By Adrienne KressAvailable now from Dial (Penguin)
Review copy
When I picked up THE FRIDAY SOCIETY, I wasn't expecting a ton. Steampunk is one of those subgenres that I kind of enjoy but often find overrated. I was pretty into the first chapter though, wherein Cora discovers a rich guy got himself hired for her job and deals with it through explosions. Then the book kept getting better.
Cora, Michiko, and Nellie are all assistants. It's about the best job a girl can aspire to in Edwardian London. Working in a lab got Cora off the streets. Nellie took her burlesque skills to a higher-profile job as a magician's assistant. And Michiko came to Japan to teach samurai skills, but found herself being exploited as a fight assistant because she can't speak much English. But the three girls band together after a ball, when they all stumble upon a head without a body.
Basically, THE FRIDAY SOCIETY takes Joss Whedon-esque dialogue, proto-feminism, and superheroes, mixes those things in a blender, then sprinkles them over a murder mystery involving grave robbing, fog, and the destruction of a beloved landmark. If there's one fault in the novel, it's that the explosions of the first chapter take a long time to show up again.
All three girls have their own skills, and they complement each other well. I liked that there wasn't much romance in THE FRIDAY SOCIETY. There are make-outs and hints of attractions to be played out in later books, but Cora, Michiko, and Nellie aren't girls who need a man. They're clever and determined enough to thrive in a society that deems them second-class citizens. (Probably lower in Michiko's case.)
I honestly hope that Adrienne Kress will write a sequel (or two) to THE FRIDAY SOCIETY. It's great fun and these are characters I'd love to hang out with again. Plus, she uses the steampunk setting well. (By which I mean: mad science!) THE FRIDAY SOCIETY was not only better than I expected - it would've been better than I expected if I had high hopes.
Love steampunk (writing and reading it!) so thanks so much for a new title to put on my TBR list!
ReplyDeleteI want to love steampunk, so I'm really happy when I title works for me!
DeleteI haven't really tried steampunk yet, for similar reasons you've talked about (overrated), but something like this sounds a good option, the lack of romance and the multiple heroines being quite cool for a novel in the Victorian times.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's one of those genres that just keeps not working for me. But this book did, which makes me happy!
DeleteI don't know if I've read a steampunk book, but I know I need too. I'm glad you enjoyed this one. I think the other review I read of this wasn't as favorable. I like that the girls don't need guys!
ReplyDeleteYou'd know you'd read one if you had. I will admit to reading this on a plane (back in September), and it was perfect plane reading.
DeleteI wanted to read this one anyway (steampunk!), but the fact that it was well-executed and exceeded your expectations is awesome. Maybe I'll get it for the flight to Seattle at Christmas...
ReplyDeleteThat'd be a perfect time to read it!
DeleteSo excited to see your review-I've read some middling ones but I'm really excited about the premise and I adore steampunk so I have hope I'll love this too!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you will, if you're a steampunk fan!
Delete