Courting Magic - Book Review

Courting Magic – Book Review

Stephanie Burgis

MG/YA Historical Fantasy

‘The Kat Series – A novella’

Synopsis:

In Kat Stephenson’s Regency England, magic is even more shocking than a stolen kiss. But now that she’s eighteen, it’s time for a wild and magical Kat to be introduced to high society by her older sisters, whether she likes it or not… and to finally have a romance of her own!

Of course her true love is hopelessly ineligible. But when has Kat ever let society’s opinion stop her from making up her own mind? Once she realises she’s found her perfect match, she’s not going to let anything or anyone stand in their way – even if she does have to solve a magical mystery, match make for an old friend and break a few rules along the way!

Review:

I adored ‘The Kat’ series and was utterly delighted when I found out Stephanie Burgis had written this novella. Set five years after the series ended, it follows the life of a now grown up Kat as she debuts as a society lady … what could possibly go wrong?

Now with the rest of her siblings happily married and producing families of their own, everyone’s attention is focused on one sole task – Introducing a now eighteen year old Kat to society with the hope of finding her a husband! Something that Kat herself is forcibly objectionable too.

Not only is Kat now a fully-fledged guardian – a role that comes with a power and responsibility to protect the world from evil magic – but she is still the stubborn, adventurous, trouble seeking girl who knows there is more to life than dresses and parties. And right now, with a magical thief divesting the upper classes of their jewels and finery, Kat has more to worry about than hapless romance… or so she thinks.

But when a friendly figure from her past makes an unexpected return, Kat is suddenly plunged into a new world of feelings and emotion. Can she keep her head and do her duty as a guardian, or will she let both the thief and her legacy slip away as she dreams of green, green eyes…

Yet another story of magic and mayhem, I couldn’t help but fall in love with Kat all over again!

As a character she has truly grown. Mastering her temper, she is both smarter and more controlled in her actions, yet remains a feisty tom-boy in her thoughts and head strong attitude. Never afraid to plough straight into danger, she yearns for adventure and brings about delightful chaos wherever she goes. Yet for all her growth, Kat is still blissfully naive when it comes to romance.

And what a sweet romance it was! Bringing back a character from the last book, Stephanie Burgis chose to pair Kat with a soul just as mischievous and troublesome as our heroines (well, almost) and I have to say, I think they suited each other perfectly.

Since I don’t wish to give away spoilers, I will call Kat’s mystery man Mr. X, and with the inferiority of his birth working against them, and step mama’s obvious protests, not to mention Kat’s own obliviousness to his feelings, there were times I felt very sorry for Mr. X indeed. For him love was a difficult road.

Yet what I think grabbed me most about this book was seeing not just Kat, but nearly all the other characters again. I can’t express how much I enjoyed the Kat series and reading this charming little novella brought back all the warmth of being ‘in and among’ Kat’s family again. Hers is a crazy but cosy world and if you haven’t already, I strongly urge that girls –whatever your age – give these books a try.

Sometimes you read books with characters you just don’t want to say goodbye to –this is one of them – and I only hope Stephanie Burgis considers writing a couple more Kat stories in the future.

I would certainly like to read more about Kat’s life as a guardian, find out what her brother Charles is up to, and maybe even dip into the home of Lucy and the Marquess (I adored their somewhat Pride and Prejudice romance). So yes… I admit I am a little addicted to the series.

But no matter what your mood, funny and tomboyish-ly sweet, these books are sure to put a smile on your face. Courting Magic is no exception, 5 stars!