Tag: Bewitching Season

WWW Wednesdays

Published on by Amanda Von Hoffmann4 Comments

WWW Wednesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

I’m currently reading:

Sarah’s Story by Ruth Elwin Harris

This historical novel is February’s group read for the Kindred Spirits group I belong to on Goodreads. I’m getting an early start! Kindred Spirits is a group for fans of L.M. Montgomery. Sarah’s Story was chosen as a group read for being written “in the spirit of L.M. Montgomery.”

I recently finished:

Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle

My best friend gave me this YA Historical Fantasy on New Year’s Eve.

 

Next I’m reading:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

It seems like everyone is raving about The Hunger Games Trilogy lately, so I have to see what it’s all about. I’ve interlibrary loaned this novel. Can’t wait for it to arrive!

On Bewitching Season

Published on by Amanda Von Hoffmann3 Comments

If Jane Austen and J.K. Rowling coauthored a book, they would write something like Bewitching Season . In this novel, seventeen-year-old twins Persephone (Persy) and Penelope (Pen) Leland are about to begin their first London season when their beloved and magical governess, Miss Allardyce, is kidnapped. The Lelands receive a note from Miss Allardyce explaining that she must tend to a family illness. The twins sense that the note is a cover story and start investigating her mysterious disappearance while in the midst of a whirlwind of balls, teas, and suitors.

The novel focuses on Persy, the twin who is more studious and less outgoing. Persy struggles with society’s expectations, self doubt and her feelings for Lochinvar–childhood tormentor turned perfect mate. A lot of the conflict in this novel is Austenesque: misunderstandings arise from lack of communication and the constraints of propriety. These conflicts are alternately frustrating and hilarious.

This novel was a light, fun read, combining two of my favorite genres: fantasy and historical fiction. One of the highlights is that author Marissa Doyle includes a young Queen Victoria as a likable and memorable character.

My best friend gave me this book on New Year’s Eve. I’ll be reading the sequel when she finishes it.

Finished: January 16, 2011