It's 1900 and Cassie Engel lives in Edenburg, Bavaria in a castle built by her great-grandfather, an inventor. Cassie's mum is a singer who spends most of her days practising in a dedicated room at the top of the castle whilst her father is busy with his taxidermy; as a result, Cassie spends much of her time with her best friend, Raphael. Life is unusual but this is the norm for Cassie. Then, one day, a creature is blown in through the window during a storm. Raphael recognises it as a cherub and together, the pair decide not to tell anybody but vow to keep the creature safe. However, before long, unusual things start to happen and it is clear that there are forces at play that are determined to thwart Cassie and Raphael's efforts.
This is an unique read and very different to anything I have read this year. It's a compelling plot that starts quite gently but builds to a point where you need to know what's going to happen, meaning you can't put the book down.
Cassie is an independent young lady and leads an unusual life. Her parents are preoccupied with their own pursuits, leaving Cassie to live her own life, and it is this that allows us to see how fiercely protective she is of her best friend as well as the cherub. The castle in which she lives is equally as unusual, with inventions created by her great-grandfather dotted around the place. The owlery is, for me, the most sinister aspect of the building and it took me a while to realise they they weren't alive but had been stuffed. It mirrors a theme in the book of things not being what they first appear to be.
Darkness runs through this atmospheric, gothic novel, but love and hope are also very visible. As the dark nights draw in, Fledgling is the perfect book to curl up with.
No comments:
Post a Comment