The Friday Society by Adrienne Kress - ADVISABLE

Kress, Adrienne The Friday Society, 448 p. Penguin, DECEMBER 2012.  $17. 

Language: PG-13 (42 swears), Violence: PG (fighting, little blood); Mature Content: G (implied adult drug use).  

Cora, Michiko and Nellie – three girls in Edwardian London who need each other, but haven’t met yet.  Cora works as the assistant for a brilliant inventor, but feels betrayed when he hires a wealthy young man also.  Nellie is a magician’s assistant, who comes from the mean streets and becomes worried when someone starts murdering young flower sellers.  Michiko is a samurai, who has been denied her sword; in a fit of pique, she took a job with a showy swords man who undervalues her skills.  When all three girls are part of the discovery of a murdered man, they begin to realize that they need each other and they can help each other.  However, there may be more than one enemy.  

Three strong steampunk heroines emerge in Kress’s novel.  She has created something for girls that more mature women have already discovered.  I think this will greatly help the steampunk movement along.  I can’t wait to read more about these girls.  

MS, HS – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher