I usually don't read much pirate or highlander stories, in the fear that I might not like them. But this one was different than many others. In terms of plot and characters, it is definitely a must read book for those who love action packed pirate or highlander books.

 

The characters, specially the main characters of the story are wonderfully built. Pandora, the lead is quite a unique character. I guess her unique upbringing contributed to it as well. As a heroine, Pandora is a mix of everything that will compel you to like her. She is strong willed and full of self confidence. She can be a bit manipulative at times but I like when the female leads do that so overall, I really really liked her.

 

Ewan, as the hero, was no less. He is nice and charming and totally an amazing person. His aim is to bring a traitor’s corpse to King Henry VIII's court. Fate throws this feisty unique girl in his way.  He doesn't seem to be someone wanting to get involved with a women in a sentimental or emotional way but still when he meets Dory, he cannot help falling for her, even if he doesn't realize that at first. His primary motive is to protect her from the crisis she is facing, and the love attraction happens somewhere along that road. I liked how McCollum has shown Ewan's disliking for the London life and yet his attitude of not giving up.

 

The overall setting seemed good and appropriate for the  plot. It matched up to the gothic-ness of the storyline. And as I've mentioned about me not knowing about the original story, I have a feeling this book successfully lives up to the setting of the original book as well.

 

As for the heroine, I liked Katrina at the beginning. But I wasn't convinced by the way she acted and felt. Sure, love, for me, is almost a crucial and inseparable element in every story. I don't have issues with Kat falling daydreaming about Ichabod within a short span of time. But while the village is in terror of the Sleepy Hollow, it's not really a good time for her to be ready to risk everything she has and everyone around her for that one person she's barely known. I'm always up for the element of romance and love, but such a kind seems unrealistic to me. Moreover, I think I would have like Katrina a lot better if she had sounded a little less modern compared to the age she belonged to. It was pretty much the same for other characters. It seemed anachronistic and I find that disappointing.

 

The mystery element is really good. It is probably one of the things that made me go for a 3 star rating. Even if you don't like the characters, or find the love part too unrealistic, you'd still find it hard enough skip reading it, mostly because of the well-built mystery. However, I'm not satisfied with the ending because, well, I wasn't expecting that kind of an ending. Anything else would have been better, but all the expectations I had throughout the story went away as soon as I reached the ending :( And there were questions left till the end with no logic given, which is a let down for me. This looks like a standalone so no luck in hoping to find answers in the next book either :(

 

Concept-wise, it is a really good book. I loved the setting too, as already mentioned. I feel the characters needed a little shaping. Also, if the suspense was carried out in a more successful way till the end, I would have simply loved the book. Nevertheless, if you are a Sleepy Hollow fan or like to read re-tellings (like me) I would suggest you to give it a try. Don't have great expectations, but it still a nice book :)

Eee-Ho!

 

(Okay that sounded weird -_-)

Never mind, I wasn't up for this review this soon, you know. Only because I had not read the book and was planning to do so later this month. But then, I saw the second book and people fangirling everywhere and I knew in that very moment that I HAD to read this. FAST. Because usually I don't request review copies of a series until I have done reviewing the first. So that little realization made me forget every goddamn thing in the world and finish it within a day! Can you believe it? It's rare for me to finish a book on impulse just like that. But I did it. And now, I'm utterly proud of myself B) Another plus side, I'm participating in a Historical Fiction reading challenge this year and this book was a cherry on top...one shot two birds, as they say (or whatever the proverb is).

 

Let me say what I really, really reeeallly liked it. I liked the plot, the whole theme and sub themes of the novel. It is so well built, I just felt like hugging Megan Shepherd at certain points (and it's rare for me to say that about an author) Really, THAT great! It has every element you would look for in a Gothic sounding historical fiction; it has the element of mystery, the touch of horror, a world full of possibilities and impossibilities, along with the not-so-absent theme of love and romance. Uh, yes, that reminds me why I gave it a 4.5, I am not a big fan of triangle (or any angled) love stories. I'm more of a straight line person..On the two sides a boy and a girl work just fine for me. I'm a peace-loving person you see, what's the need of an unnecessary heartbreak? (Of course, a girl always loves attention, the more the better ;)) So if you are a deep fan of triangle-ish love stories and movies and cry your heart out when the cool guys (or the hot guys depending on your taste) don't seem to find anybody else (for instance, you) to like and love other than the only one lead, this book is what you are looking for. Go get it tiger!...okay that was a wrong expression..but never mind, again :p

Moving on from the mushy gushy romantic part to other things, I liked the mystery element. I've always loved good mystery reads. And yet, I have found very few books that are actually worth reading and recommending. This book, I suggest, is definitely worth a try, specially if you are a sucker for mystery like me!

Now the female lead, Juliet Moreau. When I had read the blurb, I remember feeling immediately sorry for her. A crazy psychotic experimenting father? Poor girl. How is she supposed to deal with it? But I was wrong. Juliet definitely isn't some damsel-in-distress, a poor life fallen into a sudden tempest. She is what I usually like in a heroine. She's smart, sensible, independent, strong enough to keep her head calm after the life altering revelations. Even her efforts to prove her worth to her father is very commendable.

On that note, I really didn't like Dr. Moreau at first. In fact, I hated him for being such a sexist at times. Okay, I see that Juliet is a 'complication' to his experiments, his 'blissful life of solitude', but come on! She is his daughter right? He can't just be such a male chauvinist a** to her! *sulk* But yes, I couldn't hate him for long, though I often felt like throwing him off from a rooftop. Author Megan Shepherd has created a character so unique in itself that you cannot help liking it for it's uniqueness.

 

And then, the boys. Rarely in my life have I liked two boys in one book at once. In Twilight,I was Team un-Edward (that left me no choice other than being a Team Jacob though I didn't even like him that way, I liked none there:). But here, I developed a soft corner for both Edward and Montgomery. Okay, maybe a little more for the latter, specially after seeing his efforts to convince Juliet of his change of heart (does that sound more religious?). But Edward was good, I'm not saying he was good in a good way; I mean he was, but then he was like....okay that's confusing but you'll know once you read it, and I believe you would be surprised to see his character sketch till the end as well;)

 

To balance it off a little, I often felt at some points the novel was a tiny bit dragging the plot. Now I guess, when you have planned to do a trilogy, it's something that automatically comes. So I'm okay with it, because the plot is indeed interesting and I look forward to read the next books.

 

I have never read The Island of Dr. Moreau by H G Wells, the book that is said to be an inspiration for this book. And now I'm afraid to read that, as I don't want to let go of the feeling this book had given me. Okay, I may still give it a try, but not now. I'm having a Madman Hangover @_@ 

 

The ending was one of the best parts of the book. The kind of ending that leaves you craving for more. And when it's a trilogy, you cannot help praying that the second book in series comes out soon, before you die out of anticipation. And now that I know the second one is going to be out soon, you can easily imagine the Madman ion I am charged with (do I sound like a chemistry student? I'm so not one)!

 

On a finishing note, I would say I haven't read a book with so deep a theme so successfully woven into a plot. If you love to have a great historical fiction in your hands, this is it. If you love a love triangle that offers a nice plot without butchering the main storyline, this is it. If you love Frankenstein, this is it. If you love The Tempest, this is it. If you love The Mysterious Island, this is it. Forget everything...if you just love books unconditionally, then THIS IS IT. Period.