Wrapped [Hardcover]

Jennifer Bradbury (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 24, 2011

Agnes Wilkins is standing in front of an Egyptian mummy, about to make the first cut into the wrappings, about to unlock ancient (and not-so-ancient) history.

Maybe you think this girl is wearing a pith helmet with antique dust swirling around her.

Maybe you think she is a young Egyptologist who has arrived in Cairo on camelback.

Maybe she would like to think that too. Agnes Wilkins dreams of adventures that reach beyond the garden walls, but reality for a seventeen-year-old debutante in 1815 London does not allow for camels—or dust, even. No, Agnes can only see a mummy when she is wearing a new silk gown and standing on the verdant lawns of Lord Showalter’s estate, with chaperones fussing about and strolling sitar players straining to create an exotic “atmosphere” for the first party of the season. An unwrapping.

This is the start of it all, Agnes’s debut season, the pretty girl parade that offers only ever-shrinking options: home, husband, and high society. It’s also the start of something else, because the mummy Agnes unwraps isn’t just a mummy. It’s a host for a secret that could unravel a new destiny—unleashing mystery, an international intrigue, and possibly a curse in the bargain.

Get wrapped up in the adventure . . . but keep your wits about you, dear Agnes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

An 1815 parlor diversion leads to a fizzy, frothy caper . . . Bradbury weaves Egyptology, Napoleonic conquest and a flirtation with the supernatural into a spy thriller that is a marked departure from her 2008 debut, Shift. 
--Kirkus Reviews

". . . readers have the makings of a bold and daring historical adventure tale with a brave, quick-thinking heroine at its center. A good mystery for fans of the plucky heroine in Julia Golding's Cat Royal Adventures." --Booklist

"Austen fans who wish her characters would get up off their settees and risk an adventure will enjoy Bradbury's smart, feisty heroine." Kirkus Reviews

4Q 3P M J S

Bradbury, Jennifer. Wrapped. Atheneum/Simon & Schuster, 2011. 320p. $16.99. 978-1-4169-9007-9.

This is a fast-paced historical novel that engages the reader on many levels by contrasting roles of class, history, and women with modern society. In England during the Regency period, Agnes Wilkins is about to make her debut into society. But Agnes is no ordinary debutante, as she can quote Jane Austen (“A Lady”) in ten languages and help end the Napoleonic wars. Agnes is realizing the restraints of her class as she tracks down the mystery of an Egyptian standard. Though she is wooed by a gentleman of her class who invites her to an “Unwrapping,” she has feelings for Caedmon, the lackey Egyptologist. At this social event that features a mummy from Egypt, she uncovers an iron artifact with a scrap of linen that predates the mummification. The reader gets a subtle lesson in historical relativism as Agnes goes behind the scenes of the British Museum and connects this jackal head to the Rosetta Stone. The gender issues are dealt with effectively as she uses poignant Austen quotes in response to her mother’s constricting attentions to her dress and demeanor.

Though slightly different in exact years, this novel would pair well with the classic Count of Monte Cristo as “Old Boney,” Napoleon, indirectly influences both protagonists’ actions. The differences between the two novels would make an interesting comparison on political and social levels.—Ann Reddy Damon.

VOYA June 2011

"Bradbury offers a grand historical mystery with a pinch of supernatural intrigue and a hint of romance."

- SLJ June 2011

"A bold and daring historical adventure tale with a brave, quick-thinking heroine at its center."

