la_cori's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.0
unravelanelephant's review against another edition
DNF at wherever the assault happens. Nope.
hereiskir's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ebbie_casuallereading's review against another edition
4.0
3.5, rounded up
I picked this up before completing season 2 of the TV show and after dnfing a book I had high expectation for. I wanted to go to the source material before continuing the show as I was puzzled over how they changed and kept stuff comparing to the original (maybe because season 2, where I'm at, feels like it stalling quite a bit).
I read the ebook format, which has some bonus content at the end that explained some of the things I observed reading it, mainly that it's way more focused on the "main story" of Daphne and Simon. We don't get as much from the other Bridgerton family, nor of anyone else really. Whistledown is there of course and her identity is a mystery, but it's not really that big of a thing from the get go. Daphne isn't the Queen's chosen one or anything, in fact quite the opposite. And even though I love me a book that is complex, with a lot of characters and all kind of stuff going on everywhere, it was a nice change of pace where I could immerse myself into the story between the two main character. I also liked that Simon's childhood is more present from the start, that his trauma (even though it is present in the show) is more at the center stage of his actions. But that could be explained by the fact we have access to both characters' inner monologue.
And so, the infamous scene is way less... horrible I guess? However, I felt Daphne's intention were better motivated in the show than in the book for this scene. To me, it's the only thing the show has over the book on this depection of the whole thing. The fact we have access to a more nuance version, from both sides, make it a little less icky. It is still not great, and I'm not yet sure I'm 100% behind how the reconciliation is explain in sight of what happened, but it's "ok-er".
Now, I did have some issues with the use of "female" for the first half of the book. Way to often, and even without, we would still have the regency feel of the dialogue and wording, so I don't see why it was use as often. We already have the whole way society works to emphasize sexism, I don't see why this was necessary on top of it.
However, I LOVE the way "honor" was presented through men's actions and through the way Daphne thinks/talks about it. It made me realize things about our own era that I wouldn't have thought about otherwise.
It's a good, easy read, but I will say that, sometimes, it felt a bit too full of cheeze, and other time, I felt like the characters were one and the same. Maybe that's the hit you have to take when you focus on a very specific story and don't develop the secondary characters as much? But to be fair, there were times (only a few) where I had to do a double take as to who was talking between Simon and Daphne. Not saying they are that similar, but in the way they talk... sometimes yes.
I picked this up before completing season 2 of the TV show and after dnfing a book I had high expectation for. I wanted to go to the source material before continuing the show as I was puzzled over how they changed and kept stuff comparing to the original (maybe because season 2, where I'm at, feels like it stalling quite a bit).
I read the ebook format, which has some bonus content at the end that explained some of the things I observed reading it, mainly that it's way more focused on the "main story" of Daphne and Simon. We don't get as much from the other Bridgerton family, nor of anyone else really. Whistledown is there of course and her identity is a mystery, but it's not really that big of a thing from the get go. Daphne isn't the Queen's chosen one or anything, in fact quite the opposite. And even though I love me a book that is complex, with a lot of characters and all kind of stuff going on everywhere, it was a nice change of pace where I could immerse myself into the story between the two main character. I also liked that Simon's childhood is more present from the start, that his trauma (even though it is present in the show) is more at the center stage of his actions. But that could be explained by the fact we have access to both characters' inner monologue.
And so, the infamous scene is way less... horrible I guess? However, I felt Daphne's intention were better motivated in the show than in the book for this scene. To me, it's the only thing the show has over the book on this depection of the whole thing. The fact we have access to a more nuance version, from both sides, make it a little less icky. It is still not great, and I'm not yet sure I'm 100% behind how the reconciliation is explain in sight of what happened, but it's "ok-er".
Now, I did have some issues with the use of "female" for the first half of the book. Way to often, and even without, we would still have the regency feel of the dialogue and wording, so I don't see why it was use as often. We already have the whole way society works to emphasize sexism, I don't see why this was necessary on top of it.
However, I LOVE the way "honor" was presented through men's actions and through the way Daphne thinks/talks about it. It made me realize things about our own era that I wouldn't have thought about otherwise.
It's a good, easy read, but I will say that, sometimes, it felt a bit too full of cheeze, and other time, I felt like the characters were one and the same. Maybe that's the hit you have to take when you focus on a very specific story and don't develop the secondary characters as much? But to be fair, there were times (only a few) where I had to do a double take as to who was talking between Simon and Daphne. Not saying they are that similar, but in the way they talk... sometimes yes.
allymaas's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
shianne821's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
emmachxlsea's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
sim0ne's review against another edition
2.0
Really really liked the first half maybe 3/4th of the book but that one scene ruined the entire book for me!
_xia_'s review against another edition
3.0
A 3,5 stars kinda review. I'll have to be honest, I think I liked the Netflix adaptation a bit more (don't crucify me).
It took me so long to actually finish this book, not because I was dreading it, but simply because I could always find something more entertaining than actually reading it. Don't get me wrong, it's not all boring parts, but the very first half of this book simply was... Uneventful. Up until they got married and the drama started, I didn't feel particularly drawn to this novel.
I liked the bickering brothers the most and I look forward to reading their books, but I just didn't fell head over heals over Simon and Daphne: i liked the premise, I didn't quite like how so easy Simon changes just to give this story a happy ending, and I sure didn't like Daphne's abuser kinks. Not cool.
Having said that, after that first boring courtship situation it felt like an easy read, I got it over in two days (comparing to the rest of the book that took me almost a month). The writer's style is easy-going without compromising the period it was supposed to represent.
I'm hoping for a much more grabbing story int he next book, so we'll just have to wait and see.
It took me so long to actually finish this book, not because I was dreading it, but simply because I could always find something more entertaining than actually reading it. Don't get me wrong, it's not all boring parts, but the very first half of this book simply was... Uneventful. Up until they got married and the drama started, I didn't feel particularly drawn to this novel.
I liked the bickering brothers the most and I look forward to reading their books, but I just didn't fell head over heals over Simon and Daphne: i liked the premise, I didn't quite like how so easy Simon changes just to give this story a happy ending, and I sure didn't like Daphne's abuser kinks. Not cool.
Having said that, after that first boring courtship situation it felt like an easy read, I got it over in two days (comparing to the rest of the book that took me almost a month). The writer's style is easy-going without compromising the period it was supposed to represent.
I'm hoping for a much more grabbing story int he next book, so we'll just have to wait and see.