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It's 1912, and eighteen-year-old maid Tess Davies has been trapped in the employ of the Lisle family for years, amid painful memories and twisted secrets. But now the Lisles are 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 life for herself.
Then she meets Alec, a handsome first-class passenger who captivates her instantly. But Alec has secrets of his own and soon Tess will be caught up in his dark past. 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.
It has come to this: werewolves on theTitanic.
As the paranormal-romance juggernaut continues, it seems as though authors wishing to sell books find themselves compelled into ever-more-outlandish scenarios. Hence this novel, which indeed should appeal to the Twilight crowd. Tess, a servant since the age of 13 to the arrogant Lisle family, joins them aboard theTitanic, where she and wealthy Alec, the good werewolf, fall madly in love while fighting Mikhail, the evil werewolf. The sinking of the ship, although vividly portrayed late in the story, serves mainly to resolve some issues and set up the ending. Fortunately, paranormal romance isn't the novel's only feature. Gray researched the conditions of servants in pre–World War I England and accurately portrays Tess' life as one of hardship, penury and, sometimes, abuse. The fate of some third-class passengers and the crew adds poignancy to the narrative. While most characters, including Alec, prove as multi-dimensional as anime drawings, Tess herself displays plenty of spunk and enough rebellious spirit to appeal to teens. A fellow passenger, Myriam, also adds some life to the proceedings. Dialogue and romantic encounters fit the usual overdone style of the genre. The author repeats most important points three times but keeps suspense high and paces the story well.
One wonders, why werewolves? At least it has some approachable history. And it will probably sell.(Paranormal romance. 12 & up)
Claudia Gray is the pseudonym of New Orleans-based writer Amy Vincent, the author of the New York Times bestselling Evernight series. She has worked as a lawyer, a journalist, a disc jockey, and an extremely poor waitress. Her lifelong interests in old houses, classic movies, vintage style, and history all play a part in creating the world of Evernight.
Let me start by saying when I read the synopsis for this book I was very worried for two reasons one I am a huge Titanic fan (not just the movie) I have studied the history, read many books, and seen many documentaries. Second I'm not really a big fan of werewolf books but, I love Claudia Gray's writing and her Evernight series so when I had a chance to read and review a copy of Fateful I jumped at the chance! I knew right away I was either going to love this book or hate it and I was happily surprised when I completely fell in love with the book and the characters! Just one quick addition about the Titanic part of the story not only was this story well thought out but Claudia must have done a good amount of research because what she does write of the ship is very detailed.
What I loved about this story was that the ship wasn't the main character the people were! The ship was always lingering there in the background but lets face we know what happens to the RMS Titanic it sinks! So I was blissfully happy that even though I knew what happened to the ship I did not know what was going to happen with the characters. Were they going to go down with the ship (like Leo did in the movie)? Were they going to survive (which I had my fingers crossed for)? I had no clue and that's what kept me on the edge of my seat reading much later than I should have.
The love between Alec and Tess was intense for many reasons she was a maidservant he was first class, she was human he was a werewolf, he was being hunted down by his own kind to join some brotherhood, he could possibly kill her, and lastly the ship sinking. Through all that though their connection deepens to many of the other characters disapproval and scorning. It's like through everything they save each other (no that's not spoilery I didn't say if they die). I also loved the supporting cast of characters especially Alec's dad who has sacrificed so much for his son and Tess's new found friends in steerage.
Fateful comes out September 13th so go buy it!Happy Reading!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 14, 2012
I absolutely loved this book!! The Evernight series was a bit boring for me, kinda dull for my taste. I really wish there will be a series for this book! I am a Titanic fan. Love how Claudia combined forbidden love, action, tragity, and history into one book! Lucas and Bianca bettee watch out. Because Alec and Tess are stealing the spotlight!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 6, 2012
Hey this is for everyone who wants to know what this book is about. It is a romantic werewolf story. It takes place on the TITANIC. Im pretty sure everyone who wants to read this book knows the story of theTITANIC. There is a young lady who is a maid for a very rich family. The thing is that the family is losing all of their family. Unlike most families, the rich family puts all their servants in 3rd class. The girl falls in love with a 1st class man who happens to be a werewolf. He is being chased and after falling in love with the young maid, he puts his life on the line to protect her. This story has twists and plots that will keep you sitting on the edge of your seats. Sorry, im not naming names. I dont want to give away too much. The young lady finds herself putting her trust in friends she didnt know she could trust. I recommend this story for ages 12 and up. Ummm.....not sure why the whole thingy is in spanish though. It wasnt like that when i got my book. Dont worry though, the book is NOT in spanish it IS in ENGLISH! I absolutely LOVE this book and strongly recommend it
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 29, 2011
Now what about that doesn't sound cool? Although, the summary says the the publication will coincide with the 100-year anniversary, which isn't until April 2012. It's okay, cause I wouldn't have wanted to wait any longer.
