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3.21 AVERAGE
3.21 AVERAGE
Just really enjoyed it- although it was a bit more disturbing than I had thought it would be. Which might be a plus to some people.
I STILL CAN'T GET OVER THE ENDING - JANE STUMBLING AROUND WITH HER FACE RIPPED OFF????? EDWARD JUST SLAMMING THE WINDOW DOWN ONTO HIS HANDS INTO IRON NAILS????? It was such a WTF moment as I was reading it... I cannot even imagine if someone attempted to turn that scene into something visual...
This book is really interesting from the start based off of the unique twists the author has made to the standard fantasy/alternative reality world. The fae do not have actual bodies, but rather can steal the bodies of humans that they have killed. If you are only injured, then you are left with a fae curse. I won't go into too much detail, as that'd be "spoilers", but wearing a mask of iron helps the main character control her curse and its' effects on the people around her. This sets up a curious background for the Jane Eyre-like plot. It took only one chapter to start to feel connected to the main character, Jane, but the overall star (in my mind) is Poole (the butler). Poole is awesome. She only really comes into focus the last half of the book, but I'd love to read an entire novel about her! We only learn a small amount about her background, but what she does reveal is extremely interesting (at least to my over-exuberant imagination).
I would definitely recommend reading this book if you are into fantasy, steampunk or jane eyre.
I would definitely recommend reading this book if you are into fantasy, steampunk or jane eyre.
An Endeavour Award submission. An okay fantasy. Yet another faerie world intermixing with the real world but in this one the Fae were at war and apparently lost or at least withdrew to fight a quieter war. Basically a Victorian novel with magic and a governess and a young charge, which also basically means I didn't like it much. However the details of the Faerie technology had potential. 3.5 of 5.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5
If you haven't guessed by the synopsis, this is a sort of Jane Eyre retelling. I didn't realize it was when I requested it, so I was stuck with it, hoping that it was a decent story.
And it was. I was surprised. I usually don't read these kinds of fantasy stories, but I think the 'Eyreish' qualities of the story is what kept me focused. And somehow, the book managed to pay homage to Jane Eyre, while still being its own story. Also, the story seems to take place in an alternate past setting. Although never specified, it definitely doesn't take place in current times.
The book was slow going at first, but a little more than halfway through, it started to pickup, and then the action didn't stop. There were a lot of 'holy crap, did that just happen?' moments.
There will be a sequel, and I'm interested in how that's going to go. Perhaps that will be even more of its own story, and less Jane Eyreish.
If you haven't guessed by the synopsis, this is a sort of Jane Eyre retelling. I didn't realize it was when I requested it, so I was stuck with it, hoping that it was a decent story.
And it was. I was surprised. I usually don't read these kinds of fantasy stories, but I think the 'Eyreish' qualities of the story is what kept me focused. And somehow, the book managed to pay homage to Jane Eyre, while still being its own story. Also, the story seems to take place in an alternate past setting. Although never specified, it definitely doesn't take place in current times.
The book was slow going at first, but a little more than halfway through, it started to pickup, and then the action didn't stop. There were a lot of 'holy crap, did that just happen?' moments.
There will be a sequel, and I'm interested in how that's going to go. Perhaps that will be even more of its own story, and less Jane Eyreish.
I want to review this carefully, because I honestly feel that 2 stars is a little generous.
First: Jacket cover blurbs compare this to Beauty and the Beast and Jane Eyre, with a steampunk edge. The author even makes a reference in her acknowledgements that people kept telling her that "your book wants to be Jane Eyre," which she denies knowledge of, and then disingenuously praises Charlotte Bronte's Vilette.
Her book has some pretty serious plot similarities. Jane Eliot, protagonist, falls in love with her employer (Edward Rochart) while being governess to his child. He has a hideous secret, there's a Blanche Ingleby roaming around here and there, and Jane has a sister named Helen. She's fired from a Lowood style school (the name is even similar, though I wouldn't swear to it without the book actually being in hand). Rochart even has his own variety of shocking marital partner.
You don't get to pretend you aren't copying a classic work just because you don't devotedly hit every plot point.
For me, the power of Jane Eyre is in a woman making decisions based on what is right, not what seems easiest or most comfortable. That element is utterly absent from this book.
