This review contains minor spoilers.

Review Written: 7th October 2011

Fateful by Claudia Gray

Another day, another teen book that I really enjoyed. Why? This book was really refreshing!

The book starts with maid Tess having to run a last minute errand before boarding the Titantic to start a new life in America. Unfortunately, this is where trouble starts after being chased by a wolf and saved by the dashing Alec. One minute he's sweet, next minute he is telling her to go before he hurts her too.

The following day, Tess boards the Titanic with the family she works for. The Lisle family made up of Lady Regina, son Layton and daughter Irene, have a diminishing fortune and are going to America to find a wealthy American family for both son and daughter to marry. This is 1920s America, after the time of rapid industrialisation, the land of the free is also the land of the rich. While boarding, Tessa feels someone watching her - Mikhail is a Russian count, and wants something the Lisle family have. He plans to get it through her. Fortunately, Alec is also on board, the son of a steel industrialist. Unfortunately, he's a werewolf who has to change form every night until he is inititated into an evil brotherhood. He has been avoiding it thus far, but now influential Mikhail is on board, it may be a matter of time.

As the book continues, Alec and Tessa's relationship blossoms even though they are from different social classes and Alec has to change every night (Tessa finds this out fairly early on in the book). We also find out a number of shocking revelations about the, shall we say, extra-curricular activities of the Lisle family which involve Tessa's fellow servant Ned and sister Daisy.

If I could take you back to the first sentence, this book was refreshing. It is a supernatural novel which uses a famous historical event to tell the story (I do a part history degree, I'm a sucker for historical novels!) Gray is a great writer who makes you want to read page after page hence why I recommend Fateful.

NEXT REVIEW: ROBERT HARRIS' FATHERLAND

Just a little note to say...

I have nearly finished reading Dark Heart Surrender. It's my first week back at university so everything is hectic. Also, instead of reading before I go to sleep, I've been listening to 'The Red Necklace' by Sally Gardner and read by Tom Hiddleston. I can't really review this, but once completed, I will say a few words.

However, today I did read Co. Aytch by Sam R. Watkins which is a Confederate Memoir of the Civil War.

It's descriptive about injuries and the battles he took part in. Sam as a person appears likeable and never speaks ill of the dead - every man killed was one of the greatest he had ever met. He is rather amusing as well - although he has fiancé Jennie at home and declares her to be the love of his life, every young lady he meets is 'the prettiest he has ever seen'. I wonder what Jennie thought about this!!

I'm assuming it is accurate - although the first page, you are met with 'I think it was', 'I won't be certain' and 'I write only from memory.' For a text I had to read for my course, it was enjoyable considering the theme and topic.

My next review will be up some time this week!!!