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maebemerissa's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I had to tell myself that this book is just loosely based on Austen's novel to enjoy it. On one hand I would love for this to be it's own new thing (maybe Sherlock Holmes meets Austenland). However, would it be as popular if it didn't have those familiar characters? I did enjoy the new direction the author took with some of these familiar characters (especially the ones we hate). However, there were changes I could not get over. For example, Mr. Bennet being a barrister in London seemed like a far cry from his original character. The man doesn't even want to go into town in the original. Also Collins is a dumbass and could not pass as a lawyer. I said what I said. Everyone being part of the middle class and not part of the landed gentry also bothered me. It changes the social rules between the characters a lot. Once I got halfway through the book I was able to push my feelings about the changes to the back of my brain and enjoy the story. The mystery even contained a twist I did not see coming. Lizzie definitely gave Sherlock Holmes vibes and if her story had continued in another book... I would give that book a chance. Give me more private detective Lizzie... With Darcy as her Watson.
Content Warnings
Minor: Stalking and Murder
lunep's review against another edition
adventurous
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Death, Sexism, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Stalking and Confinement
Minor: Classism, Infidelity, Sexual harassment, Grief, Racism, and Cursing
a_alves00's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gun violence, Murder, Misogyny, Sexism, Stalking, Violence, and Kidnapping
diana_raquel's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a brilliant idea, conceived and executed by a clever young woman, must be claimed by a man.”
Unsurprisingly, Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors of all time. And although I love the Regency Era, I'm always a little reticent regarding retellings/inspired books of Jane Austen's work. More times than not, I find that they lack something. And, unfortunately, this retelling is no exception.
As a mystery crime story, this book is really good. The story is well-structured, the characters are well-written, and although I was able to predict some plot points, I never found the identity of the killer and their motivations, so that revelation was interesting to me. As a mystery crime story, this is a 4.5 to me.
However, I was expecting more. I was expecting more sarcasm and irony. The thing about Austen was that she was able to write stories that poked fun and criticized society's rules in a subtle way. And I don't think that this was achieved here. Yes, we see Elizabeth struggle to overcome society's rules, although, I wasn't amused by it. Where is the subtle irony? Where's the poking fun? Other writers of the Regency Era have criticized society's rules and the position of women in said society, but the thing about Austen is that this criticism is very subtle and amusing. And we don't have this in this book.
At the same time, we also have very little interaction between Elizabeth and Darcy. The message of the original book is that first impressions aren't everything. And throughout the interactions between Elizabeth and Darcy, we learn that Darcy is proud because he's a product of society and Elizabeth can be quite judgemental because, again, she is also a product of a society that excluded women. We love the book because of the interactions between Elizabeth and Darcy. In this book, there is more interaction between Elizabeth and Wickham than with Darcy. I know that this is supposed to be a mystery crime story and not a romance, but, I think that the book would benefit from a little more interaction between Darcy and Elizabeth.
So, I would prefer that this was marketed to me as an "inspired book" than a "retelling", but I cannot deny that this is a good narrative. Just don't try to sell it to me as a retelling.
Unsurprisingly, Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors of all time. And although I love the Regency Era, I'm always a little reticent regarding retellings/inspired books of Jane Austen's work. More times than not, I find that they lack something. And, unfortunately, this retelling is no exception.
As a mystery crime story, this book is really good. The story is well-structured, the characters are well-written, and although I was able to predict some plot points, I never found the identity of the killer and their motivations, so that revelation was interesting to me. As a mystery crime story, this is a 4.5 to me.
However, I was expecting more. I was expecting more sarcasm and irony. The thing about Austen was that she was able to write stories that poked fun and criticized society's rules in a subtle way. And I don't think that this was achieved here. Yes, we see Elizabeth struggle to overcome society's rules, although, I wasn't amused by it. Where is the subtle irony? Where's the poking fun? Other writers of the Regency Era have criticized society's rules and the position of women in said society, but the thing about Austen is that this criticism is very subtle and amusing. And we don't have this in this book.
