in London so they can investigate and, hopefully, thwart any threats that might endanger England. Baldwin’s evocation of this odd school of unusual girls falls flat with contrived romance narratives that play out predictably and characters that lack complexity. The plot is stretched thin as if in a war of its own, a narrative that cannot decide whether it’s a romance or spy novel. The girls brood over their fates although they enjoy the luxury of servants and seamstresses. Moments of witty banter feel artificial, as does Lady Jane’s secret, which is drawn out far too long for its revelation to be effective.
The premise is fizzier than the execution. (Mystery/historical fiction. 12-18)Pub Date: May 23, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-7653-7604-6
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Tor Teen
Review Posted Online: March 14, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head.
The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.
Autumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart; their mothers are still best friends. Growing up, Autumn and Finny were like peas in a pod despite their differences: Autumn is “quirky and odd,” while Finny is “sweet and shy and everyone like[s] him.” But in eighth grade, Autumn and Finny stop being friends due to an unexpected kiss. They drift apart and find new friends, but their friendship keeps asserting itself at parties, shared holiday gatherings and random encounters. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. But on August 8, everything changes, and Autumn has to rely on all her strength to move on. Autumn’s coming-of-age is sensitively chronicled, with a wide range of experiences and events shaping her character. Even secondary characters are well-rounded, with their own histories and motivations.
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head. (Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: April 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4022-7782-5
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
Exactly what the title promises.
A grieving teen’s devotion to romance films might ruin her chances at actual romance.
Liz Buxbaum has always adored rom-coms, not least for helping her still feel close to her screenwriter mother, who died when she was little. Liz hopes that her senior year might turn into a real-life romantic fantasy, as an old crush has moved back to town, cuter and nicer than ever. Surely she can get Michael to ask her to prom. If only Wes, the annoying boy next door, would help her with her scheming! This charming, fluffy concoction manages to pack into one goofy plot every conceivable trope, from fake dating to the makeover to the big misunderstanding. Creative, quirky, daydreaming Liz is just shy of an annoying stereotype, saved by a dry wit and unresolved grief and anger. Wes makes for a delightful bad boy with a good heart, and supporting characters—including a sassy best friend, a perfect popular rival, even a (not really) evil stepmother—all get the opportunity to transcend their roles. The only villain here is Liz’s lovelorn imagination, provoking her into foolish lies that cause actual hurt feelings; but she is sufficiently self-aware to make amends just in time for the most important trope of all: a blissfully happy ending. All characters seem to be White by default.
Exactly what the title promises. (Romance. 12-18)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-5344-6762-0
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Feb. 22, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
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