Book review: The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell

The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell (Published by Harcourt, March 7, 2011)

In the spring of 1889, sixteen-year-old Amelia van de Broek leaves her small village in Maine to visit her cousins in Baltimore, and hopefully find a suitable man to marry there. Amelia's cousin Zora is the same age as her and the girls quickly become friends. Amelia enjoys life in Baltimore, having friends and a social life and attending parties. But then two things happen that disrupt Amelia's happiness with her new life.

First, at sunset, Amelia begins to see visions of the future. And second, she falls in love with a handsome young man named Nathaniel Witherspoon, but he is an artist and would not be considered a suitable husband for her. Amelia's forbidden romance with Nathaniel, who has a secret of his own, threatens her place in society. And soon the visions she thought at first to be harmless become dark and sinister.

I think that this book would appeal most to readers who enjoy historical fiction, as well as those who love paranormal romances but are looking to read something different than the typical book from that genre. I love fantasy novels but I am so tired of modern paranormals, and historical fiction is my favorite genre, so this book was like the perfect mix of genres for me. The historical setting of Baltimore in 1889 is really well described, and the style that the book is written in really suits the historical setting, it is very lovely and detailed and descriptive.

Disclosure: Review copy provided by publisher.