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Bred
My life was irrevocably changed the moment I stepped foot inside Elena Alderman’s grand front doors. A lifeless tomb on the edge of Chicago’s Southside, the Alderman home sat in one of the city’s oldest and wealthiest neighborhoods, and Elena Alderman was the queen.
She was also mad.
Not the kind of madness that’s readily apparent. No, her psychopathy was far more surgical—more…insidious. She was surrounded by beautiful things—most notably her grand piano and her adopted son, Henry.
I fell in love with both.
My gift blossomed when my fingers touched her black and white keys. But my life began when I became haunted by the boy. Henry Alderman was a handsome blend of arrogance and seduction, and as we grew up together, I found it more and more impossible to separate him from my thoughts. I envied his life. I imagined how my name—Lily—would look with his. I became his closest friend…and more. I gave him my kiss, locked away his secrets, and loved him even when it was hard to.
But we were just a game. Elena Alderman made the rules. And when she decided to change them, she broke everything.
Almost.< br>
A coming-of-age romance inspired by Great Expectations .
She was also mad.
Not the kind of madness that’s readily apparent. No, her psychopathy was far more surgical—more…insidious. She was surrounded by beautiful things—most notably her grand piano and her adopted son, Henry.
I fell in love with both.
My gift blossomed when my fingers touched her black and white keys. But my life began when I became haunted by the boy. Henry Alderman was a handsome blend of arrogance and seduction, and as we grew up together, I found it more and more impossible to separate him from my thoughts. I envied his life. I imagined how my name—Lily—would look with his. I became his closest friend…and more. I gave him my kiss, locked away his secrets, and loved him even when it was hard to.
But we were just a game. Elena Alderman made the rules. And when she decided to change them, she broke everything.
Almost.< br>
A coming-of-age romance inspired by Great Expectations .
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 10, 2019
About the author
Ginger Scott
61 books3,464 followersGinger Scott is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal and Amazon-bestselling author from Peoria, Arizona. She was also nominated for both the Goodreads Choice and Rita Awards. She is the author of several young and new adult romances, including bestsellers The Moon and Back, The Varsity Series, The Hard Count, This Is Falling and Wild Reckless.
A sucker for a good romance, Ginger's other passion is sports, and she often blends the two in her stories. She has been writing and editing for newspapers, magazines and blogs for a hella long time. She has told the stories of Olympians, politicians, actors, scientists, cowboys, criminals and towns. For more on her and her work, visit her website at http://www.littlemisswrite.com.
When she's not writing, the odds are high that she's somewhere near a baseball diamond, either watching her son field pop flies like Bryce Harper or cheering on her favorite baseball team, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ginger lives in Arizona and is married to her college sweetheart whom she met at ASU (fork 'em, Devils).
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A sucker for a good romance, Ginger's other passion is sports, and she often blends the two in her stories. She has been writing and editing for newspapers, magazines and blogs for a hella long time. She has told the stories of Olympians, politicians, actors, scientists, cowboys, criminals and towns. For more on her and her work, visit her website at http://www.littlemisswrite.com.
When she's not writing, the odds are high that she's somewhere near a baseball diamond, either watching her son field pop flies like Bryce Harper or cheering on her favorite baseball team, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ginger lives in Arizona and is married to her college sweetheart whom she met at ASU (fork 'em, Devils).
Sign Up for Ginger's Newsletter!
http://www.littlemisswrite.com/newsle...
Find Ginger online here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GingerScottA...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegingerscott
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorginge...
Website: https://www.littlemisswrite.com
Amazon: amazon.com/author/gingerscott
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ginge...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
April 14, 2019
*****FOUR STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}
At some point we began to rock our steps, and as Henry’s eyes reflect against the setting sun, the brown and green mix in a hypnotic gaze that stops my heart ever so briefly. It skips. I die, just for a breath. I die—and I come back.
BRED is Ginger Scott’s incredibly angsty version of one of her all-time favorite stories, ”Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens. This is a coming of age romance between two teenagers who are from completely opposite scales of society but find they have more things in common than they do differences.
Lily's living with her last remaining relatives after her parents died in a tragic car accident. She’s a lonely girl who finds a bit of happiness in the beautiful boy she meets during her aunt’s job interview with the boy’s mother. Henry is also drawn to the beautiful and shy young girl. Over the course of the first year of their friendship, his adopted mother, Elena, offers to provide piano lessons to Lily. Lily proves to have a gift and picks up the piano quickly. She ends up getting a scholarship to attend the same prestigious boarding school that Henry is going to as well. From there the angst ensues and it’s the conniving Elena that plays with their minds and hearts as if they are pieces of a chess game.
The story started off at a pace that was a little too slow for me. The plot turns interesting when things start to change between Henry and Lily, and earth-shattering secrets are revealed. I couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen next for the young couple. Overall, this was a super angsty and enjoyable read.
Here are my overall ratings:
Hero: 4
Heroine: 4
Plot: 4
Angst: 5
Steam: 3
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 4
BRED releases on May 10th!
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}
At some point we began to rock our steps, and as Henry’s eyes reflect against the setting sun, the brown and green mix in a hypnotic gaze that stops my heart ever so briefly. It skips. I die, just for a breath. I die—and I come back.
BRED is Ginger Scott’s incredibly angsty version of one of her all-time favorite stories, ”Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens. This is a coming of age romance between two teenagers who are from completely opposite scales of society but find they have more things in common than they do differences.
Lily's living with her last remaining relatives after her parents died in a tragic car accident. She’s a lonely girl who finds a bit of happiness in the beautiful boy she meets during her aunt’s job interview with the boy’s mother. Henry is also drawn to the beautiful and shy young girl. Over the course of the first year of their friendship, his adopted mother, Elena, offers to provide piano lessons to Lily. Lily proves to have a gift and picks up the piano quickly. She ends up getting a scholarship to attend the same prestigious boarding school that Henry is going to as well. From there the angst ensues and it’s the conniving Elena that plays with their minds and hearts as if they are pieces of a chess game.
The story started off at a pace that was a little too slow for me. The plot turns interesting when things start to change between Henry and Lily, and earth-shattering secrets are revealed. I couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen next for the young couple. Overall, this was a super angsty and enjoyable read.
Here are my overall ratings:
Hero: 4
Heroine: 4
Plot: 4
Angst: 5
Steam: 3
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 4
BRED releases on May 10th!
