I am currently working on expanding our school library's senior section after years of a dismal and uninspiring selection of books that our older readers never checked out. My job has been to seek out much more diverse, gripping and modern books that will get them into reading by appealing to as broad a range of readers as possible. This really appealed to me because of its fantastic narrative and sense of atmosphere, combined with believable characterisation and its pageturning nature. It's hard to get young people into reading and if the library is not stocking the kind of book that they might grow up to buy as adult readers then we are not really meeting their needs. I can imagine this provoking lots of discussion after finishing it and a long queue of people trying to reserve it as they've heard so much about it. Will definitely be buying a copy and know that it's going to be a very popular choice. An engrossing read that kept me up far too late to finish reading it. It certainly stood out from the other books that I was considering and I will be looking out for more from Lydia in the future!

It was absolutely impossible for me not to love this book. The Impossible Girl is full of eerie mystery, questionable characters & addictive twists, that left me on the edge of my seat until the very last page of the epilogue. The idea behind this book was wonderfully original & the writing was brilliantly intelligent. But most importantly, this fantastic story managed to pull me out of my reading slump quicker than Jacob & his boys could remove a body from its grave. This is one of those ARCs that I feel truly privileged to have received.

⚠️ This book contains death, violence, racism, sexism & scenes of a sexual nature ⚠️

Set in Manhattan in the mid-1800s, there’s rumor of a girl with two hearts. They aren’t the kind of rumors that hurt your feelings or may ruin your social status, but that can literally get you killed and your body cut open and displayed for all to see. And the rumors are true: Cora Lee was born with two hearts. In order to keep anyone from discovering this, and to navigate society, she spends the day as Cora and the night disguised as her “twin brother” Jacob. She’s also robbing graves to sell the bodies to medical schools and those who are seeking body anomalies. She does this for money, and so that she can hear if anyone is looking for the girl with two hearts–her! Her life is complicated enough when suddenly people on her list of anomalies–who she waits to die of natural causes–start suspiciously dying. Will she figure out what is happening before she’s in the grave?… This was one of those novels where I was sucked in from the first page and absolutely adored Cora. Another win for the historical feminist mysteries category!

The impossible girl by Lydia Kang was a spooky gothic read perfect for late night reading. I loved how this story involved so many elements including a good old fashioned Victorian mystery. Highly recommended!

When you're worth more dead than alive, who can you trust? Since Cora was born with two hearts, rumors of her have been circulating in the world of anatomists and those curious about physical anomalies. As an adult, she's a skilled grave robber who often poses as a man to access forbidden spaces, allowing her to make money and have her ear to the ground for when people with bad intentions come looking for the girl with two hearts.

I love this wonderful roller coaster of a novel, full of delightfully unsavory characters, daring thefts of bodies, and shocking betrayals. Cora is a fantastic protagonist, and the world Lydia Kang builds around her is grimy, dangerous, and captivating. If you're looking for an escapist book to get lost in, this is the perfect historical mystery for you!

I was not only drawn to this beatiful cover but drawn to the original premise of the story! What a unique idea Kang has executed. The story is not like anything that I have ever read before. The first couple of chapters went by slow for me but once I got into it, I was super interested in what was going on.

Cora's unique medical ailment of having two hearts was perfectly executed for her character as she was living as two people, herself and her brother Jacob, and also living two seperate lives being a resurrectionist and portraying a well-off woman. What I had a hard time believing was her ability to work and dress as a man for so long without her coworkers catching on. I know that passing as a man has been done multiple times in history for various reasons but I would assume that makeup, especially during the 1800's wouldn't be necessarily the most believable especially while working up a sweat digging and moving bodies postmortum. I did admire Cora's medical intelligence for the time period and also admired her hardworking attitude that was not a norm in the 1800's for women.

I was at first so appalled thinking of the resurectionist aspect but as I continued to read, I grew more and more knowledgable about how doctors and other medical professionals really relied on bodies to explore and study in order to advance the medical community. I really had to put myself into the time period to look past my preconceived notions. Being a teacher in Philadelphia and spending more time in the city than I get to spend time in my own home in New Jersey, I liked the aspect that they brought up Philadelphia's Mutter Museum a few times. It intrigued me to do some more research about the museum here in the city.

The story is twisted and I didn't foresee much of anything. I knew our twisted character was twisted but there wasn't much to pick up on and I thought maybe this character was just a red herring.

This is a historical fiction and murder mystery tied all into one. I highly recommend getting into this book. You'll never see what's coming.

Really enjoyed this book. It's dark, atmospheric and a story unlike other stories. There are some great plot twist and overall just a great read.