What I liked: 1) A paranormal story set on the Titanic. How clever of Miz Gray to even come up with that! I find the Titanic morbidly fascinating (even pre-Leo DiCaprio) so I was really excited to see where she went with this. 2) Alec - hot guy name alert! Alec was such a gentleman, it made me almost want to be there. (Until I remembered that they were on the Titanic, yikes!) Swoon-worthy? Yes. 3) You know how it ends! I didn't anticipate liking this part of it so much, but I really think that it shows off how creative Miz Gray is as a writer that she was able to fit this story into a little box, with a known beginning and ending. 4) I found myself rooting for Tess and Alec. The love story part of this book was very sweet, though it has to play itself out very quickly. 5) The supporting characters. I really liked the relationships between Tess and the supporting characters like Irene and the rest of the Lisle family and staff.
What I didn't like: Here's the thing. I liked the Titanic aspect of it. I really did. But it almost took away from the rest of the story. And it's entirely possible that this only happened to me, so take from it what you will. But I was anticipating the whole Titanic sinking thing so much, that it detracted from the other aspects of the story.
Overall thoughts: I'm a fan of Claudia Gray. And this was a good book. But I think I was a little...underwhelmed. Honestly, I feel like if the Titanic part of the plot was taken away, you'd just have an average paranormal story. The Titanic does make it unique though. I wasn't blown away by it, but she does get major points for being able to combine the history of the Titanic and the paranormal. I feel like I contradicted myself a lot with this review. But that's really how I felt about the book. Kinda conflicted. One thing is for sure: I would have been less interested if the Titanic had not been a major plot point of the story. If you're a fan of Miz Gray, you should try and check it out at some point though. Her creativity is the shining part of the book.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I won't lie. The main reason I read Fateful was for the cover and for the werewolf factor. I stuck around because it was an easy read that was never too boring and I wanted everything to work out for Tess. I do give it 3 1/2 stars for being interesting. I'll admit, I'm still not fond of the story taking place on the Titanic. It just seemed unnecessary. If the Lisles were really short on money, I just don't think it'd be senseable to spend 'thousands' of pounds on tickets for themselves to board Titanic. Tess is a servant to the Lisle family, but she serves as a Ladies' Maid to Irene, the eldest daughter of the family. Right from the get go Tess is thrown into the crazy world of the supernatural, sort of, she meets her knight in shining armor the day before the board the Titanic. Convenient, huh? I didn't want to stop reading Fateful and I really don't have a truly bad thing to say about it- other than in the beginning Tess remarks several times how she is being 'hunted' which utterly made no sense. I couldn't figure out for the life of me what she meant and it lead me to believe she already knew about werewolves and such. Of course, I was wrong. I can say I immensely enjoyed our tormented Alec. This guy has everything going for him and everything against him. His character was really flaw-free (as was his dad). I'm not really sure what's holding me back from giving it a higher rating. I didn't enjoy it fully, or the bad guy for that matter and certain scenes seems anti-climatic, but overall I still liked it
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 17, 2012
I even thought the sample is something, I'm getting the book now. The only bad thing is that the description is in Spanish.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 24, 2012
Its in a different language.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 12, 2012
Why on earth is the overview in spanish(it looks like spanish). I was looking at the overview and it turns out it is in another language. IRRITATING! Becuse of the freakin overview i have no idea what this book is about.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 4, 2012
The first time I read the summary of Claudia Gray`s first book I was skeptical about it... It sounded like she was just another author trying to do the same thing that several before her had done. However, I decided to give her a try and I was rewarded! Bianca and her lovely man drew me into their world and I find myself a fan of Gray. When I saw that she had a new book on the shelves I immedietly became interested - and that interest turned into extreme excitement whewn I learned the subject matter.