May 20, 2019
TITLE: BRED
AUTHOR: Ginger Scott
RELEASE DATE: May 10th 2019
GENRE: Young Adult, Coming of Age
TROPES: Retelling of Great Expectations
RATING: 2.5 Stars
CLIFFHANGER: No
READ MY REVIEW ON THE BLOG
It took me a while to find the right rating for BRED by Ginger Scott and I don't find much joy in writing an unfavorable review for a book written by one of my favorites so I'll keep it short.
BRED is a retelling of Dickens's Great Expectations. Henry, our hero, considers himself incapable of loving someone. Being raised by a cold fish of an adoptive mother that was to be expected. He runs hot and cold with Lily, who I thought was a doormat and made a lot of excuses for Henry. I'm not going into detail about this but I had a serious issue with how Henry treated the heroine. His selfishness and arrogance made me want to wipe that smirk off his face.
Henry is nothing like me. He’s broken in a different way, and he doesn’t feel things like pressure or guilt. That much I know. He barely feels at all.
70% of the book Lily and Henry are firmly in the friend zone until it all turns around in the blink of an eye. I like a good slow burn but this took a little too long without any character growth from either hero or heroine. They were friends, until they weren't.
I understand that Elena, Henry's despicable, horrible adoptive mother, brainwashed him but even after Lily and Henry got involved and seeing their relationship develop I wasn't confident any longer that Henry would make a good boyfriend. Lily tried to show some resistance but failed every single time. Henry only had to aim his cocky smirk at her and she was a puddle who would forgive anything.
“He is exactly as I hoped he would be. Nobody will ever break Henry’s heart—he will leave behind the heartbroken, and he’ll rule this world because of it. I made sure that he wouldn’t suffer from my biggest flaw.”
BRED was disappointing. The author who can write good-to-the-core male characters like nobody's business made me dislike one of them. But, it happens. Sometimes, rarely, our favorite authors don't hit the mark for us and that's fine. I'm confident that the next book by Ginger Scott will make me fall in love with her characters again. Also, make sure you check out the other reviews - a lot of people loved this one. Maybe you will too.
May 30, 2019
I have not read Great Expectations the book upon which this is loosely based. But I have read plenty of other Dickens ( David Copperfield being my absolute fave), and I have to say that the way this author somehow managed to capture...an essence? A timelessness? A certain old-world feel?--to a thoroughly modern story was uncanny. Elena was something else in her subversive villainy and I loved the h right away.
This book makes me want to read GE and see for myself what original piece of literature beget this one because it's something special.
This book makes me want to read GE and see for myself what original piece of literature beget this one because it's something special.
May 17, 2019
REVIEW: 4 .5 STARS
"He smells like a man of the world, yet home. He tastes familiar, and new."
Ok. I admit I have been told to read Ginger Scott for quite some time. I am reader-enough to admit that much. But the fact that she was YA worried me and clean YA even more. I like the heavy angst and the emotional turmoil in books -that grit that makes your stomach clench and your insides twist, and that's hard to capture in YA, sometimes . I have recently started reading more YA because I am finding more authors that are able to deliver the type of story that I crave in a YA format. This one most definitely fit the bill. I read this one with wonder and awe. It really hit all the points I needed it to to work for me. It was a light teenaged angst with the perfect amount of over-reacting that we all know we did at that teenaged level - true to situations. If I didn't have such an emotional attachment already to Great Expectations, this story would have still produced a smile from me because of how true to point it was on many different levels.
In truth, I loved the sound of Bred from the minute I saw it, but I can't give you anything more honest or pretend to deny the fact that it being inspired by Great Expectations wasn't my biggest pull. Great Expectations was the first "love story" I ever read and I read it back in high school - so.long.ago. It's the only book I have left from getting married and moving out....and I still love it to this day, with fond memories. While the actual storyline in detail may have slipped my mind, the memories of it and how it hit me are still very prominent. Once I started to read this, the meaning and understanding hit me full force because it was told in the same vein and I honestly and personally think Scott nailed it. Had I not read Great Expectations, would I feel the same way? I can't truthfully answer that because, again, favorite book from my childhood being updated and presented to me in a current format? I couldn't walk away from the opportunity to fall in love with the same story all over again. I enjoyed every page, every word, every scenario....I read it with a smile and it was such a breath of fresh air for me. I really enjoyed this one.
The nostalgia alone put me in a state of bliss. I highlighted so much in this book because the way Scott told this one, the way the story played out, it really made me reminisce about Pip and Estella, and the circumstances that not only brought them together, but ultimately the ones that pushed them apart. I really think Ginger Scott embodied the emotions very well, so the feelings were there and they were uninhibited throughout her writing. I do feel like the POV that this story was delivered in made for a deeper connection to Lily and how she felt about Henry while leaving him as sort of an enigma - one that we got to ponder and discover all at the same time, right along with Lily. An unknown, but desired love from all angles is really what kept me turning the pages.
"Henry Alderman is my gentleman."
If I had to give any amount of constructive feedback, I honestly think my only issue with this one was the abrupt ending to some of the chapters; events that could have been fleshed out, scenarios that could have been being embellished a bit more. Of course, looking back, as I'm re-reading all my highlights, those abrupt endings would have led nowhere and weren't exactly intrinsic to the overall storyline, but the way they stopped kinda jolted me a bit. That's really all I could honestly comment on. I read this book with a wonderment and an innocence that rivaled a first love and those butterflies we now recognize.
I would be remiss if I didn't fawn over the cover of this book. It was literal perfection - to the nth degree. Seriously. If that was Henry, she nailed it - description, actions, mannerisms - everything. Absolutely nailed it. His stature and his arrogance, but his handsomeness and the heart that he was raised to not share. Titling this book Bred was so very fitting for the narrative of this book. Not only were the emotions fitting for a teenager with the broody angst of a 15 year old, but the courageous growth that the heart had to make while finding its own truth gave me a true appreciation for the power of Scott's words.
I cannot tell you how much I loved this book and not sound like a babbling teenager with a crush, but I will have this one signed on my shelf, sitting next to my hardback of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens - mark my words . After reading this one, Ginger Scott will definitely be added to my list of authors to check out in this genre.
"Friends are enemies in disguise."
~BEE
Amazon affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/2Hqeer6
Enter here to win an ecopy of this book: http://bit.ly/2Ea9m7l
"He smells like a man of the world, yet home. He tastes familiar, and new."
