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I first came across the famous Brontë's was when I forced to read Wuthering Heights at school, which obviously didn't get me off to a good start. However reading The Madwoman Upstairs really has made me see the three Brontë sisters in a whole new light and made me want to read ALL of their books.

I started reading The Madwoman Upstairs with no expectations and to be perfectly honest I wasn't entirely sure what story was coming my way, but I think I actually fell a little bit in love with it.

The Madwoman Upstairs tells the story of Samantha Whipple, a descendant of the famous Brontë's. When her Father passes away she moves from America to attend Oxford University. Here she tries to piece together the mystery surrounding her inheritance and it leads her on a very Brontesque literary adventure. Although not a fast paced story, it really was one to get completely swept up in and I loved all the literary criticism discussions. I also really liked the way that Catherine perfectly and expertly interweaves parts of each of the Brontë's stories into this. I thought it worked really well and really added to the sense that Samantha Whipple was a Brontë descendant. I found it absolutely fascinating learning more about the Brontë's, you learn more about them as a family, their dynamics, other interests apart from writing and the mystery surrounding their lives and definitely means you see them in a whole new way.

I think what I enjoyed most about this was the eccentricity of it all and especially the main character Samantha Whipple. She was awkward but I adored her and she actually had a brilliantly dry sense of humour. She's not your stereotypical heroine and this is partly why I connected with her as a character so much and I think I would have become just as obsessed as she did about the Brontë's and the need to discover the mystery surrounding them and her inheritance. It very much reflected the tone and stories of Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre, which I thought this was positively brilliant and of course created a fantastically dark and mysterious atmosphere. This was also heightened by the tortured romance that Samantha suffers, a very clever addition to the plot.

I must also just mention how much I liked the ending. It tied up everything just nicely, whereas the author could have left us wondering.

Whether you are a fan of the Brontë's or not, I heartily recommend this book, it gives you a new view on the sisters and if not originally a massive fan like me, it may change your mind.

Fresh, unique and with a an unlikely, but fantastic heroine that shines a whole new light on the Brontë's

      

      

Ann Troup tells tales and can always make something out of nothing (which means she writes books and can create unique things from stuff other people might not glance twice at). She was once awarded 11 out of 10 for a piece of poetry at school – she now holds that teacher entirely responsible for her inclination to write.

She lives by the sea in Devon with her husband and said dog. Two children have been known to remember the place that they call home, but mainly when they are in need of a decent roast dinner, it’s Christmas or when only Mum will do. She also has extremely decent stepchildren.

In a former incarnation she was psychiatric nurse, an experience which frequently informs her writing. She has also owned a cafe and an art/craft gallery. Now she only makes bacon sandwiches as a sideline, but does continue to dabble with clay, paint, paper, textiles, glue…you name it. Occasionally she may decide to give away some of these creations (you have been warned!).

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TroupAnn

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anntroupauthor/

Website: https://anntroup.wordpress.com/

Gorydamn and bloodydamm and just where am I going to find the words!!! Literally the minute I finished this though I thought it's over and didn't know how I was going to get over it, but then joy of joys it has been announced that there is going to be a new series!!! Yes an actual three-part epic next year called Iron Gold so I am happy again! So you might have guessed I may have quite liked the final instalment of the Red Rising Trilogy and I am going to try and form some coherent sentences to explain why.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a superfan of this incredible series and Pierce Brown has taken me on an emotionally fraught journey right to the very last page of Morning Star. If we are going to compare to other series, think a mixture of Game of Thrones with the Hunger Games but dare I say it, better!

It has been a very long and torturous wait for this final instalment, but it was worth it. Pierce more than delivered with this book and it's length was of epic proportions.

There were so many times that Pierce really had me going. He completely throws you in the wrong direction of what you think is going to happen and there is NO way you can figure it out. He doesn't hold back either, a bit like Game of Thrones, I wouldn't pick favourites with your characters as you just don't know what will happen to them. His characters are utter genius though and so unique in their personalities, they are raw, real and honest.

Very few authors can tell a story the way Pierce does and this is why this was such an epic, mind-blowing read. It is all consuming and all you can think of is reading this book, nothing else matters and every single one of these books has done this to me.

Also if you are holding back because you think this series has been too hyped up, don't let that stop you from reading this, I think you will be surprised and very impressed with what you read.

No matter what I say though I still don't think I am going to do this incredible series justice, just please read it!

Break the Chains! 

Only thing left to say is when is the film out?!!!!!