The Disastrous Début of Agatha Tremain by Stephanie Burgis

Agatha is a bit different from the other girls.  She's not interested in boys or womanly things.  She's busy studying magic.  Her mother died when she was young, her father lives in the library doing research, so she can do what she wants since she got rid of the housekeeper.  But then her father's sister shows up...

The author shared this book with me since I get her newsletter.  I love her work, so I read it willingly.  You can buy a copy now.

This is a short story but it's a very good one.  When the sister drags her away from the house to make her debut and get married, Agatha despairs.  She doesn't want to marry.  When she tries to hide away from her aunt, she finds another young woman hiding in the same place and she develops a friend.  It's like her first one ever.  And something she tells her helps Agatha find her own sense of being and a way to get away from her aunt.

The ending is great and it is a very enjoyable read.  Magic is a good thing if you use it right.

Snowspelled: Volume I of The Harwood Spellbook by Stephanie Burgis

She's lost her magic (and almost killed herself in the process) and she cancelled her wedding.  She's been hiding out, almost in mourning, for months.  But a big celebration is coming up and she needs to attend with the rest of her family.  She just didn't know how dangerous it would be to go...

The author shared this story with me as an early reader (thank you).  It is being published today.

I love this author's work.  It doesn't matter what she picks for a theme, she writes a good story, makes you laugh here and there and keeps your attention.  This book is a winner!

The first thing that happens is that one of carriages of guests is turned away.  They then get lost in the woods and the family members and guests all go out to search for them in this strange snow storm that has come up.  She takes the easiest route since she's without magic.  Then her old fiance finds her and tries to talk to her.  She doesn't want to talk.  She also doesn't want to have walked on a troll.  When she wakes him up (he's covered in snow), he begins to move.  If you thought an earthquake was bad, this is worse.  

Somehow in the process of asking him to let them down carefully, an elf shows up and tells her she must find the weather magician and make him stop the snow or the treaty between the elves and humans will be voided.  That would be deadly.

She tries to find who did the magic but it doesn't appear to be anyone in the house.  Who else could have done it?  And why?  The answer is amazing and the ending is great.  I can't wait to read the next installment in this series!

Masks and Shadows by Stephanie Burgis

She's come to visit her younger sister.  She wasn't able to attend the wedding, she's now a widow, and she wants to renew their friendship.  She never expected to find her sister acting as a Prince's consort...

Pyr and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published April 12th.

This book has a different flavor from Ms. Burgis' other books.  It's deeper, darker, and written for an older crowd.  This one is set back in the days of Empresses and Emporers and Princes.  There's more than one evil plan percolating at this castle.  Sophie's Prince is not a good man.  Considering his wife is in a room in the castle, it seems Sophie could figure that out herself but she likes the gifts and the "honor" he has bestowed on her.  She's selfish and self-centered.

Charlotte is older and quieter.  She would prefer to have a quiet life but it's hard to do with the events and people crowding the castle.  Her maid becomes a singer.  Her interest is spurred by the contralto who sings heavenly.  She even gets to accompany him by playing the music and she finds her interest in him growing.  He's not suitable for one of her station but that doesn't stop her emotions.

There's more than one plot, alchemists involved, and it's almost a darker story than I would like.  There was much to be regretted if anyone thought that way.  It seems no one did except Charlotte.

Courting Magic (Kat, Incorrigible #3.5) by Stephanie Burgis

Kat is one of the most fun characters I've read about in ages.  I read the first book in this series, then bought the other two to go with it.  I haven't had a chance to read them yet but know they will be excellent reads.  When I got the opportunity to read this novelette, I begged for a copy.  I'm also very glad I did!

The author graciously shared a copy of this story with me for a review (thank you).  It's in ebook form so you can buy a copy from Amazon or other ebook sellers.

Kat is just getting used to having magic and handling it safely.  Just because she's turning eighteen doesn't mean she's interested in a husband.  Her parents and her sisters aren't listening, though.  They have big plans for her debut into the world of Victorian Regency balls where eligible men and women meet.  She goes along because she has to but she has another reason.  There's a thief to catch there...

Ms. Burgis always writes stories that draws you in and makes you feel like you're living in that world.  Kat is independent, acts as one of the Guardians, and can defend herself well.  She needs those abilities in her world.  Even her family isn't privy to all that she goes through.

Kat's biggest problem is that her heart is already taken.  Unfortunately it's occupant is a young man who isn't appropriate for her to marry.  She must set those feelings aside and pick someone else she can at least live with.  She knows that.  When Alexander shows up at the briefing for her Guardian duties, her heart jumps.  Appropriate or not, she loves him.

It seems that society balls have had a thief working them.  The Head of the Order sends Kat and three young men to the ball to find the thief.  They almost arrest the Prince of Wales, completely miss the real thief at first, and Alex corners Kat in the garden.  They both know it's wrong but they still kiss.

Ms. Burgis' work is always busy, always fun, with little quips here and there and love around the edges.  This was a very good read and I recommend it highly.  Who doesn't like happy endings?

Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis

Kat is an independent, hard-headed twelve-year-old who is going to stop her oldest sister from marrying an old man she doesn't love for the "good" of the family.  So he's got money, he's evil!


Antheneum, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, will be publishing this book in hardcover or as an eBook at the first of April.  They sent me an eGalley for review (thank you).  





Ms. Burgis does an excellent job of creating a character that I could easily love.  Kat is untraditional, works around any "no's" she gets, and is determined to protect her family.  So much so, she cut her short hair like a boy and tried to run away from home so she could get a job and save her oldest sister from marriage.  It didn't work; her middle sister caught her.  But that's not the end of her adventures and plans.


This delightful story has magic, evil, witches, a highway man, and misplaced love spread through it.  Kat has a power she didn't know she had - and she's not sure she wants to be a "Guardian" even if that is her calling.


The story is fast paced and has humor throughout.  This is the first in a series and I can tell you I will be watching for it when it comes out in April and for the future books in the series.  I just love this character!  She reminds me of me when I was little, but I didn't have any special powers, drat.