At the same time, we also have very little interaction between Elizabeth and Darcy. The message of the original book is that first impressions aren't everything. And throughout the interactions between Elizabeth and Darcy, we learn that Darcy is proud because he's a product of society and Elizabeth can be quite judgemental because, again, she is also a product of a society that excluded women. We love the book because of the interactions between Elizabeth and Darcy. In this book, there is more interaction between Elizabeth and Wickham than with Darcy. I know that this is supposed to be a mystery crime story and not a romance, but, I think that the book would benefit from a little more interaction between Darcy and Elizabeth.
So, I would prefer that this was marketed to me as an "inspired book" than a "retelling", but I cannot deny that this is a good narrative. Just don't try to sell it to me as a retelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexism, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Gore and Torture
Minor: Stalking
whewtaewoon's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5
Pride and Premeditation is a deadly take on the Jane Austen classic Pride and Prejudice. All your favorite characters re-imagined. Check it out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Racism, Death, Sexism, Blood, and Stalking
sapphicsoilscientist's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
A very fun retelling of a classic with enough twists and turns to keep things fresh. It did feel more like 1880ish than 1812ish, but it was otherwise quite good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Alcohol, Kidnapping, and Gun violence
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Stalking
Obviously there is a murder, but there are two other deaths as well. There is a small scene where two characters are locked in a dark closet and one complains of claustrophobia, and there is a scene where Lizzy is being followed. The sexual harassment is implied (man of the house towards maids) but readers will be glad to know the business with Lydia is avoided entirely.madradstarchild's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Blood, and Confinement
Minor: Classism, Misogyny, Violence, Stalking, and Kidnapping
aargot1's review
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Violence, Stalking, Murder, Death, and Confinement
meghanm404's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Racism, Kidnapping, and Stalking
fromjuliereads's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.5
**Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for providing an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.**
WOW! I might struggle for a moment to put into cohesive words just how much I loved this book!! I had a feeling I would enjoy it - Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice mixed with a murder mystery!? Yes, please! I was just blown away with how quickly I devoured this book and how much I really loved it! I laughed out loud, I loved the twists and turns, and of course I adored the characters.
The liberties that Price took with the original telling of P&P worked SO WELL to turn it into a murder mystery. And I liked some of the other small changes that were made to make the story just different enough in little ways - like switching up Charlotte's story, including Fred and Abigail, and changing just a little the backgrounds for Bingley and Darcy. It was so well thought out!
Adding in the backdrop that they are solicitors and barristers at law firms!? Brilliant. It worked so well to lay out the plot and the foundation for why they were all part of this murder mystery, and coincided so nicely with Lizzie's naturally inquisitive nature from the original text.
And of course we got the classic banter and tension, some fantastic scenes between Darcy and Lizzie, and just a great plot overall in my opinion. It helps so much that Price stayed true to the main characters and some of the others as well.
While parts might seem predictable to some, I honestly had so much fun with the twidts and turns the story took me on. I will definitely recommend this to friends who love Austen - especially since well-known quotes are paraphrased so seamlessly in the story!
WOW! I might struggle for a moment to put into cohesive words just how much I loved this book!! I had a feeling I would enjoy it - Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice mixed with a murder mystery!? Yes, please! I was just blown away with how quickly I devoured this book and how much I really loved it! I laughed out loud, I loved the twists and turns, and of course I adored the characters.
The liberties that Price took with the original telling of P&P worked SO WELL to turn it into a murder mystery. And I liked some of the other small changes that were made to make the story just different enough in little ways - like switching up Charlotte's story, including Fred and Abigail, and changing just a little the backgrounds for Bingley and Darcy. It was so well thought out!
Adding in the backdrop that they are solicitors and barristers at law firms!? Brilliant. It worked so well to lay out the plot and the foundation for why they were all part of this murder mystery, and coincided so nicely with Lizzie's naturally inquisitive nature from the original text.
And of course we got the classic banter and tension, some fantastic scenes between Darcy and Lizzie, and just a great plot overall in my opinion. It helps so much that Price stayed true to the main characters and some of the others as well.
While parts might seem predictable to some, I honestly had so much fun with the twidts and turns the story took me on. I will definitely recommend this to friends who love Austen - especially since well-known quotes are paraphrased so seamlessly in the story!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Racism, and Murder
Minor: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Stalking, and Violence
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