The Disgrace of Kitty Grey - Mary Hooper

I will hold my hands up and say that Mary Hooper is one of the best historical fiction novelists for children/teenagers. Actually, Mary Hooper is the author that got me into the genre - and Young Adult books in general - after I read her book The Remarkable Life and Times of Eliza Rose set during the 1700's. I guess, it opened my eyes to the best books of that genre. Furthermore, I actually met Mary Hooper a couple of years ago (that was a surreal moment with her sitting next to Patrick Ness), where I handed her my dog-earred copy of Eliza Rose, smiling broadly and then having a long conversation with her about how much I loved her books. I think she also asked some advice on something in one of her books if I remember correctly.
Anyway, I was so happy to hear that Mary Hooper would be releasing another book this year and even more happy when I discovered it available on Netgalley.

Synopsis: 15 year-old Kitty Grey lives happily in the countryside working as a dairy maid in the dairy of a rich, grand family. She is treated well and loves her job. There's also her sweetheart, Will, the river man, who she sees regularly. The only worry on her mind is whether, and when, he will ask her to marry him.
Suddenly, one day, Will disappears leaving his young orphaned sister, Betsy, with Kitty. Kitty is distraught, was he leading her on? Has he gone to London to find his fortune?
When Kitty is given the chance to go to London to get a copy of the new Pride and Prejudice, she goes with the chance of finding Will. But London is very different from the countryside and soon, Kitty is left penniless, alone with a three year-old who everyone thinks is her own, in a town she doesn't understand or belong within. And so charts her fall from grace.

Review: I entered this novel with high expectations to say the least. Mary Hooper is a favourite author of mine and I was worried that the things I loved in her books when I was younger would be different now I'm older. But I didn't have to worry as I was faced with a beautiful, rich and detailed historical novel from Hooper which stayed with me once again after the last page.

This is an interesting subject and something that isn't particularly shown in many historical novels. While we're always shown the glittering, glamourous worlds of the rich in the 1800's, Hooper changes that and displays the simple things that disgrace an innocent person because of the unfair judicial system, something reflected perhaps in present day. The blurb for the book gave the impression to me that I would find out about that glittering world that we associate with Jane Austen of balls, muslin dresses, Mr Darcy (or just Colin Firth) and manners. But that is completely turned on its heard in this book and the contrast between the two classes becomes all that much clearer as the novel progresses.

Kitty is an interesting character. It is very clear from the beginning that she is quite naive as she's always lived in the idealic countryside in the same comfortable house in the same job which she loves. Her headstrong side of her character only comes evident at the start of her disgrace and she continues to be a good narrator. The disgrace made me incredibly sympathetic for her especially as things get worse and worse. I found Betsy on the other hand one of the most annoying characters I've read and it seemed to me that her role in the narrative at the beginning was unnecessary. She was just a little bit too whiny for my liking!

The writing was excellent as always and Hooper successfully illustrates each stage of the disgrace. It's wonderfully detailed historically and you get a real idea of the ideal setting of the countryside compared to the hustle and chaotic feeling of London. This was such an easy read for me, the perfect book to spend an afternoon or evening reading. However, the book is pretty depressing following how Kitty becomes less and less civilised and further away from her innocence, it's not a book to make you feel better about yourself! The beginning and end were good, and rather engaging, it was just the middle section which dragged a little because of how sad and depressing it was really. The ending is perfect for the book, although it does end a little abruptly for my liking.

Overall, this was another great novel from Mary Hooper, a master at historical fiction. This wasn't my favourite ever book of hers but it certainly reminded me why I love her books so much. THE DISGRACE OF KITTY GREY is great, an alternate read to other books set in this time. Can't wait for what Hooper will throw at us next! If you haven't read anything by her, you've been missing out! I highly recommend any of her books.

I give it a 4 out of 5

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book. 

Author's Website: http://www.maryhooper.co.uk/
Pages: 288
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Challenges: Historical Fiction, BBC

Related Reviews: 
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
I was Jane Austen's Best Friend - Cora Harrison
Debutantes - Cora Harrison
Fallen Grace - Mary Hooper

A-Z Authors - D, E, F, G, H

I found out about this through Phanee from funny wool and is hosted by Heather at Proud Book Nerd. I thought it looked quite fun so this month, I shall be doing a post every day (except Sundays) where I shall tell you about amazing authors that have surnames beginning with that letter. I hope you enjoy and tell me if you know any more with that letter and I'll add it to the post! Thanks.

NOTE: As I am doing my exams at the moment, I may miss days so shall combine letter together, I'll say if I do in the title - Thanks.

Here we go....

SORRY FOR MY LACK OF DOING THIS IN THE PAST WEEK. I have been so busy with revision, exams, being out, getting food etc but here it is now!

