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caitlinemccann's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
Moderate: Sexism, Grief, Death of parent, Classism, Drug abuse, Addiction, and Body shaming
Minor: Chronic illness
camrich'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
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Death of parent and Suicide attempt
mari1532's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
#23for23 (Learn more: https://www.23for23.net/)
I checked this audiobook out of my library. This was my first of Howard's books and I can honestly say I cannot wait to read more of her catalogue.
Brief Synopsis: What would you do if your childhood best friend robbed you of everything you held most dear? Formulate and execute a detailed plan for revenge of course. At least that is what Lady Ela Dalvi does. Determined to inflict the pain she was forced to endure as a young girl on her childhood friend turned nemesis, Poppy, during the coming London season Ela must use every tool at her disposal to get revenge. Treating revenge like a game of chess Ela sets out to topple Poppy's position as Queen. However, fate has other things in store for Ela in the form of her first love. As Ela tries to out-maneuver the other players in the Ton will she get revenge or will she lose the biggest piece she has to play, her heart?
Thoughts: This book was so good! Ela was a beautifully constructed character and her resilience was truly inspiring. The way that Howard layered the story together, like weaving a blanket made me fall in love with Ela as a person. As more and more of Ela's past is revealed you come to understand her better as a person and I was rooting for her from the very darkest parts of her revenge plot to the shinest bits of her story. I wanted her to succeed!
Howard is an exceptional writer. Not just overall in terms of the plot of this book, but it has truly been a while since I have hated a character more than I have hated Poppy. Even from the very first time she appeared on the page I immediately saw a red flag waving. However, the true ugliness of her character isn't revealed until later in the book and by then you are rooting for Ela so much you hope that everything Poppy loves is taken from her.
The love story was also so complicated and vulnerable. The second chance offered to Ela is so breathtakingly fragile that you are worried it won't succeed because you can feel Ela's fear of vulnerability just ooze off the page.
Also, Ela's group of school friends was so close-knit. I loved the relationship dynamics and the found family of it all made the risks Ela takes all the scarier.
I checked this audiobook out of my library. This was my first of Howard's books and I can honestly say I cannot wait to read more of her catalogue.
Brief Synopsis: What would you do if your childhood best friend robbed you of everything you held most dear? Formulate and execute a detailed plan for revenge of course. At least that is what Lady Ela Dalvi does. Determined to inflict the pain she was forced to endure as a young girl on her childhood friend turned nemesis, Poppy, during the coming London season Ela must use every tool at her disposal to get revenge. Treating revenge like a game of chess Ela sets out to topple Poppy's position as Queen. However, fate has other things in store for Ela in the form of her first love. As Ela tries to out-maneuver the other players in the Ton will she get revenge or will she lose the biggest piece she has to play, her heart?
Thoughts: This book was so good! Ela was a beautifully constructed character and her resilience was truly inspiring. The way that Howard layered the story together, like weaving a blanket made me fall in love with Ela as a person. As more and more of Ela's past is revealed you come to understand her better as a person and I was rooting for her from the very darkest parts of her revenge plot to the shinest bits of her story. I wanted her to succeed!
Howard is an exceptional writer. Not just overall in terms of the plot of this book, but it has truly been a while since I have hated a character more than I have hated Poppy. Even from the very first time she appeared on the page I immediately saw a red flag waving. However, the true ugliness of her character isn't revealed until later in the book and by then you are rooting for Ela so much you hope that everything Poppy loves is taken from her.
The love story was also so complicated and vulnerable. The second chance offered to Ela is so breathtakingly fragile that you are worried it won't succeed because you can feel Ela's fear of vulnerability just ooze off the page.
Also, Ela's group of school friends was so close-knit. I loved the relationship dynamics and the found family of it all made the risks Ela takes all the scarier.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Addiction, Death of parent, Classism, Bullying, Toxic friendship, and Drug use
jilljemmett's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
When she was fifteen-years-old, Lady Ela Davis’s life was ruined when her best friend, Poppy, spread a rumour about her. Ela’s father sent her away to a school, away from her friends and the boy she liked: Keston, Duke Ridley. Three years later, Ela returns to high society as the heiress Lyra Whitley. Her plan is to get revenge on Poppy by separating Poppy from her friends and removing her from her place at the top of society, while potentially claiming Duke Ridley for herself.
Queen Bee is Bridgerton meets The Count of Monte Cristo. I loved the revenge plot. Ela was wrongfully accused of something, which led to her being removed from high society. It always bothers me to see people wrongfully accused of something when you know they didn’t do it. Though this revenge plot could be perceived as bullying, with the way that Ela manipulated things to pin on Poppy, I think Poppy deserved it in the way she was constantly trying to tear other people down to raise her status in society.
Queen Bee is a fun story of vengeance.
Thank you Penguin Random House Canada for providing a copy of this book!
Content warnings: death of parent, addiction, bullying, drug addiction
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Addiction, Bullying, and Drug abuse
jkneebone's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What a delightful book! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Perfect if you are looking for a Bridgerton fix - although this is definitely YA, nothing beyond kissing happens on or off the page. I thought the characters, especially Ela/Lyra, were very well fleshed out, and I really enjoyed the first-person narration. It's not always my favorite, but I thought Amalie Howard used it really well here; I enjoyed being inside Ela/Lyra's head, and I thought the multiple timelines (1814 vs. 1817) were used very well also. Overall I would whole-heartedly recommend this book! (For serious historical fiction fans, I'll warn that there was some anachronism (in the service of diversity, as well as simply in some dialogue/actions). Personally I had no trouble overlooking this but I know that might not be the case for everyone.)
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction and Suicide
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