A Review for Fateful by Claudia Gray

Posted by Jess

Release Date: March 29th, 2012

Finished Date: May 30th, 2012

Publishers: HaperCollins

Source: For Review

Format: Paperback

Pages: 328
Buy : Amazon UK / Amazon US 

A tragic tale about falling in love on the world’s most infamous ill-fated sea voyage as heroine, Tess, discovers darker secrets that lie beneath the doomed crossing… and a hidden brotherhood that threaten to tear her lover from her forever.

The RMS Titanic is the most luxurious ship ever built, but for eighteen-year-old Tess Davies it’s a prison. Travelling as a maid for the family she has served for years, Tess is trapped in their employ amid painful memories and family secrets.

When she meets Alec, a handsome upper class passenger, Tess falls helplessly in love. But Alec has secrets of his own… and soon Tess is entangled in a dangerous game. A sinister brotherhood that will do anything to induct Alec into their mystical order has followed him onboard. And Tess is now their most powerful pawn.

Tess and Alec fight the dark forces threatening to tear them apart, never realising that they will have to face an even greater peril before the journey is over…

The Review: “He frames my face with his hands as he says, "Tess. Only you could be brave enough to die with me. But I want you to live for me."

We kiss, as desperate as though we were drowning. When our lips part, Alec says, "Forgive me.” -Tess

<
When I first found out about this book, I got really excited! A book set on the Titanic! I love everything Titanic, and the idea of a YA book set on it seemed amazing. 
<
I really enjoyed this book. I thought it a little slow to start but it really picked up. Tess is our heroine and Lady's Maid. She's about to board the Titanic with the family she works for and head to America where she plans to quit her job and start a fresh. Easier said than done.
<
I'd not read anything by Claudia Gray before, but I have heard that she's a good writer, and this comes across in Fateful. Claudia Gray has managed to tell a story based on a true event and make it her own. Whilst also being historically accurate in places. Most of the reviews I'd read were good so I was super excited to read this. Claudia Gray managed to build mystery at the start of the book and continue it on through out the rest. I was completely (excuse the insensitive pun, I mean no disrespect) 'drowning' in the story. I loved every moment. Including the wolves. Yes, you read correctly. Claudia Gray created a paranormal romance meshed together with a historical time and although I did find it a little far fetched I thought it was executed really well and I ended up enjoying it. If you like paranormal and anything wolves and you enjoy historical romances then this is probably a good book to get started on.
Claudia Gray has written really well with regards to the divide in classes during the time, it's very difficult to know how it all truly worked, there's only so much people can record of history, but Claudia Gray has done really well in researching the divide in classes and you get the full effect in Fateful.
<
Now the ending. This is where a star drops. For me, I thought the book was wonderful, and completely different, but the ending just seemed all too convenient for me. Are we talking about a possible happy ending when dealing with The Titanic? I'll let you all decide for yourselves. I liked the ending but in  way I'm not sure I did. I'm still on a mixed feeling about it. It just felt too convenient. But hey, maybe to others it really works. Although this book is written as a standalone, Claudia Gray left it, what I felt was open to a possible sequel. And I'd be happy with that.
<
So if you're looking for a fun and quirky read set on the R.M.S Titanic, then definitely read Fateful. 

Fateful by Claudia Grey International Giveaway!!

To commemorate 100 years since the sad demise of The RMS Titanic; I've decided to give away my extra copy of Fateful by Claudia Grey! Plus a little something extra ;)

That's right. One lucky winner will get a copy of this book. As something a little special I (Jess) am going to throw in a commemorative Titanic key ring with a quote from Titanic designer Thomas Andrews. 

To be in with a chance of winning just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. There are extra entries, but these are not required to win. 
<
*Giveaway is International!

*Entrants must be 13 years of age or over

*Winners will be announced on the blog and also be notified by email.

*We will not be held responsible for items lost or damaged in the post.

*Giveaway ends 01/05/2012

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Review for Enthralled: Paranormal Diverisons by Rachel Caine, Claudia Gray and several others.

Posted by Donna 
Published Date: September 20th, 2011
Finished Date: December 5th, 2011
Publishers: HarperCollins
Source: Finished Copy for Review
Format: Paperback
Pages: 443
<

The Blurb from Goodreads: A journey may take hundreds of miles, or it may cover the distance between duty and desire.

Sixteen of today’s hottest writers of paranormal tales weave stories on a common theme of journeying. Authors such as Kelley Armstrong, Rachel Caine, and Melissa Marr return to the beloved worlds of their bestselling series, while others, like Claudia Gray, Kami Garcia, and Margaret Stohl, create new land-scapes and characters. But whether they’re writing about vampires, faeries, angels, or other magical beings, each author explores the strength and resilience of the human heart.Suspenseful, funny, or romantic, the stories in Enthralled will leave you moved.

The Review: I’ll be honest I’m kind of on the fence about short stories, I like them but sometimes I don’t have time to connect with them especially if there brand new characters to me. However, when I heard about Enthralled I knew I wanted to read, mainly because some of my favourite authors are involved and it really enjoyed it.

Overall it took me about 3 weeks to get through this book and admittedly I didn’t read them all just because I wasn’t familiar with some of the authors. I did however read stories from Rachel Caine, Kelley Armstrong, Claudia Gray, Kimberly Derting & Melissa Marr.

