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The League of Dangerous Young Ladies
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Expected 2 Jun 26Enola Holmes meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer in this thrilling YA fantasy adventure from debut author J. A. Morgenstein, perfect for fans of Jennifer Lynn Barnes and Philip Pullman.
It's 1909 and Rose Moriarty—teenage daughter of Sherlock Holmes' greatest enemy—has made a name for herself fighting monsters and solving crimes. But that was before Rose met the one mystery she couldn't the disappearance of her headmistress. Now, her school has shut down, her classmates have scattered, and Rose is on her own.
On the very day Rose receives word that an old friend is dying, the shadowy Count Christoph and his ward Clara show up at her door. Rose has already figured out why they're here (to hire her) and what's in their bag (an ancient orb with incredible powers), but questions Can Rose convince these strangers to help save her friend's life? What are the grotesque, bug-shaped stalkers that plague their every step? And how can Rose pursue this adventure while avoiding a certain boy from her childhood? The only thing certain is that Rose is no longer alone, because danger forges strange alliances . . .
. . . and Professor Moriarty wasn't the only famous villain to have a daughter.
Unexpected friendships, supernatural mystery, high-stakes heists, and budding romance billow together in this thrilling fantasy adventure, which introduces a motley crew of daredevil heroines who hunt monsters . . . in all their forms.
It's 1909 and Rose Moriarty—teenage daughter of Sherlock Holmes' greatest enemy—has made a name for herself fighting monsters and solving crimes. But that was before Rose met the one mystery she couldn't the disappearance of her headmistress. Now, her school has shut down, her classmates have scattered, and Rose is on her own.
On the very day Rose receives word that an old friend is dying, the shadowy Count Christoph and his ward Clara show up at her door. Rose has already figured out why they're here (to hire her) and what's in their bag (an ancient orb with incredible powers), but questions Can Rose convince these strangers to help save her friend's life? What are the grotesque, bug-shaped stalkers that plague their every step? And how can Rose pursue this adventure while avoiding a certain boy from her childhood? The only thing certain is that Rose is no longer alone, because danger forges strange alliances . . .
. . . and Professor Moriarty wasn't the only famous villain to have a daughter.
Unexpected friendships, supernatural mystery, high-stakes heists, and budding romance billow together in this thrilling fantasy adventure, which introduces a motley crew of daredevil heroines who hunt monsters . . . in all their forms.
368 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 2, 2026
14 people are currently reading
265 people want to read
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February 9, 2026✨ The League of Dangerous Young Ladies ✨
📘 Bookish Thoughts
I will be posting my full review closer to publication date.
📅 Pub Date: June 2, 2026
📝 Thank you to Stonefruit Studio and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
📘 Bookish Thoughts
I will be posting my full review closer to publication date.
📅 Pub Date: June 2, 2026
📝 Thank you to Stonefruit Studio and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
November 5, 2025
YOU GUYS ARE NOT READY FOR THE LEAGUE OF DANGEROUS YOUNG LADIES! Enola Holmes meets Lockwood & Co in this smart, snappy, and fast-paced adventure series. The TWISTS! The NODS! The text never dumbs anything down for the reader, or tries to explain the references it makes, and respects the reader enough to let them either get it, or figure it out. This is a book I would've been obsessed with as a kid (heck, I'm obsessed with it now), and I can't wait to see where these characters go.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Book 14 of 2026:
I enjoyed this book far more than I expected. What do you get when you bring together characters from classic novels, but not exactly in the way you'd expect?
The league of dangerous young ladies, that's who.
The storytelling could be a bit tight in some places and some of it is a bit more tell than show for my liking. But overall, a pretty enjoyable read.
Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC.
I enjoyed this book far more than I expected. What do you get when you bring together characters from classic novels, but not exactly in the way you'd expect?
The league of dangerous young ladies, that's who.
The storytelling could be a bit tight in some places and some of it is a bit more tell than show for my liking. But overall, a pretty enjoyable read.
Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to the author and Sourcebooks for the ARC.
📚 The League of Dangerous Young Ladies by J. A. Morgenstein
Expected publication: June 2, 2026
Publisher: Stonefruit | @sourcebooks
Genre: YA fantasy | Historical fantasy | Mystery
Vibes: monster hunting girls academy, literary Easter eggs, supernatural mystery, found friendships, daring adventure
Imagine if the daughters of literature’s most infamous villains and heroes teamed up to hunt monsters.
That is the chaotic brilliance at the heart of this story.
