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rhi_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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: Deadnaming, Sexism, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Misogyny
Moderate: Lesbophobia and Classism
peroxide_princes's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was a really great book! I grew up absolutely ADORING Pride and prejudice, so to have a trans retelling out there is just fantastic. I think the end moves a little quickly and feels slightly forced, but that could definitely be my own personal taste. The characters do feel a bit flat, with the most character development happening in Darcy’s character in my opinion. Though I think Oliver’s parents being supportive of him in the end is a very nice and healing touch out there for many trans kids picking up this book . Overall, I think perhaps my personal tastes have moved away from young adult fiction, hence my rating, but this book fits itself well in that category. I would certainly recommend it for any trans youth out there who are in need of a book to speak to their souls and give them a heartwarming and hopeful end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Transphobia, Deadnaming, Misogyny, Bullying, Dysphoria, Gaslighting, and Homophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Stalking, Incest, Outing, and Panic attacks/disorders
leedolee's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A great read! The second to last chapter made me sob so I would say this book did an excellent job at making me feel every emotion possible! Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Classism, Deadnaming, Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, and Transphobia
theebster's review against another edition
emotional
slow-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
3.0
I don’t think I was really the intended audience - was hoping for more looks into queer history/culture and romance rather than such a focus on Oliver’s dysphoria.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing, Bullying, Dysphoria, and Deadnaming
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Classism
mabellene's review
emotional
hopeful
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria, Transphobia, Homophobia, and Deadnaming
Moderate: Classism, Sexism, and Outing
emilo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? No
4.0
poor wee oliver spent the book fighting off incredibly icky proposals and like wild comments about his body. anyway what a ledgend.
I do wish the book had had a wider scope and explored or at least mentioned working class people and kitty and lydia esp considering the ending. speaking of the ending i think we needed to see what charlotte thought/her reaction.
i’d deffo read more of the authors work!!! i really loved oliver’s strength of character and his willingness to always continue to exist as himself
I do wish the book had had a wider scope and explored or at least mentioned working class people and kitty and lydia esp considering the ending. speaking of the ending i think we needed to see what charlotte thought/her reaction.
i’d deffo read more of the authors work!!! i really loved oliver’s strength of character and his willingness to always continue to exist as himself
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Transphobia, and Sexism
gardens_and_dragons's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? No
3.5
While it doesn’t match the prose of the original Pride and Prejudice, this was a great remix of the story with a trans male lead. I was smiling through the banter, and my heart hurt with Oliver as he navigated his way through a tough summer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Deadnaming, and Homophobia
Moderate: Classism and Outing
Minor: Stalking
While others consistently deadname Oliver, the narrative does not.historianvik's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? No
5.0
Beautiful and amazing book! Only downfall is that it's not long enough!
A loyal retelling that captures what readers love most about the original novel
A loyal retelling that captures what readers love most about the original novel
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Classism, Outing, and Deadnaming
mirandyli's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
An adorable quick read that is a queer, trans retelling of Pride and Prejudice. The author also provides some historical context on queerness and transness in that era. I'm looking forward to reading other retellings in this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Gaslighting, Sexism, Lesbophobia, Outing, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Deadnaming, Dysphoria, and Homophobia
dananana's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
you know, not just any novel can inspire me to write a review in a pseudo-Jane Austen style, so kudos there.
--
A striking and enjoyable novel, to be sure, but due to my complete devotion to the original Pride and Prejudice, my comparisons are not a little severe - at least more so than they might have been if my love for that first book were less.
I am not a purist when it comes to adapting a novel into a new form, so my qualms are not related to any changes made to the plot. The story was converted into a shorter form for both the sake of its audience and to better suit the themes this volume addressed.
That being said, I did feel there was some small missing element that would have brought me from basic feelings of enjoyment, to the true rapture that arrives when a retelling both honors the original and speaks to modern positions as well. To compare the two principle characters of Most Ardently and Pride and Prejudice, I did not find that Oliver was as arch or witty as his original counterpart. There was a level of irony missing from his interactions with especially his mother, Darcy, and other characters. This lack of cleverness and wry humor left me wanting.
In addition, I found that Oliver's arc was not really about learning to not "willfully misunderstand" others, as he was more understanding of Darcy's peculiar and awkward disposition and was suspicious of Wickham's character from their first meeting. Instead, Oliver's arc was more a simple coming-of-age story, wherein he must find the courage to be true to himself, in defiance of all the expectations placed upon him. This compliments the original in some ways very well, though there was something missing in way of the interest provoked by a more flawed character.
This approach to his character had affect upon the pacing of the romance as well, there being less pining and yearning as the two come to know and understand one more quickly. I found both these changed aspects not to my taste, when compared to the original.
However, I would be remiss if I did not touch on the aspects of the novel that I found true enjoyment in. Despite my qualms with the pace of the romance, I found the two boys' relationship to be engaging, sweet, and moving. I quite enjoyed the approach the author took in incorporating gender and sexuality into the themes of Pride and Prejudice. As the original's message is already so well suited to modern discussions of queerness, this was most satisfying to read. I was quite intrigued by the direction the book took with regards to this subject- and greatly appreciated the author's note that spoke on the history of queerness in the Regency period.
Overall, I did enjoy the entire reading process and found myself unable to place the book down. While I have some few qualms, I feel quite positively toward it overall.
--
A striking and enjoyable novel, to be sure, but due to my complete devotion to the original Pride and Prejudice, my comparisons are not a little severe - at least more so than they might have been if my love for that first book were less.
I am not a purist when it comes to adapting a novel into a new form, so my qualms are not related to any changes made to the plot. The story was converted into a shorter form for both the sake of its audience and to better suit the themes this volume addressed.
That being said, I did feel there was some small missing element that would have brought me from basic feelings of enjoyment, to the true rapture that arrives when a retelling both honors the original and speaks to modern positions as well. To compare the two principle characters of Most Ardently and Pride and Prejudice, I did not find that Oliver was as arch or witty as his original counterpart. There was a level of irony missing from his interactions with especially his mother, Darcy, and other characters. This lack of cleverness and wry humor left me wanting.
In addition, I found that Oliver's arc was not really about learning to not "willfully misunderstand" others, as he was more understanding of Darcy's peculiar and awkward disposition and was suspicious of Wickham's character from their first meeting. Instead, Oliver's arc was more a simple coming-of-age story, wherein he must find the courage to be true to himself, in defiance of all the expectations placed upon him. This compliments the original in some ways very well, though there was something missing in way of the interest provoked by a more flawed character.
This approach to his character had affect upon the pacing of the romance as well, there being less pining and yearning as the two come to know and understand one more quickly. I found both these changed aspects not to my taste, when compared to the original.
However, I would be remiss if I did not touch on the aspects of the novel that I found true enjoyment in. Despite my qualms with the pace of the romance, I found the two boys' relationship to be engaging, sweet, and moving. I quite enjoyed the approach the author took in incorporating gender and sexuality into the themes of Pride and Prejudice. As the original's message is already so well suited to modern discussions of queerness, this was most satisfying to read. I was quite intrigued by the direction the book took with regards to this subject- and greatly appreciated the author's note that spoke on the history of queerness in the Regency period.
Overall, I did enjoy the entire reading process and found myself unable to place the book down. While I have some few qualms, I feel quite positively toward it overall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Sexism, Homophobia, Deadnaming, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Lesbophobia
Minor: Classism