Fallen Grace

 

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Fallen Grace by Mary Hooper is reminiscent of a lot of Gothic literature. A young woman will good character is forced into isolation by someone in authority only for that person to attempt to steal their inheritance with death and the afterlife a strong symbol throughout the story. This is the basic plot of many works of literature as well as this new YA novel. (Trigger warning: there is mention of rape by an unknown man towards the beginning of the book but it's handled delicately.)

I received this book in a box of books that my cousin was getting rid of and only now decided to pick it up and read it. Right away, we are introduced to the protagonist, Grace Parkes, as she is on her way to bury her still-born child by sneaking him into the coffin of another person. Its here she meets the almost all of the other key characters like the Unwins and James. Later, we also meet her sister, Lily, who is described as "simple."

I'm a little ashamed to say that out of all the characters, even the most despicable ones like Sly Unwin, Lily was the one I liked the least. She's a necessary part of the story and creates great conflict for Grace when they're together, but I really didn't like her. I'm not sure if it's the way she's written (I got strong Miggry Sow vibes from the Tale of Desperaux from her) or if it was the fact once she and Grace were separated, I wasn't really invested in her end of the story until Grace needs to find her. Like I said, the story doesn't work without her, but I wasn't a fan of how she was done. 

Grace on the other hand is a great character. Since the story takes place during the Victorian era, Grace is depicted as a proper young lady, quiet and patient when she has every right to be angry and critical of the world she lives in. In a genre where young women tend to be aggressive and destined to fight, it was refreshing to see someone on the other end of the spectrum. 

I also enjoyed seeing a story that takes full advantage of it's cast of characters. People who could have only appeared in one scene reapear and provide some kind of service to Grace beyond their initial appearances. There are very few named characters that are not used more than once. 

It was also nice to see that this story is not a romance. It is a coming of age, gothic literature throw back, historical fiction piece but there is no love interest. While Grace and James do seem to have a closer relationship, Grace quickly follows this realization with the fact that (at the time) she's a poor working girl who would not make a good match for someone going into law. Even at the end, their relationship remains one of friendship though it's hinted that it could become something more. 

The story is a little slower with more of a mystery air to it once the reader realizes the Unwin's plot against the Parkes sisters and there are no grand action scenes. The big reveal is handled as a proper meeting between Grace and James sitting on a park bench, and even the spy work is fitting for a young lady. There is one chase scene through London fog, but the climax does feel a little dulled by the sense of "proper" if you're used to bigger and grander scenes from other books.I might also blame the simplicity of the writing for this, but truth be told, I could not put this book down. When I did finish it, I was satisfied, but not sad to be done. Often when I finish a book, I need a day before I can move on to something else. This wasn't the case with Fallen Grace. I read it. I was happy with the ending. And I picked up another book. 

If calm, historical pieces are your type of story, I would recommend reading this, even if it's just to get you out of a slump or while you're busy with work or school. It's not a rock-your-world type of book, but it's an enjoyable one.