AMERICAN GIRL: Marie-Grace and Cécile

The true testament to the lack of popularity these two have is how damn hard it is to find good images online. Loads of the dolls, but barely anything about the books.

AG tried something new with Marie-Grace and Cécile, but I wouldn't consider it a success. This is the first (and hopefully only) time two characters shared the spotlight. This isn't one main character and then her best friend doll comes along later (or with her, in Ivy's case). Both dolls were released together and both girls shared the 6-book series.

The first two books are basically the same story told from two different perspectives. Marie-Grace Gardner was born in New Orleans, but left after her mother and younger brother died to travel with her doctor father for several years before returning finally to New Orleans. Cécile Rey is a free girl of color who comes from a rather affluent family. Cécile switches between French and English frequently, as do many of the other characters, so there's a glossary and pronunciation guide in the back of each book, which I always find helpful. While I like both girls, I didn't think the switch back and forth for the same time period aspect of these two books was necessary. I wish they'd just made this Marie-Grace's meet book, then continued on with their story for Cécile's meet, instead of starting all over again. You're rather cheated out of a book by the method they chose.

The series is different from the previous AG books, because those are far more episodic, while this series runs together. It's like one continuous story broken up into several books. It feels to me now like the precursor to the BeForever books and how they run all together now. (I haven't read any of the tweaked versions, so I don't know how they flow, but this flows more like Maryellen's book than Kirsten or Felicity's original 6-book sets.) The main plotline is the yellow fever epidemic and how it affects both families. The story is good and the characters are strong. I love both girls and their families, although I really wish we'd gotten to know them a bit better.

The only other books the girls have are three mysteries. The Hidden Gold is Marie-Grace's and Cécile's is The Cameo Necklace. Both are excellent, but I wish the girls hadn't been separated. They spend so much of their 6-book series separated that I wish they could have been together more for the mysteries. I think that's one of the reasons this series ultimately failed. It was harder for people to connect to both characters, because they're not given enough screentime both singly and as a best friend set. I love them, but I want to love them even more, because they're nowhere near the level of Felicity, Josefina, Julie and such. The Haunted Opera is the third mystery and that one finally stars both, although it is more Marie-Grace's than Cécile's.

My biggest problem with these books is the art. This is hands down the worst AG art ever. If you look at the three Marie-Grace covers in the first image up there, you can see that poor girl is not drawn flatteringly whatsoever. Only the three mystery covers depict her nicely, but they don't quite capture the character. The doll is one of my favorites and so exquisitely beautiful. On the other hand, Cécile is much more well-favored by the art, but I don't care for her doll. (I don't like the Sonali mold. I just don't.)

AG Best to Least Best (they're too good to be called "Worst") Historical Ranking:
-Josefina
-Felicity
-Kaya
-Marie-Grace and Cécile
-Caroline
-Maryellen

I think these two are underrated, especially compared to later characters like Caroline and Maryellen.

Next up is the Josefina mystery that came out in February and then we'll be moving on to Kirsten and Addy.