Ok. I admit I have been told to read Ginger Scott for quite some time. I am reader-enough to admit that much. But the fact that she was YA worried me and clean YA even more. I like the heavy angst and the emotional turmoil in books -that grit that makes your stomach clench and your insides twist, and that's hard to capture in YA, sometimes . I have recently started reading more YA because I am finding more authors that are able to deliver the type of story that I crave in a YA format. This one most definitely fit the bill. I read this one with wonder and awe. It really hit all the points I needed it to to work for me. It was a light teenaged angst with the perfect amount of over-reacting that we all know we did at that teenaged level - true to situations. If I didn't have such an emotional attachment already to Great Expectations, this story would have still produced a smile from me because of how true to point it was on many different levels.
In truth, I loved the sound of Bred from the minute I saw it, but I can't give you anything more honest or pretend to deny the fact that it being inspired by Great Expectations wasn't my biggest pull. Great Expectations was the first "love story" I ever read and I read it back in high school - so.long.ago. It's the only book I have left from getting married and moving out....and I still love it to this day, with fond memories. While the actual storyline in detail may have slipped my mind, the memories of it and how it hit me are still very prominent. Once I started to read this, the meaning and understanding hit me full force because it was told in the same vein and I honestly and personally think Scott nailed it. Had I not read Great Expectations, would I feel the same way? I can't truthfully answer that because, again, favorite book from my childhood being updated and presented to me in a current format? I couldn't walk away from the opportunity to fall in love with the same story all over again. I enjoyed every page, every word, every scenario....I read it with a smile and it was such a breath of fresh air for me. I really enjoyed this one.
The nostalgia alone put me in a state of bliss. I highlighted so much in this book because the way Scott told this one, the way the story played out, it really made me reminisce about Pip and Estella, and the circumstances that not only brought them together, but ultimately the ones that pushed them apart. I really think Ginger Scott embodied the emotions very well, so the feelings were there and they were uninhibited throughout her writing. I do feel like the POV that this story was delivered in made for a deeper connection to Lily and how she felt about Henry while leaving him as sort of an enigma - one that we got to ponder and discover all at the same time, right along with Lily. An unknown, but desired love from all angles is really what kept me turning the pages.
"Henry Alderman is my gentleman."
If I had to give any amount of constructive feedback, I honestly think my only issue with this one was the abrupt ending to some of the chapters; events that could have been fleshed out, scenarios that could have been being embellished a bit more. Of course, looking back, as I'm re-reading all my highlights, those abrupt endings would have led nowhere and weren't exactly intrinsic to the overall storyline, but the way they stopped kinda jolted me a bit. That's really all I could honestly comment on. I read this book with a wonderment and an innocence that rivaled a first love and those butterflies we now recognize.
I would be remiss if I didn't fawn over the cover of this book. It was literal perfection - to the nth degree. Seriously. If that was Henry, she nailed it - description, actions, mannerisms - everything. Absolutely nailed it. His stature and his arrogance, but his handsomeness and the heart that he was raised to not share. Titling this book Bred was so very fitting for the narrative of this book. Not only were the emotions fitting for a teenager with the broody angst of a 15 year old, but the courageous growth that the heart had to make while finding its own truth gave me a true appreciation for the power of Scott's words.
I cannot tell you how much I loved this book and not sound like a babbling teenager with a crush, but I will have this one signed on my shelf, sitting next to my hardback of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens - mark my words . After reading this one, Ginger Scott will definitely be added to my list of authors to check out in this genre.
"Friends are enemies in disguise."
~BEE
Amazon affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/2Hqeer6
Enter here to win an ecopy of this book: http://bit.ly/2Ea9m7l
April 21, 2019
Henry + Lily = life.
May 8, 2019
Not sure what exactly I thought I was getting into with this one, but this book surprised me, Nicely!! An enjoyable, angsty read. Started off slow but once you got in, you couldn't wait to see what happens next. Definitely a recommend from me!!!
May 10, 2019
**Bred generously provided in exchange for an honest review.**
5 "This is what you wanted." Stars
Ginger Scott does it again. In spades. This wondrously complex story quite possibly could be my favorite Ginger Scott to date. Taking on a such a beloved classic is a beast but Scott fearlessly executed her story and provided something familiar yet wholly unique. She delves into the raw, gritty, most uncomfortable parts of a beloved, classic tale and then exploits those most vulnerable parts in creating her own fresh, honest, coming-of-age tale that's impossible to put down.
Loves abounds as betrayals and deception flourish through Scott's glorious story telling and re-imagining. Her deep, sensitive, yet direct writing creates a true kinship between story and reader illuminating the best and worst sides of her polarizing characters. Characters for whom are so perfectly juxtaposed to be pitted against each other because of where they come from, the prince and the pauper so to speak, that break all the rules and find ways to truly dig deep into their own hearts. The entangling of all the characters lives producing such an invigorating plot is relentless in it's pursuit. Constantly moving forward with characters being held back because of circumstance makes it's truly enjoyable to read. It's soft romance and delicious angst for sure but even more so it's continuous growth, immaculate strength, and lasting perseverance proving first to be a beautifully written coming-of-age Young Adult book.
5 "This is what you wanted." Stars
Ginger Scott does it again. In spades. This wondrously complex story quite possibly could be my favorite Ginger Scott to date. Taking on a such a beloved classic is a beast but Scott fearlessly executed her story and provided something familiar yet wholly unique. She delves into the raw, gritty, most uncomfortable parts of a beloved, classic tale and then exploits those most vulnerable parts in creating her own fresh, honest, coming-of-age tale that's impossible to put down.
Loves abounds as betrayals and deception flourish through Scott's glorious story telling and re-imagining. Her deep, sensitive, yet direct writing creates a true kinship between story and reader illuminating the best and worst sides of her polarizing characters. Characters for whom are so perfectly juxtaposed to be pitted against each other because of where they come from, the prince and the pauper so to speak, that break all the rules and find ways to truly dig deep into their own hearts. The entangling of all the characters lives producing such an invigorating plot is relentless in it's pursuit. Constantly moving forward with characters being held back because of circumstance makes it's truly enjoyable to read. It's soft romance and delicious angst for sure but even more so it's continuous growth, immaculate strength, and lasting perseverance proving first to be a beautifully written coming-of-age Young Adult book.
May 22, 2019
Title: Bred
Series: Standalone
Author: Ginger Scott
Release date: May 10, 2019
Cliffhanger: No
Genre:YA romance
Henry has been bred to win…with room for very little else.
It really guts me to say that I didn't care for this book like I'd anticipated, but I always strive to write an honest review and unfortunately that's how I feel. A modern YA reimagining of the classic Dickens novel, Great Expectations sounded so fresh and exciting. And of course, I'm a big fan of Ginger Scott's writing, so chances were good that this would be a big hit for me. Keep in mind most of my problems were subjective, so you may have a completely different experience. I'm going to skip the plot summary and just explain my personal difficulties with the story.
