An All-Encompassing Pride and Prejudice Sequel!
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
TYPE OF AUSTENESQUE NOVEL: Sequel, Historical Fiction
TIME FRAME: After the conclusion of Pride and Prejudice: March 1814 – Summer 1815
MAIN CHARACTERS: Elizabeth, Darcy, Georgiana Darcy, Kitty and Mary Bennet, Lord Alfred, Captain Ramsey, Captain Stanton
WHY I WANTED TO READ THIS NOVEL:
I’ll be honest…I was wary about this sequel – while I do enjoy P&P sequels, they aren’t my favorite type Austenesque literature (variations and moderns are!) But I read the first several chapters and appreciated the balance between major and minor characters, familiar friends and original creations, historical backdrop and character development…and was very interested in seeing what would happen!
WHAT I LOVED:
- A New Family Saga: Similar to the novels of Rebecca Ann Collins, Sharon Lathan, and Marsha Altman this sequel is part of a multi (read: possible 7) book series! Following the lives of many characters and switching between many different story-lines, this series promises to be an all-encompassing and a comprehensive companion to Pride and Prejudice!
- The Darcys in Jane Austen’s World: This novel is half Pride and Prejudice sequel and half a work of historical fiction focusing on England in the years 1814 and 1815. Real-life historic events such as The Corn Bill, The Hundred Days, and The Battle of Waterloo are events Darcy and Elizabeth would have seen had they been real and not fictional. And in this sequel we see how these historic events could effect and shape their lives.
- A Private Mr. Darcy: I loved seeing Elizabeth discover her husband’s private persona! After his marriage, Darcy, in essentials, “is very much what he ever was.” He is responsible, respectable, and very reserved; this is how all his close friends and family member know him. But in his private moments with his wife, he shows his devotion, adoration, and tenderness that no one else sees; and it is so lovely to witness! I wish we saw even more of Mr. Darcy’s private side!
- Lessons in Love: With Georgiana making her debut and Kitty and Mary staying with the Darcys there is a lot of talk of love and suitors. I loved that their experiences with love weren’t too easy and fast. At one time there were two suitors for Georgiana and I could not tell which one I liked more and which one I thought she end up with. I enjoyed the suspense and development!
- Pride and Prejudice and the Navy: What is the one thing missing from Pride and Prejudice? The navy! 🙂 Not only do we meet some fine and admirable naval man, we learn loads about navy life, the ships they sail on, what their duties are, and how they earn their fortunes. There was a lot of detai,l but it was presented in an interesting and pertinent way. I found it all fascinating and appreciated the education.
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
- Hmmm. Really don’t have anything I wasn’t fond of, if anything there maybe was one or two instances where the pacing felt a little slow and needed just a little tightening.
CONCLUSION:
This Pride and Prejudice sequel was carefully and capably written; it is indisputable that Ms. Turner put in hours of research, painstakingly strived for authentic accuracy, and composed her tale with a lot of thought and astute attention to the period, historical time-line, and customs. A Constant Love is a compelling and captivating Pride and Prejudice sequel, and I am all eager anticipation for the second book in this series to come out!
I completely agree with your review, Meredith. A very strong, well-written, and engaging sequel. I love the addition of historical detail and depth, which to my mind in no way detracts from the exploration of characters. Highly recommended!
Thank you, Colleen! I’m glad to hear your own thoughts about this lovely book match my own! It deserves to have its praises sung! 😉
I actually really enjoy sequels (which is why Sharon Lathan’s will always be at the top of my JAFF list) so I am really looking forward to this series. I have purchased this one on your review and look forward to reading it!!
Awesome! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, Stephanie! 🙂 I tend to enjoy sequels when they focus more on minor characters like Mary, Georgiana, or Kitty – but this book also gave us plenty of D&E!
Hi Meredith, fantastic review and I love historical detail. This is on my TBR list but I have placed it near the top! I love sequels and I agree with Stephanie’s comments re Sharon Lathan.
Thank you, Michelle! I hope you get the chance to read it soon! I think it will please you immensely! 🙂
Sequels are also one of my least favorite JAFF though I couldn’t say why.
With all the good reviews this book is definitely on my TBR list. I really enjoy books that have a lot of accurate historical details. I have been hesitant to start this book though because it is an unfinished series and I am far too impatient lol. Seven books is a long time to wait though haha. Does this book have a solid ending or is it more of a cliffhanger ending?
I can’t put my finger on it either – I did notice that I favor sequels that deal more with other characters – besides D&E.
The history in this book was so well done, not too heavy-handed and not like a history textbook at all! I really did appreciate all I learned about this time period while reading. Definitely felt a new understanding that I didn’t have before.
The ending feels solid and while you know so events in the future will happen it doesn’t end you in painful suspense. 🙂
Variations are my favourite, then sequels – so I shall be reading this one and modern are my least favourite as I just don’t see the point of them.
🙂 It’s great that there is so much variety, we can all find plenty of what we prefer!
I, too, don’t usually enjoy sequels as much…love the chase so much more. But I read this as Claudine lent it to me and read the sequel as a WIP on fanfiction. I agree with your review – well done.
Yes, the chase! Perfect way to describe it. 🙂 Thanks for checking out my review, Sheila! Glad you enjoyed this one!
It sounds like a wonderful book! And you’re right, like chocolate, naval captains make anything better!
LOL! Agreed! 🙂
Sophie Turner is a brilliant P&P writer. I also read “A Change of Legacies,” hitch is her next book in this series me it’s everything is expect from her… I’m so glad you enjoyed it and gave it five stars!
That’s great to hear, Claudine! Makes me even more excite about her upcoming release!
I love family sagas, so it sounds good to me!
I’m sure you will love this one, Anna!
This book is for my wishlist! I love the balance between the plot and the historical references 🙂 and the Navy! I can’t wait to read It, thanks Meredith!
Yes, the balance was perfect! Very well done! 🙂 *swoon* the Navy!
I see lots to enchant in this one. Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely!
I have this on my wish list so was pleased to read your review. Can’t wait to read it now (although I do tend to avoid books in a series until I can buy them all if I enjoy them) Thank you.
I know what you mean about serials, but I think reading the closure in the first book of this series is satisfying enough that you won’t feel it is incomplete or leaving you hanging. 🙂
I thought I had this one on my kindle but I didn’t – so I remedied that quickly! Lol I’ve heard lots of great things about it. I generally prefer variations to sequels, too but I’m willing to give almost anything a go. Some of the D&E sequels I’ve read are either REALLY fluffy or REALLY angsty, with not much in between. I love fluff, but surely their lives aren’t going to be perfect all the time.
I’m happy you liked this one and I look forward to reading it myself. 🙂
🙂 Glad you have a copy now, Monica! I’m like you – not too big on the perfect fluff. Pictures of perfection and all that… I like for things to be more balanced. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did!
Thanks for the great review, Meredith! This sounds perfect, just the sort of story I’d love to read. Can’t believe I haven’t read it yet. This is got to be fixed soon 🙂
I think you would love this one, Joana! Right up your alley!