D

Sarah Dessen

She is amazing. I am not kidding. She is the best or at least one of the best writers I have ever read and has remained a favourite for about 3/4 years. I am yet to see/meet someone who doesn't like her novels. There are ones less good than others but they are all better than some other novels that are out there. She is always consistent and although critised for having the same plot every time, they all seem different. You know what to expect from Sarah Dessen in the plot but they are always so original in characters, settings, other events. The characters are such unique people that you kinda wish were real and that you learn to love a lot.

Her Books: The Truth About Forever, Just Listen, Along for the Ride, What Happened to Goodbye, This Summer, Someone Like You, Last Chance (or Keeping the Moon), Dreamland, Lock and Key, This Lullaby.

Paul Dowswell

I have only read one book by this guy but Auslander was amazing. It has a boy as the voice and normally, I find they aren't as good with a guy voice but this was fantastic and really helped me with my History GCSE - it put it all into perspective for me and helped me understand it all while doing my favourite thing of reading. He is such a good author that not many people give credit or know about at all. 

Other Books: True Stories of WWII, Adventures of a Young Sailor, The First World War, Escape.

E

Eve Edwards

Wow. I love this woman. Sometimes books are just Historical or just Romance and sometimes having both of those together is hard to pull off without being too much of the other. However, The Other Countess series have been amazing. So interesting with this perfect fascinating mixture of genres with the most funny, enjoyable characters. I just love her books and make me love History so much more. She is a writer a lot of people should pick up. 

Her Books: The Other Countess series - The Other Countess, The Queen's Lady, The Rouge Princess

F

Gayle Forman

I have only so far read her first book in the If I Stay duo. I have the other but not yet read it. I thought the book was going to be boring. But I found it wasn't. It wasn't perfect for me but I really liked it and the way it was written and how different it was to other novels out there that are similar to this one. I really liked her overall and I REALLY NEED TO READ THE NEXT ONE.

Her Books: If I Stay, Where She Went, Sisters in Sanity

G

Anna Godbersen

She is again in my category of best Historical Romance authors. I love the fun, happy side to her books and then also, the serious side to them that changes suddenly and makes you think. They are a real type of YA book but not too heavy, yet not too silly and ridiculous. These are good books and I love the different characters that after The Luxe series with 4 books, you start to think as of family a little and really get to know them inside and out. All of hers are set in New York at different periods of time which is so interesting to compare from the historical side. She successfully has fun/serious books with a nice balance. 

Her Books: The Luxe Series - The Luxe, Rumours, Envy, Splendour, Bright Young Things

H

Mary Hooper

Not many people have heard of Mary Hooper and that may be because she's an English writer and more known over here but I love her writing. She also writes historical and you can tell from reading that there is so much detail put into it. She covers many periods of history with some characters that reflect what people were like then and now. There are bits of romance but I like them with and without. I don't know what it is about this one but I just love her writing - but I can't say why. She is also the one that got me into Historical fiction and when I met her at a book signing last year, she was so friendly and it was like I known her years!

Her books: The Remarkable Life and Times of Eliza Rose, Fallen Grace, Newes from the Dead, At the Sign of the Sugar Plum, At the House of the Magician, Megan, Amy, Holly

Cora Harrison

I fell in love with her writing when I read the first chapter. It wasn't the typical Regency language but I liked that. Made it easier and more enjoyable to read. I loved all her characters, the cover, the romance, the playful look on life and the way she can make a unique character seem like someone you know or a simple situation, one you can relate to. I love how she made Jane Austen a real and lively person, someone my age that I could learn more about and make her feel like a friend. 

I really do love her books. I think it's her first bit for YA looking on Goodreads but she should keep it up!

Her Books: I was Jane Austen's Best Friend, Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend, My Lady Judge, The Montgomery Murder

The Betrayal - Mary Hooper

This was found in the corner of the library alone and frankly, no-one knew it. I saw it straight away and picked it up without even thinking about it. You know, one of those kind of automatic reactions like saying Sorry when you make a mistake in French - and much like my French teacher is telling us off for.
Anyway, yeah. This is the third and last in the At The House of The Magican trilogy. And to be honest, the best in my opinion.

(May Contain Spoilers)
Lucy is asked to continue her work for Queen Elizabeth I. But she has has no duties to do so spends her time setting up a house in London for the Dee family she works for. But when she meets the new lady-in-waiting, Juliette, she is suspicious straight away and decides to take matters into her own hands. But is she merely jealous of the attenation Tomas, the Queen's fool and the one Lucy loves, is giving her? Or could she really be a threat to the throne? 