The love interest Henry Alderman is a troubled kid who lives in a toxic environment. Naturally that has molded him into the kind of person his mentally unstable, manipulative adoptive mother has strived for. Yes, she actually aims to have a cold, calculating son to take over her business when the time comes. She controls every aspect of his life, and removes his personal choices and freedom in pursuit of her end goal. So while I didn't care for Henry's attitude and behavior towards the heroine, I withheld my judgement for the majority of the book as I waited for his character to show signs of growth from his starting point. But I think this was where it went wrong for me. While I understood how he came to be this way since we first met him at the end of junior high school, he stayed consistently subservient to Elena, and remorseless about the often cruel things he did.
[...] Henry is nothing like me. He’s broken in a different way, and he doesn’t feel things like pressure or guilt. That much I know. He barely feels at all.
The romance is very slow burn. If you're looking for that type of romance, this could very well be the perfect read for you. The first 70% or so of the book is Lily and Henry growing up together, their school interactions, and in my opinion a pretty unhealthy friendship. Henry goes beyond insensitive and often humiliates or hurts her, but she continues to make excuses for him and forgive despite his lack of compassion.
He isn’t sorry. He’s never really sorry about anything. That’s the man he’s becoming, and I hate that I still like him so much.
There were a couple points where she distanced herself from him out of hurt and realizing that he couldn't return her romantic feelings, but as soon as he crooked his finger at her, she would be drawn back in. There was a lot of back and forth between them. He'd soften a little, she'd get her hopes up for more, and then eventual disappointment. One or the other would get pushed away, only for the cycle to begin again. So when she finally did break his resistance and they started their romantic relationship so far into the book, I wasn't rooting for them. I actually felt as if she was being foolish and setting herself up for heartbreak. Even with almost only 10% of the story left, Henry was writing himself notes to remind himself to stay faithful to her while they were separated. That didn't really inspire confidence in his ability to now make mature, empathetic choices.
Henry failed to fight for Lily when it came to Elena. For their right to be together. There was no sacrifice on his part which is what someone does if they are truly in love. His obedience to Elena was only changed when outside forces intervened, and that was pretty disappointing. That would have raised my opinion of him greatly if he had refused to allow her abuse to continue, because really, he didn't even want any part of the company she planned to pass down to him. So what exactly did he have to lose?
Lily for the most part was a likable character, though she often made immature choices and let her emotions get the better of her. The influence of Elena and the privileged attitudes she was immersed in had a negative effect on her at times. This, along with other things I mentioned align with things that were inspired by the original characters they were modeled after, but in this modern setting I guess it didn't translate well for me personally. Henry is like the spoiled and cold Estella, Elena is the eccentric, insane Mrs. Havisham, and Lily is the enamored Pip who strives hard to improve himself. One thing I will say is that I didn't see the twist coming at the end, and it made me hate Elena even more which I didn't think was possible. Just when you thought she couldn't sink any lower, she proved you wrong.
To sum things up, I think fans of the original classic will find more to enjoy here, or people who are looking for an angsty slow-burn teen romance. It wasn't the perfect fit for me, but I remain a loyal Ginger Scott fan and look forward to what she has to offer next.
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April 16, 2019
Inspired by Dickens' Great Expectations, Ginger Scott delivers a story full of heartache, loneliness, and deceit in Bred. While I admit I've not read Dickens myself, I was completely swept away in this story that felt a bit darker, a bit more somber than anything this author has written before.
This story took me back to when I first read Waiting on the Sidelines, a story set in high school where our heroine remains on the outskirts while our hero enjoys the spoils of being the popular athlete on campus. Similarly, Bred follows the privileged Henry Alderman, heir to his mother's empire, and Lily Ames, the scholarship pianist who longs for him from afar. It triggered all the angsty heart pangs I found in WOTS, but this story definitely has a classical, more vintage vibe than your average high school romance. Bred is laced in scandal and deception, privilege and, well... great expectations. It's a story where these characters feel like pawns, vulnerable little pieces being strategically moved around the board, toyed with and controlled by those who hold the power over their young lives. It feels decadent and maddening and it was so very, very good.
I admit I found this story slow moving at first, but once things got moving, I couldn't put it down. Bred was beautiful. It was so painful to read. The longing and unrequited heartache Lily endured was almost as excruciating as the lack of love these characters recieved from those who raised them. It was so sad to experience but so hopeful all at once. I've never been more intrigued by Charles Dickens than I am in this moment. I'm so anxious to go see what inspired such a refreshingly different storyline, such captivating characters and such a devastatingly beautiful romance. Bred is unsurprisingly another Ginger Scott MUST and I thoroughly enjoyed every page.
This story took me back to when I first read Waiting on the Sidelines, a story set in high school where our heroine remains on the outskirts while our hero enjoys the spoils of being the popular athlete on campus. Similarly, Bred follows the privileged Henry Alderman, heir to his mother's empire, and Lily Ames, the scholarship pianist who longs for him from afar. It triggered all the angsty heart pangs I found in WOTS, but this story definitely has a classical, more vintage vibe than your average high school romance. Bred is laced in scandal and deception, privilege and, well... great expectations. It's a story where these characters feel like pawns, vulnerable little pieces being strategically moved around the board, toyed with and controlled by those who hold the power over their young lives. It feels decadent and maddening and it was so very, very good.
I admit I found this story slow moving at first, but once things got moving, I couldn't put it down. Bred was beautiful. It was so painful to read. The longing and unrequited heartache Lily endured was almost as excruciating as the lack of love these characters recieved from those who raised them. It was so sad to experience but so hopeful all at once. I've never been more intrigued by Charles Dickens than I am in this moment. I'm so anxious to go see what inspired such a refreshingly different storyline, such captivating characters and such a devastatingly beautiful romance. Bred is unsurprisingly another Ginger Scott MUST and I thoroughly enjoyed every page.
June 12, 2019
3.5 stars
A modern day version of Dicken's Great Expectations
Lily is an eighth grader who has recently lost both of her parents and she is the charge of her mother's cousin, Alice, and her husband Collin. Utterly lost, Lily is introduced to the beautiful rich world of the uber wealthy Elena Alderman, CEO of her families empire. Elena not only introduces Lily to the beautiful music one can make on a piano, she also introduces her to her adopted son Henry who is as gorgeous as the opulent piano she uses in the Alderman music room and just as warm.