I absolutely adore historic fiction and perhaps my favorite thing out of history is the tragedy of the Titanic. Gray did her research while writing this book and it shows in her exqusite detail. People who don`t enjoy history and fantasy will not be all that interested in this story... but for those of you who do love them, this is a must read!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 31, 2011
This story was an impressive, paranormal account of what occurred on the Titanic. The author's ability to co-mingle the facts of a tragic historical event with the paranormal was quite brilliant. I don't think there are many authors who could successfully pull off werewolves on the Titanic. The characters are well presented and easy to relate to whether you are meant to love or hate them. Of course, the sad part as we all know is the fate of the Titanic which means that, inevitably, the majority of characters we come to love will die. Yet, just enough survive to give a little happiness at the end.
I also enjoyed the romances. There was a lot of strength in the characters of Tess and Alec, Myriam and George, Irene and Ned. They all fight their own battles for themselves and those they love. They don't whine, complain, or brood. They accept and act as they must in order to be happy, to preserve life or to be honorable. Each is flawed but not in silly ways. The choices they must make are real and meaningful.
The author has very descriptive passages which, at times, make the reader feel what is happening. The imagery and sounds come to life. I admit I teated up more than once because I knew how it would end and the nobility portrayed in the story is as its portrayed in history as well. There were those on the ship who stayed out of duty, loyalty and honor. That bravery and the acceptance of the fate that comes with those choices is amazing and heart wrenching.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 26, 2011
Tess and alec or alexander have you at the edge of your seat on whether they end up together or not, in addition it leaves you in a cliffhanger leaving you hungry for more. Meanwhile alec's enemy mikhail is on their tails every step of the way.
If you read this, and you love wolves it will leave you hungry for more.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.OMG, this book ROCKED. Ever since I saw the movie Titanic with Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet I was intrigued by what happened to the RMS Titanic. I LOVED how Claudia did the reverse of what the 1997 movie Titanic did, which is by having Alec be rich and Tess be poor. I also enjoyed how she placed real elements along with her imagination and characters.
Tess Davies is a maid in the wealthy household of the Lisle's. Tess longs to get away from her life of servitude. The Lisle's are heading to America aboard the RMS Titanic which gives Tess a way to escape her life and start over.
Alexander Marlowe is the heir to Marlowe Steel and just as trapped in his life as Tess is. Alec is trying to escape his demons and hide himself away back in American. He came to Europe with a personal mission, which by all accounts, he has failed at. He is struggling with what he is and what he wants in life.
When Alec and Tess meet again on the deck of the RMS Titanic they are drawn to each other by an inescapable force. But since this is 1912, and servants and the upper class don't mix EVER, they try to deny the growing attraction between them. But that is easier said then done when werewolves are thrown into the mix. Now it's a race against time to make it to America and escape their enemies and come away with their lives.
There are tons of things I want to say about this book but I don't want to ruin it for anyone. When I was told "If I love Werewolves and the Titanic than I would love this book" I was so determined to get my hands on it. I never wanted this story to end. Claudia is a fantastic storyteller with amazingly gripping characters. The way she tells her story I could almost feel like I was on the deck of the RMS Titanic. This is definitely a MUST READ book. On a scale from 1-10 I give Fateful a GINORMOUS 20. Yes, I know it is off my scale but this is just one of those books that I feel everyone needs to experience for themselves. It makes you believe in love and hope. It also teaches us that love trumps all social classes. If you love history, the Titanic, love, werewolves, danger, intrigue, secrets, and betrayal then Fateful IS THE BOOK FOR YOU. EVERYONE needs to pick up a copy of this book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 14, 2011
This was a great story with unique characters and an awesome plot. I'll be reading this one again. Highly recommemnded.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Fateful drew my interest the moment I read the synopsis for the book. Seriously, imagine werewolves on the Titanic. Can you see why I was so interested in seeing how that would play out? I was even more interested in the ending of the book. We all know how that the Titanic had a very tragic ending.
Let¿s start off with the characters. Tess Davies is a ladies maid for the Lisle Family, particularly for the daughter, Lady Irene. I liked Tess. She was kind hearted, but still strong willed. She has big dreams for the future, and she keeps a hold of those dreams throughout the novel. She never gives up on them. I think that¿s very admirable. Alec is the son of a wealthy steel magnet, and also, a werewolf. They couldn¿t be more wrong for each other, but it works. I love their relationship. Alec is so sweet, caring and very protective of Tess. They are definitely a great couple.
