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redplanetreads's review
challenging
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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
3.0
Favorite Female Character: Tomi Lucas
Favorite Male Character: Froze Darcy
This book was fine. I think it worked as a retelling of Pride and Prejudice and I really appreciated the diverse cast of characters. Also, as a former speech and debate kid myself, I can say that a lot of those scenes were well-written and on par with experiences i've had it heard about. The author made good points, and I respect the message she was trying to get across.
…however, I really struggled with the language use in this one. It felt like these contemporary characters were regurgitating lines from 1813 that wouldn't make sense for them to be saying in today's dialogue. This took me out of the story and made it hard to take seriously. There were also a lot of overdramatic, overplayed moments, but that's honestly just consistent with most high school theatre/forensics kids.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Homophobia, Sexism, and Racism
quillify_'s review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
OH MY FRICKIN GOD FINALLY!!!!!!!!
This book was straight up a six out of the cricket stadium and it deserves all love and appreciation!! I hadn't been in the best of health and hadn't read much owing to exams, and I'm so glad this became my after exam read because this put such a huge smile on my face. I really appreciated how the author reworked the setting of the place in her own manner (Netherfield and Longbourn as private and public schools to show elitism in education, Pemberly as a lovely university that I now wish I could go to, Lady Catherine as an elocution coach of high esteem). It was very creative. In addition to the excellent re-sketching of Darcy and Lizzie’s relationship (Leela and Firoze, in this case) relationship, it also had a great cast of side characters and amazing development for both the leads. A lot of times, the heavy emphasis on romantic love being the epitome of human satisfaction squicks me, so watching the slow progression of Darcy and Leela’s banter and misunderstandings and eventual tolerance to love was a delight to read. I was laughing out loud at their arguments. Their debate about public and private education touched my heart because I know that sort of elitism from students all too well. Their final slow dance at the end… I'm giggling and smiling at people who don't exist… Again 😳💖 I loved Leela. I loved her drive, her ambition, her hurts and flaws that pushed her in different directions, I loved her wit and fierce love for her friends. She was a great lead and an amazing narrator. In addition, the book further explored institutionalized sexism, racism and it's aftermath on the psyche of a South Asian-American child (Leela’s ending speech about Red Riding Hood was so powerful, I was right by the entire cast, nodding and crying). I love how this one does not villify Lidia (or Lydia, according to the original?) for her actions. Some retellings do that, but the author took an even better approach to highlight issues that are ignored nearly in every institution or system. The side characters were equally fleshed out, which I appreciated a lot because we need some solid friendships in YA. I loved Jay and his enthusiam, Tomi, her levelheadedness in the most trying situations, and her habit of knitting (teach me pls?). I'll even forgive Colin because he shares his surname with one of my favorite k-pop idols lol. Leela's Indian heritage is an organic part of the story, never present for performance and that makes me love the author even more! In short, everyone should pick this one up. It's short, easy, tackles extremely important topics, and will make you smile. And I'm also off to recommend this to my Bengali friends and check out Ms. DasGupta's other works!!
This book was straight up a six out of the cricket stadium and it deserves all love and appreciation!! I hadn't been in the best of health and hadn't read much owing to exams, and I'm so glad this became my after exam read because this put such a huge smile on my face. I really appreciated how the author reworked the setting of the place in her own manner (Netherfield and Longbourn as private and public schools to show elitism in education, Pemberly as a lovely university that I now wish I could go to, Lady Catherine as an elocution coach of high esteem). It was very creative. In addition to the excellent re-sketching of Darcy and Lizzie’s relationship (Leela and Firoze, in this case) relationship, it also had a great cast of side characters and amazing development for both the leads. A lot of times, the heavy emphasis on romantic love being the epitome of human satisfaction squicks me, so watching the slow progression of Darcy and Leela’s banter and misunderstandings and eventual tolerance to love was a delight to read. I was laughing out loud at their arguments. Their debate about public and private education touched my heart because I know that sort of elitism from students all too well. Their final slow dance at the end… I'm giggling and smiling at people who don't exist… Again 😳💖 I loved Leela. I loved her drive, her ambition, her hurts and flaws that pushed her in different directions, I loved her wit and fierce love for her friends. She was a great lead and an amazing narrator. In addition, the book further explored institutionalized sexism, racism and it's aftermath on the psyche of a South Asian-American child (Leela’s ending speech about Red Riding Hood was so powerful, I was right by the entire cast, nodding and crying). I love how this one does not villify Lidia (or Lydia, according to the original?) for her actions. Some retellings do that, but the author took an even better approach to highlight issues that are ignored nearly in every institution or system. The side characters were equally fleshed out, which I appreciated a lot because we need some solid friendships in YA. I loved Jay and his enthusiam, Tomi, her levelheadedness in the most trying situations, and her habit of knitting (teach me pls?). I'll even forgive Colin because he shares his surname with one of my favorite k-pop idols lol. Leela's Indian heritage is an organic part of the story, never present for performance and that makes me love the author even more! In short, everyone should pick this one up. It's short, easy, tackles extremely important topics, and will make you smile. And I'm also off to recommend this to my Bengali friends and check out Ms. DasGupta's other works!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Racism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
bouebooks's review
funny
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Xenophobia, Homophobia, Misogyny, Body shaming, and Bullying
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