I actually really enjoyed this book, mostly probably because I've read the two other in the series. I would say that reading them, would help as Lucy does mention events that happen in those but it isn't necessary. There is much more detail and more surprises filling this book and I especially LOVED the end. Which rounded it all off nicely and answered all our questions and is nice that they hint at what happens after the book is finished.
The cover (above) I think is lovely. I love that dress and I am, unfortunately, one of those that still wants to be able to wear dresses like that now. They are gorgeous even though there is so much that goes into looking like that. The detail that Mary Hooper has used is amazing and like normal, she has taken me into the Elizabethan world for Lucy. My favourite character was Tomas. He is so funny and had me laughing on the plane a couple of time (while people looked at me weirdly as I had been laughing out loud earlier at Shrek) and very gentlemanly. So I approve of him.
This book is for those historical romance lovers. Yet another great historical book by Mary Hooper.

4.5 out of 5

Author's Website: http://www.maryhooper.co.uk/

Fallen Grace - Mary Hooper

Again, I was wandering through my local library looking for a book. Mary Hooper, who basically got me into teen fiction, especially historical once someone brought me my favourite book of hers, The Remarkable Life and Times of Eliza Rose. Which I fell in love with (and got signed!). So I knew that she had a new book out and seen it in the shops but was going to wait till it went on paperback. But I saw this on the shelf and picked it up :)

First Sentence: Grace, holding on tightly to her precious burden, found the station entrance without much difficulty.

It's set in London 1861. Grace Parkes, a fifteen year old girl, clutches a bundle with travelling on the train from Waterloo to Brookwood Cemetery to carry out a heart breaking duty. Every day afterwards, Grace and her simple minded older sister, Lily who acts like her younger have to find some way to survive But there is another danger linked to their pasts, long forgotten and a selfish, money loving undertaker family, the Unwins have caught the eye of Grace and will stop at nothing to claim what is rightfully Grace and Lily's...

I maybe slightly bias as I really like Mary Hooper's novels but from the comments I've seen on her Facebook page, lots of people love this book. Grace is a great character and you start to feel really sorry for her. Mary Hooper has also made it more true to by adding in some tragic events that would have happened that year if Grace was a real. She's shown what life would have been like if you were poor in London in Victorian times.  Once you start reading, you see that there is more to the plot than is made out but then, it's not to ruin it. There are so many twists and turns right down to the last page that make me sitting there, my mouth open in shock. If you read it, you'll know what I mean. I must admit though that I'd love to work at the Unwin's Mourning clothes shops on Oxford Street. Sounds a nice place to work to me. Though that maybe my love for fashion.
Anyway, I would recommend this book anyday. It is such a good book for anyone that likes a bit of everything and enjoys historical novels.

 To see the Fallen Grace trailer, click the bold bit :)
Author's Website: www.maryhooper.co.uk 

Losing It book launch with Patrick Ness, Mary Hooper and Sophie McKenzie

So, last night....I was on Cloud 9. Basically. As anyone that actually reads this knows or has seen, I was going to the Losing It book launch in London last night to see Patrick Ness (Chaos Walking Series), Mary Hooper (Newes from the Dead), Sophie McKenzie (Girl, Missing), Bali Rai and Keith Gray. Losing It is about well...losing your virginity. Not my favourite topic but I didn't know that when I booked the tickets, did I?
   They had a discussion about the book and the things in it which was well....disturbing for four teenagers at the back,  in the age range they're talking about. I must admit that most of them got it wrong on what teenagers think.

76% of all teenagers want more sex education classes. NO WE DON'T!
I think some people won't like this being out there. Believe me, I've read much worst books than that. Some that didn't even mention the word 'Sex' in their blurb.
I think Patrick Ness, personally, got it most right about teenagers but by the looks of it, he was the youngest out of the writers...I think.

Anyway, the reason I was on Cloud 9 was that I got my copy of Monsters of Men signed by Patrick Ness who was really nice. But not only that. I'd posted a comment on his website saying I loved his books and that I was going to the launch of Losing It and when I said my name to him, he asked "Were you the Rebecca that posted a message on my website?"
So I'm standing there, smiling like the Cheshire Cat. And like normal Rebecca-style, started explaining myself. But it was the fact that he remembered my name that made me think that he really must like his fans if he would go through more than 900 comments one by one and read them. And remember them. Which is good. Very Good, in my opinion.
And I had a conversation with Mary Hooper who basically got me into Teenage novels when I was 11. I had looked at the Teen section at my library but was scared what might be in them. But then, I read The Remarkable Life and Times of Eliza Rose  by Mary Hooper and got into them...before the recommended age of 14. Whoops. So, in short,  I would say worship her but then I'd sound like a stalker. So, I love her :)

So I had the best evening.

The 'Losing It' book trailer. That was well made actually.

Mary Hooper, Patrick Ness, Sophie McKenzie. :)