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madisonreadsbooks's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
I really enjoyed this P&P retelling. It diverges pretty significantly from canon, but still remains true to the characters. I was a little sad when it ended.
frompemberleytomiltonblog's review against another edition
5.0
Review Published at:
https://frompemberleytomilton.wordpress.com/2023/06/22/a-duel-in-meryton-by-renata-mcmann-summer-hanford/
A Duel in Meryton is an excellent Pride & Prejudice Variation that alters the events of the story in an unexpected and exciting manner with Mr. Collins assuming a role that no one would associate with him, and Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam coming to his aid.
I loved the fact that even though the story follows cannon upon the arrival of the Netherfield party to Meryton, it changes significantly the characters backgrounds, creating therefore new pathways for them.
Georgiana’s wit and strength of character changed the events of this book in a radical manner, and I found the change of the Ramsgate events and Georgiana’s point of view a very interesting way to create a bond between her and the Bennet sisters. Speaking of which, Kitty will surprise everyone in this book, and even if her feelings were unexpected, they revealed a character growth I truly appreciated, and which was still faithful to canon.
Mr. Collins was also a big surprise and another character that had more to him then meets the eye. I loved the scenes involving him, especially because they were simultaneously tender and funny. I did not expect some of the revelations he makes towards the middle of the story and felt I was finally understanding him. The authors definitely did an incredible job with his character demonstrating a side that we seldom see in austenesque books.
The Fitzwilliam brothers were both very interesting characters, and I enjoyed the love stories the authors played out for them. As all relationships in A Duel in Meryton, they made perfect sense and were well developed.
Elizabeth and Darcy were also very interesting characters, and I loved the slow built relationship they had in this book. Their interactions and dialogues were profound and mature, allowing them to build a friendship that grew into something more. I loved to observe them discuss other people, their stories, feelings and expectations. I felt more then was told how these characters grew close to one another, which is a sign of a well written book.
Overall, I loved all the small alterations and details that were added to this novel, but especially the writing style because all storylines and characters added something unique and beautiful to the story in a very balanced way. A Duel in Meryton is the epitome of a good storytelling with many different and engaging characters and plots cleverly woven with each other.
Summing up, this book is an exciting story that keeps a balanced pace and explores many different types of relationships between the characters. We will see many interesting friendships growing, siblings’ dynamics changing and romances developing. The diversity of the plotlines and the intelligent manner with which they were composed make this book incredibly engaging and uputdownable. I highly recommend it for readers who are looking for an innovative, engaging and well written book.
https://frompemberleytomilton.wordpress.com/2023/06/22/a-duel-in-meryton-by-renata-mcmann-summer-hanford/
A Duel in Meryton is an excellent Pride & Prejudice Variation that alters the events of the story in an unexpected and exciting manner with Mr. Collins assuming a role that no one would associate with him, and Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam coming to his aid.
I loved the fact that even though the story follows cannon upon the arrival of the Netherfield party to Meryton, it changes significantly the characters backgrounds, creating therefore new pathways for them.
Georgiana’s wit and strength of character changed the events of this book in a radical manner, and I found the change of the Ramsgate events and Georgiana’s point of view a very interesting way to create a bond between her and the Bennet sisters. Speaking of which, Kitty will surprise everyone in this book, and even if her feelings were unexpected, they revealed a character growth I truly appreciated, and which was still faithful to canon.
Mr. Collins was also a big surprise and another character that had more to him then meets the eye. I loved the scenes involving him, especially because they were simultaneously tender and funny. I did not expect some of the revelations he makes towards the middle of the story and felt I was finally understanding him. The authors definitely did an incredible job with his character demonstrating a side that we seldom see in austenesque books.
The Fitzwilliam brothers were both very interesting characters, and I enjoyed the love stories the authors played out for them. As all relationships in A Duel in Meryton, they made perfect sense and were well developed.
Elizabeth and Darcy were also very interesting characters, and I loved the slow built relationship they had in this book. Their interactions and dialogues were profound and mature, allowing them to build a friendship that grew into something more. I loved to observe them discuss other people, their stories, feelings and expectations. I felt more then was told how these characters grew close to one another, which is a sign of a well written book.
