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lostinagoodread's review
4.0
This review and others can be found on Cozy Up With A Good Read
A book that is a retelling of JANE EYRE, bring it on, I absolutely adored JANE EYRE when I first read back in my first year of university and it's what spun me into wanting to read more of the classics. I really enjoyed the little twist of the fey magic added in to this story, it brought about a completely new telling of such a classic love story.
What really stood out in this story is that how it focuses around Jane learning about herself, she has her own issues to deal with and I loved watching her grow throughout the story. A lot of this story was about the growing relationship between Jane and Dorie as well, their story was the center of everything and it was adorable to watch them grow together and learn from one another. Though there is a romance to the story it doesn't take over, the story was touching, and I loved what Jane learns about herself and how she deals with her life.
The writing in IRONSKIN is very similar to that of the classics, really bringing the story to life. Connolly describes the setting in such a way that you can put everything in it's place, and follow the characters around. It's not often I can map out a story in my head and I really enjoy being able to see and do what the characters do. What really interested me is that most of the book takes place in one setting, though Jane does travel a little bit, the main events happen at the Rochart house, and it was interesting to find out why.
This book takes some time to get into some interesting ideas, but I liked that because Connolly takes her time, letting the readers get to know the characters and understand the history. But as the story went on Connolly added in some interesting twists that I didn't see coming, Mr. Rochart's secret really surprised me, and it actually disturbed me a tiny bit. Connolly did a great job bringing this story to life, and I loved how classic it felt to me.
If you are a fan of JANE EYRE, I think this is a great read, and could even be a great introduction for younger readers into the classic genre.
A book that is a retelling of JANE EYRE, bring it on, I absolutely adored JANE EYRE when I first read back in my first year of university and it's what spun me into wanting to read more of the classics. I really enjoyed the little twist of the fey magic added in to this story, it brought about a completely new telling of such a classic love story.
What really stood out in this story is that how it focuses around Jane learning about herself, she has her own issues to deal with and I loved watching her grow throughout the story. A lot of this story was about the growing relationship between Jane and Dorie as well, their story was the center of everything and it was adorable to watch them grow together and learn from one another. Though there is a romance to the story it doesn't take over, the story was touching, and I loved what Jane learns about herself and how she deals with her life.
The writing in IRONSKIN is very similar to that of the classics, really bringing the story to life. Connolly describes the setting in such a way that you can put everything in it's place, and follow the characters around. It's not often I can map out a story in my head and I really enjoy being able to see and do what the characters do. What really interested me is that most of the book takes place in one setting, though Jane does travel a little bit, the main events happen at the Rochart house, and it was interesting to find out why.
This book takes some time to get into some interesting ideas, but I liked that because Connolly takes her time, letting the readers get to know the characters and understand the history. But as the story went on Connolly added in some interesting twists that I didn't see coming, Mr. Rochart's secret really surprised me, and it actually disturbed me a tiny bit. Connolly did a great job bringing this story to life, and I loved how classic it felt to me.
If you are a fan of JANE EYRE, I think this is a great read, and could even be a great introduction for younger readers into the classic genre.
aivlis_ml's review
3.0
Full review on The Writer's Write-Up
Actual score: 6.5/10
I’m so glad this book popped up on my Goodreads feed. I was a bit put off by the fact it was based on Jane Eyre *cue A-Level Literature flashbacks* but I’m happy I stuck with it. Even though it has quite a few elements of Jane Eyre in it, Connolly spins her own story around it merging the original elements and her own additions really well. I like the theme of beauty as well as the price of beauty that runs through the book.
Jane is an ironskin, a victim of the Great War with the Fey. She has a Fey curse on her cheek that infects those around her with Rage. Because of this, she must cover her cheek with an iron half mask as iron is the only thing that can contain the curse. Her curse makes it hard for her to find work, until she comes across a carefully worded advert for a tutor. This is how she meets Mr. Rochart and his young daughter Dorie.
Unlike in Jane Eyre, in Ironskin Jane’s duties as a governess/tutor to Dorie are quite central to the plot. Dorie appears to be Fey-cursed like Jane, even though she has no visible scar. Jane’s job is to help her with these abilities, which isn’t easy with a reluctant Dorie and Mr Rochart being mysterious around the house. The story is mostly concerned with the mystery behind Dorie’s Fey abilities, as well as Jane’s efforts to help the girl with her powers.
Jane is a great character – a strong willed, independent woman determined to make her own way in the world despite the difficulties she faces being an ironskin. Her sister Helen offers her an easy way out; move in with her and her soon-to-be husband, but Jane much prefers to stand on her own two feet. She’s cursed because she joined her brother in a battle against the Fey, when they came out of the forrest to attack her village. Her brother died and Jane was cursed, but she still fights to find her place in this new post-war society.
