BOOK REVIEW - FATEFUL by CLAUDIA GRAY

By: Claudia Gray
Published By : Harper Collins
Released : Available Now
Details: Paperback, 306 Pages

RATING : 4.5  '100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY' STARS!!

Book Blurb : Taken 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.


Featuring the opulent backdrop of the Titanic, Fateful’s publication is poised to coincide with the 100-year anniversary of the ship’s doomed maiden voyage. It is sure to be a hit among Titanic buffs and fans of paranormal romance alike.


BOOK REVIEW:



This was a most wonderful read. I totally enjoyed every part of this book. I have always shied away from things to do with the Titanic, more from the fear of being on a ship and it going down. Also just knowing the Titanic was a real ship, a real story about real people who lost their lives, to drown, what a horrible way to die and not being able to save yourself. Men being told they had to leave their families and basically await their death as the ship went down. Well you get now why I have shied away from even seeing Titanic the movie with Leo and Kate. Just a sad , real story. Knowing the outcome is rather heart breaking.


Well, I loved this book and it’s as close as I have come to voluntarily picking up something to read that talks about the Titanic.


I knew I would love this book as I do love Claudia’s writing. I loved all her character’s in ‘Evernight’ series and am looking forward to ‘Balthazar’..... dang that boy needed a book and I got my wish.


......Back to ‘Fateful’.


The story within these pages doesn’t focus on the Titanic, infact , sometimes I even forgot I was on the Titanic. It is the story of a maid, Tess Davies and the people she comes into contact with on the ship and how they affect her.


Tess’ troubles start even before she gets onto the ship. She is a very intelligent, patient, strong character, and is thrown into this hide and seek game with Mikhail.


Mikhail is a rather unsavoury character who taunts Tess , she is a means to an end for what he has come on board for. His ability to taunt her and try to get at her ends up a bonus, he wants to hurt her, he is a werewolf , a killer.


Alec Marlowe is a swoon worthy character of first class means and the son of Howard Marlowe of Marlowe’s Steele. Tess is a maid of third class means and they make a connection. A trust is formed between them and a love. Class doesn’t stand in their way. Guilt does.

Admittedly it was a quick love, but if this is a stand alone book, well it had to be. No dragging it out over a series.


I really liked Myriam and her strength of character, she was very determined to get to America and make something of her life, meeting George was a wonderful thing for her on the Titanic.

The voyage was such a hopeful trip for Myriam, Tess and the families that wanted a better life.


Claudia gets the reader emotionally by getting us to meet some of the passengers on the Titanic...and we know why....* Kleenex, blows nose* .


I was even getting a bit anxious reading as some chapters have the dates and you know you are getting close to D-Day.


For a while you can forget what happens on the Titanic on that fateful day in 1912. Claudia has us following Tess around with her getting into trouble with Lady Regina and staying away and alive from Mikhail and learning that first class people also have skeletons in their closets.

We spend some time in third class with the warm and friendlies who are making a racket with their singing and dancing, kids playing, all very lively. But then those chapters get closer to that day in 1912.

The weather gets colder......

You can’t help feeling sad for what is inevitable.


I did wonder if this was going to be a series, even though I knew it wasn’t as Claudia wrote the ending like maybe it could go on. I think I want it to continue as I loved Alec. I do feel like there is a series here. Just on land now. The Brotherhood has me intrigued, Myriam is a great character, a great friend and the whole werewolf thing. Who knows Claudia may......I am satisfied if it’s stand alone, but I do hear a series calling. I want to know about Uncle Humphreys and Viscount Lisle and the why of what was in the box, there is history there * waggles eyebrows*.



Michelle