My favourite one was Rachel Caine’s, I loved being back with Michael and Eve and I’m even more excited to pick up book 8 – 11 in her Morganville series now. My second favourite was Claudia Gray’s story, I just loved how we were thrown into an exciting world within seconds and just proves that Claudia can write just about anything and I will automatically love it.

Now there were some stories I didn’t read like Rachel Vincent’s story featuring Sabine and Emma. I didn’t read this because I’m yet to meet Sabine in the Soul Screamers series because I haven’t read it yet so I didn’t want to spoil anything for myself. When I do read the fourth book, I’ll be sure to go back and read it because I love Rachel’s work.

Overall, Enthralled is a book that I would recommend to people who love short stories and are fans of the authors featured in this book.

Thank you to HarperCollins for providing me with a copy for review.

A Review for Fateful by Claudia Gray

Posted by Donna
Published Date: September 13th, 2011
Finished Date: September 16th, 2011
Publishers: HarperTeen
Source: UK Swap Travelling Book
Format: Hardback
Pages: 336
>
The Blurb from Goodreads: In Fateful, eighteen-year-old maid Tess Davies is determined to escape the wealthy, overbearing family she works for. Once the ship they’re sailing on reaches the United States, she’ll strike out on her own. Then she meets Alec, a handsome first-class passenger who captivates her instantly. But Alec has secrets.... Soon Tess will learn just how dark Alec’s past truly is. The danger they face is no ordinary enemy: werewolves are real and they’re stalking him—and now Tess, too. Her growing love for Alec will put Tess in mortal peril, and fate will do the same before their journey on the Titanic is over. 
<
The Review: “Tess. Only you could be brave enough to die with me. But I want you to live for me.” We kiss, as desperate as though we were drowning. When our lips part Alec says, “Forgive me.” Then he picks me up - inhuman strength lifting me from the deck as if I were half flying – and flings me over the railing of the ship, toward water, toward darkness, away from him forever.

Wow! I haven’t felt this way about a book in a good few weeks, so this is definitely what I needed to get me out of my reading rut. I bet you’re wondering if Titanic plus Werewolves was a success? Well, I can tell you….IT WAS! An absolutely amazing success.

Fateful is a story that really captures your heart and makes you fall in love with it instantly. We all know how the story went for Titanic but what Claudia Gray manages to do, is take that unfortunate day and create something completely her own. Titanic has always been one of my favourite films so for Claudia to add werewolves and exciting new twists and turns, it’s enough to leave you breathless.

From page one you’re sucked into the world of 1912 that makes you imagine that you’re really there. The story was well written, believable and had excellent mix of romance and action. Even when you read the story, you get so lost in the world that has been created you almost forget that you already know the outcome. Some might say the story would be predictable but I would disagree. Just because you know the ending of Titanic, doesn’t mean you’ll know how it ends for our characters. And I have to say, I was on the edge of my seat full of nerves…..because I honestly didn’t know what was going to happen and I was so hoping there was a happy ending for our characters.

Tess, is a very likable girl who you are rooting for from the start. Living as a ladies maid isn’t the easiest job but she does her job with commitment but while looking for a way out for a better life. She’s very determined and strong willed and you can’t help but love her. Alec is every girls dream, tall, dark, mysterious and very rich. He and Tess know they can’t be together, not because of their status, but because of the dangers that would be involved for Tess. I loved how these two characters were bought together in dangerous situations and it only made them stronger. They were definitely a couple I was cheering for and I was easily swept up into their romance.

Overall, Fateful is a one of a kind book that will linger in your mind for hours later. With excellent characters, a dangerous story line and a very satisfying ending….what’s not to love. Well done Ms Gray, Fateful was a hit for me and I honestly couldn’t fault it. 

A Review for Afterlife (Evernight #4) by Claudia Gray

Posted by Donna

Published Date: March 3rd, 2011
Finished Date: March 5th, 2011
The Blurb: Having become what they feared most, Bianca and Lucas face a terrifying new reality. They must return to Evernight Academy, Lucas as a vampire and Bianca as a wraith. But Lucas is haunted by demons, both personal and supernatural. Bianca must help him fight the evil inside him, combat the forces determined to drive them apart—and find the power to claim her destiny at last. 


Review: Claudia Gray is back with the final and fourth book 'Afterlife' in her best selling 'Evernight' Series. 

This book see's the characters struggle with the turn of of events from the last book. Lucas is struggling at becoming a vampire and Bianca is also struggling at becoming a wraith. They believe that their best option is return to Evernight Academy to seek sanctuary, or is it? 

I loved this book but I'm also really sad that it has ended. After reading Evernight since the start, I feel quiet a connection to all the characters and although I'm not completely happy with ending, I do believe it was the best possible ending. Otherwise, it may of been a little unrealistic. 

I really enjoyed how all characters developed in this book and how the other characters like Vic, Ranulf & Raquel were not left out of the story but were more involved. Bianca and Lucas's love stays true through out and my heart broke for them with the situations they were put in. 
I did find parts of the story a little slow but I still couldn't help but love it still. 

The only thing that really bugged me was how things with Charity were cleared up. I still believe that there is unfinished business between her and Balthazar and I'm hoping we will get to see more of there story when Claudia write's the spin off novel. 

Overall, this is one of my favourites. One I believe, that any Paranormal Fan should read. So if you haven't read it and your looking for a new series to sink your teeth into then, pick it up - You won't be disappointed. :)