Pride and Prejudice Does America

Published:  August 9th, 2011

Darcy on the Hudson: A Pride and Prejudice Re-imagining

By: Mary Lydon Simonsen

Quail Creek Publishing, LLC

ISBN-13:  9780615513263

When Fitzwilliam Darcy, Georgiana Darcy, and Charles Bingley set sail from England for New York, each travels with a different purpose in mind.  Georgiana wants to put a particularly jarring episode with a family friend in the past, and Charles wishes to visit his Uncle Richard in an exciting new land.  For Darcy, it is an opportunity to explore the possibilities of new sources of wealth in the expanding United States, but once Darcy meets American, Elizabeth Bennet, it is the beginning of a love story.  But will their differences and a possible second war between Britain and America keep them apart? (Summary courtesy of Goodreads)

My Thoughts

     I read A LOT of Pride & Prejudice sequels, re-imaginings, etc.  I have an insane weakness for more Jane Austen, in whatever form I can get it (minus stuff like Pride & Prejudice & Zombies, which is lazily repetitive crap).  When I am bored and have money to burn on Amazon for Kindle books, I usually get a P&P retelling that is lounging away on my wishlist.  As someone who has seen Simonsen's books around at the library, I knew she was a fairly respected Austen revisionist.  When I saw that this one had the Bennets as Americans, was set on the verge of the War of 1812 and had some other changes, I immediately dived in.  The idea is that Darcy and Georgiana go along to America with Bingley to escape the situation with Wickham and Darcy also is interested in funding the Eerie Canal Project (along with Mr. Bennet and some other investors, believe it or not).  Oh and joy of joys, Caroline and Louisa are the daughters of Bingley's Uncle, instead of his sisters.  These are the basic details of the plot.

     Probably my favorite thing about this book, that we don't get all that much of in the original Pride & Prejudice, is all of the political/current events that are going on during that time period on a grander level.  We also get a lot of details and information in general regarding American history such as it is in 1811 (i.e. the American Revolution) and the settlement of the Dutch people that Mrs. Bennet is descended from.  The fact that Austen meant to show how isolated people were in the country and the relations in society between people (without bringing politics and current events into the mix) were the main focus, I can understand the lack of context to the events of the time period.  But as an American, I definitely enjoyed the history lesson on my country and the interesting way it was delivered.  Also the look at the differences in customs between England and America in 1811 (degree of formality, the type of work done by landed gentry, etc.) was very intriguing.  So this was not a complaint for me, unlike for some other readers.

     My other thoughts are on the overall representation of the Bennet family itself in this book.  I appreciated above all else that Simonsen never turned either parent into a villain.  They were remade in the image of their surroundings, with Mrs. Bennet becoming a levelheaded and hardworking Dutchwoman.  She was of good moral standing and insisted on educating her girls in running a household, cooking, cleaning, taking care of animals and doing chores in general so they would be capable in hard times as well.  It was an interesting take on a character who is normally just a caricature.  As for Mr. Bennet, he has enough wealth that the girls don't have to worry about finding husbands.  With a loving marriage and a wife who experience the devastation of war firsthand, they are both stricter with silly Lydia and Kitty than in the first novel.  The friendships between Kitty, Lydia, Mary and Georgiana were nicely developed.  The one thing I feel was lacking was the overall growth of the relationships between Elizabeth and Darcy & Jane and Bingley.  There were interactions, misunderstandings and moments to set your heart afflutter.  But I felt like the deeper connections were hollowed out in favor of the history.  There were some notable exceptions to the characters included (I especially missed Fitzwilliam and Wickham had far less page time - a plus for me personally!).  It could have stood to be another 100 pages longer to add in more romantic development.  Other than that, this is one of the best Austen re-imaginings that I've personally ever read.  If you want a fresh perspective on a favorite tale, I'd highly recommend it! :)

VERDICT:  4/5  Stars

**No money or favors were exchanged for this review.  This book is now available online, or maybe even at your local library.**

Up In Lights

 

Published:  April 1st, 2013
That Time I Joined The Circus
By: J.J. Howard
Scholastic
ISBN-13:  9780545433815

Lexi Ryan just ran away to join the circus, but not on purpose.

A music-obsessed, slightly snarky New York City girl, Lexi is on her own. After making a huge mistake--and facing a terrible tragedy--Lexi has no choice but to track down her long-absent mother. Rumor has it that Lexi's mom is somewhere in Florida with a traveling circus.