The secondary characters were well written as well. There are ones that I love; Irene, Myriam, Mr. Marlowe, Ned, George. I really loved and enjoyed reading about all of these characters. There are also ones that I love to hate; Mikhail, Lady Regina and Layton. These are characters you can really hate with a passion.
I used to be a huge history buff growing up, and I¿ve always loved to read about the Titanic. I love how Ms. Grey wrote her fantasy around the events of the Titanic. It made for a really great read. The storyline was very creative, and was also well paced. I loved the descriptions of the ship, and of the time period. I was really anxious to see how the book was going to end, I just couldn¿t imagine it. I was, however, very satisfied with the ending.
As stated in the Authors Notes at the end of the book, Ms. Gray did take a few liberties with the book to make it more dramatic than accurate. Instead of fictionalizing some of the people that were really on the ship, she chose to invent new characters. We do have a scene with one person that was really on the ship, and that is Mr. Andrews, who helped design the Titanic.
Overall, I thought this was a really great read, and it will definitely be a welcome addition to my collection. One note- Try not to think of the movie when you read this. Otherwise, you may have the music from the movie stuck in your head while reading it, as I did.
Happy Reading!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 22, 2011
Tess is young enough to not exactly know her place as a servant in the Lisle household, so when the family leaves on the Titanic for America, she is traveling in third class, but has no fear of first class and moves effortlessly upstairs from downstairs. She is also mature enough to know when she is being taken advantage of, so she makes plans for her future when she gets to America. While she is tending to her employers, she meets a man, Alec, that has a secret that he would rather not share. Well, you already know the outcome of the Titanic, so the story is based around the facts and what it was like to be a servant during this time period. Everything is historical spot on and you will even learn a few things about this era, which for me was perfect.
Alec is a mystery, even after you know his werewolf secret, I found him very the perfect foil for Tess. As an American millionaire, there was less of a class divide between the two of them, so the romance part of this story worked and was more believable. Even more believable was the creepy description of the actual sinking of the Titanic. This is no gloss over. You can imagine the exact feelings of the passengers and the horror they witnessed as this ship went down. I am really impressed by the historical detail that is built into this world of both historical and paranormal situations. It is hard enough to get one of these right and Gray nailed both of them. Obviously, I cared more about Tess since she is so feisty. I am trying not to giveaway the finale, but well, you already know the ship sinks and I will leave it at that.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Gray constructs a lush world, equal parts historical Golden Age & paranormal darkness. The lilt of the formal prose transports readers to a time of ladies & gentlemen, grandeur & industry, while the ominous opening sets the stage for a tale of intrigue. The Titanic itself is shrouded in infamy, & readers will begin the novel prepared to be swept away on its fateful tide.
The wolves of this world live in darkness, the minions of a Brotherhood whose power seems infinite. The allure of secret societies & blood rituals is almost irresistible when combined with the Titanic's inevitable doom. Yet, though there were several adrenaline-fueled scenes of danger, Fateful only skimmed the surface, leaving the apparently rich backstory obscured. Their massive forces are represented by just one man, who is almost melodramatic in his villainy. Though the mythology immediately piqued my interest, it failed to deliver on this brilliant setup.
Tess is an admirable heroine, a servant girl determined to escape her old life & the miserable family for whom she works. It takes nerves of steel to start anew, completely alone in a foreign land, & it's impossible not to cheer for such an underdog. However, Tess's narration becomes grating as the novel progresses. She frequently explains things that should be obvious to the reader, which is rather off-putting & comes across as condescending.
Alec is a quintessential tortured soul, & readers will find his wolfish charm captivating. Though this kind of supernatural angst is commonplace these days, in this novel it works. This is a dark & unjust world, & Alec's fight for his freedom & the safety of everyone he loves is heart-wrenching. However, his star-crossed romance with Tess moves rather quickly, & is a bit predictable -- the millionaire's son, plagued by his past, falls for a lowly servant girl but must stay away "for her own good." Though they face immeasurable odds, many of their obstacles seem to be created by the lovers themselves.
The secondary characters are some of the best in the novel. The scandalous secrets of the many rich & famous on board is a tantalizing detail, adding finesse to the world-building & tying nicely into the development of the plot. Even Tess's employers are not free from stain. Her mistress Irene is beguiling, hiding a surprising flame beneath her delicate surface, while the rest of her family make for compelling lesser villains, since much of their cruelty arises from pitiful circumstance. Ned, Tess's fellow servant, is passionate, strong & loyal, worthy of his own tale. Thankfully, the story also features at least one admirable parent: Alec's father is a great man who cares deeply for his son, despite his haunted existence, & thinks no less of Tess for her difference in circumstance.
