A Touch of Night [Kindle Edition]

Sarah A. Hoyt (Author), Sofie Skapski (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In a world where magic reigns and being a shape shifter is the only crime that warrants immediate execution, this is how Pride and Prejudice would be written. The novel is set in the world of Sarah A. Hoyt's Magical British Empire.

Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 388 KB
• Print Length: 235 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Naked Reader Press (August 2, 2010)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B003Y5H664
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #214,882 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

More About the Author

I was born in Portugal far more years ago than I like to admit to, in a -- then very small -- place called Granja (lugar da Granja -- lugar possibly transtating roughly as hamlet -- but literally translating as "place") in the freguesia (allegiance/fiefdom) of Aguas-Santas (Holy Waters) in the Conselho (council) of Maia in the district of Porto.

All those designations are changed now, but as I like to tell people I grew up somewhere between Elizabethan England and Victorian England with just a little of the twentieth century thrown in.

This might be exaggerating -- not much -- but the truth is that I did go to a village school and learn to write with a quill pen. Though I used ballpoint pens at home. I penned my first "novel" with ballpoint at around the age of six. And since it was pretty easy -- all twenty pages of Enid Blyton rip-off -- I abandoned what I (by then) suspected was an unattainable aspiration of becoming an angel when I grew up. I decided instead to be a novelist.

Once this was decided, of course, it didn't take all that long at all. Only some... cough... twenty years, during which I acquired a degree from the University of Porto (where we didn't use quill pens), found that employment for English majors was at best scant, moved to the US, changed my name, got married, worked at a variety of jobs from multilingual translator to retail clerk, had two kids and a varying and scary number of cats and read far more than is good for any human being.

So, now I live in Colorado with my husband, two teen sons who are both taller and stronger -- and far more handsome -- than I and four indoor cats, plus a variety of Not-Our-Cats(tm) who beg food at the kitchen door and for whom we provide facilities summer and winter. But who are not... cough... our cats. Ever.

I've been telling lies for fun and profit since 1994 (I did it for free long before that.)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely good and imaginative, April 26, 2011

By 

Mary (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Touch of Night (Kindle Edition)

Over the last six years, I have read literally hundreds of P&P "what ifs" and have even written three of them. If you are looking for something unusual and totally out of the box as far as imagination and creativity goes, then this is it. Although it is taken from P&P, it is a tale set in a kingdom far, far away in the land of make-believe where were-creatures roam the land and are hunted down for sport because, human by day, they transform into beautiful mythological beings of the night. They are gentle, loving, kind, and even humorous at times, but are so misunderstood. However, Miss Elizabeth does understand. Though not a were-creature herself, she does know a few, so when she meets this beautiful were-dragon, she cannot help but be captivated by his sad eyes. Can you guess who he is? For $4.99, trust me on it, this is a must have book for every Austen collection, and like I've said, I've read just about everything there is. My only regret is that it is not available in paperback. :(

16 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars it is a truth universally acknowledged that a book (especially this one) must be in want of an editor., October 5, 2011

By 

Raven - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Touch of Night (Kindle Edition)

I am not going to critique the content of this work, as my opinion is negatively affected by the authors turning Jane Austen into: "the most beautiful of the five daughters: curls like spun gold, classical features, porcelain complexion, and an elegant figure..." with simpering, syrupy manners and "beautiful, pale hand[s]."

(just a tip: to avoid clichés in your work, imagine what "spun gold" actually is like: be real, be gritty, be specific. You can't, can you? It's a stock phrase used very, very often. It is more effective to use a simile that is real and fresh, that evokes how the hair appears to your imagination.)

Jane is a saucer-eyed blonde who cries. Jane Austen. Yep. Jane Austen, that lady whose sharp wit and keen observation of her neighbors, whose fiery determination to write in an era where it wasn't approved of led her to sew together books that were tiny enough for her to conceal in her clothing; who managed in spite of the lack of support and constant interruptions to create several great works that are still living and breathing today, this Jane, our brilliant, (and dare I add? Brunette) Jane, is reduced to a whimpering blonde with hair "like spun gold." as though pretty looks are her biggest achievement. The mind revolts.

But I wasn't going to start...I need to rein myself in, here.

I do have to mention, for the literary types that might stumble on this book unprepared: the author misquotes (twice) one of the most famous opening lines ever written, seemingly oblivious to the fact that the line is, in fact, an impeccable example of IRONY (in this book the line is taken completely literally, thus destroying its wry humor and beauty).

I will confine myself to saying : someone please take pity on this poor book and edit it.

Here are some examples:

"And also that any were-animal would assume any human of non-were kind was enimical. [sic]" This is a complete sentence, the spelling is not of my creation.

"She could only imagine what a servant would think upon finding the hidden ladder hidden."

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful Twist to a Beloved Story, September 27, 2011

By 

So. Cal. Lawyer (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Touch of Night (Kindle Edition)

A Touch of Night is a fantastical retelling of Pride and Prejudice. If you enjoyed Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, you will be delighted with this book. It is romantic, humorous and suspenseful, but our beloved characters from Austen's masterpiece live an even happier ever after! I enjoyed it so much I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to try this author's other books.