tamreel_stitches's review against another edition
2.0
I received this book as a Good Reads first winner. I didn't really like it. It's set in the future where were back to class status. It was rather dark and depressing.
kasiej's review
4.0
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
I'm pretty conflicted by Landry Park. I was honestly super excited to read it at first. The cover, the blurb, everything was going so well! Then I started it and it started off so slow and irritating. Madeline is your typical spoiled brat. She doesn't want the same things her parents do, which is completely understandable, but at one point she just sounded like a whiny 12 year old (and IDK her age, IDR the author mentioning any ages).
09/22 - 6.0% - "I just finished the first chapter and already it's about one of those, "but I don't wannnaaa" girls."
I still don't like Madeline very much. However, I believe the rest of the characters helped make up for that. There was quite an array of different people that surrounded Madeline and even though she was terribly lacking, they were not.
The history behind Madeline's world never added up. Even at the end after the twist. It still felt a little too scripted. Almost as if the author was pushing too hard to get the scenario she wanted. Yes, a post-Edwardian era now set in the future of Kansas City is interesting. I did enjoy that, but it was forced.
I would have preferred the secondary romance for Madeline, but that's just my personal preference. Something about David felt wrong. I wouldn't have been able to let him string me along like Madeline did.
Now for all the negatives things I said, it might seem a little off that I'm still giving it 4 stars. Well, about 1/3 of the way into the book things really started to pick up. It got exciting and interesting. Even though Madeline was still full of self loathing, the plot grew more and more interesting. Then you through in the twist at the end! The final couple chapters were brutal and defining. I really liked it. I honestly can't wait for the second one.
If the author can pick up on all the little tweaks before the second book, I think this series as a whole will be incredible.
(^.^) <3
I'm pretty conflicted by Landry Park. I was honestly super excited to read it at first. The cover, the blurb, everything was going so well! Then I started it and it started off so slow and irritating. Madeline is your typical spoiled brat. She doesn't want the same things her parents do, which is completely understandable, but at one point she just sounded like a whiny 12 year old (and IDK her age, IDR the author mentioning any ages).
09/22 - 6.0% - "I just finished the first chapter and already it's about one of those, "but I don't wannnaaa" girls."
I still don't like Madeline very much. However, I believe the rest of the characters helped make up for that. There was quite an array of different people that surrounded Madeline and even though she was terribly lacking, they were not.
The history behind Madeline's world never added up. Even at the end after the twist. It still felt a little too scripted. Almost as if the author was pushing too hard to get the scenario she wanted. Yes, a post-Edwardian era now set in the future of Kansas City is interesting. I did enjoy that, but it was forced.
I would have preferred the secondary romance for Madeline, but that's just my personal preference. Something about David felt wrong. I wouldn't have been able to let him string me along like Madeline did.
Now for all the negatives things I said, it might seem a little off that I'm still giving it 4 stars. Well, about 1/3 of the way into the book things really started to pick up. It got exciting and interesting. Even though Madeline was still full of self loathing, the plot grew more and more interesting. Then you through in the twist at the end! The final couple chapters were brutal and defining. I really liked it. I honestly can't wait for the second one.
If the author can pick up on all the little tweaks before the second book, I think this series as a whole will be incredible.
(^.^) <3
greergreer's review
4.0
Ok, so the consensus is that this is Downton Abbey in a dystopian world and the masses are right. I love Downton Abbey and I love dystopian books so this one was right up my alley. I loved the characters in this book but I would have picked Jude but besides that. We have an heiress that bucks the system. Even though her family has made the world what it is, hierarchy of ruling class to the lowest saddest class, she is tormented to help but still afraid to lose it all. Yes there is a sequel and I do plan on reading it. In fact I found it first before I realized I needed to read this one.
amarylissw's review
2.0
In short, this book was bland.
While the premise is interesting enough, it does not set apart from the hordes of other dystopian books. I was willing to let the book itself prove its worth, though. However, I quickly found that the writing, while decent in its descriptions, was juvenile in its world-building, characterization, and plotting. The protagonist was cliché and annoying, the love interest typical. There was nothing in this book that stood out.
While the premise is interesting enough, it does not set apart from the hordes of other dystopian books. I was willing to let the book itself prove its worth, though. However, I quickly found that the writing, while decent in its descriptions, was juvenile in its world-building, characterization, and plotting. The protagonist was cliché and annoying, the love interest typical. There was nothing in this book that stood out.
sarahtissh's review
2.0
After letting this settle for about an hour, I have come to a conclusion: this book was definitely meh. It didn't have a uniqueness to it and felt very generic. The plot was meh and the characters were a bit annoying. The book seemed to be at the same place with no development within the story too much. Until the end, which felt rushed and had no substance. This book was just one big meh.
cendi's review
5.0
Reviewed By: Paperback Princesses
Set far in the future, Landry Park is the first in a two book series. Here, we meet Madeline Landry. Her only want is to attend university, but as the first born, she is to inherit her home Landry Park, and the legacy that comes with it. She realizes her luxe life is not all as it seems when David Dana shows up. She becomes a sympathizer to those at the bottom, the Rootless, and does what she can to help them, even as severe punishment looms should she get caught.
The book was well written, and relatively fast-paced. There is science fiction, romance, and a little bit of background war, so there might be a little bit for everyone. Even so, it’s largely geared toward girls.
Landry Park is comparable The Selection, which if you know me, you know is my favorite book series at the moment. I was looking for something along those lines when this book caught my eye, and I am so glad I picked it up. I must say a bit of this book is fluff, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. It was just the book I was looking for in the wake of my The Selection obsession.
I would definitely read this one again, and I’m not sure if I can wait until August, when the sequel Jubilee Manor is released.
Set far in the future, Landry Park is the first in a two book series. Here, we meet Madeline Landry. Her only want is to attend university, but as the first born, she is to inherit her home Landry Park, and the legacy that comes with it. She realizes her luxe life is not all as it seems when David Dana shows up. She becomes a sympathizer to those at the bottom, the Rootless, and does what she can to help them, even as severe punishment looms should she get caught.
The book was well written, and relatively fast-paced. There is science fiction, romance, and a little bit of background war, so there might be a little bit for everyone. Even so, it’s largely geared toward girls.
Landry Park is comparable The Selection, which if you know me, you know is my favorite book series at the moment. I was looking for something along those lines when this book caught my eye, and I am so glad I picked it up. I must say a bit of this book is fluff, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. It was just the book I was looking for in the wake of my The Selection obsession.
I would definitely read this one again, and I’m not sure if I can wait until August, when the sequel Jubilee Manor is released.
lisa_mc's review
2.0
More like 2.5 but not quite 3, better than "OK" but not "good." It's like the author tried to cram in dystopian future, social justice, feminism, family relationships and a love triangle but doesn't delve too deeply into any of these areas. Madeline, the narrator (everyone in this book, it seems, has a name that has recently been in the top 10, and this book is supposed to be set 200 years in the future) is the heir to Landry Park, a gentry estate. Her job is basically to learn how to run the estate, look pretty and get a husband so she can produce an heir. But Madeline wants to go to university, and the more she learns about the plight of the Rootless, society's underclass, the less she wants to follow the path laid out for her.
The book has a slow start but picks up the pace and moves along pretty well. Madeline is sort of a flat character, though. She's bookish and ethical and does the right thing, yay, but lacks the "spark" of more memorable heroines.
The book has a slow start but picks up the pace and moves along pretty well. Madeline is sort of a flat character, though. She's bookish and ethical and does the right thing, yay, but lacks the "spark" of more memorable heroines.