Scan barcode
kebreads's review
4.0
This was a fun read. At times it reminded me of Cinderella, other times of Pride and Prejudice and then Emma. Throughout it all, it had it's own unique flavor. Althea had a mix of strengths and weaknesses that made her interesting, and I mostly found her likable. I enjoyed many of the other characters as well. I'm sure the author had fun coming up with some of the names in this book.
Content: a few swear words
Content: a few swear words
eabad22's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was nice to read. I thought that the end itself was predictable, sweet, funny, and greatly managed to be all three without being silly. I usually see the endings of books as a quiet, satisfied feeling. But I did get giggly over this book’s ending, and I honestly wanted to immediately re-read it as soon as I was done. This was a really good book and I loved everything about it.
boluvsmikayla's review
2.0
I was so excited to read this book! It had been on my "to-read" list for a long time. I was extremely disappointed in this book. The characters were unreal and weren't relaable, that is one of the worst things that can happen in a book. The lack of character likability made it really difficult to get through.
stephxsu's review
3.0
KEEPING THE CASTLE is a quick, Austen-flavored story that you can breeze through in a few short hours. Is it a keeper? Well…I enjoyed the voice and the setup, but felt the story was too short to develop the characters and their predicaments into full and empathizable creations.
My favorite thing about KEEPING THE CASTLE was definitely its Austenian influence. Aptly described as a combination of Dodie Smith’s lovely [b:I Capture the Castle|31122|I Capture the Castle|Dodie Smith|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312011462s/31122.jpg|950769] (another book I loved) and Jane Austen’s works, KEEPING THE CASTLE features a spunky heroine whose extreme pragmatism is cause for many moments of laughs and head-shaking sighs. Althea’s practical nature make her the perfect foil for the social foibles that typically occur in Austenian novels, but it is when that delightful personality comes up against tired Austenian elements and a too-quick plot development that things stumble for me.
No matter how much I love Jane Austen, there comes a point where Austenian elements tire me out. Unfortunately, I felt like KEEPING THE CASTLE crammed all of the most recognizable elements of Austen’s novels into a quick 250 pages, resulting in sensory/familiarity overload for me. First, Althea seeks a rich husband (youth and attractiveness a plus but not required). Later, she attempts to matchmake between two of her new acquaintances. Okay, to be honest, I’ve only read two of Austen’s novels to their conclusions, but combining the most familiar elements of [b:Pride and Prejudice|1885|Pride and Prejudice|Jane Austen|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320399351s/1885.jpg|3060926] and [b:Emma|6969|Emma|Jane Austen|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309203623s/6969.jpg|3360164] into one story felt like overkill to me.
Additionally, the short length of the book prevented the characters and plot from developing thoroughly. It was hard for me to ever get a grasp on the attraction between Althea and Mr. Fredericks. Bickering couples are sometimes fun for me to read about, but unlike the change in Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy’s feelings toward and understanding of each other, Althea and Mr. Fredericks never seem to undergo the same kind of mental evolution. Secondary couplings are also barely explained, with the result that I flitted from one marital revolution to the other in a state of confusion and only polite interest, instead of emotional investment in the characters and their outcomes.
Overall, KEEPING THE CASTLE is a relatively fun and diverting read for a lazy afternoon (or a sleepless night, if you’re me), but it doesn’t as if it will be a staple of Austenian literature.
My favorite thing about KEEPING THE CASTLE was definitely its Austenian influence. Aptly described as a combination of Dodie Smith’s lovely [b:I Capture the Castle|31122|I Capture the Castle|Dodie Smith|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312011462s/31122.jpg|950769] (another book I loved) and Jane Austen’s works, KEEPING THE CASTLE features a spunky heroine whose extreme pragmatism is cause for many moments of laughs and head-shaking sighs. Althea’s practical nature make her the perfect foil for the social foibles that typically occur in Austenian novels, but it is when that delightful personality comes up against tired Austenian elements and a too-quick plot development that things stumble for me.
