Guest Blog: Marsha Altman

Pride and Prejudice: The Next Generation
  Many authors have taken different approaches to creating the children of Darcy and Elizabeth, and sometimes Bingley and Jane (as I do in my P&P continuations). The temptation is there to make the children either spitting images of their parents or quite the opposite, but in either way reflect the initial characters but in a new generation. In some cases the characters seem to have read Pride and Prejudice, in that they’ve learned the lessons of their parents and don’t intend to make the same mistake. In reality, children have to make their own mistakes, and aren’t inclined to listen to the history of their parents’ courtships even if the parents are inclined to tell it. So you get somewhat of a fresh slate with the kids, who have shades of their different parents as they develop.

I really like Mr. Darcy’s Great Escape in that the oldest children (Geoffrey Darcy, Georgiana Bingley, and George Wickham III) have emerging personalities beyond “I am an adorable kid.” You can start to see, beyond age 2 or 3, which kids are shy and which kids are outgoing, though you saw a bit of that in the previous book with over-exuberant Geoffrey and a speech-delayed Georgiana. Geoffrey Darcy has more shades of his mother than his father when he’s young, which is not to say that the responsibilities of being Mr. Darcy won’t influence him when he’s older, but he isn’t either parent. Geoffrey’s more of a solid mix, which makes him a well-balanced character. Georgiana Bingley isn’t like either of her parents, because you have to have one of those in the family, as if a stork arrived in the wrong house (albeit with a child with the Bingley red hair). Charles and Eliza Bingley, the twin children of Charles and Jane, are more like their parents.

In this book George Wickham III is introduced, though it’s arguable thanks to his grandmother’s secret affair whether he’s actually the third or the second, since his Uncle Darcy is a blood relative (as was explained in the last book). If the story continues he becomes an important character, and thanks to genetics and some social conditioning, the most like Darcy of the entire tribe – and after they have all those kids, it really is a tribe. In this book he’s bookish and reclusive, and we get a little Darcy genetic history as to why that might be.

The ultimate nature vs. nurture argument is for Frederick Maddox, the adopted son of Daniel and Caroline Maddox, but the biological son of the Prince Regent, so he couldn’t have more contrasting fathers.
I could go on and on about the different children and decisions I made for them, but a lot of them aren’t old enough yet for those decisions to be evident (here’s hoping we get to that point!). The bottom line was that no child is the identical twin of their father or mother, or their evil twin. Genetics, conditioning, and plain old blind luck results in a different generation than the last.

MR. DARCY’S GREAT ESCAPE—IN STORES FEBRUARY 2010

Hilarious and action-packed, this installment brings the Darcy and Bingley families to the year 1812 and the intrigues of the Napoleonic Wars. Darcy and Dr. Maddox go in search of Darcy's missing half-brother and land in a medieval prison cell.
Much to his dismay, Charles Bingley is left to hold the fort at Pemberley while his sister Caroline, Elizabeth, and Col. Fitzwilliam traverse Europe on a daring rescue. Meanwhile, Lady Catherine de Bourgh kicks up a truly shocking scandal.
One never knows what might happen next between the estates of Rosings and Pemberley.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Marsha Altman is a historian specializing in Rabbinic literature in late antiquity, and an author. She is also an expert on Jane Austen sequels, having read nearly every single one that's been written, whether published or unpublished. She has worked in the publishing industry with a literary agency and is writing a series continuing the story of the Darcys and the Bingleys. She lives in New York.

Musing Monday (Feb 1)

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about a random book.
Go to your bookshelf and pick a random book. No cheating now, just reach out and pick one. Now tell us about it – where did you get it? Why? Was it a gift? Does it hold any special memories? Did someone recommend it to you? etc.
Little Women is perhaps one of the most special books to me. It was one of my first “big people” books (a much earlier edition). My mother bought it for me one day when she went to the book store to buy Christmas presents. I was about 8 years old and very upset that she had not bought me the toy that I wanted. Needless to say, the disappointment did not last. It introduced me to reading for fun. I wanted to be Jo. I think I may have had a crush on Professor Bhaer even then. It was the start of a lifelong obsession with reading and books. The only thing that may exceed my love of reading is my love of hockey and the Devils (they got there first). I quickly started spending all of my money on books and the collection began.