The Impossible Girl by Lydia Kang
Lake Union Publishing, 2018
Fiction (Historical); 364 pgs
Source: NetGalley for TLC Tour

I admit I have been shying away from doing book tours as of late, but when I was offered the chance to read and review this one, I jumped right on it. I love historical fiction and throw in a woman in an unconventional role, and I cannot resist. I knew resurrectionists existed, but did not know much about the field or their role in society. Lydia Kang certainly whet my appetite for wanting to know more. I especially like it when historical fiction novels have strands of truth running through them--and it's clear the author did a lot of research on the time period her novel is set in, Manhattan, 1850.

I was taken by Cora Lee's confidence and double life immediately. By day she is a lady and by night a rough and tumble man. To the outside world, she is Cora and her twin brother Jacob. She's mastered the two roles she plays so well that they each have their own distinct personalities. Having spent a good part of her life having to pretend to be a boy in order to keep her true identity hidden, it is no wonder she is so well able to fool those around her. Diagnosed at birth with having two hearts, Cora has spent her life protecting her secret. Grave robbers like herself and those, particularly anatomists, who buy the bodies she procures would pay a pretty penny for a woman with two hearts after all.

When a young medical student, Theodore Flint, steps in her path, Cora wants nothing to do with him. He takes a shine to the unusual woman though, struck by her beauty, wit and no nonsense attitude. Not to mention he has heard she, her brother and their team are the best resurrectionists around--and he wants to learn the trade.

Cora has long had an agreement with several doctors in the city that upon the deaths of certain individuals with special health conditions, she will be informed first so that she can collect their bodies. Whether for research or spectacle, these bodies are a hot commodity. Just as hers would be if she were to end up dead. When some of these people seem to be turning up murdered, Cora comes to realize she might be next. Does someone know her secret? She no longer trusts those around her, not even those who claim to be on her side.

Lydia Kang sets the stage for the novel quite well, wrapping it in history, not only capturing the time period in terms of the setting, questionable and medical advances, roles and treatment of women, and the profitability of the strange and the odd. I loved every minute of this deliciously dark novel. I was drawn to both the mystery and the romance, as well as Cora's personal history and relationship--or lack there of--with her biological family. I was hopeful I would like this novel, and I came away loving it--every suspenseful twist and bit of drama.

I really liked The Impossible Girl by Lydia Kang! I thought the concept was unique and the setting was really fascinating. I don't typically read much that takes place in a historical time period, but I really liked it here. I also didn't guess who the killer was!!

A very interesting story with an awesome character who reminds me a lot of Audrey Rose from Stalking Jack the Ripper. The Impossible Girl is the story of Cora, who makes a living off digging up bodies and selling to universities. But she has a secret: she has two hearts. In the wrong hands, this information might cost her life.

This was so gripping and full of drama, I don't know why I expected a thriller with hints of horror, but it's closer to a drama with some romance and a bit of thriller. I really liked Cora and I liked the story, but it felt like there was lots of unnecessary drama and too many "plot twists" that I saw from a mile a way. But it was an entertaining read!

Lydia King has brought lovers of Historical Fiction a fresh and new story line to a genre that is often overly saturated with plots centering around WWII. New York in the mid 1800's is a place full of the unknown medically speaking and a market place for side and freak shows. How are this two things so different yet connected? Resurrectionist ! Cora and her "twin" Jacob have found not only does their livelihood but also Cora"s life depends on the under ground market of grave robbing. This mystery thriller takes the reader through a fast paced, heart gripping ride that will have you trying to predict an unpredictable ending. Is Cora really the girl with two hearts? Can she run from the people that hire her to find this rumored medical miracle? Who will betray her first? The answers come so surprisingly fast that you wont want to put this book down. Grab your copy now and find out what all the well deserved fandom for this book is.

Cora Lee was born in the 19th century, and floats between the upper crust and the slums and graveyards in New York. She makes her living as a resurrectionist, meaning that she spends her nights in the graveyards (dressed as her “twin” brother) procuring freshly dead bodies with interesting afflictions for anatomists. They pay her incredibly well for doing this job. The job also allows her to stay a step ahead of those that are looking for her. She is hunted for being one of those with an interesting affliction- Cora was born with two hearts. Now there are murders happening closer and closer to her, and she doesn’t know who she can trust, because she is being hunted down by someone who wants her before she dies her natural death.
This new release from Lydia Kang was phenomenal! It was full of everything that I hoped that it would have from the description: action packed, science, medicine, history, some romance (but not enough to overtake the story), a twisty thriller, and a wonderfully strong female lead. The writing was beautiful and flowed well. The characters were very well fleshed out, and showed great growth throughout the book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

The Impossible Girl made me think! It sent me to the internet to find out more about medical practices and conditions (and resurrectionists). This book also made me think - about the changes in our concerning race, women, and class structures. I can see The Impossible Girl used in a high school or college level class. It would make an interesting literature tie in to an American History class. I can also picture it as a movie. One thing I looked for, but did not find, were questions for book discussion groups.

