Sunday, June 5, 2011

Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis

Kat, Incorrigible
Kat, Incorrigible by Stephaie Burgis

The blurb:
Katherine Ann Stephenson has just discovered that she's inherited her mother's magical talents, and despite Stepmama's stern objections, she's determined to learn how to use them.  But with her eldest sister Elissa's intended fiance, the sinister Sir Neville, showing a dangerous interest in Kat's magical potential; her other sister, Angeline, wreaking romantic havoc with her own witchcraft; and a highway man lurking in the forest, even Kat's reckless heroism will be tested to the utmost.  If she can learn to control her new powers, will Kat be able to rescue her family and win her sisters their true loves?

Review:
Kat, Incorrigible is a book to share with young readers.  It's the sort that can keep a young reader reading after "lights out" - enjoyable, funny, and so hard to put down.

The heroine is twelve-year-old Katherine who lives in Regency England with her two older sisters, father and stepmother.  Since women of their class didn't work at this time, marriage is the only way open to the Stephenson sisters.  Katherine's eldest sister is a romantic and lover of Gothic romances - and she's  willing to marry to advance the family fortune.  But fortunately, Kat is much more adventurous  and sensible.  She searches for more creative ways to help improve their situation.  This leads to magic and adventures for Kat and a wonderful read for the rest of us. 

I don't want to spoil the suspense - but readers can expect snubs, snobbery, social rivals, highway men, disinherited young men,  seemingly star-crossed lovers, dangerous misunderstandings,  magic, tutors, and a persistent and endearing heroine.

I love Regency novels, Georgette Heyer, Jane Austen and I very much enjoyed Kat, Incorrigible.  I'm definitely sharing this book with friends.

Reading level: 9 to 12 years
ISBN-10: 9781416994473 - Hardcover $16.99
Publisher: Atheneum (April 5, 2011) 304 pages.
Review copy provided by the publisher.

About the Author:
Stephanie Burgis grew up in East Lansing, Michigan, but fell in love with Regency England when she discovered the novels of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer. She decided to be a writer when she was seven and sold her first short story when she was fifteen.  Stephanie lives with her husband, fellow writer Patrick Samphire; their baby; and their dog in Wales. Learn more about her at www.stephanieburgis.com