Thank you Penguin for this ARC
Don't read this book, it's not worth it.
I was intrigued by the premise, and the beginning started off strong and my interest was hooked. The moment Jane reached the manor everything went downhill and my regret came swiftly and grew as I slugged through the remainder.
Let me tell you what to expect from this book.
Characters that are very stereotypical, and many could not have been included for how little they matter to the plot, or how much attention is given to their development.
Some of the worst dialogue I've seen in a book, I had to stop frequently to send quotes to my friends it was so bad. Such lines* such as "My heart riffs Metallica. His thunders against my cheek, like the storm we escaped has found refuge within him." and "His scent is everywhere-in my bloodstream, mixed up with the tatters of my own shredded soul." are frequent and in certain chapters happen LITERALLY EVERY OTHER PARAGRAPH. Maybe they would have hit harder or been more swoony worthy if the characters actually had a developed relationship or cringey lines like that weren't happening every page.
Insta-love romance that makes no sense at the time, with such groundbreaking realizations such as Jane resisting everyone telling her she loves him, multiple times! MISS GIRL YOU'VE KNOWN HIM 3 DAYS!
A mc that falls into the "all the men want her trope". I don't know what it is about her but everyone wants to (and does) kiss her. More attention is given to Jane's drawings then the character herself, I had no investment in any of them at any moment in time.
Mostly angsty romance and less paranormal stuff happening. I just don't understand how any of them are even paranormal investigators considered they really can't do much with it. (You get tarot cards, and feelings, and drawings, but no way to actually truly fight the paranormal. The climax scene at the end physically pained me with how plot-holey it is.)
This is supposed to be a reimagining of Jane Eyre, I've never read the book myself so I did some research. According to Goodreads Jane Eyre is "a passionate depiction of a woman's search for equality and freedom". There is NOTHING remotely close to that in Strange Unearthly Things. It's not that it isn't even in the same ballpark, it's playing an entirely separate game! SUT focuses on an insta-love romance, and is incredibly one dimensional in its depiction of its characters. The only parallels that can be drawn between both books are the names. It is a very, very loose reimagining, and I highly doubt anyone would ever draw comparison between the two had it not been for the marketing blurb. (Quite frankly it is like saying Twilight is a reimagining of Great Expectations. (Though I think we all feel a nostalgia for the former at least)
When the ending and climax happened I think I was supposed to cry or feel sad, but instead I felt such relief that I was finally nearing the end and could stop reading. There is no attachment to the characters, so it's hard to care what happens to them. Because the romance is so immediately "omg I love you!" it's hard to even care what happens to either one in the relationship. Plus, I do think the (view spoiler)
In the epilogue Jane gives major pick me vibes, and I don't think I would ever want to be her friend. The way she thinks of Giovanni's new relationship is such a red flag. In her mind she (view spoiler)
Retellings/reimaginings are honestly so hit or miss. It sets high expectations for the story, and the fine line between original writing and copying the plot is really hard to walk. It's important to make the story your own, while at the same time if you're marketing it so heavily as a reimagining, making sure it actually is one.
I would NOT recommend this book! This is my first Kelly Creagh book, and at this point I don't think I would read another.
I can't even say the cover is a saving grace for the book, because I really think it has poor composition and design. If I saw it on a shelf my eyes would glaze over and I would probably just complain about how it looks.
*This is an ARC I read, so writing is subject to change and does not reflect the finished copy.