
Genre
Audience
Highschool & Up
Author’s Worldview
Catholic
Year Published
2020
Themes
Reviewed by
M.S. Ocampo
This novel is a tale of two young women: Taylor Romano, who is studying abroad in modern-day Oxford, England and Ava Knight, an heiress and aspiring photographer who is traveling with her father on the Titanic. Yes, that Titanic. What exactly connects these two together? This is the mystery that Taylor has to solve along with the mysterious death of Ava Knight’s descendant. The story alternates between Taylor’s modern day mystery and flash backs covering Ava’s days on the Titanic.
Read an Interview with the Author Here
While aboard on the grand ship, Ava Knight is asked by a Serbian solder to spy on the passengers in hopes of getting information that could potentially stop (or start) a world war. Those who know their history will remember that World War I started in 1914, two years after the Titanic sank, but the signs of political unrest are already starting to show on the ship.
One thing that Taylor and Ava have in common is that it’s hard for them to trust people, especially when someone breaks that trust. Both struggle with trusting their respective fathers because they seem to be hiding something. Taylor’s father acted strangely before his death and her worst fear is that he had an affair. Ava also suspects her father of having an affair with one or more of the passengers on the TItanic. Taylor has trouble trusting the dead Lady Maebeline Knight’s companions, since they were the only ones who were around when the Lady died. In turn, Lady Knight’s butler doesn’t trust Taylor since she is a stranger to him.
Subscribe to Our FREE Email & Get Weekly Catholic Books for as little as $1
There’s a stark contrast between Taylor’s story and Ava’s. Taylor interacts with just a few people: Lady Knight’s butler, a young boy who chauffers for Lady Knight, and a few people in her college program. Ava, on the other hand, gets to meet a colorful cast of characters aboard the Titanic such as the clairvoyant Galena Lakovic, Lieutenant Plavsic from the Serbian Army, Seaman Caleb Donahue, and even a Jesuit priest. There are also some characters from the actual history of Titanic such as Mrs. Margaret Brown who people might also know as “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” and Bruce Ismay, the chairman and managing director who is a self-proclaimed social Darwinist. The ironic thing about Ismay is that while he ends up surviving the sinking of the Titanic, his life afterwards was one of depression and solitude.
Much like the famous James Cameron movie, there’s a stark contrast between the upper class and the lower class and Ava finds herself somewhere between them. She and her father have upper class tickets, but Ava develops a romance with the lower-class sailor Donahue. Her photography hobby is another way that she interacts with the lower-class passengers, as there are scenes of her taking pictures of people on the deck or around the ship.
Subscribe to Our FREE Email & Get Weekly Catholic Books for as little as $1
I recommend this novel for fans of Gothic mysteries such as Northanger Abbey and Jane Eyre. The Catholic themes are a lot more subtle. The Jesuit priest character, while based on a real person, doesn’t stick around long, but he mentions Divine Providence and a greater narrative than what ordinary people can see. I think the major themes in this book are pride and trust. The upper-class characters (Plavsic and Ismay) state ideas of social upheaval and survival of the fittest, but their arrogant ideas are harshly reflected by the devastation at what was to come for them. In turn, Taylor and Ava both learn that while their suspicions can uncover harsh truths, putting trust in good people can help them cope.
Join Here for FREE to Never Miss a Deal
Find new favorites & Support Catholic Authors
Life Changing Love by Theresa Linden
What do when your heart gets broken and your best friend gets an unplanned pregnancy?
A Bloody Habit by Eleanor Bourg Nicholson
An English lawyer runs afoul of necrotic vampires, and even worse things– Dominican Priests!
Cinderella by Charles Perrault
The true story of the Catholic saint who inspired the myth of Cinderella
Celtic Crossing by Len Mattano
Relic lost, and faith found.
Best Books of 2018
2018 was a fantastic year for Catholic fiction! Check out our best picks of the year and let us know your favorites.
McCracken and the Lost Lady by Mark Adderley
McCracken gives us the grounded swashbuckling Catholic hero that our inner child has always wanted.
Roland West Loner by Theresa Linden
When his evil brothers lock Roland up in a dungeon he finds a locked box hiding a mysterious treasure.
Julia’s Gifts by Ellen Gable
A story of love and God’s providence in times of war.
All in Good Time by Carolyn Astfalk
A truly healthy romance that will STILL leave you up at night
The Vines of Mars by A.R.K. Watson
While tracking down his sister’s murderer, a Martian farmer discovers a secret that may destroy his colony.
Shadow in the Dark by Antony Barone Kolenc
An immersive mystery and an amateur sleuth set in the walls of a 12th century English monastery
Bullet Proof Vestments by Jane Lebak
Fr. Jay left his criminal past behind him, but it’s coming back for vengeance and it might take his parish down with him.
Finnian and the Seven Mountains (Vol. 1) by Philip Koslowski, Michael Lavoy, and Jim Fern
Join Finnian as his quest for a legendary sword takes him to the monks of Skellig Michael, a real life inspiration for the Jedi temple.
Honor at Stake by Declan Finn
If you’re looking for a vampire-romance with a truly unique twist look no further.
Saving the Statue of Liberty By Andrea Jo Rodgers
Can John save the Statue of Liberty and keep from getting kicked off the team and out of the Academy?
Shadows: Visible and Invisible By Catholic Teens Books
Bringing the holy back to All Hallows, these short stories entertain & remind us of the mercy we all rely upon.
Infinite Regress by Joshua Hren
Poetic justice when the victim of a predator priest finds freedom from his seducer.
Crusader St. Tommy NYPD Book 5 By: Declan Finn
Detective Nolan embarks on a Crusade against demonic sex traffickers trying to raise a demon.
Death Cult by Declan Finn
St. Tommy continues his fight against the death cult, battling Voodoo priests and zombies along the way.
From Afar by Roger Thomas
Three astronomers follow the stars in a search for order and meaning. An action adventure based on the three wise men of the Gospels.