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Twelve-year-old Kat tries to use her untrained magical powers to prevent use of the wild magic of Sulis Minerva found in Bath, England, where Stepmama has brought the family in hopes of finding Kat's sister a proper match.Tags
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Have you ever really, really anticipated a book...and then not felt like reading it when it came?
I adore polite society fantasies, especially those of Patricia C. Wrede and I was breathless with anticipation when I heard that there was going to be a new one by Stephanie Burgis a few years ago. I finally got an ARC of it and...well...it was about a younger girl and I had hoped for more of a teen one and...I didn't like the new cover and title and...I was just never in the mood.
However, I am in the midst of a reading slump and my simple cure for this is to sit myself down and force myself to read through my to read shelf. So I finally read it.
And the sequel.
And despite my original blah feelings, I really loved them!
Kat is definitely show more incorrigible, a bit of a tomboy, and fiercely determined to save her older sisters from themselves and the awful marriages her stepmother has arranged. She's also the possessor of unexpectedly powerful Guardian magic as well as a dose of witchcraft, a most improper and scandalous attribute. Not only does she have to deal with Society's (and her stepmother's) horror of magic, there's her mother's scandalous legacy, a nasty Guardian who has it in for Kat's family, and her useless gambling addict brother Charles. By the end of the second book, all is not resolved, but Kat's older sisters' futures are assured and Kat herself is hopeful that she may have something to look forward to.
While these books don't have much of the romance I expect in a polite society fantasy - they are middle grade after all - they have all of the delicious combination of magic, Society, truly awful rows, escapades, and climactic endings. There's a definite resemblance to Wrede and Stevermer's trilogy, with disapproving relatives who turn out to be supportive in a pinch, a useless brother who has to be protected, and a vaguely academic papa among other things, but Burgis brings a different perspective to these characters with her young protagonist.
There's a more serious vein running through these books than the light froth of the other polite society fantasies. Kat's magic is frequently fueled by her sense of helplessness. Not only are she and her sisters helpless against Society's prejudice against witchcraft and magic, there's also scandal and family imbroglios to avoid. Some of Kat's night adventures are dangerous indeed with no glossing over the real perils a young, unprotected girl faces in the streets. Kat's vague papa and brother are incapable and unwilling to protect her and her sisters, although her papa does awaken a little towards the end of the second book. Kat's desire to become a Guardian and protect not only her sisters but England itself, is her way of becoming independent of the society that has made her helpless.
I think I'm becoming academic, so I'll stop there, just saying that these books have a truly perilous feel running through them, although they're perfectly appropriate for middle grade readers.
Verdict: While these may not be the most popular of fantasies, they will certainly find a few enthusiastic fans. Occasionally I like to buy books for the minority (and myself) and these will definitely be my purchases in that area. I'm glad I finally got around to reading them and I look forward to recommending them to girls who like historical fiction, funny stories, a light touch of romance, and fantasy adventures.
Kat, Incorrigible
ISBN: 9781416994473; Published April 2011 by Atheneum; ARC provided by publisher; Purchased for the library
Renegade Magic
ISBN: 9781416994497; Published April 2012 by Atheneum; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library show less
I adore polite society fantasies, especially those of Patricia C. Wrede and I was breathless with anticipation when I heard that there was going to be a new one by Stephanie Burgis a few years ago. I finally got an ARC of it and...well...it was about a younger girl and I had hoped for more of a teen one and...I didn't like the new cover and title and...I was just never in the mood.
However, I am in the midst of a reading slump and my simple cure for this is to sit myself down and force myself to read through my to read shelf. So I finally read it.
And the sequel.
And despite my original blah feelings, I really loved them!
Kat is definitely show more incorrigible, a bit of a tomboy, and fiercely determined to save her older sisters from themselves and the awful marriages her stepmother has arranged. She's also the possessor of unexpectedly powerful Guardian magic as well as a dose of witchcraft, a most improper and scandalous attribute. Not only does she have to deal with Society's (and her stepmother's) horror of magic, there's her mother's scandalous legacy, a nasty Guardian who has it in for Kat's family, and her useless gambling addict brother Charles. By the end of the second book, all is not resolved, but Kat's older sisters' futures are assured and Kat herself is hopeful that she may have something to look forward to.
