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The Mist on Bronte Moor
When Heather Jane Bell is diagnosed with alopecia and her hair starts falling out in clumps, she wants nothing more than to escape her home in London and disappear off the face of the earth.
Heather gets her wish when her concerned parents send her to stay with a great-aunt in West Yorkshire. But shortly after she arrives, Heather becomes lost on the moors and is swept through the mist back to the year 1833. There she encounters fifteen-year-old Emily Brontë and is given refuge in the Brontë Parsonage.
Unaware of her host family’s genius and future fame, Heather struggles to cope with alopecia amongst strangers in a world foreign to her. While Heather finds comfort and strength in her growing friendship with Emily and in the embrace of the close-knit Brontë family, her emotions are stretched to the limit when she falls for Emily’s brilliant but troubled brother, Branwell.
Will Heather return to the comforts and conveniences of the twenty-first century? Or will she choose love and remain in the harsh world of nineteenth-century Haworth?
Heather gets her wish when her concerned parents send her to stay with a great-aunt in West Yorkshire. But shortly after she arrives, Heather becomes lost on the moors and is swept through the mist back to the year 1833. There she encounters fifteen-year-old Emily Brontë and is given refuge in the Brontë Parsonage.
Unaware of her host family’s genius and future fame, Heather struggles to cope with alopecia amongst strangers in a world foreign to her. While Heather finds comfort and strength in her growing friendship with Emily and in the embrace of the close-knit Brontë family, her emotions are stretched to the limit when she falls for Emily’s brilliant but troubled brother, Branwell.
Will Heather return to the comforts and conveniences of the twenty-first century? Or will she choose love and remain in the harsh world of nineteenth-century Haworth?
257 pages, Paperback
First published December 22, 2012
36 people are currently reading
3827 people want to read
About the author
Aviva Orr
10 books46 followersOriginally from South Africa, Aviva now lives in Southern California with her husband, two daughters, and Yorkshire terrier Branwell.
Aviva holds a master's degree in English and has a keen interest in early British literature. The Mist on Brontë Moor is her first novel and was released by WiDo Publishing on January 8, 2013. Book 1 of her new series Love and Literature is now available.
Follow on BookBub @avivaorrauthor
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/aviva...
Aviva holds a master's degree in English and has a keen interest in early British literature. The Mist on Brontë Moor is her first novel and was released by WiDo Publishing on January 8, 2013. Book 1 of her new series Love and Literature is now available.
Follow on BookBub @avivaorrauthor
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/aviva...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
August 8, 2021
I guess I was with The Mist on Brontë Moor both expecting and also really wanting a considerably more believable and realistic, natural feeling general storyline from Aviva Orr’s pen (although I do appreciate that Orr does tend to sufficiently know her 19th century England with regard to culture, clothing and how people generally were living then, with no modern conveniences like running water, electricity and the like, in other words and indeed, that for the parts of The Mist on Brontë Moor taking place in the the past, Aviva Orr’s sense of time and place feels accurate enough and not ever blatantly anachronistic). But well, to be perfectly and brutally honest (and to and for me), neither the reason why the author, why Aviva Orr has her fifteen year old (modern) London high school student and first person narrator Heather Jane Bell being sent to Yorkshire from London to live with an aunt (Heather’s alopecia, Heather’s hair falling out) nor the entire set-up and premise of Heather, once she has arrived in Yorkshire, accidentally slipping back in time, slipping into the 19th century to meet and for two weeks actually be residing with the universally in the 2oth and 21st century well known and celebrated Brontë Family have been all that successfully textually rendered.
For with regard to Heather’s alopecia, in my opinion, although this seems to be a huge issue for her at the beginning of the novel, at the start of The Mist on Brontë Moor, once Heather then arrives in Yorkshire, that entire theme just seems to rather fizzle into nothingness, Heather’s hair loss issues seem to simply no longer be relevant or even once mentioned (and really, it does therefore kind of textually seem as though Aviva Orr has thought up a potentially interesting backstory for her main character in The Mist on Brontë Moor but then does not really go with this, kind of lets the entire hair loss trauma issues completely and frustratingly dry up).
Furthermore, albeit there is of course a certain amount of fantasy naturally to be encountered because The Mist on Brontë Moor involves a time-slip theme, sorry, but I was finding it pretty annoying and hard to believe that it was taking such a ridiculously long time for Heather Jane Bell to figure out that she is actually and in fact no longer in the 21st but in the 19th century (as come on, all the relevant clues are almost immediately and obviously present and as such also easily figured out, or that at least this should be the case). And really, considering that ALL of the Brontë sisters are world famous authors whose works are regularly read in modern British schools, that their stories and their often fraught with trauma and pain lives are indeed a regular part of English classes from so-called Middle School onwards (and considering that in The Mist on Brontë Moor Heather almost as soon as she slips into the past knows that the family with whom she is living has the surname of Brontë), I really was and remain totally textually, narrationally annoyed and frustrated that Aviva Orr does not let Heather figure out whilst still in the past that Charlotte, Emily and Anne are the famous Brontë authors (and that she, that Heather only figures this out quite by accident at the end of The Mist on Brontë Moor, after she has returned from the past, is talking with her aunt and notices some Brontë authored novels).
Oh and and finally, I also absolutely visually despise the book cover image for The Mist on Brontë Moor, as to my eyes it makes it appear as though The Mist on Brontë Moor is going to be some kind of sexed-up bodice ripper type of story, and which Aviva Orr's narrative (even with its textual shortcomings) absolutely and definitely is NOT.
For with regard to Heather’s alopecia, in my opinion, although this seems to be a huge issue for her at the beginning of the novel, at the start of The Mist on Brontë Moor, once Heather then arrives in Yorkshire, that entire theme just seems to rather fizzle into nothingness, Heather’s hair loss issues seem to simply no longer be relevant or even once mentioned (and really, it does therefore kind of textually seem as though Aviva Orr has thought up a potentially interesting backstory for her main character in The Mist on Brontë Moor but then does not really go with this, kind of lets the entire hair loss trauma issues completely and frustratingly dry up).
Furthermore, albeit there is of course a certain amount of fantasy naturally to be encountered because The Mist on Brontë Moor involves a time-slip theme, sorry, but I was finding it pretty annoying and hard to believe that it was taking such a ridiculously long time for Heather Jane Bell to figure out that she is actually and in fact no longer in the 21st but in the 19th century (as come on, all the relevant clues are almost immediately and obviously present and as such also easily figured out, or that at least this should be the case). And really, considering that ALL of the Brontë sisters are world famous authors whose works are regularly read in modern British schools, that their stories and their often fraught with trauma and pain lives are indeed a regular part of English classes from so-called Middle School onwards (and considering that in The Mist on Brontë Moor Heather almost as soon as she slips into the past knows that the family with whom she is living has the surname of Brontë), I really was and remain totally textually, narrationally annoyed and frustrated that Aviva Orr does not let Heather figure out whilst still in the past that Charlotte, Emily and Anne are the famous Brontë authors (and that she, that Heather only figures this out quite by accident at the end of The Mist on Brontë Moor, after she has returned from the past, is talking with her aunt and notices some Brontë authored novels).
Oh and and finally, I also absolutely visually despise the book cover image for The Mist on Brontë Moor, as to my eyes it makes it appear as though The Mist on Brontë Moor is going to be some kind of sexed-up bodice ripper type of story, and which Aviva Orr's narrative (even with its textual shortcomings) absolutely and definitely is NOT.
January 4, 2013
I love the Brontes, and the idea of bringing them to life is what made me want to read The Mist on Bronte Moor. That, and a love interest with none other than Branwell Bronte, known for being the family rebel. It's an exciting and new twist on historical fiction that I can't wait to get my hands on.
February 20, 2013
Powerfully moving and evocative the breathtaking complexity of the delicately interwoven narrative is simply stunning!
Spinechilling and magnificent this impressive novel entwines accurate historical detail with a thoroughly contemporary twist, in an original work of ambitious proportions. I was delighted to find the Brontë’s re-captured in a classy current way that reaches out to those who enjoy the young adult genre. Aviva Orr’s inspired vision and how she delicately merges together both fact and fiction is beautiful, making this novel not only something that oozes period romance and sophistication but which makes the past very important within our present. It is works such as Wuthering Heights and the star-crossed lovers of Cathy and Heathcliffe that formed the very foundations for female authors to express themselves through the page, and it is Mr. Rochester’s well-guarded secret within Thornfield that stirs our imaginations for the gothic and romanticism. Alongside Austen and Dickens, the Brontë’s novels are greatly consequential within my life for they sparked that love and appreciation for literary enlightenment and the power of the written word – highlighting the tragedy and horror within life.