When Lexi arrives at her new, three-ring reality, her mom isn't there . . . but her destiny might be. Surrounded by tigers, elephants, and trapeze artists, Lexi finds some surprising friends and an even more surprising chance at true love. She even lucks into a spot as the circus's fortune teller, reading tarot cards and making predictions.

But then Lexi's ex-best friend from home shows up, and suddenly it's Lexi's own future that's thrown into question.

With humor, wisdom, and a dazzlingly fresh voice, this debut reminds us of the magic of circus tents, city lights, first kisses, and the importance of an excellent playlist.

Review

 

     Self-proclaimed teenage music snob and outcast Lexi Ryan (formerly known as Xandra) is forced to leave behind her life in New York City to find her long estranged Mom, when her Dad dies in a tragic accident and she's left without money or options.  Due to a huge mistake Lexi made with her best friend Eli, she is more than happy to leave the city and start over again - even if it is with a broken heart.  Arriving at the circus where her Mom was supposed to be, Lexi finds out that she isn't there anymore and is left trying to scrounge a job and place to live from the ringmaster while she looks for her Mom.  Soon finding her niche as the resident fortune teller and friends in the ringmaster's teenage daughters, who are trapeze artists, Lexi is discovering who she is and what she wants to do with her life.  But it all might come crashing down when someone from her past finds her and she finally comes face to face with her Mom.  Can Lexi build a life for herself with the best parts of the new and the old? 

     Lexi as a character struck me as an odd mixture between self-hating, superior know-it-all and insecure outcast.   But surprisingly enough, she didn't get on my nerves as a main character.  Her snarky wit and jack-of-all-trades persona appealed to me and I enjoyed her voyage of self discovery throughout the novel.  Although I hated her romantic decisions and the guy she ends up with happens as an atrocious plot device/twist that really annoyed me as a reader.  Probably the worst thing in this entire book was the bouncy castle of romantic relationships and feelings!   Lexi's relationship with Eli really pissed me off.  He's supposedly her best friend, but as soon as he started dating Bailey he ignored and treated her like crap 99% of the time.  But because he still gave her little bits of his time, Lexi was convinced it was all 'evil' Bailey's fault as the shallow girlfriend.  It couldn't be because, I don't know, Eli is a complete douchebag???  The whole 'mistake' between them re-inforces this belief.  And the ending completely doesn't fit in with this obvious fact of his character.  Jamie, the guy on crew at the circus who shared a kiss with Lexi was described as a player, with a string of broken hearts behind him.  So color me confused when he immediately latches on to Lina (the girl who has been in love with him and he has ignored) and becomes a one-girl kind of guy!  Also the relationship with Nicolae was too similar to insta-love and never felt like it had any true depth.  It felt like the characters were going through the motions.

     If it feels like I'm mega focused on the romance, let me get to the actual plot and execution.  The book was very unbelievable in it's overall plot.  Yes, I can get behind a girl going to find her Mom at the circus.  It has awesome potential.  What made no sense was the complete lack of grief or any emotion resembling it from Lexi for her dead Dad.  Also, yeah right!  Like no social worker, school counselor or other officially inclined adult is gonna stop a 17 year old from dropping out of school, being evicted and traveling from New York to Florida by herself.  Can you say 'foster home'?  The resolution of the lifetime of pain, betrayal and anger sitting between Lexi and her Mom, along with the ease and quickness she accepts her Mom's version of the divorce/abandonment, pissed me off.  Plus, for a book supposedly about a girl trying to find her Mom it spends an awful lot of energy on a love triangle that is weak as a best case scenario.  I was more interested in the time Lexi spent and the circus and her friendships with the trapeze sisters Lina and Liska.  Both of those side characters intrigued me and they were fleshed out characters with dreams, disappointments and feelings of their own.  I felt like they were in and out of the plot, only there when it was convenient for Lexi to pay attention to them.  The lack of interest on Lexi's part towards finding her Mom after she gets to the circus, coupled with the fact that her Dad left all his money to his cheating ex-wife, with no provision for his supposedly beloved daughter, who he was a single parent to for over a decade, really took the cake and was almost more than I could take as a reader.  It just made no sense whatsoever.