Lessons in French by Laura Kinsale

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

ISBN: 1402237014
Pages: 480 pgs
Genre: Romancy/Regency
Challenges-Read’n’Review Challenge, 100+ Reading Challenge

Rating: 


Publisher's Description:
Laura Kinsale's unique and powerfully written love stories transcend the romance genre. In this, her first new book in five years, she delivers a poignant, funny, sexy, Regency romance sure to delight her many fans and attract a whole new readership.

Trevelyan and Callie are childhood sweethearts with a taste for adventure, until the fateful day her father discovers them embracing in the carriage house and, in a furious frenzy, drives Trevelyan away in disgrace. Nine long, lonely years later, Trevelyan returns. Callie discovers that he can still make her blood race and fill her life with excitement, but he can't give her the one thing she wants more than anything—himself.

For Trevelyan, Callie is a spark of light in a world of darkness and deceit. Before he can bear to say his last goodbyes, he's determined to sweep her into one last, fateful adventure, just for the two of them.

My Review:
This was my first experience with Laura Kinsale. I have all of her other books but I have never read one of them. I have wanted to but, as always, I am bogged down with other books that I want to read and the cycle is continuous.

Lessons in French was such as sweet and quiet romance. I never thought that I would be describing a romance novel in that way but I am. There were no overly effusive displays of romantic love between Callie and Trev until more than halfway into the book. I was not quite sure how much I liked that until I was done reading. Usually you expect the romance novels you read to be full of romance and drama but it was nice to find one that was more subtle.

The characters were almost perfect. They were as quiet and subtle as the novel they are in. Callie was not a busty, beautiful heroine. She was insecure about her looks after being jilted three times.  I think every woman can relate to her insecurity at least a little.  Trev was not a Big Damn Hero nor was he a Reckless Rake. He was simply a man who got into some trouble but really and truly wanted the best for Callie and loved her despite his troubles. He had his secrets but it was nothing too destructive or major.  Callie and Trev’s love was quiet but they had great chemistry and their story was a pleasure to read.

I only had one issue with Lessons in French and it was a minor one. There was too much Hubert the bull.  It surprised me that Hubert was such a huge part of the story. Usually you would expect there to be something much more dramatic as the main event in a novel but as I began to think about it, it really fit the book as a whole and after a second read, it grew on me. It added humor to the book. I mean a bull in the kitchen is something you would find in an I Love Lucy episode. It added to the light-hearted rompy feel.

I cannot wait to read more Laura Kinsale. I am not sure this was the best introduction to Laura Kinsale’s other novels but it was definitely enough to keep me going.  Her writing is excellent and he heroes are wonderful. I usually pick up a romance novel expecting clichés and an easy reading afternoon but this was so much more.

*A copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher for review. My opinion is my own and has not been influenced in any way and any monies made from associate or affiliate accounts are recycled back into the blog.

Island of the Swans by Ciji Ware

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
ISBN: 1402222688
Pages: 592 pgs
Genre: Romance/Georgian
Challenges-Read’n’Review Challenge, 100+ Reading Challenge

Rating:

Publisher’s Description:
Re-issued in its original full length, this acclaimed and bestselling romantic historical novel by award-winning author Ciji Ware tells the true story of passionate and flamboyant Jane Maxwell, the 4th Duchess of Gordon (1749-1812). In love since childhood with Thomas Fraser, when she hears that he's been killed in America, she marries the Duke of Gordon with disastrous results. But Fraser, very much alive, returns to England to claim her love. 

In addition to telling a heart-wrenching love story, Island of the Swans also paints a fascinating portrait of a powerful and controversial woman and the tumultuous era in which she lived. Patroness of poet Robert Burns, advisor to King George, painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds, Jane Maxwell was a towering figure in her own time and is an unforgettable heroine.

My Review:
I was a bit worried when I first started reading this because I really was not in the mood for a historical but when I set a reading schedule, I must abide by it. However, my fears were totally misplaced in this case. This book was, for lack of better words, awesome.

First of all, Island of the Swans sort of reminded me of an out-of print romance I read while back called The Proud Breed. I love that book and periodically go back to it and read it. In both books there is an intense love shared between two people (duh!), infidelity and roadblocks. I know this sounds like most romance novels you have read but I can’t pinpoint exactly why this two books seem so similar to me but they do and it is a very good thing. I also usually don’t like romances where there is any type of infidelity between the couple I like but I found with this one that I really did not mind at all.

The characters in The Island of the Swans were amazing. Jane was perhaps one of the best heroines in any book that I have read this year. She was witty, intelligent and vivacious. I wanted to shake her half the time for maintaining her hold on her love for Thomas but I still liked her. I know that we are supposed to be rooting for Thomas throughout the whole book but I really liked Alex a whole lot better. I was rooting for him the whole time. Well, until he acted like a putz towards the end. I almost wish the Jane had forgotten about Thomas and been happy with Alex. I did like Thomas but he didn’t have the same sort of aggressive passion that Alex had. But you are talking to a girl whose ships always sink in every TV show, book and movie she likes.

This was one of those books that I had trouble putting away. I read before I go to sleep and this was one of those that I kept getting tempted to pick up again even when I told myself that reading time was over. That is either a sign of a really good book or of my insomnia or OCD reading compulsions. I think this may have to go on the honor roll because I could find nothing I did not like about it and believe me I tried.

*A copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher for review. My opinion is my own and has not been influenced in any way and any monies made from associate or affiliate accounts are recycled back into the blog.

Mr. Darcy's Great Escape: A tale of the Darcys & the Bingleys by Marsha Altman

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
ISBN: 1402224303
Pages: 496 pgs
Genre: Jane Austen Sequel/Pride and Prejudice
Challenges-Read’n’Review Challenge, 100+ Reading Challenge

Rating:   


Publisher’s Description:
Hilarious and action-packed, this installment brings the Darcy and Bingley families to the year 1812 and the intrigues of the Napoleonic Wars. Darcy and Dr. Maddox go in search of Darcy's missing half-brother and land in a medieval prison cell.

Much to his dismay, Charles Bingley is left to hold the fort at Pemberley while his sister Caroline, Elizabeth, and Col. Fitzwilliam traverse Europe on a daring rescue. Meanwhile, Lady Catherine de Bourgh kicks up a truly shocking scandal.

One never knows what might happen next between the estates of Rosings and Pemberley.

My Review:
Mr. Darcy’s Great Escape is a terrific continuation to an already awesome series (The Darcys & The Bingleys and The Plight of the Darcy Brothers). This is one of those rare series where it just keeps getting better and better. Every new addition to the series bring something unexpected to the mix. I think this may have been my favorite of the trio because it combined so many genres and themes into one amazing package.

This series is a combination of so many different genres but it is never more true than in Mr. Darcy’s Great Escape. Drama, romance, comedy and adventure are so intricately combined and utilized perfectly in Mr. Darcy’s Great Escape. I have never seen a novel, much less a Jane Austen sequel, combine this many genres and themes and do it so successfully.

Darcy was perhaps the most shining example of Altman’s accurate yet unique character portrayal. He was brave, debonair and, at times, borderline hilarious. I also thought that Altman’s portrayal of post-traumatic stress disorder was brilliant. It was heartbreaking to see Darcy and Lizzy go through such difficult emotional trials after Darcy is rescued (trying to avoid spoilers). Lizzy acting like the Big Damn Hero and rescuing Darcy was excellent. I love it when the heroine rescues the hero. It does the Women and Gender Studies major that is still sorta alive in me good. The children in the book were again a huge highlight for me. They were funny and adorable and helped to break up the tension.

Overall, this book was the highlight of the series for me. I loved every single part of it and would recommend this series to just about anyone.

*A copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher for review. My opinion is my own and has not been influenced in any way and any monies made from associate or affiliate accounts are recycled back into the blog.

The Book of Fathers by Miklós Vámos

Publisher: Other Press
ISBN: 1590513398
Pages: 480 pgs
Genre: Fiction
Challenges-Read’n’Review Challenge, 100+ Reading Challenge

Rating: 




Publisher’s Description:

When in 1705 Kornell Csillag's grandfather returns destitute to his native Hungary from exile, he happens across a gold fob-watch gleaming in the mud. The shipwrecked fortunes of the Csillag family suddenly take a new and marvelous turn. The golden watch brings an unexpected gift to the future generations of firstborn sons: clairvoyance. Passed down from father to son, this gift offers the ability to look into the future or back into history–for some it is considered a blessing, for others a curse. No matter the outcome, each generation records its astonishing, vivid, and revelatory visions into a battered journal that becomes known as The Book of Fathers. For three hundred years the Csillag family line meanders unbroken across Hungary's rivers and vineyards, through a land overrun by wolves and bandits, scarred by plague and massacre, and brutalized by despots. Impetuous, tenderhearted, and shrewd, the Csillags give birth to scholars and gamblers, artists and entrepreneurs. 

