Book Review: Unhinged by Amanda Deed

by Carolyn Miller @CarolynMAuthor

Blurb
Serena Bellingham is faced with an impossible choice. Either leave her struggling family to serve the eccentric genius, Edward King, or stay, only to see the same man imprison her father.

Her decision leads her to Aleron House, a home shrouded in secrecy, strange attitudes and even stranger happenings. Is Edward King all that she has heard, or is the truth something entirely different? Is it possible that the handsome architect might need her even more than her beloved family does?

Unhinged is an Australian retelling of Beauty and the Beast, complete with a mysterious curse and a precious rose.

Review
I'm always a fan of a fairy tale retelling, and if it's set in Australia so much the better. After attending Amanda Deed's online book launch for Unhinged I was pretty keen to read this novel, especially as it's set in various suburbs of Sydney, some places which I recalled having either visited or heard about. So, with high expectations, I started reading - and finished it the next morning with a smile.

Unhinged is much more than just a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. With its interesting detailing of life in 1840s Sydney and the way it touches on aspects of mental health, this story felt at once historically accurate and yet relevant for today. How easy it is, even (especially?) in Christian circles, for mental health issues to be skirted around, with sometimes little legitimacy given to the experiences of those who suffer. I liked the natural inclusion of faith, I enjoyed the referencing of historic figures, I could relate a little to the 'fever' of creative pursuit, and having recently visited Elizabeth Bay House near Sydney Harbour, I could definitely 'see' Aleron, the house depicted as 'the beast's castle' in this novel. This is my favourite Amanda Deed novel, and one fans of historical romance - and especially those who enjoy retellings of fairy tales - are bound to enjoy.

Unhinged can be purchased from Amazon.com.au Koorong and Books In Stock

Carolyn Miller lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. Together with her husband she has pastored a church for ten years, and worked part-time as a public high school English and Learning and Support teacher.

A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English Literature, and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. Her Regency novels include The Elusive Miss Ellison, The Captivating Lady Charlotte, The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey, and Winning Miss Winthrop, all available from Amazon, Book Depository, Koorong, etc

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