     While I did feel the magic and mystery of the circus setting, I felt that the author didn't give enough details or descriptive scenes/moments about the circus to really connect or picture the setting other than in a vague sort of way.  It wasn't at all like other circus books I've read where you can picture everything that's happening in high definition and Technicolor.  I guess it was ideal for those who want to insert themselves into the book, but to me it was lacking something.  I just am disappointed that this book really waffled between what it was aiming for and what it actually achieved in terms of plot and character development especially.  I actually felt like Lexi's character had taken steps back by the ending, instead of forward.  This book was like cotton candy, nice and fluffy with some fun moments and some feel good ones.  But it had no lasting effect on me and too many inconsistencies to really make my day.  The alternating between present day and flashbacks before the tragedy and the 'mistake' do add some extra development to the story, but can be jarring.  Sometimes right when you immerse yourself into a certain setting or event, the time and place shifts abruptly to something very different.  The quotes from songs and the songs used for chapter titles were a fun touch though.  They represented Lexi in a fun (sometimes cheesy) was that I loved.  Overall a fun read, but if you have hang ups about cheating or are expecting something really deep it may not be for you. 

 

VERDICT:  2.75/5  Stars

 

*I received an Advanced Reading E-book Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. No money or favors were exchanged for this review. This book was published April 1st, 2013.*

I've Got This On Lockdown

Published:  May 1st, 2012
In the Bag
By: Kate Klise
William Morrow Paperbacks
ISBN-13:  9780062108050

A European vacation. A luggage mix-up. A note from a secret admirer.

Meet two single parents who think they're too busy to date. 
And two teenagers who can't stop writing flirty emails. 
This is a tale of connections--missed and made--in a universe that seems to have its heart set on reuniting Ms. 6B and Mr. 13C.

Webb
I can't believe I picked up the wrong bag at the airport. My dad is never going to let me hear the end of it.

Coco
I don't understand why Mom told me to pack my worst underwear. And now I've lost my bag? Ack

Andrew
I cannot stop thinking about that woman in seat 6B on the flight to Paris.

Daisy
I don't have time to worry about the creep sitting in 13C who slipped a note in my purse. I have to find my daughter's missing bag before this ruins our vacation.

Review

     Daisy Sprinkle is going on a vacation to France with her daughter Coco, hoping that it will bring them closer together.  What happens instead is that she gets a weird not from a man on the plane, hitting on her and Coco picks up the wrong bag.  Also involved is single Dad, Andrew, whose son Webb is a mystery to him.  When they get to Madrid and figure out that Webb has the wrong luggage as well, eventually Coco and Webb get into contact.  As they begin scheming of ways to meet up with each other without telling the parents, an unsuspecting Daisy travels to Madrid to do a favor for a friend, working on the gallery opening Andrew is there for.  Sparks begin to fly, but when Daisy realizes that he is the man who left the unwelcome note in her bag all bets are off.  Especially when they catch Coco and Webb together, as they've been detained at the airport and mistaken for terrorists.  Can any of the four of them get past the disastrous events of the vacation and let their romantic feelings take control?  It was like reading a slightly old-style romantic comedy movie, in book format.  I liked the portrayal of Daisy's relationship with Coco.  I think a lot of Mothers and Daughters have trouble connecting, definitely when the daughter is in the teen years.  I know that I did with my Mom.  Webb and Andrew were interesting to read about, making me like them with their awkward romantic overtures.  My major complaint was how fast Coco went from wanting to kiss Webb, to believing that all he wanted was sex!  Really?  What a stereotype.  Not  to mention that as someone who was once a teen girl, we don't automatically assume that every guy wants sex from us, every moment of our interactions.  And she is very casual about whether or not she'll give him what he 'wants.'  I liked the screwball antics and found it to be an overall sweet and easy read.  Probably a good beach or airplane book, for readers looking for something light.  Most likely won't re-read it, but I'm not sorry about reading it a first time either.

VERDICT:  3/5  Stars

* *No money or favors were exchanged for this review. This book is now available in stores, online, or maybe even at your local library.*

We Are Closer Than Time Allows

Expected Publication: October 9th, 2012

Time Between Us

By: Tamara Ireland Stone

Disney Hyperion

ISBN-13: 9781423159568

Anna and Bennett were never supposed to meet: she lives in 1995 Chicago and he lives in 2012 San Francisco. But Bennett’s unique ability to travel through time and space brings him into Anna’s life, and with him, a new world of adventure and possibility.

As their relationship deepens, they face the reality that time might knock Bennett back where he belongs, even as a devastating crisis throws everything they believe into question. Against a ticking clock, Anna and Bennett are forced to ask themselves how far they can push the bounds of fate—and what consequences they can bear in order to stay together.

Fresh, exciting, and deeply romantic, TIME BETWEEN US is a stunning and spellbinding debut from an extraordinary new talent in YA fiction.

