The Situation: Hazel Sinnett wants to be a surgeon more than anything. Certainly more than she wishes to marry and 'settle down' as she is expected to. In 1817 Scotland, a woman in Hazel's position need only marry someone suitable, have his children, and run his household. Having any ambitions outside of that is discouraged, frowned upon, and often openly thwarted. But Hazel is determined, and not only reads everything she can about the human body, but she even manages to sneak into a lecture by the well-known Dr. William Beecham. The young man who helps her may not be familiar with surgery, but Jack Currer is familiar with corpses. By day he earns his money at a local theatre, but at night he is one of the city's resurrectionists, making a living by unearthing corpses and delivering them to those who wish to study real human bodies.
The Problem: Hazel knows her road to becoming a surgeon will not be a smooth one. Females are not allowed to attend the classes at the Royal Edinburgh Anatomist's Society, and after a failed attempt at attending anyway, Hazel is able to strike a deal with Dr. Beecham himself. Only problem is she must now study on her own, and like every other would-be physician, she needs real bodies to learn on. Thankfully, her new acquaintance, Jack, is happy to help, and Hazel must admit that she does enjoy spending time with him. Jack is nothing like the refined gentleman she normally spends time with, and she should know better than to entertain any idea of a future with such a person, especially since it is common knowledge she will eventually marry the future Viscount Almont. Plus, young resurrectionists like Jack have recently started disappearing, proving that his line of work is dangerous in more ways than one.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction book set in early 19th-century Scotland, mostly in and around Edinburgh. Hazel is a young woman who is fascinated with all things science and anatomy, but being a woman has kept her from being taken seriously. Jack, on the other hand, cannot afford to be ambitious. His work at the theatre also provides him a humble place to live, but when business drops off after a strange illness takes over the area, Jack must lean on graverobbing more than ever. The two heroes come from very different worlds, and when Hazel realizes that the poor are being preyed upon so parts of their bodies can be used in service to the rich, she makes the mistake of believing those around her care enough to do something about it. The book combines the grotesque with a love story, while also adding elements of mystery and fantasy.
My Verdict: This book starts off strong. Opening up with a graveyard scene certainly set the stage for what was to come. There is mystery, some gore, even an occasional limb goes missing. And then there is Hazel in the middle of all of it. Her fascination with anatomy and surgery is what makes her story and her journey so fascinating. Of course, her ambition gets her in trouble, as does her naivete, which will cause many readers to simply shake their heads as they turn the page. Unfortunately, as the book progresses, and Hazel and Jack become more comfortable in each others' presence, the story seems to lose steam. It all remains delightfully unpredictable, but by the end, it is not necessarily interesting, and there are several issues that go unresolved.
Favorite Moment: When a young man at the Royal Edinburgh Anatomist's Society attempts to intimidate Hazel, she stands up to him in the best (and possibly the grossest) way.
Favorite Character: Hazel's maid Iona is helpful and faithful to a fault. Hazel herself is not helpless, but she would have had a much harder time without Iona by her side.
Recommended Reading: Schwartz mentions the book The Lady and Her Monsters by Roseanne Montillo in her acknowledgements, which is a wonderful book for learning more about the world of Mary Shelley and the gruesome practice of stealing corpses for studying physicians.
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