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fanboyriot's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Dearest Gentle Reader, this book wasn’t what I was expecting. While it did bring to life the characters and their stories, I feel as though it fell rather flat compared to the show. I did enjoy the epilogues and the audiobook was narrated rather nicely, I don’t think I will be continuing this book series as of now. It was entertaining just not really worth it to me, perhaps I’ll revisit this series later though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Classism
Moderate: Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Body shaming, Cursing, Fatphobia, Violence, Blood, Vomit, and Alcohol
readingwithkaitlyn's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Grief, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Racism, Terminal illness, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy
random_37's review against another edition
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Racism
sophia_irene's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.0
Okay so here’s the thing.
The Duke and I (and Bridgerton in general) is sold to you as a sappy, fluffy romance that will make you happy and giggly… and yeah. The inside is literally what is on the package. The Duke and I is basically a good ol’ historical romance.
Julia Quinn is (unexpectedly?) a really good storyteller! Her dialogues are very well crafted, the relationships and personalities of her characters take form just from their speech. It’s incredible and a skill like only 5 other writers have.
An overall 4 ⭐️ but I deduced one for the LITERAL CRIME that was committed and never addressed.
The Duke and I (and Bridgerton in general) is sold to you as a sappy, fluffy romance that will make you happy and giggly… and yeah. The inside is literally what is on the package. The Duke and I is basically a good ol’ historical romance.
Julia Quinn is (unexpectedly?) a really good storyteller! Her dialogues are very well crafted, the relationships and personalities of her characters take form just from their speech. It’s incredible and a skill like only 5 other writers have.
An overall 4 ⭐️ but I deduced one for the LITERAL CRIME that was committed and never addressed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny and Violence
Minor: Racism
booksbyantheia's review against another edition
challenging
funny
medium-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? It's complicated
1.75
Leer estos libros en traducción se me hace más fácil que en su versión original. Todavía no sé por qué. Quizás porque la prosa de Julia Quinn se vuelve bastante insufrible a veces.
No voy a ahondar en detalles, prácticamente. Todos sabemos de los tonos racistas de este libro en particular, del machismo del cual se hace gala en casi todos los varones (razón por la cual resaltan los personajes femeninos; aún no logro entender si esto es una virtud o realmente Quinn es tonta). Un trope interesante, dos personajes construidos perfectamente. Una sensible y otro reacio a las emociones.
Tenía el tono perfecto. Por un 80% del libro, los tonos racistas y machistas quedaban como datos hechos por y para resaltar a otros.
Y después, la violación.
Es irónico. Páginas antes, Daphne le plantea un no. Se niega a compartir su lecho con Simon. El duque se vuelve violento, un machito más. Pero se va. SE VA.
UNA ESCENA PODEROSA DEL CONSENTIMIENTO.
PARA LUEGO HACER ESO.
Lo que más molesta del caso es cómo Daphne (y Julia, y el tarado del showrunner después) intentan justificarse. Que él la animó, que él no cumplió, que él la engaño. Ver cómo Simon se vuelve tan vulnerable prácticamente quema.
Odio a Julia Quinn. Realmente no puedo entender cómo esta serie siguió. Incluso con las leves mejoras (es decir, CONSENTIMIENTO), ¿nadie puso un alto?
La última parte del libro se te pasa en un suspiro porque no querés leerla. Ni siquiera el cierre casi cíclico de la historia te hace sonreír, de la bronca.
En fin. Ya estoy acostumbrada a las novelas históricas, pero realmente esto me saca de quicio. Quinn se vende a sí misma y a sus libros como "histórica y feminista" cuando no es más que una blanca con un grave complejo sexista.
Igual que Daphne.
No voy a ahondar en detalles, prácticamente. Todos sabemos de los tonos racistas de este libro en particular, del machismo del cual se hace gala en casi todos los varones (razón por la cual resaltan los personajes femeninos; aún no logro entender si esto es una virtud o realmente Quinn es tonta). Un trope interesante, dos personajes construidos perfectamente. Una sensible y otro reacio a las emociones.
Tenía el tono perfecto. Por un 80% del libro, los tonos racistas y machistas quedaban como datos hechos por y para resaltar a otros.
Y después, la violación.
Es irónico. Páginas antes, Daphne le plantea un no. Se niega a compartir su lecho con Simon. El duque se vuelve violento, un machito más. Pero se va. SE VA.
UNA ESCENA PODEROSA DEL CONSENTIMIENTO.
PARA LUEGO HACER ESO.
