Fateful

By Claudia Gray

A tragic tale of falling in love aboard the Titanic as heroine, Tess, discovers darker secrets lying beneath the doomed crossing… and a hidden brotherhood threatens to tear her lover from her forever.

The RMS Titanic is the most luxurious ship ever built, but for eighteen-year-old Tess Davies it’s a prison. Travelling as a maid for the family she has served for years, Tess is trapped in their employ amid painful memories and family secrets.

When she meets Alec, a handsome upper class passenger, Tess falls helplessly in love. But Alec has secrets of his own… and soon Tess is entangled in a dangerous game. A sinister brotherhood that will do anything to induct Alec into their mystical order has followed him onboard. And Tess is now their most powerful pawn.

Tess and Alec fight the dark forces threatening to tear them apart, never realising that they will have to face an even greater peril before the journey is over…

New York Times best-selling author Claudia Gray delivers adventure, dark paranormal suspense, alluring romance, and a truly surprise ending, set against the opulent backdrop of the Titanic’s first – and last – voyage.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins UK
• Release date: Sep 15, 2011
• ISBN: 9780007428274

Claudia Gray

Claudia Gray is the pseudonym of New Orleans-based writer Amy Vincent, the author of the New York Times bestselling Evernight series. She has worked as a lawyer, a journalist, a disc jockey, and an extremely poor waitress. Her grandparents' copy of Mysteries of the Unexplained is probably the genesis of her fascination with most things mysterious and/or inexplicable.

Reviews for Fateful

[fireflys_locket · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fateful is the story of Tess Davies, a maid traveling on the Titanic with her employers, the Lisle family. The day before they set off, Tess has a strange encounter with a young man and a very large wolf. She survives, thanks to the young man who gives her a cold warning to leave, and tries to put the night behind her to focus on her secret plans to leave the mostly cruel Lisles as soon as they get to America. But nearly at once when she boards the ship, she finds herself thrust into the world of the supernatural. And an intense connection to Alec Marlowe, the young man who saved her life the night before.I, admittedly, have a thing for stories about the Titanic. An obsession that has as much to do with the Windows 95 game, Titanic: Adventure Out of Time, as the well-known movie. I'm drawn to the tragedy in a way I can't quite explain. I think most people have a certain historical event that fascinates them. Titanic is mine.So, when I saw a pretty cover in the YA section of Barnes and Noble a few years ago, and opened the flap to see this was a book about the Titanic - and werewolves, of all things! - I was sold. But as things often go with me, I buy books I know I'm likely to enjoy, but let them sit around because I have so many others to pick from. I'm kind of sorry I waited so long on this one, but I also like to believe in divine timing, so I'm just really glad I read it now.Enough about me, though. This book has an amazing story, with what I feel is a well-fleshed out hero AND heroine. I think that is sometimes hard to find, authors tending to favor one character's development over the other, particularly in stand-alone novels. We find out as much about Tess's family and backstory as with do with Alec's, making them both feel real. The romance between them also what I love to read: an instantaneous connection without sacrificing the characters actually getting to know each other. You CAN have the feeling of fated romance without feeling the: why are they already jumping in bed together when they barely know each other? And this book does that for me, leaving me so very invested in the characters and their love by the time the sinking starts, that I was crying and shaking through the last 50 pages or so of the book.The fantasy side of the book is also very compelling and interesting, which made me wish this weren't a stand-alone novel, even if that meant more of a spin-off sort of situation. It certainly makes me interested in checking out Claudia Gray's other books. I may or may not find characters I love as much as I found myself loving Tess and Alec, and even some of the side characters, but I certainly feel like based on this book it's a safe bet I'll find an interesting story.I admire Claudia Gray a lot for setting out to write this novel - partly because I, too, once wrote a paranormal romance taking place aboard the Titanic, with cameos and references to Titanic: Adventure Out of Time, among other things. As with many of the stories I wrote when I was young, I've never given up hope of reviving it, but I've often worried over whether or not it would be right to mix fantasy with a terrible tragedy that ended the lives of so many real people. But based on the story and the author's notes, Claudia Gray approached this question with what I feel was the right attitude. She tried not to make more than a casual mention of actual people aboard the ship, and instead focused on the fictional characters she created.And that's about all I'll say on Fateful for now. I don't want to give too much away, and with a book about the Titanic, you already know more than you should going in! Still, I highly recommend this book, and I'm so glad I got to start out 2015 with a book I truly loved the whole way through.

[katiepea · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Thank you HarperCollins for knowing me better than I know myself and sending me the ARC for Fateful. Fateful was not a book I would have read on my own accord. Maybe this is because I am not a fan of the Titanic and such. But I have to say by the third page I was already wanting to read more. I enjoyed the supernatural element to the storyline that evolves loosely around the history of the Titanic. The characters all had their own personalities and did not overshadow each other in any way. The main characters are Tess Davies, a maid servant that dreams of going to America and beginning a new life, away from the Lisle family. Alec, the werewolf that doesn't want to accept his fate. Mikhail, the rich and powerful werewolf that is out to cause trouble not only for Alec, but Tess too. In Fateful, Tess finds her inner strength to fight for what she believes in. Truth, Love, and Justice. Alec, learns to trust, falls in love and faces danger head own to protect those he cares most about. And Mikhail was the PERFECT antagonist throughout the story. I really enjoyed the story more than I thought I would, and very glad I decided to take a chance and read Fateful.

[shahnareads · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Pretty good. Pretty good.

It's always funny reading a book loosely based on a historic diaster.

I knew the book was going to sink, I knew it was coming. April 14th. But when that part of the book came I was scared. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. But I knew!!

It definitely held my attention. Throwing in a werewolf too. It's a book after my own heart. I loved it.

I wanted the love story between Alec and Tess to work sooooo bad. Class barriers need to be broken. Even in fiction.

[jennybeast · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Werewolves on the titanic. Really?

[heatherlinc · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Considering this is a book about werewolves on the Titanic, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed "Fateful". The story is quite a page turner, especially once the ship starts to sink. However, I did find the relationship between Alec and Tess not really believable. They seemed to lack chemistry and I never felt they truly loved each other despite what they said and did. Regardless, this will be a popular book for girls who enjoy paranormal romances.

[btweenlibshelf · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Thank you HarperCollins for knowing me better than I know myself and sending me the ARC for Fateful. Fateful was not a book I would have read on my own accord. Maybe this is because I am not a fan of the Titanic and such. But I have to say by the third page I was already wanting to read more. I enjoyed the supernatural element to the storyline that evolves loosely around the history of the Titanic. The characters all had their own personalities and did not overshadow each other in any way. The main characters are Tess Davies, a maid servant that dreams of going to America and beginning a new life, away from the Lisle family. Alec, the werewolf that doesn't want to accept his fate. Mikhail, the rich and powerful werewolf that is out to cause trouble not only for Alec, but Tess too. In Fateful, Tess finds her inner strength to fight for what she believes in. Truth, Love, and Justice. Alec, learns to trust, falls in love and faces danger head own to protect those he cares most about. And Mikhail was the PERFECT antagonist throughout the story. I really enjoyed the story more than I thought I would, and very glad I decided to take a chance and read Fateful.

[shouldireadit · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent! The paranormal romance of werewolf vs. human is lively enough in itself, but when those are added to the details of the Titanic and its sinking, you get an abundance of romance, suspense and sense of impending doom. Reliving the scenes where the Titanic meets its doom is sure to make even the most jaded reader choke up with emotion.

[christineellei · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It is April of 1912 and Tess has been in service to the Lisles for most of her life. Due to their diminishing financial circumstances the Lisles undertake an overseas voyage to America to hopefully arrange a profitable marriage for the daughter. Tess decides that her meager savings would be well spent leaving the employ of this overbearing family and starting out on her own in this new country. Unfortunately, someone is after her and she does not know why or what it is they want until one fateful night she is accosted in the streets of London by a wolf and saved by a mysterious young man. Of course, seeing this young man again on the ship is a strange coincidence indeed. Is her life now truly in the hands of fate? Sailing on the Titanic with two werewolves certainly cannot bode well.

This was a fun read. A little bit of a different take on the werewolf theme, but totally plausible if you are willing to entertain the existence of paranormal creatures. As the reader I felt making the ill-fated ocean liner the setting for the book was brilliant. I knew the iceberg was coming along and it kept me turning the pages even when the story was working through parts that were a little slow. Well-done Ms. Gray.

[bduke_15 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Werewolves on the Titanic? Sounds a little weird, but then I swore up and down I would never read a book about vampires (Twilight), either, and I loved that. So, as weird as it sounds, it was actually quite good. Or at least I mildly enjoyed it.

[rivkat_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It’s a cross-class werewolf romance set on the Titanic! I had little use for the James Cameron film, but I thought it worked a lot better to have a key confrontation interrupted by the icy water rushing into the venue. Plucky servant girl saves mysterious wealthy stranger with the power of her love, and some well-placed silver; lots of historical detail, including everyone acknowledging just how unlikely the wealthy man was to wed the servant girl. But that’s one dream of America, right?

[thelibraryhag · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Tess, an English lady's maid, is about to go on the adventure of her lifetime. She is traveling with her employers, the Lisles, to New York on the new ship, Titanic. The night before they depart, Tess is followed by a strange man and aided by an even stranger man. When she discovers that both of these men are fellow travelers, Tess is concerned to say the least. But she has big plans. When she gets to America she intends to stay and make a new life. So she tries to forget them and move on. When the younger man comes to her aide again she can't help but be attracted to him despite the difference in their classes. Will their love survive his dark secret? Will they survive the voyage?I just love Claudia Gray's writing. She never fails to draw me in. This book is just as good as her Evernight series. The historical setting, the looming disaster, the whole werewolf thing add an air of suspense to even Tess's most mundane tasks. Gray really knows how to write romance too. The ship board romance is charming and Alec, our hero, is just adorable. Although their love seems doomed from the start, you can't help but hope they will make it. I really hope we will see more of Tess.