Henry recognizes the innocence in Lily and her great ability to trust and uses both against her, often cruelly. While there are many parallels (Elena doesn't sit in her wedding dress decades after being left at the alter next to her rotting wedding cake) the modernization of the characters and the cruelty taught by Elena Alderman (equal to that of Miss Havisham) made this an interesting new take on a classic.
My apologies, this would have been a better review if I read Great Expectations before reading Bred and not over a decade ago.
A modern day version of Dicken's Great Expectations
Lily is an eighth grader who has recently lost both of her parents and she is the charge of her mother's cousin, Alice, and her husband Collin. Utterly lost, Lily is introduced to the beautiful rich world of the uber wealthy Elena Alderman, CEO of her families empire. Elena not only introduces Lily to the beautiful music one can make on a piano, she also introduces her to her adopted son Henry who is as gorgeous as the opulent piano she uses in the Alderman music room and just as warm.
Henry recognizes the innocence in Lily and her great ability to trust and uses both against her, often cruelly. While there are many parallels (Elena doesn't sit in her wedding dress decades after being left at the alter next to her rotting wedding cake) the modernization of the characters and the cruelty taught by Elena Alderman (equal to that of Miss Havisham) made this an interesting new take on a classic.
My apologies, this would have been a better review if I read Great Expectations before reading Bred and not over a decade ago.
May 28, 2019
This a classic "It's me, not the book" kind of thing... It just didn't grab me and from the beginning to the end I was wondering constantly where this is going and what it want to tell me. I had problems conecting to the characters and problems feeling the connection, attraction and chemistry between them. However, the whole book has an unusual dynamic that's refreshing to read.
July 8, 2019
3.5 Stars. I mostly enjoyed this book, though not a lot really seemed to happen. I thought Lily was a likable main character and I shipped the romance. There were several characters, though, that I wished we got more development on. Henry and Elena, particularly. I expected Elena to be a little more horrible than what she has. She has a reason for her behavior, but she was never much more than a caricature of a villain. I also would have liked to see Lily's relationship with her guardians explored a little more. I also didn't really love the end. It felt kind of anticlimactic and I expected a bigger payout. Maybe if the epilogue was set several years in the future instead? I must admit that I am a bad book worm and have never read Great Expectations, the story this book is inspired by, so I can't say how close it is to the source material. I'm giving it an extra half star, though, because it was a pretty addictive read, even if slow paced.
May 26, 2019
We all have our favorite tropes and themes that we love to read. One of mine happens to be renditions of classics/fairytale stories. As soon as I had heard that Ginger Scott had released a new book, I knew I had to read it as I love her books as it is. Then I heard it was a retelling of Great Expectations and that bumped it to the top of my reading list. Bred starts with Lily, who lives with her cousin Alice after her parents passed. Alice has gotten an interview with Elena Alderman's assistant. She takes Lily along with her and Elena is struck by Lily's love of the piano and feels that she can do wonders in grooming Lily. It also isn't just Elena who is fond of Lily but her adoptive son Henry. Though worlds and classes apart, Lily and Henry become close friends, especially once Lily starts attending Henry's school. The pair fall hard and fast but soon Elena is tired of this game between the couple and decides to mess things up, and what Elena wants, she gets even if it means destroying anyone who stands in her way including a relationship with her flesh and blood. Will Henry and Lily ever get their HEA, or are they destined to be apart forever due to their upbringings and their class status? I have to admit though slower-paced, Bred in the second half of the book had a few twists and turns and surprises that I did not see coming, one, in particular, I was like OMFG, no way and wow. If you loved the classic tale of Dickens Great Expectations, then check out this modern retelling by Ginger Scott today.
May 6, 2019
“Friends are enemies in disguise.”
Henry Alderman and Lily Ames two lost souls. They are so similar in some ways and yet so far apart in others. Circumstances bring them together and tear them apart. We watch them grow both physically and emotionally.
“Be careful with your heart, Lily.” Henry has been bred to win…with room for very little else.
…”You’re playing a game you aren’t bred to win.”
Bred is a coming-of-age romance inspired by Great Expectations. I have never read Great Expectations so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. Ginger Scott is at her finest! Her writing is phenomenal. Bred is full of angst, emotions, innocence, heartbreak, loneliness and a bit of mystery. The “feels” will have your heart racing and your stomach dropping! Also a few, I-never-saw-that-coming, moments as well!
The storytelling is steady as it weaves all of the complications that come with being a teen. Bred is YA, but has a more mature feel. There is a familiarity that reminds me of Ginger Scott’s - Waiting on the Sidelines - full of emotion and angst. I very much enjoyed Bred and as always look forward to what will come next!
5 stars
#AuthorGingerScott #Bred #HenryAndLily #Angst #YoungAdult #Love #MustRead #Emotional #Romance #Blogger #BlushingBabesAreUpAllNight
Henry Alderman and Lily Ames two lost souls. They are so similar in some ways and yet so far apart in others. Circumstances bring them together and tear them apart. We watch them grow both physically and emotionally.
“Be careful with your heart, Lily.” Henry has been bred to win…with room for very little else.
…”You’re playing a game you aren’t bred to win.”
Bred is a coming-of-age romance inspired by Great Expectations. I have never read Great Expectations so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. Ginger Scott is at her finest! Her writing is phenomenal. Bred is full of angst, emotions, innocence, heartbreak, loneliness and a bit of mystery. The “feels” will have your heart racing and your stomach dropping! Also a few, I-never-saw-that-coming, moments as well!
The storytelling is steady as it weaves all of the complications that come with being a teen. Bred is YA, but has a more mature feel. There is a familiarity that reminds me of Ginger Scott’s - Waiting on the Sidelines - full of emotion and angst. I very much enjoyed Bred and as always look forward to what will come next!
5 stars
#AuthorGingerScott #Bred #HenryAndLily #Angst #YoungAdult #Love #MustRead #Emotional #Romance #Blogger #BlushingBabesAreUpAllNight
May 10, 2019
4.5 stars!
It takes a gifted kind of writer to create a spin-off of Great Expectations. Ginger Scott pours magic into her words and bled them on to the pages of her latest novel. Bred is simply amazing. It has an old-world feel to it and once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down.
Henry + Lily come from opposite backgrounds, yet have a lot in common. Henry is privileged, and is expected to go on to do great things. Bred to care about himself more than anyone or anything else, he truly believes he doesn’t have the capability to love.
“Henry has been bred to win...with room for very little else.”
