This was a surprisingly good read, although I think part of the reason for that was because I had really low expectations to begin with. I was expecting a typical paranormal plot... which it kind of was, but despite all the cliches, I became very engrossed in the story and came to like most of the characters.

Tess is the maid of the once-wealthy Lisle family, accompanying them on their journey to the United States aboard the RMS Titanic. She is secretly planning to leave her service with the family once in New York, in hopes of making a new life for herself in the new country. But even before she steps aboard the famous steamship, she runs into some trouble involving the handsome Alexander Marlowe and his dangerous companion, Mikhael. With this, she is pulled into a world of dark secrets and romance, all set against the backdrop of the Titanic's first and last voyage.

Although the plot used many familiar tropes, there are a few unexpected twists. Claudia Gray did a good job in keeping them secret and revealing each one slowly over the course of the book. The characters are basically all familiar archetypes, but I did like that Tess was described as very pragmatic, even to the point of another character pointing out the fact that she lacks imagination.

Gray also tried to flesh out the minor characters, and I felt that is was mostly done well. I enjoyed seeing the contrast between Tess' life of servitude and the lifestyles of the Lisle family. I would have like a bit more information about Mikhael. As a villain, his motivations were explained but more so in the context of the greater Brotherhood; I would have like to see a bit more information about him personally, why he's so loyal to the Brotherhood, etc. The Brotherhood itself could have used some fleshing out. It's supposed to be this big scary organization but I didn't quite feel that from the book.

The romance developed quite quickly but that is to be expected when the ship had less than a week to journey. You can argue that it's unrealistic, but this is one of the few times that the whole instant connection trope actually worked for me. Psychologically speaking, attraction is heightened when there's some sort of stimulation to put the person in an excited state. Being in this state tends to amplify any emotions a person might have. In this case, the feelings of excitement, trepidation, uncertainty and hope that came with being on the Titanic, on her journey towards a new life, would be more than enough of a stimulant for Tess. All the roiling emotions would have put her in a more high-strung/excited state, so when confronted with a handsome young man, it's understandable that she'd be quickly attracted to him. I also liked the fact that Gray did not skirt around the issue of sex, especially with the historical setting, and addressed it head on.

The setting was not used as well as it could. There is a lot of name-dropping of turn-of-the-century historical figures, which really added nothing to the story and seemed more like Gray's misguided attempt to sound knowledgeable. The author's note at the end of the book reveals that while she did do some research for the novel, she was not terribly concerned with the details. This definitely showed, as it often felt like the research Gray did for the book consisted of rewatching James Cameron's movie. (On that note, fans of Cameron's Titanic would definitely enjoy this book, as it has all the romance and drama that the movie is known for.) I will say that knowledge of the Titanic's fate did add a layer of suspense to the novel. Readers will be on the edge of their seats, anticipating the big event, and wondering what it will mean for the characters. ( )

Werewolves on the titanic. Really? ( )

Pretty good. Pretty good.

It's always funny reading a book loosely based on a historic diaster.

I knew the book was going to sink, I knew it was coming. April 14th. But when that part of the book came I was scared. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. But I knew!!

It definitely held my attention. Throwing in a werewolf too. It's a book after my own heart. I loved it.

I wanted the love story between Alec and Tess to work sooooo bad. Class barriers need to be broken. Even in fiction. ( )

Due stelle e mezza.
Mi aspettavo sicuramente di più visto quanto mi è piaciuta la saga di Evernight.
La causa si può forse attribuire all'ambientazione, ovvero la nave del Titanic, in quanto anche il film non è stato uno dei miei preferiti.
Inotre i due protagonisti si innamorano fin troppo in fretta, senza contare che tutti i personaggi sono assolutamente prevedibili. C'è però da dire che in un paio di scene mi sono lievemente commossa. L'autrice è riuscita anche questa volta ad esprimere al meglio sia i momenti di tensione che quelli più romantici, e sono presenti anche alcuni colpi di scena (sebbene l'ultimo mi abbia lasciata piuttosto scettica perché sconvolge un po' troppo la figura del lupo mannaro).
Resta il fatto che Fateful è una storia senza troppe pretese, dalla trama lineare che forse sarebbe meglio rendere più complicata per coinvolgere il lettore.
( )

