Review of The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell

Title: The Vespertine
Author: Saundra Mitchell
Published by: Harcourt Children's Books
Pages: 293
Source: Publisher/NetGalley
Rating:  4/5

From Goodreads: It’s the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. However, a forbidden romance with Nathaniel, an artist, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own—still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him. When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia’s world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she’s not the seer of dark portents, but the cause.



This book was amazing.  The mix of historical fiction and paranormal was addictive and thrilling.  I didn't quite understand the paranormal aspects at first but as the story continued it became more evident and interlaced itself seamlessly into the story.

Amelia was a character that I instantly formed a connection to.  She was sent to Baltimore to find herself a husband and of course the person she falls for is far below her class.  Amelia and Nathaniel's relationship is forbidden and looked down upon which only made me crave it that much more.  Every scene they were together was thrilling and racy and left you wanting and wondering when they would meet again.

Amelia's visions at first seemed like fun parlor games, but soon it was evident that there was great danger in these visions that held not only happiness but pain.  The ending of this book left me heart broken and hopeful.  It's hard to describe the emotions I felt without giving too much away.  So with that being said if you want to know more...read it yourself, you won't be disappointed.  

Overall this was a fantastic novel that I would recommend to anyone.