Look later in the post for the full synopsis of the story.

As a teacher of middle-school students, I’m always looking for books I can enthusiastically recommend to my students. Particularly, I keep an eye out for books with positive female role models, characters who are quirky and confident and gifted. Kathleen Baldwin’s Refuge for Masterminds gives me not just one girl for my students to look up to, but several. In addition, Emma Stranje, the headmistress of the school for unusual girls, is a teacher who is brilliant and mysterious. Who doesn’t love that?

This is the third book in the series, and I read it without reading the first two. I was not lost at all and felt as comfortable in Ms. Baldwin’s world as if I had all the background the other two books provided. And her world is a vibrant place of gowns and balls and pet wolves. She must have done a good bit of research, since I did not get pulled out of the reading by any anachronisms.

I loved the relationship among the girls and their teacher, all of whom have unique strengths and characteristics. They function well within the confines of their society while still showing how they can be independent and influential. Following Jane through this story was a delight. The conflict is centrally focused on her, and she works throughout it with creativity, humor, and poise.

The romance subplot was sweet and entirely age appropriate. Alexander and Jane have a fun time playing off each other, and it’s entertaining for the readers to witness the growth of their intellectual and romantic relationship. I would have no qualms recommending this to my teenage readers.

I look forward to reading the other novels in this series, and commend Ms. Baldwin for giving me a book I will definitely get my students to read in the future.

This is a series that I have really enjoyed, and this book continues that enjoyment. I always love a good historical fiction that makes me interested in learning more about a certain time period. Particularly when it gets me interested in a time period I either never thought about, or just never had any interest in even when I might have learned about it in the past in school, etc. I also love a good series where each book focuses on another of the main characters, as well as keeping up involved in the lives of those from books before, and even getting us interested in whatever other characters we might get future books about. I enjoyed a lot about Lady Jane, and I also enjoyed the banter between her and Mr. Sinclair in this book. Their romance was very sweet. The reason that Jane did not want to go to London was definitely well-hidden until it was revealed, and until then, I was unsure what in the world could have kept her from wanting to go. But that reason was so good! And the turn it took once she was in London was even better. I loved the puppies, and the idea of creating a fake leg for a dog with only three legs was so sweet and a neat addition to the story. There was a bit with a leech at the end that made me laugh out loud, as I could totally see it happening. Another fun look into a time period and environment that we don't always spend much time looking into, not to mention the political world at the time and how the society and town worked during those days, not to mention the scientific ideas that began to spring forth as well, probably in very similar environments.

Once again, Kathleen Baldwin takes us on an amazing journey through an alternate event in history. I really love her take on historical events and the significant part young people play in the fight for freedom and peace. The story is full of adventure, and is both well-written and a delight to read. The girls continue the fight against the schemes and machinations of Lady Daneska and her paramour Ghost, and the romance between Alexander and Jane doesn't overwhelm the other aspects of the story. Here, we also see Jane coming into her own, and we understand more just how crucial Jane is in the fight.

More than the thriller and romance parts, this story is also about sisterhood and friendship among the five girls. This is more than clearly depicted during Jane's hunt for the traitor and how it pained her that the person could be one of the girls. Also love the way they understand and support one another in later scenes during the story.

Not sure about the later pairings, but one secondary character that caught my attention was Lord Harston. Sure wouldn't mind reading his story. Maybe...Maya?

Overall, I enjoyed this story immensely and I closed my kindle with a satisfied sigh. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!