trish1oo1's reviews
270 reviews

emotional reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This novel takes a twist on a classic romance. With the love story happening in the beginning, only turmoil was bound to ensue. Newland Archer, initially infatuated by the simple beauty of his bride-to-be, May, finds himself hopelessly drawn to her unorthodox cousin Countess Olenska. This story explores the push and pull between the desires of the collective and the individual. Wharton explores how societal norms can feel like entrapment to one person and a necessary structure to another. Archer’s struggle is depicted through his interest in the Countess and aided by the social upheaval Countess Olenska causes. I found myself wondering if the story was of a romance at all and instead about the desire for independence.
At first, the reader could sympathize with Archer’s distaste for the rigid rules that govern Old New York. The monotony and stuffiness would be enough to feel suffocating to anyone. Eventually, the social intricacies unveil themselves to be complex and difficult to keep ahead of. Even Newland finds himself bested by the fast-moving changes. By the end of the book, Archer’s actions seem to admit that he may have been haughty and rash. Though I wonder if he had chosen the life that he desperately wanted in the beginning, where would it have taken him?
I think that is the brilliance of this novel, the questions it leaves the reader asking.

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

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adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced