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A review by hippolyta_vi
The Davenports by Krystal Marquis
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This book was exactly what I needed. I've been reading a lot of mediocre books recently, but this one grasped me from the get-go and didn't let me go. It was a perfect mix of Downton Abbey's charm, Bridgerton's romance (although MUCH more PG), and Self Made's black historical excellence. I would be absolutely thrilled if this were ever adapted to television.
I can praise this book to the moon and back, but it does have its faults. Whereas most authors spend 370-odd pages on one (maybe two) romances and plots, Marquis tells us four. Because of this, everyone's plots felt rushed and occasionally inauthentic. The characters fell in love too fast, and the climaxes fell too fast. I absolutely appreciate everything Marquis was able to fit into this story, but I felt it was often lacking.
For example, it was obvious that Olivia was skirting her duties as eldest daughter, sister, and friend to pursue activism and her love interest, but she doesn't reflect on it very much besides "wow I really missed a lot huh..." It could've been interesting to see her grappling with this feeling of being torn between two worlds. I think this reflection would've foreshadowed the decision she makes in the end (which happened so fast it was jarring).
And this is going to be a series, so why not draw out the plots? Let them breathe?
I'm also not sure what we were to make of Mr. And Mrs. Davenport. Firstly, they were mostly right about...everything. Were they supposed to be villainized? Also, for a former enslaved man and a woman who grew up impoverished, they seemed like any other 1910 aristocrats. I wished we got to learn more about them and how they adapted to riches and high society. This again reflects on how much detail was left out because so many plots needed to fit into 370ish pages.
All the male love interests kinda felt the same to me...ngl. and at some points the romances felt the same because chapter to chapter, the same thing would be happening to each couple. Like I'm pretty sure 2-3 of the couples have their first kiss in the span of a few chapters. Another drawback of four straight romances happening at once. Could this not have been four separate books, a lá Bridgeton?
Lastly, I love Ruby. I was eating UP her storyline. The things I would do to see it as a Netflix show...(even though they probably wouldn't do it justice).
Did I have a lot of criticisms for this book? Yes. Will I be reading the next book in the series? Absolutely.
I can praise this book to the moon and back, but it does have its faults. Whereas most authors spend 370-odd pages on one (maybe two) romances and plots, Marquis tells us four. Because of this, everyone's plots felt rushed and occasionally inauthentic. The characters fell in love too fast, and the climaxes fell too fast. I absolutely appreciate everything Marquis was able to fit into this story, but I felt it was often lacking.
For example, it was obvious that Olivia was skirting her duties as eldest daughter, sister, and friend to pursue activism and her love interest, but she doesn't reflect on it very much besides "wow I really missed a lot huh..." It could've been interesting to see her grappling with this feeling of being torn between two worlds. I think this reflection would've foreshadowed the decision she makes in the end (which happened so fast it was jarring).
And this is going to be a series, so why not draw out the plots? Let them breathe?
I'm also not sure what we were to make of Mr. And Mrs. Davenport. Firstly, they were mostly right about...everything. Were they supposed to be villainized? Also, for a former enslaved man and a woman who grew up impoverished, they seemed like any other 1910 aristocrats. I wished we got to learn more about them and how they adapted to riches and high society. This again reflects on how much detail was left out because so many plots needed to fit into 370ish pages.
All the male love interests kinda felt the same to me...ngl. and at some points the romances felt the same because chapter to chapter, the same thing would be happening to each couple. Like I'm pretty sure 2-3 of the couples have their first kiss in the span of a few chapters. Another drawback of four straight romances happening at once. Could this not have been four separate books, a lá Bridgeton?
Lastly, I love Ruby. I was eating UP her storyline. The things I would do to see it as a Netflix show...(even though they probably wouldn't do it justice).
Did I have a lot of criticisms for this book? Yes. Will I be reading the next book in the series? Absolutely.