Review

   Anna and Bennett are worlds apart - literally.  She is living in 1995 Chicago and he is in 2012 San Francisco.  They were never supposed to meet, but Bennett is able to travel through time and space.  While he is looking for a missing person, he stays in Anna's town and goes to her high school (posing as a college student so his real Grandma will let him board/live with her and not ask questions).  Bennett tries to avoid Anna and not get involved, but as they get to know each other he finds it impossible to stay away.  Even though Bennett will eventually have to return to his own reality, whether he chooses to or time chooses for him.  Anna also has a decision to make - put her life on hold for something that might be impossible or take a chance on the life she's offered that she's always wanted.  I really loved Anna and Bennett.  They were both great main characters, fleshed out enough to sympathize with and feel like real people to me as a reader.  Anna is someone that I identified with majorly.  She is runner, works in her parents' bookstore and she wants to travel the world someday.  Plus we have the same name! :)  Bennett is confused, detached from his family and in search of something real.  Anna's best friend Emma, who is awesomely British, was a wonderful addition to the story and I adored their interactions - they were very realistic in the alternating conflict and unconditional support they offered each other.  Justin is another one of Anna's friends present in the story, but he is kind of a background character who doesn't really offer much with his presence.  The fact that Anna and Bennett try and be completely honest with each other was a novelty for me, because you see so much lying and acting behind the backs of others in YA literature these days.  Who knew honesty was alive and kicking?  Plus this book had one of my favorite elements EVER in a novel, time travel!  I would die with excitement if I ever had the ability to time travel.  It would be wonderful to go to different countries and historical places that no longer exist.  Plus Bennett can also travel through space, so if he just wants to go to modern day Paris for breakfast he can!  One thing that did make me mad was when he and Anna changed the outcome of a possibly tragic accident and there weren't any major consequences.  I would have liked to see it affect them just a little bit more than it did.  Overall, this book was a fun and heartrending read about the choices we have to make growing up, the effect they have on our lives afterward and what it would be like if we could change them for the better in time to make a difference.  I highly recommend this to anyone who is a fan of time travel, but be prepared to cry a little bit.

VERDICT:  4.5/5  Stars

*I received this book as part of Around the World ARC Tours, run by the lovely Princess Bookie. No favors or money were exchanged for this review. It will be available for purchase on October 9th, 2012.*

Don't Flirt With Me, You're Creepy...

Published: June 12th, 2012

Flirting In Italian

By: Lauren McBride

Delacorte Books For Young Readers

ISBN-13: 9780385741354

Four girls. One magical, and possibly dangerous Italian summer. Family mysteries, ancient castles, long hot nights of dancing under the stars . . . and, of course, plenty of gorgeous Italian boys!

Review

   Eighteen year old Violet is getting ready to go to university in the fall, but there is something she needs to know before she leaves - whether or not she was adopted.  After seeing a painting at the museum in which the girl is practically identical to her, Violet sets out on a quest to find out who the girl is.  The trail leads Violet to Italy.  For a cover story, she tells her Mum that she wants to learn Italian culture, art, history and language over the summer to prepare better for university.  Signing up for a course that will be taught by an Italian woman at her Villa home in the Italian countryside, Violet sets off to discover who she really is.  While there she befriends the other girls taking the course: two Americans, Kendra and Paige, and a fellow Brit, Kelly.  The girls are initially at odds, but they bond over mutual dislike of their teacher Catia's bitchy, evil daughter Elisa.  While trying to learn about the painting, Violet balances her studies, problems involving her new friends and the boy next door to the Villa, Luca.  He is sending her very mixed signals romantically, but Violet can't help but be attracted to his volatile personality.  But things may not be looking up, as it seems someone will stop at nothing to keep Violet from the truth of her birth - even if it means killing her...  This book started out very promisingly.  A light-hearted, summer adventure with mystery, romance and some good times with new friends.  I got a lot of that, but the mystery of the painting really intrigued me as well.  While being annoyed that Violet couldn't JUST ASK her Mum whether or not she was adopted, I did appreciate the need for it as a plot device.  The part that pissed me off was that Henderson inserts a mystery, then ignores it for most of the book.  Than, at the end of the novel, she gives a half-ass cop-out ending that hints at a rather unsatisfactory ending to the truth of Violet's roots.  Plus, a book that could have ended well in one volume suddenly spawns a sequel.  The idea of Violet belonging to the family that was insinuated REALLY pissed me off.  It was unnecessary, unlikely and utterly disgusting to my sensibilities (this coming from someone who managed to stomach the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy!).  Not recommended unless you love to be disappointed.

VERDICT:  2/5  Stars

*I received an Advanced Reading E-book Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. No money or favors were exchanged for this review. This book was published June 12, 2012.*