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lorolemman's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.75
bethanyangharads's review against another edition
This book was further mentioned and reviewed in my YouTube video here: Tier Ranking my May Series Wrap Up
I always find it super hard to talk about books which I DNF but ultimately, for this one, I was just bored. This was a huge disappointment for me as I loved and adored The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue. Ultimately, in Gentleman's Guide, Monty's sister Felicity came across as an intelligent young woman pushing the boundaries on what a woman can do. I wanted her fierce personality to come out here and shine... alas, it didn't. Felicity is meant to be this strong woman who doesn't let much stop in her way but I found her inner monologue childish at times and almost like it didn't fit her character. This, along with the slow pace of the story, had me feeling uninvested and I decided to DNF at 70 ish pages.
I always find it super hard to talk about books which I DNF but ultimately, for this one, I was just bored. This was a huge disappointment for me as I loved and adored The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue. Ultimately, in Gentleman's Guide, Monty's sister Felicity came across as an intelligent young woman pushing the boundaries on what a woman can do. I wanted her fierce personality to come out here and shine... alas, it didn't. Felicity is meant to be this strong woman who doesn't let much stop in her way but I found her inner monologue childish at times and almost like it didn't fit her character. This, along with the slow pace of the story, had me feeling uninvested and I decided to DNF at 70 ish pages.
brittbat's review against another edition
4.0
Felicity was my favorite character in Gentleman’s Guide, so I was eager for her to take a more active role in the series. Mackenzi Lee does a good job of examining the false equivalence of vapidity and femininity and the ways that girls who consider themselves to be feminists sometimes discount their peers unfairly—the “I’m not like other girls” phenomenon. And she does so while delivering a funny and exciting story featuring travel, pirates, and sea serpents.
What doesn’t sit well with me is Felicity’s complicity in racism against a black Muslim character, who eventually becomes her love interest. Felicity admits that she misjudged her and becomes more aware of the role race plays in her life, but it didn’t feel deep enough for me. Race is conspicuously absent in discussions the characters have about their oppression as women, and that’s a problem.
What doesn’t sit well with me is Felicity’s complicity in racism against a black Muslim character, who eventually becomes her love interest. Felicity admits that she misjudged her and becomes more aware of the role race plays in her life, but it didn’t feel deep enough for me. Race is conspicuously absent in discussions the characters have about their oppression as women, and that’s a problem.
emma_nb's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book, but not as much as I was hoping to. As much as I loved the female empowerment and friendship, I felt as though the plot was chaotic. At times, I felt as though I was dragging myself through the book, but then there would be really wonderful moments. Honestly, a lot of my favourite scenes included Monty and Percy, which wouldn’t surprise anyone who knows me.
The narrator Felicity gave me mixed feelings. On the one hand, I loved how
fiercely independent she was, and her ambition was admirable. But at the same time, I felt as though her judgemental attitude clouded her decision to the point of naïveté . That being said, her heart was in the right place. Something I really liked was the introduction of both Johanna and Sim, and I thought they were both extremely interesting characters in their own rights. The presentation of Johanna’s fierce femininity was so refreshing that she might be my favourite new character. So, overall, I had a pretty good time reading this, but it’s not a favourite for me.
The narrator Felicity gave me mixed feelings. On the one hand, I loved how
fiercely independent she was, and her ambition was admirable. But at the same time, I felt as though her judgemental attitude clouded her decision to the point of naïveté . That being said, her heart was in the right place. Something I really liked was the introduction of both Johanna and Sim, and I thought they were both extremely interesting characters in their own rights. The presentation of Johanna’s fierce femininity was so refreshing that she might be my favourite new character. So, overall, I had a pretty good time reading this, but it’s not a favourite for me.
frogbeam68's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
crimsoncor's review against another edition
3.0
No bad, but definitely disappointing after the first novel. Felicity just isn't anywhere near as kinetic of a character as Monty was and the electric current feeling of the first novel is missing here as a result. In addition, the mysterious elements are much more foregrounded, which raises all sorts of other questions about the world-building. This is doing quite a bit of what Marie Brennan's A Natural History of Dragons tries to do, but with considerably less care in the construction. As a result, the more fantasy elements of the story are quite immersion breaking. It is also unclear what the main character actually wants, so hard to fully attach to her story. It is still a quick, fun read, but far short of the first book.
elsaaaqazi's review against another edition
4.0
This was so much better than the first book, we saw actual character development in the main character, yippeee. But then again, i wanted to know more details. Somehow the books feel short, like a lot is happening in a short time. I hope there is more from felicity and crew.
macyashby's review against another edition
3.0
Not quite as good as the first, but still a fun read!
rcarsonb's review against another edition
4.25
“I feel strange suddenly, the old itch of fear that I am a feral girl in a domesticated world, watched by everyone with pity and concern…an island all my own. An island that sometimes feels like a whole continent to rule, and sometimes a cramped spit of land that sailors are marooned upon and left to die.”
When I first read this back in 2018 it was kind of a big deal for me, because it was the first time I read a book from the perspective of an intentionally asexual narrator. I got it as a gift for my 17th birthday from a friend who a) knew I was ace and b) had had conversations with me anticipating this book before it came out.
I read it once, then put it back on my shelf and tried to forget about it. Because while there was nothing wrong with the book, I remember it made me feel bad; I felt guilty and frustrated and upset with myself, because I found it kind of boring. Because I didn’t like it as much as the first one. Because I thought I might have enjoyed it more if there had been a romance.
I didn’t get rid of my copy though, and now I’m very glad of that.
Being 15-17 and figuring yourself out is a Whole Wild Ride which We Don’t Have Time To Unpack here, but the point is: now that I’m older and have read a lot of other stories and learned a lot of other things—now that this book doesn’t represent the sum total of asexual representation available to me in the field of YA literature—I found myself loving it.
And that makes me so happy!! I had no urge to see a romantic relationship this time around; the characters and plotlines are totally captivating enough as they stand. Plus it’s hilarious. I’m obsessed with Johanna Hoffman especially. I didn’t remember the sea dragons at all—which, like, what? There’re SEA DRAGONS. Why did that not stick in my brain.
When I first read this back in 2018 it was kind of a big deal for me, because it was the first time I read a book from the perspective of an intentionally asexual narrator. I got it as a gift for my 17th birthday from a friend who a) knew I was ace and b) had had conversations with me anticipating this book before it came out.
I read it once, then put it back on my shelf and tried to forget about it. Because while there was nothing wrong with the book, I remember it made me feel bad; I felt guilty and frustrated and upset with myself, because I found it kind of boring. Because I didn’t like it as much as the first one. Because I thought I might have enjoyed it more if there had been a romance.
I didn’t get rid of my copy though, and now I’m very glad of that.
Being 15-17 and figuring yourself out is a Whole Wild Ride which We Don’t Have Time To Unpack here, but the point is: now that I’m older and have read a lot of other stories and learned a lot of other things—now that this book doesn’t represent the sum total of asexual representation available to me in the field of YA literature—I found myself loving it.
And that makes me so happy!! I had no urge to see a romantic relationship this time around; the characters and plotlines are totally captivating enough as they stand. Plus it’s hilarious. I’m obsessed with Johanna Hoffman especially. I didn’t remember the sea dragons at all—which, like, what? There’re SEA DRAGONS. Why did that not stick in my brain.
annamae1's review against another edition
4.0
Having loved the first book in this Series, The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue, I awaited this novels release, I was not disappointed. Enjoyed this novel immensely and for so many reasons. The characterization is brilliant, new adventures, and experiences. I highly recommend it and await the next Montague adventure.