Overall, I loved all the small alterations and details that were added to this novel, but especially the writing style because all storylines and characters added something unique and beautiful to the story in a very balanced way. A Duel in Meryton is the epitome of a good storytelling with many different and engaging characters and plots cleverly woven with each other.
Summing up, this book is an exciting story that keeps a balanced pace and explores many different types of relationships between the characters. We will see many interesting friendships growing, siblings’ dynamics changing and romances developing. The diversity of the plotlines and the intelligent manner with which they were composed make this book incredibly engaging and uputdownable. I highly recommend it for readers who are looking for an innovative, engaging and well written book.
maria_pulver's review against another edition
3.0
Though the idea is rather nice, the execution is far from interesting. I would only single out the Colonel Fitzwilliam's romance, but this is minor sublot and as such is insufficient to give this book anything but 3
samhend101's review
4.0
I had this on my maybe list for a while. It started out promising, I really liked that the majority of the book was from Darcy's POV. Then it lagged, and I couldn't plow through it. Kept reading other books in between.
Finally at 50% it started to pick up and I could get into it. Each individual character was well for written for their purpose. Even Mr. Wickham, who had a relatively minor role, was a huge motivator through half the story. ODC get off to the usual start and ever so slowly begin to open up to each other while all the other drama is going on.
A duel, character defamation, couples falling in love, illness and Lydia, but not in her usually written way ( she is almost palatable)!
Aside from some really slow parts, this is well written and I am glad I stuck it out. 3.5*
Finally at 50% it started to pick up and I could get into it. Each individual character was well for written for their purpose. Even Mr. Wickham, who had a relatively minor role, was a huge motivator through half the story. ODC get off to the usual start and ever so slowly begin to open up to each other while all the other drama is going on.
A duel, character defamation, couples falling in love, illness and Lydia, but not in her usually written way ( she is almost palatable)!
Aside from some really slow parts, this is well written and I am glad I stuck it out. 3.5*
brinastewart's review
4.0
I enjoyed this story because of the little to no angst with the characters and that Elizabeth's dislike of Darcy and avoidance because of his behavior was not blown to hatred like it is in other variations so the move to love was not as shocking or forced.
vesper1931's review against another edition
I didn't like what was going to be an obvious pairing (Colonel and Charlotte)
aug3zimm's review
4.0
An enjoyable, lighthearted read. Some of the characters are different from their original version without an explanation as to why but others follow nicely from earlier events that differ from the original book (like the death of Anne and Lady Catherine and how that changes things). Mr. Bennett’s illness is a bit strange though - it is introduced as a BIG DEAL but then peters out into seeming more like an excuse not to write him. What was going on with him anyway?
The first part of the book has a lot of Mr. Darcy’s internal monologue which makes him come across as quite a jerk (to put it nicely). But as he begins to change, his thoughts aren’t explored much at all which makes his arrogance a bit more emotionally believable than his improvement (though logically I still buy the change as he does speak about it, it just wasn’t as visceral to me). This change made the second half of the book less engaging for me than the first - more of a 3-star than the beginning’s 5-star.
The writing style is enjoyable - a much more Austen-esque in feel than many others in the genre with no bits I noticed that seemed out of place/too modern. Like most other P&P books, however, this one seems to have a favorite word no longer in popular use. This time it is ”convivial”.
The first part of the book has a lot of Mr. Darcy’s internal monologue which makes him come across as quite a jerk (to put it nicely). But as he begins to change, his thoughts aren’t explored much at all which makes his arrogance a bit more emotionally believable than his improvement (though logically I still buy the change as he does speak about it, it just wasn’t as visceral to me). This change made the second half of the book less engaging for me than the first - more of a 3-star than the beginning’s 5-star.
The writing style is enjoyable - a much more Austen-esque in feel than many others in the genre with no bits I noticed that seemed out of place/too modern. Like most other P&P books, however, this one seems to have a favorite word no longer in popular use. This time it is ”convivial”.
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