My Plain Jane

My Plain Jane

My Plain Jane, by Brodi Ashton. Cynthia Hand, and Jodi Meadows, is a story that tells of mischievous ghosts, an unexpected romance, and of, most importantly, Miss Jane Eyre. This book is a magnificent spin-off of the book by Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre. 

Plot Summary:

     Jane Eyre is an extraordinarily plain girl that lives at an all-girls, boarding school called Lowood in England. Charlotte Brontë, yes that Charlotte Brontë, is Jane’s best friend at Lowood, so she thinks. Jane’s actual best friend is a ghost, yes, a ghost. This particular ghost’s name is Helen. Helen died of the “graveyard disease”, this is common at Lowood as it is very common for girls to suffer from frostbite (while still inside) and mild starvation (better put as extreme hunger). Helen is very outspoken (ironic for a ghost, right?), but only Jane can hear her, because (as Jane learns later in the story) she is a “beacon”. I “beacon” is someone who can command ghosts and the ghosts always obey. Alexander Blackwood is the star agent at The Society for the Relocation for Wayward Spirits. This society is organized by the British government, though the King does not really support it. Alexander Blackwood visits Lowood and finds out that Jane is a beacon. He asks her repeatedly to become a part of the society. Charlotte thinks that Jane should definitely take the job offer, as it pays very well. (Especially for a woman in this time. They could be a governess or…a governess, really there was nothing else for a career option.) Jane decides she does not want to become part of the society and becomes a governess (of course) for significantly older, very attractive, Mr. Rochester. Alexander finds Miss Eyre quite suspicious and decides to investigate the Rochester house and why Jane would not take his offer. Charlotte is so jealous of the offer and is in such disbelief that Jane Eyre turned it down that she demands Mr. Blackwood take her along. Mr. Blackwood agrees not without protest. While they are investigating the Rochester house, they discover not only why Jane did not take the offer but also a cynical plot to destroy Mr. Blackwood and the society.

Author Praise and Critique:

     The Lady Janies have done it again. I loved My Lady Jane and this book is has raised the bar yet again. The character development is exceptional, as you really get attached to and get to know the characters. The characters are well developed, but the British, inner-city setting is described with beautiful and realistic imagery. The only comment I have is, since I am not a huge fan of magic, there is a lot of magic in this story, much like My Lady Jane. Both books have about the same amount of magic, so the amount was not a really a surprise. Since I do not like fantasy that much, it was a little much for me. That said, I loved the romantic side of the story. Since actual research and history went into this novel, the ways of courtship of this time in history are fun to read about, because it is such a contrast to our society today.

Rating and Reasoning:

     I rate this book 4.5 stars because the setting, characters, and romantic relationship are well developed and interesting. The magic was a little much for me.

Audience: 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th graders

Publisher: HarperTeen

Date Published: June 28, 2018
ISBN: 9780062652775

Format: Hardcover

Genre: Fantasy/Romance