--BOOKLIST, May 1, 2011

About the Author

Jennifer Bradbury is the author of A Moment Comes, Wrapped, and her debut novel, Shift. Shift—which Kirkus Reviews gave a starred review, calling it “fresh, absorbing, compelling”—was picked as an ALA and a School Library Journal Best Book for Young Adults and is also on numerous state reading lists. A former English teacher and one-day Jeopardy! champ, she lives with her family in Burlington, Washington.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers; First Edition edition (May 24, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416990070
• ISBN-13: 978-1416990079
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,096,389 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun historical mystery May 21, 2011

By Christina Thurairatnam VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Wrapped is a historical mystery with a hint of romance and plenty of humor. Agnes is a fun, spunky and smart heroine who can quote Jane Austen in several different languages. Her bravery and intelligence aid her as she tries to solve the mystery and outwit the villain. While I found the mystery to be straightforward and not very surprising I did enjoy reading about Agnes's near escapes and how she pieced together the truth. The romance was also nice without taking over the storyline and I like how it developed. I also loved all the references to Jane Austen which was a nice touch. The historical information about Napoleon and Egyptology was interesting but not overly detailed. Something else that pleased me was Agnes's relationship with her family. While her mother didn't always understand Agnes she did mean well and they had a cordial relationship but it was her father who really stood out to me with the way he respected Agnes and encouraged her education. It was nice to see how close they were which isn't often the case in YA fiction.

Overall I really liked this book even though I quickly figured out who the villain was and the story could be a little unbelievable at times. I found that I didn't care about those minor flaws because I was having too much fun reading about Agnes and her adventures! Bradbury leaves room for a sequel and I certainly hope there will be one.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Cute mystery-probably better for younger readers May 29, 2011

By bookworm1858 VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Wrapped by Jennifer Bradbury
Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2011
309 pages
YA; Historical
4/5 stars

Source: Received a free e-galley via Simon & Schuster's GalleyGrab in exchange for an honest review.

Agnes Wilkins is surprised to find a jackal brooch when she participates in a mummy-unwrapping party at Lord Showalter, her prospective husband and the most eligible bachelor in London. As she seeks to uncover the message within, with the assistance of the surprisingly dashing Caedmon at the British Museum, she realizes that it might have more modern repercussions than just ancient Egypt. For there is a spy who is working so that Napoleon just might receive supernatural benefits during his return from Elba. (I worked hard on this summary because the Goodreads summary for the kindle edition has a major spoiler in it!)

What a cute book! Just about all I knew going in to this book was that the cover was gorgeous and it hooked me right away as the main character Agnes Wilkins adores Jane Austen's writing. That is my kind of heroine! Besides her appreciation for "A Lady's" writing, Agnes is also learned in ten languages with varying degrees of fluency and possessed with a strong sense of adventure and a keen intellect. Her partnership with Caedmon begins uneasily but they quickly form a rapport as they seek out threats to England. Although most of the supporting characters do not play a big role, I was able to create images of them in my head to complement Agnes and Caedmon's story.

The pacing of the story is pretty good although I felt there wasn't much suspense over who the spy might be. There was a good mix between Agnes attempting to be a proper debutante but also puzzling out the mystery with Caedmon.... I believed in their relationship and rooted for them to be together. The writing is fine; there were a few funny moments and the language seemed formal enough for the time period.

A point of interest is that issues of gender and class pepper the book. Agnes is piqued when her father consigns her to the ladies area at one point and makes the decision to NOT tell him about the message despite the fact that she had said she would. She bristles at being looked down on by men although in general her father is a man committed to gender equality. She also laments her position in life that prepares her only to be the wife of some lord without being able to travel and study as she'd liked to do. Caedmon is a lowly duster for the British Museum who wants to be so much more, especially in the heart of Agnes, but finds structures stacked against him.

Overall: A fun mystery with dollops of history and romance!

Cover: Beautiful-this is what originally intrigued me. Read more ›

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Pride and Prejudice...and Mummies? (From Back to the Bookshelf!) December 14, 2011

By Bonny Kate

Format:Hardcover

In 1815, multilingual Agnes Wilkins would much rather be traveling the world on archaeological adventures than preparing to make her debut to London society. She gets more than she bargained for when her potential suitor Lord Showalter holds a mummy unwrapping at his garden party (something that was actually a fad in the 1800s, according to the author's note). Agnes uncovers a mysterious artifact, and possibly a curse as well once a murder and burglaries start sweeping the neighborhood. Not one to ignore a mystery, Agnes aims to get to the bottom of it all...and still be home in time for tea.

