DNF Explanation: Masks and Shadows by Stephanie Burgis

Pages: 300
Published: April 12, 2016
Publisher: Pyr
Received: Copy from publisher
Rating: DNF page 79 (26%)

Call this one a case of reader/book incompatibility, because I could not get into Masks and Shadows at all. The setting had a vague "Eastern European" feel to it where I can't help picturing everyone walking around with fake Dracula accents. The characters ranged from irritating to bland, but all cardboardy, and I couldn't connect with any of them.

The dastardly mystery felt hokey and forced, which was super disappointing because with features like murder, secret mystical groups of shady intent, hidden alliances, and magic, I figured I was going to love this. But, no, it all felt very paint-by-numbers with no heart.

And, speaking of heart, the romance was...icky. I'm sorry, I just couldn't wrap my head around a romance between dull, main-ish character Charlotte and jerky Carlo Morelli, a castrato.

Bottom line

Maybe if one of these things worked for me, if I clicked with Charlotte or if the mystery was more engaging or if the setting sucked me in or if Carlo was a likable person or if the romance was swoony, ONE thing and maybe I could have made it work.

As it was, I had to force myself to read this because I SO wanted to love it (I adore Stephanie Burgis's Kat books), but, no, Masks and Shadows is not the book for me.

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Book Review: Renegade Magic by Stephanie Burgis

• Renegade Magic by Stephanie Burgis
• #2 in the Unladylike Adventures of Kat Stephenson series
• Release Date: April 3, 2012
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
• Pages:336
• Received: ARC from publisher
• Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

This is the second book in a series! 

There are NO spoilers in this review for the first book 

(but if I mention a name, then you kind of know they didn't die in the first book!)

Still worried? Read my Kat, Incorrigible review instead!

Summary

Kat Stephenson is back to cause more chaos! Stepmama drags the family to Bath to find Kat's sister a new suitor. But, unknown to most of its gossipy visitors, Bath is full of wild magic. When Kat uncovers a plot to harness this magic in the Roman Baths, she finds her brother Charles is unwittingly involved. Kat must risk her newfound magical powers as she defies the Order of the Guardians to foil the plot and clear her brother's name. -Goodreads

Review

It is so good to be back with Kat!

Kat is as lovable as ever, but it's clear my little girl is growing up. With responsible big sister Elissa MIA for pretty much all of the story, it's up to Kat to rein in her flaky brother Charles and impulsive sister Angeline. (And much as I love Elissa, it was kind of fun being so unsupervised!)

To say Kat has her work cut out for her is a massive understatement. Plus, Kat also has to contend with her own Guardian problems (and, ugh, Lady Fotherington is SO annoying! But she totally gets hers in the end *cackle*). Kat of course rises to the occasion with pluck and determination.

The deal

After Angeline's fiance's mother arrives on the scene as a new Woman to Loathe and announces that her son will NEVER marry a witch like Angeline (seriously, I mean an actual magical witch), Stepmama whisks Angeline off to Bath to find a replacement man.

Angeline, heartbroken and hellbent on marrying the man she loves, concocts a half-baked plan of ruination that provides fodder for lots of unladylike snickering. I wanted to strangle her because her plan was SO CLEARLY A BAD IDEA. I felt very close to Kat whenever she sighed and moaned about Angeline.

And then there's Charles. Irrepressible gambler, it takes him about two seconds after arriving in Bath to sneak off and get himself into trouble. The imagery created by his oblivious escapades had me laughing out loud at the absurdity of it all. Sadly though, while he's around more often than the first book, I still didn't get to know him nearly as much as I wanted.

The biggest surprises came from Stepmama and Kat's father. While neither play a central part in the story, both pop in and out to provide a ton of laughs and even a few aaaww-inducing moments. In the first book Stepmama filled the role of Woman to Loathe, but I actually loved her in Renegade Magic. I don't know if she's softening, or if Kat's new maturity is presenting Stepmama in a new light, but she was so cool she actually made me fist pump her awesomeness.

