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agreenfieldofwonder's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
myfairphantom's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
2.0
I love Book Box Club. I love how they bring me books that I never would have picked up myself. I love how they drag me out of my comfort zone and make me read stuff I never would have read if it had been up to me. Most of the times it's a good experience. But there are times the Book Box Club book and I just don't click at all. I'm afraid this is such a time.
Of course, the book was already destined to fail from the start: It was a historical drama, a genre that I rarely read and even less often appreciate. It's inspired by Austen and I never ever read an Austen in my life (even though my high school book list claims I did). And it doesn't contain any fantasy elements to keep me interested. Yet, sometimes books can change their faith. This was clearly not such a book.
It already starts with the drama aspect of the book. A lot of drama could have been prevented if the characters had actually communicated in a calm and respectful way. I probably expect something that doesn't fit the time period, but I just can't stand drama for the sake of drama. So many things in this book could have prevented if the characters had been thinking with their heads instead of whatever part of their bodies they were thinking with. Even more could have been prevented if characters had respected each other and had listened to each other. That's just basic decency.
Plot wise there are also a lot of things happening that should make sense, at least the author wants us to believe though, but actually don't. The motivation of the bad guys of this story was cliche and cheap. The actions of the so called good guys were hypocritical and simply acting as plot devices too. The best way to ensure that your other daughter doesn't end up in a marriage with a brute so the land and the house end up in good hands is of course to force her to find a husband very quickly. Not...
And then don't get me started on all the male characters in this book. I expect this from a book written a hundred years ago, but I may hope that modern women have different expectations of their guys. All those guys were literal assholes. They all lacked respect, they were all aggressive and violent and they all had one or more other issues. It's not charming. It's not sexy. It's not hot. And they're also not misunderstood. They're just assholes. It's behavior that should have stayed in the past. Thank you very much.
So, I'm glad it's over. I normally am not this harsh about books, but this book literally had not one redeeming quality. I might have ended up not finishing if not for the other girls and the clubhouse meeting on Tuesday. It's gonna be fun for sure. (I'll behave. Because I don't have anger issues and am not an asshole.)
Of course, the book was already destined to fail from the start: It was a historical drama, a genre that I rarely read and even less often appreciate. It's inspired by Austen and I never ever read an Austen in my life (even though my high school book list claims I did). And it doesn't contain any fantasy elements to keep me interested. Yet, sometimes books can change their faith. This was clearly not such a book.
It already starts with the drama aspect of the book. A lot of drama could have been prevented if the characters had actually communicated in a calm and respectful way. I probably expect something that doesn't fit the time period, but I just can't stand drama for the sake of drama. So many things in this book could have prevented if the characters had been thinking with their heads instead of whatever part of their bodies they were thinking with. Even more could have been prevented if characters had respected each other and had listened to each other. That's just basic decency.
Plot wise there are also a lot of things happening that should make sense, at least the author wants us to believe though, but actually don't. The motivation of the bad guys of this story was cliche and cheap. The actions of the so called good guys were hypocritical and simply acting as plot devices too. The best way to ensure that your other daughter doesn't end up in a marriage with a brute so the land and the house end up in good hands is of course to force her to find a husband very quickly. Not...
And then don't get me started on all the male characters in this book. I expect this from a book written a hundred years ago, but I may hope that modern women have different expectations of their guys. All those guys were literal assholes. They all lacked respect, they were all aggressive and violent and they all had one or more other issues. It's not charming. It's not sexy. It's not hot. And they're also not misunderstood. They're just assholes. It's behavior that should have stayed in the past. Thank you very much.
So, I'm glad it's over. I normally am not this harsh about books, but this book literally had not one redeeming quality. I might have ended up not finishing if not for the other girls and the clubhouse meeting on Tuesday. It's gonna be fun for sure. (I'll behave. Because I don't have anger issues and am not an asshole.)
patty_z201's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.0
lisaliest's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Cozy mystery and romance, a very nice combination! It shouldn’t have been edited down a little bit.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
DNF
Loved the concept, just wasn’t as exciting to read it.
Loved the concept, just wasn’t as exciting to read it.
thechosenchun's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bexduck's review against another edition
2.0
Since every Austen fan has strong feelings about Austen and is so familiar with her work, I feel like it takes something unique to properly pay tribute to her work at this point. And I just felt like this wasn't it.
laura_cs's review against another edition
5.0
Such a phenomenal debut!!!! I loved every bit of it with every ounce of my Jane Austen and YA loving heart!
shhchar's review against another edition
4.0
I think Jane Austen would appreciate this homage. I’m looking forward to reading more from the author as this is an incredible debut. It does rely a bit heavily on the reader’s knowledge of all of Austen’s works, which is certainly ambitious. It didn’t always land but I glazed over references I didn’t get and carried on to the same enjoyment.