Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Review of The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell

Vespertine

Released: March 7, 2011

Pages: 293 (Hardcover)

Interest: Debut Author Challenge,

beautiful dress on the cover

Summary

It’s the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. However, a forbidden romance with Nathaniel, an artist, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own—still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him.

When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia’s world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she’s not the seer of dark portents, but the cause.

Summary from Goodreads.com

Review

The first thing I had to do after finishing this book was look up the word vespers.  Amelia’s visions occur “in the vespers”, and then there is the title, so for anyone else who was curious, it refers to the time of day (sunset). 

The Vespertine took gothic romance to a new and delicious level.  It’s a time where all young women do is go on walks, make calls, receive calls, and go to parties.  The mystical is en vogue, and when Amelia starts having visions of the future, the invitations come flooding in.  Most of the story is about Amelia and Zara, their friendship, day to day lives, and respective romances.

It’s a delicious setting, where walking with a man unchaperoned is unheard of, and kisses have to be stolen.  It makes the romance even more delicious when just the touch on the hand can send tingles down your spine.

If you’re a fan of the paranormal or historical fiction, I highly recommend The Vespertine.

Rating

Cover: 10/10

Plot: 10/10

Characters: 9/10

Ending: 10/10 Shocking, is all I have to say!

Overall Enjoyment: 9/10

Grade: 96% A

Book Recommendations

The Season by Sarah MacLean-Another great period piece with “stolen” kisses

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