rachvolle's review against another edition
3.0
Just Okay
As stated in the title, this is definitely a retelling of Pride and Prejudice. I enjoyed the world the author created and did not enjoy the characters very much. That's mainly because of how resistant they are. It's just ok, in my opinion, and I probably wouldn't recommend it or at least list it as a favorite read of mine. That's at no fault of the author. She did a great job capturing the world and characters.
As stated in the title, this is definitely a retelling of Pride and Prejudice. I enjoyed the world the author created and did not enjoy the characters very much. That's mainly because of how resistant they are. It's just ok, in my opinion, and I probably wouldn't recommend it or at least list it as a favorite read of mine. That's at no fault of the author. She did a great job capturing the world and characters.
dalessilim's review against another edition
5.0
Well all I had to do was see Rachel's instagram reels talking about her story that took inspiration from Pride and Prejudice and added gothic gloom and ghosts and a broody prince.
Um, yes, sign me up for that yesterday, please and thank you.
I read this in 2 days, only because I could not just sit and read in one sitting and had to force myself to sleep rather than stay up all night. Darn responsibilties.
This story has ALL the elements that we love about Pride and Prejudice: lingering looks, witty banter, hand flexes and touches
Um, yes, sign me up for that yesterday, please and thank you.
I read this in 2 days, only because I could not just sit and read in one sitting and had to force myself to sleep rather than stay up all night. Darn responsibilties.
This story has ALL the elements that we love about Pride and Prejudice: lingering looks, witty banter, hand flexes and touches
lisalovesreading's review against another edition
5.0
A page turner from start to finish
A refreshing re-telling of my favourite novel, Pride & Pr
Prejudice and I loved the murder mystery aspects along with delving into discovering a new Fae world. The characters and plot were strong and I felt invested in their happiness.
A refreshing re-telling of my favourite novel, Pride & Pr
Prejudice and I loved the murder mystery aspects along with delving into discovering a new Fae world. The characters and plot were strong and I felt invested in their happiness.
tori_renee_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
3.0
This was just meh for me. It’s a fae retelling of Pride and Prejudice which initially made me pick it up. There is no spice, which I didn’t realize before picking it up, and I feel like a lot of these types of books have a very weird balance where the plot isn’t great but the spice is or the spice is meh but the plot is great. This was one of those books that having spice probably would’ve saved the meh plot.
It’s so formulaicly P&P that I was able to predict everything miles away. The characters aren’t as developed because they are archetypes of the originals which made it harder to be invested. The FMC is also really annoying and repetitive throughout. The only redeeming part was the ghosts, Cordelia, and Fitz. I liked the added haunted elements because it actually gave stakes for the rest of the plot.
It was a good popcorn, fantasy escape that I read in one day to help cope with anxiety so do with that what you will.
It’s so formulaicly P&P that I was able to predict everything miles away. The characters aren’t as developed because they are archetypes of the originals which made it harder to be invested. The FMC is also really annoying and repetitive throughout. The only redeeming part was the ghosts, Cordelia, and Fitz. I liked the added haunted elements because it actually gave stakes for the rest of the plot.
It was a good popcorn, fantasy escape that I read in one day to help cope with anxiety so do with that what you will.
ash_bookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
I wish I could give this like a 3.75 stars. There were a few things that I was confused about such as Elle’s family saw Fitz murder people before but all of a sudden they find a body(I wasn’t sure how finding this body tied Fitz to his sisters death) and all of a sudden they pack up to rush to leave the castle.
I did like the pride and prejudice vibes and thought this was a really cool concept for a story. I do like the relationship between Elle and Fitz and I want more! I feel like their story is just getting started!
I did like the pride and prejudice vibes and thought this was a really cool concept for a story. I do like the relationship between Elle and Fitz and I want more! I feel like their story is just getting started!
caitwbowerz's review against another edition
adventurous
4.0
I so enjoyed the fae spin on one of my all-time favorite stories. The character development was cool and the plot details were creative. I do wish there had been a bit more spice in the romantic relationship - that’s probably my biggest complaint.
michaelalee412's review against another edition
3.0
When I first heard of Castle of Dusk and Shadow, I was fully on board, a loose retelling of my favorite Pride and Prejudice… Sign me up!
When I first started the book, it felt almost like a carbon copy and not loose, and I was worried for how the magic system would come into play. But once we entered Brytwilde I understood the reasons why Schade started the story the way she did.
The tension between Fitz and Elle was great, and in true PnP fashion he falls first and fights it, and she despises what he stands for, or rather what she THINKS he stands for. I love the magic system in this book. It was unique and explained in a way that helped you to understand how this world works.
This is a slow burn clean romance, but the tropes are endless! One bed, he falls first, Touch her and die (Literally!), marriage of convenience.
When I first started the book, it felt almost like a carbon copy and not loose, and I was worried for how the magic system would come into play. But once we entered Brytwilde I understood the reasons why Schade started the story the way she did.
The tension between Fitz and Elle was great, and in true PnP fashion he falls first and fights it, and she despises what he stands for, or rather what she THINKS he stands for. I love the magic system in this book. It was unique and explained in a way that helped you to understand how this world works.
This is a slow burn clean romance, but the tropes are endless! One bed, he falls first, Touch her and die (Literally!), marriage of convenience.
silver_valkyrie_reads's review against another edition
This is right in that zone where I feel bad giving up on it, but I'm also just not interested enough to continue. Am I overly harsh on Jane Austen retellings for never being as good as actual Austen books? Maybe. Am I overly weirded out by Fae stories just because I've read ones I didn't like? Maybe.
Still not having fun with this though, so moving on regardless.
Still not having fun with this though, so moving on regardless.
cantstopwontstopreading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Lots of romantasy books seem to struggle to walk the line between fantasy and romance- swaying wildly between romance and fantasy to the detriment of the pace and plot of the story. This is not one of those books. I was hooked by the mystery and world building, and loved the slow burn romance.