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Romance Novel Reviews, Author Interviews, Commentary
Dual Review: Strangely Beautiful #1 by Leanna R. Hieber
Filed in Dual Review , Leanna Renee Hieber , The Geeky Lover , The HEA Lover Posted on August 17, 2010 @ 6:00 am
6 comments
Format Read: Paperback
Number of Pages: 320 pages
Release Date: August 25th 2009
Publisher: Leisure Books
Formats Available: Paperback, Ebook
Purchasing Info: Author’s Website, Goodreads, BookDepository.com, BookDepository.co.uk, Amazon
Note: The title is The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker. We had to shorten it to make it fit, sorry about that 😉
Book Blurb:
What fortune awaited sweet, timid Percy Parker at Athens Academy? Hidden in the dark heart of Victorian London, the Romanesque school was dreadfully imposing, a veritable fortress, and little could Percy guess what lay inside. She had never met its powerful and mysterious Professor Alexi Rychman, knew nothing of the growing shadows, of the Ripper and other supernatural terrors against which his coterie stood guard. She saw simply that she was different, haunted, with her snow white hair, pearlescent skin and uncanny gift. This arched stone doorway was a portal to a new life, to an education far from what could be had at a convent-and it was an invitation to an intimate yet dangerous dance at the threshold of life and death…
Our Thoughts:
Why did you decide to read The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker?
Susi: To be honest I received it as a review copy from the author. I was intrigued by the story when I first saw reviews but I was always not completely convinced to start it. All the reviews gave it a Young Adult character in my eyes and I’m still reluctant to read those. But I think that only happened because of Percy’s character. She is a little shy and timid and after all only 18 years old. And also it’s set in the past and I’m still fighting my reluctance to read historicals. LOL I really regret now that I waited so long.
Caroline: I read this book when it first came out last year (oh my it’s been a year!!!). I kept saying it everywhere, there was a real buzz around this book. Everyone was saying how beautiful this story was…since I am a sheep I bought it too! Well that was a great idea because I was NOT disappointed and everyone was right!
What were your expectations before you started the book?
Susi: As I already said I expected a romantic Young Adult story with a historical touch. I thought it would all be really cute, sweet and a completely nice read. I sometimes lose interest in those so yes I was a bit worried I wouldn’t like it. It is sometimes like that when everyone says the book is sooooo good and you start it and wonder why am I not loving it as much as the rest of the world. I didn’t expect any fast paced action or violence that’s for sure.
Caroline: I wasn’t sure what to expect of this book. Like I said reviews said it was a ‘beautiful tale’ but I had difficulty picturing how it could be so cute (well that was before my Historical romance phase, so I was clueless). The cover doesn’t do it justice I think. I would not have picked the book if I hadn’t heard so much good about it.
Susi: Yes I totally agree about the cover. I wouldn’t have bought it without all the praise and it’s sad to say it but after all we are cover-whores. LOL And this book deserves a better cover.
When you started reading the book what was your first impression?
Susi: The book started a bit slow. The story is focused on Percy and her life at first and it made the book really dark and brooding. I felt so much for the poor girl and I was worried a bit that this book would become one huge pity party for me. But it didn’t. After the first 50 pages or so the pace increased and I was hooked.
Caroline: I was worried! I am not a fan of prologues, it always confuses me. I was afraid I wouldn’t like the story. It was a bit difficult to get into the story and understand the world and mythology but once we meet Persephone It’s hard to close the book.
Susi: Yep same here with the prologue. Those can be really confusing.
What do you think about the heroine Percy Parker?
Susi: Percy is a young girl with a rather hard life. She’s a wonderful person but her ghostly appearance makes it hard for her to interact with the world. I usually prefer the kick ass chicks with a brain but surprisingly I just couldn’t not like Percy. It reminded me of how my brain worked as a teen. All her worrying and wondering about how the world sees her, it just really touched my heart.
Caroline: I agree Susi, we were like that as teenagers, but somehow I couldn’t picture her as a teen…she looked so mature and intelligent I saw her as a bit older. I loved her from the start! Percy is a wonderful character. She is different and she can’t ignore it. Her appearance is too striking to pass as normal. I felt bad for her, she is constantly trying to hide her body. She is the sweetest girl and is very intelligent. I really loved her.
Susi: I totally agree about her intelligence. Her mind is one of an adult but I think in heart she is still a teen. She is a bit socially immature. Not that it’s her fault. She lived a life isolated in a convent and she never learned how to interact or how to react to the reaction she gets because of her appearance. She just knows how to ignore it and how to really handle it.
Caroline: Alright, you are right…for once! Don’t make a habit of this ok? lol
What do you think about her appearance and how it influences the story?
Susi: I can’t imagine how hard it must be to live with being albino. Not only the stares and glances you would get in today’s world but try to imagine how it must have been in a time like that where superstition was around each corner. I can’t imagine how you would feel as a girl when everyone thinks she’s a ghost and there to haunt them. I think it stole Percy’s self esteem and made her what she is now. But it also has a meaning for the story but won’t talk about that now.
Caroline: Yes we can’t forget that she lived in a time where superstition played a big part in everyday’s life. Even today she would be looked at weird, I think she’s very courageous…but again it’s not like she had a choice. Percy had to live with her appearance, nothing she can do to change it. I agree that it stole all her self esteem, and she did live apart from society, she hid for years. I was worried she wouldn’t be able to live ‘normally’ but she is strong…stronger than we think.