[titania86_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Tess Davies is a maid and tired of being trapped in a society where upward mobility is practically impossible. She has dreams and ambitions that can't be realized in England. Luckily, the family she works for is taking the RMS Titanic to America, where dreams come true every day. She could get a fresh start and get away from her awful (and actually broke) employers. She just has to survive the voyage there. The night before the voyage, she is attacked by a horrible man and saved by a handsome young man. She dismisses the incident as an act of random violence. On board, she realizes both these men are also passengers and her attacker, Mikhail, continues to harass her. The younger man, Alec, continues to save her and she is drawn into a power struggle between the two men. Mikhail wants to enlist Alec into the Brotherhood, a nefarious organization for werewolves that has power on every level of society. Can Alec keep away from the Brotherhood and keep them from hurting Tess? Can Tess escape her horrible employers and start an new life in America?When I picked up this book, I just thought it was a historical fiction romance set on the Titanic. But then BAM: werewolves. I was a little shocked, but continued reading anyway. I usually really hate books about werewolves because good characters inevitably become raging jerks with the only change being a werewolf in a great many other books. Thankfully, this wasn't the case. Alec was a perfectly nice character, but not much about him was that interesting beyond his lycanthropy. There didn't seem to be much reason for Tess to fall head over heels except that he's pretty and rich. The werewolf Brotherhood served as the main villains of the story and they upheld very traditional and misogynistic views. They viewed themselves as close to gods and women as inferior and therefore unworthy of such power. The other, lesser villains were the Lyle's, Tess's employers. They also represented tradition and the old society where the poor stay poor. Their family represents hypocrisy, privilege, and a deep rooted sense of entitlement. These two villains were shown to be quite the same. Both used intimidation and their power to belittle and use others for their own amusement. The werewolf organization exposed the harsh realities and truths behind English society during the time period and exaggerated them. This was my favorite aspect of the novel.Tess was a wonderful character. She seemed like a modern girl stuck in a past era where the poor and women didn't have very many opportunities to become successful. I loved her firecracker personality and the way she cared for everyone around her no matter their station. Her romance with Alec was a little boring. It was another case of instalove where their relationship is essentially built on nothing. Tess's relationships with her friends were much more dynamic and interesting because they seemed organically built.Fateful was a fun, fast read. I wished that the sinking of the Titanic took a little more time than it did, but overall, I enjoyed the story. Although I like that it's a stand alone book, I wouldn't mind reading more about Tess and her future.

[shanons_4 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Reading this book was such an enjoyable experience! The author has brilliantly woven fact and fiction together to result in an amazing story. Mixing the paranormal aspect of werewolves with the historical events of the Titanic may sound outlandish, but believe me when I say that once you begin reading you will find that these two concepts work so well together! There's really never a dull moment in this book; the excitement starts immediately and just continues to flow throughout the plot, never wavering. Claudia Gray does such a splendid job of painting a clear and historical picture of 1912 and the Titanic. She also knows how to write one heck of a romance! This story is told through the perspective of Tess Davies, who is a ladies' maid to a wealthy (and mostly snooty) family, the Lisles, in the year 1912. She's a young woman with a kind heart and big dreams of escaping the servitude of the Lisles family. The opportunity to start a new life in America arises when Tess' employers plan a voyage aboard the Titanic, and as you can imagine, gaining her freedom becomes the least of her worries after a while. Not just because of the peril she'll be put in aboard the Titanic, but also because of the chain of events that unfold after a chance meeting with a handsome stranger, Alec.Tess is such a great character, and her situation as a poor citizen and servant seems like a very accurate depiction of what it must have been like for people like her back then. This is why when she meets the mysterious Alec, their growing attraction to one another is severely frowned upon because of his status as a wealthy young man and her status as a poor servant girl. Not to mention the supernatural circumstances that surround Alec could easily complicate a relationship on their own. But despite all of the obstacles, dark secrets, and anguish in their way, Tess and Alec are very strong-willed people, and it's clear that they belong together. I was certainly rooting for them throughout the entire book!One of the things that is so fantastic about this book is that there is one thing the reader knows is going to happen for certain, above all else, and that is the sinking of the Titanic. You know whats coming but you have no idea how the author is going to portray it and what will become of the characters. There were times, though, when I would be so wrapped up in the intensity of Tess and Alec's situation, as well as the malevolent secondary characters, that I found myself randomly remembering, "Oh yeah, this ship is going to be sinking any day now! Holy crap!". That just goes to show you how much is going on within the span of almost a week. But approaching the end of the book and reading about the ship going down is truly a chilling experience, and the author makes you feel like you're right there in the chaos and tragedy. Knowing the outcome of the Titanic, however, still doesn't prepare you for the excitement and conclusion of the book! So if you enjoy anything involving the Titanic (or even if you don't!), werewolves, seriously creepy characters, and a fantastic romance, then definitely pick up Fateful A.S.A.P.! It will far exceed your expectations.

