This review was first posted on http://www.rubysreads.com. 
 Fateful was one of my most highly anticipated reads of the fall season. Small and I were discussing whether or not I should do a review of it, and I simply couldn't fathom not reviewing doing so. It seemed so perfectly "me." It's a historical fantasy set in the early 1900's and there's a werewolf love interest. Hello? Did Claudia Gray write this book specifically for me? I confess, I half expected to be mentioned in the acknowledgments. Or at least, to be featured in the dedication: 
 "For Ruby, who inspired me to write about hot, historical werewolves." 
 Being the inspiration for a werewolf story is the apex of my blogging ambition. It'll happen someday, I just know it. 
 Unfortunately, despite how perfect the concept was for me, the execution wasn't far from the same. I vaguely remember starting Claudia Gray's vampire series, but I don't think I finished it. Despite that rather lackluster introduction into Gray's writing, I was cautiously optimistic about Fateful, because I knew it could easily be just as forgettable. Having read the book at last (I got it in early September, but once I knew HFJ was on, I set it aside for the event), I can say that the book isn't so much forgettable as disappointing. My main issue was one of characterization, though I didn't think that Gray did a very good job of transporting me into the dichotomous worlds of First and Third Class aboard the Titanic. 
 The main character is Tess, who has served as a below stairs for the aristocratic Lisle family for many years. Recently, however, she was promoted to ladies' maid. Despite the promotion, Tess has no intention of remaining in the Lisle's employ. For one thing, those beneath stairs know everything, so Tess is well aware of the Lisle's financial difficulties. For another, she discovers a Lisle family secret that hits close to home. 
 It's unfortunate that, despite the first person narration, I never warmed to Tess. She was self-righteous, which I found annoying, but also out of place for a character in her position. Her thinking fell into the trap that never fails to irritate me--Tess is a modern girl with modern notions--she's just been plopped into a historical setting. Since this is my number one pet historical fiction peeve, my opinion of the rest of the novel suffered as a result. Another thing I had trouble with was Tess' approach to sex, which didn't fit the time period. Neither did it make sense to me given what happened to her sister. 
 Also, it may be that I've seen Gosford Park too many times, but Gray's portrayal of the relationship between English aristocracy and their servants didn't ring true for me. Too much of the Lisle family's interaction revolves around Tess, when servants were rarely, if ever, acknowledged. Yes, it's Tess' story, but many a skilled writer has portrayed the main character as an observer. It could have been done. 
 The nail in the coffin was the hero. Despite being a werwolf, he wasn't an alpha personality. Since this is 99.999999% of the reason I like werewolf heroes so much, my disappointment on this front was enormous. Alec wasn't dynamic enough to interest me. He was just kind of there, emoting. Or, maybe it's just that I don't go for the moody, fatalistic type. Whatever the reason, the romance stirred me not at all. 
 Finally, I didn't really understand why Gray chose the Titanic as her setting. You would think, given the fact that everyone who reads the novel knows, going in, that the boat is going to sink, that it would to play an important role in the climax. It doesn't. In fact, the Titanic sinks so fast I had to back and reread to check to make sure it had really happened. Gray might have set her story on any posh luxury liner--even a modern-day one. That's a fact that makes me unutterably sad. 
 I'm going to conclude this review by saying that the one positive thing that Fateful did for me is revive my interest in Titanic-based stories. I'd love to read more. Any suggestions?