Melinda Samaniego's review Oct 05, 2018 · edit
A really fun read! This story is set in the mid 1800's New York, and tells the story of a young woman who is forced to live a double life as Cora and her "brother", Jacob, to protect her identity. Cora was born with two hearts, and if it was known, would be sought out by collectors for their museums or freak shows. A really interesting story and some very well written chatacters that I liked. I enjoyed learning more about Cora's profession and some of the language of the times. Would highly recommend the book and will be reading her other book, The Beautiful Poison.

This is the prefect book to segway into fall. .It is mysterious,., atmospheric and spooky.
I loved the story and highly recommend this for your fall reading.

We are introduced to New York City in 1850 which is a dark cruel place to live. People with abnormalities are being dissected to determine what made them occur. as they die off. or are murdered for a price. Bodies are being sold to the highest bidder. The bodies are then put on display to the public. Cora Lee is the only female resurrectionist and she is smart and savvy enough to stay on top of the macabre goings on. She has to protect herself as she was born with two hearts. If she is found out she will be killed and her body put on display.

This book has grave robbing, abnormalities, many murders, and a outstanding mystery. If you enjoy a little 'darker read and don't mind the descriptions in dept of many murders this is the perfect fall read for you.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinion is my own.

Well, that was interesting...

Truly an interesting and rather unexpected read. A tale of a young woman determined to make a life for herself during a time where women are regarded as the inferior gender by society - filled with murder, mystery and twisted family hierocracy. In some ways, it quite reminds me of These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly which I really enjoyed as well.

And honestly, I did not guess the killer right at all. Which is pretty rare, so kudos to the author for throwing me for a loop.

A dark historical mystery that is perfect for fall reading!

Every era has a dark side and New York City in 1850 is no exception. People with abnormalities die all the time, but now people want to know more about these abnormalities, they want to dissect the people and see what made them occur. In fact, there are plenty of people to pay nicely for such a body. From aneurysms to blocked arteries to being born with multiple appendages, these are worth big money to explore and then display to the public. Cora Lee is the only female resurrectionist and she plays the game well. She stays one step ahead of those looking for bodies to purchase. After all, she has to. She was born with two hearts.

This was definitely a welcome change in my reading schedule. It was almost like a forced shift from light summer reading to a dark, fall read that keeps your mind spinning throughout the night. This book just had a little bit of everything: grave robbing, freak show abnormalities, expected murders, and a cat and mouse game. Kang always brings together a well told story that will keep the reader intrigued from beginning to end. This story flowed better than some of her past books and kept me pretty well hooked throughout, which was probably the subject and timeframe of the story. If you enjoy a little more on the darker side of a novel, give this one a try!

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

First and foremost, I would like to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my first ever ARC.

<blockquote>Many things are possible. The human body's mysteries are finite but not yet solved</blockquote>

I always found 1800s an the first half of 1900s pretty interesting, because there is always something new to discover, something that was left out of history books. With this book in my hands I discovered some gross details about ressurectionists, or body snatchers. They were usually operating in small groups, digging out bodies of freshly buried people and selling them to medical schools for medical research or museums, all for a fair price. They also had a woman in the crew, and her role was to infiltrate the mourning family on funerals, during which they could confirm the exact burial site and make an assessment about potential risks.

Ressurectionism was Cora Lee's specialty. She was the ''weeping one'' on the funerals and the first to start digging under the night cover. But she was not doing this for the sake of money. This job was Cora's cover so she can sense the pulse of other body snatchers and the market requirements. Because her life depended on it. Because she was the girl with two hearts, the legend among resurrectionists.

I can hardly remember the last the a book left me with my feelings split. There are really so many things I liked in this book, but also a couple of things I didn't like.

The setting was really impressive. I haven't encountered New York in 1850's so many times. In The Impossible Girl you can almost feel the way life was flowing in the 19 century New York. Social picture and it's division, when it comes to question of female doctors, the manners, the life of the city. Everything was put masterfully.

Next to that we have a really mysterious environment, especially when the night falls and our body snatchers begin with their activities. And Cora Lee, who needs to be careful on every step she makes, because she can't never be sure enough someone hasn't connected her with the legend.