What I liked: Agnes had a lot of spunk and I enjoyed her Jane Austen quotes in multiple languages. In addition, kudos to Ms. Bradbury for knowing that Austen's books were first published anonymously. The tie-ins to the war with Napoleon was unique to this book - it seems that in many novels of the same setting, the war is barely mentioned. The ending tied up enough loose ends to satisfy me, while still leaving the door wide open for sequels, which sound more potentially interesting than the first book.

What I was not so crazy about: There is really nothing wrong with this book. My biggest problem was simply that it did not feel very original. Yes, the Egyptology plot was different, but besides that it felt quite a bit like other historical mysteries. The characters felt like archetypes, and the plot twists were fairly predictable. Lots of "talking heads" scenes, and nothing too exciting.

In short: This is a fun, very quick mystery with a bit of romance, but not outstanding. Still, I would be willing to read sequels in the future.

Something similar: com/The-Season-Sarah-MacLean/dp/0545048877">The Season, The Agency 1: A Spy in the House

Something better: Sorcery and Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot

Cover: I love it! I like that it's drawn and not a photo like the vast majority of YA books today. Cover girl who looks like the main character? Also a check. Upon closer inspection, the ribbon from Agnes' dress connects with part of the mummy's wrapping to form the title. Very clever :)

Check out my book blog at backtothebookshelf.wordpress.com Read more ›

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Library Lady Hylary - Fun homage to Jane Austen! July 4, 2011

By Library Lady Hylary

Format:Hardcover

In 1815 London, seventeen-year-old Agnes Wilkins is about to make her debut into society in hopes of making a good match. Agnes, however, would rather spend her time studying languages and reading books by her favorite author, A Lady (actually Jane Austen), than fret over her debut gown like her mother. To make matters worse, Agnes has attracted the attentions of a very rich suitor, Lord Showalter, who seems intent on marrying her. One night at a party held by Showalter, Agnes and the other guests are invited to partake in the unwrapping of a mummy in hopes of finding treasures and trinkets to take home. Agnes does find a trinket, a small item in the shape of a dog's head. Intrigued by the item, Agnes decides to keep it even when Lord Showalter suddenly announces that the mummy in question is not the correct specimen and all of the trinkets must be returned. After the party, however, inexplicable things start occurring and Agnes' social circle begins to believe that a mummy's curse has been wrought upon their group. Agnes isn't convinced, and begins to believe that the strange things that have been happening are actually part of a plot by Napoleon to infiltrate London. Agnes is determined to thwart the plot and, together with the handsome Caedmon who she meets at the British Museum, pushes the concerns about her debut aside to find out the truth of the "mummy's curse."

Chock full of Jane Austen references, this fun historical mystery is a must read for any fans of the Regency time period. Bradbury does an excellent job of integrating the adventure aspects of the story with the more Austen-like plotline of Agnes' impending engagement to Lord Showalter.... Agnes is a very likable protagonist and Bradbury makes a point to highlight the fact that her leading lady is not only beautiful but brave and intelligent. Through Agnes, Bradbury also comments on the life of women during this time period as well, and how society was far from equitable. The inclusion of Napoleon and his antics are a good introduction for younger readers who might not be familiar with all of the intrigue surrounding the controversial Emperor. Serving both as a history lesson, homage to Jane Austen, and fun mystery, Wrapped is an excellent choice for both teen and adult readers.

This was a fun book, and I especially loved all the Jane Austen references! Jennifer Bradbury does a good job of combining the adventure elements with Regency society, and throws in some Napoleon too. Overall, a fun story that can be enjoyed by Jane Austen fans of all ages!

Like my review? Go to my profile to find the link to my blog to see other books I recommend! Read more ›