ALA Booklist (Mon Nov 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)

The imprisonment of Mary, Queen of Scots and the conspiracies against Elizabeth I come to life in this middle-grade novel for fans of theater, Elizabethan England, and smart female protagonists. Emilia Bassano has grown up at court, raised there after her father's death, but when the Queen's spymaster needs her help, she goes undercover as a lute player to play for the imprisoned queen. In between attempts to write her own play, Emilia embarks on a quest to save her queen that unfolds scene by scene, act by act. While there is a mystery in the plot, the theatrical air of the narrative, filled with asides and scene setting, takes prominence and will entice readers interested in the period or theater in general. Somewhat clunky pacing distracts, but the historical intrigue, espionage themes, and Renaissance setting will appeal to fans of Karen Cushman's classic The Midwife's Apprentice. Back matter offers more information on the real figures that inspired Hopkinson's characters, as well as the text of Emilia's fictional play, The Princess Saves the Cakes.

Kirkus Reviews

At the behest of Queen Elizabeth I's spymaster, a young musician turns secret agent to infiltrate the household of Mary, Queen of Scots.It's 1582, and 13-year-old Emilia Bassano has been dispatched by her guardian, Sir Francis Walsingham, from bustling London to dreary Sheffield Castle, the residence of exiled Queen Mary. Emilia's purpose is to verify rumors of yet another scheme to assassinate Elizabeth. Emilia (a historical figure, like most of the cast) smartly carries her mission out to a successful conclusion with a clever closing twist. That fictive storyline is more like the main event on a crowded bill, though, with Hopkinson pausing frequently to include infodumps about Elizabethan life and theater, slip in numerous period portraits and images, and have her characters make pointed observations about how only white male actors are allowed on stage and how unfair it is that women can't write books or plays or receive proper educations. Meanwhile, in her spare time, Emilia writes a one-act play that revises the old tale of King Alfred and the cakes, giving his future warrior queen daughter, Aethelflaed, a starring role-which is appended in full and preceded by extensive production notes and a general performance license to encourage young thespians. That all of this hangs together nicely is a real tribute to the veteran author's skill, not to mention her chops as a researcher.A fully packed feminist treat. (cast list, bibliography, timeline) (Historical fiction. 9-13)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

A 13-year-old stumbles upon a royal murder plot in this standout historical novel from Hopkinson (Race Against Death), written in three acts and set in 1623. The literary curtain opens as lute player and aspiring playwright Emilia Bassano—one of many characters based on 16th-century historical figures—sneaks away from court disguised as a servant boy to see a public performance, and encounters theater hopeful William Shakespeare. This act of daring persuades Emilia’s guardian, Queen Elizabeth’s spymaster, to send her on a mission to gather intelligence at Sheffield Castle, the court of the imprisoned Mary, Queen of Scots. Under the alias Emily Hughes, free-roaming Emilia spies on Queen Mary’s court and encounters a plot against Queen Elizabeth. Breaking down elements of drama and spycraft, this carefully researched, jam-packed read offers insight into layers of historical power and influence while humorously rendering asides on feminism and social issues of the period. It’s a bustling theatrical romp worthy of a standing ovation. Extensive back matter includes historical notes, a timeline, and one-act play “The Princess Saves the Cakes.” Characters read as white. Ages 8–12. (Oct.)

School Library Journal (Sun Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Gr 4–6 —A historical novel with a plucky heroine that provides plenty of knowledge of the Tudor era wrapped up in an inventive mystery with a plethora of intrigue. Emilia Bassano is living comfortably as a ward of Queen Elizabeth's spymaster, Sir Francis, and an occasional lute player for the Queen. When she sneaks out to a playhouse, she overhears whisperings of a potentially deadly plot and knows she must tell her guardian. Emilia just thinks she is doing her duty to the crown; what she does not expect is to travel to spy on Mary, Queen of Scots, herself! Written in the format of play acts, complete with asides to the audience, Hopkinson's novel is original with a compelling plot line and history explained at a level that kids will understand, even if at times it can seem rather didactic. Cleverly placed art throughout, including drawings and replicas of paintings and photographs, bring the era to life. A couple of points seemed rather superfluous and detract from the novel as a whole; however, there is some excellent commentary about what Emilia hopes for future generations, particularly for women. VERDICT A cleverly designed novel with impeccable historical detail for even younger readers, though lacking a completely satisfying conclusion.—Tara Peace