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blissofalife's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A fun read, the narrator on the audiobook was phenomenal! The book itself felt like it needed a little extra editing. There were several side plots that came to nothing and made the middle-ending drag on. Like the entire side plot with the Great White Bear?? And the number of scenes where Guilford and Jane are just…reiterating that he’s a horse during the day. Very repetitive.
Found this book after binging and loving the series, not upset that the series is drastically different from the book, I enjoyed both of them for different reasons. The tv series was definitely aged up from the book content.
I think I will read more of the books in this series, but I’m gonna take a break. Again, it needed to be shorter.
Found this book after binging and loving the series, not upset that the series is drastically different from the book, I enjoyed both of them for different reasons. The tv series was definitely aged up from the book content.
I think I will read more of the books in this series, but I’m gonna take a break. Again, it needed to be shorter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Death, Sexual content, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
booksandbabble's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
jelkebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is one that has been on my TBR for AGES, and now with the tv show adaptation being out and getting a lot of hype I finally pushed myself to read this one. Sadly enough, it did end up dissapointing me quite a bit. I don't know it didn't fully work for me.
I did quite like Jane and G. I thought they were great characters to follow. I loved their dynamic, and overall I thought they made for a really cute ship. I loved the way their relationship was developed throughout the book. I also quite liked our cast of side characters. I thought they helped bring the novel to live. The only character I really disliked is our third POV, Edward. I thought he was a misogynistic piece of shit, and his redemption arc felt extremely forced and disingenious. I get that him being extremely sexist is period accurate, but considering so much of this book isn't period accurate I feel like we could have left that character trait out as well.
I do think the plot was a bit dragged out and lackluster. I feel like for most of this book not a whole lot happened, and it overall just was extremely slow moving. On top of that I feel like what was happening was extremely high stakes, but we kept getting side tracked with stupid, juvenile, romantic drama. I get that these feelings are accurate for the age of these characters, but Edward constantly thinking about how he hasn't kissed a girl yet in an extreme life or death situation just didn't work for me. It feels like it completely undermines the stakes of the novel.
I do think this book was very fun, and silly. It definitely needs some suspension of disbelief. You need to go with the very unserious flow. The magic system doesn't always make the most sense either, but it never really is that bothersome if you don't let it be.
I did quite like Jane and G. I thought they were great characters to follow. I loved their dynamic, and overall I thought they made for a really cute ship. I loved the way their relationship was developed throughout the book. I also quite liked our cast of side characters. I thought they helped bring the novel to live. The only character I really disliked is our third POV, Edward. I thought he was a misogynistic piece of shit, and his redemption arc felt extremely forced and disingenious. I get that him being extremely sexist is period accurate, but considering so much of this book isn't period accurate I feel like we could have left that character trait out as well.
I do think the plot was a bit dragged out and lackluster. I feel like for most of this book not a whole lot happened, and it overall just was extremely slow moving. On top of that I feel like what was happening was extremely high stakes, but we kept getting side tracked with stupid, juvenile, romantic drama. I get that these feelings are accurate for the age of these characters, but Edward constantly thinking about how he hasn't kissed a girl yet in an extreme life or death situation just didn't work for me. It feels like it completely undermines the stakes of the novel.
I do think this book was very fun, and silly. It definitely needs some suspension of disbelief. You need to go with the very unserious flow. The magic system doesn't always make the most sense either, but it never really is that bothersome if you don't let it be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Grief and Alcohol
katie_helf96's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Very good YA rewrite of history! I loved the added magic and how the rewrites did fit in with the history we know (to a point, you’ll see what I mean if you read the book). The relationship between Jane and G was very sweet. I originally read this because I saw teasers about the show (it was made into an Amazon Prime series) but just with the limited bits I’ve seen of the show and the fact that I’ve read the book, I’m going to say that the book is better. They seem to have dramatized the show and therefore altered the book. I’m still interested in watching the show but I think they made some unnecessary changes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Violence
blewballoon's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I went into this with low expectations. I have heard good things about the show adaptation that just came out, and I wanted to read the book first. My assumption was that I'd actually like the show more once I saw it, and the book would feel too cheesy, try-hard, and dated, but there would be changes to smooth it out in the adaptation. Now I've got the opposite feeling and I'm wondering if the show will be able to live up to how fun, earnest, and chaotic this book was. I had such a great time! The audiobook narrator sells the hell out of it, she's giving it 150% for every sentence, and it absolutely worked for me. The romance surprised me as well with how sweet and tender it was. I'm sad the book is over, honestly, I really enjoyed the ride.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement and Death of parent
elizabeth_juliet's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
I am not one typically drawn to fantasy, but this book had me in its grasp, and I would have finished it faster had I not been studying for midterms! I am typically a historical fiction type of girl, and Lady Jane Grey and that period of English history has always fascinated me and while this was a “(not) entirely true story”, this historical retelling with fantasy flavors bewitched me and left me longing for more after I turned the last page.