Heavy hangs the raindrop,
From the burdened spray;
Heavy broods the damp mist,
On uplands far away;
- E J Brontë
An intriguing take and perspective on the Brontë family is taken, through the eyes of a modern-day teenager who unexpectedly falls through the mist and into their lives in the nineteenth-century. Heather Jane Bell is a brilliant protagonist for our acute insight into this famous family is seen with a modern outlook – which I found to be most refreshing. You are thus able to put yourself into Heather’s shoes and discover Emily, Charlotte, Anne and Branwell as if you are actually standing before them; hence I would recommend this to long-term devotees of the Brontë novels too. The harshness of the times is vividly brought to life through the pen as too is the bleakness of the Moors, the death and also the inspiration that the sisters drew for their stories; such as the environment and those characteristics of whom surrounded them. Love is unexpected, breathtaking and unsettling for as readily as we gain it we can also loose it (as described through Heather and Branwell’s intensely impassioned connection).
One learns so much about each Brontë and their individualistic traits, as the author projects this clearly through their relationship with the fictitious character and how they act/ react in situations that arise. As fluid and delicate as poetry Aviva Orr’s writing is stunning, with sublime simplicity of prose together with Emily Brontë’s poetry as to make the words strike a deeply profound chord within. Compelling and atmospheric one gains a realistic vision of the sights, smells and sounds of the era perfectly in this well-researched book.
Love is like the wild Rose-Briar,
Friendship is like the Holly-Tree,
The Holly is dark when the Rose-Briar blooms,
But which will bloom most constantly?
- E. J Brontë
What makes this novel stand-out is the disease called ‘alopecia’ which causes Heather’s hair to fall out (ref. to Jane Eyre in which a young girl called Helen Burns has her hair chopped short due to vanity. Mr. Brocklehurst aims to teach her humility). Whilst the main character is taken on a journey of inner self-discovery she learns the importance of inner beauty, taking both courage and strength from those strong persons whom she is with, including Mary. Many references are made to those works of the Brontë’s but one in particular I felt was remicent of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes: the hound of the Baskerville’s, in which a savage wolf haunts the Moors.
This magical, remarkable and astonishingly brilliant book is dazzling and so I praise it as an impressive debut that is a MUST-READ!
*I was sent an e-copy of “The Mist on Brontë Moor” by Aviva Orr to read and review, from the author herself*
Spinechilling and magnificent this impressive novel entwines accurate historical detail with a thoroughly contemporary twist, in an original work of ambitious proportions. I was delighted to find the Brontë’s re-captured in a classy current way that reaches out to those who enjoy the young adult genre. Aviva Orr’s inspired vision and how she delicately merges together both fact and fiction is beautiful, making this novel not only something that oozes period romance and sophistication but which makes the past very important within our present. It is works such as Wuthering Heights and the star-crossed lovers of Cathy and Heathcliffe that formed the very foundations for female authors to express themselves through the page, and it is Mr. Rochester’s well-guarded secret within Thornfield that stirs our imaginations for the gothic and romanticism. Alongside Austen and Dickens, the Brontë’s novels are greatly consequential within my life for they sparked that love and appreciation for literary enlightenment and the power of the written word – highlighting the tragedy and horror within life.
Heavy hangs the raindrop,
From the burdened spray;
Heavy broods the damp mist,
On uplands far away;
- E J Brontë
An intriguing take and perspective on the Brontë family is taken, through the eyes of a modern-day teenager who unexpectedly falls through the mist and into their lives in the nineteenth-century. Heather Jane Bell is a brilliant protagonist for our acute insight into this famous family is seen with a modern outlook – which I found to be most refreshing. You are thus able to put yourself into Heather’s shoes and discover Emily, Charlotte, Anne and Branwell as if you are actually standing before them; hence I would recommend this to long-term devotees of the Brontë novels too. The harshness of the times is vividly brought to life through the pen as too is the bleakness of the Moors, the death and also the inspiration that the sisters drew for their stories; such as the environment and those characteristics of whom surrounded them. Love is unexpected, breathtaking and unsettling for as readily as we gain it we can also loose it (as described through Heather and Branwell’s intensely impassioned connection).
One learns so much about each Brontë and their individualistic traits, as the author projects this clearly through their relationship with the fictitious character and how they act/ react in situations that arise. As fluid and delicate as poetry Aviva Orr’s writing is stunning, with sublime simplicity of prose together with Emily Brontë’s poetry as to make the words strike a deeply profound chord within. Compelling and atmospheric one gains a realistic vision of the sights, smells and sounds of the era perfectly in this well-researched book.
Love is like the wild Rose-Briar,
Friendship is like the Holly-Tree,
The Holly is dark when the Rose-Briar blooms,
But which will bloom most constantly?
- E. J Brontë
What makes this novel stand-out is the disease called ‘alopecia’ which causes Heather’s hair to fall out (ref. to Jane Eyre in which a young girl called Helen Burns has her hair chopped short due to vanity. Mr. Brocklehurst aims to teach her humility). Whilst the main character is taken on a journey of inner self-discovery she learns the importance of inner beauty, taking both courage and strength from those strong persons whom she is with, including Mary. Many references are made to those works of the Brontë’s but one in particular I felt was remicent of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes: the hound of the Baskerville’s, in which a savage wolf haunts the Moors.
This magical, remarkable and astonishingly brilliant book is dazzling and so I praise it as an impressive debut that is a MUST-READ!
*I was sent an e-copy of “The Mist on Brontë Moor” by Aviva Orr to read and review, from the author herself*
January 5, 2013
I'm a big fan of Emily Bronte's writing, her words simply leave me speechless. And now, I'm a fan of Aviva Orr. She's inherited that beautiful, romantic yet tragic, writing style that the Bronte sisters have given us.
The Mist on Bronte Moor is unforgettable. The story is beautiful, the writing is magnificent, the characters were so incredibly realistic that I felt like I really knew them. I have nothing to complain about. Aviva Orr has accomplished exactly what Emily Bronte did and what many other authors couldn't... she left me utterly speechless.
Heather starts out as a very insecure character. She's sensitive to her flaws, but that completely changes once she meets Emily and Branwell. I like her because she's a tough character, like Catherine in Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights. She's got one of those sharp, stubborn personalities that attracts the reader's attention no matter what.
Branwell, on the other hand, is a very troubled guy. His flaws go from drugs to brawls to depression. And yet, even though I repeatedly told myself I wouldn't like him, I ended up loving him. No matter how conceited and disturbed he was, he had these rare moments where he became this lovable, sweet guy.
The relationship between Heather and Branwell s i z z l e s. There's no love at first sight, actually Branwell thinks Heather is a boy when he first meets her, and there aren't any overly gushy moments. They spend only a couple of moments together before everything falls to apart.
The story in general is a refreshing take on the lives of the Bronte family, with a small twist of course. It's a beautiful novel that I'll probably be rereading again very soon. There're very few cliches in it, and the amount of predictability is close to none.
Overall, I love it. I love the eerie tone, the shocking truths about the family, the character's flaws, and the characters themselves. It's a story you can't miss.
This is a MUST READ for fans of the Bronte sisters. I highly recommend it!
The Mist on Bronte Moor is unforgettable. The story is beautiful, the writing is magnificent, the characters were so incredibly realistic that I felt like I really knew them. I have nothing to complain about. Aviva Orr has accomplished exactly what Emily Bronte did and what many other authors couldn't... she left me utterly speechless.
Heather starts out as a very insecure character. She's sensitive to her flaws, but that completely changes once she meets Emily and Branwell. I like her because she's a tough character, like Catherine in Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights. She's got one of those sharp, stubborn personalities that attracts the reader's attention no matter what.
Branwell, on the other hand, is a very troubled guy. His flaws go from drugs to brawls to depression. And yet, even though I repeatedly told myself I wouldn't like him, I ended up loving him. No matter how conceited and disturbed he was, he had these rare moments where he became this lovable, sweet guy.
The relationship between Heather and Branwell s i z z l e s. There's no love at first sight, actually Branwell thinks Heather is a boy when he first meets her, and there aren't any overly gushy moments. They spend only a couple of moments together before everything falls to apart.
The story in general is a refreshing take on the lives of the Bronte family, with a small twist of course. It's a beautiful novel that I'll probably be rereading again very soon. There're very few cliches in it, and the amount of predictability is close to none.
Overall, I love it. I love the eerie tone, the shocking truths about the family, the character's flaws, and the characters themselves. It's a story you can't miss.
This is a MUST READ for fans of the Bronte sisters. I highly recommend it!
