Wrapped

Agnes Wilkins dreams of adventures that reach beyond the garden walls, but reality for a seventeen-year-old debutante in 1815 London does not allow for camels—or dust, even. No, Agnes can only see a mummy when she is wearing a new silk gown and standing on the verdant lawns of Lord Showalter's estate, with chaperones fussing about and strolling sitar players straining to create an exotic "atmosphere" for the first party of the season. An unwrapping.

This is the start of it all, Agnes's debut season, the pretty girl parade that offers only ever-shrinking options: home, husband, and high society. It's also the start of something else, because the mummy Agnes unwraps isn't just a mummy. It's a host for a secret that could unravel a new show more destiny—unleashing mystery, an international intrigue, and possibly a curse in the bargain. show less

This, right here, is the type of book I want to write when I grow up.

With a seamless mesh of humor, authentic historical facts and adventure, Bradbury weaves the story of Agnes Wilkins, a young girl living in the heart of the Regency Period (one of my loves that I could not help but squeal when I realized Ms. Bradbury loves it just as well), obsessed with Jane Austen novels - though at the time they were penned by "A Lady" - and, at the very moment in which the story begins, standing with a knife in preparation to cut into a mummy.

Not in the sweltering heat and dusty lands of Egypt, mind you. Right at home in jolly old England, at the party of a certain Lord Showalter who may or may not be interested in making Agnes his next show more acquisition, and under the eyes of a suspicious young man who might or might not be a spy.

And then, right after Agnes guiltily ferrets away a particular find in her foot of wrapping - a small amulet that doesn't seem that valuable - a murder is announced.

And British society will never be the same.

Agnes is an endearing and strong heroine with a habit of translating A Lady quotes into other languages when she gets agitated - an unusual find in the recent deluge of Bella Swan knock-offs and boy-obsessed Juliets, and something which made me even more enraptured with the tale.

And of course, there's Caedon Stowe, museum apprentice, daring sidekick and a scholar of all that is ancient and decrepit. Don't you just admire a smart boy? show less

I am absolutely in love with this book! Agnes is such a wonderfully smart and witty heroine. I had no problems attaching myself to her plight and waiting in suspense to see how her life would turn out. I definitely appreciated that although living in 1815, she wasn't dumbed down. She knew how to read and speak 10 LANGUAGES!!! Plus Caedmon was her perfect match, he treated her like and equal - he's even compared by her to Mr. Darcy when she first sees him at a ball she attends. Mr. Showalter is the perfect competition for Caedmon in that he's (seemingly) nice but not for Agnes. I also love the Egyptology mystery, the hieroglyphic difficulties with the Rosetta Stone and the rather startling conclusion of the novel. It incorporates the war show more with Napoleon Bonaparte rather skillfully whereas most novels of the time period of such a nature usually ignore or glance over the subject. Also, I loved that Agnes was such a fervent admirer of Jane Austen's novels. She was definitely as spirited, if not more so, than many an Austen heroine. Ms. Bradbury is a very exceptional author and I look forward quite a lot to reading more from her in the hopefully near future! show less

Julie F's review: Young adults who are looking for believable, strong female characters, a historical setting, and a dash of adventure in their fiction would enjoy Jennifer Bradbury's Wrapped, the second book by the talented author of Shift. Agnes Wilkins is a Regency-era debutante who loves Jane Austen but longs for the kind of adventure that her brother David, an officer in the British navy, has been experiencing as he intercepts French reconnaissance missions along the coast. She describes herself as someone who flouts convention with her "appetite for education and... penchant for shirking a chaperone" (p. 101). After Agnes attends a mummy-unwrapping party at the home of her neighbor and suitor, Lord Showalter, a series of mishaps show more occur that may or may not be related to the statuette of a jackal that Agnes found in the mummy's wrappings. She enlists the help of an Egyptologist at the British Museum and, together, they investigate the mystery surrounding the artifact.



Agnes is a feisty, fun heroine and both she and her friend, the museum clerk Caedmon, will appeal to both male and female young adult readers. Bradbury skillfully blends Egyptology, spy thriller motifs, and the tropes of Regency-era novels (emphasis on manners, social standing, and "civilized society"), creating a fast-paced, entertaining historical novel with just a hint of romance between the appealing lead characters. Although it is written for YA readers, I would recommend it for adult readers as well; fans of Georgette Heyer or Marion Chesney who are willing to read YA fiction will not be disappointed. show less

Agnes Wilkins is just a girl preparing to make her debut in London in 1815. But when she attends a mummy unwrapping party at the home of her neighbour, Lord Showalter, (the most eligible bachelor in town who is disconcertingly interested in Agnes) she finds an object in the mummy that sets a series of events in motion that will leave Agnes acting in ways entirely inappropriate for a proper young lady. Particularly when she meets a young, aspiring Egyptologist named Caedmon during her adventures...

A fun and slightly fluffy YA historical novel, Wrapped definitely has its appeals. Agnes is a charming central character although she has some decidedly teen moments that had me rolling my eyes. The central mystery is also pretty enjoyable show more although the resolution left me feeling less than surprised and disappointed that the characters didn't catch on earlier. The historical element could go either way for readers. If you expect strict adherence to 19th century social mores, this book isn't for you. However, if you're willing to overlook some of the more liberal elements, the historical period is conjured quite well. My biggest complaint is that, while I adore Jane Austen, Agnes' habit of translating lines from her novels into other languages when nervous is a bit too much for me. Perfectly enjoyable but not amazing. show less

REVIEW ORIGINALLY POSTED http://hobbitsies.net/wordpress/?p=3122

Ooooh boy! Okay, I was seriously looking forward to reading Wrapped. Mummies? Historical fiction? London? Romance? And when I started reading Wrapped, I admit – I was a bit disappointed. It started a tad slowly for me, but I pushed onwards.

Andddd eeep, I was was so wrapped (haha get it?) up in what I was reading that I’d read as late as I possibly could as night, and wake up early just to read some more. Wrapped is a seriously fantastic and engaging historical fiction.

I loved Agnes so much. She was prim and proper, and yet so snarky and full of the need to prove herself to everyone, especially her father. I can’t even imagine growing up in 1800s London as a woman of show more high society, but I bet it was not easy, and I think the author captured that voice perfectly.

And Caedmon? Totally swoonworthy. Nothing more to say about him, you have to see for yourself. Swoooon!

The storyline was very interesting to me. I’m a historical fiction buff, but I don’t know much (or anything) about Napoleon, so it was cool to learn a little about it, even if some of it was fictionalized for story sake. Lots of little twists and turns in Wrapped, some of which I didn’t see coming.

I definitely enjoyed Wrapped and will probably be rereading it again in the future. It’s full of awesome Egyptian stuff, as well as mystery, romance, and a bit of cross-dressing. I definitely recommend Wrapped to all historical fiction lovers. show less

A YA mystery/romance with regency vibes, spies, Napoleon, and mummies. I mean, what more could you possibly want? It’s light on the romance and there’s virtually no teen angst, and the plot is unique and fun. Definitely recommended.