An Assassin's Guide to Love and Treason

Takes some liberties, which author explains in a note at the end, but includes many historical people, places in London near end of Elizabeth I's reign. A very few words and phrases in Cornish, Gaelic, French translated. A major element involves first performance of play Twelfth Night and may inspire teens to read or try to see that Shakespeare play. Author's note mentions books that informed, inspired her to write this one. Bibliography provides lots of references for further reading.

Kit, aka Katherine, is a good model of determination, bravery, doing what she must once she finds herself alone in the world. But her need to avenge her father's death blinds her so that she makes some bad decisions. Ultimately, she learns she's the only one to blame for getting into trouble; there's hope that she'll make better choices now that she's matured a bit. Toby's a positive representation of someone who's attracted to both men and women, and is easy to empathize with as someone who's suffered recent loss of a loved one. He's a good person, is protective of Kit, but lacks strong moral compass, convictions that would make him a more directly positive role model.

Some kissing between Toby and Kit, both when Toby thinks Kit is a boy and when he knows she's a girl. A brief description of caressing skin under clothing. Brief talk about "liking" both boys and girls. A pun about "coming" and breathing hard. Occasional reference to women who sell their bodies. Backstage nudity and slapping behinds mentioned. Sex as a Christmas gift implied. A kiss as the stakes in a dice game.