Review: Betrayal by Gillian Shields

Title: Betrayal

Series: Immortal
Author: Gillian Shields
Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s Book Group
Publication Date: 15 Aug 2010

Synopsis: From GoodReads

When Evie Johnson started at Wyldcliffe Abbey School for Young Ladies, her life changed in ways she couldn't possibly have envisioned: the discovery of her link with Lady Agnes, her special bond with Helen and Sarah, and their sisterhood in the astonishing secrets of the Mystic Way. Above all, Evie's love for Sebastian has turned her world upside down. Now Evie returns to Wyldcliffe for another term and more danger. Surrounded by enemies, she lives every day in fear that Sebastian will fall into the darkness of servitude to the Unconquered Lords. The Wyldcliffe coven is plotting to destroy Evie and use Sebastian to secure their own immortality. Evie and her sisters must master the power of the Talisman before it is too late. But could it be Sebastian himself who will ultimately betray Evie?

Review: May contain spoilers from Immortal

Following on from Immortal (review here) we join Evie just before she heads back to the oppressive, evil witch coven ran girls boarding school. At first there were nice little re-caps of the events from Immortal; however, these did get quite repetitive as the book progressed. In truth it would not be necessary to read the first book in order to understand all the elements and characters in this book.

The first person narrative from Evie’s perspective gives the story a personal quality re-enforced by extracts from Sebastian’s journal placed between some of the chapters. The extracts give added insight into the plot and characterizations.

The writing style has a beautiful lyrical quality to it, alongside some vivid gothic imagery and atmospheric descriptions. Rich use of simile and metaphor give a Brontesque feel to the story.

The surprise character introduction in the form of Harriet, and the direction we are forced to take with regards Harriet’s relationship to Lady Agnes felt out of place. For someone that is a self-confessed ‘nice’ person, Evie is very petty and jealous of Harriet. Revelations, that I must say were a little obvious, give an explanation to Evie’s behavior.

The portrayal of the strong friendship formed under such terrible circumstances was uplifting; alongside the impressive expansion of the girls ‘powers’. The divide between rich and poor was poignantly expressed, showing how little times had changed in attitude and values.

Evie appeared quite insular in her attitude, not making any effort to get to know the people around her as she was too wrapped up in her own problems. The answers were right in front of her all the time but she was too blind/stupid to see it – so much so that I wanted to give her a good shake.

The use of the Romany heritage was interesting and added another dimension to the plot. A saying kept running through my head while I was reading this book:

“With great power comes great responsibility”

It took me ages to remember where I had heard it – Spiderman lol.

I found the ending to be anti-climatic and truthfully think that Immortal should have been left as a stand-alone novel.

Review: Immortal by Gillian Shields

Title: Immortal
Series: Immortal
Author: Gillian Shields
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: 1 July 2010

Source: Library




Synopsis:
Welcome to Wyldcliffe, the place that haunts my present, my past, and my future.
Wyldcliffe Abbey School for Young Ladies is elite, expensive, and unwelcoming. When Evie Johnson is torn from her home near the sea to become the newest scholarship student, strict teachers, snobbish students, and the oppressive atmosphere of Wyldcliffe leave her drowning in loneliness.
Evie's only lifeline is Sebastian, a mysterious and attractive young man she meets by chance. As Evie's feelings for Sebastian blaze with each secret meeting, she begins to fear that he is hiding something about his past. And she is haunted by glimpses of a strange, ghostly girl—a girl who is so eerily like Evie she could be a sister. Evie is slowly drawn into a tangled web of past and present that she cannot control. As the extraordinary, elemental forces of Wyldcliffe rise up like the mighty sea, Evie is faced with an astounding truth about Sebastian, and her own incredible fate.

Review:
Gillian Shields does state that she is inspired by the Bronte's; if I wasn't already aware of this I would have made the connection due to the parallels placed through the narrative; the description of the rugged landscape akin to Wuthering Heights and the ingenious use of naming Sebastians family home Fairfax Hall brings to mind Mrs Fairfax in Jane Eyre. Even the relationship between Evie and Sebastian has parallels to Jane and Mr Rochester. I even visualised shades of Sleepy Hollow with the description of the horseman.

Written in first person narrative from Evie's perspective. At 16 she has a wonderfully snarky voice accompanied by a hot temper that she valiantly controls. Raised by her Grandmother, her father is in the forces and stationed abroad, her mother died when she was a child. Following her Grandmothers stroke Evie is 'lucky' enough to be granted a scholarship to Wyldcliffe, a rare occurrence to gain a scholarship. This is where one mystery begins - what are Evie's families past connections to Wyldcliffe?

Chapters are interspersed with journal entries by Agnes, written in italics to visually differentiate between the 2 story-lines. The journal entries piece together the mysteries of the past while adding depth to the present action/mystery/interactions. The weaving of the past together with the present produce a rich tapestry of diegesis (I like the word so I am using it [ : D ])

Abounding Gothic imagery is reinforced with the use of the Gothic convention of nesting parallel plots within the prose. Appropriate biblical references add deeper meaning to the narrative. Completely unexpected twists within the story braid the threads of the plot together in a tantalising fashion. Teasers are interspersed into the narrative, ideas are hinted at leaving the imagination to place the information given into the correct place; not altogether successfully in my case.

The high school cliques were shown in all their 'glory' comparable to the inner workings of the coven. The resemblance between the dynamics of the two groups was astounding. All interactions were believable and easy to relate to. Although Evie's immediate strong emotions for Sebastian seemed rather exaggerated, they could be explained by the bloodline to a certain extent.

Evie's personal journey did seem a bit drawn out due to her lack of belief in herself, when it eventually takes place it seems like a vast change in a short space of time. What I think I am trying to say is; most of the book deals with the necessary back story both in the past and the present leaving little room for the actual action in the present; something I think will be rectified in the next book.

Ultimately a fascinating modern Gothic tale.