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Penny Dreadful
"Some horror stories come true."
At the Glass Town Establishment for Girls, imaginations starve.
Mr. Glass, the school’s benefactor, doesn’t believe in imagination for young girls. Young girls must attend to their proper duties. Belle Fortune couldn't care less about being proper. She loves to imagine adventures for her fictional heroine, Penny Dreadful, who fights many mythological monsters. There is a house in Glass Town that squats darkly on its own island. No one ever enters or leaves. Townspeople hear strange noises emanating from its interior.
What does the House on the Island have in store for Belle? Will its mysteries free her from the clutches of Mr. Glass?
At the Glass Town Establishment for Girls, imaginations starve.
Mr. Glass, the school’s benefactor, doesn’t believe in imagination for young girls. Young girls must attend to their proper duties. Belle Fortune couldn't care less about being proper. She loves to imagine adventures for her fictional heroine, Penny Dreadful, who fights many mythological monsters. There is a house in Glass Town that squats darkly on its own island. No one ever enters or leaves. Townspeople hear strange noises emanating from its interior.
What does the House on the Island have in store for Belle? Will its mysteries free her from the clutches of Mr. Glass?
Unknown Binding
First published February 15, 2013
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 29, 2015
Belle Fortune's remarkable journey begins on the day she's bundled off to the Glass Town Establishment for Girls. Belle is an imaginative young woman, and that's the problem. This excellent and exceptionally well-written novel is the story of how Belle uses her imagination to transform her plain, ordinary life into one of untold possibilities.
Belle quickly learns that there are mysteries to be solved in the school and near Glass Town. Strange numbers scrawled on walls and dark hints of eerie goings-on at The House on the Island intrigue her and serve as welcome distractions from the dull work of learning to become a Well Brought Up Girl.
A grisly and disturbing play is performed at the palatial home of Horace Glass, the town magnate. He becomes irate and makes the mistake of slapping one of his daughters, who arranged for the theatrical production at the party. Will Reynolds, a footman and admirer of the daughter, Amity, lays him out, then must flee for his life.
Belle, who wrote the tale upon which the play was based, resolves to write more penny dreadful stories to delight her friends and the oppressed children who toil all day in Glass' prisonlike factory. As a result, she is rounded up by Glass one day and banished to work in the factory herself.
From there, the narrative twists and winds, as Belle is rescued from the clutches of the oppressive overseer, Mr. Pinch, and Will is stricken with an insidious fever.
Can Belle liberate the poor children working like slaves at Glass' onerous factory? Does Will finally recover and requite the desperate love of young Amity? And what other secrets will be uncovered in the course of this well-paced piece of fiction?
The book is filled with superb turns-of-phrase and lyrical passages that transport the reader into the pages. Early in the novel, the author describes the chilling, barren countryside:.
"The wind blew in a gust and the light flickered over something that moved there, a figure in the shape of a person with hair the color of old bones in moonlight, or a faded wedding gown."
And later, describing Will's fierce devotion to his friends and one true love:
"There had been anger in him, like a shiny black stone in his stomach, but also laughter that was a gaslight in his chest, and kindness that was a flashing silver streak running along his spine."
Rich characterizations and superb story development make this nineteenth century-era novel resonate with hope, courage, and triumph. I give Penny Dreadful five unqualified stars, and recommend it to anyone who is looking for a rewarding read.
Belle quickly learns that there are mysteries to be solved in the school and near Glass Town. Strange numbers scrawled on walls and dark hints of eerie goings-on at The House on the Island intrigue her and serve as welcome distractions from the dull work of learning to become a Well Brought Up Girl.
A grisly and disturbing play is performed at the palatial home of Horace Glass, the town magnate. He becomes irate and makes the mistake of slapping one of his daughters, who arranged for the theatrical production at the party. Will Reynolds, a footman and admirer of the daughter, Amity, lays him out, then must flee for his life.
Belle, who wrote the tale upon which the play was based, resolves to write more penny dreadful stories to delight her friends and the oppressed children who toil all day in Glass' prisonlike factory. As a result, she is rounded up by Glass one day and banished to work in the factory herself.
From there, the narrative twists and winds, as Belle is rescued from the clutches of the oppressive overseer, Mr. Pinch, and Will is stricken with an insidious fever.
Can Belle liberate the poor children working like slaves at Glass' onerous factory? Does Will finally recover and requite the desperate love of young Amity? And what other secrets will be uncovered in the course of this well-paced piece of fiction?
The book is filled with superb turns-of-phrase and lyrical passages that transport the reader into the pages. Early in the novel, the author describes the chilling, barren countryside:.
"The wind blew in a gust and the light flickered over something that moved there, a figure in the shape of a person with hair the color of old bones in moonlight, or a faded wedding gown."
And later, describing Will's fierce devotion to his friends and one true love:
"There had been anger in him, like a shiny black stone in his stomach, but also laughter that was a gaslight in his chest, and kindness that was a flashing silver streak running along his spine."
Rich characterizations and superb story development make this nineteenth century-era novel resonate with hope, courage, and triumph. I give Penny Dreadful five unqualified stars, and recommend it to anyone who is looking for a rewarding read.
January 4, 2016
This started out as a Cinderella story then switched to Little Orphan Annie in a way. While I didn't love this book I certainly didn't hate it either.
The Good - Very unique, quirky, creative and fun.
The Bad - It was only 264 pages it seemed much longer to me and some parts were real slow. And it is labeled Steampunk but didn't seem Steampunk to me at all (But that's not really a negative).
The Better - The characters - There were some great characters - Belle and Astrid - Loved them. But it was Will who stole my heart. Very seldom is a male character my favorite. He was one of those kind and unexpected heroes.
All-in-all this was a cute, different, fun story with a great ending! I think if it had ended differently I wouldn't have liked it as much. So the ending made the story for me!
Thank to Cynthia Lee for sending me a copy of her book for my honest review!
The Good - Very unique, quirky, creative and fun.
The Bad - It was only 264 pages it seemed much longer to me and some parts were real slow. And it is labeled Steampunk but didn't seem Steampunk to me at all (But that's not really a negative).
The Better - The characters - There were some great characters - Belle and Astrid - Loved them. But it was Will who stole my heart. Very seldom is a male character my favorite. He was one of those kind and unexpected heroes.
All-in-all this was a cute, different, fun story with a great ending! I think if it had ended differently I wouldn't have liked it as much. So the ending made the story for me!
Thank to Cynthia Lee for sending me a copy of her book for my honest review!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews