That Inevitable Victorian Thing
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Speculative fiction from the acclaimed bestselling author of Exit, Pursued by a Bear and Star Wars: Ahsoka.
Victoria-Margaret is the crown princess of the empire, a direct descendent of Victoria I, the queen who changed the course of history. The imperial tradition of genetically arranged matchmaking will soon guide Margaret into a politically advantageous marriage. But before she does her duty, she'll have one summer of freedom and privacy in a far corner of empire. Posing as a commoner in Toronto, she meets Helena Marcus, daughter of one of the empire's greatest placement geneticists, and August Callaghan, the heir to a powerful shipping firm currently besieged by American pirates. In a summer of high-society debutante balls, politically charged tea parties, and romantic country dances, Margaret, Helena, and August discover they share an extraordinary bond and maybe a one-in-a-million chance to have what they want and to change the world in the process.
Set in a near-future world where the British Empire was preserved not by the cost of blood and theft but by the effort of repatriation and promises kept, That Inevitable Victorian Thing is a surprising, romantic, and thought-provoking story of love, duty, and the small moments that can change people and the world.
★ "This witty and romantic story is a must-read.”—SLJ, starred review
★ "Compelling and unique—there's nothing else like it."—Booklist, starred review.
★ "[A] powerful and resonant story of compassion, love, and finding a way to fulfill obligations while maintaining one’s identity."—PW, starred review
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
What if the British Empire never fell, and its traditions of debutante balls and royal matchmaking survived into the 21st century? In this vividly imagined alternate history, set in the near future, the Church of the Empire runs a DNA-matching service to ensure that mates are biologically compatible, both for commoners and for royals such as Crown Princess Victoria-Margaret. When the heir spends a summer living under an assumed name in Canada, an unexpected love triangle with newfound friends Helena and August illuminates the limitations of the system and of these young adults' self-conceptions. The introduction of an intersex character shines a spotlight on the individual's fear and confusion, and on the necessity of finding a safety net of understanding. The characters all have secrets, and the politeness inherent in Victorian attitudes will only conceal them for so long. It's a powerful and resonant story of compassion, love, and finding a way to fulfill obligations while maintaining one's identity. As with the dragon-infested modern world of Johnston's The Story of Owen, the thoughtfulness, attention to detail, and humor in this alternative Earth are rewarding on multiple levels. Ages 12 up.