Lo que más molesta del caso es cómo Daphne (y Julia, y el tarado del showrunner después) intentan justificarse. Que él la animó, que él no cumplió, que él la engaño. Ver cómo Simon se vuelve tan vulnerable prácticamente quema.
Odio a Julia Quinn. Realmente no puedo entender cómo esta serie siguió. Incluso con las leves mejoras (es decir, CONSENTIMIENTO), ¿nadie puso un alto?
La última parte del libro se te pasa en un suspiro porque no querés leerla. Ni siquiera el cierre casi cíclico de la historia te hace sonreír, de la bronca.
En fin. Ya estoy acostumbrada a las novelas históricas, pero realmente esto me saca de quicio. Quinn se vende a sí misma y a sus libros como "histórica y feminista" cuando no es más que una blanca con un grave complejo sexista.
Igual que Daphne.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Pregnancy
hmlongstreet's review against another edition
challenging
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.5
Having watched the Netflix show first, I found at times always comparing the show to the book and vice versa. I have also read serval other comments on multiple different platforms about peoples opinions on the book before I had finished it. Some love it some hate it and I would be lying if I said other peoples opinions on this novel didn't affect my opinion on the it. But putting that aside I will give MY opinion on the events of the book and to what others have said about it.
Firsts things first I consider the books and shows as separate entities and did compare the two but only because I liked to see what the show added and what the book added to the overall story.
This whole section will be spoilers so skip to the bottom if you want my overall view.
One common thing I heard being said was the racist undertones which I have a bit to say about. Simon says "I am not some sacrificial lamb to be slaughtered on the altar of your mother" and Colin replies "You have spent a lot of time in Africa, haven't you?" It is just that one line towards the beginning of the book. This line could be taken as a racist remark, and I am not sure if this is actually the line everyone is referring to when they speak of the racism in the book. I will say it is off putting when you first read it, considering it has no significance to the story. It can also be taken two ways, 1. that actual humans are being sacrificed in Africa or 2. Colin is referring to an African tradition of slaughtering a lamb and it it most likely the latter. It is worded strange and if you read it fast it can come off as concerning.
The rape scene, the one everyone talks about. I heard about this scene long before I decided to read the books. The only thing that I didn't know is what lead up to it and the events after. I don't condone rape. However, I did hint at the authors attempt to rectify the situation by making both parties feel ponder their actions. That being said there was no strong repercussions to Daphne and she still got what she wanted in the end. I believe that along with the act itself this is the main reason I why people did not like. I am not trying to glancing over it, but it is just one aspect of the book that was a distasteful inclusion, which can be the case with any other book.
Finally the misogynistic and possessiveness of the characters. All I can say is that, some people like that and it is 1813. Woman were literally property of their husbands and it creates historical relevance.
With all that out of the way it was a pretty alright story. At times I found it cute, sweet and passionate and other times I had my nose turning and saying "This is awkward". However I probably wouldn't have picked up this book if it weren't for the show, which I watched first. However I will be reading the whole series so If you care about my reviews there will be many more Bridgerton ones to come.
Firsts things first I consider the books and shows as separate entities and did compare the two but only because I liked to see what the show added and what the book added to the overall story.
This whole section will be spoilers so skip to the bottom if you want my overall view.
The rape scene, the one everyone talks about. I heard about this scene long before I decided to read the books. The only thing that I didn't know is what lead up to it and the events after. I don't condone rape. However, I did hint at the authors attempt to rectify the situation by making both parties feel ponder their actions. That being said there was no strong repercussions to Daphne and she still got what she wanted in the end. I believe that along with the act itself this is the main reason I why people did not like. I am not trying to glancing over it, but it is just one aspect of the book that was a distasteful inclusion, which can be the case with any other book.
Finally the misogynistic and possessiveness of the characters. All I can say is that, some people like that and it is 1813. Woman were literally property of their husbands and it creates historical relevance.
With all that out of the way it was a pretty alright story. At times I found it cute, sweet and passionate and other times I had my nose turning and saying "This is awkward". However I probably wouldn't have picked up this book if it weren't for the show, which I watched first. However I will be reading the whole series so If you care about my reviews there will be many more Bridgerton ones to come.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Minor: Racism, Violence, and Alcohol
rickieskidmore's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Racism
hannahsutherland's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Easy, light reading. Weird plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Rape
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
gemmagetson's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Child abuse, Racism, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
pisola's review against another edition
I didn't enjoy the style of writing as well as the sexists and racist themes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Racism and Sexism