Book Review: Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye

Genre: Historical Fiction
Publication: March 2016 by G.P. Putnam's Sons
Acquisition: received a free ARC at ALA Midwinter 2016

Synopsis:

Reader, I murdered him.

A Gothic retelling of Jane Eyre.

Like the heroine of the novel she adores, Jane Steele suffers cruelly at the hands of her aunt and schoolmaster. And like Jane Eyre, they call her wicked - but in her case, she fears the accusation is true. When she flees, she leaves behind the corpses of her tormentors.

A fugitive navigating London's underbelly, Jane rights wrongs on behalf of the have-nots whilst avoiding the noose. Until an advertisement catches her eye. Her aunt has died and the new master at Highgate House, Mr Thornfield, seeks a governess. Anxious to know if she is Highgate's true heir, Jane takes the position and is soon caught up in the household's strange spell. When she falls in love with the mysterious Charles Thornfield, she faces a terrible dilemma: can she possess him - body, soul and secrets - and what if he discovers her murderous past?

(from Goodreads)

5 / 5 Stars

I didn't like Jane Eyre at all when I was forced to read it in school many many moons ago. So, a Jane Eyre retelling? No thank you.

But wait, this one has murder you say? Murders actually? Well...ok, I'll give it a go.

So glad I did because Jane Steele is fantastic!

All the ridiculousness I hated in Jane Eyre is gone and all the murdery goodness that I like (in books!) is totally here.

Ok, it's not all murder. There is also romance - which! Is so actually authentic and genuine and not flighty in the least! *cough* Mr. Rochester *cough*.

Everything in the original is given a fun twist in Jane Steele.

Mundane miserable childhood + horrible boarding school experience?
Crazy miserable childhood + fantastically wicked boarding school experience!

Seemingly perfect romance with flaky, boring, hiding-ALL-the-secrets poor excuse for a man?
Ridiculously imperfect romance with intriguing, secrets-are-the-new-sexy, adorably nurturing man!

Heroine I felt like slapping every other page?
Heroine I knew would slap me first for being so judgmental!

Love, love, love, love Jane Steele.

If you're a fan of Jane Eyre or if you hated it like me - this one's for you.

If you like Gothic romance (that actually makes sense) - this one's for you.

If you like your romance with a hefty side of actual relevant and thought provoking content - this one's for you.

Basically, I think this one's for everyone!

So very glad I didn't let that other Jane keep me away. Ms. Steele would be proud ;)