Review: The Curie Society is a fun graphic novel that reminds me of a STEM version of Charlie's Angels. The Curie Society is named after the brilliant Marie Curie who never got her full dues because of sexism. This secret society honors and uplifts women in the STEM fields. We are quickly introduced to our diverse main cast of characters: Simone, Taj, and Maya who are college roommates with distinct and clashing personalities. Overeager Simone, who is African American, started college at 15 and wants to prove she belongs. Rebellious, green-haired Taj, who is brown-skinned but racially ambiguous, prefers robots and circuits to people. Maya, who is cued as Indian American and queer, is math oriented and staggers under the weight of her parents' expectations and grapples with her entitlement. 

  Though the trio don't get along with one another, they must cooperate when they receive a strange invitation; deciphering the code, they find their way to an initiation test for the Curie Society. To succeed, the trio will need to use their scientific prowess, talents, and learn how to work together as a team. The requisite montage scenes of the trio attempting and failing to work together, especially when they find that society is not telling them the full truth are my favorite parts of the graphic novel. Taj and Maya also have their own possible love interests. Along the way cool scientific discoveries are discussed, but at times it feels a bit info-dumpy. The artwork is fun and the layout is easy to read and follow. The ending wraps up neatly while leaving the door open for a possible sequel. There is a useful glossary and a list of biographies of female scientists in the back-matter. Overall The Curie Society is a diverse, fun yet educational, well paced graphic novel that uplifts women. I do hope there is a sequel as I would love to see more female empowering graphic novels about the STEM field.

 

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is a scene where a female character is getting harassed at a club in the book.  

If you like this book try: Woman Discovers by Marie Moinard