Reviews with content warning for Suicidal thoughts - Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix

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Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix by Gabe Cole Novoa

25 reviews

guardianofthebookshelf's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

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ezwolf's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

I am actually having so many emotions about this book. First of all, let me say that the Remixed Classics series is one of my all time favorite ideas. I love taking well known stories and asking: but what if it was queer? what if they weren’t white? what if they weren’t men? This is the third one I’ve read and it’s just as amazing as the others and makes me so excited to read every one in the series.

Admittedly, I am not a huge fan of Pride and Prejudice. The general idea of the story and the way I’ve seen people interact and react to it has always been interesting to me though and I loved another reimagining of the story, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. I also love Gabe Cole Novoa’s writing in general, The Wicked Bargain is one of my top favorite reads so when I saw he was writing this and got approved for the ARC I was so pleased.

The thing that got to me the most, I think, was Oliver’s emotions and desires. The way he just wanted so badly to be himself and fought for it, even though it was so scary to do it. His relationship with Jane and his father got me a bit teary eyed more than once.

Each time Oliver came out, while not always intending to do so, I was braced for it to go horribly, but each time I was pleasantly surprised and reassured by the openness and pride that each character reacted with. I think between how society still reacts to trans people today and the way narratives for characters like Oliver usually go, I was expecting blatant and harsh transphobia. And while there was transphobia, for me the blows were softened by the acceptance of his sister, his father, and eventually Darcy and his mother. That being said, please still take care of yourself and know that there is still transphobia, homophobia, dysphoria, and misogyny that Oliver deals with throughout the book. Know what you can handle as a reader.

Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!

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betweentheshelves's review against another edition

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emotional 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

4.5

It’s London 1812 and Oliver feels trapped. Not just by the strict rules of society, but by the fact that everyone knows him as a girl named Elizabeth. Thus, he’s forced into dresses, to attend balls, and to look for a future husband. But pretending is getting more and more difficult.

Oliver finds solace in the moments he’s able to be out and about as himself. It’s there that he finds a connection with Darcy, and a glimpse into the life that he could have. However, his mother is getting more and more insistent about Oliver finding a suitor, so he will have to choose: a life of safety or a life of freedom.

Thanks to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for an advanced copy of Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix by Gabe Cole Novoa to review! I will admit, I have never read Pride & Prejudice, but I know the general gist of the story, so I didn’t feel too lost. From what I know of Jane Austen, I felt like Novoa captured the tone and the essence pretty well! The characters especially are where the writing shines.

What I love about these remixed classics is that it takes a literary canon that is pretty straight and white washed and makes the stories more diverse. So, teens who are reading these things in school might pick up one of these and see themselves in the story. I’ve enjoyed the ones I’ve read so far, and I’m sure I will continue to enjoy them!

My only complaint about this book is that the ending felt a bit rushed. There were a few characters that did a complete 180 at the end with not a lot of build up to it (like Oliver’s mother), and I would have liked a little more development in those areas. But for the most part, the characters were well developed, even if there were a lot of them to keep track of.

I’d say if you love Pride & Prejudice, definitely check out this retelling when it comes out early next year!

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yourbookishbff's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful tense medium-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? No

4.0

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cardboardvox's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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