by Kathleen Baldwin ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 23, 2017
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
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by Laura Nowlin ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 6, 2024
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind.
In this companion novel to 2013’s If He Had Been With Me, three characters tell their sides of the story.
Finn’s narrative starts three days before his death. He explores the progress of his unrequited love for best friend Autumn up until the day he finally expresses his feelings. Finn’s story ends with his tragic death, which leaves his close friends devastated, unmoored, and uncertain how to go on. Jack’s section follows, offering a heartbreaking look at what it’s like to live with grief. Jack works to overcome the anger he feels toward Sylvie, the girlfriend Finn was breaking up with when he died, and Autumn, the girl he was preparing to build his life around (but whom Jack believed wasn’t good enough for Finn). But when Jack sees how Autumn’s grief matches his own, it changes their understanding of one another. Autumn’s chapters trace her life without Finn as readers follow her struggles with mental health and balancing love and loss. Those who have read the earlier book will better connect with and feel for these characters, particularly since they’ll have a more well-rounded impression of Finn. The pain and anger is well written, and the novel highlights the most troublesome aspects of young adulthood: overconfidence sprinkled with heavy insecurities, fear-fueled decisions, bad communication, and brash judgments. Characters are cued white.
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind. (author’s note, content warning) (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781728276229
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024
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by Laura Nowlin ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2013
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
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