January 8, 2013
I love the Brontës. I find their short, insulated lives fascinating, especially given their writing genius. So when I read the synopsis for this book I was very keen to read this YA take on a day (or days rather) in the lives of the Brontë family. Heather has a great character arc - her insecurities due to her alopecia makes it difficult for her to open up to her family and friends but with the Brontë sisters and Branwell, she can gradually forget her fears. The infatuated love she feels for Branwell who - true to the real man - is charming and troubled at turns, was well captured by the author's prose. I felt she brought teenage love and angst to life in this story, even creating a Victorian equivalent that slightly mirrors elements of Wuthering Heights. This added a welcome element of danger and suspense to what is a simple time travel romance and coming of age story.
What I most appreciated about this story was the faithful re-imagining of the teenage Brontës and their lives in Haworth. The author obviously did much research and used real life facts to support her characterizations and drama. I felt like I was really seeing into their minds, and I loved how well the author brought them to life. The historical details makes this an excellent immersive read that made me feel the cold and beauty of the moors in the nineteenth century and the unique relationships between the Brontë family.
This is a relatively short, sweet novel about acceptance and love with the bonus of including such dynamic personalities as the Brontës. I would highly recommend it to readers who like character-driven stories with historical fantasy elements and light romance.
What I most appreciated about this story was the faithful re-imagining of the teenage Brontës and their lives in Haworth. The author obviously did much research and used real life facts to support her characterizations and drama. I felt like I was really seeing into their minds, and I loved how well the author brought them to life. The historical details makes this an excellent immersive read that made me feel the cold and beauty of the moors in the nineteenth century and the unique relationships between the Brontë family.
This is a relatively short, sweet novel about acceptance and love with the bonus of including such dynamic personalities as the Brontës. I would highly recommend it to readers who like character-driven stories with historical fantasy elements and light romance.
December 29, 2012
Early review on request from the author, also on http://thedailyprophecy.blogspot.com
I must say that this book blew me away! I loved the sound from this book and the story totally delivered to my expectations.
Heather Jane Bell is fifteen years and suffers from Alopecia. This means that her hair will fall out, because her immune system attacks the hair follicles. She has been friends with Simon for 10 years now. He is a popular, typical pretty boy and she is bullied because nobody understands her friendship; she is too ‘normal’ for him. An awkward kiss ends their friendship and Simon ignores her. Heather is devastated and when she loses clumps of hair on school, she doesn’t want to attend school anymore.
Her parents send her to a great-aunt called Elspeth in West Yorkshire. When Heather takes a walk, she is surrounded by a mist and swept away back in time. She ends up with Emily Jane Brontë and her family; father, Charlotte, Anne, Branwell (his real name is actually Patrick), Tabby (the maid) and aunt Branwell. Heather doesn’t know it yet and she suspects that she just lost her way during the walk. She can live with them until father Brontë finds her aunt.
Times passes and Heather finds her way in the family. She is now aware that the mist transported her back in time, but she is far too busy to think about her real home all the time; she and Branwell are growing to like each other. He is a very troubled boy, but he makes her feel beautiful. Will she ever return to her home? And does she want that?
I liked Heather’s voice. I could understand her feelings; I would be broken if I lose my long hair. I was happy that she wasn’t whiny about it and she starts to realize that she can be beautiful despite her sickness. It wasn’t hard to connect with her.
Aviva used another storyline to spice up the story and I liked that. It made sure that I was hooked to the pages and I was never bored. It was hard to put it down and her writing-style was pleasant. The fact that every chapter starts with a piece of Emily’s writing was great! Very nice addition to the Brontë feeling. The world-building is good. I could imagine all the places Heather visits and the secondary characters are well-done.
So, I would definitely recommend this book if you like time-travel!
I must say that this book blew me away! I loved the sound from this book and the story totally delivered to my expectations.
Heather Jane Bell is fifteen years and suffers from Alopecia. This means that her hair will fall out, because her immune system attacks the hair follicles. She has been friends with Simon for 10 years now. He is a popular, typical pretty boy and she is bullied because nobody understands her friendship; she is too ‘normal’ for him. An awkward kiss ends their friendship and Simon ignores her. Heather is devastated and when she loses clumps of hair on school, she doesn’t want to attend school anymore.
Her parents send her to a great-aunt called Elspeth in West Yorkshire. When Heather takes a walk, she is surrounded by a mist and swept away back in time. She ends up with Emily Jane Brontë and her family; father, Charlotte, Anne, Branwell (his real name is actually Patrick), Tabby (the maid) and aunt Branwell. Heather doesn’t know it yet and she suspects that she just lost her way during the walk. She can live with them until father Brontë finds her aunt.
Times passes and Heather finds her way in the family. She is now aware that the mist transported her back in time, but she is far too busy to think about her real home all the time; she and Branwell are growing to like each other. He is a very troubled boy, but he makes her feel beautiful. Will she ever return to her home? And does she want that?
I liked Heather’s voice. I could understand her feelings; I would be broken if I lose my long hair. I was happy that she wasn’t whiny about it and she starts to realize that she can be beautiful despite her sickness. It wasn’t hard to connect with her.
Aviva used another storyline to spice up the story and I liked that. It made sure that I was hooked to the pages and I was never bored. It was hard to put it down and her writing-style was pleasant. The fact that every chapter starts with a piece of Emily’s writing was great! Very nice addition to the Brontë feeling. The world-building is good. I could imagine all the places Heather visits and the secondary characters are well-done.
So, I would definitely recommend this book if you like time-travel!
October 12, 2014
4.5 stars
Amazing. Beautiful. Bittersweet. These are the words that sum up how I would describe this book.
First, let's talk about Heather. Her struggle with alopecia is apparent from the first page, and it is very well written. Some reviewers claim that she didn't struggle with it as much as she should have while staying with the Brontës, but I say nay-nay. The girl was in 1833; she had other things on her mind, and it is still a fairly big struggle in the story, so I don't agree with them. The one thing that I feel is invonsistent as far as the alopecia goes is the cover. In the book, she has to cut it off, but on thecover she is pictured in the graveyard with long flowing hair. That's it. And I didn't care about that at all, so in my opinion, it was flawless. I thought it was a bit strange that she didn't realize she had traveled back in time sooner, because even though it seems far fetched, there were so many obvious signs! Other than that, I thought she was a great main character.
The love story was a bit of a love-hate relationship for me, and probably the only reason this book isn't getting five stars. In the 1800s, I am almost certain it was not common to snuggle by the fireplace. Especially after you have only known the person for two weeks! Once I got over that little fact, I was soon in love with Branwell. He was so charming, yet he had a vulnerable side to him as well. I did not know the Brontës had a brother, and I looked him up while reading this because I was so interested. He seems like he was very talented, but for reasons that I won't tell you because they might spoil the book, he never became as famous.
As some of you may already know, I have a Brontë obsession. Currently, I'm trying to read every single book they ever wrote. So now I will go on a rant on how I think it is completely AWESOME that Charlotte, Emily, and Anne (kind of) were all main characters! I know this book is fictional, but I feel as if I got to know them by reading this. Silly, right? Still; I will never look at Jane Eyre the same way again.
Now, the ending. Don't worry; there's no spoilers here, but I feel like I need to say that the ending was a rollercoaster of emotions for me. I don't know how to say it any differently. It was not an ending that completely killed my happiness and made me want to curl up into a ball and sob(Mockingjay!) but it was not a happy, sunshine and rainbows, and they all lived happily ever after ending. I loved it.
I know that if I don't end this soon, I will ramble on and on, so I'll close with this; The Mist on Brontë Moor is one of the best books I have read this year. It's the kind of book where you become overly attached to the characters and feel sad when it's over. I have no idea if there could be a sequel to this, but if there is, I would buy it in a second. You need to read it!
This review can be found on http://myfullbookshelfreviews.blogspo...
Amazing. Beautiful. Bittersweet. These are the words that sum up how I would describe this book.
First, let's talk about Heather. Her struggle with alopecia is apparent from the first page, and it is very well written. Some reviewers claim that she didn't struggle with it as much as she should have while staying with the Brontës, but I say nay-nay. The girl was in 1833; she had other things on her mind, and it is still a fairly big struggle in the story, so I don't agree with them. The one thing that I feel is invonsistent as far as the alopecia goes is the cover. In the book, she has to cut it off, but on thecover she is pictured in the graveyard with long flowing hair. That's it. And I didn't care about that at all, so in my opinion, it was flawless. I thought it was a bit strange that she didn't realize she had traveled back in time sooner, because even though it seems far fetched, there were so many obvious signs! Other than that, I thought she was a great main character.
The love story was a bit of a love-hate relationship for me, and probably the only reason this book isn't getting five stars. In the 1800s, I am almost certain it was not common to snuggle by the fireplace. Especially after you have only known the person for two weeks! Once I got over that little fact, I was soon in love with Branwell. He was so charming, yet he had a vulnerable side to him as well. I did not know the Brontës had a brother, and I looked him up while reading this because I was so interested. He seems like he was very talented, but for reasons that I won't tell you because they might spoil the book, he never became as famous.
