Review Detail

I can't tell you how much this book seeped into my subconscious. When I wasn't reading, thoughts of Amelia and Nathaniel teased the outskirts of my mind, and I ached to get back to the story. When I was asleep, I dreamed of Victorian New England and the light of sunset falling across gleaming wood floors.

It takes a certain kind of writer to affect me in such a way. Saundra Mitchell not only transports you to another place and time in story, but in writing as well. She holds herself to the high standard of classic literary style, yet uses a tone that modern readers can step right into. I have yet to find its equal in the modern YA section.

The Vespertine is sensual and seductive, and keeps you turning the page, longing to find out Nathaniel's secrets. Just when he turns up on the page, it seems he's gone again, teasing the reader (and Amelia) with a single gaze or a brush of his hand. You can't help wanting more.

Although late 1800's New England is an entirely different culture than ours today, teens will be fascinated by the propriety and traditions, and will certainly be thankful of the freedoms and liberties we so often take for granted in this modern age. The stringent rules of society must have been exhausting to keep up with, when simply hugging a friend of the opposite sex would have caused rumors to catch fire, and so on.

The Vespertine has what most classic historical romances do not -- a twist of paranormal. We've seen countless stories where couples are forbidden to be together due to differences in social status. In these stories, it's their love that transcends the differing social classes. But what if you were connected to someone of a lower class on a level even deeper than love? What if you connected in a psychic and spiritual realm, one where classes do not exist?

Mitchell explores all that and more in The Vespertine. Fans of classic romance and modern YA paranormal should pick this one up today.