Led astray by unruly passions, they marry frigid French noblewomen and thieving alehouse whores. They change their name and their religion, and change them back. They wander from home but always return, and through it all The Book of Fathers bears witness to holocaust and wedding feast alike.

My Review:

I was lucky enough to start 2010 with an awesome book that challenged me and kept me riveted the whole time. The Book of Fathers was an awesome start to my reading year.

The Book of Fathers tells the continuing story of one family. Each chapter is like a flash in time telling a different story about the first born male of each generation of a Hungarian family. This might get a bit confusing because there is no consistent narrator but, I think, if you look at it like a book of short stories, it really works well. I sometimes forgot that I was reading a novel at times. I am not quite sure if that is a good thing but I am leaning towards a yes.

I did find that it did become a bit difficult to keep track of everything. Each individual character and story is so vibrant and interesting that despite the pervasive confusion, I was deeply embroiled in the novel. Some readers might be a bit put off by the format and the style but I think it is worth a try. I was also pleased that nothing was lost in translation as happens with some translated novels.

The Book of Fathers was definitely something different and it was a great start to my reading year. I want to pick it up again someday because it seems like I would be able to get something different out of it with every read.

*A copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher for review. My opinion is my own and has not been influenced in any way and any monies made from associate or affiliate accounts are recycled back into the blog.

Nibble & Kuhn by David Schmahmann

Publisher: Academy Chicago Publishers
ISBN: 0897335929
Pages: 279 pgs
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Challenges-Read’n’Review Challenge, 100+ Reading Challenge

Rating: 


Publisher’s Description:
An unraveling law firm. An unwinnable case. An unworkable love. 

Derek Dover has it all.

Derek's up for partner at Nibble & Kuhn just as that most proper of Boston law firms comically tries to `rebrand' itself for the Google era. Pompous and arbitrary, the ruling junta of partners saddles him with a high visibility lawsuit just weeks before trial. The diligent young attorney arranges things so that Maria Parma, a new associate in the firm for whom he's fallen hard, also gets named to the case. Maria, in turn, can't keep her hands off Derek, but it's complicated because she's engaged to someone else.

As Derek prepares his case on behalf of seven young victims of an industrial polluter, his anxieties about his career and his torments over Maria's mixed messages only increase. Have his eccentric WASP superiors handed him a `toxic' case to ruin his chances of becoming a partner? How can he get his opponents to settle - an outcome the presiding judge all but demands - unless his unorthodox `expert witnesses' perform with enough gravitas to match that of the other side with its Harvard Medical School scientist? Will Nibble & Kuhn survive the partners' spectacularly bad business judgments? Does it even matter to Derek, given that his looming fiasco of a trial and his indiscretions with Maria seem set to sink any chance he ever had at partnership?

Ultimately, Derek sets into motion a line of inquiry that spins events entirely out of the control of the judge, jury, and any and all attorneys. 

My Review:
Let me start by saying, I do not like law firms, lawyers or anything in that sphere. To be quite frank, that whole world would be my epitome of hell or whatever bad place bad people go when they die. I thought that this would be a problem for me when I started Nibble & Kuhn but it wasn’t.

I really love satires. They bring out the funny parts of places you would never think you would be the least bit interested in. This was true about Nibble & Kuhn because out of all the places on Earth a high powered law firm is probably one of the last places that I would want to be. Nibble & Kuhn really brought that environment to life by adding a touch of humor.

The only flaw I can find with this and most other satires was that the characters tend to be either flat or really annoying. Nibble & Kuhn presents a melding of the two. I found Derek to be a bit flat in some parts of the book. I could not really make a connection with him even though I really, really wanted to. I also thought that Maria was a bit obnoxious and she was part of the reason I could not make a connection with Derek. She seemed to string Derek along by his nose hairs which really made me lose respect for him as a character. It’s sad to say that I would have liked the book twice as much without her.

I really did enjoy Nibble & Kuhn. It was quite the good distraction from a rather crazy holiday. It was definitely something different. I probably would not have picked this up on my own but I am very glad I did.

