Definitely my least favorite of Lyndsay Faye's novels. I absolutely LOVE the Timothy Wilde trilogy, and I enjoyed Dust and Shadow, but I was a bit disappointed in Jane Steele. I found the protagonist to be tedious and annoying and prone to really ridiculous decisions. Don't get me wrong. Jane Steele is still an entertaining read, but it really doesn't live up to the hype. (Nor does it truly highlight the author's unbelievable talent.)
This was a very intriguing read for me. It wasn't what I would call a page turner but I definitely went back to it determined to finish and see what happens to Jane Steele. There was actually more romance in it than I can usually stand but interesting nonetheless. Jane grows up in a very dysfunctional atmosphere and, at a young age, commits her first "murder". With a rather fatalistic attitude about herself from that point on, believing herself unredeemable, the gloves come off and she takes on a vigilante role (of sorts) in life. Feeling rather aimless regarding her prospects for the future, she comes across an interesting ad requesting a governess for a young girl who is living in the home where Jane was raised. This is another very "different" family setting as these members practice the Sikh religion. I received quite an education about Sikhs in this book and found that Faye's research was spot on concerning this topic. Several twists and turns added to my determination to read this book and I'm glad I did. Lyndsay Faye is a very accomplished writer and even though this book was nothing like her Timothy Wilde series, I will continue to be a follower of her writing. 4 stars.
This is a retelling/reinvented version of Jane Eyre, but the story of Jane Eyre is mentioned throughout the book by the narrator. In this version Jane Steele is a murderess and eventually moves in to her childhood home as a governess. There she finds secrets galore, but she might have also found the place she belongs.
This book is great. I finished it in two sittings, because I had to sleep. The characters are well flushed out and interesting. Even the Villians are multi-layered. Our anti-heroine is amazing. She is likable even when you are judging her at the same time. The history that went into the telling of this story is rich and vibrant. You can picture how terrible the wars were and how it affected the men who survived.
If I had one complaint about the story, it would be the glossing over of her transition from teenager to adult. It was rushed. There were a few characters that we briefly met and a murder, but all of it seemed like it got edited out except the bare bones. I wish they would have expanded on this and made the novel longer, or just cut it out completely. It was a wasted opportunity.
I would absolutely recommend this book to all my friends! (less)
This book is great. I finished it in two sittings, because I had to sleep. The characters are well flushed out and interesting. Even the Villians are multi-layered. Our anti-heroine is amazing. She is likable even when you are judging her at the same time. The history that went into the telling of this story is rich and vibrant. You can picture how terrible the wars were and how it affected the men who survived.
If I had one complaint about the story, it would be the glossing over of her transition from teenager to adult. It was rushed. There were a few characters that we briefly met and a murder, but all of it seemed like it got edited out except the bare bones. I wish they would have expanded on this and made the novel longer, or just cut it out completely. It was a wasted opportunity.
I would absolutely recommend this book to all my friends! (less)
The writing is very good here but I just could not like "Jane". I never warmed to her throughout the book. Some of her actions were simply unnecessary. The last part of the book was action packed and intriguing. If I could have liked this Jane this would have been a 5 star book.