[emroda · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book. Mind, I didn't expect to at all. I mean: werewolves on the Titanic? Really? But this book far surpassed all of my expectations. It was awesome.The main character, a lady's maid named Tess, is a strong young woman. She isn't weak or annoying like a lot of people find heroines to be nowadays. She's hardworking, headstrong, and a great main character for a reader to look at.The history of the ship and the time period is what I really enjoyed. I'm a sucker for historical YA, and this delivered. The descriptions aren't overdone, but it's easy to imagine the opulence of the ship. The facts and names of people on the ship are really interesting. One night, in the middle of this book, I decided to watch the movie The Titanic and I loved matching up facts and rooms and people that show up in both of them. This book is a romance, so I should touch on that. :) Tess's relationship with the male lead, a rich young man who happens to be a werewolf, is developed really fast--which I don't really enjoy--but somehow it felt believable. Their feelings seemed real and plausible. The minor characters in this book were a treat, too! Tess's shipmate Myriam is snarky and fun and she develops a romance too. It's not a major plot point, but it's definitely enjoyable. The young woman Tess watches after, Irene also has a romance later in the novel, but The God of No Spoilers won't say who. :)The evil woman who Tess works for, Mrs. Regina Lisle is convincingly cruel and doesn't seem overwrought.The only thing I didn't enjoy was some of the werewolf mythology. Everything fit together a little too nicely to be believable. The situation with the main villain, Mikhail, is interesting but the way it ended was a bit unsatisfying. (But I guess that's what's nice about creating your own mythology, you do what you want.)Overall, this book is incredibly enjoyable, especially if you're a fan of historical and/or fantasy YA.

[mrsmich02 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Now who says werewolves and the Titanic don't go together?

[therandomgirl · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Never have I ever seen an author pull off such a great take on the tragic story of the RMS Titanic. Even, oh my gosh, werewolves! Who would have thought of putting werewolves into the Titanic? Well, Claudia Gray did and so very expertly, if I may say so myself.When I heard that werewolves were among the passengers of the RMS Titanic, I wondered how Claudia Gray intended to write about them since the werewolves needed to change their form, how she would write about how they hunt, and how would their lives be like. Sure enough, I think Claudia Gray did an excellent job of inserting werewolves into the story. From how they become wolves to how and when they transform. This was my first time reading any of Claudia Gray's novels, and she has given me such a great impression on her writing and her books.With the historical fiction part in Fateful, I was taken out of this century and put into the 1912s with Tess and the rest of the characters. The cruelty of Lisle family towards Tess was so believable because during that time period those actions toward the servants weren't uncommon. Readers would be rooting for Tess to get away from her employers. Irene Lisle, though, was a delicate lady, and someone who you'll root for as well, despite who her family is.Tess is a strong character. She's someone who has her mind set on her one goal: getting to New York and starting a new life for herself, one where she isn't under the rule of the Lisles. She is somewhat compassionate and very driven. She later on gives Alec the hope he needs. I had no problems with Tess, so it looks like Claudia Gray's got a well-written main character here.Tess' relationship with Alec is one that, in a way, touches your heart. Here is a monster who has no choice but to transform every night or join the Brotherhood, then you have a servant living under a headache of an employer, and when you put them together they fill in the places that each of them has been missing. Tess is there for Alec, and she cares deeply about him. It's the same way for Alec, he cares deeply for Tess and doesn't care what rank she is, even if she's at the bottom of the social ladder.The villain in Fateful was a pain in the ass. But a good pain in the ass, at the least. He was such an annoyance and so evil that you wanted to find out what he does and what happens to him in the end. From the very first time Mikhail comes into the picture, I knew he was trouble. He really proved himself to be a villain and one that you wanted gone.With a story set in the 1912s, there's bound to be some drama. Well, of course there is and you can't help but feel bad for those who have been affected. I won't spoil too much, but the relationship between two characters and their stories caught me off guard. Fateful, can be seen as a story about forbidden love. Forbidden love doesn't only apply to vampires, wolves, and other paranormal creatures, but to humans too. And the fact that servants aren't meant to be with the rich, indeed spells forbidden love. What I love about Fateful is that it has many cases about forbidden love. And each character who finds themselves in it, pushes to be able to be with their loved one.The plot is an exciting one with great additional characters. The ending completely took me off guard and Claudia Gray's descriptions about the Titanic's disastrous demise was heartbreaking and beautifully written, making the reader feel as if they were there themselves, watching as the unsinkable ship was pulled deeper into the water. In Fateful, Claudia Gray masterfully takes historical fiction and paranormal romance together with perfect balance, creating an enthralling story that will keep the readers up for days just wanting to see whether their beloved characters would survive or not. This is a great read and I urge everyone to pick it up!