As some of you may already know, I have a Brontë obsession. Currently, I'm trying to read every single book they ever wrote. So now I will go on a rant on how I think it is completely AWESOME that Charlotte, Emily, and Anne (kind of) were all main characters! I know this book is fictional, but I feel as if I got to know them by reading this. Silly, right? Still; I will never look at Jane Eyre the same way again.
Now, the ending. Don't worry; there's no spoilers here, but I feel like I need to say that the ending was a rollercoaster of emotions for me. I don't know how to say it any differently. It was not an ending that completely killed my happiness and made me want to curl up into a ball and sob(Mockingjay!) but it was not a happy, sunshine and rainbows, and they all lived happily ever after ending. I loved it.
I know that if I don't end this soon, I will ramble on and on, so I'll close with this; The Mist on Brontë Moor is one of the best books I have read this year. It's the kind of book where you become overly attached to the characters and feel sad when it's over. I have no idea if there could be a sequel to this, but if there is, I would buy it in a second. You need to read it!
This review can be found on http://myfullbookshelfreviews.blogspo...
December 4, 2015
I've had this book on my Kindle for ages, always planning to read it but never got around to it.
Well, shame on me!
"The Mist on Bronte Moor" by Aviva Orr was a charming story that transported me into a different world. A world that I find inherently fascinating.
The writing was imaginative and poetic, yet very approachable.
From the scenery to the characters to the incredibly creative plot - I really adored this book.
Heather suffers from alopecia - losing her beautiful hair by the handful. Heart-broken, embarrassed and hurting, she flees London to live with her great-aunt.
Once there, she gets lost on the moors and ends up in the a century long gone with the Bronte family. Yes, that Bronte family.
For a big city girl used to modern conveniences, this is quite a shock. Especially not knowing if she'll ever find her way back.
Considering her situation, she's taking it surprisingly well. Quickly adjusting to this lifestyle and finding her place in the Bronte family.
She's found a good friend in Emily. But that's not what keeps her preoccupied.
It's her budding feelings for Branwell, the Bronte brother. Between experiencing her first love and trying to help two hopeless lovers reunite, she's quite busy and doesn't get much chance to miss her life in the future.
Heather is a typical teenager, but her illness forces her to grow up a bit quicker. She has to leave behind the typical teenager shallowness and vanity and find what truly defines her outside of her looks. Insecure and self-conscious, it takes her time to redefine her definition of beauty.
I suppose it's harder to focus on how you look, when you're dealing with no electricity, no running water, no heating - the things she's always taken for granted. Hair-loss suddenly isn't a priority anymore.
Her time with the Brontes lets her grow up immensely, allowing her to come out a self-confident person who knows what she wants.
She's down to earth, sweet and loyal. Willing to risk her own safety, she goes out of her way to help others.
I loved all the characters. But especially Branwell.
Her made the teenage girl in me swoon something fierce.
Intelligent, nerdy, yet with a wild side, I'm not surprised Heather falls for him.
Aviva Orr has done a perfect job to capture the voice of the Bronte sisters, painting a beautiful picture of their lives. Facts mixing with fantasy, I was allowed to spend some time on Bronte Moor and it was amazing.
The only thing that spoiled it for me was the ending. It felt quite rushed and I am missing some closure.
4 the-Bronte-sisters-rock stars.
Well, shame on me!
"The Mist on Bronte Moor" by Aviva Orr was a charming story that transported me into a different world. A world that I find inherently fascinating.
The writing was imaginative and poetic, yet very approachable.
From the scenery to the characters to the incredibly creative plot - I really adored this book.
Heather suffers from alopecia - losing her beautiful hair by the handful. Heart-broken, embarrassed and hurting, she flees London to live with her great-aunt.
Once there, she gets lost on the moors and ends up in the a century long gone with the Bronte family. Yes, that Bronte family.
For a big city girl used to modern conveniences, this is quite a shock. Especially not knowing if she'll ever find her way back.
Considering her situation, she's taking it surprisingly well. Quickly adjusting to this lifestyle and finding her place in the Bronte family.
She's found a good friend in Emily. But that's not what keeps her preoccupied.
It's her budding feelings for Branwell, the Bronte brother. Between experiencing her first love and trying to help two hopeless lovers reunite, she's quite busy and doesn't get much chance to miss her life in the future.
Heather is a typical teenager, but her illness forces her to grow up a bit quicker. She has to leave behind the typical teenager shallowness and vanity and find what truly defines her outside of her looks. Insecure and self-conscious, it takes her time to redefine her definition of beauty.
I suppose it's harder to focus on how you look, when you're dealing with no electricity, no running water, no heating - the things she's always taken for granted. Hair-loss suddenly isn't a priority anymore.
Her time with the Brontes lets her grow up immensely, allowing her to come out a self-confident person who knows what she wants.
She's down to earth, sweet and loyal. Willing to risk her own safety, she goes out of her way to help others.
I loved all the characters. But especially Branwell.
Her made the teenage girl in me swoon something fierce.
Intelligent, nerdy, yet with a wild side, I'm not surprised Heather falls for him.
Aviva Orr has done a perfect job to capture the voice of the Bronte sisters, painting a beautiful picture of their lives. Facts mixing with fantasy, I was allowed to spend some time on Bronte Moor and it was amazing.
The only thing that spoiled it for me was the ending. It felt quite rushed and I am missing some closure.
4 the-Bronte-sisters-rock stars.
February 15, 2013
3.5 hearts.
I found this as a giveaway on Goodreads, and absolutely loved the premise. I entered the contest and while I didn't win, I got an email from the author Aviva [WOOT!] asking if I'd like to read for review. Obviously I said yes, because this novel already piqued my interest!
Who doesn't love the Brontës, especially Emily. The story of the Brontës is fascinating, given the amount of literary talent in the family, as well as the short lived lives of the children and mother. The Mist on Brontë Moor is a brilliant depiction on the young lives of Emily, Charlotte, Anne and Branwell, along with Heather Bell. Aviva Orr did an stunning job weaving fiction and non-fiction together.
Heather has insecurities due to her Alopecia.[The loss of hair, which usually turns out in permanent baldness] Having this disease while being in high school is just not fun, Heather ends up leaving her high school after an incident in class and going to live with her Aunt in the Yorkshire Country. The day after she arrives, she travels into the Moors outside. There is a mist that invades her visibility and she trips and hits her head, falling into the 19th century.
Heather wakes up in the Moors. While trying to find her way back to her new home, she meets Emily. Emily decides to take Heather back to her home where she meets the rest of the Brontë family. Heather finds a love interest in Branwell, who is charming and troubled true to the real man. Aviva did a amazing job entangling the teenage characters to make them true to the actual history, while being fictionalized.
The Mist on Brontë Moor is definitely delivers worthy read. Mixing time travel, romance, history, and suspense. Getting a new take on the Brontë family is refreshing and unique. Although a work of fiction, this story makes you really imagine what it was like for the Brontë family in the 19th century. This novel brings you on a vivid journey to a historical past. I felt as if I was thrown back in time along with Heather, feeling everything that she went through with Emily and Branwell especially.
This is truly a brilliant work of art, by Aviva Orr. I can't wait to see what she puts out next.
I found this as a giveaway on Goodreads, and absolutely loved the premise. I entered the contest and while I didn't win, I got an email from the author Aviva [WOOT!] asking if I'd like to read for review. Obviously I said yes, because this novel already piqued my interest!
Who doesn't love the Brontës, especially Emily. The story of the Brontës is fascinating, given the amount of literary talent in the family, as well as the short lived lives of the children and mother. The Mist on Brontë Moor is a brilliant depiction on the young lives of Emily, Charlotte, Anne and Branwell, along with Heather Bell. Aviva Orr did an stunning job weaving fiction and non-fiction together.
Heather has insecurities due to her Alopecia.[The loss of hair, which usually turns out in permanent baldness] Having this disease while being in high school is just not fun, Heather ends up leaving her high school after an incident in class and going to live with her Aunt in the Yorkshire Country. The day after she arrives, she travels into the Moors outside. There is a mist that invades her visibility and she trips and hits her head, falling into the 19th century.
Heather wakes up in the Moors. While trying to find her way back to her new home, she meets Emily. Emily decides to take Heather back to her home where she meets the rest of the Brontë family. Heather finds a love interest in Branwell, who is charming and troubled true to the real man. Aviva did a amazing job entangling the teenage characters to make them true to the actual history, while being fictionalized.