Jane and Rochart’s relationship is slow to build, and it came a bit like a shock to me when he (inevitably) confesses his love for Jane. I felt Jane and Dorie’s relationship was built up far better. Rochart spends most of his time sulking and being mysterious, then all of a sudden throws a party and then he sulks some more. I understand that being a mysterious artist is kind of the point, but I felt we needed to see just a little bit more of him in order to become invested in his and Jane’s relationship. I found his work far more interesting than him.
My main complaint about Ironskin is that the world building is quite confusing. We’re told there’s been a Great War against the Fey but the how and why isn’t really explained and at times I found the concept of the Fey hard to grasp. This was a bit disappointing, as I was quite interested in this new way of depicting the Fey. I’ve now read book two, Copperhead, and it does a better job answering those questions, so I’m happy to see the series has evolved nicely. Also, because of it being based on Jane Eyre, I kept picturing the wrong time period. Again, this was better written in Copperhead – perhaps the city as a setting in the second book helped set the time period better.
Actual score: 6.5/10
I’m so glad this book popped up on my Goodreads feed. I was a bit put off by the fact it was based on Jane Eyre *cue A-Level Literature flashbacks* but I’m happy I stuck with it. Even though it has quite a few elements of Jane Eyre in it, Connolly spins her own story around it merging the original elements and her own additions really well. I like the theme of beauty as well as the price of beauty that runs through the book.
Jane is an ironskin, a victim of the Great War with the Fey. She has a Fey curse on her cheek that infects those around her with Rage. Because of this, she must cover her cheek with an iron half mask as iron is the only thing that can contain the curse. Her curse makes it hard for her to find work, until she comes across a carefully worded advert for a tutor. This is how she meets Mr. Rochart and his young daughter Dorie.
Unlike in Jane Eyre, in Ironskin Jane’s duties as a governess/tutor to Dorie are quite central to the plot. Dorie appears to be Fey-cursed like Jane, even though she has no visible scar. Jane’s job is to help her with these abilities, which isn’t easy with a reluctant Dorie and Mr Rochart being mysterious around the house. The story is mostly concerned with the mystery behind Dorie’s Fey abilities, as well as Jane’s efforts to help the girl with her powers.
Jane is a great character – a strong willed, independent woman determined to make her own way in the world despite the difficulties she faces being an ironskin. Her sister Helen offers her an easy way out; move in with her and her soon-to-be husband, but Jane much prefers to stand on her own two feet. She’s cursed because she joined her brother in a battle against the Fey, when they came out of the forrest to attack her village. Her brother died and Jane was cursed, but she still fights to find her place in this new post-war society.
Jane and Rochart’s relationship is slow to build, and it came a bit like a shock to me when he (inevitably) confesses his love for Jane. I felt Jane and Dorie’s relationship was built up far better. Rochart spends most of his time sulking and being mysterious, then all of a sudden throws a party and then he sulks some more. I understand that being a mysterious artist is kind of the point, but I felt we needed to see just a little bit more of him in order to become invested in his and Jane’s relationship. I found his work far more interesting than him.
Spoiler
He’s basically a plastic surgeon for the elite, utilising Fey magic to make his clients beautiful.My main complaint about Ironskin is that the world building is quite confusing. We’re told there’s been a Great War against the Fey but the how and why isn’t really explained and at times I found the concept of the Fey hard to grasp. This was a bit disappointing, as I was quite interested in this new way of depicting the Fey. I’ve now read book two, Copperhead, and it does a better job answering those questions, so I’m happy to see the series has evolved nicely. Also, because of it being based on Jane Eyre, I kept picturing the wrong time period. Again, this was better written in Copperhead – perhaps the city as a setting in the second book helped set the time period better.
stephs_bookshelf's review
4.0
This was a pretty good book, the end was slow and it took me a little while to get used to the author's style of writing but the story really picked up after the first hundred pages or so. It got a bit twisted, which I hadn't been expecting at all. Very interesting retelling!
sydofbee's review
3.0
I can't say that I did not have problems with this - especially in the beginning, I found this to be slow and the many similarities to Jane Eyre put me off instead of endearing me. First, there is the name of the heroine: Jane Eliot versus Jane Eyre. Edward Rochart versus Edward Rochester. Governess versus governess, estate-owner versus estate-owner ... well, I could go on but I think you see where I'm going with this.
However, there is one great difference which is the post-war setting as well as, you guessed it, the fey. At first, the latter is not prominent, except for the consequences of the war the humans have to live with. But after about half of the novel, something happens. I can't say whether it is plotwise, or if something in the writing changed, but suddenly I couldn't put it down. I was enthralled with what was happening, appaled when Jane made her decision and ever more appaled when she realized what she had done!
