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The Dead Queens Club
by Hannah Capin

This YA novel places the story of Henry VIII and his six wives into high school, and it is absolutely delightful. Annie from Cleveland, nicknamed Cleves, is our snarky narrator as she meets the charismatic and popular Henry at an academic summer camp, ends up moving to his hometown, briefly dates him, and becomes embroiled in the drama of the high school social scene of which Henry and his relationships are the center. Capin really knows the history and very skillfully translates it into modern high school. She also really nails the voice of a teenaged outsider/insider embroiled in the drama of adolescent society. Even better, Capin folds in some anti-slut-shaming girl power with a very deft touch. I loved every minute of it.
Come for the clever use of history and the snark, stay for the feminism.

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