Lily comes from a meager background—the opportunities for her to succeed are slim. A childhood crush grows into so much more and Lily wants nothing else but to capture Henry’s heart.
“I know I’ll change—he’ll change. But it doesn’t mean I don’t hope we change in a way that still fits together...somehow.”
Hidden secrets, untold truths, and lots of heartache will have you completely taken with this story.
A coming-of-age romance, Bred is filled with angst, sorrow, and hope. Ms. Scott delivers a fresh twist on one of the classics and makes it her own. I’m truly in awe of her talent and this book only reinforces why she’s one of my favorite authors.
It takes a gifted kind of writer to create a spin-off of Great Expectations. Ginger Scott pours magic into her words and bled them on to the pages of her latest novel. Bred is simply amazing. It has an old-world feel to it and once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down.
Henry + Lily come from opposite backgrounds, yet have a lot in common. Henry is privileged, and is expected to go on to do great things. Bred to care about himself more than anyone or anything else, he truly believes he doesn’t have the capability to love.
“Henry has been bred to win...with room for very little else.”
Lily comes from a meager background—the opportunities for her to succeed are slim. A childhood crush grows into so much more and Lily wants nothing else but to capture Henry’s heart.
“I know I’ll change—he’ll change. But it doesn’t mean I don’t hope we change in a way that still fits together...somehow.”
Hidden secrets, untold truths, and lots of heartache will have you completely taken with this story.
A coming-of-age romance, Bred is filled with angst, sorrow, and hope. Ms. Scott delivers a fresh twist on one of the classics and makes it her own. I’m truly in awe of her talent and this book only reinforces why she’s one of my favorite authors.
April 22, 2019
As far as books that are inspired by classics go, Ms. Scott has done an excellent, respectful job with her take on Great Expectations. She made me feel some ways about some characters. All of the ways, as it turns out, about all of the characters - and while most of those ways fell into the realm of uncomfortable, I believe that was intentional and true to this classic storyline.
With the exception of the delightful friends Lily managed to make at school, each of the main characters took their turn at unlikable. There were moments I thought this book would be too much for my little sunshine-seeking, romance-loving heart. To that end, there isn't a lot of romance here and what there is doesn't always feel satisfying. But even so, at it's core this is an interesting, compelling story. Even when I wasn't sure I wanted to keep reading, I was completely unable to stop myself. And in the end, I am happy to have made the journey with Lily and Henry.
In all? A little dark, and a little twisted, Bred was smartly written and gripping to read. Fans of the Dickens classic will not be disappointed! ~ Shelly, 4 Stars
With the exception of the delightful friends Lily managed to make at school, each of the main characters took their turn at unlikable. There were moments I thought this book would be too much for my little sunshine-seeking, romance-loving heart. To that end, there isn't a lot of romance here and what there is doesn't always feel satisfying. But even so, at it's core this is an interesting, compelling story. Even when I wasn't sure I wanted to keep reading, I was completely unable to stop myself. And in the end, I am happy to have made the journey with Lily and Henry.
In all? A little dark, and a little twisted, Bred was smartly written and gripping to read. Fans of the Dickens classic will not be disappointed! ~ Shelly, 4 Stars
May 3, 2019
This is one special book. Ginger's writing has always been exceptional but she takes it to the next level with Bred. It had been a long time since I'd read Great Expectations but all the feels from when I first read it in my high school days came flooding back. You don't need to remember all the details from the original to enjoy this, though it certainly makes the retelling more intriguing.
This book is a true coming of age, and Ginger writes it so well that no extra drama is necessary to ignite the intense emotions only felt in those teenage years. Angst is too overused a word to describe what this book does to you. It's incredibly real, raw, and honest. In a genre that's beginning to feel a bit overdone at times, Bred is in a league of its own.
This book is a true coming of age, and Ginger writes it so well that no extra drama is necessary to ignite the intense emotions only felt in those teenage years. Angst is too overused a word to describe what this book does to you. It's incredibly real, raw, and honest. In a genre that's beginning to feel a bit overdone at times, Bred is in a league of its own.
May 14, 2019
4.5 Stars!
Once again Ginger Scott has giving me a wonderful read. I love this women and love her books!! This wasn’t one of my favorites from her but I still very much loved this one.
The only thing I wish about this read was that she gave us an epilogue. It’s something that I hate in books. I want my epilogues. lol
If you love angsty ya books this ones for you:))
Once again Ginger Scott has giving me a wonderful read. I love this women and love her books!! This wasn’t one of my favorites from her but I still very much loved this one.
The only thing I wish about this read was that she gave us an epilogue. It’s something that I hate in books. I want my epilogues. lol
If you love angsty ya books this ones for you:))
April 19, 2019
I finished Bred while wide awake in the wee hours of the morning and I've been waffling on feelings all day.
On one hand, I loved much of it and I was, truly, absorbed in the story of Lily (innocent, kind, awkward) and Henry (the exact opposite). On the other hand, it was SO INNOCENT that I kept having to pause and remind myself how young these characters really are.
The tale, a spin on Dicken's Great Expectations, starts when these two are only 13 and ends only a quick several years later. A lot happens in those years but they are still young teens. I don't know why, exactly, the innocence of this story threw me. Well, maybe that's not exactly true. I can guess that it's because I don't read a ton of cleaner YA. So, that is totally on me. 100%. I guess what I'm saying is that if you're expecting some kind of PDoug-I-will-throw-some-anal-in-my-YA-without-shame read, Bred isn't it.
If you are looking for some in depth and dynamic family drama, complete with epic fuckery, lies and Jedi mind tricks - Bred IS that!
You'll still get Scott's fun characters and her wit, just a slightly less steamy version. And, if I'm being honest, I enjoyed it a million times more than the book that inspired it.
3.5 Stars
On one hand, I loved much of it and I was, truly, absorbed in the story of Lily (innocent, kind, awkward) and Henry (the exact opposite). On the other hand, it was SO INNOCENT that I kept having to pause and remind myself how young these characters really are.
The tale, a spin on Dicken's Great Expectations, starts when these two are only 13 and ends only a quick several years later. A lot happens in those years but they are still young teens. I don't know why, exactly, the innocence of this story threw me. Well, maybe that's not exactly true. I can guess that it's because I don't read a ton of cleaner YA. So, that is totally on me. 100%. I guess what I'm saying is that if you're expecting some kind of PDoug-I-will-throw-some-anal-in-my-YA-without-shame read, Bred isn't it.
If you are looking for some in depth and dynamic family drama, complete with epic fuckery, lies and Jedi mind tricks - Bred IS that!
