Mackenzi Lee holds a BA in history and an MFA from Simmons College in writing for children and young adults. She loves Diet Coke, sweater weather, and Star Wars. On a perfect day, she can be found enjoying all three. She currently lives in Boston, where she works as a bookseller and almost never reanimates corpses. Almost.
Packed with political intrigue, romance (gay and straight), angry pirates, ghost stories and more powerful female leaders than you can shake a cutlass at. -- ShelfAwareness (starred review) <br/> Series fans can expect another wonderful round of exciting journeys, unique personalities, surprising historical details, beautiful romance, and scrutiny of social-justice issues. -- <em>Booklist </em><strong>(starred review)</strong> Lee crafts an absorbing adventure with dangerous stakes, dynamic character growth, sharp social and political commentary, and a storm of emotion... An enticing, turbulent, and satisfying final voyage. -- <em>Kirkus Reviews</em> Praise for THE LADY'S GUIDE TO PETTICOATS AND PIRACY: [Lee] develops a world rich in historical detail, crafts a plot wild with unexpected turns, and explores complex topics like colonization and identity. An empowering and energetic adventure that celebrates friendship between women. -- <em>Kirkus Reviews </em><strong>(starred review)</strong> An incredible, must-have follow-up full of old characters and new, blood and guts, and a delightful barrage of sarcasm. -- School Library Journal <strong>(starred review)</strong> This action-driven adventure is a joy. -- ALA <em>Booklist </em><strong>(starred review)</strong> A beautifully brilliant story about feminism, female friendship, privilege, sexism in the 17th century, and doing all you can to fulfill your passion and dreams. -- Buzzfeed A feminist feast that challenges societal norms and forgoes all romance, which is unconventional, albeit refreshing, in young adult literature. -- <em>BookPage</em> [A] strong feminist credo. -- The Horn Book The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy is fun while still being thoughtful, feminist, and an ode to female friendship. -- Bustle Praise for THE GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE: Tongue-in-cheek, wildly entertaining, and anachronistic in only the most delightful ways, this is a gleeful romp through history. Monty is a hero worthy of Oscar Wilde. -- ALA <em>Booklist </em><strong>(starred review)</strong> The book's exquisite, bygone meter and vernacular sit comfortably on a contemporary shelf. And the friction of racism, tyrannical entitled politicians, and misguided disapproval of homosexuality also have a relevance rooted in current culture's xeno- and homophobia. Austen, Wilde, and Indiana Jones converge in this deliciously anachronistic bonbon. -- <em>Kirkus Reviews </em><strong>(starred review)</strong> This is a witty, romantic, and exceedingly smart look at discovering one's place in the world. A stunning powerhouse of a story for every collection. -- School Library Journal <strong>(starred review)</strong> A gloriously swashbuckling affair. -- <em>Publishers Weekly</em> <strong>(starred review)</strong> Mackenzi Lee (This Monstrous Thing) combines her knowledge of European history with a contemporary, comic sensibility to create an over-the-top romantic adventure complete with cliff-hanging chapter endings and sometimes outrageous narration. Monty is a licentious, flawed and engaging 18th-century hero. -- Shelf Awareness (starred review) Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue is the queer teen historical you didn't know was missing from your life. -- Teen Vogue ( Best Queer Books to Celebrate Pride 2017 ) A rollicking ride that also turns a keen eye to issues like class, racism, homosexuality, and identity. -- Brightly Careening from fete to fiasco on a Grand Tour of 18th century Europe, THE GENTLEMEN'S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE is a dizzying, dazzling, and roguishly romantic romp. This book makes me want to unrequite my own love so I can requite him all over again. -- Heidi Heilig, author of <em>The Girl From Everywhere</em> Don't read this book unless you like adventure, hijinks, and forbidden romance, and if you do, then read it twice. -- Stacey Lee, author of <em>The Secret of a Heart Note</em> and <em>Under a Painted Sky</em> An outrageously fun, witty, fascinating, and romantic adventure, starring a memorable trio I'd happily travel with for ages. Lee is a definite force in diverse historical YA. -- Dahlia Adler, founder of LGBTQ Reads and author of <em>Under the Lights</em> A swashbuckling, fantastical coming-of-age adventure that quite simply swallowed me whole. -- <em>Audible</em> Editor's Pick