To be completely honest, I don't know if I would have picked up this book if I hadn't already known it under its UK title "A Most Improper Magick". While the word 'incorrigible' does draw my attention, the cartoonish and kiddish art of the cover for the American edition throws me off. Don't get me wrong, I think its a cute cover, but its not a cover that would make me think I'll enjoy it.

Meet Kat, the youngest of three daughters in Georgian England with a vicar for a father and a socially aspiring stepmother (or at least, a money aspiring stepmother). There's Elissa, the oldest of the girls and already in line to be sold off to the highest bidder, Angeline, who's got more savvy then to be treated as such and then Kat, who takes the weight on to fix the drama of her house. It was refreshing that their stepmother wasn't evil or even malicious--she was what most women were back then, utterly consumed with raising their social station and having the money to do so. She honestly felt it was in all their best interests.

Nominally this is Kat's adventure as she gallops around trying to help everyone and learn the truth about her late mother and the person she was. Kat was feisty and opinionated and energetic in a way you won't often see in historical novels set during the 19th century without losing some credibility. Burgis draws inspiration from Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer (good sources!) imbuing Kat with qualities the two writers were famous for. Kat is fiercely loyal to her family, innocently mischievous and willing to go great lengths for what she believes in.

I enjoyed this novel, though I sometimes felt exasperated. Being a little more then twice Kat's age I sometimes had to remind myself that at that age (12) impulse control isn't exactly well practiced. Plus I knew some of Kat's 'ingenious' ideas were doomed to failure from the start, but part of being a kid is learning from your mistakes. And Kat tried to do what her sisters and stepmother wanted of her...she just...couldn't. Not in her nature.

Burgis does a wonderful job introducing us to the principle players and making it clear (by the end at least) who stands where. This has the side benefit of also making it clear where future troubles may occur from, but tends to make things too black and white. The bad guys are bad guys--no redeeming value there, the good guys are good guys--even when making seemingly bad decisions their made with good intentions and the two don't meet.

As Kat says, if she managed to accomplish all that she does in this book at the age of 12, I can't wait to see what she accomplished in the next book! ( )

Independent Reading Level: Grades 4th through 5th grade
Awards: Waverton Good Read Children's Award (2010)

I'll say the same thing about all three books in this series. They're fast reads, highly entertaining and connect so smoothly. Kat might seem a tad irritating at times, but her sharp mind, curiosity and perseverance combine to make her a formidable force. Her sisters are quite interesting as well, but both with completely different and distinct personalities. All three a joy to read. ( )

Kat's determination and smarts make this a great book for any young girl who wants a strong female main character. The fact that the book is funny and fun just makes it better. ( )

Think the sisters from "Sense and Sensibility" with the mother from "Pride & Prejudice" mixed with some of the more mysterious and gothic plot elements of "Jane Eyre," all wrapped up in a magical package for middle grade readers of Eva Ibbotson and the like. Highly enjoyable. ( )