You'll still get Scott's fun characters and her wit, just a slightly less steamy version. And, if I'm being honest, I enjoyed it a million times more than the book that inspired it.
3.5 Stars
May 10, 2019
You know those authors that could write a grocery list and you'd read it - that's Ginger Scott for me. I finished this book a few days ago & was waiting to write my review as I needed to get my head around how much I enjoyed it.
Inspired by Great Expectations it's one heck of a read.
Jam packed with heart ache, loneliness and deception it had me powering through the pages and getting annoyed when I was interrupted as I NEEDED to know what was coming next. I yelled. I teared up and I smiled during this one. Henry and Lily are EVERYTHING!!! And the supporting characters make this a truly rich reading experience. LOVED it!!!
I received an arc of this book.
Inspired by Great Expectations it's one heck of a read.
Jam packed with heart ache, loneliness and deception it had me powering through the pages and getting annoyed when I was interrupted as I NEEDED to know what was coming next. I yelled. I teared up and I smiled during this one. Henry and Lily are EVERYTHING!!! And the supporting characters make this a truly rich reading experience. LOVED it!!!
I received an arc of this book.
July 16, 2019
I’ll start off by saying that this wasn’t what I was expecting from Bred, and it took me a little while to get into it properly.
Inspired by Great expectations, Ginger Scott has just delivered an angsty romance full of secrets and deceit. A coming of age story that centres around Lily and Henry, two people that are from completely different worlds , that their friendship let alone a relationship shouldn’t work.
But this story shows you that anything is possible and your first love just could be your forever love.
Inspired by Great expectations, Ginger Scott has just delivered an angsty romance full of secrets and deceit. A coming of age story that centres around Lily and Henry, two people that are from completely different worlds , that their friendship let alone a relationship shouldn’t work.
But this story shows you that anything is possible and your first love just could be your forever love.
May 11, 2019
Lots of build up to a lackluster ending
October 21, 2019
Review to come!
April 16, 2019
Ginger Scott knocks this classic retelling out of the park!
Bred is a re-telling of Great Expectations. I have never read Great Expectations, but you can bet I will be soon if the story is half as good as Ginger Scott's, Bred.
This cover attracted me immediately and I knew I wanted to check this book out. As soon as I got it, I dove in and was sucked right in! My reading time is slim this days between life, but I was staying up as late as my eyes would let me to read this book.
I never knew what was really going to happen next. I was expecting it to go one way, but then it would go slightly different.
The characters! Gah! Elena was one who I would completely describe as angst. Anytime she would enter, I knew that there was going to be a rush of angst and adrenaline. The character transformation was one of my favorites and if I go into it anymore, I would be spoiling it. But it is good.
When I finished reading, I was left in that space of ahhh, I need more. I want more. What can I even begin to read next that won't pale in comparison? I still don't know that answer.
Bred is a re-telling of Great Expectations. I have never read Great Expectations, but you can bet I will be soon if the story is half as good as Ginger Scott's, Bred.
This cover attracted me immediately and I knew I wanted to check this book out. As soon as I got it, I dove in and was sucked right in! My reading time is slim this days between life, but I was staying up as late as my eyes would let me to read this book.
I never knew what was really going to happen next. I was expecting it to go one way, but then it would go slightly different.
The characters! Gah! Elena was one who I would completely describe as angst. Anytime she would enter, I knew that there was going to be a rush of angst and adrenaline. The character transformation was one of my favorites and if I go into it anymore, I would be spoiling it. But it is good.
When I finished reading, I was left in that space of ahhh, I need more. I want more. What can I even begin to read next that won't pale in comparison? I still don't know that answer.
May 17, 2019
Love that cover and it's perfect for the Henry's character on the pages of this novel. More than I expected -- kept me involved from start to finish. I wish there had been more!
FULL REVIEW TO COME.
FULL REVIEW TO COME.
May 19, 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️
A retelling of Great Expectations and a book that I honestly didn’t have too many options on before I picked it up. It was on Kindle Unlimited so I figured I’d give it a go.
TBH I wanted more from this book. The ending felt extremely rushed and the whole book was much slower paced. I wish there was more explanation at the ending.
The book did keep me hooked and I wanted to know what was going to happen next; it kept me up pretty late the first night I was reading it. I know what the characters are supposed to be that way, bred to be the best, bred to win, bred to never let anyone in EVER. But sometimes it was a bit too teenage angsty for my own liking and a bit over the top.
The book did have some good atmosphere, every time the setting was in the dusty house I felt that and it was very immersive.
I know I would have rated it higher if the ending was flushed out more instead for wrapped up in a couple pages.
A retelling of Great Expectations and a book that I honestly didn’t have too many options on before I picked it up. It was on Kindle Unlimited so I figured I’d give it a go.
TBH I wanted more from this book. The ending felt extremely rushed and the whole book was much slower paced. I wish there was more explanation at the ending.
The book did keep me hooked and I wanted to know what was going to happen next; it kept me up pretty late the first night I was reading it. I know what the characters are supposed to be that way, bred to be the best, bred to win, bred to never let anyone in EVER. But sometimes it was a bit too teenage angsty for my own liking and a bit over the top.
The book did have some good atmosphere, every time the setting was in the dusty house I felt that and it was very immersive.
I know I would have rated it higher if the ending was flushed out more instead for wrapped up in a couple pages.
April 23, 2021
I wasn't sure where this book was going. Young love. Cold blooded mother. Couple of twists. Not much steam. High school aged characters.
May 8, 2019
3.5 stars
Based on the Dickens classic, Great Expectations, Ginger Scott’s latest standalone is a heartbreaking, angsty and intriguing coming-of-age story with a slow burning YA romance that is complicated but beautiful.
Lily’s whole world changed after the death of her parents. She was sent to live with distant relatives who, though treat her well, are lacking in providing love and support. She is quiet, lonely, and a little bit lost, but she finds happiness and inspiration when she attends a job interview with her aunt and is brought into the world of Elena Alderman and her adopted son, Henry. She is instantly intrigued by the music room in the grand home – specifically, the piano – but she is drawn most strongly by Henry himself.
When Elena offers Lily music lessons, she jumps at the opportunity, and as she spends time in Henry’s home, she realises that he is just as lonely as she is, and the two become unlikely friends. When Lily’s gift for the piano becomes clear, she receives a scholarship to the prestigious private school that Henry attends, entangling their lives even further.
