A School for Unusual Girls by Kathleen Baldwin is a very elegant book that is set in 1814. It contains a fearless main character with a quirky personality and a mysterious boarding school that isn’t what it seems. This book is so exciting and contains so many plot twists that readers will be unable to set this one down!
Title: A School for Unusual Girls (Stranje House #1)Series: Stranje House #1
Author: Kathleen Baldwin
Publisher: Tor Teen
Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: May 19, 2015
Rating:
Series Rating:
It’s 1814. Napoleon is exiled on Elba. Europe is in shambles. Britain is at war on four fronts. And Stranje House, a School for Unusual Girls, has become one of Regency England’s dark little secrets. The daughters of the beau monde who don't fit high society’s constrictive mold are banished to Stranje House to be reformed into marriageable young ladies. Or so their parents think. In truth, Headmistress Emma Stranje, the original unusual girl, has plans for the young ladies—plans that entangle the girls in the dangerous world of spies, diplomacy, and war.
After accidentally setting her father’s stables on fire while performing a scientific experiment, Miss Georgiana Fitzwilliam is sent to Stranje House. But Georgie has no intention of being turned into a simpering, pudding-headed, marriageable miss. She plans to escape as soon as possible—until she meets Lord Sebastian Wyatt. Thrust together in a desperate mission to invent a new invisible ink for the English war effort, Georgie and Sebastian must find a way to work together without losing their heads—or their hearts...
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: A School for Unusual Girls by Kathleen Baldwin
❀Authentic Setting
The Setting of the story is 1814 in England and partially in France. All of the historical details in this book seem to be accurate and it is evident that Kathleen Baldwin has done some extensive research while writing this book. The setting and the fashion of the time period is so magnificently depicted by Baldwin. The language used by the characters is also very dignified, which gives a very authentic tone to the story. As readers become engaged in this novel, they will easily be swept into 1814 England.
❀ Georgie is an Amazing Narrator
Georgiana (or Georgie) is a really amazing narrator for A School for Unusual Girls, as she is very clever and brave. An enjoyable aspect of her character is how Georgie is not afraid to break the gender stereotype in that time period. Instead of behaving like the other women and doing chores, Georgie is off conducting science experiments. Her fiery personality is complete with a quirky voice and red hair. Georgie is essentially a misfit in her time period! She is both extremely relatable and enjoyable to read.
❀ A Spy Novel
In addition to its historical fiction genre, this book is also a fast-paced spy novel. Reminiscent of Ally Carter’s Gallagher Girls series, that is set in a boarding school and is secretly a school for spies, A School for Unusual Girls seems to be a spy training school. There is never an admission of this in the book, but it is certainly implied through the activities and the description of the building. Also, all of the girls who attend the school have an unusual talent of some sort. These details create a novel that is very unique and will surely leave the reader wanting more.
❀ Not to be missed
A School for Unusual Girls by Kathleen Baldwin is the first book in the Stranje House series. Its elaborate setting, well-developed characters and exciting plot make for a whirlwind read. This is one series not to be missed!
About Kathleen Baldwin
Award-winning author Kathleen Baldwin loves adventure in books and in real life. She taught rock climbing in the Rockies, survival camped in the desert, was stalked by a mountain lion, lost an argument with a rattlesnake, enjoyed way too many classes in college, fell in love at least a dozen times, and married her very own hero. They’ve raised four free-spirited adventurous children.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, novice New Yorker, & professional bibliophile.
Sounds like something I need to read. Great review!
This sounds like it’s going to be an interesting series! I wonder if we will get to see the girls working as spies in future books. I love that Georgie refuses to conform!
I am very much looking forward to this unique sounding story, and seeing that gorgeous cover in person! And elegant, huh?!