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Jeanine Croft

Author of Winterly (Dark Creatures Book 1)

2 Works 6 Members 2 Reviews

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What a book! Just call me Mrs Winterly and let’s be done with it (But not in my husband’s hearing, of course).

I hesitated before downloading this book, upon learning it was 500 pages long. Long books can either be a dream or a nightmare, depending on whether you are enjoying the story. Luckily in this instance, it was a dream!

Where to begin? Let’s start with what I loved about it! The chapter headings were fantastic. I loved the letters between Emma and Mary. We learnt so much about our protagonist in these short notes and observed her wit. She was wholly herself, without the pressure of having to be dignified, as she would be in Victorian company.

I also loved the relationship between Emma and her sister, Milli. Despite being so different in character and appearance, they had a great bond and could laugh at each other. There is one instance in which Emma refers to Milli as a braying donkey—Which we are led to believe, via Milli’s character, she would certainly not suffer from anyone else—and they laugh and share in the joke (I wish I had made a note of which page/location it was at, so that I may have quoted it verbatim. I have certainly butchered the humour in my shoddy retelling)!

The writing was gorgeous and, at times, humorous. I found the mixture of beautiful language and humour to be quite a feat! You often get one or the other. One such moment of profound loveliness was Winterly’s explanation of beauty. “It is experienced, not defined… It must affect the heart as well.” In addition, my favourite amusing quote was when the immortals were discussing Nicholas being besotted with Milli; “‘He’s too young yet for matrimony,’
The boy threw up his hands. ‘I’m three hundred years old, Father!’
‘Too young.’” I laughed out loud at this point.

The book was intelligent and interesting. The references to the goddess Isis, nodding at Egyptian mythology, and Cleopatra, at Egyptian history. My limited memory of my school-day Victorian-history studies was also jogged.

My criticisms would be that, firstly, the change of POV in Chapter nine came as a shock. There were a handful of chapters that were told from a different point of view to Emma’s, and I struggled with them. I feel either more of the chapters should have been from different points of view or, alternately, all of them should have been from Emma’s.

Finally, there were a few grammatical errors (Words in the wrong order or one word repeated). The writing was so beautiful, I feel a good proof-reading could of solved this easily, and it could have been easily avoided.

I cannot wait for the next book in the series! I need more Victorian-Vampire-Romance recommendations immediately!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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Gabriellelovesbooks | 1 other review | Apr 28, 2021 |
I definitely had some difficulty getting into Winterly initially with the time period it's set in, making the writing style completely appropriate, but challenging. I'm very glad I continued on as once the writing settled on me, I was engrossed fully into this lavish story! I adored the banter between Milli and Emma and the sometimes snarky remarks made by them to their Uncle.

Overall, this book was nothing like I was expecting and I was pleasantly surprised. As it's been said, this story is has a air of Dracula if it were written by Jane Austen. Highly recommend reading this beautiful novel!

Thank you Netgalley for the e-copy to read and review.
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Lea.Pearl | 1 other review | Sep 21, 2020 |

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