Dangerous Remedy

By Author / Illustrator

Kat Dunn

Genre

Historical Fiction

Age range(s)

14+

Publisher

Head of Zeus

ISBN

9781789543643

Format

Hardback

Published

06-08-2020

Synopsis

The first in a dazzling, commercial, historical adventure series set in the extravagant and deadly world of the French Revolution. A whirlwind of action, science and magic reveals, with a diverse cast of fearless heroines, a band of rebels like no other.

Camille, a revolutionary's daughter, leads a band of outcasts - a runaway girl, a deserter, an aristocrat in hiding. As the Battalion des Morts they cheat death, saving those about to meet a bloody end at the blade of Madame La Guillotine. But their latest rescue is not what she seems. The girl's no aristocrat, but her dark and disturbing powers means both the Royalists and the Revolutionaries want her. But who and what is she?

In a fast and furious story full of the glamour and excesses, intrigue and deception of these dangerous days, no one can be trusted, everyone is to be feared. As Camille learns the truth, she's forced to choose between loyalty to those she loves and the future.

Full series: Dangerous Remedy (Battalion of the Dead, book 1); Monstrous Design (Battalion of the Dead, book 2; Glorious Poison (Battalion of the Dead, book 3)

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Reviews

What an action packed, well researched and well written debut novel. Dangerous Remedy, I believe, will be a very popular book for 2020. It's got historical world building, same sex romances, scientific exploration and lots and lots of drama.

Camille, the daughter of a revolutionary, leads a groups of outcasts during the French Revolution. This group of well developed characters rescue those who are about to meet a 'bloody end' at the blade of Madame la Guillotine. The story opens with their current mission, to rescue the daughter of an aristocrat. However, when they find her, they discover that they have been mislead and that the young girl has got some dark and disturbing powers. Camille and her friends have been placed in an impossible position; who can they trust? What has this poor girl been through? Why is she so important?

Not only is the book set five years into the French Revolution, with the disturbing use of the guillotine, it also steps into the scientific discovery of galvanism, the use of electricity on the human body! (Think Frankenstein here!!) As the plot progresses, the reader is dropped into the depths of France and you get to experience the dark side of the Revolution with the abuse and cruel death of the aristocracy. However, the book is not all doom and gloom, far from it as some of the characters provide a sense of humour that keeps things light and realistic. There are also same sex relationships; Camille and Ada are in a committed, established relationship that navigates the pitfalls of loving someone in dire circumstances. Al, a young man from the group, is also gay; he's coming to terms with how his family have disowned him and even though he does provide a lot of the humorous quips within the novel, he is clearly struggling with his feelings.

Dangerous Remedy contains so many twists and turns, I just wish I had the next book to continue the drama (where I hope Olympe's character is even more developed). If you like historical fiction, realistic characters that you will be rooting for, friendship / found family, and a breakneck plot that is reminiscent of Frankenstein and the Man in the Iron Mask, you'll love this book. 423 pages suitable for 15+ readers and the more mature 14+ due to the content of abuse, death etc. Would also be great for reading clubs due to the many discussion points/issues that are raised.

432 pages / Ages 15+ / Reviewed by Linda Brown, school librarian