That Inevitable Victorian Thing

By: E. K. Johnston

Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren

Speculative fiction from the acclaimed best-selling author of Exit, Pursued by a Bear and Star Wars: Ahsoka.

Victoria-Margaret is the crown princess of the empire, a direct descendent of Victoria I, the queen who changed the course of history. The imperial tradition of genetically arranged matchmaking will soon guide Margaret into a politically advantageous marriage. But before she does her duty, she'll have one summer of freedom and privacy in a far corner of empire. Posing as a commoner in Toronto, she meets Helena Marcus, daughter of one of the empire's greatest placement geneticists, and August Callaghan, the heir to a powerful shipping firm currently besieged by American pirates. In a summer of high-society debutante balls, politically charged tea parties, and romantic country dances, Margaret, Helena, and August discover they share an extraordinary bond and maybe a one-in-a-million chance to have what they want and to change the world in the process.

Set in a near-future world where the British Empire never fell and the United States never rose, That Inevitable Victorian Thing is a surprising, romantic, and thought-provoking story of love, duty, and the small moments that can change people and the world.

©2017 E. K. Johnston (P)2017 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"Compelling and unique - there's nothing else like it." (Booklist, starred review)

"[A] powerful and resonant story of compassion, love, and finding a way to fulfill obligations while maintaining one's identity." (Publishers Weekly)

“That Inevitable Victorian Thing is alternate history at its most intricate - woven with Victorian airs and a deeply optimistic vision of the future. I fell in love with E. K. Johnston’s world, along with the bright, beautiful characters who call it home.” (Ryan Graudin, award-winning author of Wolf by Wolf)

Regency Romance for Teens

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It draws on a lot of the tropes of Regency romances, and while I agree with reviews that state that it takes a long time for the world building to get to a good point, all of my questions were answered by the end. If there ever ends up being a sequel, I would gladly read it. Without spoiling anything, I will say that the romance at the end of the story was thoroughly satisfying and exactly what I was hoping for by about the middle of the book. Give this book a chance and have faith that your questions will be answered by the end.

Loved the world and utterly charming!

4.5
This book had so many elements that I adore. The best way to describe it is that it has an Anne of Green Gables charm, with an almost Gail Carriger type of silly victorian fantasy world, with some Lunar Chronicles technology. All good books/authors!

The beginning is mostly world building, yet it left a lot unsaid, leaving a lot of the particulars for the audience to fill in for themselves. This is for the best, to much detail and the plot can often get left behind. I loved the mixture of victorian and asian fashions. The diversity and acceptance of all people in the world was awesome, as well as the social structure.

I loved the ladies' relationship, as well as August and Elizabeth's characters. I felt like Elizabeth should have had a bigger part, but I cannot see how that would have working in the overall plot.

I don't really have anything bad to say, the pacing might be slow for some people, but I enjoyed it.

Also, the end was great, everything came together just like I hoped.

Surprisingly delightful!

I was taken by surprise at every major twist of the story when I’d expected the old fairytale pattern.

The secret identities were revealed to be completely different from whom I d suspected, as were characters’ reactions, but in a good way. The story takes several stereotypes and playfully turns them on their head.

Katherine Kellgren’s masterful performance is a delight as always, she is for me one of the very best narrators on audible.

Beautiful love story!

I came into this book expecting the ending, but it's even better than what I was picturing. I enjoy a good love story and this was one of those lovely bits of fluff with the right amount of drama.

My favorite!

Of all the books I've read by E.K. Johnston, this is my favorite. I've listened to it over and over (the narration is wonderful). The retelling of history, the sweeping romances, and the wonderful characters bring this story to life. There aren't enough books like this. Books with diversity, love, and acceptance. I only wish I could live in a world like this!