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marmaladereads's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Monty, the main character, is a horny, drunk, selfish fop for a good 90% of the book, and the thinly developed adventure plot isn't enough to distract from how much of an ass he is. His redemption arc is far too little and far too late to make this book worthwhile.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Racism
meliflowers's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Love a good rep for himbos!!
A well written book and a good story but it was a bit too predictable and cliché at times. I loved the characterisations and setting.
It's a good story but I couldn't really get into it or enjoy it as much as I'd hoped.
A well written book and a good story but it was a bit too predictable and cliché at times. I loved the characterisations and setting.
It's a good story but I couldn't really get into it or enjoy it as much as I'd hoped.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Slavery, Forced institutionalization, Islamophobia, and Outing
andyourstruly's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
GGtVaV is a very indulgent queer adventure story. Though the main cast all struggle with their own hardships, external and internal, the reader always knows they'll overcome to get their happy ending, and in that way, despite themes of racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, and physical/emotional abuse, it feels very light.
The author studied history in university, so a lot of the historical details of events and cultural norms are more accurate than your average YA novel, but there are still glaring blind spots, like the author not being well-versed in clothing culture or that almost every educated person would have been fluent in French in the early 1700s, particularly if they had a French parent.
My biggest takeaway with it was that, as fantastical as so many elements were, it seems strange that the author didn't just ... write an adventure where people happened to be queer or black or women. It felt like a strange decision to hand-wave away a lot of actual problems they may have encountered but to really spend a lot of time projecting modern-day feminism onto a character from the era and bringing up homophobia and racism that wasn't even always period-accurate. Fun book, may read the sequels, not so invested that I'm prioritizing it.
The author studied history in university, so a lot of the historical details of events and cultural norms are more accurate than your average YA novel, but there are still glaring blind spots, like the author not being well-versed in clothing culture or that almost every educated person would have been fluent in French in the early 1700s, particularly if they had a French parent.
My biggest takeaway with it was that, as fantastical as so many elements were, it seems strange that the author didn't just ... write an adventure where people happened to be queer or black or women. It felt like a strange decision to hand-wave away a lot of actual problems they may have encountered but to really spend a lot of time projecting modern-day feminism onto a character from the era and bringing up homophobia and racism that wasn't even always period-accurate. Fun book, may read the sequels, not so invested that I'm prioritizing it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Gun violence, Homophobia, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
theultimatebooknerd's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I just thought this book was a fun read with a flawed main character. I have a deeper analysis on the book which actually goes hand in hand with extra stuff the author put at the very end of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Physical abuse
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism
Minor: Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Outing
fromjuliereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I think there were aspects of this book done really well, but there were also parts I struggled with. I liked the adventure and the character interactions! I really struggled to like the main character... he honestly had few redeeming qualities. And I get that his behaviour and aspects of the facade were due to how he was treated at home and trauma, but it didn't negate the fact that he's pretty shitty to anyone around him. I also think this book could have been edited down - some parts dragged quite a bit. But overall, I'm glad I read it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Use of the word n*gro multiple times, epilepsymothfemme's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
My god, what can I say that I haven’t already screeched about to my roommates, friends, coworkers, and basically anyone who will listen to me?? In no way did I expect to love this book as much as I did. I looked past the heinous cover (crossing my fingers for a pretty reprint one of these days) and borrowed the audiobook on Libby, thinking nothing of it. I’m not typically over the moon for regency romances, let alone YA ones, but this came so highly recommended and it was queer, so I figured I would give it a shot. Reader, you should be the next one to give this a shot!!
The story takes off running immediately with its sarcastic humor and gay yearning, placing us in the perspective of Henry “Monty” Montague, one of the most real and lovable characters I’ve encountered in a long time. Monty is a total slut (affectionate) and always the life of the party, covering up his problems with humor, charm, and alcohol…so much alcohol. He is hopelessly in love with his childhood best friend, Percy, and the boys venture on a tour of Europe to have one last adventure before Percy goes off to law school.
After a social faux pas at Versailles and a petty theft gone wrong, Percy, Monty, and Monty’s younger sister Felicity are caught up in the reluctant adventure of a lifetime, featuring highway men, pirates, a sinking island, and evil noblemen. The delicate exploration of Monty’s trauma surrounding his father and how it has led to his avoidance and various addictions was weaved throughout the plot seamlessly, and added so much depth to this story. No matter how hard you try to run from yourself, your problems will always be right behind you, which Monty learns the hard way.