*A copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher for review. My opinion is my own and has not been influenced in any way and any monies made from associate or affiliate accounts are recycled back into the blog.

Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy:The Last Man in the World Giveaway

 

I absolutely loved this variation of Pride and Prejudice and I am delighted to give away two copies to two lucky followers.
Giveaway ends on January 20th.
Rules

1. 2 winners- U.S. and Canada only
2. Comments must include email. I will not go a-hunting.
3. Only one comment on the giveaway post-include everything you did to enter.
Main Entry-Comment on this post with your email and any extra entries you have done.
Extra Entries-Comment on Abigail’s Interview-name and email necessary.
- Subscribe to this blog by clicking on the RSS Feed symbol thing in the header.-Comment and  let me know.
-Comment on the review of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy:The Last Man in the World with the comment add name and email
-Stumble my blog or any post on it. –comment on any of the posts with your StumbleUpon username.
-follow me on Twitter–@bibliophile23–leave your Twitter username in the comment.
-If you blog about this giveaway I will give you another extra entry.
Please do all of this in one comment unless you are commenting in different entries.
I will email the winners. If the email is not responded to within two days, I will pick another winner.
The winners are Pippi and Cynthia!

Abigail Reynolds Interview

 

1. What inspired you to write Pride and Prejudice variations?

I tend to get very involved in the books I read, some people might say a little too involved! One time while I was rereading Pride and Prejudice for the millionth time and reached the scene at the Lambton inn, I was feeling heartbroken that Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy were once again misunderstanding each other’s intentions. I wanted to scream at Darcy that he shouldn’t leave without telling Elizabeth how he felt. “Good communication is critical!” I told him. He didn’t listen. I snatched up a piece of paper and said, “Look, I’ll show you how much easier it will be if you just tell her you still love her.” That became the first page of From Lambton to Longbourn, one of my first Pemberley Variations!

2. Please tell us a bit about Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy: The Last Man in the World and why you chose to take on the infamous proposal scene?

Most young women in the Regency didn’t have a choice about who they married. If Elizabeth Bennet had been from a more traditional family, she wouldn’t have been allowed to refuse Darcy’s proposal even though she hated him. That made me wonder what would happen if Elizabeth did have to marry Mr. Darcy when she still disliked him, without the evidence of his letter of explanation to clear up her misapprehensions and without his housekeeper’s testimony to his character. Would she learn to see through her prejudices to find the true Mr. Darcy? I decided to test it out. In Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy: The Last Man in the World, Darcy proposes to Elizabeth on a walk rather than in the parsonage. Expecting her to be thrilled with his proposal, he kisses her. Before Elizabeth can express her fury at him, she realizes that the kiss was observed by Colonel Fitzwilliam. If she refuses Darcy now, her reputation and that of her sisters will be ruined. With grave misgivings she consents to marry him in order to save her family from disgrace.

Because she still thinks him an ill-tempered and resentful man, she tries to avoid provoking him and keeps her feelings to herself. They get married and go to Pemberley. While Elizabeth recognizes Darcy is doing his best to be gentle and kind to her, she still believes that he misused Wickham and can’t respect him. Inevitably the truth comes out to the open and they have a bitter fight. Darcy, horrified by the discovery that his bride hates him, withdraws almost completely, though continuing to treat Elizabeth with respect. Gradually Elizabeth discovers he is a far better man than she thought him. When Darcy is injured in a riding accident and almost dies, Elizabeth realizes that she loves him. After his recovery, they struggle together to work out their remaining difficulties on the way to a happily ever after ending.

3. I thought Lizzy and Darcy’s reactions to these very different circumstances were very true to their characters, did you find it at all difficult to keep them in character?

Keeping characters true to themselves is always a challenge. It’s a little easier with Elizabeth and Darcy than with other characters because Jane Austen developed them as such powerful characters that it’s relatively easy to slip into their skins. I have a harder time with some of the minor characters.

4. Have there been any other novels that you have been tempted to write a variation for?

Not so far, although I’ve written a modern novel partially based on Persuasion. When I write a novel, the characters have to live constantly inside my head for months, which means it has to be characters I like spending time with. There are very few other books with characters I love as much as the ones in Pride and Prejudice. I also write some non-Pride and Prejudice fiction with original characters, but I appreciate all that I learned from Jane Austen through borrowing her characters.