Fateful. It is fate that I found this book. Seriously, it rescued me from fallen angel hades and took me back in time. To something I have always been fascinated with. The Titanic. I was in fifth grade when the movie came out. It was the first actual adult movie I was ever interested in, I was never interested in TV much as a kid. My grandmother took me to see it, I cried like a baby. I can't even tell you the kinda feels that movie gave me. Even now at 28 I still die a little inside everytime I watch it. Reading this book, gave me those same kinda feels..except, thank God, *spoiler alert* this book had a happy ending.

This book takes you on the incredible journey of the Titanics's voyage and sinking. But by the time the actual sinking occurs you will be so engrossed by the unfolding story, that you will be taken by surprise. Also did I mention that this book has werewolves? Because it does. And it is magnificent.

This is the story of 18yr old Tess. A ladies maid to a wealthy family. Tess doesn't plan to be a maid forever. As the family she works for is sailing to America on the Titanic's maiden voyage. She plans to ditch the family as soon as the ship docks and rebuild her life in America. What her plans don't include: falling in love.

Alec is a first class passenger. Born into wealth, his life seems to be that of any other young heir. That he will marry well and take over the family business. However, normal is not in the cards for Alec. He harbors a dark secret, one that will deter the course if his life forever.

If you haven't figured it out yet...he's a werewolf! Yay!

On the run from a brotherhood of werewolves that seek him out, to join their pack. Alec wishes to remove himself from his family's name and live a life in solitude. However strange circumstances throw Tess and Alec together and over the course of a few days they fall in love. But the road to happily ever after for these two will not be met without obstacles.

A fight for freedom against a crazed brotherhood, the improbability of two different classes of people mixing, during a time when wealth and titles were everything and tragedy that will shake the world or its very core. Two young lovers stand to lose everything they've hoped and dreamed for. Even their lives.

This was a good one y'all! I liked this even better than The Siren. And that happens to be my favorite book, so I guess I have a new fave!

Nothing melts my heart more than a historical romance. I know I've said that before and I will most likely say it again. But it's something that will always ring true for me. The romance portrayed in this book was literally heart pounding. Tess and Alec may have fallen in love over the course of a few days, but this was no insta love I assure you. Annnd my favorite part... unlike most ya books, neither of them hated each other to begin with. Alec wasn't a jerk to her, he didn't try to make her stay away from him bc of what he was. In fact quite the opposite. They knew how they felt about each other and they were happy to show it to the other. Thier romance established beautifully. And the inevitable doom that lie ahead of them made it that much sweeter. My heart twisted in hope and heartbreak everytime they were together.

This story had plenty of twists and unforseen circumstances to keep you on your toes, wondering what would happen next. The actual sinking and Titanic storyline was tastefully done. I like how the author mixed enough reality and fictional aspects together to tie the two stories together. While the story of the Titanic is fascinating on its own, this was very fun and unique twist.

Action is this book was on point. There was never a dull moment. And can I take a few to talk about the characters in this book? Tess. Is my all time favorite character, she had actual thoughts. He mind didn't dwell on Alec 24/7. While she does love and miss him and want to be with him, she's a practical girl and knows that the chances they have of being together are slim to none. Alec was a great character as well. This story is told from Tess's pov, so while we don't see what happens to him while Tess isn't around we see enough to know the kind of man he is and that he's genuinely a good person that truly loves Tess and would do anything to be with her and protect her.

The secondary characters were very well done also. I basically just loved this book and everything in it.

The historical aspect of this book is what drew me in, but the fantasy part kept me reeling. Absolutely a worthy read! ( )