annieb123's Review of Estella's Revenge

by Barbara Havelocke

'Loved it from the very first page - Estella is a superbly well-drawn character and absolutely unforgettable.' Frances Quinn

You know Miss Havisham.

The world's most famous jilted bride.

This is her daughter’s story.

Raised in the darkness of Satis House where the clocks never tick, the beautiful Estella is bred to hate men and to keep her heart cold as the grave.

She knows she doesn’t feel things quite like other people do but is this just the result of her strange upbringing?

As she watches the brutal treatment of women around her, hatred hardens into a core of vengeance and when she finds herself married to the abusive Drummle, she is forced to make a deadly choice:

Should she embrace the darkness within her and exact her revenge?

A stunningly original, gripping Gothic read, perfect for fans of Stacey Halls, Madeline Miller and Jessie Burton.

Readers are stunned by Estella's Revenge:

‘The genius concept behind this book is so irresistible, it makes the novel feel like magic…Charles Dickens's spirit would be definitely securing his copy now!’ Sophie Hannah

‘This gripping and clever novel takes Miss Havisham’s daughter and tells us her dark and compelling tale. Masterfully constructed, complex, immersive and delivered through Havelocke’s beautiful prose. Both heartbreaking and uplifting, this is an absolute must-read.' Rebecca Netley

'Thrillingly dark and beautifully written, this twisty Gothic tale will grip you to the last page and beyond.' Bella Ellis

‘Deliciously creepy and decidedly dark, I loved this foray into the mind of Dickens’s most enigmatic heroine…It’s so beautifully written, it gripped me from the very first sentence and would not let me go until I finished reading.’ Jessica Bull

'I truly cannot rave about this book enough!... Estella's Revenge is a dark, cunning story full of twists and turns and with plenty of heart.' Victoria Hawthorne

‘A darkly ingenious take on a classic character, Estella’s story had me gripped. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.’ Susi Holliday

‘Utterly beautiful.’ Louise Beech

'Meticulously researched and full of dark intrigue, I loved being transported into Estella's world. A page-turning delight.' Sarah Ward

‘Barbara Havelocke...makes the era come alive for the reader...A story with great depth...I look forward to reading more of Estella's story.' Valerie Keogh

‘A dream to read…I believe that this book will in time be shelved next to Great Expectations as an essential complimentary read... Stunning.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

‘I absolutely loved this. A retelling of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations? Please, yes, give it to me. This absolutely DELIVERED.'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

‘Superbly and skilfully written. Great characters, twists and turns and a terrific gothic eeriness.’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

‘Unusual. Impeccable. Riveting.’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

‘Fascinating and intriguing… The story was dark, gothic and suspenseful.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

‘A masterpiece. ’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

‘Wow!...A riveting and satisfying read.'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

‘Estella…is a marvel and a masterpiece. You simply must read this book.’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Estella's Revenge is an atmospheric Gothic homage featuring Miss Havisham's daughter Estella, re-imagined by Barbara Havelocke. Released 9th May 2024 by Canelo on their Hera imprint, it's 384 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout.

Dickens' Great Expectations is a timeless classic. The story has a wonderful narrative arc, but in Dickens' original, the secondary characters don't get the same resolution imagined here. This is told from Estella's PoV and it's very much a darker re-imagining.

The author has an impressive facility with characterization, but what really shines here is the overall prose. It's beautifully wrought and immersive, compelling and atmospheric.

A passing familiarity with the original book is a definite plus. It's taken for granted that most readers will have previously read Great Expectations, but if not, this entire book will be more understandable and accessible with at least a quick skim of the original source material.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 15 hours 46 minutes and is beautifully read by Rosie Akerman. She has a light, well modulated RP accent and classically trained voice and does a good job with the disparate accents of a range of ages and both sexes. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

Four stars. Broody and dark.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Reading updates

17 August, 2024: Started reading

17 August, 2024: Finished reading

17 August, 2024: Reviewed