From the Publisher
"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
“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: “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) on The Last of August
“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) on The Last of August
“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 (starred review) on A Study in Charlotte
“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 on A Study in Charlotte
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
“Hello Girls is exactly the kind of smart, angry, tender-hearted, patriarchy-dismantling story that I’ve been hungering for, with a gorgeous, complex friendship at its core. Beautifully written, with a thrumming vitality in every sentence and characters so real that their passions, hurts, and triumphs will leave you breathless.” — Claire Legrand, New York Times bestselling author of Furyborn and Sawkill Girls
“Hello Girls made me want to hit the road with my best friend. It’s fierce and funny and full of heart, and made me feel invincible.” — Jennifer Niven, New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places and Holding Up the Universe
“Hello Girls is a razor-sharp union of sidesplitting dark comedy, fierce feminism, and poignant friendship, paced like an Alfa-Romeo at full throttle, and written in gleaming, perfect, gutpunch sentences.” — Jeff Zentner, Morris Award-winning author of The Serpent King
“A stirring tale of female friendship, loyalty, and the depth of love.” — Mindy McGinnis, Edgar Award-winning author of The Female of the Species
“Holy cats, I loved this book. Electric and powerful and so, so smart, Hello Girls is the YA Thelma & Louise I didn’t know was missing from my life. Winona and Lucille—and Cavallaro + Henry—make a fierce, fantastic team.” — New York Times bestselling author Katie Cotugno
“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
Susan Dennard
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!
Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) on The Last of August
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.
Mackenzi Lee
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.”
Stacey Lee
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.
Stephanie Garber
A sizzling take on alternative history with a smart heroine, snappy prose, and electric storytelling. Muse is a creative delight!
Booklist on A Study in Charlotte
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.
Maureen Johnson
Praise for the Charlotte Holmes series: “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.
Booklist (starred review) on The Last of August
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.
ALA Booklist
A wild ride that finds its footing in the deep bonds of friendship.
Claire Legrand
Hello Girls is exactly the kind of smart, angry, tender-hearted, patriarchy-dismantling story that I’ve been hungering for, with a gorgeous, complex friendship at its core. Beautifully written, with a thrumming vitality in every sentence and characters so real that their passions, hurts, and triumphs will leave you breathless.
Jeff Zentner
Hello Girls is a razor-sharp union of sidesplitting dark comedy, fierce feminism, and poignant friendship, paced like an Alfa-Romeo at full throttle, and written in gleaming, perfect, gutpunch sentences.
Entertainment Weekly
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.
Mindy McGinnis
A stirring tale of female friendship, loyalty, and the depth of love.
New York Times bestselling author Katie Cotugno
Holy cats, I loved this book. Electric and powerful and so, so smart, Hello Girls is the YA Thelma & Louise I didn’t know was missing from my life. Winona and Lucille—and Cavallaro + Henry—make a fierce, fantastic team.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
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.
Jennifer Niven
Hello Girls made me want to hit the road with my best friend. It’s fierce and funny and full of heart, and made me feel invincible.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
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
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.
null New York Times bestselling author Katie Cotugno
Holy cats, I loved this book. Electric and powerful and so, so smart, Hello Girls is the YA Thelma & Louise I didn’t know was missing from my life. Winona and Lucille—and Cavallaro + Henry—make a fierce, fantastic team.
null Booklist on A Study in Charlotte
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.
null Booklist (starred review) on The Last of August
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.
null Booklist on The Last of August
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.
Kirkus Reviews
2020-11-09
Political intrigue in an alternate America.
Seventeen-year-old Claire Emerson has the magic touch, able to bless people via skin-to-skin contact. Such power makes her a commodity, and Claire believes her only escape from her crazed father’s demands will be through marriage. The 1893 World’s Fair is finally happening, and Claire intends to seek refuge with her long-absent brother once her father’s newest invention debuts. Instead, she becomes a pawn in the political scrabble among young Gov. Remy Duchamp, his power-hungry general, and malcontents from the neighboring province of Livingston-Monroe. Female independence is not a possibility in this 19th-century Great American Kingdom, where the Washingtons are a monarchical dynasty, the U.S. is divided into provinces ruled by governors, and suffrage is suppressed. This is also an America where immigration is limited—the villains are blatantly xenophobic—but slavery, abolition, and Indigenous populations are not mentioned, their omission a serious flaw in an otherwise richly detailed setting and timeline. For a novel about science, magic, and politics, none of the rules are adequately explained, leaving the readers to learn alongside Claire as she struggles to understand her powers, the political game, and various steampunk gadgets. Cavallaro excels at intrigue, capers, and feminist concerns, but this book needs more substantial worldbuilding before joining the crowd of alternate history tales. Most characters are White.
Like a lightbulb: incandescent and dazzling but artificial. (map, author's note) (Fantasy. 14-18)
