In 1906 New York City, Miss Posterity’s Academy for Practical Magic is the best kindling school―and wealthy twelve-year-old Emma Harris is accustomed to the best. But when her father dies, leaving her penniless, Emma is reduced to working off her debts to Miss Posterity alongside Izzy, a headstrong servant girl who refuses to let her magic be snuffed out, even if society dictates she must. Emma and Izzy reluctantly form a pact: If Izzy teaches Emma how to survive as a servant, Emma will reveal to Izzy what she knows about magic. Along the way, they encounter shy libraries, quizzes that literally pop, and talking cats (that is, house dragons). But when another student’s kindling goes horribly wrong, Emma, Izzy, and their unexpected new friends embark on a journey to keep magic in the right hands . . . or else there’s a risk it will be snuffed out forever.
Heartfelt, fast-paced, and utterly absorbing, The Gilded Girl is Alyssa Colman’s sparkling debut novel about determination, spirit, and the magic of friendship.
I love A Little Princess. It's one of my favourite children's books. I hadn't realised before I started this that it's influenced by that classic, but it quickly becomes obvious. Emma, the main character, is brought to a boarding school by her doting, rich father, where she's to be given everything she wants. When he abruptly dies - in the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, rather than jungle fever - Emma is promptly made a servant in the school.
The major difference between this story and the original is the presence of magic. I won't go into detail on the subplot, but it's nicely thought out and makes a lot of sense. Izzy is brilliant, as is Emma herself. The ending is fabulous and I really enjoyed watching it unfold.
There's a lovely tone and feeling, and I loved watching Emma gather a group around her to help her out. (Also, yes, I may have welled up right at the end there.) I'm really excited to see what Alyssa comes up with next. I think it'll be great.
The Gilded Girl publishes on the 6th April, 2021. I received a free copy and am writing an honest review.
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