New York Times bestselling author Brittany Cavallaro delivers the thrilling conclusion to her YA duology set in a reimagined American monarchy about a girl fighting for her own freedom, trying to change the government from within . . . or burn it all down.
For the first time in her life, Claire Emerson isn't under a man's control. She's escaped from her dangerous father, and her fiancé, Governor Remy Duchamp, is too weak to rule. All eyes fall on Claire--and the power she could wield.
But that power is precarious as she and Remy are leading St. Cloud in exile after the General's attempted coup. And when King Washington descends on the small province, he brings with him his baseball team, Claire's brother, and a proximity to power Claire has never dreamed of.
With few allies to support her, she determines her best chance at survival is earning the King's good graces. Claire's schemes quickly get out of hand, reminding her that it isn't about who holds the power. It's about a system that grants such power to a select few, and the men who built it that way. Claire isn't anyone's muse, and if she can't fix the system from within, she's determined to be the spark of revolution in the First American Kingdom.
To fix a corrupt system, she has to become part of it. But how do you win a game when the king can change the rules at any moment?
- Marriage of Convenience: Claire is engaged to Governor Remy Duchamp, but with him too weak to rule and their alliance fragile, their political union might be the most dangerous part of the game.
- Strong Female Protagonist: For the first time, Claire Emerson is free from her father's control, only to find herself at the center of a coup. She isn't anyone's muse--she's a player with her own agenda.
- YA Dystopian World: Welcome to the First American Kingdom, where King Washington's arrival brings not stability, but a new level of danger, and the entire system is built to keep men in power.
- A Fight for Freedom: If Claire can't fix the government from within, she's ready to be the spark of revolution. This thrilling conclusion will determine the fate of a nation.
About the Author :
Brittany Cavallaro is the New York Times bestselling author of A Study in Charlotte and the Charlotte Holmes novels. With Emily Henry she wrote the young adult thriller Hello Girls. Cavallaro is also the author of the poetry collections Girl-King and Unhistorical and is the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship in poetry. She lives in Michigan, where she teaches creative writing at Interlochen. Visit her online at brittanycavallaro.com.
Review :
PRAISE FOR HELLO GIRLS: "The girls' voices are authentic, and readers will enjoy a feeling of female empowerment as they follow them on their road trip . . . Drawing inspiration from Thelma & Louise, this book provides a fun, fast-paced plot with resourceful feminist protagonists." - Kirkus Reviews
"If Gillian Flynn decided to write a YA novel, it might go something like this . . . Cavallaro and Henry write with sharp, crisp voices, imbuing their heroines with wit and outsized imagination. They capture the idiosyncrasies of young female friendship with startling acuity, nailing the deep care and love of these relationships... A novel that taps into something elemental about the ferocity of female adolescence and luxuriates in that space to create a page-turning tale with a potent electric current at its heart." - Entertainment Weekly
"Fans of nonstop action will enjoy the collaborative novel's unrelenting pace." - Publishers Weekly
"A wild ride that finds its footing in the deep bonds of friendship." - ALA Booklist
"A witty, sharply-observed critique of patriarchal norms . . . a fierce celebration of the power of female friendship... smart, fast-paced, and immensely enjoyable . . . perfect for fans of Jeff Zentner's Rayne and Delilah's Midnight Matinee or Kody Keplinger's Run." - School Library Journal
"It's easy to draw parallels between Hello Girls and other dark girl-power comedies like Thelma and Louise, but Cavallaro and Henry offer something extra in Lucille and Winona's relationship . . . The high stakes come across as genuine and realistic, and the girls tackle their traumas with grit and humor. Readers will find comfort in the resilience of the characters and the strength of their friendship." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Uncooperative, riotous women reclaim history in Brittany Cavallaro's complex reimagining of the 1893 World's Fair, set in an alternate American monarchy on the brink of war. An electric reclamation of America's past, and a warning for the future if we continue to underestimate the strength of young women and their power to control their own narratives, and the world." - Mackenzi Lee, New York Times bestselling author of The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue
PRAISE FOR THE CHARLOTTE HOLMES SERIES: THE LAST OF AUGUST "A thrilling twist on a classic. Readers will be pulled in by both the riveting mystery and Charlotte Holmes, a brilliant heroine with secrets of her own." - Maureen Johnson, New York Times bestselling author of the Shades of London series
"Beautiful prose, thrilling action, a touch of romance, and two complicated heroes to root for make this a not-to-be-missed sequel. Readers will be craving the final book in the trilogy." - Booklist (starred review)
"Fans of the first Charlotte Holmes novel, A Study in Charlotte, will not be disappointed, and readers who are new to these characters will savor the fast-paced plot . . . This series is entirely un-put-downable. The Last of August will definitely leave readers anxiously awaiting the next installment." - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
PRAISE FOR THE CHARLOTTE HOLMES SERIES: A STUDY IN CHARLOTTE "Cavallaro's crackling dialogue, well-drawn characters, and complicated relationships make this feel like a seamless and sharp renewal of Doyle's series. An explosive mystery featuring a dynamic duo." - Kirkus Reviews
"Fans of television's Elementary and Sherlock will avidly devour this book . . . a joyous excuse to watch one of the literary world's most beloved pairings come together." - Booklist
PRAISE FOR BOOK 1: MUSE "In this fresh duology starter from Cavallaro (the Charlotte Holmes series), the novel's heroine shares center stage with a glittering alternate version of the U.S.. Peopled with real-world historical characters alongside the fictional ones, Cavallaro's vision of U.S. history presents thought-provoking parallels to past and present realities." - Publishers Weekly
"A sizzling take on alternative history with a smart heroine, snappy prose, and electric storytelling. Muse is a creative delight!" - Stephanie Garber, New York Times bestselling author of the Caraval series
"With glittering gaslight and science laced with magic, Muse will keep you up all hours with its twisty plot and feisty heroine. Friendship, romance, and mystery abound!" - Susan Dennard, New York Times bestselling author
"Brittany Cavallaro gives us another heroine to root for in this sparkling exploration of America as a monarchy, set against the rich backdrop of a world fair. Muse is an immersive tale of a girl navigating political machinations to discover the truth about the kingdom, and herself." - Stacey Lee, award-winning author of The Downstairs Girl