Also, medical precision. Lydia Kang is a physician herself, so it doesn't surprise me she did her research well when it comes to all the anomalies mentioned in the book, although I believe she did know a bunch of thing before.

The thing that bothered me the most is the romantic part. In my opinion, it watered down really interesting idea and the book that was promising to be a very good mystery. In those parts I could hardly recognize the main character, Cora. I know love can make people do some silly stuff, but this was beyond imaginable . Not only did it water the plot, it watered Cora. It's such a shame this romantic part took a large portion of the book, it really is. Don't get me wrong, although I'm not so much into romance novels, I like when romance entwines into something bigger. But romance in this book, to be honest, made some of the characters look like a silly teenagers in love.

I wouldn't like to end this review with negativism, so I must say, although some parts are slightly predictable, the final twist and the ending was really spectacular, the way a mystery should end.

Thank you Netgalley, Lydia Kang and Lake Union Publishing for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

Born out of wedlock in 1850, Cora Lee can mingle with the rich socialites just as a well as she can sneak into the graveyards of the city. She’s the only female resurrectionist in New York and she’s made her money by finding bodies with strange conditions that anatomists will pay big money for. Cora’s specialty is not just for the money, but to keep up with what anatomists are looking for, because someday it might be her; the girl with two hearts. As murders begin to happen all around her to people with strange conditions, she begins to wonder if she’s next.

This book had me hooked right from the very first page with Cora’s mom giving birth to her! I loved the atmosphere of the 1850’s New York and I could just picture a lot of the locations from the description in the novel. I loved Cora’s character and how she had to grow up acting like a boy for the first bit of her life to be able to live safely. Jacob and Cora were seamless in their act and I enjoyed how each character had their own set of personality and their own strengths and weaknesses. I really enjoyed reading this novel from Cora’s point of view and how she viewed her life thus far.

I was shocked by some of the twists in this novel and how different the medical field was in the 1850’s and what was allowed. This book really showed how under appreciated women were in this time, but I loved how the author gave us a female doctor anyway! I just really enjoyed this novel, even though I don’t usually read any historical! I learned a lot from this novel and I never realized that certain grave robbers were doing it mostly for good, to help those training in the medical field learn from experience. I really do recommend this novel and I can’t wait to read more from Lydia Kang.

Core Lee is a medical anomaly. And in a world on the cusp of modern medicine, medical anomalies are big business. When news of the birth of a girl with two hearts spreads, Cora's guardians try to keep her safe from body snatchers and dissectionists by hiding her in the slums of New York City and raising her as a boy, and thus her alter-ego, Jacob, comes into being. But Cora is destined for greater opportunities, and so, when she turns fourteen, her guardians move her back into the fringes of high society as a young woman. But now not only are doctors clamoring for intriguing bodies to study, museums and showmen are engaged in a competition of one-upmanship to draw thrill-seeking crowds into their establishments. And the rumored girl with two hearts is still their holy grail. So Cora stays a step ahead of them by becoming one of them, moving among society as a young woman of means by day, keeping tabs on who is sick, and leading a gang of men at night as Jacob to retrieve the recently deceased and deliver them to universities and museums.

But when people Cora has been keeping tabs on start turning up dead, and not from natural causes, and an unscrupulous museum owner takes a particular interest in her services, Cora begins to question the morality of her business. Rival "resurrectionist" gangs start beating her to the bodies, and a handsome young medical student bribes his way onto her team with promises of more profits. Could he be her ticket out of the business, or does he have ulterior motives? Soon there's a hefty reward for whoever can find the girl with two hearts, and New York's underworld comes out in droves to find her. As they come perilously close, Cora will have to figure out who she can trust before it's too late.

There is much to love in this story. Cora is a compelling character, smart, tough, slightly dangerous, and I found her symbiotic relationship to her alter-ego, Jacob, intriguing. The historical ambiance is excellent, as is the dark air of mystery and danger that pervades the story and causes Cora, and the reader, to question the motivations of everyone Cora comes into contact with. However, as much as I loved some aspects of this story, there were others that didn't work as well for me. I felt like the story was too long and suffered from slow pacing in some parts. While some revelations were predictable, the reveal of the villain was a surprise to me, but I found the motivations and actions to be really over-the-top. I prefer my villains to be a bit more realistic. I also had a couple of unanswered questions.

But despite those quibbles, I really enjoyed the story and marveled at the unique content and the creativity and complexity of the plot. Featuring a smart and capable heroine, a touch of romance, and cameos from some leading medical minds of the times, The Impossible Girl is a thoroughly original historical mystery that vividly brings to life the world of medical study and grave-robbing in a society obsessed with the macabre and grotesque.