Review: Strange Unearthly Things by Kelly Creagh

A hauntingly romantic paranormal Jane Eyre reimagining, by the author of Phantom Heart!

Eighteen-year-old Jane Reye is a psychic artist. She draws what she sees, and what she sees are spirits and the supernatural. Growing up orphaned, she’s now of legal age and can no longer return to the girls’ school she’s called home for most of her life. Lost and alone after the death of her lifelong friend, she receives an invitation to partake in a study at the English manor Fairfax Hall: an investigation of the property that requires her specific area of expertise. Upon arrival, Jane understands this will be no ordinary study when she meets Elias Thornfield, the elusive proprietor of the estate, a boy her age, roguishly handsome, who dons a mysterious eye patch. During the study it becomes clear that something is amiss—something having to do with Elias and the spiritual activity taking place around the manor. Turning to her art to unravel the mystery, Jane is shocked to find that her talents—and her growing affection for Elias—could be the key to saving him from a horrible fate.

Kelly Creagh has been a favorite author of mine for almost ten years so I’m always jumping on her latest novel. And as per usual I’m definitely not left disappointed. Strange Unearthly Things is a retelling of Jane Eyre and it actually creeped me out from the first chapter onwards and didn’t stop until the very end. Which is why it makes for a perfect spooky season read and why I saved it until October to read it. No regrets whatsoever!

The story is about Jane Reye (obviously an anagram of Jane Eyre) who is a psychic artist. Basically she draws ghosts and other supernatural beings. When she receives an invitation to take part in a study at Fairfax Hall in England, something that would require her psychic artist expertise, she doesn’t hesitate because she has nowhere left to turn. Once there she meets Giovanni, who’s a medium and Ingrid who uses tarot cards. Together they’re supposed to rid Fairfax Hall of its ominous demonic presence. She also meets Elias Thornfield, the owner of the estate. Although wearing an eyepatch, he’s very handsome and talks in a mysterious old-timey way. Jane quickly realizes it’s not Fairfax Hall that’s haunted but it’s Elias himself that the demon is attached to.

I really enjoyed reading about all the characters featured in the book, Jane especially. Although Elias could kind of get on my nerve occassionally because of his rather emo demeanor. But I did love Elias’ old-timey speech because it made for an interesting mix between him and the other characters who were very much modern and would often use pop cultural references. The ending was rather bittersweet which I’m not a super big fan of in general so that’s why I rated it with one star less but I must admit it was a clever ending.

Strange Unearthly Things by Kelly Creagh is a modern and unique reimagining of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre. If you like gothic, mysterious, spooky reads with a sprinkling of romance, then I would highly recommend it.