Just like in 'Jane Eyre' I love the brooding, older man Jane falls in love with. There is quite an air of mysteriousness around Mr. Rochart that I find quite exciting. If you like fey, you should definitely check "Ironskin" out. If you like modern retellings, again check this out. In the end, the retelling is not as obvious but still this is quite a good book!
However, there is one great difference which is the post-war setting as well as, you guessed it, the fey. At first, the latter is not prominent, except for the consequences of the war the humans have to live with. But after about half of the novel, something happens. I can't say whether it is plotwise, or if something in the writing changed, but suddenly I couldn't put it down. I was enthralled with what was happening, appaled when Jane made her decision and ever more appaled when she realized what she had done!
Just like in 'Jane Eyre' I love the brooding, older man Jane falls in love with. There is quite an air of mysteriousness around Mr. Rochart that I find quite exciting. If you like fey, you should definitely check "Ironskin" out. If you like modern retellings, again check this out. In the end, the retelling is not as obvious but still this is quite a good book!
kwugirl's review
3.0
I actually think I liked this better than I actually like the original [b:Jane Eyre|10210|Jane Eyre|Charlotte Brontë|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1327867269s/10210.jpg|2977639]. Jane Eyre--but with malevolent fairies!!
leftylauren's review
2.0
Characterization and love story (especially) are weak. World and magic are interesting.
see_sadie_read's review
2.0
So much potential in this plot, all reduced to, "Wah, wah poor me. I'm not pretty." And "Oh, woe is me, I've been cursed with rage...or, well, at least mild irritation." (I certainly never sensed any more than that.) With a romance that boiled down to "Mr. Rochart is never here. I wish he was here because it makes his daughter happy when he is. Oh, I love Mr. Rochart." It came out of nowhere! Not least because Mr. Rochart was completely flat as a character. Jane was a bit better, but not by much.
Sure the book has a creepy atmosphere. And it really is an interesting premise. Unfortunately, I think all that potential was just smothered under all the self-absorbed angst. I'm afraid being a retelling of Jane Eyre was enough to salvage this. I'll not be bothering with the sequels.
Sure the book has a creepy atmosphere. And it really is an interesting premise. Unfortunately, I think all that potential was just smothered under all the self-absorbed angst. I'm afraid being a retelling of Jane Eyre was enough to salvage this. I'll not be bothering with the sequels.
lamusadelils's review
3.0
La combinación de hadas, ambiente steampunk y personajes inspirados en Jane Eyre llama la atención. Aunque es difícil competir con el desarrollo de personajes de Bronte, estuve dispuesta a comprarme a la Jane de Ironskin, ya que el paralelo a su apariencia desfavorable por medio de una maldición es bastante interesante. Creo que la idea original es buena y se combinaron los elementos de manera correcta.
El problema fue Rochard. Aunque Rochester de Jane Eyre tiene muuuucho para cuestionar, al menos es un deleite de leer; es al mismo tiempo chocante y carismático. Rochard, en cambio, tiende más a lo chocante. El misterio a su alrededor es aburrido y la química entre él y Jane es bastante mala. Aunado a la parte de la importancia de la belleza en la sociedad, que no es tratada con los matices apropiados considerando que la historia de origen era sobre dos personas que rechazan las opiniones sociales sobre su apariencia y se proclaman mutuamente conectados por la parte sentimental, intelectual y moral más que por lo físico.
No sé si leería más de esto. Aunque parece que las secuelas abordan más a fondo los elementos mágicos de la historia sin involucrar tanto a Jane y Rochard, no estoy segura de que sea incentivo suficiente.
El problema fue Rochard. Aunque Rochester de Jane Eyre tiene muuuucho para cuestionar, al menos es un deleite de leer; es al mismo tiempo chocante y carismático. Rochard, en cambio, tiende más a lo chocante. El misterio a su alrededor es aburrido y la química entre él y Jane es bastante mala. Aunado a la parte de la importancia de la belleza en la sociedad, que no es tratada con los matices apropiados considerando que la historia de origen era sobre dos personas que rechazan las opiniones sociales sobre su apariencia y se proclaman mutuamente conectados por la parte sentimental, intelectual y moral más que por lo físico.
No sé si leería más de esto. Aunque parece que las secuelas abordan más a fondo los elementos mágicos de la historia sin involucrar tanto a Jane y Rochard, no estoy segura de que sea incentivo suficiente.
hollylynna's review
3.0
Great steam punk reselling of Beauty and the Beast..with a twist. Looking forward to copperhead.