I can’t get over how well this works as an adaptation! The story – inspired by Northanger Abbey – perfectly takes the main themes and plot of Austen’s work, and takes it from gothic fiction to Southern Gothic and horror films.

The queer themes in this book are what really tie it all together, and – dare I say it – make Cade’s mistake? paranoia? more believable than Catherine’s. He doesn’t just feel the isolation and loneliness that Catherine felt, but he also feels like everyone is out to get him and that he can’t trust anyone with his secret. It made the climax of the story a very emotional one, that spoke to more than just losing yourself in fiction.

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Northranger is so atmospheric, transporting you straight to a farm in rural Texas. You can’t help but be immersed in the story, and it was such a page-turner too! Despite ‘knowing’ what would happen, I was still in for plenty of surprises along the way, and the end tugged at my heartstrings more than I ever expected.

There’s also a really interesting exploration of different family dynamics, such as between stepfather and stepson, between siblings, between grandmother and grandson, and more. All of these relationships were portrayed with so much nuance and heart, and it made the book feel so grounded.

The illustrations were absolutely stunning. The way movements and emotions were drawn is incredibly effective, and I could pore for hours over the art of this book.

This is such a fantastic addition to the ever-growing list of Jane Austen-inspired work, and it’s one I can tell I will return to again and again!