Customer Reviews

Evan's Castle

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Evan's Castle is a romance novel in first person, narrated by an apparently attractive, intelligent, brash, at times almost excessively frank young woman who has left behind a failed but still haunting relationship, and who applies for a job despite, and partially because of, the mysterious challenges posed by the position. Her self-confidence partially hides her vulnerabilty.

The dialogue is clever and engaging, especially the unspoken dialogue which takes the reader inside the head of this passionate, at times tormented soul. A subplot significantly impacts the course of the plot right to the end.

Each character is fully developed and memorable. Descriptions are largely part of the dialogue or action and neither lacking nor excessive. The pace of the story is appropriate throughout. I found the book hard to put down.

I expected great writing when I obtained this novel, and I was not at all disappointed. Highly recommended.

Edmund Wilson, the pre-eminent American literary critic of his time, once wrote off an entire genre of popular fiction--detective stories--in a single essay, "Who Cares Who Killed Roger Ackroyd?" I was looking forward to doing the same thing to romantic fiction--disparagingly referred to as "bodice rippers" in the trade--when a copy of "Evan's Castle" by Tracy Fabre arrived in the mail.

I wanted to write a "Who Cares Who Slashed Rachel Kane's Tires?", but I couldn't. Rachel is The Heroine Who Bears a Tragic Wound--a failed romance that she's running from--and Evan Callahan is The Misanthropic Brooding Genius to whom she's fatally attracted. His Castle (an essential element of the gothic subset of this chick lit genre) is a drab warehouse where he pursues whatever strikes his polymath fancy--astral nebulae, molds, fungi. What's not to love?

Rachel is a research librarian hired to catalog Evan's--stuff. After a few initial rounds of sparring, she is drawn to him, and he to her. The closer they get, however, the more Rachel is dogged by escalating acts of vandalism, from late-night phone calls to slashed tires. Until she is nearly killed by her nemesis, she maintains a smart-aleck gallows humor that makes the dialogue--both internal and spoken--snap like a pack of Chinese firecrackers.

The atmosphere of the book is a bit claustrophobic, but no matter; Ms. Fabre can work more drama into Rachel's tortured decision to reply to an email from her ex than a community theatre production of "Arsenic and Old Lace." The action is confined to a few academic settings--to paraphrase Allen Iverson, "We're talking cataloging here"--but the pace picks up as the romance and violence escalates. Isn't that always the way?

As an unpaid on-line critic with high standards of professionalism, I am compelled to point out minor flaws; on page 35 Ms. Fabre splits an infinitive, and when a rock is thrown through Rachel's window, the heroine concludes that her nemesis was the one to "pitch a home run."

"Pitch" a home run? Ain't that just like a woman.

"Evan's Castle" was a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience. I don't generally read romance novels, but I'd call this more of a romantic comedy. If you imagine a screwball comedy such as "Bringing Up Baby" with its fast-paced, witty dialogue, add a touch of mystery, and spice up the romance a bit, you'd have a good idea of the feeling this book evoked for me. The author has a great facility in maintaining romantic and dramatic tension, thus keeping the reader completely engaged. She dishes out dollops of information and romance at a teasingly perfect pace. The characters are seductive and clever, and the villains are despicable and slug-worthy. The romantic scenes always have an edge or a twist to make them keenly felt and memorable. A great good time!

The author has managed to weave a wonderful love story full of missteps and miscommunication between the charming librarian and the enigmatic scientist. There is also a suspenseful undertone of mystery and obsession that is woven into the story. As I read the book I did not want their love story to end.

After finishing the book I was so entwined in the story that I had to read it again. It is a book that I can read repeatedly and be consistently drawn into the romance and intrigue if the story.

I cannot wait until this author's next publication. She is truly a thoughtful story teller with a splendid grasp of human nature and its foibles that make a story great.

I don't normally read romance books, but prefer suspense or mystery books that often have a twist of romance. After reading the first chapter on a website I was hooked and immediately purchased this book.

It had mystery that kept me going and I have to admit I finished the book in one day. It was THAT GOOD!

This is the first published book for this author and I hope to see more. She has a way with words that hooks you and draws you into the world of the characters.

I didn't want to put the book down and was satisfied until the very last word. If you are a regular reader of romance this book is for you. For those who like suspense it is also highly recommended.

What happens when an intelligent, pretty librarian is hired to catalogue the life work of a brilliant, handsome scientist? Jealousy, competition, and rumors of course. Friendly banter? Sharing of soul? Foul play? All of the above? Tracy Fabre has created characters that transcend reality enough to be thrilling, yet authentic. And scenes from a cluttered lab to a star-filled mountaintop and a deadly ditch. Join Rachel Kane and Evan Callahan in their quest for knowledge, order, love, and life.

"Evan's Castle" by Tracy Fabre is what the trade calls "a romance novel", but it is actually much more than that. The author transcends the romance novel's limitations not only by creating realistically three-dimensional characters and placing them in environments that seem both natural yet threatening, but by her honed yet seemingly natural story-telling skills.
The novel is most effectively narrated in the first person by an intelligent, witty, sympathetic, heart-warming heroine, who has an intriguingly mysterious background. Tension builds up when it soon becomes apparent that her self-confidence is not as deep as it first appears. Indeed she is neither as totally relaxed nor seemingly in charge of her challenging situation as she would initially have us believe. We discover her superficial bravado and self-confidence actually disguise a deep vulnerabilty. This multi-level characterization is just one of the facets that make "Evan's Castle" an outstanding entry in this genre. Both Rachel Kane and Evan Callahan are people we can readily relate to and who almost effortlessly engage our attention. The free-flowing dialogue seems admirably natural, yet it has a sharp ring that gives the characters an extra charisma. The author's impressive narrative skills are also apparent in the memorable settings. The castle of the title is actually a huge, disorganized laboratory, and the reclusive Evan himself is certainly a memorable character even if he does mellow towards the heroine as the story progresses. But even this not-unexpected change in attitude brings with it a strata of tension and insecurity. All told, "Evan's Castle" is a most impressive debut by a most accomplished novelist.

Evan's Castle is a unique romance by author, and Gather family member, Tracy Fabre. It is 257 pages, containing 11 chapters, which follows Rachel Kane, a woman who leaves home to start a new job, as she struggles to let go of the one-sided relationship she recently ended.


What makes Evan's Castle different from other romances is its departure from the
dramatic and sentimental standard of the industry. Tracy penned this story with two of her greatest assets: her soft-spoken wit and her natural ability to relate to everyday people. Tracy lends her humorous comebacks and her "live and let live" approach to her characters. She creates an appeal for widespread readership, making this book enjoyable for men and women of all ages.


When Rachel begins working for scientist Evan Callahan, a man whose reputation for being difficult precedes him, the similarities to the man she left back home strike her immediately. The appeal of these men, and their ability to feed her hopes and apprehensions, leaves Rachel emotionally torn. As the readers watch her put one foot in front of the other to strengthen her fortitude, Tracy introduces a series of supporting characters that give the book another breath of reality. Tracy adds to this mixture the element of danger, as Rachel suddenly becomes the victim of childlike pranks that escalate to disconcerting vandalism. This creates a multidimensional aspect that will satisfy an extensive circle. There is something in Evan's Castle for everyone.

My favorite thing about this novel was the simple fact that I enjoyed it so much that I never wanted to put it down. It quickly became like spending time with an old friend. An author who makes me feel like their work is a part of my life; the comfortable relaxing "me" time of life is one I treasure.


As soon as I finished this book, I went out and bought Reasons by Tracy Fabre. I just didn't want the enjoyment of Evan's Castle to end!