While these books don't have much of the romance I expect in a polite society fantasy - they are middle grade after all - they have all of the delicious combination of magic, Society, truly awful rows, escapades, and climactic endings. There's a definite resemblance to Wrede and Stevermer's trilogy, with disapproving relatives who turn out to be supportive in a pinch, a useless brother who has to be protected, and a vaguely academic papa among other things, but Burgis brings a different perspective to these characters with her young protagonist.
There's a more serious vein running through these books than the light froth of the other polite society fantasies. Kat's magic is frequently fueled by her sense of helplessness. Not only are she and her sisters helpless against Society's prejudice against witchcraft and magic, there's also scandal and family imbroglios to avoid. Some of Kat's night adventures are dangerous indeed with no glossing over the real perils a young, unprotected girl faces in the streets. Kat's vague papa and brother are incapable and unwilling to protect her and her sisters, although her papa does awaken a little towards the end of the second book. Kat's desire to become a Guardian and protect not only her sisters but England itself, is her way of becoming independent of the society that has made her helpless.
I think I'm becoming academic, so I'll stop there, just saying that these books have a truly perilous feel running through them, although they're perfectly appropriate for middle grade readers.
Verdict: While these may not be the most popular of fantasies, they will certainly find a few enthusiastic fans. Occasionally I like to buy books for the minority (and myself) and these will definitely be my purchases in that area. I'm glad I finally got around to reading them and I look forward to recommending them to girls who like historical fiction, funny stories, a light touch of romance, and fantasy adventures.
Kat, Incorrigible
ISBN: 9781416994473; Published April 2011 by Atheneum; ARC provided by publisher; Purchased for the library
Renegade Magic
ISBN: 9781416994497; Published April 2012 by Atheneum; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library show less
Oh, Kat Stephenson! To say this girl is incorrigible is spot on and, quite honestly, the reason I fell in love with her character the first time around. She's back in a big way in Renegade Magic. Kat's sister is finally marrying the man she loves and Kat herself finally has a slight hold over her powers. What could possibly go wrong?
Once again I was drawn in by the setting Stephanie Burgis places young Kat in. She is a young girl surrounded by lectures on propriety and manners. Constantly told to squash her willful ways. For any other character it might be too much, but for Kat it's just the way things are. Her intelligence and her stubborn nature shine in front of this backdrop. It's so easy to fall in love with the way she is simply show more herself in a sea full of people trying to be someone else.
All of my favorite characters were back, and this time around I had a better glimpse into Lady Graves and Lord Ravenscroft. I thought Burgis did a wonderful job of weaving together the story of a wedding gone awry, and the sinister things these two characters were up to. Better still, the main setting for this book is in Bath. It sets up a perfect place for magic to mix with history, all culminating in an adventure that Kat and her family will never forget. This book moves quickly, and I couldn't get enough of it.
I don't think I'll ever tire of Ms. Kat Stephenson. There's something to be said about the fierce loyalty and love that she has for her family, even when they drive her crazy. Even if you don't generally read Middle Grade books, I can guarantee you'll fall in love with this series. Stephanie Burgis has expertly crafted a way to mesh magic and mayhem into something you won't be able to put down. Get started! Kat and her family are waiting. show less
Once again I was drawn in by the setting Stephanie Burgis places young Kat in. She is a young girl surrounded by lectures on propriety and manners. Constantly told to squash her willful ways. For any other character it might be too much, but for Kat it's just the way things are. Her intelligence and her stubborn nature shine in front of this backdrop. It's so easy to fall in love with the way she is simply show more herself in a sea full of people trying to be someone else.
All of my favorite characters were back, and this time around I had a better glimpse into Lady Graves and Lord Ravenscroft. I thought Burgis did a wonderful job of weaving together the story of a wedding gone awry, and the sinister things these two characters were up to. Better still, the main setting for this book is in Bath. It sets up a perfect place for magic to mix with history, all culminating in an adventure that Kat and her family will never forget. This book moves quickly, and I couldn't get enough of it.