[darkfaerietales_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: Though the writing leaves something to be desired, this story has a great hook! Gray brings the sense of impending doom to the reader as Tessa and Alec race to save themselves from their enemies on board as well as the Titanic itself.Opening Sentence: April 9th, 1912 It’s not to late to turn back, I tell myself.The Review:I love that the backdrop of this story is the Titanic, even if it’s not the Titanic as we all know it from our favorite Leo movie. Let me start out by saying that this is strictly a fantasy story. Gray explains in the Author’s Note that in order to avoid being disrespectful to the victims of this tragedy all the characters–with one, small exception–are fictional. My only critique of this point is that it seems as if a number of characters were written in to make the plot more convenient. At the same time, she does a great job building up the ship and the people on board.Tess is a newly appointed ladies’ maid, but she’s worked in the Lisle’s household for years. In the beginning Gray has the problem of allowing Tess to know more information than is logically possible for someone in her position. This once again ties into the convenience factor of the plot. In the beginning Tess is running–literally–an errand for Lady Regina in Southampton, night is closing in and she finds herself face to face with a wolf. The next morning she’s helping the family board the ship, and she runs into two men she’d seen the night before. Alec, our tortured werewolf hero, and Mikhail, part of the Brotherhood sent to force Alec to join them.The Brotherhood is the supreme power in the world of werewolves. They have complete control of their Initiates and will use any means to bring new werewolves under their control. They hold the strings of very influential people in every country. Throughout the book Alec is fighting the Brotherhood–both for Tess’s life and his own. Now that Mikhail has his eye on her, he wants nothing more than to hunt her for the fun of it.Throughout the story Tess is trapped in the drama of the Lisle household. It becomes clear that Irene must marry immediately to save the family fortune her brother is set on gambling away every night. It becomes clear to Tess that Mikhail is on the Titanic for more than one reason–no one would willingly want to be Layton Lisle’s friend, after all.Tess has the extreme misfortune of being a melodramatic heroine to a fabulous hero. Actually, I like most of the male characters in this story. Alec is of course swoon-worthy, but his best friend Ned–the valet for Layton Lisle–has good characterization as well. It’s the female’s I don’t like. The snobbish mother, the shy daughter, the ever-loyal servant–they all follow the stereotypical stock character plot you would expect them to. I found myself skimming those passages to get back to the plot of the story. Tess isn’t the best heroine for this book, but she’s not stupid and she does have a backbone. However, the insta-love she feels for Alec was slightly disconcerting, since she was also freaked out that he would kill her. But she was a nice narrator, if not the most original.This story has a great plot, though, even if I do find the writing to be subpar in a number of places. I love the setting, the mixture of real life and fantasy that Gray has blended together. As a reader we find ourselves drawn in, waiting for the catastrophe we know will strike. I can’t imagine liking this story if it was set anywhere but the Titanic, because frankly seeing how Tess and Alec worked within the confines of the ship was the most interesting part.Notable Scene:Then I feel it again, that prickle at the back of my neck. The hunter’s eyes on its prey. I glance behind me, expecting to see–what? The wolf from the night before? The young man who rescued me, then told me to flee for the sake of my life? I see niether. In the crush, perhaps I can’t see them, but then they wouldn’t be able to see me either. But someone’s watching. I know he’s there, down deep within me, in the place that doesn’t respond to thought or logic, just pure animal instinct.Someone in this crowd of strangers is watching me.Someone is hunting me.FTC Advisory: Harper Teen provided me with a copy of Fateful. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

[laura2s · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

With a combination of the every mysterious Titanic and always alluring lore of werewolves, Gray doesn't miss a beat. Her novel, Fateful, is one that will keep you spellbound, whisking you away to a time where glamor and style were of the utmost importance. This novel will appeal to your sense of adventure and your love of the romantic. The majestic and endless ocean is a great setting for this novel and Gray does well in her concise descriptions and active adventures.

[mickyfine · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Tess is a lady's maid for the Lisle family, members of the English nobility who are traveling to New York City in an effort to regain some of the family's wealth. Tess is keeping a secret, however, that she intends to leave service emigrate to America when the ship makes port. However, Tess' plans are put awry when she meets Alec, a handsome young gentleman with a dark secret that is hunting him and her. With the threat of werewolves looming behind them, Alec and Tess must simply survive until the Titanic makes port.That's right, it's a novel about werewolves on the Titanic. If you're shaking your head in horror at the things that publishers will put in print, move right along. If you're mildly intrigued and want to know how on earth someone could possibly make this plot work, give it a try. Gray manages to balance supernatural romance with a real historical background fairly deftly. Is it ever truly believable? Not really, but it's fun to read anyway. While some of the dialogue between Tess and Alec can be a little too earnest and the mythology of the werewolves is never fully explained allowing for some plot points to be resolved a little too easily for the discerning reader, it's an enjoyable read nonetheless. Tess is a very strong character and there are hints of Upstairs, Downstairs type drama that makes the novel even more enjoyable. However, be warned that this is much more of a werewolf novel that just happens to be set on the Titanic. The ill-fated ocean liner serves more as a background and impetus for action in the plot, rather than being a focal point of the novel. Not for everyone, but a decent romp if it strikes your fancy.

[krystal18 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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.

[annakay21 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

May I first say that the idea of this story is epic to start with. Werewolves on the Titanic? Sign me up pronto!!! I did fall in love with Tess quite a bith throughout the novel. As a heroine, she is determined, strong and knows her own mind. She also values herself as a person enough to know that Lady Regina, her employer, is a complete and total bee-yotch; that she definitely shouldn't take her too seriously. On the other hand, Lady Regina's daughter Irene is an absolute sweetheart. Also, Tess has a friend in Ned, a young man who is servant to Irene's brother Layton (a complete and total sleazeball). They are voyaging to America because the family is on the brink of financial ruin. Lady Regina hopes to marry off Irene and Layton to wealthy notables in the States to improve their situation. All poor Irene wants is to be left alone. Tess is planning to quit service when they reach America, cause she has enough money finally saved up. Tess and Alec cross paths, with him trying to protect her from Mikhail. Both men are werewolves, but Mikhail is brutal, part of an organization called the Brotherhood. He will stop at nothing to initiate Alec into their ranks and gain control over his mind and body. If he can brutalize Tess along the way for his own pleasure, so much the better. Truly a reprehensible, spine-chilling villain. Tess and Alec are continuously drawn together by their mutual attraction and even as a wolf he can't harm her. The only thing standing in their way is Mikhail and fate itself when the ship strikes an iceberg. Tess' bunkmate Myriam, a Lebanese girl going to her brother in America, is a wonderfully drawn secondary character with a truly beautiful spirit. Who lives and dies; will Tess and Alec live happily ever after? Read to find out! In a major way this book was epic but the relationship between Tess and Alec was majorly unrealistic for the times in the way it progressed. Kind of a turn off for me honestly speaking. But the whole idea of the book worked in a way I never thought possible and it truly surprised me multiple times with its happenings! I loved the setting, plus as the author says in the acknowledgements, she was respectful enough to only characterize her own fictional people. The real people who were on the Titanic were mentioned but not given personalities based on her opinion or story. In the age we live in where Monica Ali is writing fictional books about what Pricess Diana would've been like had she not died (tacky, disrespectful,capitalistc trash IMHO) that is highly refreshing. It was worth it to read this book even though it didn't gain favorite status.VERDICT: 3.5/5 Stars *No money was exchanged for this review. This book is now available in stores and online.*

