Leigh Statham

Lady Marguerite lives a life most 17th-century French girls can only dream of: money, designer dresses, suitors, and a secure future. Except she can't quite commit to a life of dull luxury and she suspects she may be falling for her best friend, Claude, a common smithy in the family's steam forge. When Claude leaves for New France in search of a better life, Marguerite decides to follow him, but the trip proves to be more harrowing than she anticipated. Love, adventure, and restitution await if she can survive the voyage.

This alternative historical novel is an exciting fast read full of strange machines and intriguing characters. Based in 17th-century France, The Perilous Journey of the Not So Innocuous Girl follows the misadventures of Lady Marguerite, a noble and rich heiress that refuses her father’s will to see her married. To be honest, I found her character highly annoying at first as she has everything of a spoiled little rich girl : she is extremely self-centered and loves to give orders, expecting others to serve her. But her character evolves strongly during the novel, turning her into a quite pleasing character. Nothing better than losing your home comfort and risking your life a few times to change a character !

I really love how Leigh Statham included steampunk elements in Louis the XIV’s time, which is quite unexpected. But it works really well ! The author inspired from the story of her own ancestor to imagine Marguerite’s story : like her, the heroine is part of the The Daughters of the King, Louis the XIV's social program to settle the wilds of Canada with women of noble birth. It results in a very interesting historical novel full of unexpected adventures.… (mer)

What a good read this was! A little romance, a little heartbreak, some narrow escapes and , finally, some satisfaction. Lots of growth for our herione, Lady Marguerite Vadney, from a spoiled, rich girl who doesn't even acknowledge that not everyone is as entitled as she is, to a young woman beginning to live a life based on her own choices.
The characters were well drawn, the background covered and gadgets were neatly explained. Most of all it was a fun and interesting read.
To learn that the Daughters of the King really existed and that Louis XIV planned the settlement of Canada by this method is fascinating. They were some very brave ladies. The author must have been delighted to learn her ancestor was among them!
I very much enjoyed this book, have the next one and can't wait to start it.
Thanks to the author, Month9Books and Librarything for offering this free book.A new author to watch for!… (mer)