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sarahcoller's review against another edition
4.0
This story got sillier the further in I got, but I still enjoyed it. It's rare that I enjoy an "inspirational" fiction since so many are so contrived and preachy --- but this one wasn't that way. I've read her other story based on a book --- Lost in Darkness --- and knew this one would be just as well-written.
This one was fun with several nods to other stories: Pride and Prejudice shows up with the self-centered mother and a daughter closer to her father; Jane Eyre with the secret attic woman; Beauty and the Beast/Rigoletto with the, “kill the beast!” mentality.
I have just two complaints? questions? about the story. One---why does this author insist on really weird cuss words that I've never read anywhere in any actual Victorian literature? Her other story used the same: "Blast!" "Rot!" "Botheration??!!" A grown man cursing with, “Pooh”? WHY??????? Am I reading Dr Seuss or Roald Dahl? Maybe we’re cowboys…(“what in tarrrrnation?!”)
Secondly: why did she reference the CASTLE of Udolpho when the book is actually called The Mysteries of Udolpho?
Other than that, I'd say there may be hope for the inspirational fiction market after all...
This one was fun with several nods to other stories: Pride and Prejudice shows up with the self-centered mother and a daughter closer to her father; Jane Eyre with the secret attic woman; Beauty and the Beast/Rigoletto with the, “kill the beast!” mentality.
I have just two complaints? questions? about the story. One---why does this author insist on really weird cuss words that I've never read anywhere in any actual Victorian literature? Her other story used the same: "Blast!" "Rot!" "Botheration??!!" A grown man cursing with, “Pooh”? WHY??????? Am I reading Dr Seuss or Roald Dahl? Maybe we’re cowboys…(“what in tarrrrnation?!”)
Secondly: why did she reference the CASTLE of Udolpho when the book is actually called The Mysteries of Udolpho?
Other than that, I'd say there may be hope for the inspirational fiction market after all...
talesandtreatswithtay's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A perfect read for the fall season but especially October!
I love a tall, dark, brooding love interest who is more than he seems and is misunderstood except by the leading lady--that is Sir James Morgan to a t!
The atmosphere is particularly potent in this book- you feel the chill in the air and the fog! I thought it was so interesting how Griep created a "real world" that had parallels to the classic tale of Dracula and seemingly had influence on Bram Stokers novel-- Stoker is even a character in this novel and asks Sir James for his input on Transylvania.
I LOVE historical notes and the one in this book is no exception to me--how she pulled elements from the Dracula novel and realblife events/places/people to create an all-new tale. I listened to the audiobook so while I was listening, the quotes at the beginning of each chapter were confusing and took me put of the story, but it was interesting that the Historical note explains they are lines from Dracula.
Content warning: disease, animal slaughter (not much detail), death
Christian fiction rating: 2/3
I love a tall, dark, brooding love interest who is more than he seems and is misunderstood except by the leading lady--that is Sir James Morgan to a t!
The atmosphere is particularly potent in this book- you feel the chill in the air and the fog! I thought it was so interesting how Griep created a "real world" that had parallels to the classic tale of Dracula and seemingly had influence on Bram Stokers novel-- Stoker is even a character in this novel and asks Sir James for his input on Transylvania.
I LOVE historical notes and the one in this book is no exception to me--how she pulled elements from the Dracula novel and realblife events/places/people to create an all-new tale. I listened to the audiobook so while I was listening, the quotes at the beginning of each chapter were confusing and took me put of the story, but it was interesting that the Historical note explains they are lines from Dracula.
Content warning: disease, animal slaughter (not much detail), death
Christian fiction rating: 2/3
radiant_reader_86's review
medium-paced
4.0
This book was the perfect October read. I loved that each chapter began with an excerpt from Dracula, and that Bram stroker was one of the characters.
This is the tale of Rosa, a woman working to spread literacy and stop silly tails, and James, a lonely man people think is a vampire. Then there is Albin , a man who wants to make Rosa his, and will stop at nothing to make it happen.
