Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis

Hi there readers!
Long time no post.  Okay so it was really just the weekend but whew! It sure does feel like longer than that.  Anywho, today's post coming at you via smartphone app so pardon the formatting. Just couldn't bear to leave you one more day without something fresh, something new...something to add to your wish lists if you haven't had the pleasure of reading it yet.  Ready?  Here we go.

This review has been a long time coming and for that I apologize. Why? Oh for many reasons and I shall list them quickly.  First to the publisher who was kind enough to send the non solicited ARC...this is one group that never fails to send something epically interesting my way, sending me on adventure after adventure...this book being one of them.  To the author, for not having the chance to share my thoughts on their wonderful story when it first released....a folly I intend to correct now.  Lastly but perhaps most importantly,to you...my readers; I've withheld a book from you that should have been on your wish lists long ago...for shame.  Forgive me? {insert puppy dog face} I sure hope so...but if not, I've a good feeling you will shortly because I'm about to blow the lid off this somewhat hidden gem.  Ready for the big reveal? Here goes.  Today's book of choice is...

Kat, Incorrigible
by
Stephanie Burgis

Olivia Amberson, a lady with much talent and grace, passed away many years ago leaving behind a husband, a son, three lovely daughters ...and a legacy yet to be fully uncovered.  But as most secrets go....you can't ever keep them fully quiet for long.  As the girls were growing into self sufficient young ladies, the secret continued to bubble just below the surface waiting for just the right moment to present itself...which comes in the form of Elissa's impending wedding to Sir Neville.  An older and odious choice for this proper lady, the match is set to secure the families finances (expunging the debt racked up by their dear brother) and continue the care of their family...supposedly.  Yeah, let's just say that the girls aren't the only ones in this story with a secret.  All will be well though if Kat, the youngest of the girls, has anything to say about it....and believe me she WILL have her say.  With a little luck, a pinch of magic, and a large amount of wits....it just might...it maybe could...okay.  There's a slim chance things could turn out for the better...and a slim chance is sometimes all that fate needs.

Enough with the rambling, let me break this one down for you.  Kat (Katherine Ann Stephenson) is as incorrigible as the title implies.  Her relationship with her sisters is at best loving, at worst explosive but more often than not hilarious...in a good way. It's great to see siblings who aren't out to get each other for a change...at least not intentionally.   Elissa the eldest, acts as a mother figure of sorts to her fellow sisters and is about to take one for the team as any good "mother" would. The middle sister, Angeline, creates some antics of her own trying to solve their problems but comes to realize eventually that family and truth are what matters most....truth in word and in love. (That'll explain itself in the book...)  In short, the sisters are a handful and the addition of a magical heritage does not go far in dampering their precociousness....much of which adds fuel to the already brightly burning fire of a story.

The plot itself may seem somewhat familiar with stories of old (young girl forces to marry for money and society in lieu of love) but trust me when I say that the fun is in the details and the way this story twists itself about, one can't help but be entertained. The author has a way of leading you directly to the next point of interest so you can easily glimpse the connections being created but stops just short of literally spelling it out.  She allows you to finish connecting the dots so you stay right on track and never lose pace.  All in all, a great read for all ages.  I'd love to see what would happen should the author choose to continue the story....after all there are so many more adventures to have, I'm sure this group of lively characters could enthrall us once again with their life and times....not t mention if you know who gets out of you know where... (oh wait...you don't know...well, consider another mystery to be solved upon reading)

ARC for review courtesy of Lucielle at Simon and Schuster.  (Thanks! )  For more information on this title as well as their full catalog, visit them online at HTTP://kids.simonandschuster.com or follow along on Twitter! This book was released earlier this year so be on the lookout for it on a store shelf near you.

Until next time....happy reading!