A Tyranny of Petticoats: 15 Stories of Belles, Bank Robbers & Other Badass Girls
This is a deceptively titled anthology of unpublished short stories by notable authors of young adult fiction. Historical YA fiction is a difficult category, as the onset of adulthood varies widely across eras. Sixteen was the age of betrothal in 18th-century New Orleans (Spotswood’s own “Madeleine’s Choice”), and old enough to board enemy ships during the Golden Age of Piracy, in the poetically styled “Mother Carey’s Table” by J. Anderson Coats.
Many of the stories cover political or historical themes familiar to their authors (“Pulse of the Panthers” by Kekla Magoon), while others are more experimental and offer better insight into modern attitude and angst. Metaphysical and existential themes are strongly represented. The best of these include “The Journey” by Marie Lu, in which Yakune, a young Inupiat girl, is taught hunting and survival skills by her father; and the fascinating “El Destinos” by Leslye Walton, set in 1848 Texas, with Mexican sisters who are the divine fates incarnate.
The ubiquitous vampire theme makes its appearance in “High Stakes” by Andrea Cremer. Set in 1861 Boston, Klio, a member of a coven of mythical immortals, uses her powers for contract murder. While cross-dressing heroines are heavily represented (“Mother Carey’s Table,” Saundra Mitchell’s “Bonnie and Clyde,” Katherine Longshore’s “Hard Times”), the intended focus on LGBT themes seems to fall short, represented only by the wartime dalliance of two female steel workers in Lindsay Smith’s “City of Angels.” A special nod to “The World is Watching” by Ronin Talley, a vivid picture of the Chicago DNC riots which resonates chillingly with current campaign headlines.
Overall, this is a well-conceived and thoughtfully constructed collection aimed at ages 14 and up, but with a favorite historical era and provocative heroine to appeal to everyone.
