Review - Fateful by Claudia Gray

Fateful by Claudia Gray

(328 pages)

Pub. date: 09/13/11

Series: None

My rating: 5/5 stars

About the book:

Eighteen-year-old maid Tess Davies is determined to escape the wealthy, troubled family she serves. It's 1912, and Tess has been trapped in the employ of the Lisles for years, amid painful memories and twisted secrets. But now the Lisle family is 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. 

Her single-minded focus shatters when she meets Alec, a handsome first-class passenger who captivates her instantly. But Alec has secrets of his own. He's in a hurry to leave Europe, and whispers aboard the ship say it's because of the tragic end of his last affair with the French actress who died so gruesomely and so mysteriously. . . . 

Soon Tess will learn just how dark Alec's past truly is. 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.

In "Fateful," "New York Times" bestselling author Claudia Gray delivers paranormal adventure, dark suspense, and alluring romance set against the opulent backdrop of the "Titanic"'s first--and last--voyage.

My thoughts:

Fateful told a story so magical, lyrical and compelling that is was hard to put it down. I pretty much devoured this one, only school made me set Fateful aside. I quickly found a friend in Tess, making her a character I related to - or would relate to, if I was a ladies maid in 1912. 

The romance between Tess and Alec was so sweet it gives you cavities. Alec had this kind of tortured, kind of protective thing going on. He definitely sounded hot, and was a character crush for sure. Tess was strong-willed, smart and talented. She deserved more than a life as a ladies maid. As Tess and Alec's romance grew their lives became more difficult. Mikhail, a creepy "friend" of Alec's has followed them onto the ship and is after Tess and Alec, and something that the Lisles' own, and nothing is going to stop him from getting what he wants. 

I adored many of the other characters as well, Irene and Ned in particular. Irene needed a bit of a backbone but was sweet and loving. Ned was just as sweet, and as the novel progressed he grew into a strong character. Alec's father was a great guy, and an excellent father. He went through a lot for his son, and never complained. 

What I found so interesting was the backdrop of Fateful. The novel was set in 1912, on the Titanic. I had an interest in the subject, and loved the movie, so it was particularly interesting to read about the ship. Reading Fateful gave me a new interest in reading more novels about the Titanic.

The ending left me in tears, and that's all I'm going to say. I really would have liked to see a follow up novel to this one, and the ending was left open enough that it could be possible, if the author wanted to make it happen.  My final words: if you love ya romance and the Titanic, read this book.