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bookwoman1967's review against another edition
3.0
I haven't read the first book or seen the movie of it. Nor, with apologies to Colin Firth, am I a big fan of the whole Darcy thing - my favorite Austen book is Persuasion. But I found this one a decent stand-alone mystery (no need to be a Darcy or P&P fanatic) and amusing enough to lol in some places.
Having just looked at many of the other GR reviews, perhaps I should add a disclaimer: I came to the novel without preconceived notions about Shanon Hale, love of or hatred for the first book in the series, expectations of the book being young adult material, or (and perhaps this is most important) the whole passion for Austen pastiche thing. Maybe that explains my moderate enjoyment of the book.
Having just looked at many of the other GR reviews, perhaps I should add a disclaimer: I came to the novel without preconceived notions about Shanon Hale, love of or hatred for the first book in the series, expectations of the book being young adult material, or (and perhaps this is most important) the whole passion for Austen pastiche thing. Maybe that explains my moderate enjoyment of the book.
shipleyk's review against another edition
4.0
If there were a 3.5, that's really where I'd rate this one. I really like Shannon Hale's books, but this one had moments that were very cheesy. Charlotte's inner thoughts became very irritating to me.
She started out very timid, shy and had low self esteem. By the end of the book, she suddenly became brave, fierce, bold and owned her destiny. Just a little too unrealistic to me. (Sorry Shannon)
She started out very timid, shy and had low self esteem. By the end of the book, she suddenly became brave, fierce, bold and owned her destiny. Just a little too unrealistic to me. (Sorry Shannon)
alidottie's review against another edition
3.0
3 and 1/2 stars. Cute escapist chick lit. Someone at the library pointed out to me that Shannon Hale writes books about things that women fantasize about happening--like in a movie--(in her adult novels anyway) and that made me enjoy this book more because it totally is like that!
dajoyofit's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely fun! Get ready to curl up and leave the real world outside. This is definitely one of those pleasures up there with cotton candy and tubs of your favorite ice cream. Midnight in Austenland is a modern day twist on Austen's Northanger Abby. Chiclit with a dash of 1816 Regency.
In this standalone novel we meet Charlotte, an internet entrepreneur success story-Austen Newbie-divorcee-mother of two. She has decided to take a two week fully submersive Regency vacation and finds herself in the middle of a whodunit mystery. Bloody Murder!! Along the way she half fancies herself in love and before she knows it she's landed firmly onto the real deal.
A lighthearted and thoroughly enjoyable escape.
In this standalone novel we meet Charlotte, an internet entrepreneur success story-Austen Newbie-divorcee-mother of two. She has decided to take a two week fully submersive Regency vacation and finds herself in the middle of a whodunit mystery. Bloody Murder!! Along the way she half fancies herself in love and before she knows it she's landed firmly onto the real deal.
A lighthearted and thoroughly enjoyable escape.
vibeke_hiatt's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this much more than the first Austenland book, but it still lacked the wit I was hoping for. When I finished I realized that--for the most part--Shannon Hale's young adult books are much smarter than her books for adults. In many ways this was just plain silly. Parts were also very predictable. In the end, it was more of an homage to Agatha Christie than Jane Austen.
roseleaf24's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book as much as I expected to. Austenland, gothic mystery, written by Shannon Hale...it seemed like someone designed the book especially for me! Charlotte's husband recently left her for the woman he was having an affair with. After finding a list of life goals that included reading Jane Austen, she becomes enthralled with the author's Regency world. She is finally convinced that she is in need of a vacation, and can't imagine a place she'd rather go than the world that Austen wrote.
jnjackson's review against another edition
3.0
i haven't read northanger abbey, but i think that would've helped my enjoyment of this book. overall it wasn't as good as the first book in this series, but it was still a fun read.
chrysanthxmum's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity and Murder