Lady of disguise

During a time when women don't have much freedom, 18-year-old Louisa yearns for it as her aunt and uncle try to force her into marriage for monetary gain. Louisa has managed to scare off potential suitors her uncle brings home for her and her 12-year-old sister, but she knows she won't hold out much longer. Having heard for years of an unclaimed Viking treasure, Louisa sneaks off, disguised as a young boy named Jack, in pursuit of the treasure. She hopes to find it and free herself and her sister from their uncle's cruel grasp. On the way to the treasure, she meets Sir Charles, a knight devoted to helping those in need and upholding justice. Together, they travel the dangerous road to finding the treasure, only to discover a more precious treasure than expected. Dickerson's latest is filled with adventure and romance and set against a rich historical backdrop. Inspired by "Jack and the Beanstalk," it adds new elements to the original tale, and while religious themes permeate the book, it remains pleasantly lighthearted fare.

Set in 14th-century England, this lighthearted romance by Dickerson (The Warrior Maiden) centers the Chaucer-like plight of orphaned 18-year-old Louisa Lenton of Maydestone. Determined to keep her guardian and greedy uncle from marrying off both her and her younger sister, Louisa disguises herself as a boy named Jack and sets off seeking the Viking treasure that her father believed was hidden on a mountaintop in Yorkshire. Quickly realizing the dangers of traveling alone, incognito Louisa meets valiant (and handsome) Sir Charles, a knight who vows to accompany her on her quest. But with each passing day, Louisa questions having undertaken the journey in the first place, even as romantic feelings for her chivalrous escort grow. Though her vacillations between damsel in distress and fearless heroine are somewhat predictable, her compassion and grace immediately endear her to the reader, as well as to fairy tale gallant Sir Charles. Purple prose and plentiful religious allegory combined with steadily crescendoing romantic tension, easily vanquished dangers, and innumerable foes and red herrings results in an amiable love-conquers-all tale. Central characters present as white. Ages 13--up. Agent: Natasha Kern, Natasha Kern Literary. (Feb.)

Eighteen-year-old Louisa embarks on a quest to save both herself and her 12-year-old sister from arranged marriages, finding personal growth and true love along the way. In 1388 England, Louisa and Margaret live with their uncle, who's trying to marry them off. Louisa knows that independent wealth is the path to freedom, so she disguises herself as a boy, assumes the name Jack, and runs away in search of a Viking treasure in Yorkshire that's rumored to be guarded by a giant. She crosses paths with Sir Charles Raynsford of Dericott, a young knight seeking his place and healing from an ill-advised love affair, and the pair begin to work together. The author adds period-appropriate details throughout, including descriptions of a feast, a knight's vows, an encounter with wolves, the Midsummer festival in a market town, and even a meeting with King Richard in the Tower of London. Louisa and Sir Charles' pivotal adventure on a mountain in Yorkshire leads to happily-ever-after endings for all. This is a mild adventure with good pacing; while the characters Louisa encounters seem to exist to highlight the setting and support her Christian-centered self-actualization, the blossoming romance is sweet and the pair is well matched, with inner lives centered on contemplation and prayer. All characters are cued white; diversity in social rank and physical disabilities illuminates historical attitudes. A gentle historical romance led by chivalry and Christian-based morality. (author's note, discussion questions) (Historical romance. 12-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.