Fateful by Claudia Gray

Eighteen-year-old maid Tess Davies is determined to escape the wealthy, troubled family she serves. It’s 1912, and Tess has been trapped in the employ of the Lisles for years, amid painful memories and twisted secrets. But now the Lisle family is headed to America, with Tess in tow. Once the ship they’re sailing on—the RMS Titanic—reaches its destination, Tess plans to strike out and create a new life for herself.
Her single-minded focus shatters when she meets Alec, a handsome first-class passenger who captivates her instantly. But Alec has secrets of his own. He’s in a hurry to leave Europe, and whispers aboard the ship say it’s because of the tragic end of his last affair with the French actress who died so gruesomely and so mysteriously. . . .
Soon Tess will learn just how dark Alec’s past truly is. The danger they face is no ordinary enemy: werewolves exist and are stalking him—and now her, too. Her growing love for Alec will put Tess in mortal peril, and fate will do the same before their journey on the Titanic is over.
In Fateful, New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray delivers paranormal adventure, dark suspense, and alluring romance set against the opulent backdrop of the Titanic’s first—and last—voyage.

Goodreads Summary

What could be better than romance, mystery, action, and the Titanic in one story?  Not much could beat that combination, but author Claudia Gray manages to make the story even more exciting with the addition of werewolves. 

Tess is an admirable character.  She can almost be too perfect.  Her loyalty to a family who took her on as a servant and then proceeded to not treat her too well is impressive.  She goes out of her way to try to save them from drowning and making bad decisions.  Her strength is impressive as well.  She overcomes her lowly station in life to better herself.  Her resilience in following the family onto the ship and heading off into the great unknown without once batting an eye is both surprising and intriguing.  Tess's character rounds out the whole story and is the highlight of the novel.

Alec, the love interest, catches Tess's eye right away.  He is a handsome, charismatic enigma who just so happens to travel in the first-class.  Tess and Alec work around their limitations to try to make a potential relationship work.  There are so many obstacles to their romance that the reader will be constantly turning the pages to find out what next obstacle the two must overcome.  The secondary characters help round out the novel, but many don't play too huge a part. 

The events are very fast-paced, this book is impossible to put down.  From start to finish the reader will be rooting for Tess and Alec and crossing his/her fingers about the eventual end of the Titanic.  This book is highly recommended to young adult/teen readers.

5 Stars

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