Wench

In the fantastical country of Lode, short-statured, round-bodied, and efficient Tanya, 17, is content with life as a port city tavern wench at the Smiling Snake, where she’s lived since proprietor Froud took her in 10 years ago. But her plans to live out her days running the inn, breaking up fights, and utilizing her excellent organizational skills, are dashed when Froud dies without a writ of leaving and the crown takes ownership. Refusing to relinquish her future without a fight, Tanya finds herself on a quest to petition the queen, which begins with her trading service as a maid and skivvy for safe passage with a party of the Queen’s Corps, lands her in a den of thieves, and, finally, sees her navigating newfound power after she steals and wields a magical feather, allowing her influence and aptitude in a field dominated by men. As Tanya’s adventures continue, she begins to recognize that she deserves to feel not only useful, but fulfilled—and that she has the power to define what that means. Kaplan’s (The Accidental Bad Girl) overstuffed worldbuilding is offset by swift pacing, and Tanya’s journey toward autonomy makes for an empowering fantasy debut. Ages 12–up. [em]Agent: Ali McDonald, the Rights Factory. (Jan.) [/em]