Rose Moriarty, daughter of the infamous Professor Moriarty, has built a reputation for solving crimes and fighting supernatural threats alongside the elite students at her mysterious girls’ academy.
But everything changes when the school suddenly shuts down after the disappearance of its headmistress.
Now Rose is on her own.
Until strangers appear at her door with a dangerous job.
What makes this adventure so fun:
🕯 A fierce heroine connected to classic literary villains
🗝 Supernatural mysteries and monster hunting adventures
🦇 Unexpected alliances and high stakes missions
📚 Clever nods to classic characters and gothic literature
✨ Found friendships and growing romance
When Count Christoph and his ward Clara arrive carrying an ancient orb with immense power, Rose quickly realizes their mission may be tied to something much bigger than a simple job.
As grotesque creatures stalk their every move and old enemies resurface, Rose must decide whether she can trust new allies… and whether she is ready to face the mistakes from her past.
The story blends mystery, fantasy, and historical adventure with clever references to classic literary worlds like Sherlock Holmes, Dracula, and Frankenstein. It creates a universe where these famous characters and their legacies collide in unexpected ways.
Rose herself is a compelling protagonist. She is brilliant, stubborn, and haunted by past failures, making her journey both adventurous and emotionally engaging.
The pacing is fast, the twists keep coming, and the story respects its readers by letting them piece together clues and literary references without over explaining them.
If you love:
🕯 Gothic inspired fantasy
📚 Literary Easter eggs and classic references
🦇 Monster hunting adventures
✨ Found family friendships
this one is a fantastic YA adventure to add to your list.
💬 Which literary villain would you want to see get their own next generation story?
#LeagueOfDangerousYoungLadies
#YAFantasy
#HistoricalFantasy
#MonsterHunting
#BookstagramReads
📚 The League of Dangerous Young Ladies by J. A. Morgenstein
Expected publication: June 2, 2026
Publisher: Stonefruit | @sourcebooks
Genre: YA fantasy | Historical fantasy | Mystery
Vibes: monster hunting girls academy, literary Easter eggs, supernatural mystery, found friendships, daring adventure
Imagine if the daughters of literature’s most infamous villains and heroes teamed up to hunt monsters.
That is the chaotic brilliance at the heart of this story.
Rose Moriarty, daughter of the infamous Professor Moriarty, has built a reputation for solving crimes and fighting supernatural threats alongside the elite students at her mysterious girls’ academy.
But everything changes when the school suddenly shuts down after the disappearance of its headmistress.
Now Rose is on her own.
Until strangers appear at her door with a dangerous job.
What makes this adventure so fun:
🕯 A fierce heroine connected to classic literary villains
🗝 Supernatural mysteries and monster hunting adventures
🦇 Unexpected alliances and high stakes missions
📚 Clever nods to classic characters and gothic literature
✨ Found friendships and growing romance
When Count Christoph and his ward Clara arrive carrying an ancient orb with immense power, Rose quickly realizes their mission may be tied to something much bigger than a simple job.
As grotesque creatures stalk their every move and old enemies resurface, Rose must decide whether she can trust new allies… and whether she is ready to face the mistakes from her past.
The story blends mystery, fantasy, and historical adventure with clever references to classic literary worlds like Sherlock Holmes, Dracula, and Frankenstein. It creates a universe where these famous characters and their legacies collide in unexpected ways.
Rose herself is a compelling protagonist. She is brilliant, stubborn, and haunted by past failures, making her journey both adventurous and emotionally engaging.
The pacing is fast, the twists keep coming, and the story respects its readers by letting them piece together clues and literary references without over explaining them.
If you love:
🕯 Gothic inspired fantasy
📚 Literary Easter eggs and classic references
🦇 Monster hunting adventures
✨ Found family friendships
this one is a fantastic YA adventure to add to your list.
💬 Which literary villain would you want to see get their own next generation story?
#LeagueOfDangerousYoungLadies
#YAFantasy
#HistoricalFantasy
#MonsterHunting
#BookstagramReads
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to review this ARC. Unfortunately, I did choose to DNF this book at around the 25% mark, trying to give it the fairest chance that I could while getting to know the characters and the world.
I do 100% want to start with the clarification that a part of this choice is that the YA genre spans a vast spectrum, and, for me, this didn’t feel like the right fit age-wise.
There is a huge amount of potential, and for the right reader, I think this could be a really engaging, fun, and charming read. The story essentially follows Moriarty’s daughter on a supernatural mystery adventure. The description highlights the fact that it is a bit of Enola Holmes meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which absolutely comes across. There are definitely elements of the writing, in particular very inspired transitions between chapters, that showed a strong instinct for hooks and tone shifts that alone might cause me to pick this up in the future for inspiration.
However, there were a lot of things that pulled me out of the story. There are a lot of exposition dumps and over-explaining. The dialogue and actions do a lot of heavy lifting on their own, only for the narration to restate or label the same emotions or traits. This might be appropriate for a younger audience, but it really pulled me out of the story and really began to blunt the impact of otherwise witty and smart moments.
I don’t actually want to be too critical here, because again, I think the major flaw is that I am just not the audience for this book. Some of the things that bothered me would be very effective at a middle-grade or slightly older level, like the overcompetence and resources of these very young characters. I had a difficult time suspending my belief that a sixteen-year-old has been engaged with supernatural phenomena for at least three years, but I do remember being younger and writing very similar situations myself and feeling like they were completely realistic.
One really fun aspect of this story was the way that literary legacies and historical figures were represented and referenced. I did have some nitpicking here, but as I did not complete the book, I don't want to mislead anyone. (On a positive note, I am shamelessly a little gay for Nikki Tesla).
I’m going to give this three stars because I do believe this would make a great read for a different person, and I do wish I were able to look past some of the things that irked me to continue.
I do 100% want to start with the clarification that a part of this choice is that the YA genre spans a vast spectrum, and, for me, this didn’t feel like the right fit age-wise.
There is a huge amount of potential, and for the right reader, I think this could be a really engaging, fun, and charming read. The story essentially follows Moriarty’s daughter on a supernatural mystery adventure. The description highlights the fact that it is a bit of Enola Holmes meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which absolutely comes across. There are definitely elements of the writing, in particular very inspired transitions between chapters, that showed a strong instinct for hooks and tone shifts that alone might cause me to pick this up in the future for inspiration.
However, there were a lot of things that pulled me out of the story. There are a lot of exposition dumps and over-explaining. The dialogue and actions do a lot of heavy lifting on their own, only for the narration to restate or label the same emotions or traits. This might be appropriate for a younger audience, but it really pulled me out of the story and really began to blunt the impact of otherwise witty and smart moments.
I don’t actually want to be too critical here, because again, I think the major flaw is that I am just not the audience for this book. Some of the things that bothered me would be very effective at a middle-grade or slightly older level, like the overcompetence and resources of these very young characters. I had a difficult time suspending my belief that a sixteen-year-old has been engaged with supernatural phenomena for at least three years, but I do remember being younger and writing very similar situations myself and feeling like they were completely realistic.
One really fun aspect of this story was the way that literary legacies and historical figures were represented and referenced. I did have some nitpicking here, but as I did not complete the book, I don't want to mislead anyone. (On a positive note, I am shamelessly a little gay for Nikki Tesla).
I’m going to give this three stars because I do believe this would make a great read for a different person, and I do wish I were able to look past some of the things that irked me to continue.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rose Moriarty, is a part of an elite girls school who fight crime and solve mysteries of the otherworldly kind. Set years after a tragic accident, some of the girls reunite to solve a case with Dracula himself. Rose is haunted by her past as she tries to move into the present by reviving old friendships. Will Rose be able to right her wrongs, or will she continue to push everyone away?
Fans of both newer stories such as Enola Holmes and The Sinclair Mysteries or classics such as Sherlock Holmes, Frankenstein and Dracula will enjoy this modern take on James Moriarty's heir. There are many twists and turns that build the storyline and connect some our most loved fictional characters.
This was an engaging read that I finished in less than 24 hours. I enjoyed unearthing who all of the girls were related to and finding out pieces of their backstories. The writing is perfect for YA readers but engaging enough for even more advanced readers.
**NetGalley Advanced Reader Review**
Fans of both newer stories such as Enola Holmes and The Sinclair Mysteries or classics such as Sherlock Holmes, Frankenstein and Dracula will enjoy this modern take on James Moriarty's heir. There are many twists and turns that build the storyline and connect some our most loved fictional characters.
This was an engaging read that I finished in less than 24 hours. I enjoyed unearthing who all of the girls were related to and finding out pieces of their backstories. The writing is perfect for YA readers but engaging enough for even more advanced readers.
**NetGalley Advanced Reader Review**
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I knew going into this book that I was not its intended audience. But I love YA books still, and I was absolutely stunned by how fun this was to read.