5. What is up next for you?

I’m working a new Pemberley Variation, this one based on what would have happened if Elizabeth had never read Darcy’s letter. I’ve completed a modern novel which is partially based on Persuasion and is a sequel to Pemberley by the Sea, but the market for contemporary fiction isn’t strong at the moment, so it’s unclear as to whether I will find a publisher for that one. Still, I enjoy writing moderns.

My favorite book is: Pride and Prejudice

What book would you never read again even if was the only book left in existence: Night by Elie Wiesel. It’s brilliant but I’m still traumatized from reading it 30 years ago.

My favorite movie is: Casablanca

My ideal Lizzy is: the one in my head. I read Pride and Prejudice long before I saw any of the adaptations, and my imaginary version of her is stronger than any actress.

My ideal Darcy is: the one in my head.

If I received a free trip to anywhere in the world where would I visit: St Petersburg, Russia

If I could do any job in the world, I would: work on a tall ship sailing between Cape Cod and the Caribbean

My favorite word is? Sesquipedalian. It means very long words, literally words that are six feet long.

My favorite historical time period is: I love reading about ancient Greece and medieval times, but I’m very grateful to live in the present.


Mr. Darcy or Mr. Rochester: Mr. Darcy


If a genie granted me three wishes, I would wish for: health and happiness for the people I love and a elf who would clean my house and make dinner every night.

MR. FITZWILLIAM DARCY: THE LAST MAN IN THE WORLD
IN STORES JANUARY 2010!

In this sexy Jane Austen sequel, Elizabeth Bennet accepts Mr. Darcy's first marriage proposal, answering the "What if...?" question fans everywhere have pondered

" I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry."

Famous last words indeed! Elizabeth Bennet's furious response to Mr. Darcy's marriage proposal has resonated for generations of readers. But what if she had never said it? Would she have learned to recognize Mr. Darcy's admirable qualities on her own? Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy follows Elizabeth and Darcy as they struggle to find their way through the maze of their prejudices after Elizabeth, against her better judgment, agrees to marry Darcy instead of refusing his proposal.

Two of the most beloved characters in English literature explore the meaning of true love in a tumultuous and passionate attempt to make a success of their marriage.

About the Author
Abigail Reynolds is a physician and a lifelong Jane Austen enthusiast. She began writing The Pemberley Variations series in 2001, and encouragement from fellow Austen fans convinced her to continue asking “What if…?” She lives with her husband and two teenage children in Madison, Wisconsin. For more information, please visit http://pemberleyvariations.com/

Hush, Hush-Becca Fitzpatrick

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
ISBN: 1416989412
Pages: 391 pgs
Genre: Young Adult
Challenges-Read’n’Review Challenge, 100+ Reading Challenge, YA Challenge

Rating:

Publisher’s Description:

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.

With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

My Review:

I am going to try to avoid as many Twilight comparisons as much as I can because I think these two books are in two completely different classes. Not that Twilight isn’t good but Hush, Hush dwarfs it with it’s greatness. I can see where the comparisons come from but I don’t think it’s fair to judge one book with another (Twilight would lose—the fanfiction is better).

First of all, I loved Patch. He was dangerous and kinda creepy but that seems to be my type. He is everything that Edward Cullen should have been. He brought a real danger to Nora unlike Edward who says he thinks Bella might be a tasty treat but never actually threatens her life and really is quite the harmless vampire when it comes to Bella. Patch actually makes attempts to kill Nora. He courts her affection in order to gain her trust and eventually kill her. Nora was also a great character. I really liked her but this novel was all about Patch for me. I enjoyed watching her try to figure out the mystery behind Patch’s past.

Perhaps the best part of Hush, Hush is that the romance does not overwhelm the plot at all. The main focus was the unraveling of the mystery. It is not discovered right away that Patch is a fallen angel and him and Nora do not fall in love immediately. That would have completely taken me out of the book. The romance could have easily been the main focus of this book and I think it took quite a bit of courage for Fitzpatrick not to turn Hush, Hush into a romance novel.

Needless to say, I loved Hush, Hush. This might be for me what Twilight was to everyone else. I cannot wait for Crescendo to come out in the Fall.

*A copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher for review. My opinion is my own and has not been influenced in any way and any monies made from associate or affiliate accounts are recycled back into the blog.