Fateful by Claudia Gray Published by HarperTeen (9.13.2011)
Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Young Adult
Format: Hardcover, 328 pages
Source: Library
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Eighteen-year-old maid Tess Davies is determined to escape the wealthy, troubled family she serves. It's 1912, and Tess has been trapped in the employ of the Lisles for years, amid painful memories and twisted secrets. But now the Lisle family is headed to America, with Tess in tow. Once the ship they're sailing on--the RMS Titanic--reaches its destination, Tess plans to strike out and create a new lifefor herself.
Her single-minded focus shatters when she meets Alec, a handsome first-class passenger who captivates her instantly. But Alec has secrets of his own. He's in a hurry to leave Europe, and whispers aboard the ship say it's because of the tragic end of his last affair with the French actress who died so gruesomely and so mysteriously. . . .
Soon Tess will learn just how dark Alec's past truly is. The danger they face is no ordinary enemy: werewolves exist and are stalking him--and now her, 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.
In Fateful, New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray delivers paranormal adventure, dark suspense, and alluring romance set against the opulent backdrop of the Titanic's first--and last--voyage.
My thoughts
I couldn’t connect with the characters at all, which dragged the book down for me. But my main problem? The romance. I understand that it’s on a ship and time is limited, so things have to move fairly fast, but there’s a difference between fast-moving romance and straight up instaluv…which is what this book had. What I expected I suppose is that the two of them would spend a lot of time together (I mean, how far away can you get when you’re on a ship), and at the very end perhaps make the realization that it may be love. WRONG. The L word didn’t physically show up til the end, sure, but there was major hinting toward those feelings earlier than halfway through. Gag me with a spoon.
Tess immediately attached herself emotionally to Alec after only meeting him once. ONCE.
The pacing was really slow for me, especially in the first half. I actually considered putting it down a couple times, but I held out to see how the inevitable ending would play out. I was really looking forward to reading about the sinking, as that’s obviously the most harrowing part and I was hoping for a very engrossing and heart-pounding scene. Wrong again. It only lasted a few pages, with a mild panic of how to get everyone Tess cares about on a lifeboat, waffling about what to do about Alec, and Alec throwing her on a lifeboat. That’s it?! Yep. I dragged myself through the cheesy romance specifically for that scene, and it was over in a matter of minutes. *bashes head into wall*
It was still the most interesting part of the book, and if that scene had taken up more than a chapter, this might have earned a little higher rating in my eyes.
I did like the idea of the Brotherhood and the dagger, though. If there had been more focus on that than the horrible romance and what Tess did daily as a maid, I would have enjoyed it much more.
I was also disappointed with the ending. It may sound terrible, but it SO did not end how I wanted (and was expecting) it to. Sigh.
Being a wolf doesn’t seem anything like being a god to me, unless a god gets twitchy every full moon and is likely to have fleas.
I like the idea of it, just not the delivery.
The writing is pretty, but that cover is just ugly to me for some reason. Plus I like this cover much better:
Sorry you didn’t enjoy the book. I have to admit, the plot sounded a bit hokey to me. Werewolves + Titanic? Brownie points for creativity, but I just don’t think this one would jive for me anyway. Thanks for the review! :D
I’m sorry you didn’t like the book! I love the second cover, I’ve seen many people read the same book on goodreads but idk if id like the plot
I haven’t heard of this book until now, and I’m sorry to hear that you didn’t like it. I agree that the second cover is much prettier, I guess I’m just a fan of red dresses and such. I’m not a big werewolf fan, so this would be a pass for me. Thank you for the review! :)
Ahh, I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy it. I’m not a huge Claudia Gray fan. I’ve heard mixed reviews of this book so I may pass.
I´m reading it at the moment and I totally agree with you. I was still hoping for the sinking but now… I think I will finish the book but I don´t like it much.