It is not my usual read but when I saw the blurb it made me thought of a feminine version Harry Potter sets in a steampunk Victorian like world, where two universes collide between the magic (The Guardians) and non-magic (the Snipes) people.
So I wanted to read it to see if it could be a story my teen’s daughter might like, if it will be ever translated.
As it is the second in a series, I was afraid to be a bit lost but at time, the author gave enough details explaining who’s who and why.
So it is about a girl, Sarah renames Cassandra, from the non-magic rank who should never have been able to generate and wield magic, why she is send under a fabricated identity to a school for high-bred ladies from the magical families.
There are friendship tried and reenforced, plenty of discoveries, spell contests, young love tested and a different direction for the main characters.
So sure, it has a taste of Harry Potter but it is also the usual clichés in many sorcerer tales, even if I found the end of the book a bit rushed and all wrapped too fast, it was en entertaining read packed with actions and nemesis to fight.
Why I would recommend it to any Harry Potter’s lover, and will definitively read the next book in this series.
A 4,5 stars

I received a free ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.

If you read the previous book in this series, it picks up a little bit later, and then hits the ground running. This portion of the story is the best parts of a historical romance and fantasy smashed together. There’s still the weight of social expectations, fear of discovery and learning in this book, but there’s a bit more of a fun, cheekiness I’ve come to love from her other books. The plot definitely moves quickly enough to keep you engaged, but there’s still enough going on that the rest feels like part of the story and not just window dressing. But, now I have many, many questions that can’t be answered until the next one. So, as soon as I can, the third will go to my wish list.

Earlier this year I read, and very much enjoyed, Changeling, the first in Molly Harper's ongoing Sorcery and Society series, so I was very excited to get my hands on an early copy of this, the second book. I am happy to say that I was not disappointed.
First things first, if you have not already read Changeling, I really do recommend going back and reading that first as it does a lot to set up the world these stories are told in, To briefly summarize and vastly oversimplify, the books are set in a world that feels like an alternative version of Victorian England, where the wealthy ruling class have magical powers that they use instead of technology, and they are served by the " Snipes " or non magical population. The heroine of the series was born a Snipe but began to exhibit magical powers, so was shipped off to a Magical Academy for Young Ladies in the disguise of a high born lady.
Fledgling follows directly from the events of Changeling, Sarah, or Cassandra as she is now known is keeping her head down and studying magic along with her friends Ivy and Alicia but is shocked to discover that another Snipe who is working at the school is also showing signs of having magical ability. When rumors of a top secret school for exceptional Snipe children start to make the rounds , the girls are determined to find out the truth.
Once again I really enjoyed the friendship between Cassandra, Ivy and Alicia, and how much they rely upon and support each other. Books set in a school have always been a favorite of mine, and this is no exception. The world building is superb, it really feels like a complete society with well established rules and traditions. While there is some element of romance in the book, it is very mild, making the book suitable for a wide age range including a precocious younger reader. The overall story moved on from the first book in an interesting way and the stage has been set for some real drama as the series continues.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Fledgling finds Cassandra Reed (nee Sarah Smith) finishing up the school term and thwarting evil advances by Hollow-horns (the unicorns evil cousin). However, it's been months since the Mother Book has deigned to reveal a new spell to her and the council is demanding results soon...or else. Plus there's the matter of Cassandra's true identity - a changeling snipe in service to the Winter household before finding out she actually has magic - still hanging over her head.

When it becomes apparent that the Mother Book wants Cassandra to seek out other changeling children and help them, her path becomes clearer. Along with the help of her truest friends Ivy and Alicia, Cassandra/Sarah is ready to turn the Guardian world on its head!

I loved getting back into the Sorcery and Society world and loved the natural progression of the series. Cassandra is flourishing at school and making more new friends. I really like the genuineness of Cassandra despite having to live a lie to everyone around her minus her very close friends and family. Deception is not something that she set out to do, but given the status quo between the Guardians and the Snipes, Cassandra has done what was best at the time.

Regardless of this, I liked how she doesn't shirk her responsibility to other changelings like herself. She may be slower to start the search for others, but her intentions are admirable and she follows through on her plans - even though that doesn't necessarily mean the plans are always the best laid plans.

I like that Molly Harper has made such a wonderful friendship between Cassandra, Ivy, and Alicia. It's always great to read about strong friendships and the fact that even when they don't see eye-to-eye they'll always be in each other's corner. They enhance rather than pull back.

