Assessment:
Plot: Hopkins offers a highly intriguing and clever concept: a victim of domestic abuse is given the opportunity to re-live her life (although she doesn't have the full wisdom of experience) and make decisions that may thwart her tragic ending.
Prose: The prose is clear, readable, and straightforward.
Originality: The author brings a highly original framework to a story that explores domestic violence, relationships, and the small choices that can shape a life.
Character/Execution: Hopkins crafts characters with a light touch; she's especially effective in portraying the insidious nature of abuse.
Date Submitted: April 07, 2022
The story begins with an emotionally charged prologue that introduces Wendy and The Fortuna Coin–a good luck charm with mystical properties that most of the plot centers around. Hopkins has broken the novel into three parts, the first fast-paced, intense, and told from Wendy’s point-of-view. The pace slows in the second part, alternating chapters from Ben’s perspective, which adds depth and welcome romantic tension. Emotions run high throughout the entire story, but they take a somewhat darker turn during the urgent final part, as the abuse and manipulation Wendy suffers at Josh’s hands escalates.
Scenes depicting domestic violence and emotional abuse may trigger some readers; however, Hopkins is not gratuitous, and these harrowing moments raise the stakes for Wendy and signify the enormity of the decision that she is destined to make. Wendy and Ben’s relationship adds a tension-filled romantic subplot–complete with a happy ending–without sacrificing the suspense. With clear, compelling prose, Hopkins has constructed a seemingly effortless story that weaves together paranormal fantasy and romance with mind-bending elements of psychological thrillers. Readers will become quickly engrossed in The Fortuna Coin’s richly emotional tale of good luck charms, psychic visions, and premonitions.
Takeaway: This urgent, personal thriller combines paranormal and romantic elements as a woman out of time faces an agonizing choice.
Great for fans of: Kate White’s The Secrets You Keep, Julie Clark’s The Last Flight.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: B