Rose reminds me of Enola Holmes stories, crossed with some Veronica Mars, steeped in some Buffy, and dribbled through something like Lockwood & Co -- basically a mish-mash of a ton of different things that I really love. It was exciting and mysterious and I fell in love almost immediately.
The discovery of each girl's father is like a fun little tribute to the books that came before it. And to sit and watch them all grow up and show us their strengths on the page was really fun. I need a second one -- or a whole series!
I definitely would recommend this to older teens, though it's definitely more for 14+ rather than the 10-12+ that YA is usually intended for.
Rose reminds me of Enola Holmes stories, crossed with some Veronica Mars, steeped in some Buffy, and dribbled through something like Lockwood & Co -- basically a mish-mash of a ton of different things that I really love. It was exciting and mysterious and I fell in love almost immediately.
The discovery of each girl's father is like a fun little tribute to the books that came before it. And to sit and watch them all grow up and show us their strengths on the page was really fun. I need a second one -- or a whole series!
I definitely would recommend this to older teens, though it's definitely more for 14+ rather than the 10-12+ that YA is usually intended for.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.75/5 rounded up.
I mean, I was expecting this to be a lot of fun, but I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did. I had a really fun time with this! I sped through it.
It is technically YA, so I did find it very easy to read (and easy to read fast).
This is A Good Girl's Guide to Murder meets Sherlock Holmes. Literally. This follows the daughter of Sherlock's nemesis (as well as many other iconic literary figures) as they solve crime and get into shenanigans.
This really was so much fun and I think anyone of any age demographic would enjoy this.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
I mean, I was expecting this to be a lot of fun, but I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did. I had a really fun time with this! I sped through it.
It is technically YA, so I did find it very easy to read (and easy to read fast).
This is A Good Girl's Guide to Murder meets Sherlock Holmes. Literally. This follows the daughter of Sherlock's nemesis (as well as many other iconic literary figures) as they solve crime and get into shenanigans.
This really was so much fun and I think anyone of any age demographic would enjoy this.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a very fun book filled with friendship, mystery and adventure! The cast of characters are children of famous parents like James Moriarty, Dr Moreau, Victor Frankenstein and Nicholas Tesla. The young women have been through an investigation/ adventure that turns out badly and ends up with the girls splitting up. They are brought back together in trying to find one of their instructors who disappeared on their ill fated investigation. i really enjoyed the characters and their story. I look forward to the next book. Happy reading!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
I thought about going with a four star, but realized I just had way too much fun reading this to give it less than a five. It didn't change my world, but i loved living in theirs!!
WOW!! Absolutely wild ride. The characters are great, the action is almost non stop. The nods to other characters and books is fun. And I for one can't wait to go on more adventures with these ladies and a few of the selected gentleman that get to join them. ( I almost said serve them.....lol)
I thought about going with a four star, but realized I just had way too much fun reading this to give it less than a five. It didn't change my world, but i loved living in theirs!!
WOW!! Absolutely wild ride. The characters are great, the action is almost non stop. The nods to other characters and books is fun. And I for one can't wait to go on more adventures with these ladies and a few of the selected gentleman that get to join them. ( I almost said serve them.....lol)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was not for me, but I did make it all the way through. Final thoughts: it’s annoyingly derivative, the plot’s a mess, there’s no clear moment of Rose “coming into her own” as the leader of the group, Clara’s a delight, the author really tries for some good things (they just need refinement), and the ending left a lot to be desired. For daughters of famous criminals, mad scientists, and monsters, it’s interesting they have so few shades of gray… 2.25 Stars.
[All that said, I’d see what the next book has to offer.]
[All that said, I’d see what the next book has to offer.]
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The League of Dangerous Young Ladies is a fun nod to classic literature as the daughters of James Moriarty, Dr. Moreau and others join Count Dracula to fight monsters and solve the riddle of a mysterious artifact. There are bad guys, mad science, clever deductions and a sprinkle of romance. The end is not the end, but the beginning of another adventure, so I am sure we will be seeing another book(s) in the future. This is a squeaky clean book appropriate for middle grades on up.
I received a free advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
I received a free advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Thank you to Edelweiss for the ARC. I didn't feel that this story was giving anything new. Non of the characters are truly likable and therefore one can't fully become invested in them. The plot and mystery was weak and did not keep my attention despite hoping it would give more as it went, but unfortunately it failed to deliver. I also think the teensof today might have a hard time grasping all the nuance references that are too heavily used.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Amazing from start to finish! This book had me hooked right from the beginning and I devoured the entire thing. This was such a fun and creative spin on a world featuring the daughters of characters we love from literary fiction.