The Mist on Brontë Moor is definitely delivers worthy read. Mixing time travel, romance, history, and suspense. Getting a new take on the Brontë family is refreshing and unique. Although a work of fiction, this story makes you really imagine what it was like for the Brontë family in the 19th century. This novel brings you on a vivid journey to a historical past. I felt as if I was thrown back in time along with Heather, feeling everything that she went through with Emily and Branwell especially.
This is truly a brilliant work of art, by Aviva Orr. I can't wait to see what she puts out next.
June 14, 2016
2.5 stars!!!
A quick, light read. As a huge fan of the Bronte sisters, the blurb was what really drew me to this book. But I have to admit, I am rather disappointed with this story. The MC Heather suffers from alopecia and is recovering from a broken heart. She is sent to live with her Aunt in Yorkshire. The story started off well enough and I loved how the element of time travel was mixed with the historical aspects of the Bronte family. I loved reading about their lives. However, I felt the MC was completely unrelatable. For a girl who is coping with an illness, I felt that the issue was just brushed under the rug the minute she landed in the nineteenth century. I wanted to know and feel what she was going through but I didn't get that. Instead she falls in love with Branwell Bronte who I felt had NO chemistry with her. It was all insta-love. There were no swoon worthy moments instead it just feel flat. There was a sub plot as well which was rather interesting but the ending which was poorly executed left many things unresolved in the story and felt me utterly dissatisfied.
I really wanted to love this book. It is good for a one time read. You get an idea of what the Brontes would have been like but other than that there's nothing much to say. I don't think die hard fans of the Bronte classics would enjoy this book. Maybe it's okay for young readers who are looking to be introduced to them.
A quick, light read. As a huge fan of the Bronte sisters, the blurb was what really drew me to this book. But I have to admit, I am rather disappointed with this story. The MC Heather suffers from alopecia and is recovering from a broken heart. She is sent to live with her Aunt in Yorkshire. The story started off well enough and I loved how the element of time travel was mixed with the historical aspects of the Bronte family. I loved reading about their lives. However, I felt the MC was completely unrelatable. For a girl who is coping with an illness, I felt that the issue was just brushed under the rug the minute she landed in the nineteenth century. I wanted to know and feel what she was going through but I didn't get that. Instead she falls in love with Branwell Bronte who I felt had NO chemistry with her. It was all insta-love. There were no swoon worthy moments instead it just feel flat. There was a sub plot as well which was rather interesting but the ending which was poorly executed left many things unresolved in the story and felt me utterly dissatisfied.
I really wanted to love this book. It is good for a one time read. You get an idea of what the Brontes would have been like but other than that there's nothing much to say. I don't think die hard fans of the Bronte classics would enjoy this book. Maybe it's okay for young readers who are looking to be introduced to them.
January 27, 2013
I love historical fiction, but when it involves time-travel, the transition between time has to convince me or I won't buy the premise. Of course, I know it's fiction - still.
In The Mist on the Bronte Moor, Heather, the main character, flows smoothly into the past. First baffled by her surroundings, she comes up with logically reasons to explain the differences in time periods away. She soon comes to understand that time has ticked backward somehow.
I can barely remember what I learned about the Brontes in high school, so it was fun getting to know the family along with Heather, who at first, knows little about them herself.
This was a fun read with believable characters brought to life by the story's rich attention to details. It feels incredibly authenticity, as though one really has stepped through the pages and back in time.
A must read for historical fiction and fantasy fans.
In The Mist on the Bronte Moor, Heather, the main character, flows smoothly into the past. First baffled by her surroundings, she comes up with logically reasons to explain the differences in time periods away. She soon comes to understand that time has ticked backward somehow.
I can barely remember what I learned about the Brontes in high school, so it was fun getting to know the family along with Heather, who at first, knows little about them herself.
This was a fun read with believable characters brought to life by the story's rich attention to details. It feels incredibly authenticity, as though one really has stepped through the pages and back in time.
A must read for historical fiction and fantasy fans.
February 25, 2013
Wow.... what a waste of my time! I am a big fan of the Brontes so I was excited to read this book. But the more I read the more my excitement turned to disappointment. The whole thing felt disjointed and sad without a hope of happiness. When I am done reading a book I want to be left with a good feeling, and this book didn't give me that.
August 10, 2013
The Mist on Bronte Moor by Aviva Orr
From the site of Aviva Orr:
When fifteen-year-old Heather Jane Bell is diagnosed with alopecia and her hair starts falling out in clumps, she wants nothing more than to escape her home in London and disappear off the face of the earth.
Heather gets her wish when her concerned parents send her to stay with her great-aunt in West Yorkshire. But shortly after she arrives, she becomes lost on the moors and is swept through the mist back to the year 1833. There she encounters fifteen-year-old Emily Brontë and is given refuge in the Brontë Parsonage.
Unaware of her host family’s genius and future fame, Heather struggles to cope with alopecia amongst strangers in a world completely foreign to her. While Heather finds comfort and strength in her growing friendship with Emily and in the embrace of the close-knit Brontë family, her emotions are stretched to the limit when she falls for Emily’s brilliant but troubled brother, Branwell.
Will Heather return to the comforts and conveniences of the twenty-first century? Or will she choose love and remain in the harsh world of nineteenth-century Haworth?
My review:
The Mist on Bronte Moor by Aviva Orr
I enjoyed this book about a 15 year old student who has alopecia, loss of hair. Heather Jane Bell does not want to go back to school so her parents send her to live with her Great-Aunt Elspeth in West Yorkshire. Heather takes a train from London to live in her new home.
Heather is taken back in time when she enters a mist. She is "found" by Emily and taken to the Bronte home. It takes Heather awhile to find she has gone back to the 19th century to 1833. The clothing is different as well as the home which is where there is no electricity and no indoor plumbing. The Brontes take her in and give her dress and food. Mr. Bronte said he would find her family or send her to an orphanage. He has to go out of town and Heather stays in the house.
The family consists of Mr. Bronte, Branwell, Emily, Charlotte, Anne and Mr. Bronte's sister, Elizabeth. The housekeeper is Tabby, or Tabitha, as Elizabeth Bronte calls her. Emily tells Heather her sisters are buried in the churchyard and "my mother lies in the church under the stone floor". They live in the town of Haworth.
I really liked this book as it has a lot of history about the time period and the Brontes. I did not realize there was a brother called, Branwell who had a problem with lanthanum.
Read to enjoy and go back in to another time era. A good read for young people as the facts hold true such as children dying at a young age. I especially liked it when Tabby have Heather wash her own muddy clothes.
At the beginning of each chapter there is part of a poem written by E. J. Bronte.
Chapter 7:
" And first and hour of mournful musing,
And then a gush of bitter tears,
And then a dreary calm diffusing
Its deadly mist o'er joys and cares:"
Chapter 10:
"Will the day be bright or cloudy?
Sweetly has its dawn begun;
But the heaven may shake with thunder
Ere the setting of the sun"
On a personal note about loss of hair. As a an adult who has lost most of her of hair on top of her head because of a thyroid condition and unhappy, I can imagine a 15 year old and how devastated she would be.
I downloaded this book from Amazon. I give it a 5 star because it held my interest. Not a very complicated book but a good read. No bad language.
You may find Aviva Orr at www.avivaorr.com
Leona Olson
www.mnleona.blogspot.com
From the site of Aviva Orr:
When fifteen-year-old Heather Jane Bell is diagnosed with alopecia and her hair starts falling out in clumps, she wants nothing more than to escape her home in London and disappear off the face of the earth.
Heather gets her wish when her concerned parents send her to stay with her great-aunt in West Yorkshire. But shortly after she arrives, she becomes lost on the moors and is swept through the mist back to the year 1833. There she encounters fifteen-year-old Emily Brontë and is given refuge in the Brontë Parsonage.
Unaware of her host family’s genius and future fame, Heather struggles to cope with alopecia amongst strangers in a world completely foreign to her. While Heather finds comfort and strength in her growing friendship with Emily and in the embrace of the close-knit Brontë family, her emotions are stretched to the limit when she falls for Emily’s brilliant but troubled brother, Branwell.
Will Heather return to the comforts and conveniences of the twenty-first century? Or will she choose love and remain in the harsh world of nineteenth-century Haworth?
My review:
The Mist on Bronte Moor by Aviva Orr
I enjoyed this book about a 15 year old student who has alopecia, loss of hair. Heather Jane Bell does not want to go back to school so her parents send her to live with her Great-Aunt Elspeth in West Yorkshire. Heather takes a train from London to live in her new home.
Heather is taken back in time when she enters a mist. She is "found" by Emily and taken to the Bronte home. It takes Heather awhile to find she has gone back to the 19th century to 1833. The clothing is different as well as the home which is where there is no electricity and no indoor plumbing. The Brontes take her in and give her dress and food. Mr. Bronte said he would find her family or send her to an orphanage. He has to go out of town and Heather stays in the house.
