The League of Dangerous Young Ladies (The League of Dangerous Young Ladies #1)

The daughters of classic literary characters and historical figures embark on high-octane fantasy adventures in Morgenstein’s spirited debut. In 1909, Rose Moriarty, the teenage daughter of Sherlock Holmes’s infamous rival, is best known as a mystery-solving, monster-slaying ingenue. Feeling adrift after a mission gone south, she wanders the grounds of her former headmistress Hina’s unconventional London academy, a school that prioritizes world-saving exploits over decorum. Separated from her formidable companions—including brilliant inventor Nikki Tesla and physically enhanced Seffy Moreau—Rose must navigate both external dangers and internal doubts. The arrival of enigmatic Count Christoph of the Carpathian Mountains and his aide Clara draws Rose into a perilous search for a powerful magical orb, which is upended by the emergence of eerie, magically altered insect-like beings and the devastating revelation of Nikki’s declining health. The novel’s emphasis on women in scientific and intellectual pursuits contending with interpersonal challenges is rendered with refreshing candor. Its strength lies in the nuanced characterizations of the white-cued cast; Seffy’s combination of enhanced strength and social unease adds emotional texture to the group dynamic. Blending homage with reinvention, this unique and emotionally grounded series launch will leave readers eager for further installments. Ages 12–up. Agent: Gemma Cooper, Gemma Cooper Literary. (June)