Nameless

The Memoirs of Jane E, Friendless Orphan #2

by Erin McCole Cupp

Born not in a past of corsets and bonnets but into a future of cloning and bioterror, could Jane Eyre survive? This Jane is an “unclaimed embryo,” the living mistake of a reproductive rights center. Jane grows up and escapes to take a job as a homeschooler, but what can she do when she finds herself falling in love with the first man to treat her with kindness–her employer? Could a rich man of social regard ever love someone witho?

Genres: Dystopia

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 8, 2016

About the author

Erin McCole Cupp is a wife, mother, and lay Dominican who lives with her family of vertebrates somewhere out in the middle of Nowhere, Pennsylvania. Her short writing has appeared in Our Sunday Visitor, Canticle Magazine, The Catholic Standard and Times, Parents, The Philadelphia City Paper, The White Shoe Irregular, Outer Darkness Magazine, and the newsletter of her children’s playgroup. She is a contributor to CatholicMom.com and has been a guest blogger for OSV Newsweekly, The National Catholic Register, Integrity Restored, Tekton Ministries, and the Catholic Writers Guild. Her other professional experiences include acting, costuming, directing, youth ministry, international scholar advising, and waiting tables. When Erin is not writing, cooking or parenting, she can be found reading, birding, dancing historical, singing a bit too loudly, sewing for people she loves, gardening in spite of herself, or dragging loved ones to visitors centers. Erin’s books are available on Amazon.

Reviews

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 in the Jane E series left me at least as impressed with Erin McCole Cupp's ability as Book 1 - both her command of the the language and her ability to harness the power of fiction with grace and depth. She does an excellent job of drawing out Jane's inner turmoil and self-doubt with greater detail than Charlotte Bronte. The result evokes more sympathy and emotion from the reader, making Jane's love and longing more palpable. The romantic tension is exquisite!

The retelling is innovative enough to be fresh but follows Jane Eyre closely enough for me to imagine Jane E roaming the halls of Thornfield rather than Emhain Macha. It's a beautiful marriage (a singular marriage!) of the two tales.

I can't wait to read the final installment in the series and see where the author's creativity takes this familiar story.

(I received a complimentary copy from the author with whom I am a member of the Catholic Writers Guild. My review and opinions are my own.)

[Theresa Linden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nameless, book two in the Jane E trilogy by Erin McCole Cupp, is an exciting and emotionally-charged story with romance, mystery, and a sprinkling of humor. Based on a classic but set in the future, book two delves into the emotions, needs, and inner battles of the characters. Cupp is a master at using imagery, sensory details, and beautiful prose that pulls the reader deeply into the experience. I re-read several sections for pure pleasure. This story made me consider the effects of a less-than-ideal childhood, some good, others bad. Jane E struggles to accept the good things that she longs for, but her unfortunate past has also made her into a strong and capable woman who is able to show compassion and forgiveness in the most extreme situations. This second book really leaves the reader hanging. I can’t wait for book three!

[Olivia Ard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nameless is the second installment in The Memoirs of Jane E, Friendless Orphan, Erin McCole Cupp's dystopian/steampunk retelling of Jane Eyre. Here, Jane tries to acclimate to her new life of comfort and privilege as she works as a homeschooler for Kirti while trying to dampen her strange, unfamiliar feelings toward Thorne, her employer. Saying anything more would risk spoiling things for you, so let me just leave it at this: Nameless is thrilling and captivating. There's mystery and lovesickness and heartbreak and confusion aplenty. I sped through half this installment in less that one day. It serves as a great follow-up to Unclaimed and ends on a cliff-hanger you'll be eager to quickly satisfy by picking up Vanished.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

[Patrice Fagnant-macarthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erin McCole Cupp continues her futuristic retelling of Jane Eyre in Nameless. Before you read this one (and you will want to read it!), definitely pick up the first book of the series: Unclaimed. I enjoyed that initial installment a great deal and gave it five stars, but this second part is even better.

Jane is now in the employ of Mr. Thorne, working as a homeschooler to his ward, Kirki. While the futuristic element is still at play, this part of the tale focuses more on the relationship between Jane and Mr. Thorne. The electricity between them is so palpable, sparks should be coming off the pages. But, as with all classic fictional romances, there is much that is keeping them apart.

Cupp has an amazing gift for prose. It takes a lot of guts to reimagine a classic that people love as much as Jane Eyre, but she has pulled it off with style and grace. I’m already looking forward to the third installment!

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second in a 3-part futuristic sendup of Charlotte Bronte's classic Jane Eyre will keep you up nights!
In Nameless, Jane_E is now employed as a live-in tutor for her employer’s young ward, and works there several weeks before meeting her employer. Once she does, though, sparks begin to fly! As Jane_E is convinced of her own ugliness, awkwardness and unworthiness, she questions Thorne’s motives and doubts his sincerity. Inevitably, romance ensues–but then the mysterious source of strange household events is revealed, and this threatens Jane_E’s integrity as well as her relationship with Thorne.
I found this installment of the story even more suspenseful than the first part. Highly recommended!

[Kim Padan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great installment of this series! Looking forward to starting part 3 this weekend.