I enjoyed the romance, the mystery of whether there is, in fact, a vampire on the loose, and the many mentions of God.
“God brings people into our lives to walk beside us through our troubles, yet we are the ones who must open the door to let them in.”
This is the tale of Rosa, a woman working to spread literacy and stop silly tails, and James, a lonely man people think is a vampire. Then there is Albin , a man who wants to make Rosa his, and will stop at nothing to make it happen.
I enjoyed the romance, the mystery of whether there is, in fact, a vampire on the loose, and the many mentions of God.
“God brings people into our lives to walk beside us through our troubles, yet we are the ones who must open the door to let them in.”
jesforeverlostinbooks's review
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
"The world seems full of good men-even if there are monsters in it." -Bram Stoker, Dracula England, 1890
A perfect gothic mystery… a Dracula inspired tale full of historical elements, a swoony romance, monsters both vampires, & the Bargheust Hound plus a solid faith thread that you wouldn’t expect in a gothic novel. It was atmospheric, mystical, suspenseful & just the right amount of spooky… plus Bram Stoker makes a few appearances. I love a good author’s note & this one was full historical facts, the unusual terminology, and the unfamiliar legends. Plus I loved learning about the vampire disease, porphyria the symptoms & treatment of it during that time. It’s interesting to think about the poor people who suffered with it in such an era of superstition & folklore. What a wonderful mix of history, science, & romance! A beautifully written gothic tale that delves into themes of deep sorrow that is sure to touch your heart.
Vampires are alive & well in North Yorkshire, at least in the minds of the uneducated. Librarian Rosa Edwards intends to drive a stake through the heart of such superstitions. But gossip flies when the mysterious Sir James Morgan returns to his shadowy manor. The townsfolk say he is cursed. James hates everything about England. The weather. The rumours.
The scorn. Yet he must stay. His mother is dying of a disease for which he's desperately trying to find a cure
-an illness that will eventually take his own life. When Rosa sets out to prove the dark gossip about James is wrong, she discovers more questions than answers. I was captivated by the first chapter… the atmosphere is somber, a little eerie, & romantic. It’s a town gripped by fear & superstitions.
gretchenlouise's review
4.0
Had I read Bram Stoker's classic, Dracula, I'm sure I would have noticed many more parallels and references in Man of Shadow and Mist. However, I leave those kinds of gothic horror tales to others (despite the fact that Dracula is an epistolary tale, one of my favorite styles!).
Michelle Griep's Man of Shadow and Mist is not, as I feared, a retelling of Dracula. Instead, it is a gothic love story inspired by aspects of Stoker's tale--including the suspicion of vampirism.
There's an English girl and a baronet from Transylvania. But there's also a subscription library in addition to a grand but dreary manor. Man of Shadow and Mist is a story about the danger of superstitions and assumptions, and the power of love and loyalty. There's surprising redemption and an unexpected ending.
Even if you don't like vampire tales, this might be a book you'll enjoy. Man of Shadow and Mist is reminiscent of both George MacDonald and Joanna Davidson Politano.
Disclosure: I received a review copy from NetGalley; opinions are my own.
Michelle Griep's Man of Shadow and Mist is not, as I feared, a retelling of Dracula. Instead, it is a gothic love story inspired by aspects of Stoker's tale--including the suspicion of vampirism.
There's an English girl and a baronet from Transylvania. But there's also a subscription library in addition to a grand but dreary manor. Man of Shadow and Mist is a story about the danger of superstitions and assumptions, and the power of love and loyalty. There's surprising redemption and an unexpected ending.
Even if you don't like vampire tales, this might be a book you'll enjoy. Man of Shadow and Mist is reminiscent of both George MacDonald and Joanna Davidson Politano.
