By Autumn E., Glen Burnie High School
Constance is a young woman who is forced into a marriage in order to help pay off her father’s debts. She is unhappy in the marriage, so she runs away and joins the army in place of a baker's son.
I really liked the book and how it developed over time. It sucked you and it made you have to keep reading. The main character felt real with how she worked through conflicting emotions and even choosing against her best interests for her family. Her determination feels real and the author is not shy to create hardships for her. These hardships are well developed and didn’t feel like they were put there just to be there. They had a purpose and contributed to the overall plot of the book. They help to develop Constance as a character, which influences her decisions later in the book. The only thing that could trip you up when reading is the French in the book. It is easy to get an overall idea of what they're talking about and there is a glossary that can be used.
I think anyone who likes a main character defying gender roles and actions would like this book.
Click here to check out Ironhead, or, Once a Young Lady by Jean-Claude van Rijckeghem.