Probably my favorite development was seeing how well Cassandra has fit into the Winter household. How she's developed a close relationship with Mr. and Mrs. Winter and their son Owen. It starts out as obligatory because the Winters stand to lose as well if Cassandra is found out, but you can see their relationship developing into familial territory. I loved all her interactions with the family and, based on what occurs in this story, I really hope that it's something that continues to develop in the next book.

Fledgling is kinda a game changer for the series. The consequences of events will be surely felt in the next book, and I'm looking forward to seeing what they are exactly and how they resonate for each of the characters. I feel like we're left with a lot up in the air, but one thing I know for certain is no matter what happens Cassandra, Ivy, and Alicia will face it together.

So far, Molly Harper has written a wonderful YA series which is somewhat a departure from her adult paranormal romances, but still written with such wit, humor, and wonderful characters.

I recieved a free copy from Netgalley and INscribe Digital in exchange for an honest review.

Sald yi didn't realise this was book two in the series until after I'd been approved, I still gave it a go but there is definitely some vital information I've missed with not reading it.

The world building and writing are great and themagic systems seem really cool as does the victorian type setting, however the young age of characters put me off and I couldn't really get into the storyline or or care about any of the character more than a passing glance.

Firstly, I didn't read the first book in the series, which is a big mistake I made and may be the reason why this is only a three star read. I loved the friendship between some of the characters, and a spicy love interest who didn't formally "court" Sarah. I think it could have been written better, however, and although the individual elements were good, all together they weren't as great as I thought it would be.

Charming story about the power of friendship. She starts a study group at her school. The handsome Gavin McCray is not formally courting her for the majority of the book, but he adds spice. So does his admirably terrifying mother Adelaide McCray. Aneira Winter really softens towards Sarah Smith. We actually got to spend time with Mr. Winter in this book. There's a lot of time spent at a loch in Scotland. I was very startled by the twist at the end. I received a review copy and have offered my honest opinion about Fledgling.

I received a free copy of FLEDGLING (Miss Castwell’s/Sorcery and Society Book 2) by Molly Harper in exchange for an honest review. Born to the servant class and subsequently raised to the ruling class by possession of unexpected magic, Sarah Smith, still masquerading as Cassandra Reed, has already saved the world once during her first year at Miss Castwell’s Institute for the Magical Instruction of Young Ladies. Sarah must still maintain her masquerade while navigating the opposing forces trying to rule her actions. The Mother Book has indicated it wants Sarah to find and rescue other Changelings while Mrs. Winter, Sarah’s guardian, is pressuring Sarah to delay that mission in favor of pursuing social endeavors to add credit to Mrs. Winters’ family. Meanwhile, the Mother Book committee of the Senate is coveting control over Sarah and her access to the Mother Book. With everyone demanding Sarah behave, mind her manners, and be socially responsible and with those same people exerting physical control over her daily schedule, will Sarah be able to exercise her true mission? If so, what will be the cost to her, her friends, her family, and her guardians?

I actually purchased this book, but I was later, also, granted a free copy through NetGalley. I liked both this book and the prior book in this series, CHANGELING. I recommend this to fans of Molly Harper, to fans of Victorian magical fantasy, and to fans of magic academy stories. If you loved Patricia C. Wrede’s Thirteenth Child series and the Cecelia and Kate series by Wrede and Caroline Stevermer, you’ll want to devour the Sorcery and Society books.

#Fledgling #NetGalley

Second in the series the first part reminds the reader about what happened in the first book. All of that is part of the world building and backstory. Once again nothing is as it seems and the characters find themselves in for unexpected things. A nice continuation of the series.

I enjoyed the first book so much that when I realized that this was part of a series I had to read it. The Victorian era backdrop and the fantasy/magic makes these books so much fun. They are lighthearted and the characters the Ms. Harper creates feel like your own friends. If you enjoy a more easy going adventure without all the gloom and doom then you will love these books.
#Fledgling

I wasn't aware this was the second book of a series before I started, and while I don't think it negatively impacted my read, I would have enjoyed having more insight that I think the first book would have provided. Despite that I really liked this book. Part fantasy, part steampunk, part magic with both romance and intrigue. It more than kept me invested and interested. Can't wait for the next one!