I don't think I'll ever tire of Ms. Kat Stephenson. There's something to be said about the fierce loyalty and love that she has for her family, even when they drive her crazy. Even if you don't generally read Middle Grade books, I can guarantee you'll fall in love with this series. Stephanie Burgis has expertly crafted a way to mesh magic and mayhem into something you won't be able to put down. Get started! Kat and her family are waiting. show less
Even better than the first! This is one of the best *sequels* I've ever read, too. I am so impressed by how the book drew me right back into Kat's world, reminding me of what I needed to know from the first book, without over-burdening the delicious new story.
I just love these characters so much! They're funny and charming and true, especially Kat herself.
And while the ending was completely satisfying, I'm even more eager now for the third book!
I just love these characters so much! They're funny and charming and true, especially Kat herself.
And while the ending was completely satisfying, I'm even more eager now for the third book!
In the second book of her adventures, Kat Stephenson gets whisked to Bath after the mother of Frederick Carlyle dashes Angeline's hopes at marriage.
It's been awhile since I read the first book in the series, but it turns out not to matter much. Burgis deftly reminded me who characters were and what was going on, as well as introducing new fun. Kat may be rather precocious for her age, but the setting of early 1800s England makes some of her vocabulary more believable and this was just plain fun to read.
It's been awhile since I read the first book in the series, but it turns out not to matter much. Burgis deftly reminded me who characters were and what was going on, as well as introducing new fun. Kat may be rather precocious for her age, but the setting of early 1800s England makes some of her vocabulary more believable and this was just plain fun to read.
I really did enjoy this one, I love Kat as a character and this story only adds to the entertainment. After her eldest sister's wedding, interrupted by her second sister's hopeful mother-in-law. While the marriage does go through her stepmother is left with a scandal she needs to fix, so off to Bath with them, Angeline needs to find a husband.
However there's wild magic in the Baths, wild magic that Kat notices and something is going on that may cost someone in her family their lives.
Loved it, loved the period details and the characters and really do want more.
However there's wild magic in the Baths, wild magic that Kat notices and something is going on that may cost someone in her family their lives.
Loved it, loved the period details and the characters and really do want more.
I'll say the same thing about all three books in this series. They're fast reads, highly entertaining and connect so smoothly. Kat might seem a tad irritating at times, but her sharp mind, curiosity and perseverance combine to make her a formidable force. Her sisters are quite interesting as well, but both with completely different and distinct personalities. All three a joy to read.
For some reason the words “regency romp” come to mind, with a precocious 12 year old leading the way. Magic spells and society misunderstandings are the trademark of this series. Highly entertaining to those of us who enjoy Patricia C. Wrede’ s Sorcery and Cecelia series.
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- Canonical title
- Renegade Magic
- Alternate titles
- Renegade Magic; A Tangle of Magicks
- Original publication date
- 2011 (UK) (UK); 2012-04 (USA) (USA)
- People/Characters
- Katherine "Kat" Stephenson; Angeline Stephenson; Charles Stephenson; Margaret Stephenson; George Stephenson; Elissa Stephenson (show all 9); Lady Lydia Fotherington; Frederick Carlyle; Sir Neville Collingwood
- Important places
- Bath, Somerset, England, UK; Yorkshire, England, UK
- First words
- [UK Edition] My brother Charles was a hopeless gamester, a ridiculous over-sleeper and the one sibling too lazy to take part in any family arguments, no matter how exasperating our sisters might have been (and usually were). ... (show all)But he had one shining virtue as an older brother: he was infinitely persuadable.
[US Edition] It was a truth universally acknowledged that my brother, Charles was a hopeless gamester, a ridiculous oversleeper, and the one sibling too lazy to take part in any family arguments, no matter how exasperating ou... (show all)r sisters might have been (and usually were).
But he had one shining virtue as an older brother: He was infinitely persuadable. - Original language
- English
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- Members
- 176
- Popularity
- 185,394
- Reviews
- 13
- Rating
- (3.79)
- Languages
- English, German
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 8
- ASINs
- 2