[yabreviews_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Tess Davies is an eighteen year old servant of the Lisle family. She is a handmaid to Irene Lisle. Tess was young when she and Daisy, her sister, started at the Lisle household. This is the story about the Lisle family going aboard the RMS Titanic to make the trek to the United States. They, of course, took servants with them, which included Tess, Ned and Mrs. Horne. Before leaving on this journey, Tess meets Alec in the streets of Southampton as she is running an errand. He saves her and then leaves. While aboard the Titanic. Tess and the other servants are housed in the third class quarters. This is unusual for servants to not be up in first class with the people they serve. Tess has a key that will allow her to go into the first class quarters from third class at any time. She makes an unexpected friend in Myriam, sees Alec and gets to interact with him a little more and also meets Mikhail aboard the Titanic. Soon she learns the secret that Alec was trying to keep from people and what Mikhail has to do with it. She also learns that she is in danger and relies on Alec to keep her safe.I have always liked the story of the Titanic. Having this story happen on board there, really made me like it all the more. The way that Gray tells the story, it is mesmerizing and I had to know what happened to Tess, Myriam, Alec, Mikhail.I Liked:▪ Tess. She really shows her strength throughout this story. Even though she is a servant and must do what the Lisle family tells her to do, she stays true to who she is and her convictions.▪ Alec. He has a hard time coming to terms with whom and what he is. That is what this story is about. The thing I love about Alec is that he sees through the social statuses that other people of that time were so concerned about and sees people for their character.▪ Irene Lisle. She is the daughter of the Viscount and Regina Lisle. She is also the person whom Tess was a personal servant to. I liked Irene’s character because even though she was in the upper class, she still respected people. She treated Tess as a friend. Granted, she had to act certain ways in front of her mother, but you can see her true personality and heart by the way she spoke about things.▪ The Titanic. I am a sucker for Titanic stories. I don’t know what it is about it that draws me to them. While Gray does admit that “on some points [she] chose drama over accuracy,” it still is a compelling story that highlights the facts pertinent to the sinking of the White Star Line vessel.I Did Not Like:▪ Mikhail. He is the “bad guy” in this story. I admit that I do like some bad guys, but not in this case. Mikhail is bad through and through. He compares himself and his “kind” to Gods. He even tells why he believes this. It did not work for me. When Gray penned him as the antagonist in Fateful, she did a very good job because I couldn’t find one redeeming quality about him.▪ Layton Lisle. He is a slimeball. I don’t like his character because he portrays the stereotype of the upper class male. I don’t like stereotypes and like it even less when characters fulfill them.▪ Regina Lisle. She is the mother to Layton, Irene and Bea. The reason I don’t like her is that she is so worried about appearances that she doesn’t realize or care whom she hurts.▪ The Brotherhood. You don’t really get to hear that much detail about them. What you do hear, however, points to that they are no good. The fact that Mikhail belongs to them makes me like them even less.

[maryinhb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Tess is young enough to not exactly know her place as a servant in the Lisle household, so when the family leaves on the Titanic for America, she is traveling in third class, but has no fear of first class and moves effortlessly upstairs from downstairs. She is also mature enough to know when she is being taken advantage of, so she makes plans for her future when she gets to America. While she is tending to her employers, she meets a man, Alec, that has a secret that he would rather not share. Well, you already know the outcome of the Titanic, so the story is based around the facts and what it was like to be a servant during this time period. Everything is historical spot on and you will even learn a few things about this era, which for me was perfect.Alec is a mystery, even after you know his werewolf secret, I found him very the perfect foil for Tess. As an American millionaire, there was less of a class divide between the two of them, so the romance part of this story worked and was more believable. Even more believable was the creepy description of the actual sinking of the Titanic. This is no gloss over. You can imagine the exact feelings of the passengers and the horror they witnessed as this ship went down. I am really impressed by the historical detail that is built into this world of both historical and paranormal situations. It is hard enough to get one of these right and Gray nailed both of them. Obviously, I cared more about Tess since she is so feisty. I am trying not to giveaway the finale, but well, you already know the ship sinks and I will leave it at that.

