I've got another review for you all today. This time it is Lena Coakley's Worlds of Ink and Shadow. If you don't know what this book is about, it's a novel involving the Bronte's as characters and the worlds that they created. I didn't know that much about this book going into it, as is my preference. All I knew was that it had something to do with the Brontes. I had initially received this as a digital ARC from Netgalley, but I never really got around to reading it. Instead, I checked it out from my library and read it that way.
I love Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, though I don't believe I have read any of Anne's work. However, I know very little about their actual lives. Ink and Shadow created a fantastical version of the Bronte's lives. It used characters and worlds that the Bronte's had originally created during their lifetimes. I didn't know this while reading. Only afterward when the author explains this. I thought this was kind of cool.
Coakley weaves a story around the Bronte siblings and their creations that explains the way their lives ended up. I don't really want to say any more than this because I don't want to spoil anything. This book was actually done very well. I wasn't sure, in the very beginning, if I was going to like it or not. However, that rapidly changed. I flew through this book!
With the little knowledge that I do have of their lives, Ink and Shadow seems to have followed their lives fairly closely. At least the brief period that is a part of the story. This book inspired me to pick up another book from the library, called The Brontes by Juliet Barker. At the end of the story, Coakley mentions this book as one of the resources she relied upon for her story. I didn't know this when I went to get this, but found out later when I finished the story. Apparently from a little research I did, Barker's book is very highly regarded in the research world. If you, like I, want to learn more about the Brontes, I would suggest picking up Barker's book. A word of warning, it is a very long book! :)
Back to Ink and Shadow. In this story, Charlotte and Branwell can crossover into the stories that they created. They can shape the world and also participate in it, in whichever way they choose. All is well and good until things start to go awry and they begin losing control of their plots and characters.
The whole concept was really interesting. It would be so neat to be able to actually enter a story and interact with the characters! I've always liked stories that involve actually being able to enter and participate. So this was right up my alley to begin with. Coakley's writing style felt very proper. I'm not sure if it was right on target with the time period, but it seemed to be. At least, as much as it could be and still be understandable.
One thing that I really liked was the fact that Coakley had Emily learn from a mistake she makes. She trusts one of Branwell's characters by the name of Rogue, then he does something he said he wouldn't. The next time he tries to gain her trust, she doesn't believe him. I get so frustrated when characters make the same mistake over and over again. So this was a little refreshing. Although Rogue and Emily end up having a weird relationship and I was never quite sure if Rogue was being genuine or not.
Overall an interesting story and one that I really enjoyed. I gave World of Ink and Shadow 4 out of 5 stars.
Until next time,
Jenell
