MY CONTRARY MARY, by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows, HarperTeen, June 22, 2021, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 13 and up)
The authors of The Lady Janies are tackling an all-new historical trilogy starting with the courtly tale of Mary, Queen of Scotts in My Contrary Mary.
Welcome to Renaissance France, a place of poison and plots, of beauties and beasts, of mice and . . . queens?
Mary is the queen of Scotland and the jewel of the French court. Except when she’s a mouse. Yes, reader, Mary is an Eðian (shapeshifter) in a kingdom where Verities rule. It’s a secret that could cost her a head — or a tail.
Luckily, Mary has a confidant in her betrothed, Francis. But things at the gilded court take a treacherous turn after the king meets a suspicious end. Thrust onto the throne, Mary and Francis face a viper’s nest of conspiracies, traps, and treason. And if Mary’s secret is revealed, heads are bound to roll. —Synopsis provided by HarperTeen
Like the books in the Lady Janies series — My Lady Jane, My Plain Jane, and My Calamity Jane, My Contrary Mary twists a well-known story into a fast-paced tale full of sarcastic wit and adventure.
The authors’ tongue-in-cheek humor and conversational tone make for an enjoyable read from beginning to end. Laced with truths from the time period, this fictional look at Mary feels rooted in time and place. That she is a shapeshifter feels natural and in keeping with the very real fears of the supernatural from that time period.
My Contrary Mary is told through alternating chapters that give readers the upper had as the story plays out. And puns and Disney references keep a smile on your face. If you’re looking for a fun summer read, this is it. I can’t wait to see what these authors have up their sleeves next.