[dasuzuki · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Titanic stories always catch my eye but I'm also a little wary about reading them as I find reading about people on a ship you know is doomed just breaks my heart. I couldn't resist though and the story was so addictive. I admit I even caved and let my daughter watch an episode on TV so I could finish the last few chapters. I enjoyed all of the characters from Tess who is so naive in many ways and yet you have to admire her for strength and bravery to Alex who is handsome, kind and a tortured secret. I will say though that it was more of the secondary characters that really made the story. I loved Alec's father and enjoyed how he was really integrated into the story and unlike in many other stories in which the parents are clueless about what has happened to their children he knows about Alec and fully supports him. The seventh officer, George, and Tess's bunkmate, Myriam, were also made a touching complimentary side romance that was endearing and has the reader hoping they will find their happy ending. I would have liked to see a little bit more of the friendship development between Tess and Myriam but still Myriam was a nice added touch. The story did feel a lot like the movie Titanic with some paranormal aspects thrown in but I thought Ms. Gray carried it off well. I especially liked that for the most part the characters were pure fiction and Ms. Gray explains in the afterword that she wanted to be respectful of the real people who died on the Titanic and not try to attribute actions or traits that may or may not have been true. It's always a delicate balance to take a tragedy like the sinking of the Titanic and spin a fictional story into it while remaining sensitive to those involved but I thought this story was well done.

[kr15tina · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What I LikedHistoryI'm not a major history buff (I do love ancient history though) although it can be fun to read, especially when a supernatural twist is added to the storyline. The sinking of the Titanic a very straight forward tragic loss, but add some werewolves into the story and now you have a tragic tail :DCharactersTess: She definitely makes for a good character, she isn't whiny, she has lived the hard life and those trials have strengthen her soul to make for a strong willed young woman. I like that she is a servant willing to take risks and that she is not a gossiping little annoyance but has well placed loyalty. Alec: He does fit some of my favorite male character types, he isn't a brooding as some are but he does do the troubled mysterious lost soul very well. RomanceFantastic amount of romantic tension, with the right portions of sweet and doomed.A NovelI am so glad there is only 1 book and this isn't a series, of course I could always have more story, but I'm so glad I don't have to wait for another book. I do enjoy reading single books especially with how many books I am waiting for as part of the series. This book was a nice relief from series.Didn't LikeAbsolutely nothing. Well of course I wished that some characters didn't have to die, but that is what the Titanic story is about... unnecessary loss.Recommendation If you love anything to do with Titanic and are ok with reading things that aren't completely factual (because I think we all know that there weren't werewolves aboard the Titanic) and love the paranormal, just read this book.

[yabotd · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As soon as I read the synopsis for Fateful, I knew I had to read it. I'm completely drawn in by anything Titanic. I've seen movies, watched documentaries, read books...I'd probably be a complete Titanic nut if I had more free time. And I'm not just drawn in by the tragic romance stories about the Titanic. This might sound a little weird, but I'm really drawn to anything that makes me feel. Doesn't matter whether it makes me feel euphoric or tragically depressed, if it makes me feel, I want to be experience it. (Spoken like a true therapist, right?)Regardless of the setting, Claudia Gray's writing took me in immediately. I've never read one of her previous books, but Fateful makes me want to go snatch up her other titles. Not only was she able to capture the story and characters, but she did so in a voice that felt very authentic for the time period. That's not easy to do.Even though I knew the story took place on the Titanic, I almost completely forgot this fact as I was reading. There isn't any noticeable foreshadowing to the event and the paranormal storyline is so complete, I didn't think about it while reading. Only when the diary-esque headings appeared did I remember we were reading a countdown to the sinking.Combining this historic event with a paranormal story was genius. It was like a story within a story. All readers know what will happen on the ship, but that doesn't happen till the end. In the mean time, there's this awesome paranormal stuff going on until the iceberg disrupts everything. This helped in a couple ways. First, that's how it would have happened. The passengers on the ship had no idea what would happen, so they lived their lives normally until that very moment. Two, it gave us the opportunity to engage in an intriguing paranormal endeavor. This story could have stood on it's own given a different setting.At different points, I couldn't help picturing the movie in my head, but Gray smartly strayed from making her love story similar to the popular film. Certain references and moments might bring you back to the movie, but that's because this is a true historic event being written about. Of course there will be similarities between two types of media creating a fictional story around the same historic event.As a whole, this was a fantastic read. If you like historical, paranormal, or romance, you should give this a try. Even if you don't like one of those three elements, you're still likely to enjoy the book if you like one or two.Overall thoughts: Buy it. If hesitant, at least borrow it because it's worth the read.

