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solaris_zip's Reviews (198)
<spoilers ahead>Enemies to lovers but make it 1814. I had the pleasure of watching the tv series before reading the books. I desperately needed some sort of closure especially after s2, of which I felt the ending was a bit rushed and hoped for some more expanding on Anthony and Kate story line. Safe to say, I was severely disappointed when I picked up the book.
I was very aware that the show was very different from the books. Usually for the worst right? Yet, I found that this time is the other way around. This book, in all honesty might be the most uninteresting and just bland book I have ever read. I really wanted to like it, I wanted to force myself to like it. But there were too many things that set off an ick.
Let’s start with the main one. The author, Julia Quinn, likes to remember us from start to finish how Kate is, in simple words, not like other girls. She is not pretty like her sister Edwina, or the rest of the girls at balls, she is not elegant, she is clumsy, she is rough around the edges. One thing I found is that in the book she is very aggressive.
In the show, Kate is fierce, doesn’t take bad attitudes from men, she stands her ground. Something that lacks in a way in the book. Because especially towards the end, despite Anthony treating her like dirt, she still forgives him. She lets him walk all over her, something show Kate wouldn’t. I dare say book Kate lacks of the backbone show Kate has. In the show Kate is strongly set on not wanting to marry. She is fine on her own, but in the books, despite she doesn’t fancy the idea she still wants to marry and it feels like she is looking for her own self validation through a marriage. We see that in the first intimate scene with Anthony how she almost burst out crying because she insecure and believes he is thinking of Edwina? And for me, that’s not Kate.
Some other things I didn’t like. Anthony. Just him. The whole book he was insufferable. In the show I couldn’t stand him, but, towards the end of s2 I grew to respect and understand his character. He changed. In the book he doesn’t have a proper character development if you will. I still see and find him as the insufferable guy. He is, extremely, sexist but in an underline way.
The book also moves fast pace. I find myself more enjoying the slow burn, for how heartbreaking it was, of the show. Than the fast peace of the book. By chapter 4 we already had the first glance of their sexual tension. Their engagement in the books was a marriage of convenience. It didn’t make sense in my eyes. It felt forced. It felt rushed. The way the structured in the Netflix show makes much more sense to me.
Some other things that made me extremely uncomfortable. The sexual scenes indeed. They felt so damn off. Especially the first one after the wedding, where Kate clearly states she isn’t ready and wants to wait for a week, and Anthony tells her no. He can’t wait that long. And despite her worry, despite her insecurity they did it anyway. It felt wrong. Just like it felt wrong any other scenes later. Just like the bee scene also felt so damn strange. Awkward they got caught by their mothers, but also Anthony has no idea of consent and boundaries? I lost the count of how many time Kate says no and he still does something. Everything starts going down hill from here. (Just how Anthony says I love you to her, only after his brothers basically tell him to have a wake up call, and while she is on the verge of dying? Like sir… what?)
There is just a lack of consent in general that very bothers me. Just like going in for a kiss without asking first, or touching or moving dresses down without asking. It’s disgusting to read.
But, there were a few things I enjoyed from the book. Like Penelope’s and Kate’s friendship of which I really hope is explored next season. Daphne and Colin having personalities. I loved reading witty, sharp, sarcastic Colin and Daphne with a sense of self and personality that doesn’t revolve about being a mother or a wife. The thunder scene of chapter 12, that was great. I loved how it was written and the only reason I give two stars and not zero to the book. I also loved violet bridgerton, the book gave me a totally different outlook on her than the show (which I found her rather oppressing and annoying) but I found myself loving her in the book. Can’t say the same for Mary, of which in the first half of the book at least she felt snappy, mean and just different from the Mary of the show.
Overall I feel the show is better than the book in this case, and that if you must decide between watching the show or reading the book, I would 100% recommend the show.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The writing is so beautiful done. It flows like water. It’s not heavy, even if I must say the first chapters are a bit slow and what got me to leave the book untouched for the last two years💀 but, as you get into the story, narrated by Patroclus, we see the before, the during and the after the war. We see the beauty of their friendship, how it was always underline that from day one they had something more than just a friendship. How with the years it changed and shaped into something completely different and fulfilling. The book is a retailing so of course, is not 100% accurate to the myth, but, there are so many version of the myth itself out there. So despite the changes, it’s a pleasant and enjoyable work of fiction that really gets you hooked as you keep turning page after page. Chapter after chapter. You feel the way love hurts, you feel it in your bones the ache both Achilles and Patroclus felt. The way their love is so strong that it hurts. How when at the end before he finally got buried with Achilles, how Patroclus was hurting and ache for his beloved. It a straight to the point, crude and on some levels hard book.
I cannot recommend it enough.
I cannot recommend it enough.
slow-paced
I’m quite conflicted. I did enjoy most of the book. I found the beginning and some parts towards the end really hooked me to the book. But, at the same time, a lot in the middle was rather boring. Nothing truly happens at first, the book is stale. It was confusing and some parts perhaps not important to keep in.
Now, I’m well aware marriage back then was basically between strangers, most of the time the two individuals wouldn’t know even the smallest details about the other. Therefore, despite being 1813, I was rather surprised in reading such a strong character like Elizabeth. It’s fascinating, and refreshing I might add. However, I feel Elizabeth and mr Darcy romantic storyline was very “puffed” in the media?
Maybe I’m not interpreting how I should, but, what I see is a rather flat? They go from hate each other, and for the whole book, until the very end they switch. And it seems rushed. There is no details, no run through of a strong character development. Sure it was underline, it was addressed that mr Darcy changed because lizzy’s words made him realise something, but maybe it needed an extra kick. I feel people romanticised the story too much, and although I don’t hate it, I do not see the appeal that others seem to find.
Now, I’m well aware marriage back then was basically between strangers, most of the time the two individuals wouldn’t know even the smallest details about the other. Therefore, despite being 1813, I was rather surprised in reading such a strong character like Elizabeth. It’s fascinating, and refreshing I might add. However, I feel Elizabeth and mr Darcy romantic storyline was very “puffed” in the media?
Maybe I’m not interpreting how I should, but, what I see is a rather flat? They go from hate each other, and for the whole book, until the very end they switch. And it seems rushed. There is no details, no run through of a strong character development. Sure it was underline, it was addressed that mr Darcy changed because lizzy’s words made him realise something, but maybe it needed an extra kick. I feel people romanticised the story too much, and although I don’t hate it, I do not see the appeal that others seem to find.
It started off strong, ended meh. Not a fan of the art style, Wonder Woman wasn’t developed at all. Her character was flat, she just doesn’t seem like herself in this run. Not necessarily a bad comic, just bland.
DC's Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun #1
Alex Galer, Adam F. Goldberg, Greg Burham, Ellen Tremiti, Hans Rodionoff, Christopher Sean, Kenny Porter, John Arcudi
the issue has mini stories, each of which has a different art style, and it’s also written by different writers. I enjoyed some of them. The nightwing and red hood one the most.
Despite not reading the previous comics that connect to this one, I enjoyed it a lot. The art style is great, and I really adore ivy as a character. She is so interesting, so fun to read about. I just kept reading and reading.