New Book: Ironskin by Tina Connolly

 

Ironskin by Tina Connolly is officially released today, October 2nd, in both the US and in the UK. Same covers this time, as you can see above. While the novel isn't a straight fairy tale retelling, it will certainly appeal to most fans here as it skirts around the edges, primarily since it is slated as steampunk Jane Eyre with fey. And we all know that Jane Eyre is considered both Beauty and the Beast and Bluebeard, too.

Book description:

Jane Eliot wears an iron mask.

It's the only way to contain the fey curse that scars her cheek. The Great War is five years gone, but its scattered victims remain -- the ironskin.

When a carefully worded listing appears for a governess to assist with a "delicate situation" -- a child born during the Great War -- Jane is certain the child is fey-cursed, and that she can help.

Teaching the unruly Dorie suppress her curse is hard enough; she certainly didn't expect to fall for the girl's father, the enigmatic artist Edward Rochart. But her blossoming crush is stifled by her own scars, and by his parade of women. Ugly women, who enter his closed studio...and come out as beautiful as the fey.

Jane knows Rochart cannot love her, just as she knows that she must wear iron for the rest of her life. But what if neither of these things is true? Step by step Jane unlocks the secrets of her new life -- and discovers just how far she will go to become whole again.

The only bummer--or perk depending on attitude--is that this is slated as part of a trilogy with a new book due out next year. But I know my interest is whetted! I admit I preordered it a few months ago as soon as I read that description as well as this blurb:

This is an astonishing book: an evocative re-imagination of Jane Eyre that concerns itself with beauty, love and social upheaval. Jane Eliot is an unforgettable protagonist, and the setting is strange and familiar at the same time. Connolly's fey creatures manage to be both ethereal and menacing. This lyrical and utterly marvelous debut is one of the standout books of the year.

-- Natalie A. Luhrs of RT Book Reviews, 4 & 1/2 Stars, Top Pick!

For once, a blurb cinched the deal for me. That's not very often, I admit, but I was hooked. It should have delivered to my Kindle sometime overnight.