Born of Persuasion

October 20, 2013

Title: Born of Persuasion
Author: Jessica Dotta
Publisher: Tyndale House
Pages: 435
ISBN: 978-1-4143-7555-7
Publication Date: September 1st, 2013

Synopsis:
She never imagined securing her future would require delving into the past.
 
The year is 1838, and seventeen-year-old Julia Elliston’s position has never been more fragile. Orphaned and unmarried in a time when women are legal property of their fathers, husbands, and guardians, she finds herself at the mercy of an anonymous guardian who plans to establish her as a servant in far-off Scotland.

With two months to devise a better plan, Julia’s first choice — to marry her childhood sweetheart — is denied. Then, a titled dowager offers to introduce Julia into society, opening a realm of possibilities.

Treachery and deception are as much a part of Victorian society as titles and decorum, however, and Julia quickly discovers her present is deeply entangled with her mother’s mysterious past. Before she knows what’s happening, Julia finds herself a pawn in a deadly game between two of the country’s most powerful men. With no laws to protect her, she must unravel the secrets on her own. 

But sometimes truth is elusive and knowledge is deadly.
Review:
Oh, my goodness. What a page turner Born of Persuasion turned out to be! I have been hearing wonderful things about Jessica Dotta's debut novel and they are correct!

I'm going to start off by saying, that I have read several Jane Austen books and found them to drag, however, I love the film adaptations of her books. Born of Persuasion captured my attention like a Jane Austen movie. Then you throw in a bit of Charlotte Bronte with the mystery, suspense, and a touch of darkness that the Gothic authors are so well known for and you have Jessica Dotta's new book.

Julia was an interesting character. She is also the first atheist lead character I have read about in a Christian book. Her perspective was interesting and reading it from the first person made it easier to understand Julia. As the story starts off, she has lost her mother a few months prior and she has found to have a guardian, but she has no idea who he is. The only thing Julia knows about him is that he wants to send her Scotland to tend an old widow. Julia is an independent girl who only wants to marry her childhood sweetheart. As the story begins, Julia is very cool and bit aloof, but I can understand why as she has lost both of her parents within a year, and her mother's death was so sudden. Julia is crushed to learn her mother killed herself. As the story progress, you are able to see Julia change through out the story as more is reveled. As much as she yearns to be out from under the control of her guardian, Julia is naive to the world and is swept up unknowing what the outcomes could possibly mean.

Edward is a character that is doing his best to help Julia. Even though there is a miscommunication between them, he cares for her and wants to help her. However, as the vicar to his community, he has to find away to balance both. Even though he starts off a little rough around the edges, he becomes one of my favorites.

Mr. Macy...from the first instant I read about him, he gave off a warning. He is such a smooth talker and very controlling, something didn't sit well. Watching his story unfold kept me guessing.

Born of Persuasion was a book I could not put down. It was also edgier than most Christian fiction out there. It included some more intense romantic element than most, but not to any extremes. I enjoyed it! The twist and turns in the story kept me guessing. When I thought I had something figured out, the story took me somewhere else. A couple of times, I had to reread a part asking myself, "Did that just happen?!" Sure enough it did.

I can not wait to read the second book in the Price of Privilege Trilogy. There are so many questions left unanswered and I can't wait to find out where this story will go next!

Too Read!
5 out of 5


2 comments

  1. I absolutely LOVED this book. So thrilled you enjoyed it too. I can't wait to see what happens next. Wonderful review.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lydia, it was a wonderful read! I can't wait either, there were so many questions left to answer. I love also the way the story is being told! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

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