Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis

Kat, Incorrigible #1. Atheneum Books (April 2011) Library

Nineteenth century England is not the place to be practicing magic.
In this prim and proper world, twelve-year-old Katherine Ann Stephenson is at a loss: Her sisters, Elissa and Angeline, have recently entered Society and now gossip incessantly in whispers; her foolish brother, Charles, has gambled the family deep into debt; and Stepmama wants nothing to do with them at all. What can Kat do but take matters into her own hands?
Luckily Kat has inherited her mother's magical talents and has the courage to use them -- if she can only learn how. But with her sister Elissa's intended fiancé, the sinister Sir Neville, showing a dangerous interest in Kat's magical potential; her sister Angeline creating romantic havoc with her own witchcraft; and a highwayman lurking in the forest, even Kat's reckless heroism will be tested to the utmost. Will her powers be enough to win her sisters their true loves?

I couldn't have asked for a better book to read if I had my own magical abilities to summon one to me. Kat, Incorrigible is absolutely adorable with a spunky heroine that will do anything for her sisters even if they don't want her help. The setting takes place during the times of Jane Austin and the Bronte Sisters where girls of a certain age had dowries and were married off to the highest bidder. In a world that puts restrictions on its girls Kat is determined to break the rules to save her sisters love lives. Not only does their happiness hang in the balance but possibly their very lives. 

Elissa, Kat's eldest sister is slated to be married to Sir Neville whose rumors about him are that of the neglect and murder of his first wife. Elissa is the typical girl of that age who does everything in a proper way and simply cannot abide by her sister's use of witchcraft - of course they do it anyways and hide it from her so they can avoid the endless lecture they would be sure to receive. Elissa is deemed to be acting like a Gothic heroine by her sisters by sacrificing her happiness for the good of their family after their brother Charlie's gambling got them deep into debt. Elissa's so dramatic, she's hilarious! - Especially when her two sisters are calling her out on her actions to save the family over her own happiness. I found myself giggling at her dramatic and foolish ways and the arguments that ensued between the three sisters. The sisters are always arguing but there is a great sense of loyalty and a bond that makes their arguments heart-warming. They really care about each other and it shows.

Angeline is the second eldest sister. She has a dry, sarcastic humor that made me love her character from the start. She's the most like Kat in that she says it like it is and has a very, very mischievous side to her. Angeline is very close with Elissa which leaves Kat feeling left out sometimes; the reason being that they are of course closer to the same age and they knew their mother. Kat discovers that Angeline has taken her mother's magical books to find herself her true love. Angeline ends up getting herself in a ridiculous situation which again left me laughing and turning the pages. Angeline is by no means a proper lady like her sister but she does want to find love and a way to get her sister out of her mess. It was sweet to think she was using a magic that is clearly frowned upon by everyone especially their Stepmother,  to save her sister. Again, the bond the Stephenson sisters have was a wonderful thing to read about.

Now Kat is a rebel. I like my heroines when they are as spunky as Kat. She has a mind of her own and does what she can to help her sisters out. She discovers that she has her own magical abilities herself but they might not only be from her mother being a witch... Kat's very powerful and that is noticed by a couple of people including the evil Sir Neville and a magical Order that her mother used to be a part of. The Order wants to tutor her but the way they run; Kat is not so sure she can trust them. I like that Kat generally depends on herself to help herself. She's very independent and a worthy heroine for girls to look up too. 

I know it's a cliché but Kat, Incorrigible was magical. It has a rebellious heroine, a great sister bond, and magic! Burgis truly crafted a story that is by all accounts is amazing. I loved this book so much I'm getting the two other one's from the library right away. If any of what this book has to offer interests you READ THIS BOOK.