Giveaway and Review: "Ironskin"

by Tina Connolly

Publisher: Tor
Release Date: Oct 2, 2012
Source: sent by publisher/publicist

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:  


Jane Eliot wears an iron mask.

It’s the only way to contain the fey curse that scars her cheek. The Great War is five years gone, but its scattered victims remain—the ironskin.

When a carefully worded listing appears for a governess to assist with a "delicate situation"—a child born during the Great War—Jane is certain the child is fey-cursed, and that she can help.

Teaching the unruly Dorie to suppress her curse is hard enough; she certainly didn’t expect to fall for the girl’s father, the enigmatic artist Edward Rochart. But her blossoming crush is stifled by her own scars, and by his parade of women. Ugly women, who enter his closed studio...and come out as beautiful as the fey.

Jane knows Rochart cannot love her, just as she knows that she must wear iron for the rest of her life. But what if neither of these things is true? Step by step Jane unlocks the secrets of her new life—and discovers just how far she will go to become whole again.
 

My Review:

This book has received some lukewarm reviews, but I felt differently. Yes, there are flaws, but overall, I enjoyed this retelling of Jane Eyre. Honestly, I have not read the original, but I do know the basic story. For that reason, I could see similarities, but I can't comment on how closely this tale follows the original.

The author sets up a real fantasy world filled with fey, and people with extraordinary abilities as well. The gloomy, gothic house feels like it's own character, it's just so spooky. There is just a bad energy there it seems. I felt like the slowness of the storytelling fit in with the gothic, gloomy feel, but some readers may have found it slow or boring. I thought this style fit the book well, though.

The storyline of Jane taking care of Dorie seemed to overtake the story at first, and I thought it dragged a bit. But finally, I was able to see it come full circle and see how Dorie was able to teach Jane as well. The mask plot, both Jane's iron mask, as well as Edward making the masks, was interesting and thought provoking.


Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 3/5

Setting: 5/5

Romance: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 5/5 (love it, definitely looks like Jane in her iron mask and silver dress)
Writing: 4/5



Bottom Line:
A gloomy, spooky retelling of Jane Eyre, with a tiny bit of steampunk, and a lot of fey lore.


Tor.com (publisher's website):  http://www.tor.com/



GIVEAWAY RULES:

The publicist has generously provided a copy of "Ironskin" for a lucky follower of my blog!
All you have to do is follow my blog publicly and fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Please follow publicly or I can't tell that you are following :)
  • US and Canada only
  • Must be a follower to enter
  • Books will be mailed out by the publisher
  • Must be 18 or over 
  • Ends Sun Nov 4
Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

40 comments

  1. Well, I do love me some Jane Eyre re-tellings, and I trust your opinion on that it's a good one - even if you haven't read to original.

    :D Thanks for the review, the story sounds intriguing.

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  2. I have started reading this one and I'm really enjoying it. I've read Jane Eyre several times and some retellings of it and I'm still loving this one. Adding the fey into it and Jane's mask I love it. I'm not real far into it but I'm hoping I feel like you do all through it. I love the cover!

    Heather

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  3. Frankly, I'm intrigued by the concept of this retelling of Jane Eyre. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  4. Love this giveaway! Thanks :)
    NInja Girl

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  5. Thanks for the giveaway! I'm looking forward to reading this book.

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  6. thanks for the fabulous post and giveaway! I've had this book on my radar for a while now and I'm dying to read it :)

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  7. I've had this book on my wish list since I first heard about it. I'm looking forward to reading Ironskin, I know I'm going to love it.

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  8. Jane Eyre does need a retelling. I never cared for it. Personally, I never rally cared for either of the Bronte sisters books.

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  9. I love your final summary of this book - it sounds like a fantastic read and I'm looking forward to picking it up myself!

    Thanks for being on the tour.

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  10. I saw this one at the bookstore today. I love the cover. I'm not usually a fan of Fae but this does seem to have an interesting twist to that.

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  11. I love re-tellings! This sounds awesome :)

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  12. I love the cover, looks and sounds like an amazing book.

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  13. I'm glad you enjoyed it, Carrie! I did too, although mine was one of those middling reactions, hah. I still need to post my review, too. No need to enter me into the drawing, but it's so awesome of you to offer your readers the chance to win. :)

    Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

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  14. I love the cover. I have been looking forward to reading this one.

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  15. I really like Jane Eyre so I'm excited to see the take on the story!

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  16. Looks intriguing and beautiful cover! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  17. I'd enjoy the retelling of Jane Eyre.

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  18. I have also readmixed reviews of this, but I'm still willing to give it a shot, thanks for your review and the giveaway

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  19. The cover for this book is beautiful!
    There seem to be a lot of Jane Eyre inspired YA novels coming out lately. I wonder what caused the sudden interest?

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  20. Looks like a really engaging book, would love to read it!

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  21. Sounds interesting I know three people in this house that would love to read this--We would enjoy reading this

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  22. I've never actually read Jane Eyre, so this is a good reminder that I should do that. I usually really like retellings, as long as it's been a while since I've read the original so this sounds good to me.

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  23. Oh wow, this book looks amazing! Thank you so much for this wonderful giveaway!! :D (Angie Edwards)

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  24. I've never read.jane eyre, but this book looks interesting!

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  25. Sounds like an interesting read! Love fantasy type books!

    Thanks,

    selinda_mccumbers at yahoo.com

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  26. this book looks so intriguing! i want to read it!

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  27. I love to read books. This looks right up my ally of books that I would ready. I have read books that were a bit slow at the beginning but stuck with it and just loved the book in the end. I love Jane Eyre and would love to read something similiar but different. This is different.

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  28. suebunting1977at(gmail)dot(com)this book sounds awesome! I want to read this!

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  29. I love Jane Eyre and this book sounds amazing!

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  30. this sounds interesting. I love retailing of stories!

    jjjtuckersaver at gmail dot com

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  31. This book sounds interesting. I haven't read Jane Eyre yet either. However, I like the idea of all of the characters having a supernatural ability. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  32. I think I will give this one a chance. you peaked my interest.

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  33. I love Jane Eyre so I'd love to read this. momlovesdeals at gmail dot com

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  34. I thought I left a comment earlier but I didn't :( I am super excited about this book and if it were for the ban I am on now I would have bought it!! However if I won it I wouldn't be breaking my ban :D I am a huge Fey fan and between already wanting it and the reviews (both good and not so) have made me seriously want it more!

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  35. This is typically outside my genres, but I'm in the need of a good book to read soon. I liked the review.

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Thanks so much for your lovely comments!