Willful Impropriety: 13 Tales of Society, Scandal, and Romance - Softcover

Ekaterina Sedia is an author, editor, and professor of botany and plant ecology. She is the author of The House of Discarded Dreams, The Secret History of Moscow, and The Alchemy of Stone. You can visit her online at www.ekaterinasedia.com.

These romantic tales take place amid the manners and drama of the Victorian era. A strong collection, the stories complement each other, evoking many aspects of an era in which being “all right” meant “married.” The young women here chafe at and rebel against this concept or muddle through it while gaining a newfound understanding of their options and potential. The most compelling tales feature girls masquerading as men to achieve what they could not as women, in either their personal or professional lives. Others employ magic and fey as a way to break free from a proscribed future. The complex period language is used to uneven effect across the collection; in some pieces, an overly mannered style allows a slow simmer; while in others, the prose struggles to engage the reader. Most of the authors, however, do let their voices shine through to create compelling narratives. Older teens and adults looking for historical romance in short form will enjoy this look at love and independence in the age of restraint. Grades 9-12. --Heather Booth