Lush world, lackluster characters
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
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