4.5 stars

I really enjoyed this second installment in the Sorcery and Society series and am only disappointed that I now have a long wait before the next book! I've really enjoyed watching Sarah's relationship develop with her friends, her "aunt" and her family. While Sarah doesn't always make the best decisions, she does do things with good intentions and I love that her friends can be angry with her and still love her. I found myself laughing at the conversations that happened in this book as well as Owen's bumbling earnestness as he found himself in uncharted territory with Ivy! Overall, this series is a lot of fun and I highly recommend it for anyone who is a fan of Harry Potter and would enjoy a good yarn with strong female characters who like to turn society convention on its ear.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Book 2 of Molly Harper's series. And it we get to know a little bit more about the protagonist and her schoolmates, the trials and tribulations of taking classes and being teenagers and becoming interested in boys, on top of that there are several evil entities in her way. I flew through this book as quickly as I flew through book one. Molly Harper is an excellent author with well fleshed-out characters and excellent descriptions. You find yourself falling into her novels quite easily and I had a hard time putting this book down. Totally recommend!!

*I would like to thank the author/publisher/Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review*

* I chose this book on Net Galley and I have not read the first one*

This book was so outrageously fun! I have not read the first one (but am now eager too!) and although there were events referenced that I was not entirely aware of, it did not lessen my enjoyment of the book.

One of the reasons I enjoyed this book so thoroughly was how hilariously Molly Harper writes. The characters have their own voices but all of them are so interesting and sassy. Not everyone in the book is white and the issues of social classes (in this it is those with magic and those without) is addressed in a way that is non-confrontational but still pointed. It is so interesting to see the power dynamics happening between the different magical families and how members within those families use that power.

I really enjoy the Sarah/Ivy/Alicia relationship. They are all different people but love and support each other in a way that seems completely genuine. It is really nice to see female relationships where they are not competing with each-other but will still call each other out if one of them is doing something they should not.

The plot is fun and most of the characters are interesting even if they are not agreeable-- with the exception of Alicia's mom, Sarah's sister Mary and Sarah's maid Jenny. Alicia's mom is the typical mother figure that does everything she can to prevent her son from forming romantic relationships. While this does not inherently make an uninteresting character, there is nothing about her other than her being a blocking figure between Sarah and Gavin. The same goes for Sarah's sister Mary-- it is hard to see her motivations for her actions. Without delving into spoilers, the situation with Jenny is confusing. The set up was fine but then her part in the end of the novel seemed rushed and confusing. Many other minor characters such as Wallace and Nurse Waxwing are fully developed even though they are minor characters.

I wish the book had been longer and I cannot wait to read the next one as this left off at quite a dramatic point!

Thank you to NetGalley and Molly Harper for my free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I am very glad that I took the time to read Changeling before reading Fledgling. I really think this was key to my fully understanding and enjoying this book. Much of the story is about the relationships between the characters and understanding of the fictitious society. This can all be appreciated and enjoyed with the background knowledge from the first book.

It's tough to be a teenage girl. It's worse when you are living under a false identity, trying to protect yourself and those who know your secret. When you add on the pressure of trying to change the world, that's what you have in Cassandra/Sarah. She's a fun character to get to know!

I really enjoyed this book, although I suspect it would be difficult to follow if one hadn't read the first novel. I'm terribly curious about what will happen next!

This book was amazing! This was the first book I've read from this author and I really enjoyed it. The story was different from anything I've read recently and really captured my attention. It was so well written and the characters were fantastic.

Fledgling is a fabulous and engrossing YA novel. Everyone should read these books. Well written and interesting characters.

Have you read Changeling (Sorcery and Society #1) by Molly Harper? No, STOP! Go read that one first before reading this. Seriously you will thank me for it.
Fledgling finds Sarah making new friends and enemies. She discovers that there are more Changeling children like her out there that can do magic. Now all she has to do is find them. This is a fast paced adventure that will leave you tired and wanting more. This story is filled with magic, friendship and a young woman finding her way and growing into herself. I absolutely adored it and look forward to more adventures with Sarah, Ivy and Alicia.

Four and a half
This author takes not one much loved story but two to inspire this satisfying series. With a touch of Cinderella mixed up with Harry Potter and let's be honest who amongst us didn't want to be Hermione ? This never lacks originality as our clever heroine upends the idea of what it actually means to be magical in a very uneven society. Yes Sarah is definitely shaking off the fairy dust as she seamlessly moves amongst her new elitist schoolmates only to discover that if she is really going to help save other Changelings she might have to sacrifice the very things she has worked for !
Sarah is everything I love in a heroine as she's bright, compassionate, resourceful and yet funny too. This story is full of magic from the very beginning and it only got better as it highlighted the bonds of friendship that Sarah has formed. Perhaps the villain was a little obvious but nevertheless I loved this almost Victorian setting with its overtones of Pygmalion and the world building and imaginative possibilities are first class. The class system was clearly defined, the romance certainly escalated just enough and the pace just right. Sarah shines bright as a heroine and I cannot wait to find out where this journey will take her.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair.