My Contrary Mary

Long live the queen: The authors who brought you the New York Times bestselling My Lady Jane kick off an all-new historical trilogy with the classy, courtly tale of Mary, Queen of Scots—perfect for YA fantasy and romance readers.

Welcome to Renaissance France, a place of poison and plots, of beauties and beasts, of mice and . . . queens?

Mary is the queen of Scotland and the jewel of the French court. Except when she’s a mouse. Yes, reader, Mary is an Eðian (shapeshifter) in a kingdom where Verities rule. It’s a secret that could cost her a head—or a tail. 

Luckily, Mary has a confidant in her betrothed, Francis. But things at the gilded court take a treacherous turn after the king meets a suspicious end. Thrust onto the throne, Mary and Francis face a viper’s nest of conspiracies, traps, and treason. And if Mary’s secret is revealed, heads are bound to roll.

With a royally clever sense of humor, Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows continue their campaign to turn history on its head in this YA fantasy ideal for fans of A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue.

• Shapeshifter Romance: Being Queen of Scotland is hard. Being a mouse is harder. Especially when it’s a secret that could get you beheaded.
• Friends to Lovers: Mary and her betrothed, Prince Francis, have always been just friends. But as they’re thrust onto the French throne, navigating treason and conspiracies, their “just friends” arrangement gets complicated.
• Found Family: Mary isn’t alone at court. With her four best friends (all also named Mary) by her side, she has a loyal crew to help her sneak out, shoot arrows, and survive the vipers’ nest of the palace.
• Hilarious Historical Retelling: If you think you know the story of Mary, Queen of Scots, think again. From the authors of My Lady Jane comes another laugh-out-loud tale that turns a historical tragedy on its head.

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Praise for My Calamity Jane:  “Witty and winsome, this rollicking tall tale makes its own rules.” - Booklist (starred review)

“Full of twists, turns, and laugh-out-loud humor, this tongue-in-cheek feminist alternative history is impossible to put down. A thrilling alternative history that sparkles with wit and charm.” - Kirkus Reviews

Praise for My Plain Jane:

? “The authors’ affection for their source material is abundantly clear in this clever, romantic farce.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A delightfully deadpan deconstruction of a Gothic novel, with a ghost almost no one can see providing the commentary. Marvelously self-aware and almost too clever for its own good.” - ALA Booklist (starred review)

“A madcap story of ghosts, possession, revenge, and murder. Humorously blends fact with fiction and offers a gentler, more hopeful outcome for Charlotte, her siblings, and her heroine.” - School Library Journal (starred review)

Praise for My Lady Jane:  “Wacky, irreverent, and just plain fun. This fantasy-adventure politely tips its hat to history before joyfully punting it out of the way. An utter delight.” - Booklist (starred review)

“An uproarious historical fantasy that’s not to be missed.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Gleefully anachronistic comedy.” - Kirkus Reviews

★“Fast-paced, well-plotted, frequently hilarious—as delicious as the finest French pastry.” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)