The family consists of Mr. Bronte, Branwell, Emily, Charlotte, Anne and Mr. Bronte's sister, Elizabeth. The housekeeper is Tabby, or Tabitha, as Elizabeth Bronte calls her. Emily tells Heather her sisters are buried in the churchyard and "my mother lies in the church under the stone floor". They live in the town of Haworth.
I really liked this book as it has a lot of history about the time period and the Brontes. I did not realize there was a brother called, Branwell who had a problem with lanthanum.
Read to enjoy and go back in to another time era. A good read for young people as the facts hold true such as children dying at a young age. I especially liked it when Tabby have Heather wash her own muddy clothes.
At the beginning of each chapter there is part of a poem written by E. J. Bronte.
Chapter 7:
" And first and hour of mournful musing,
And then a gush of bitter tears,
And then a dreary calm diffusing
Its deadly mist o'er joys and cares:"
Chapter 10:
"Will the day be bright or cloudy?
Sweetly has its dawn begun;
But the heaven may shake with thunder
Ere the setting of the sun"
On a personal note about loss of hair. As a an adult who has lost most of her of hair on top of her head because of a thyroid condition and unhappy, I can imagine a 15 year old and how devastated she would be.
I downloaded this book from Amazon. I give it a 5 star because it held my interest. Not a very complicated book but a good read. No bad language.
You may find Aviva Orr at www.avivaorr.com
Leona Olson
www.mnleona.blogspot.com
March 5, 2013
Like everyone on Goodreads, I love books… which means books about authors make me squeal and dance about. The Mist on Brontë Moor is about Heather, who goes back in time and meets the Brontë family: not just Charlotte and Emily but also the less famous sister Anne and brother Branwell. Heather has alopecia, a disease that makes her hair fall out. She also has the hots for Branwell. This is a far more dangerous condition, because it turns an otherwise brave, capable young woman into a crying, swooning, completely dependent girl.
This novel was a great idea that was executed poorly. The alopecia was unique but served no greater purpose than if Heather had a big nose or buck teeth. Visiting the Brontës was enchanting, and I felt like I came to know Emily and Branwell pretty well, but Charlotte and Anne never leapt off the page. The hints of Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre were tantalizing but could have been stronger. I enjoyed whenever Heather had a good back and forth with someone, usually Branwell or Emily. Still, too often Branwell acted like a jerk and Heather forgave him everything or Emily acted like a robot and walked us through Daily Life in the 19th Century.
The love story was particularly dissatisfying. Heather was continually performing brave feats: she’d stand toe to toe with a wolf, climb down canyons, and risk her life for her own and others’ love. Branwell took all that away. His attraction consisted of a handsome smile and supposedly a charming attitude, but I rarely saw the charm. He was violent, rude, addicted to pain-killers, and extremely controlling. I saw no reason for them to fall in love, aside from that Branwell liked Heather when she hada big nose alopecia. Here’s one quote that gives an idea of their relationship:
The ending also had very little closure. The romance and a rather hefty subplot both shut off abruptly, and I was disappointed with the pessimistic afterword-like ending.
Ultimately this novel is about a humble girl who gets swept off her feet by a handsome guy. I’d recommend it to people who are die-hard romance fans first and Brontë fans second. If you like Twilight, you’ll probably like The Mist on Brontë Moor. Since Wuthering Heights is one of the few romances I like, you know where I stand.
[Read for the 2013 Debut Author Challenge, http://hobbitsies.net/debut-author-ch...]
This novel was a great idea that was executed poorly. The alopecia was unique but served no greater purpose than if Heather had a big nose or buck teeth. Visiting the Brontës was enchanting, and I felt like I came to know Emily and Branwell pretty well, but Charlotte and Anne never leapt off the page. The hints of Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre were tantalizing but could have been stronger. I enjoyed whenever Heather had a good back and forth with someone, usually Branwell or Emily. Still, too often Branwell acted like a jerk and Heather forgave him everything or Emily acted like a robot and walked us through Daily Life in the 19th Century.
The love story was particularly dissatisfying. Heather was continually performing brave feats: she’d stand toe to toe with a wolf, climb down canyons, and risk her life for her own and others’ love. Branwell took all that away. His attraction consisted of a handsome smile and supposedly a charming attitude, but I rarely saw the charm. He was violent, rude, addicted to pain-killers, and extremely controlling. I saw no reason for them to fall in love, aside from that Branwell liked Heather when she had
I’d experienced his moods before and seen his morbid drawings, but they hadn’t really mattered to me… He’d been strong when I was at my weakest.
The ending also had very little closure. The romance and a rather hefty subplot both shut off abruptly, and I was disappointed with the pessimistic afterword-like ending.
Ultimately this novel is about a humble girl who gets swept off her feet by a handsome guy. I’d recommend it to people who are die-hard romance fans first and Brontë fans second. If you like Twilight, you’ll probably like The Mist on Brontë Moor. Since Wuthering Heights is one of the few romances I like, you know where I stand.
[Read for the 2013 Debut Author Challenge, http://hobbitsies.net/debut-author-ch...]
February 22, 2013
This book started out as an enjoyable and fluffy read, but holy crab cakes, that ending was an emotional gut-puncher that I did not see coming!!
The Mist on Brontë Moor was a refreshing blend of time-traveling, contemporary problems, and historical figures. Heather, the protagonist, was a narrator that I really enjoyed. She is diagnosed with alopecia, a medical condition that causes her hair to start falling out. Her voice was really relatable and I empathized with her fear of losing all her hair--I think most girls would be quite frightened at that thought! My favorite part about Heather was that while she had insecurities about her alopecia, about what everyone (boys especially) would think of her, but she was not a whiny character.
As for the Brontës, I loved reading about them! It's one thing to learn about Jane and Emily Brontë in my English class and another to actually see someone take bits and pieces of information about their personality from primary sources and bring them to life in this story. Branwell, the Brontë brother most people overlook, is given a spotlight in this book as the troubled yet charming love interest, and despite the fact that I thought his and Heather's romance was a bit rushed and unrealistic, I quite liked reading about his character.
This book had me hooked right from the get-go and once I started reading it, I couldn't stop. I haven't read a whole lot of time traveling books, but I thought this book handled the subject really well. There wasn't a huge deal made about the time traveling, it just sort of happened. The transition between Heather being in the present and her taken to the past was very smooth and I really appreciated that. Also, side note, but I thought it was brilliant that each chapter started off with a piece of Emily Brontë's writing. :) Definitely introduced me to some more of her poetry.
Before I end this review, I just have to talk about the ending a little (no spoilers, I promise!) because it was just so.... perfect! Not in a happily-ever-after kind of way, but in a realistic and right kind of way that just gave me so many emotions!! Ye-ah, in case you can't tell, I really liked the way Aviva Orr ended this book.
All in all: really enjoyed this book, and I'd definitely recommend it, if not to people who like the Brontës, then to people who like a fantastic protagonist, an English countryside setting, and a fast-paced story-line.
*I received a copy of this book for review from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The Mist on Brontë Moor was a refreshing blend of time-traveling, contemporary problems, and historical figures. Heather, the protagonist, was a narrator that I really enjoyed. She is diagnosed with alopecia, a medical condition that causes her hair to start falling out. Her voice was really relatable and I empathized with her fear of losing all her hair--I think most girls would be quite frightened at that thought! My favorite part about Heather was that while she had insecurities about her alopecia, about what everyone (boys especially) would think of her, but she was not a whiny character.
As for the Brontës, I loved reading about them! It's one thing to learn about Jane and Emily Brontë in my English class and another to actually see someone take bits and pieces of information about their personality from primary sources and bring them to life in this story. Branwell, the Brontë brother most people overlook, is given a spotlight in this book as the troubled yet charming love interest, and despite the fact that I thought his and Heather's romance was a bit rushed and unrealistic, I quite liked reading about his character.
This book had me hooked right from the get-go and once I started reading it, I couldn't stop. I haven't read a whole lot of time traveling books, but I thought this book handled the subject really well. There wasn't a huge deal made about the time traveling, it just sort of happened. The transition between Heather being in the present and her taken to the past was very smooth and I really appreciated that. Also, side note, but I thought it was brilliant that each chapter started off with a piece of Emily Brontë's writing. :) Definitely introduced me to some more of her poetry.
Before I end this review, I just have to talk about the ending a little (no spoilers, I promise!) because it was just so.... perfect! Not in a happily-ever-after kind of way, but in a realistic and right kind of way that just gave me so many emotions!! Ye-ah, in case you can't tell, I really liked the way Aviva Orr ended this book.