Susi: Yep, you are right. I think a life like that made her stronger.
Let the drooling start: what do you think about Professor Alexi Rychman?
Susi: Oh my I love Alexi. First his name is wonderful and I could sit here for hours and just say it: “Alexi” *le sigh* I love his character. I have a spot for the dark, delicious and brooding type and Alexi *insert breathy voice* is exactly that. I like that he is a fact and science person at heart but still accepts and knows the paranormal world. *puts on earplugs cuz she knows what’s coming*
Caroline: *SQUEEEEEE* sorry about that…It seems I have a major crush on this man! Where to start? *ponders* Alexi is fantastic! He is exactly my type of hero! He is smexy and brooding (oh yes I love the brooding type!) and he is a …wait for it…a PROFESSOR!! *squeee* Oh Susi I agree completely, I loved that he was a man of science. And OMG the scenes where he ‘tries’ to teach her were just amazing. I was secretly hoping he would spank her LOL (did I say that out loud? huh)
Susi: Yes, me loves professors!!! And yep spanking professors are the best but imagine how Percy would take that. He can come to us for that. LOL
Caroline: LMAO he can indeed! Aren’t we a pair of naughty girls!
Susi: Yep guilty as charged.
If you had to choose a favorite which side character would it be?
Susi: I loved the German friend Marianna. It was so good to see a girl who just accepted Percy for the person she is not without judging her appearance. She gave Percy something she would have needed in her life at the convent: a girlfriend she can talk with about everything. Every girl needs one of those. And she is the German girl so I had to like her. LOL I also liked the banter between the Guard members but when they turned a bit against Alexi I stopped liking them. No one is allowed to be against my professor. LOL
Caroline: LOL how dare they?!! *inserts indignation* I love the Guards, they are pretty funny. I really liked Elijah because he made me laugh a lot. But if I had to choose a favorite it would be Josephine. She was really nice and funny. I liked her attitude and the way she handles Percy when she first met her…she is rather intrigued by Percy’s beauty than her general appearance. Josephine is an artist and I think it has an impact on her behavior, she is more emotional and has more empathy than the others. Also well…she’s French! *grin*
Susi: All for the patriotism. LOL
What about the foreign languages she uses in the book. How did you like that?
Susi: I loves that she did that. I think most foreign readers like to find their mother tongue in a book. It makes us feel more connected to a book. To have an inside look into that character’s head. But I hate when the writer just adds for example German to give the book an international feel or to look more intelligent and then uses German words like no kindergarden child here would ever use. It ruins a book completely for me when the research is done bad. But nothing of that happens in Strangely Beautiful. Her German is great and it was always something a real person would say too. Okay perhaps there was that one tiny little mistake but I won’t be bitching about that. German is complicated. No one know that better than we. LOL
Caroline: lol sadly I know exactly what you mean! I often read books where French is used well…very badly. It makes me cringe. I can bear a few errors, because let’s face it, authors can’t know every languages, but when it doesn’t make any sense I just want to throw the book against the wall. I can’t say about the German in this book, but the French was really good. It warmed my heart a little! Leanna sure knows how to win us internationals *wink*
Susi: I love French in books even if I would never spot a mistake. LOL It just sounds so good when I pronounce it wrong in my head. LOL
Caroline: Lol I’m sure you sound really cute! *g* * hide from rock thrown by angry German girl*
Susi: LOL Believe me you would take that back.
Final Verdict?
Susi: A book that surprised me and made all warm and fuzzy inside. It exceeded my expectations by far and I can’t recommend it enough. Don’t be as stupid as I was. This book is so much more than I can possibly ever say with my own words. It was unique in a very good way. You will meet all kind of characters and learn to love them all for what they are. Great book, great story! You shouldn’t miss this one.
Caroline: This book deserves its title! It’s a strangely beautiful tale and I can’t recommend it enough. It left me smiling like a crazy girl. I can’t wait to read the following book. I will never have enough of Percy and Alexi *drools*…huh sorry, where was I? Ah yes Alexi…*drools*…damn it’s a vicious circle lol. If you haven’t read this book…what are you waiting for??? It should be on everyone’s wishlist!
Susi: Perfectly said hon. What she said. LOL
Caroline: I give Strangely Beautiful 4 1/2 Bookies
Susi: I give this book 4 Bookies
***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.
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Fantastic review Girls, thank you! It was so much fun reading it in this interview format! (and I'm sure you had fun putting it together too!) 😉
Looking forward to many more joint reviews! :-p
@Stella Thank you! It really was a lot of fun to do. We discovered the joy of making dual reviews with Googledoc and it's always very funny.
Basically Susi work and I write stupid stuff to disturb her LOL
@Stella Thanks hon. We plan to do the same for book 2. Yep it is so much fun and nope Caroline is actually doing something too besides making me LMAO all the time. She's just so shy. LOL Yep praise the wonder that is gdocs.
Neat review! This is a really interesting way to drum up interest in a book- I have this on my shelf actually and definitely want to read it sooner rather than later. Do you think I could get someone to go to work for me so I could just stay home and read?
@Emily LOL if you find a way to do that share with us please!!! 😉
I'm sure you'll be enchanted bu this book, it's hard not to love it!
wow, what a fantastic review – I've never read one like that!!!
and I really enjoyed the book too 🙂