I noticed the writing

Just like Kat, Incorrigible, Kat again narrates, though I think her voice is slightly more mature. I'm not complaining either way here, but the first book had more I-want-to-pinch-your-cheeks-you're-so-cute kind of charm. It was the kind of writing where every sentence is carefully constructed for optimal awww-ness.

I love this, but it's also somewhat exhausting after a while. My internal quoter ends up working overtime and I'm so focused on the brilliance of the sentences that I end up getting pulled out of the story. The writing in Renegade Magic is still very clearly Kat's voice, but it's a smidgen less overtly adorable and a little easier to sink into.

Although, that said, there's one line that is one of my favorite sentences I think I've ever read. (When Charles admires his father's stealthy exit).

Bottom line

Throughout the whole book a part of my brain was busy writing up sleepover party invitations for Kat and Theodosia (those two NEED to meet!). I love Kat and hope to read many, many, many more adventures with her.

This is a strong follow up that should please fans of the first book. I very rarely buy a book before reading it and making absolutely sure I want to spend my hard-earned money on it, but Stephanie Burgis has earned herself a spot on my very tiny auto-buy list. I'm already counting down the days for the release of the third book!

Explanation of rating system: Star Rating Key 

Do you have any questions about Renegade Magic that I haven't addressed? 
Feel free to ask in the comments!

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Author Interview: Stephanie Burgis + Giveaway! (US)

Please Welcome Stephanie Burgis!

Stephanie Burgis’s Kat, Incorrigible (A Most Improper Magick, in the U.K.) was her first published novel and the first in a trilogy of Regency-era fantasies for children. Her second book was published as A Tangle of Magicks in the UK and will be published in the US as Renegade Magic. (Source)

 There are NO spoilers here!

Website  | Blog | Goodreads

Read the first three chapters of Kat, Incorrigible!

Read the first three chapters of Renegade Magic!

Read a FREE Kat short story!

Q:

What are your historical fantasy must-reads? (*Note: I have added Goodreads links for the titles Stephanie mentioned so you can easily add them to your TBR!)

A:

My two top favorites are Elizabeth Marie Pope's The Perilous Garde - Elizabethan England with creepy fairies, a smart, sensible, strong but vulnerable heroine, and a hero to die for! - and Caroline Stevermer and Patricia Wrede's Sorcery and Cecilia (and both of its sequels), which are fabulously funny Regency fantasy romances told in a series of witty letters and diary entries. I also adore Caroline Stevermer's followup MG fantasy novel, Magic Below Stairs.

Q:

What's coming up next for you in terms of publication?

A:

Kat Book 2, Renegade Magic, will be published on April 3, 2012, followed by Kat Book 3 in April 2013! (And with luck I will have come up with a title for it by then...it's already been sent to copy-edits, but I still haven't thought of a good title yet! I am terrible at titles.)

Q:

What drew you to historical fantasy?

A:

Ever since I was a kid, I've been obsessed with history (believe it or not, I used to sucker one of my younger brothers into doing my chores in exchange for true stories from history!) and with fantasy - I imprinted VERY strongly on Lord of the Rings at an early age. And since I also imprinted like a baby duckling on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice when my dad read it to me (at age eight), writing Regency-era historical fantasy makes total sense to me!

Q:

What’s your preference: Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or (gulp) white chocolate?

A:

Dark chocolate all the way. Mmmm, dark chocolate...okay, that's it, I'm off to eat some! (I also use it to make truly decadent hot chocolate. Heat up milk gently in a saucepan, stirring regularly. When it starts to get hot, drop in five squares of your favorite rich dark chocolate. Stir until they melt, then pour into a mug and sigh with bliss!)

Q:

How did Kat, Incorrigible change from pre-to-post publication?

A:

It went through three different title s on the way! When I first wrote it, I called it Kat by Moonlight. Then my editor and I changed it to A Most Improper Magick (which became the title for the UK edition). Finally, my sales team had a stroke of brilliance and suggested changing it to Kat, Incorrigible. Whew! :)

Q:

Is there a genre you could never see yourself writing? Why not?

A:

True crime is probably the only one I'd rule out entirely, just because it holds no interest for me.

Q:

Both of Kat’s sisters are given small romances in Kat, Incorrigible. Will Kat find her own romance in future books?

A:

Right now, I'm only contracted to write three Kat books, and in the third, Kat is still thirteen. So she doesn't pursue her own romance in this trilogy...but various other characters do, and there's even a hint at the end of the third book of someone who just might become a potential love interest for Kat herself in the future. Maybe! ;)

Q:

Are you planning on making Kat’s adventures a trilogy or a longer series?

A:

I'd love it to turn into a longer series - it is so liberating and so much fun for me to write in Kat's voice and follow her adventures! But right now it is a trilogy, and it does have an arc that will be completed by the end of the third book. So although each book is meant to be a standalone adventure, there will definitely be some emotional closure at the end of book 3.

Thank you so much for stopping by, Stephanie!


Have any of you read Kat, Incorrigible? What did you think about it? Who is your favorite character? Have you read any of the books she recommended? Does anyone have a title suggestion for book three?

And how about that hot chocolate recipe--does that not sound like heaven on earth? I think I'm going to have to try that myself!

Simon & Schuster is generously providing a copy of Kat, Incorrigible for giveaway!

Click here to enter!

Info for the giveaway:

• As always, you do NOT have to be a follower
• You must have a US mailing address
• You must be 13 years of age or older
• One entry per person
• Your address is not required, but including it will help with sending the book out to you sooner
• I will contact the winner through email and the winner will have 24 hours to reply before a new winner is chosen 
• This giveaway closes on December 7th

Ruby has another author stopping by today, but she's vlogging! In costume!

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Book Review: Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis

Green Bean Teen Queen hosts a meme on Tuesdays called Tween Tuesday where great books for tweens are featured. 

More of my Tween Tuesday posts.

Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis

Release Date: April 5, 2011 US (August 1, 2010 UK)
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Pages: 295
Received: ARC from publisher
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars 

Goodreads Page

Summary

From Goodreads: 

Twelve-year-old Kat Stephenson may be the despair of her social-climbing Step-Mama, but she was born to be a magical Guardian and protector of Society--if she can ever find true acceptance in the secret Order that expelled her own mother. 

She’s ready to turn the hidebound Order of the Guardians inside-out, whether the older members like it or not. And in a society where magic is the greatest scandal of all, Kat is determined to use all her powers to help her three older siblings--saintly Elissa, practicing-witch Angeline, and hopelessly foolish Charles--find their own true loves, even if she has to turn highwayman, battle wild magic, and confront real ghosts along the way!

Review

This is the type of book that makes me say words like “delightful” and “charming” in this affected and giggly tone. Readers who liked Marissa Doyle’s Bewitching Season or Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer’s Sorcery and Cecelia will probably love Kat, Incorrigible.  Kat has the same upbeat, spunky feel found in these books and is also set in Regency England. 

Though a MG book, I can see this book appealing to YA and adult readers as well. Kat is only 12 and so she doesn’t have any romance of her own, but she does act as matchmaker for her two older sisters. Her sisters’ romances were completely heartwarming and satisfying. 

Each of the sisters was equally endearing but very different from one another.  It is impossible for me to choose which sister I liked the best, though Kat and Angeline are pulling a tiny bit ahead of Elissa. Kat is spunky and always getting herself into trouble (with hilarious commentary about it all). Angeline has a delightfully wicked streak and a take-charge attitude I loved. Elissa is the prim and proper sister who harbors a penchant for the drama and romance of Gothic tales. The interaction between the sisters reminded me of Jeanne Birdsall’s Penderwick sisters (another series I highly recommend!). I hope we continue to see all of the sisters in future installments. 

