HFVBT: Review of Seduction

Seduction: A Novel of Suspense By M.J. Rose

Published by Atria Books

To be released on May 7, 2013

384 pages

Historical Fiction

Received from Historical Fiction Virtual Blog Tour in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis: From the author of The Book of Lost Fragrances comes a haunting novel about a grieving woman who discovers the lost journal of novelist Victor Hugo, awakening mystery that spans centuries. In 1843, novelist Victor Hugo’s beloved nineteen-year-old daughter drowned. Ten years later, Hugo began participating in hundreds of séances to reestablish contact with her. In the process, he claimed to have communed with the likes of Plato, Galileo, Shakespeare, Dante, Jesus – and even the Devil himself. Hugo’s transcriptions of these conversations have all been published. Or so it was believed. Recovering from her own losses, mythologist Jac L’Etoile arrives on the Isle of Jersey – where Hugo conducted the séances – hoping to uncover a secret about the island’s Celtic roots. But the man who’s invited her there, a troubled soul named Theo Gaspard, has hopes she’ll help him discover something quite different – Hugo’s lost conversations with someone called the Shadow of the Sepulcher. What follows is an intricately plotted and atmospheric tale of suspense with a spellbinding ghost story at its heart, by one of America’s most gifted and imaginative novelists.

M.J. Rose has written a very interesting story on reincarnation and mythology that will leave wondering about your own past lives. Seduction tells us three stories that are intertwined, and at times, difficult to understand. Overall, I really enjoyed this book but it was a tad disjointed and I didn’t know how everything would be resolved.

The book begins with Victor Hugo and his attempts to connect with his deceased daughter, Didine. I found these scenes to be incredibly spooky. His connection with the Shadow of the Sepulcher gives you chills. Hugo’s pain and struggle dominated his life where nothing else mattered except to communicate with his lost daughter. The Shadow was able to feed off that pain and his temptations to Hugo were so compelling.

Next, we meet Jac and Theo, two very troubled souls; both questioning their sanity. I’ve always enjoy reading about journeys of self-discovery, and Jac’s journey doesn’t disappoint. In the beginning, Jac is skeptical of everything, including past lives. Her journey comes full circle with a very surprising end. I found it fairly interesting how Theo and his family fit into her journey. It took me awhile to figure it out, but I finally did at the end. However, I’m not sure it made sense to me.

Last, and this is where I felt the book lose it focus, is the introduction of the ancient Celtic family of Owain, Gwenore, and Brice. I really didn’t like how this storyline was brought into the book. I think I would have been happier if the focus remained on Hugo and Jac/Theo.

I thought this was a very interesting read. I don’t regret reading it and I would recommend it if you enjoy reincarnation.