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Jan 26, 2011

Review: Kat Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis

3.5 M&M cookies.

Cover Love: I love this cover, but I don't think it reflects the tone of the book very well. It is a fun book, but for some reason it just doesn't seem to fit the book. But, it is darling.

Why I Wanted to Read This: The cover made me want to read it. I don't think I even read a synopsis before starting this book. I got an egalley from Simon & Schuster Galley Grab and decided to give it a shot.Here's the synopsis from Good Reads:
Twelve-year-old Kat Stephenson may be the despair of her social-climbing Step-Mama, but she was born to be a magical Guardian and protector of Society--if she can ever find true acceptance in the secret Order that expelled her own mother. She’s ready to turn the hidebound Order of the Guardians inside-out, whether the older members like it or not. And in a society where magic is the greatest scandal of all, Kat is determined to use all her powers to help her three older siblings--saintly Elissa, practicing-witch Angeline, and hopelessly foolish Charles--find their own true loves, even if she has to turn highwayman, battle wild magic, and confront real ghosts along the way!

I Kept Reading Because: To be perfectly honest I almost stopped because I hit a point where the setting of the book wasn't fitting the plot of the book for me. However I pushed through that and found a super fun little heroine with a great voice.

Romance?: Yes, both of Kat's sisters have romances to deal with.

What I Liked (& Didn't):
I loved Kat's voice. She is a little bit bratty, and super stubborn, but she kind of gets a bad rap by all the people around her. They are quick to assume she is doing the wrong thing, and they shut her down rather than let her explain.

I did love the setting--it was very Jane Austen. Complete with a sister about to enter a loveless marriage to save the family. I just cannot even imagine what it would have been like growing up in such a repressed society, especially if you were as spirited as Kat!

There were a few characters I didn't like, but mostly, it was a great cast of characters.

The ending--wonderful! I loved how people finally starting listening to Kat and how she was able to tie up a lot of loosed ends. And there was hope for Kat's step-mom! She showed some humanity at the end!

What I Would Like To See: I know this series is about Kat, but I there are several characters I want to hear more from, especially Charles. We heard a lot about him, but we didn't even get to meet him! And there was a hint at something interesting about Kat's father that needs to be explored.

To Sum Up: Adorable start to a series about a magical little tween. I look forward to the next book in this series. I am getting a copy for my library--it will be an easy sell to many readers in my school.

Book from Simon & Schuster's Galley Grab. Thanks so much!

5 comments:

  1. I just got this one in the mail on Monday. I think my third grader might like it, too.

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  2. Did you say Jane? That with this cover has me sold!

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  3. Oh yeah. Jane Austen was a HUGE influence. It was a pretty fun novel.

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  4. I would have been sold on the cover, too - sooooo cute! :-)

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  5. This really does have a cute cover. I think it sounds like a fun read. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

    -lauren

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