It really says something about the overall quality of the writing that I’m talking about the romance this far down in the review, but to nobody’s surprise, Monty and Percy’s connection was also phenomenal. Their chemistry was so sweet and so tangible, and never forced or rushed.I loved how the “conflict” (I use this word extremely loosely) within the romance wasn’t jealousy or miscommunication, but instead the importance of bodily autonomy and letting disabled people make their own decisions about how they would like to live their lives.
Exciting, endearing, and emotional, this book effortlessly delivers a story that has something for everyone. I will carry these characters in my heart forever, and I can’t wait to read the sequel.
The story takes off running immediately with its sarcastic humor and gay yearning, placing us in the perspective of Henry “Monty” Montague, one of the most real and lovable characters I’ve encountered in a long time. Monty is a total slut (affectionate) and always the life of the party, covering up his problems with humor, charm, and alcohol…so much alcohol. He is hopelessly in love with his childhood best friend, Percy, and the boys venture on a tour of Europe to have one last adventure before Percy goes off to law school.
After a social faux pas at Versailles and a petty theft gone wrong, Percy, Monty, and Monty’s younger sister Felicity are caught up in the reluctant adventure of a lifetime, featuring highway men, pirates, a sinking island, and evil noblemen. The delicate exploration of Monty’s trauma surrounding his father and how it has led to his avoidance and various addictions was weaved throughout the plot seamlessly, and added so much depth to this story. No matter how hard you try to run from yourself, your problems will always be right behind you, which Monty learns the hard way.
It really says something about the overall quality of the writing that I’m talking about the romance this far down in the review, but to nobody’s surprise, Monty and Percy’s connection was also phenomenal. Their chemistry was so sweet and so tangible, and never forced or rushed.
Exciting, endearing, and emotional, this book effortlessly delivers a story that has something for everyone. I will carry these characters in my heart forever, and I can’t wait to read the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racism
Minor: Vomit
epeolatrist's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Homophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Violence, and Medical content
Minor: Slavery
rafacolog's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Homophobia, Racism, and Violence
lunamoon62's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Sexual content
Minor: Addiction, Chronic illness, Confinement, Drug use, Self harm, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Cannibalism, and Classism
friedowls's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was so good that I can't even review it properly. The characters, despite obvious flaws (cough, Monty, cough), are so unbelievably lovable. The adventure was fun and tense, and the romance had me squirming around in pain (believe it or not, that's a good thing). Monty's character development across it all was so satisfying. This is definitely one of my favorite books of all time.
Content Warnings: this book deals with child abuse and alcoholism (both of which is something the main character deals with). Those are the reasons I can't reread this book, because even though I've never experienced either of them, the moments where those would pop up made me almost physically sick. Also, the book is a historical adventure that deals with racism, ableism, and sexism. Some of this is perpetrated by the main character, but the people around him don't tolerate it, and he learns that he's being a terrible person and betters himself.
Continuing with the content warnings, [possible spoilers?] to add possibly necessary context, the main character's love interest (Percy) is disabled, and the main character (Monty) spends a lot of the time trying to find a magical-ish cure for Percy's disability, epilepsy, even though Percy doesn't want the cure. But Monty learns that he's being shitty.
If the content warnings would make you majorly uncomfortable or worse, I would suggest you don't read it for your own health. Otherwise, buy this book immediately what are you doing with your life.
Content Warnings: this book deals with child abuse and alcoholism (both of which is something the main character deals with). Those are the reasons I can't reread this book, because even though I've never experienced either of them, the moments where those would pop up made me almost physically sick. Also, the book is a historical adventure that deals with racism, ableism, and sexism. Some of this is perpetrated by the main character, but the people around him don't tolerate it, and he learns that he's being a terrible person and betters himself.
Continuing with the content warnings, [possible spoilers?] to add possibly necessary context, the main character's love interest (Percy) is disabled, and the main character (Monty) spends a lot of the time trying to find a magical-ish cure for Percy's disability, epilepsy, even though Percy doesn't want the cure. But Monty learns that he's being shitty.
If the content warnings would make you majorly uncomfortable or worse, I would suggest you don't read it for your own health. Otherwise, buy this book immediately what are you doing with your life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Child abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism, Racism, and Sexism