There is a light-hearted streak through the whole book and all of the scenes are laced with this giggly tongue in cheek undercurrent. I was laughing late into the night at both the events of the book and Kat’s hilarious and over the top commentary. I kept reading each scene and thinking, “This is my favorite scene!” only to read a scene a few pages later and think the same thing all over again. 

This is the first book in a series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. I really hope Stephanie Burgis runs with this series and makes a bunch of books following Kat as she grows older, gets into more trouble and adventures, and just maybe falls in love.

 Explanation of rating system: Star Rating Key  

Challenges this book satisfies:

• Historical fiction challenge
• Most awaited challenge
• 2011 debut author challenge

Looking for something similar? You might like: 

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

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Spotlight List: Historical Fiction with Magic

Spotlight is a feature I do where I pick a topic or theme and then highlight some books that fall into that theme.

Historical Fiction with Magic

Want to dip your toes into the historical fiction pool? Maybe even take part in the YA Historical Fiction Challenge? That's great! But what if you're not really an historical fiction kind of reader? Maybe fantasy is more your thing. If that's the case, then do I have a list for you! The following are all books that can be loosely considered historical fiction ("historical fiction lite," if you will) and include paranormal and fantasy elements. 

Bewitching Season 
by Marissa Doyle

Release Date: April 29, 2008

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Pages:  352

Goodreads Page

Doyle seamlessly combines magic, Regency drama, romance, and kidnapping in this upbeat story about two magical sisters making their debut into society while also trying to discretely search for their missing governess. The characters were a delight and the story was fun. The sisters were repeatedly distracted from the plight of their kidnapped governess by courtly balls and dress shopping. While odd for characters who should be wracked with worry, these scenes were equally distracting to me and so I didn’t mind them at all. The whole book has an upbeat and girly feel I just loved. There is a sequel, but this book wraps up as if it were a standalone.

 

Sorcery and Cecelia 
by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer

Release Date: 1988

Publisher: Graphia
Pages:  336

Goodreads Page

If J.K. Rowling and Jane Austen teamed up to write a book, this would be the result. Instead, two powerhouse fantasy authors combined forces to write this epistolary novel, each taking the voice of one of the two main characters as they write to one another about their exciting season. Written in a completely charming voice, Sorcery and Cecelia can only be described as a hilariously fun romp through a magic-filled Regency England. Witches and wizards, intrigue and scheming, and of course a healthy dose of adorable romance make this one of my favorite books ever. Part one of a trilogy, Sorcery and Cecelia is easily read as a standalone. 

Magic Under Glass 
by Jaclyn Dolamore

Release Date: February 1, 2010

Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pages:  225

Goodreads Page

Part fantasy, part fairy story, part Victorian steampunk, and part Gothic, this book takes elements of a bunch of different styles and effectively combines them to create an intriguing story. Nimira is a likable main character, but my favorite by far was the enigmatic Hollin with his tragic past. While I wasn’t in love with the execution, Dolamore has set a satisfactory foundation and shows promise for future installments of this series. The main events are wrapped up, but there are enough loose ends that will leave readers anxious for the sequel.

Kat, Incorrigible 
by Stephanie Burgis

Release Date: April 5, 2011 (already published in the UK)

Publisher: Atheneum
Pages:  295

Goodreads Page

Fans of Sorcery and Cecelia and Bewitching Season are sure to enjoy this adorable Regency-era book. Kat, the 12-year-old heroine is beyond cute. The relationship she shares with her two older sisters is heartwarming and fun to read. Pulled into magic, secret orders, balls, arranged marriages, romantic matchmaking, gambling debts, and rumors of a thieving highwayman on the loose, Kat’s adventures are at turns perilous, exciting, and heartwarming. The characters are endearing, the plot delightful, and the writing charming. I can’t wait for Stephanie Burgis to write another book!

