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.