No matter how much I love Jane Austen, there comes a point where Austenian elements tire me out. Unfortunately, I felt like KEEPING THE CASTLE crammed all of the most recognizable elements of Austen’s novels into a quick 250 pages, resulting in sensory/familiarity overload for me. First, Althea seeks a rich husband (youth and attractiveness a plus but not required). Later, she attempts to matchmake between two of her new acquaintances. Okay, to be honest, I’ve only read two of Austen’s novels to their conclusions, but combining the most familiar elements of [b:Pride and Prejudice|1885|Pride and Prejudice|Jane Austen|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320399351s/1885.jpg|3060926] and [b:Emma|6969|Emma|Jane Austen|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309203623s/6969.jpg|3360164] into one story felt like overkill to me.
Additionally, the short length of the book prevented the characters and plot from developing thoroughly. It was hard for me to ever get a grasp on the attraction between Althea and Mr. Fredericks. Bickering couples are sometimes fun for me to read about, but unlike the change in Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy’s feelings toward and understanding of each other, Althea and Mr. Fredericks never seem to undergo the same kind of mental evolution. Secondary couplings are also barely explained, with the result that I flitted from one marital revolution to the other in a state of confusion and only polite interest, instead of emotional investment in the characters and their outcomes.
Overall, KEEPING THE CASTLE is a relatively fun and diverting read for a lazy afternoon (or a sleepless night, if you’re me), but it doesn’t as if it will be a staple of Austenian literature.
sallyavena's review
3.0
A quick light read that seemed like mash up of Jane Austen novels.
My question for Kindle is who is the Penelope mentioned on page 29 (6th paragraph of the 3rd chapter)? I think it might be Prudence's name was originally Penelope but just wanted to see for sure if thus was an editor's oversight.
My question for Kindle is who is the Penelope mentioned on page 29 (6th paragraph of the 3rd chapter)? I think it might be Prudence's name was originally Penelope but just wanted to see for sure if thus was an editor's oversight.
thebrainlair's review
4.0
3.5
Along the lines of Pride and Prejudice though the main character was more like Emma Woodhouse from Austen's Emma than Elizabeth Bennet. Althea was headstrong and into matchmaking, regardless of the thoughts and feelings of the people involved. She had a hard time seeing, or rather owning up to, her part in any problems she was causing.
Althea's voice was strong but I wonder if it was due more to having read those two aforementioned books than the writing of Patrice Kindl.
Over in The Mock Printz group we are discussing Keeping The Castle as a possible contender. I don't see the distinct qualities at the moment, mostly because the details of the book are too closely tied to the original works. Everything I know about those books colored my reading of this one, unfortunately.
Along the lines of Pride and Prejudice though the main character was more like Emma Woodhouse from Austen's Emma than Elizabeth Bennet. Althea was headstrong and into matchmaking, regardless of the thoughts and feelings of the people involved. She had a hard time seeing, or rather owning up to, her part in any problems she was causing.
Althea's voice was strong but I wonder if it was due more to having read those two aforementioned books than the writing of Patrice Kindl.
Over in The Mock Printz group we are discussing Keeping The Castle as a possible contender. I don't see the distinct qualities at the moment, mostly because the details of the book are too closely tied to the original works. Everything I know about those books colored my reading of this one, unfortunately.
vannievonn's review
5.0
I'm such a sucker for these types of books. Opposites, misunderstandings, happy endings. I literally teared up at the end cause it was just so ROMANTIC!
Please, if you love touching (albeit predictable) romances, this is for YOU!!
Please, if you love touching (albeit predictable) romances, this is for YOU!!
katiebtatton's review
2.0
Althea is determined to marry a rich man so that she can save her family's dilapidated castle. It's a bit Pride and Prejudice meets Cinderella with a hint of Austenland. Eh. It felt predictable from the first page and what was supposed to be character spunk just came off as unbelievable and period inappropriate.
jackiehorne's review
3.0
Light amusement. Very different from Kindl's previous novels -- no fantasy. Lovers of Jane Austen and Dodie Smith may find it a treat, or it may just make them want to turn back to their more meaty favorites.