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A School for Unusual Girls A Stranje House Novel Kathleen Baldwin Books

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A School for Unusual Girls A Stranje House Novel Kathleen Baldwin Books

This is the first romance novel I’ve read/reviewed which has been set during the Napoleonic War, a time period when the well-to-do had standards that had to be followed; standards which would appeal to Regency lovers. However, Georgiana Fitzwilliam did not fit this mold nor did she want to. Instead she was a free-spirited young lady who had always been interested in things which had forbidden for prim and proper young ladies at that time.

What broke the camel’s back as far as her father was concerned about his daughter’s continuous unconventional behavior had been when she burned down his stables doing a scientific experiment. He immediately sends her packing off to Stranje House, a school noted for their transformation of girls like Georgie into hopefully what society dictated.

Naturally once she arrived there and saw two girls imprisoned in brutal medieval torture devices which she immediately envisioned were to be used in her transformation into a desirable young lady any man would eagerly marry, she quickly began to plot her escape from “Prim and Proper LadyLand.”

But luckily as she begins her attempted escape she discovers two men who were involved in the same experiment which had caused her father to send her to this school in the first place. Instead Georgie discovers that the Headmistress Emma Stranje, owner of the school, was just as rebellious as she was, along with the rest of the young ladies who were there with her. She also learns that Stranje House was a center that taught its young ladies amongst other things diplomacy, war and espionage, things which no lady would ever be caught doing at that time to make a difference in the world; an opportunity which she instantaneously grabs with both hands, becoming what would be consider today as a feminist of her time.

Accepting this chance to do what she loves to do, she immediately gets thrusted into a world of British and French spies and a plot to restore Napoleon to the throne. While she soon has Lord Sebastian Wyatt assistance in her experiments, at the same time, these experiments puts him in grave danger on the continent. She’s also begins to be attracted to him.

The blend of the various genres which the storyline contains make for a page turning reading experience for many romance genre lovers, besides Regency. Since this blend of genres includes spies, espionage, war, and adventure, male readers might be attracted this book as well, making romance [which a little of is allowed in these genres] to take a backseat.

For making this novel appealing to a vast audience of specific genre readers, as well as males, I’ve given this book 5 STARS, too bad 5 is the limit.

I received an autograph copy of this book from the author through the YA Insider Grand Opening Celebration [Week 1] and the above has been my honest opinion.


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A School for Unusual Girls A Stranje House Novel Kathleen Baldwin Books Reviews

I enjoyed many things about this story, like the setting, the alternate history "facts", the strong, smart girls at Stranje House, the dreamy heroes, the main villian and her machinations, etc. The only thing I didn't much like (and it is a big issue) is the supposed "heroine", Georgiana. I seriously wanted to shake her several times during the book, and I have to wonder just how incredibly lucky she was in having survived for so long while being so carelessly stupid. I can't blame her parents too much for being disappointed in her.

The list of idiotic things Georgiana does during the story are many, starting with the fact that she burned down her father's stables due to somehow not remembering that hay is combustible while doing chemical experiments surrounded by it. It is by mere luck that no people were harmed due to her carelessness. She tried to escape from Stranje House in a boat and nearly drowned herself. She was completely pathetic against Daneska, letting herself be dragged away with little resistance and barely able to talk back while Daneska openly mocked her. There are other things, but I'm too lazy to list them all. I honestly consider Georgiana a moron who is good at chemistry despite having no common sense. There is some hope for her though, as she at least matures a little by the end of the book.

The best part of the book, however, are the other Stranje girls, especially Tess and her romantic interest, Lord Ravencross, they were the true focus of the story for me. I am looking forward to read more about her and the rest of the girls.
Kathleen Baldwin has managed to win me over to the historical fiction genre in a big way with A School for Unusual Girls. I must admit I initially purchased this book for my fifteen year old granddaughter who I was sure would enjoy it, both for her love of history and for her strong and intelligent personality, which seemed to me at first glance to also be an apt description of the main character. As I scanned the book before giving it to her, I realized that it had also grabbed my own interest and I ordered a second copy, both coming from . I’m so glad I did! There is so much fun stuff, I don’t want to give it away – but just know to settle in for a captivating read filled with strong and spunky heroines, handsome heroes, scientific experiments that sometimes go awry with lethal consequences, and ultimately a journey of maturation and finding one’s place; all back-dropped by an unstable and inflammatory time in European history where the individual decisions of the residents of Stranje House are pivotal in influencing the events swirling chaotically at a rapid pace around them.

The author takes the reader on a journey that leaves one reluctant to stop. Not only does she transport us to another time and place, she manages to make us identify with these unusual girls who have troubled pasts and to root for them. A wonderful message of redemption for those who do not feel compelled to follow the established rules of society but seek to remain true to their own calling, is woven through the story’s themes of transformation, love, and responsibility. Kathleen Baldwin writes with a masterful grasp of plot and pacing, keeping the reader thoroughly enticed with just enough mystery and intrigue (and the occasional breathtaking hint of romance). She strikes that amazing balance of fully satisfying at quintessential moments, yet leaving us yearning for the story to continue. Fortunately it does, in the next novel in the Stranje House series Exiles for Dreamers. I have already purchased my copy and I’m looking forward to immersing myself in the next adventure that the Stranje House has in store!
This is the first romance novel I’ve read/reviewed which has been set during the Napoleonic War, a time period when the well-to-do had standards that had to be followed; standards which would appeal to Regency lovers. However, Georgiana Fitzwilliam did not fit this mold nor did she want to. Instead she was a free-spirited young lady who had always been interested in things which had forbidden for prim and proper young ladies at that time.

What broke the camel’s back as far as her father was concerned about his daughter’s continuous unconventional behavior had been when she burned down his stables doing a scientific experiment. He immediately sends her packing off to Stranje House, a school noted for their transformation of girls like Georgie into hopefully what society dictated.

Naturally once she arrived there and saw two girls imprisoned in brutal medieval torture devices which she immediately envisioned were to be used in her transformation into a desirable young lady any man would eagerly marry, she quickly began to plot her escape from “Prim and Proper LadyLand.”

But luckily as she begins her attempted escape she discovers two men who were involved in the same experiment which had caused her father to send her to this school in the first place. Instead Georgie discovers that the Headmistress Emma Stranje, owner of the school, was just as rebellious as she was, along with the rest of the young ladies who were there with her. She also learns that Stranje House was a center that taught its young ladies amongst other things diplomacy, war and espionage, things which no lady would ever be caught doing at that time to make a difference in the world; an opportunity which she instantaneously grabs with both hands, becoming what would be consider today as a feminist of her time.

Accepting this chance to do what she loves to do, she immediately gets thrusted into a world of British and French spies and a plot to restore Napoleon to the throne. While she soon has Lord Sebastian Wyatt assistance in her experiments, at the same time, these experiments puts him in grave danger on the continent. She’s also begins to be attracted to him.

The blend of the various genres which the storyline contains make for a page turning reading experience for many romance genre lovers, besides Regency. Since this blend of genres includes spies, espionage, war, and adventure, male readers might be attracted this book as well, making romance [which a little of is allowed in these genres] to take a backseat.

For making this novel appealing to a vast audience of specific genre readers, as well as males, I’ve given this book 5 STARS, too bad 5 is the limit.

I received an autograph copy of this book from the author through the YA Insider Grand Opening Celebration [Week 1] and the above has been my honest opinion.