All in all: really enjoyed this book, and I'd definitely recommend it, if not to people who like the Brontës, then to people who like a fantastic protagonist, an English countryside setting, and a fast-paced story-line.
*I received a copy of this book for review from the author in exchange for an honest review.
August 23, 2013
In my opinion, this book deserved 5 stars purely based on my enjoyment of it. It was certainly not without flaws, but none large enough to distract me for long.
Weaving a tale using both fact and fiction, the author has written a both fun and educational story.
Heather is a 16 year old girl dealing with alopecia. Horrified by losing her hair infront of her peers, Heather decides to seek refuge at her great aunt's in remote part of the country. while out in the moors, Heather becomes disoriented in the fog and mist and soon becomes lost. On the verge of panic, a girl appears out of the fog in outdated clothing. This stranger called Emily, has never heard of Heather's aunt. Emily takes Heather back to the parsonage, which is where she lives with her Father, her aunt Elizabeth, and her siblings: Charlotte, Branwell and Anne. Heather quickly becomes aware that something is amiss....these people have no modern convieniences, they all where outdated clothing and live a life of a century past. Heather believes they are practicing one of those strange religions she's seen on the telly. But soon enough, she learns she has somehow been transported back through time to the year 1833.
Heather is living with none other than the famous Bronte family.
I found the experience of living with the Bronte's completely captivating. Using historical facts, the author gave us an imagined look at the daily lives of the Bronte's and the time period at which they lived. The book still incorporates some of today's teenage issues: drugs, alcohol, love...but in relevance to the era.
My issues with this book. Firstly, the alopecia almost appeared as an afterthought in the story. A way to explain why the character comes to be in Bronte country. Other than losing a few clumps of hair and cutting her long beautiful locks into a pixie cut, it doesn't focus too much on the disease. Heather never loses her hair entirely....she just wears a beanie at all times just in case. Secondly, if you pay close attention, Heather begins to talk like the others. She ceases to use language appropriate to what she is accustomed and instead uses antiquated proper english which is highly unlikely during such a short stay. Like I said previously, neither of these issues ruined the book for me....they just were a fleeting annoyance.
Bottom line: loved it. Plain and simple.
Weaving a tale using both fact and fiction, the author has written a both fun and educational story.
Heather is a 16 year old girl dealing with alopecia. Horrified by losing her hair infront of her peers, Heather decides to seek refuge at her great aunt's in remote part of the country. while out in the moors, Heather becomes disoriented in the fog and mist and soon becomes lost. On the verge of panic, a girl appears out of the fog in outdated clothing. This stranger called Emily, has never heard of Heather's aunt. Emily takes Heather back to the parsonage, which is where she lives with her Father, her aunt Elizabeth, and her siblings: Charlotte, Branwell and Anne. Heather quickly becomes aware that something is amiss....these people have no modern convieniences, they all where outdated clothing and live a life of a century past. Heather believes they are practicing one of those strange religions she's seen on the telly. But soon enough, she learns she has somehow been transported back through time to the year 1833.
Heather is living with none other than the famous Bronte family.
I found the experience of living with the Bronte's completely captivating. Using historical facts, the author gave us an imagined look at the daily lives of the Bronte's and the time period at which they lived. The book still incorporates some of today's teenage issues: drugs, alcohol, love...but in relevance to the era.
My issues with this book. Firstly, the alopecia almost appeared as an afterthought in the story. A way to explain why the character comes to be in Bronte country. Other than losing a few clumps of hair and cutting her long beautiful locks into a pixie cut, it doesn't focus too much on the disease. Heather never loses her hair entirely....she just wears a beanie at all times just in case. Secondly, if you pay close attention, Heather begins to talk like the others. She ceases to use language appropriate to what she is accustomed and instead uses antiquated proper english which is highly unlikely during such a short stay. Like I said previously, neither of these issues ruined the book for me....they just were a fleeting annoyance.
Bottom line: loved it. Plain and simple.
March 4, 2013
Amazon's summary:
When Heather Jane Bell is diagnosed with alopecia and her hair starts falling out in clumps, she wants nothing more than to escape her home in London and disappear off the face of the earth. Heather gets her wish when her concerned parents send her to stay with a great-aunt in West Yorkshire. But shortly after she arrives, Heather becomes lost on the moors and is swept through the mist back to the year 1833. There she encounters fifteen-year-old Emily Bronte and is given refuge in the Bronte Parsonage.
Unaware of her host family's genius and future fame, Heather struggles to cope with alopecia amongst strangers in a world foreign to her. While she finds comfort and strength in her growing friendship with Emily and in the embrace of the close-knit Bronte family, Heather's emotions are stretched to the limit when she falls for Emily's brilliant but troubled brother, Branwell.
Will Heather find her way back to the comforts and conveniences of the twenty-first century? Or will destiny keep her in the harsh world of nineteenth-century Haworth?
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this novel a lot..it incorporated historical fiction in which we learn about the insulated somewhat lonely lives of the ill-fated Bronte Family with the time travel element where Heather Bell travels back in time to spend a few weeks in their era.
The narration is reminiscent of the style of the Brontes-very brooding and mysterious. One can almost see the lonely moors and feel the chill wind whipping around. As for character development, I really felt as though the author did her research-the characters all had their own personalities and quirks.
The only flaw I can see is that I felt the book was a little short..I'd have liked to see another hundred pages or so but other than that..an engrossing read. I finished it in about a day and a half once I actually got started with it.
Anyone who likes historical fiction, gothic romance or time travel will find this a fast, intriguing read. You'll be glad you did!
Thanks to the author for providing me a copy to review! For this and others, please visit me at http://geekybookgal.blogspot.com
When Heather Jane Bell is diagnosed with alopecia and her hair starts falling out in clumps, she wants nothing more than to escape her home in London and disappear off the face of the earth. Heather gets her wish when her concerned parents send her to stay with a great-aunt in West Yorkshire. But shortly after she arrives, Heather becomes lost on the moors and is swept through the mist back to the year 1833. There she encounters fifteen-year-old Emily Bronte and is given refuge in the Bronte Parsonage.
Unaware of her host family's genius and future fame, Heather struggles to cope with alopecia amongst strangers in a world foreign to her. While she finds comfort and strength in her growing friendship with Emily and in the embrace of the close-knit Bronte family, Heather's emotions are stretched to the limit when she falls for Emily's brilliant but troubled brother, Branwell.
Will Heather find her way back to the comforts and conveniences of the twenty-first century? Or will destiny keep her in the harsh world of nineteenth-century Haworth?
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this novel a lot..it incorporated historical fiction in which we learn about the insulated somewhat lonely lives of the ill-fated Bronte Family with the time travel element where Heather Bell travels back in time to spend a few weeks in their era.
The narration is reminiscent of the style of the Brontes-very brooding and mysterious. One can almost see the lonely moors and feel the chill wind whipping around. As for character development, I really felt as though the author did her research-the characters all had their own personalities and quirks.
The only flaw I can see is that I felt the book was a little short..I'd have liked to see another hundred pages or so but other than that..an engrossing read. I finished it in about a day and a half once I actually got started with it.
Anyone who likes historical fiction, gothic romance or time travel will find this a fast, intriguing read. You'll be glad you did!
Thanks to the author for providing me a copy to review! For this and others, please visit me at http://geekybookgal.blogspot.com
March 26, 2013
Jane Eyre is my favorite book. I mention that because I want to put out front that I love the Brontës, crazy family history and all. I even liked Wuthering Heights, a book which seems to inspire loathing in many. Because of this, I approached The Mist on Bronte Moor with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.
Unfortunately, I feel that I was right to hesitate. This novel tells the story of Heather, a teenager in present day London, sent to live with her great-aunt due to her alopecia. This is where the story started to lose me. Ok, so you have alopecia and your hair is falling out. Is that the end of the world? Not so much. When Heather goes on a hunger strike, rather than sending her back to school, her parents send her away.
Heather quickly winds up back in time, and meets the Brontë family. I quite enjoyed Emily's character, though Anne and Charlotte were a little blank. She falls in love with Branwell, the only brother. I will admit to being a little interested in the story of Branwell - he is the forgotten Brontë, and certainly his story is a little tragic and romantic. Unfortunately, falling in love with him turns our heroine into the wettest of all wet blankets. She is suddenly obsessed with him to the point where she avoids trying to find her way home (you know, to the place where people don't die of consumption)
To be fair, I've read Jane Austen fiction that was worse, but then again... the Brontës are much more interesting than Jane. I think I'll go back to the long biography that I'm currently reading about the family. The Brontës
Unfortunately, I feel that I was right to hesitate. This novel tells the story of Heather, a teenager in present day London, sent to live with her great-aunt due to her alopecia. This is where the story started to lose me. Ok, so you have alopecia and your hair is falling out. Is that the end of the world? Not so much. When Heather goes on a hunger strike, rather than sending her back to school, her parents send her away.
Heather quickly winds up back in time, and meets the Brontë family. I quite enjoyed Emily's character, though Anne and Charlotte were a little blank. She falls in love with Branwell, the only brother. I will admit to being a little interested in the story of Branwell - he is the forgotten Brontë, and certainly his story is a little tragic and romantic. Unfortunately, falling in love with him turns our heroine into the wettest of all wet blankets. She is suddenly obsessed with him to the point where she avoids trying to find her way home (you know, to the place where people don't die of consumption)
To be fair, I've read Jane Austen fiction that was worse, but then again... the Brontës are much more interesting than Jane. I think I'll go back to the long biography that I'm currently reading about the family. The Brontës
March 15, 2013
I really didn't care for this. The entire time I was reading I was thinking "why on earth is this in here" ... the alopecia? There was no reason to give the MC this disease. It was distracting. The Aunt and Father would be present, then totally disappear (seriously, no one is around so much of the time). Our poor Bronte sisters seem to have an unlimited supply of dresses to loan the MC (which doesn't seem true to the time period). Heather is absolutely frustrated with Branwell one moment and then "in love" with him the next with NO relationship building whatsoever. There is a strange man up on the mountain, with a wolf and a daughter and her lost love ... not sure what any of them had to do with AYTHING. A family loses three daughters in one night (no explanation) and we're taken to their funeral ... I guess this is to show that a previous funeral has affected Branwell. Profound. There are a couple nightmares (Frankenstein, the strange man from the mountain)... again, not sure what they had to do with anything. Simon, a boy from the beginning, suddenly shows up again at the end. Why? I don't know.
I'm just confused ... what was the story? Was there a story? It sounds like the author just took some writings/information about the early lives of the Bronte family and just kind of clumped them together.
The book had been edited (I did see a couple missed items) and it wasn't BAD. But it wasn't good. I just tried to get through it.
I'm just confused ... what was the story? Was there a story? It sounds like the author just took some writings/information about the early lives of the Bronte family and just kind of clumped them together.
The book had been edited (I did see a couple missed items) and it wasn't BAD. But it wasn't good. I just tried to get through it.
May 1, 2015
I wanted to love this book.
I've been a fan of the Brontё sisters since I was in high school, and I thought this book sounded really promising. It started off well enough and seemed like it was going to be a great story. However, Heather is suddenly and without explanation whisked back in time for no apparent reason. She doesn't change anything in the past or become changed herself. She doesn't know who the Brontё family is so although the reader enjoys the little tidbits about the family and their writings, Heather is oblivious. And her return home is just as uneventful. Also, the whole plotline of Heather's alopecia didn't seem to serve much purpose other than getting her to her aunt's house, so that seemed kind of unnecessary. I found the ending unsatisfactory as well since I didn't think it really resolved anything.
I was really hoping for more, somehow, and this book just wasn't it for me.
I've been a fan of the Brontё sisters since I was in high school, and I thought this book sounded really promising. It started off well enough and seemed like it was going to be a great story. However, Heather is suddenly and without explanation whisked back in time for no apparent reason. She doesn't change anything in the past or become changed herself. She doesn't know who the Brontё family is so although the reader enjoys the little tidbits about the family and their writings, Heather is oblivious. And her return home is just as uneventful. Also, the whole plotline of Heather's alopecia didn't seem to serve much purpose other than getting her to her aunt's house, so that seemed kind of unnecessary. I found the ending unsatisfactory as well since I didn't think it really resolved anything.
I was really hoping for more, somehow, and this book just wasn't it for me.
May 17, 2016
This was a book I picked up online as a lark; a short YA novel about the Brontes and a girl who goes back to their time via a magical mist on the moors in Yorkshire. Suffering from alopecia, Heather Bell goes to stay with her aunt near Haworth. It is there that she falls back in time through the moor mist and finds herself a guest of the Bronte family, with whose fame she is entirely unfamiliar. She rapidly and somewhat unbelievably quickly falls in love with Branwell, the tortured Bronte son, and somehow manages to avoid questions as to some of her 21st century fashions despite the early 1800s setting. The book seemed to be an overly romanticized picture of Branwell Bronte that threw in quick character sketches of the other Bronte siblings and Tabby, the housekeeper. There was little depth to the story and it wrapped up rather too neatly. Quick and easy read, but not something I would recommend.
July 24, 2013
I really enjoyed this book and initially I wasn't certain that I was going to. Heather goes back in time (suddenly and involuntarily) to the time of the Brontes. She ends up a guest in their home and gets to know all of the children. There are elements of the story that are very much like both Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. I don't want to spoil it too much, but the story revolves around Emily and Branwell for the most part. Sometimes I felt like too much was being made up and sometimes I craved wanting to know more. I'm sure it was a delicate line for the author to walk. I would really love a sequel in which the Brontes' life was changed because of this girl, but as far as I know there is no sequel planned or written.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2013
I love the Brontes, so I naturally jump at the chance to read anything remotely connected to them. The Mist on Bronte Moor was, unfortunately, a disappointment. I appreciate the research that obviously went into the writing in terms of the Bronte family. However, it felt like Orr was trying to cram too much into this book. Either write about a teenager struggling with alopecia or focus on the Bronte family. But trying to tackle both, in this case, meant that neither one received the attention it deserved.
January 24, 2013
I think that The Mist on Bronte Moor is the best book I have ever read. Aviva is now my favorite author. I only have a few things to say that might improve the book:
1. You should add the date in the beginning of the book; before she went to 1833, so that people know how far you have gone.
2. You should make another book for The Mist on Bronte Moor, because I feel like it didn't quiet have a conclusion. It had a sliver of a conclusion, just not enough. I want to know more about what happens after Heather comes back.
You wrote the best book ever! :)
Jasmyne Wright
1. You should add the date in the beginning of the book; before she went to 1833, so that people know how far you have gone.
2. You should make another book for The Mist on Bronte Moor, because I feel like it didn't quiet have a conclusion. It had a sliver of a conclusion, just not enough. I want to know more about what happens after Heather comes back.
You wrote the best book ever! :)
Jasmyne Wright
March 1, 2013
I loved this book and got a nice history lesson about the Bronte Sisters as well as Branwell Bronte. I could not put this book down and will definitely read it again after some of the other to be read are done. This is a time travel with the historical fiction and is so historically correct, I googled alot of things only to find they were absolutely true. A lot of hard work and research went into this book and it really works well. It is a quick read and can't be put down. Do not miss this book. It was one of my favorite of all time.
May 10, 2013
I um-ed and Ah-ed about reading this, I'm not really sure why, but within a few pages my fears were washed clean away. The author manages to not only capture a time, portray a family, add some thrills and spills, a splash of romance and delicately explore the more serious issues of grief and loss - She also manages to weave these into an intriguing story that captures a readers attention and heart.
I enjoyed this immensely. The protagonist's search for self acceptance and Branwell's aching hopelessness even provoked a tear from this heart of stone and ice.
A lovely read.
I enjoyed this immensely. The protagonist's search for self acceptance and Branwell's aching hopelessness even provoked a tear from this heart of stone and ice.
A lovely read.
November 5, 2013
I am a fan of the brontes so I was excited about the storyline. I like how Heather's family was tied to the brontes and how she got to Haworth. I have always been curious about the Bronte sisters, Emily and Anne weren't as well known or as outgoing as Charlotte. It's a shame that they all died so young. I also like that Heather didn't know who they were until the end I like that she just sees them for who they were. The ending was a little sad, but I am glad that she decided to stay and have those memories that she had with them.
March 15, 2013
This is available to Kindle Prime members ~ this was my March selection. I'll admit to not being a Bronte fan. I haven't read Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre to know if there were some correlations I missed. For me, I was just not sure about things ~ there were characters and situations thrown in for no reason I could figure out. It all just seemed really random. I'm a little perplexed by the good reviews ... it just really was not good. It wasn't terrible, but not good.
January 11, 2013
This was a refreshing read, and one that was easy to lose myself in the story. It was nice to see the Bronte sisters get a moment in the spotlight.
Aviva did a great job immersing me into nineteenth century England. I liked Heather and cared about her journey. I also enjoyed getting to know the Bronte family a little bit even if it was fiction. This was a fast read and I recommend it.
Aviva did a great job immersing me into nineteenth century England. I liked Heather and cared about her journey. I also enjoyed getting to know the Bronte family a little bit even if it was fiction. This was a fast read and I recommend it.
March 16, 2013
aweee!
This is really good.
This is really good.
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