Disclosure: I received a review copy from NetGalley; opinions are my own.
bellesmoma2021's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I am loving the Of Monsters and Men series by Michelle Griep. Man of Shadow and Mist, book 2 of the series, is an absolute superb read. I loved every single minute of this seriously well-written and highly engaging Historical Romance. I am a super fan of all things from the Romantic period (c. 1798-1837), and Dracula is one such story I adore. I was very excited to see how Griep would play out her homage to Dracula — she did not disappoint. I found this story to be quite clever. I also found it to be excellently suspenseful and quite tense in several places. This story had me running the gamut of emotions: one minute I was thrilled by the budding romance growing between Rosa and James, and the next I wanted to smack some ignorant, ugly, dark-hearted humans. It was great! James is the BEST. What I really like about his character is that his faith is legit. He doesn’t just say he believes in God, he acts on it. My favorite scenes with James are the ones where he instictively wants to give up, blame God, choose the easier path, but then he scolds himself, “NO! I trust God!” These were such encouraging moments for me. I’ve been there. I’ve wanted to give up, too, but I get over myself and say NO. In this, James is an extremely relatable character. Rosa is a great heroine. She is feisty, intelligent, kind, and thoughtful of others. She is not a superstitious woman and refuses to hold any stock in things such as ghosts, vampires, mosters, etc. She is pragmatic (maybe to a fault) and chooses to deal in what she can prove. She is exactly the heroine James needs to remove him from the darkness of his own making; it was so much fun watching her navigate through that task. I really loved the chemistry between Rosa and James. It is electric! I flew through the pages with James and Rosa, and I love their happily ever after. As with all of Griep’s novels, Man of Shadow and Mist deals with quite a few timely themes that definitely get the reader thinking. I particularly appreciate the discussion on humanity and what makes a “good” person capable of grotesque acts. There are a few moments in this story where the supposed good people become the monsters. What I found intriguing is how Griep illustrates mob-mentality. How fickle and brainless a mob can be, how ignorant of actual truth they are, and how dangerous their actions not just towards the target of their rage, but towards innocent bystanders who just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. While I got incredibly frustrated by the mobbish aspects of this story, these moments did remind me just how dangerous unchecked emotion can be. They really can turn a good person bad. It pays to take a moment away from a situation and reaccess truth from feeling. This is a great reminder for all of us today.
Man of Shadow and Mist is another home run by Michelle Griep. I loved every minute of this story, and cannot recommend it enough. I implore you to get yourself a copy today. You do not want to miss out on yet another fantastic story by Griep.
I purchased a copy of this novel in eBook form from Amazon.com on May 14, 2023, in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
55_sallymander's review
4.0
4 stars, Superstitions
MAN OF SHADOW AND MIST (OF MONSTERS AND MEN, 2)
by Michelle Griep
A gothic romance, mystery about Rosa, who works in her father's lending library, and James who visits the lending library often for herbal concoctions, that Rosa's family also sells.
Rosa is trying to get her community to give up their superstitions, they see evil around every corner.
James is trying to find a remedy for the ailments that have struck his family.
Meanwhile, the community is on the hunt for vampires.
I received a complimentary copy of #ManOfShadowAndMist from #BarbourFiction I was under no obligation to post a review. #GothicRomance #Vampires #Mystery #InspyFiction #ChristianFiction
MAN OF SHADOW AND MIST (OF MONSTERS AND MEN, 2)
by Michelle Griep
A gothic romance, mystery about Rosa, who works in her father's lending library, and James who visits the lending library often for herbal concoctions, that Rosa's family also sells.
Rosa is trying to get her community to give up their superstitions, they see evil around every corner.
James is trying to find a remedy for the ailments that have struck his family.
Meanwhile, the community is on the hunt for vampires.
I received a complimentary copy of #ManOfShadowAndMist from #BarbourFiction I was under no obligation to post a review. #GothicRomance #Vampires #Mystery #InspyFiction #ChristianFiction