As a long time lover of YA books, I went into this knowing it was for the younger teen audience and I loved every page.
Strong female leads, awesome magical elements and a hint of romance - this is a must read for any fan of YA fantasy!
As a long time lover of YA books, I went into this knowing it was for the younger teen audience and I loved every page.
Strong female leads, awesome magical elements and a hint of romance - this is a must read for any fan of YA fantasy!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I loved this original take on the classics—including the historical time period—mixed with fantasy elements. The world building was amazing and added to the entertainment value without slowing the story down. It set the scene for a brave and empowered heroine and her new friends. The content is great for YA readers of all ages without the dark adult themes you see in some of the romantasy storylines.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
THANK YOU NETGALLEY FOR THE ARC!
this was so so good! i love love love jay and rose and the şloww burnn ••. the found family in this book is so wholesome with lovable imperfect characters. the only reason it's not a five star is sometimes it felt like we were getting told what was happening and not figuring it out in our own! i also don't love the bug people and i was slightly confused at some parts specially the vampire plot twist...
this was so so good! i love love love jay and rose and the şloww burnn ••. the found family in this book is so wholesome with lovable imperfect characters. the only reason it's not a five star is sometimes it felt like we were getting told what was happening and not figuring it out in our own! i also don't love the bug people and i was slightly confused at some parts specially the vampire plot twist...
Review of advance copy received from Author
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with League of Dangerous Young Ladies. It is full of adventure and twists, but also heart and found family. There is a depth to these characters and many touching moments, along with a witty humor.
This book appeals to readers of all ages. Though it works as a stand alone, I look forward to more adventures with these characters.
This book appeals to readers of all ages. Though it works as a stand alone, I look forward to more adventures with these characters.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Omggggg. When they say Enola Holmes meets Buffy The Vampire Slayer they were not lying. This was a perfect pick me up from a slump. It’s not slow but not too fast pace wise. Definitely more than 5 stars!!!!!!
I recommend this to young readers who want a mix of fantasy and mystery in one book. Usually i can tell when it’s a debut book but not for this one!!! I can’t say it enough read this book!!
I recommend this to young readers who want a mix of fantasy and mystery in one book. Usually i can tell when it’s a debut book but not for this one!!! I can’t say it enough read this book!!
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February 5, 2026dnf @ 15%
while i was intrigued by the book’s premise, i felt like the fmc was not treated fairly and considered dumb by our dracula character. i also think the other female character’s (daughter of dr. moreau) personality was a bit too reliant on being rude and upfront for no reason.
i might pick this back up in the future, but i wasn’t connecting with the story or the characters at all.
while i was intrigued by the book’s premise, i felt like the fmc was not treated fairly and considered dumb by our dracula character. i also think the other female character’s (daughter of dr. moreau) personality was a bit too reliant on being rude and upfront for no reason.
i might pick this back up in the future, but i wasn’t connecting with the story or the characters at all.
March 13, 2026
I wanted to enjoy this book based Sherlock Holmes and James Moriarty. Rose Moriarty is a clever and intelligent female. I enjoyed her potential romance with John Watson’s son as well. Even Dracula was fun to read. But mechanical monsters is where I lost interest. The plot was engaging and there were great plot twists those who enjoy mystery and fantasy should enjoy this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received this book from NetGalley. What a well written and fun book! So different from other books that I have read. The personalities of the characters were very well developed and each brought a strength to the story that carried it forward and left the reader eager to keep reading. I enjoyed this book so much and am hoping that the story will continue in a future sequel.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
OMG!!! It was even better than I could ever imagine!! I loved the characters, and the plot twist it was so freaking good!!
I need time to put all my thoughts and feelings into more coherent words, but this was amazing!
I hope we get to see more of these characters.
I need time to put all my thoughts and feelings into more coherent words, but this was amazing!
I hope we get to see more of these characters.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.6
Some aspects were fun, clever even, but, on the whole, this kind of felt like it was trying to cover too much ground. Also the resolution, while surprisingly satisfying, didn't get nearly enough page time compared to the seemingly endless hours of bug people.
Some aspects were fun, clever even, but, on the whole, this kind of felt like it was trying to cover too much ground. Also the resolution, while surprisingly satisfying, didn't get nearly enough page time compared to the seemingly endless hours of bug people.
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January 28, 2026Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!
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