[mountie9_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Good Stuff•Seriously its about Werewolves and the Titanic - what's not to like•I would have adored this when I was a teen, it would have been right up my alley•Strong willed and compassionate heroine•Sorta like a paranormal version of James Cameron's Titanic (in a good way of course)•Storyline is nicely fast paced and you find yourself not wanting to put the book down•Quite a few nice historical Titanic facts interspersed within the story for this Titanic geek to appreciate •Nice sweet ending•Some fun dialogue, especially with Myriam (whom I adored and would have liked more scenes with)•Just a nice escapist tale for the romantic YA reader•Nice passion between the Hero and HeroineThe Not so Good Stuff•a wee bit hokey at times•Also quite predictable, you knew what was going to happen, but it was still a nice ride•Would have liked a bit more development of the Brotherhood•Not enough Myriam •Many of the secondary characters were stereotypical archetypes Favorite Quotes/Passages"Only gentlemen leading a life of leisure would need to go someplace special to build muscles. After spending four years toting buckets of water up multiple flights of stairs, I bet I could successfully arm-wrestle most of the first-class male passengers on this ship.""At that point Myriam proudly told the doctors that if I was strong enough to be rude, I was strong enough to live.""Smaller than New York, but larger than the village I was born in, and there's a softness to the late afternoon sky that I like. Like someone poured cream into the blue." (about Halifax)Who should/shouldn't read•For teens who like more romance than sex - not for the more cynical YA reader•Obviously if you like books on the Titanic, you will enjoy•Fans of YA paranormal fiction will also like3.75 Dewey's Natasha asked me to review this for a guest post on her blog

[poetrytoprose · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Thanks to an annoying werewolf in another series I’m not too big on these particular beasts, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to read this book. Werewolves on the Titanic? Yes, sign me up! As crazy as the initial idea sounds, I thought Claudia Gray executed the storyline very well.Gray gets things going very quickly during the introduction to the narrator, Tess. She’s running an errand for her employers before they embark on their journey on the Titanic when she runs into a bit of trouble: a wolf. She’s saved from a vicious attack by a young man, but ultimately pulled into the supernatural world as it follows her onto the ship.Though Tess did have a few facepalm-worthy moments, I found her to be a well-rounded character with a good head on her shoulders. She’s loyal to those that deserve it, intelligent, and brave. She’s terrified at times, but who wouldn’t be when coming face to face with a werewolf? Despite her fear, she still demonstrated so much courage and I felt compelled to root for her. Her romance with Alec was sweet and, thought did move fairly quickly, their scenes together were some of my favorites.I enjoyed how Gray incorporated the Titanic into her novel. Before I read the book, I thought it was very ambitious and tricky to try to weave this real historic event with supernatural lore without coming across as hokey. However, I found that Fateful had just the right amount of both. There were moments when I was so swept up in the werewolf aspects that I forgot the Titanic was the backdrop to the story until a few tidbits popped up every so often. Similarly, Gray offered some interesting information on the ship throughout the novel, but she never let it consume her story… until the big ending, of course, which had my heart racing to find out who would make it off the sinking ship safely.Overall, this was a solid read, but I found myself able to quickly move on after I was done. Neither the story nor characters lingered in my mind, so it wasn’t one of those “I LOVE THIS!!!!” reads. Still, I do recommend giving it a try because Claudia Gray had some great elements in her book.

[jessicaspotswood · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It’s got a great hook: werewolves on the Titanic! The feisty, sympathetic protagonist, Tess, is a servant to a wealthy family with lots of secrets. I’m a sucker for historical paranormal romance and this has a great voice. It’s a really fun, quick read–a perfect counterpoint to ASHES, the book I read just before it!

[bookishbrunette · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

WEREWOLVES? On the TITANIC??? Epic win!Tess and Alec... no matter which way I look at it, or turn it around in my head- their relationship never felt REAL to me! I was never convinced of either of their feelings for the other. They fall "in love" like *BAM*, after a series of less than pleasant meetings and there is nothing supporting it!Their relationship does become more plausible as the book continues, but only because we're more invested in the story and the characters! There was still never any real basis for WHY she was suddenly so in love with him.The several subplots in Fateful were VERY well done, and very, very exciting! The noble family of Lisle... PENNILESS! Their son and heir impregnating a lowly servant girl, and letting his parents cast her out to starve! Their meek and timid, but kind daughter in love with someone she can never have... These were FLAWLESS and I loved every second of them!George and Myriam... I'd have LOVED to hear more about them!!! George is an officer on the ship and Myriam is a third class passenger, their insta-love connection NEVER felt forced! It was sweet, romantic and as simple as "hello". *sigh*You know... it's not like I didn't KNOW how this story would end. Obviously, the Titanic sinks... it's still terribly tragic! Gray does a beautiful job of recreating these terrifying and heartbreakingly sad moments,"As I look past him and realize there are no more lifeboats close by, I wonder if we've found each other too late.""Won't you tell Myriam- I'm sorry not to have had more time with her." -George (my poor, sweet George)"When she takes my hand, I know it's all been real- all of it- and the horror is even more powerful than the fact that I've survived." -TessI had finally been completely won over by this story- I'm talking 4.5 stars, only knocking the .5 because of my initial reservations toward Alec and Tess.When I got to the very last few pages, I was completely disappointed! My heart was breaking into 1000 pieces (which is good... I'm feeling EMOTION for Tess, finally!) and NO, I'm NOT going to tell you how it ends!I have NO doubt in my mind that a lot of people will probably love this ending- I, on the other hand was not a fan. So after much deliberation... 4 STARS!• • • • • • • • •And HOW freaking gorgeous is the new cover?! I absolutely LOVE it, the crimson dress she wore the day her and Alec had their date... her BLONDE hair (I wondered who the brunette chick was on the other cover!), the ice, the moon... everything is perfect! I loved the other one, but this cover is FAR more suited to the book!