Jane Steele is a story that had me curious but also uncertain. Some details about this one sounded perfect for me, whereas others did not tick my usual boxes. In the end, Jane Steele ended up being a story I was hooked on.

Although it started a little slowly, Jane Steele quickly became a story I could not put down. There was plenty packed into the pages to kept me invested, curious about where the story would head next. Although there were some details that felt a little too easy, a bit too predictable, I could not get enough of the main character and the way her story unfolded. There was more packed into it than I had expected, and I was hooked on all that played out. It was the perfect kind of addictive, keeping me hooked throughout.

Without a doubt, this was a pleasant surprise that I ended up adoring.

The first thing I read about Jane Steele was that it was a retelling of Jane Eyre, but I don’t really think that that is accurate. The Jane in this novel is inspired by the lead character of her favourite book and certain threads of the story bear similarities but, where Jane Eyre shows he mettle in an unassuming way, Jane Steele’s is fully on display for the reader as she goes about righting wrongs – by way of murder.

Although Jane is upfront about her – unfortunate – sideline in killing, it’s very important that you understand her reasoning and that the people who feel her wrath are by no means undeserving of their fate – whether this is giving unwanted sexual attention, or domestic abuse her victims will be very little missed by the world. I know, I know, it’s not really her place to take this into her own hands, but it is very hard to care very much about her victims.

When Jane discovers that her early life may not be all it appeared, she finds herself back at her childhood home, attempting to find out if she is the true heir – only to be comsumed with love and respect for the new inhabitants.

This second section of the book is rich with details of the British in India and their devastating wheeling and dealing and bloodshed as Jane finds out what grief lies behind Charles Thornfield’s devotion to his young ward, who captivates Jane.

So, as I said, not really a retelling of Jane Eyre, but you can see the bones of that novel and Jane Steele is directly guided by the novel as she goes about her life; she find solace in Charlotte Brontë’s heroine and her quiet dignity.

I very much enjoyed the book and the tantalising grey areas of Jane’s life. Jane Steele is such a compelling character and she is a very modern woman in a historical context. When she finds love, she’s not afraid to pursue it as, indeed, she is not afraid to pursue murder where it is needed. Based around some of the characters and elements of this story, I did wonder if this would become a series, with Jane and Thornfield investigating murders together as that is a series that I would relish reading!

I really couldn't get on with this one. I am a big Jane Eyre fan so was really looking forward to this book but I just found it really hard to get through. I found the storyline fairly boring and felt it dragged. I didn't like Jane, she was cold and difficult to get to know. This book just made me want to pick up Jane Eyre instead.

Jane was utterly convincing in her 'need' to murder and who she chose. Jane Steele is a feminist vigilante serial killer,

A whole lot of fun and a real rip roaring read. Jane Steele – what an incredible character. Loved the concept, loved the execution, the characters and every other little bit.

An interesting celebration of Jane Eyre set in Victorian London, and much like Jane Eyre kept its dark and feminist tone. I can't say it lived up to the original or even its best retelling: Rebecca. This book turned out to be not what I signed up for - the summary turning out to be more thrilling than the events that unfolded within its pages.

I loved this! High quality historical retellings are my favourite, and this took on Jane Eyre with aplomb!

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Jane Steele is a Victorian Jane Eyre fan whose fate is, so far, remarkably like her beloved heroine's. Her parents are dead, and she's living with her dreadful aunt and a slimeball of a cousin. Since her mother has committed suicide, Jane has few chances of succeeding, so she is sent away to a boarding school, just like Jane Eyre. She befriends a girl named Clarke but soon learns that even the strongest of friendships can perish - that's how cruel Headmaster Munt is. And Jane's string of murders begin. Or perhaps they've begun even earlier? Was her cousin really in an accident?

After Jane and Clarke flee the school, they find temporary employment with a writer, that also ends soon. Desperate to make a living, Jane penetrates the London underbelly - "London blazes and incinerates. London is the wolf's maw". Murder and prostitution become her constant companions. Until one day she sees an advertisement in the paper for a governess for the master of her old home. She takes the position, hoping to secure the home for herself, and find herself enchanted by its new inhabitants - Mr. Charles Thornfield and his ward Sahjara. But they are surrounded by mysteries and, as their sinister past lets itself be known, Jane begins to lose hope and to fear that they'll discover her own wicked secrets. Will Jane ever find a home and leave her past behind, or is she doomed to be a murderer forever? And will she find peace and figure out her feelings for Charles and her attraction to Clarke that never wavered?

As you've probably gathered, "Jane Steele" is a retelling of everyone's favourite feminist classic "Jane Eyre" - with a murderous twist. As fond as I am of original Victorian feminist survival stories like Louisa Cosgrove's, I love good retellings of classics just as much. "Jane Steele" is a well-told story of survival, and endurance. Ultimately, it's a story of a woman who takes charge of her own life, despite the constraints of the times and the horrors bestowed upon her by men. Men in this book are quite vile, in fact - except Charles Thornfield and his very endearing and badass "butler". Jane Steele has plenty of badassery of her own and takes care of the ones she loves - just like the two decent guys in the book. The characters don't know that until the end, but their methods of "caring" about their loved ones are more similar than either of them suspect.

One of my few issues with the book is the language. I get that the author was trying to "old-fashion" the text as much as possible. And it worked, to an extend. The descriptions of London and Highgate (Jane's old home) are quite atmospheric, but at times I felt that overusage of Victorian language was a little excessive. It doesn't distract much from the overall plot, but those of you who love Jane Eyre like I do might not appreciate it.

Jane Steele is, an essence, a bisexual vigilante. As there are so few of those in literature, I of course appreciate the representation. As a bisexual person, I felt that the author has definitely painted Jane's sexuality well, given the constraints of the time. And given the Londoners' classic habit of really not caring about the passersby, they probably wouldn't have cared even back then about a woman kissing another woman on the street. And kudos to the author for showing that a bisexual person can have a fulfilling relationship with a man.

In general, I enjoyed "Jane Steele" - it is a decent retelling, which I'm happy to give 7/10.