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janinereader's review against another edition
3.0
A sci-fi reimagining of Jane Eyre? Count me in! While the story was very original in its concept, and while Stella and Hugo had their moments, I sometimes found it hard to believe their relationship. I'll definitely say the ending may be a little disappointing, but hey, if you want a niche book that'll fulfill a love of scifi and historical classics, give it a chance.
storiedadventures's review against another edition
3.0
For a full review, check out my blog, https://storiedadventures.blog
*I received an e-arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Jane Eyre in space? Heck yes! Have I read Jane Eyre? Nope! But this book made me want to!
This book was up and down for me. There were parts I sped read through because I didn't really care, and parts I took my time with for fear of missing information. The characters were kind of boring but the plot was very interesting. The writing was okay. Not the best, not the worst.
I did NOT like the fact that the author didn't address the alcoholism more. Hugo is an alcoholic and to my knowledge didn't stop being one. Unless it was implied and I missed it, the author should have made that a stronger plot point.
*I received an e-arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Jane Eyre in space? Heck yes! Have I read Jane Eyre? Nope! But this book made me want to!
This book was up and down for me. There were parts I sped read through because I didn't really care, and parts I took my time with for fear of missing information. The characters were kind of boring but the plot was very interesting. The writing was okay. Not the best, not the worst.
I did NOT like the fact that the author didn't address the alcoholism more. Hugo is an alcoholic and to my knowledge didn't stop being one. Unless it was implied and I missed it, the author should have made that a stronger plot point.
sheffner07's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this! It was just the right mix of romance, suspense, and sci-fi. The author did a great job with retelling Jane Eyre, as well as adding her own elements to the story. The ending was a little abrupt, but overall, it was a fast, entertaining read.
nezha's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 (?) stars
such a cute read aaaaa! loved the subtle links to jane eyre (and even wuthering heights!). the characters were so adorable and fun. I feel like some things could’ve been done differently to make me love this even more but I was quite entertained all throughout. The one thing I was thinking about after it was over..WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CATS!
such a cute read aaaaa! loved the subtle links to jane eyre (and even wuthering heights!). the characters were so adorable and fun. I feel like some things could’ve been done differently to make me love this even more but I was quite entertained all throughout. The one thing I was thinking about after it was over..WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CATS!
rynflynn12's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
cynsworkshop's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A sci-fi retelling of Jane Eyre, Brightly Burning takes readers into Earth Orbit and follows Stella as she becomes a governess on the mysterious Rochester ship.
Thoroughly engaging, Brightly Burning is a unique retelling of a classic that does not fail to build up its own story with thrilling plot twists.
Inventive, Gothic & Romantic
I love Jane Eyre, the classic is one of my favorites, right next to Wuthering Heights, so when I saw this, I had to have it. After reading it, I’m a little angry at myself for letting it sit on my shelf for many years.
Due to a severe ice age, Stella and much of Earth’s civilization live on space shuttles orbiting Earth’s orbit. At the moment, no one knows when the ice age will finally dissipate. But time is running short as most of the ships were not built to survive past the initial projection.
For Stella, that’s her ship. Eager to escape the role of engineering and the death sentence of her ship that is slowly failing and crumbling around her, she applies to be a teacher/governess on the Rochester. And much to her luck, she succeeds.
A lot of mystery surrounds the Rochester that pulled out of orbit with the rest of the ships to orbit the moon. With a small tight crew, Stella can’t help but feel as though they are hiding something. Readers familiar with the tale can guess who and what they are hiding. But 18-year-old Stella is not faced with a scorned wife but rather with the scorned mother of Hugo, captain of the Rochester.
I love that plot twists because it allows the characters to truly bond with one another, especially over their love of reading. And it also gives some more depth and dimension to Hugo’s alcoholism and relationship with his little sister. At such a young age, he was robbed of a father and became the sole caretaker to his sister and mad mother.
But more secrets linger within the dark confines of the ship that threaten more than his family’s safety, putting the well-being of the fleet in danger. Secrets Stella uncovers, making her public enemy number one. Save one or save thousands? Stella would rather sacrifice her happiness to reveal the corruption and save thousands.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely loved this novel. Brightly Burning took something I loved and breathed new and inventive life into it.
hijinx_abound's review against another edition
3.0
A sci fi mash up of Jane Eyre (with some tweaks) and Wall-E. Sounds awkward but it’s not.