Though the Titanic element was what initially drew me to the book, at times it was easy to forget they were on board. I expected the legendary ship to play a larger role in the plot, but except for a few brief moments, readers will forget the lovers are at sea until they strike the iceberg. In a historic tragedy where the reader knows how it must end, the conclusion is a bit too tidy and the resolution rather deus ex machina. Though it might be what some readers hope for, it felt inauthentic and ultimately left me unsatisfied.
~Review from thebookishtype[.]blogspot[.]com
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.ValerieStuckInBooks
Posted October 12, 2011
Source: Purchased kindle version
My Summary:
Ever since Tess turned thirteen, she has been a maid for the Lisies family. Now eighteen, Tess is headed to America with her employer on the RMS Titanic. She has saved for two years to have enough money to give notice when the ship docks so that she can start a new life. But nothing comes easily for Tess and this trip is no different. Before she even boards the ship, she is attacked by a wolf and defended by the incredible Alec. Once aboard, the problems really start. As a third class passenger who serves a first class family, Tess struggles to push aside the feelings for Alec, who turns up again to help her. Their relationship quickly grows despite the difference is social status. But the wolf that plagues her on land has joined her on the ship. Trying to stay safe has become a full time job and that's without the destiny of the ship taken into account.
My thoughts:
5 stars - a must read
So let me start by saying that I'm not a Titanic fan. I really didn't like the movie and I really don't like reading something where I think everyone is going to die. Talk about depressing. But I picked up Fateful for the Dark Days Tour and I'm really glad I did. I've always liked Claudia Gray as a writer and this book doesn't disappoint.
I love the 1912 atmosphere that she creates for this story. Tess's employer is disagreeable and difficult. It's clear why Tess would want a different kind of life. I love the way that the Titanic isn't the center of the story. Yes we get to see what it looks like and how grand it is but the ship is not the story. The social status is certainly an aspect to it but it too is not the story. Tess and Alec overcome that as easily as Alec not caring what others think. (Which I love about Alec). The story is a paranormal romance where a brotherhood of werewolves are all powerful and influential. They want Alec and they will stop at nothing to get him. Tess's employer has something else they want and Tess is something of a play thing for them. The complex drama of the story develops well before any events on the ship come into play. There were twists and turns as the brotherhood made their moves and Tess tried to stay away from them. All the while, Tess and Alec become close despite both of their efforts not to.
The characters are rich and full of depth. Tess is strong and bold, putting up with only as much as she has to keep her position as a maid. It's clear what draws Alec to her. I particularly liked Alec. He was in a difficult situation that caused his family a lot of pain. He tried very hard to do the right thing at a high personal cost. It is obvious that he has feelings for Tess but he tries very hard to set them aside so that she won't be drawn into the mess that is his life. When it becomes clear that Tess is involved, he tries to keep her safe and he stands up to social pressure as he spends time with Tess. At every step he chooses what is right instead of what is easy. Love that about him.
Now about the ending, I become very stressed as I reached the last fifty pages or so. I knew that boat was going to sink, even though the story didn't (thankfully) dwell on the events leading up to the impact with the iceberg. I clung to the idea that Claudia Gray is a masterful storyteller as I plunged on to finish the book. I cried. There were some really hard scenes for me to read but I also hoped. I wasn't di
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 30, 2011
Spoiler ALERT... I loved loved loved this book. I knew Tess and Alec would end up together but the way they did was surprising in a good way. This book was not predictable one bit. Claudia Gray did a great job at making you fall in love with the characters and hate the bad guys. I would recommend to anyone who loves supernatural romances.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 29, 2011
This is a book you can't put down and keep wanting more. Claudia descibes the Titanic and events like no other author. The love between Tess and Alec is truely beautiful. I will recomend this book to all my friends and others. This is a Amazing book, it will be on my list of favorites.
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Overview
It's 1912, and eighteen-year-old maid Tess Davies has been trapped in the employ of the Lisle family for years, amid painful memories and twisted secrets. But now the Lisles are 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 life for herself.
Then she meets Alec, a handsome first-class passenger who captivates her instantly. But Alec has secrets of his own and soon Tess will...