Second: Jane Eliot is the beast - at least physically. She was caught in a bomb blast that marred her face, and she can either wear an iron mask and be a freak or leave it off be a nightmare. Either way, she is focused intently on her appearance. And it isn't true love that restores her beauty, either. It's a desperate vanity and an ill-advised magical plastic surgery. Since the novel is rife with Jane's snide contempt of other women seeking surgical improvement, her eager participation feels hypocritical.
Third: The romance that isn't. There's minimal conversation and interaction. There are just a handful of conversations that indicate interest between Jane and Rochart. The romance doesn't even feel like the point of the story, which makes its presence even more lame.
Fourth: Heavy handed references that fail to deliver. Edward Rochart, in two conversations with Jane, references both Beauty and the Beast and Tam Lin fairy tales. There are hints and elements of both, without really honoring either.
Fifth: Tell me why the fey are the bad guys again? War, sure- but the person telling the story usually gets to decide who the good guys are. As I understood it: 1) humans were polluting pigs (which is a common modern theme); 2) the fey offered fey tech so humans could stop polluting; 3) it worked for a while; 4) humans built more factories, with more pollution; so 5) the fey went to war, with bombs, decaying tech, and a zombie-like habitation of dead human bodies. I'm pretty sure a modern sensibility includes caring about the environment (and that zombies are cool). In fact, inhabiting a dead body is just the ultimate in recycling.
This isn't a focused review- but it's an accurate reflection of the unfocused feel of the book. It looked and felt as though she couldn't decide what she wanted it to be, so she did a fey-zombie like cannibalization of the works that she referenced, without including any of their best moments.
First: Jacket cover blurbs compare this to Beauty and the Beast and Jane Eyre, with a steampunk edge. The author even makes a reference in her acknowledgements that people kept telling her that "your book wants to be Jane Eyre," which she denies knowledge of, and then disingenuously praises Charlotte Bronte's Vilette.
Her book has some pretty serious plot similarities. Jane Eliot, protagonist, falls in love with her employer (Edward Rochart) while being governess to his child. He has a hideous secret, there's a Blanche Ingleby roaming around here and there, and Jane has a sister named Helen. She's fired from a Lowood style school (the name is even similar, though I wouldn't swear to it without the book actually being in hand). Rochart even has his own variety of shocking marital partner.
You don't get to pretend you aren't copying a classic work just because you don't devotedly hit every plot point.
For me, the power of Jane Eyre is in a woman making decisions based on what is right, not what seems easiest or most comfortable. That element is utterly absent from this book.
Second: Jane Eliot is the beast - at least physically. She was caught in a bomb blast that marred her face, and she can either wear an iron mask and be a freak or leave it off be a nightmare. Either way, she is focused intently on her appearance. And it isn't true love that restores her beauty, either. It's a desperate vanity and an ill-advised magical plastic surgery. Since the novel is rife with Jane's snide contempt of other women seeking surgical improvement, her eager participation feels hypocritical.
Third: The romance that isn't. There's minimal conversation and interaction. There are just a handful of conversations that indicate interest between Jane and Rochart. The romance doesn't even feel like the point of the story, which makes its presence even more lame.
Fourth: Heavy handed references that fail to deliver. Edward Rochart, in two conversations with Jane, references both Beauty and the Beast and Tam Lin fairy tales. There are hints and elements of both, without really honoring either.
Fifth: Tell me why the fey are the bad guys again? War, sure- but the person telling the story usually gets to decide who the good guys are. As I understood it: 1) humans were polluting pigs (which is a common modern theme); 2) the fey offered fey tech so humans could stop polluting; 3) it worked for a while; 4) humans built more factories, with more pollution; so 5) the fey went to war, with bombs, decaying tech, and a zombie-like habitation of dead human bodies. I'm pretty sure a modern sensibility includes caring about the environment (and that zombies are cool). In fact, inhabiting a dead body is just the ultimate in recycling.
This isn't a focused review- but it's an accurate reflection of the unfocused feel of the book. It looked and felt as though she couldn't decide what she wanted it to be, so she did a fey-zombie like cannibalization of the works that she referenced, without including any of their best moments.
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.
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.