I’m not a fan of the Brontes. Their work is too dark and moody and just depressingly tragic. But this book takes the better parts of Jane Eyre and repurposes them in space with Wall e elements that work in some weird way.
Earth has experienced another ice age so
Everyone lives on space ships. The wealthy, of course, are doing better than the poor and would prefer that the population be “diminished”. Many of the ships are on their last legs and cannot sustain the life aboard them.
A young orphan finds a job on a ship with a strange captain and his little sister. There is something sinister afoot in the ship but no one in talking. Bad things start to happen and then an entourage arrives from another ship with bratty girls and secrets of their own
I enjoyed the tweaks to the story and found this version of Jane eyre much more palatable than the original. Perhaps taking all the classics and sending them to space would help me enjoy them. (Gatsby in space?? I’d try it).
I’m not a fan of the Brontes. Their work is too dark and moody and just depressingly tragic. But this book takes the better parts of Jane Eyre and repurposes them in space with Wall e elements that work in some weird way.
Earth has experienced another ice age so
Everyone lives on space ships. The wealthy, of course, are doing better than the poor and would prefer that the population be “diminished”. Many of the ships are on their last legs and cannot sustain the life aboard them.
A young orphan finds a job on a ship with a strange captain and his little sister. There is something sinister afoot in the ship but no one in talking. Bad things start to happen and then an entourage arrives from another ship with bratty girls and secrets of their own
I enjoyed the tweaks to the story and found this version of Jane eyre much more palatable than the original. Perhaps taking all the classics and sending them to space would help me enjoy them. (Gatsby in space?? I’d try it).
alyson7's review against another edition
3.0
What if there was a retelling of Jane Eyre... but it took place years into the future... in space?
Two hundred years ago, the last of humanity left earth in large spaceships hoping that one day, the ice-encased earth will thaw and will be habitable once more. Meanwhile, seventeen-year-old Stella Ainsley longs to leave her ship and unrequited crush behind. After posting her name everywhere for a governess position, one ship accepts, The Rochester. The Rochester is unlike any ship, and its nineteen-year-old captain Hugo Fairfax is ever an enigma. As Stella draws closer to Hugo, she discovers that he might be hiding secrets from her, secrets that go beyond The Rochester.
So, right off the bat, it must be said that any retelling of Jane Eyre will never be as good as the original. To compare a retelling with Jane Eyre is like comparing the Mona Lisa to a pop art caricature. It cannot be compared. So, with that in mind, I proceeded to judge Brightly Burning for what it is, inspired by my favourite classic novel, and a space drama with romance.
Here is what I enjoyed: it's really inventive and creative. Stella leaps off the page and into our imagination. The book reads quickly and has a lot of action. Here is what I didn't like so much... Hugo. He's a drunk who is only nice to Stella. And there was something else about the book that fell a bit flat despite its creativity. Although it read quickly, I kept finding myself putting it down. It didn't have that "wow" factor. I didn't really see why Stella liked Hugo at all.
As a whole, it was a fun book and great concept, but lacked a bit on the execution.
Two hundred years ago, the last of humanity left earth in large spaceships hoping that one day, the ice-encased earth will thaw and will be habitable once more. Meanwhile, seventeen-year-old Stella Ainsley longs to leave her ship and unrequited crush behind. After posting her name everywhere for a governess position, one ship accepts, The Rochester. The Rochester is unlike any ship, and its nineteen-year-old captain Hugo Fairfax is ever an enigma. As Stella draws closer to Hugo, she discovers that he might be hiding secrets from her, secrets that go beyond The Rochester.
So, right off the bat, it must be said that any retelling of Jane Eyre will never be as good as the original. To compare a retelling with Jane Eyre is like comparing the Mona Lisa to a pop art caricature. It cannot be compared. So, with that in mind, I proceeded to judge Brightly Burning for what it is, inspired by my favourite classic novel, and a space drama with romance.
Here is what I enjoyed: it's really inventive and creative. Stella leaps off the page and into our imagination. The book reads quickly and has a lot of action. Here is what I didn't like so much... Hugo. He's a drunk who is only nice to Stella. And there was something else about the book that fell a bit flat despite its creativity. Although it read quickly, I kept finding myself putting it down. It didn't have that "wow" factor. I didn't really see why Stella liked Hugo at all.
As a whole, it was a fun book and great concept, but lacked a bit on the execution.