I confess—Wuthering Heights is a fixture on my list of Least Favorite Books of all time if I had such a list. (Hmm, and now the ideas are rolling.) I couldn’t get into the secondhand narration, couldn’t get behind cheering on the successful outcomes of two selfish and self-destructive main characters. But, oh me oh my, I will give any retelling a try if it has a dash of dark, seductive magic to it. Imagine my impressed surprise when I realized that what I enjoyed most about BLACK SPRING wasn’t the new supernatural elements that Croggon brought to it, but rather how faithfully she renders the famous characteristics of the original, while making it more accessible to modern audiences.

For books set upon the wild, blustery, and mysterious English moors, the setting is an integral part of the story. Which is why I thought it was so cool that Alison Croggon’s setting for BLACK SPRING retains the feel of the desolate moor, thus bringing into the story all the potential for suspicions, backstabbing, and evil that such a setting can provide. In the bleak and darkly traditional North, I can believe how thoroughly two creatures such as Lina and Damek can devise their own downfall without once believing in their own responsibility.

Curiously enough, the flavor of the original tale in BLACK SPRING is so strong that the magical elements kind of fall flat in comparison. While the premise of magic drew me to BLACK SPRING in the first place, I really wasn’t sure how much of a role magic ultimately played in the story.

BLACK SPRING won’t have me eagerly reaching again for Wuthering Heights—any book that does that will be a miracle worker—but it’s made me appreciate the difficulties of hanging a story upon the doings of unlikable characters. It isn’t easy to retell a classic that so sharply divides the affections of readers, but Ms. Croggon has done it.

I still can't decide how to feel about this one. I loved the premise because it was retelling one of my favorite classic novels. However, I didn't enjoy the writing as it seemed almost forced. As if the author was trying too hard to mimic the tone of Bronte. The additions to the plot were very interesting, however things like the religious aspects threw me off a bit. I would recommend this, with caution.