There is clearly a teen crush between Lily and Henry, but their relationship is a bit of a mess, shifting from friends to friends who flirt, to difficult moments when they rarely interact, and back again, and it’s the devious control-freak Elena who plays with their lives and their hearts. The full extent of her machinations and the reasons behind it all unravel as the story progresses, and in the meantime we get to watch Lily and Henry try to navigate their feelings in the face of such scheming.
It creates an angsty feel as we watch them try to figure out their emotions in the tumultuous teen years where they are also trying to work out who they are and where they belong, and it’s intriguing and a little bit heartbreaking as it all plays out.
Lily and Henry are great characters, and the story is written entirely from Lily’s POV, which I liked as it brought some mystery as she discovered Henry’s secrets. I admit, I did find parts of the story to be really slow moving, especially the beginning, and it took a while for me to be completely invested, but as things started heating up with Lily and Henry and the plot really started to unfold, I was feeling everything right along with them
This is a really well written story with great character development, the drama is really well handled, and the romance is gorgeous.
I enjoyed this one.
3.5 stars.
An Advanced Reader Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Based on the Dickens classic, Great Expectations, Ginger Scott’s latest standalone is a heartbreaking, angsty and intriguing coming-of-age story with a slow burning YA romance that is complicated but beautiful.
Lily’s whole world changed after the death of her parents. She was sent to live with distant relatives who, though treat her well, are lacking in providing love and support. She is quiet, lonely, and a little bit lost, but she finds happiness and inspiration when she attends a job interview with her aunt and is brought into the world of Elena Alderman and her adopted son, Henry. She is instantly intrigued by the music room in the grand home – specifically, the piano – but she is drawn most strongly by Henry himself.
When Elena offers Lily music lessons, she jumps at the opportunity, and as she spends time in Henry’s home, she realises that he is just as lonely as she is, and the two become unlikely friends. When Lily’s gift for the piano becomes clear, she receives a scholarship to the prestigious private school that Henry attends, entangling their lives even further.
There is clearly a teen crush between Lily and Henry, but their relationship is a bit of a mess, shifting from friends to friends who flirt, to difficult moments when they rarely interact, and back again, and it’s the devious control-freak Elena who plays with their lives and their hearts. The full extent of her machinations and the reasons behind it all unravel as the story progresses, and in the meantime we get to watch Lily and Henry try to navigate their feelings in the face of such scheming.
“You aren’t just the sum of Elena’s decisions, Henry. You’re more.”
It creates an angsty feel as we watch them try to figure out their emotions in the tumultuous teen years where they are also trying to work out who they are and where they belong, and it’s intriguing and a little bit heartbreaking as it all plays out.
“I am so fucking broken, Lily. You’re better off never knowing me at all.”
Lily and Henry are great characters, and the story is written entirely from Lily’s POV, which I liked as it brought some mystery as she discovered Henry’s secrets. I admit, I did find parts of the story to be really slow moving, especially the beginning, and it took a while for me to be completely invested, but as things started heating up with Lily and Henry and the plot really started to unfold, I was feeling everything right along with them
I know I’ll change – he’ll change. But it doesn’t mean I don’t hope we change in a way that still fits together…somehow. We fit together now.
This is a really well written story with great character development, the drama is really well handled, and the romance is gorgeous.
“I think you’re worth everything.”
I enjoyed this one.
3.5 stars.
An Advanced Reader Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 31, 2023
Whether you are a fan of the Young Adult genre or the classics, you’ll love Bred by Ginger Scott. Her re-envisioning of the Dickens classic, Great Expectations is amazing!
As a teen, the assigned classics were more likely to be Conrad, Bradbury, and Orwell rather than Dickens, Bronte or Wilde. I read more Victorian-era classics when my children were in school than I did as a teen. The more modern classics were easier to read, but they lacked robust drama. If more of the classics were re-imagined with modern language and technologies, young adults would be more inclined to read them out of choice rather than assignment. Ms. Scott is well known for her YA romances, and she has demonstrated her writing talents again in her latest novel. Bred is more coming-of-age than romance. There is all the longing of the typical YA romance, but the angst comes more from the classic wealthy and powerful Victorian antagonist rather than silly teenaged behavior.
Set in modern-day Chicago, the tension is present from the first page. “Aunt” Alice, in desperate need of a job, stresses over making her orphaned “charge”, Lily, presentable since she must go with her on her job interview. The gothically gloomy home of Elena Havisham is the perfect setting, and it foreshadows the ugly, bitter games to come. The haughtiness and power of Ms. Havisham is present in every scene. The cause of her black heart is revealed only at the story’s zenith. Until that point, her every action seems to be merely an exercise of power for her entertainment.
The story is deliciously complex. Every action and reaction has classic Victorian ripple effects for not only the main characters, but also the secondary characters. The rich entwining of the myriad of characters and storylines creates a highly engrossing novel that I found difficult to put down. I predict that Ms. Scott’s Bred will not only captivate readers, but also inspire them to give Charles Dickens a try as well.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. For more reading recommendations, visit Book Junkie Reviews at www.abookjunkiereviews.wordpress.com
As a teen, the assigned classics were more likely to be Conrad, Bradbury, and Orwell rather than Dickens, Bronte or Wilde. I read more Victorian-era classics when my children were in school than I did as a teen. The more modern classics were easier to read, but they lacked robust drama. If more of the classics were re-imagined with modern language and technologies, young adults would be more inclined to read them out of choice rather than assignment. Ms. Scott is well known for her YA romances, and she has demonstrated her writing talents again in her latest novel. Bred is more coming-of-age than romance. There is all the longing of the typical YA romance, but the angst comes more from the classic wealthy and powerful Victorian antagonist rather than silly teenaged behavior.
Set in modern-day Chicago, the tension is present from the first page. “Aunt” Alice, in desperate need of a job, stresses over making her orphaned “charge”, Lily, presentable since she must go with her on her job interview. The gothically gloomy home of Elena Havisham is the perfect setting, and it foreshadows the ugly, bitter games to come. The haughtiness and power of Ms. Havisham is present in every scene. The cause of her black heart is revealed only at the story’s zenith. Until that point, her every action seems to be merely an exercise of power for her entertainment.
The story is deliciously complex. Every action and reaction has classic Victorian ripple effects for not only the main characters, but also the secondary characters. The rich entwining of the myriad of characters and storylines creates a highly engrossing novel that I found difficult to put down. I predict that Ms. Scott’s Bred will not only captivate readers, but also inspire them to give Charles Dickens a try as well.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. For more reading recommendations, visit Book Junkie Reviews at www.abookjunkiereviews.wordpress.com
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