Lady Jane is a spunky, short redhead who dances to the beat of her own drum (ie. enjoys spending time reading books rather than chasing romance. Her cousin Edward is king of England, yet he has recently fallen ill with a mysterious sickness, and seeks to solidify his line of succession should he die. Unfortunately for Jane, this means Edward has arranged for her to marry Gifford, a noble boy with a surprising secret. As the three are pulled into throne-stealing conspiracies, they must work together (with a little magically help) to untangle their problems and create their own happily ever after quite different from what is in the history books.
Chock full of jokes and lovable characters, My Lady Jane is sure to keep you laughing and wondering what surprising plot twist is coming next!
Lady Jane is a spunky, short redhead who dances to the beat of her own drum (ie. enjoys spending time reading books rather than chasing romance. Her cousin Edward is king of England, yet he has recently fallen ill with a mysterious sickness, and seeks to solidify his line of succession should he die. Unfortunately for Jane, this means Edward has arranged for her to marry Gifford, a noble boy with a surprising secret. As the three are pulled into throne-stealing conspiracies, they must work together (with a little magically help) to untangle their problems and create their own happily ever after quite different from what is in the history books.
Chock full of jokes and lovable characters, My Lady Jane is sure to keep you laughing and wondering what surprising plot twist is coming next!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Sexism
Forced marriage andephalent's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
sapphic_swiftie's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
this was such a fun and unique read! one of my favorite things about it were the dynamic and strong-willed characters!! jane was my favorite with her bookish interests, strength, and relatibility! i also liked the ways her and gifford's relationship progressed as the novel went on and they got to know each other better! speaking of which, i just thought the romance in this novel was done well all-around in regards to both the prominent relationships!
i have to say though, this book got really really cringey at some points. i get that it was part of the whole "humor" aspect of the book but sometimes the jokes just didn't land for me. similarly some of the things that happened i found to just be outright ridicuolous and far-fetched. like i understand that it is not supposed to be a historically accurate story and that many creative liberties were taken, but there were points where things just went too far. also the insertion of the narrator's voice at random points in the middle of the story just wasn't exactly for me either.
i'm starting to sound really negative, but truly, i did enjoy it!! i felt like it had such great vibes and i really enjoyed learning the history surrounding the events. i did a ton of googling and learning about henry viii, his wives, and kids (even though no actual historical events were really potrayed in the book) that i even listed to some of the six the musical soundtrack and now want to go see it lol! i also will likely read the next book in the series so i am glad i picked this one up!
i have to say though, this book got really really cringey at some points. i get that it was part of the whole "humor" aspect of the book but sometimes the jokes just didn't land for me. similarly some of the things that happened i found to just be outright ridicuolous and far-fetched. like i understand that it is not supposed to be a historically accurate story and that many creative liberties were taken, but there were points where things just went too far. also the insertion of the narrator's voice at random points in the middle of the story just wasn't exactly for me either.
i'm starting to sound really negative, but truly, i did enjoy it!! i felt like it had such great vibes and i really enjoyed learning the history surrounding the events. i did a ton of googling and learning about henry viii, his wives, and kids (even though no actual historical events were really potrayed in the book) that i even listed to some of the six the musical soundtrack and now want to go see it lol! i also will likely read the next book in the series so i am glad i picked this one up!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Death, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty, Confinement, and Stalking
calamitywindpetal's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
Minor: Death and Death of parent
kassidyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Death, Incest, and Alcohol