The Vespertine 
by Saundra Mitchell
Release Date: March 7, 2011
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Pages:  304  
Goodreads Page        

In the summer of 1899, country girl Amelia is sent to stay with relatives in Baltimore for the social season in order to find a suitable husband. Amelia’s fun is interrupted by startling visions that appear to her in the light of the setting sun. As the town clamors for Amelia to read their futures, Amelia finds her heart pulled toward the decidedly unsuitable Nathaniel, an artist below her station. Balancing the fine line between propriety and passion, tension grows as Amelia’s visions show her increasingly disturbing events. While I didn’t find it perfect, this was an enjoyable story with an ending that was as shocking as it was satisfying. You can read all of my thoughts on The Vespertine in my review.

Do you know any historical fiction books with magic? Please feel free to share in the comments. I'm always on the lookout for suggestions!

Looking for more Spotlight Lists?

Sleeping Beauty Retold

Gothic Fiction, part II: YA Gothic Fiction, part 1

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Waiting on Wednesday (3)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where we all feature upcoming books we're eagerly anticipating. 

The cute WoW button comes from Bewitched Bookworms.

Kat, Incorrigible (or A Most Improper Magick), by Stephanie Burgis

Release Date: April 5, 2011
Publisher: Atheneum
Pages: 304

(Above publication information from Amazon)
Author's Page
Amazon Page

From the Author's Website:

"I was twelve years of age when I chopped off my hair, dressed as a boy, and set off to save my family from impending ruin. I made it almost to the end of my front garden..."

Magic may be the greatest scandal in Regency England. But that's not going to stop Kat Stephenson when there are highwaymen to foil, sinister aristocrats to defeat...and true loves to capture for her two older sisters.

Join the Unladylike Adventures of Kat Stephenson. Book One was published on August 1, 2010 in the UK as A Most Improper Magick, and will be published on April 5, 2011 in the US and Canada (where it will be titled Kat, Incorrigible).

Ah, so some of you don't have to wait for this book? Lucky, lucky! This book sounds beyond adorable. I'm looking forward to meeting Kat and laughing my way through her adventures. I've had this one on order for months now. Look at how cute the entire jacket looks:

 

All Just Glass, by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Release Date: January 11, 2011
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Pages:256

(Above publication information from Amazon)
Author's Page
Amazon Page

Product Description:

Sarah Vida has given up everything for love. From a legendary family of vampire-hunting witches, Sarah was raised to never trust a vampire, to never let her guard down, and to avoid all tricky attachments of the heart. But now Sarah IS a vampire—changed by the boy she thought she loved. Her family has forsaken her, and Sarah herself is disgusted by her appetite for blood.  

Aida Vida is Sarah's older sister, the good, reliable sibling who always does her family proud. But when Aida's mother insists that Sarah be found and killed, Aida is given the one assignment that she may not be able to carry out.  

Taking place over just twenty-four hours, ALL JUST GLASS tells the story of a game-changing battle that will forever change the world of the Den of Shadows. And at its center is the story of two sisters who must choose between love and duty. Dark, fully-imagined, and hard to put down, ALL JUST GLASS will thrill Amelia's fans—old and new. 

Amelia Atwater-Rhodes was one of my favorite authors when I was a teen, and the book that comes before All Just Glass is my favorite of her books. The first book, Shattered Mirror, featured two attractive vampire brothers, one who refuses to drink human blood and the other who is the bad boy with heart (sound familiar? Yeah, it's a lot like Vampire Diaries. They're even from the south). I loved the bad boy and wanted to see more of him, so when I heard a sequel was in the works I was really excited. That was a few years ago now, and since then the author's writing style has changed a lot. I didn't really enjoy her latest two books, but I hope going back to established characters will bring back some of the magic of her earlier books. I can't wait to find out!

I'm also really not feeling that cover. Not. At. All. Tweet