A Powerful Love Versus The Impossibility of Being Together
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
TYPE OF NOVEL: Time Travel Pride and Prejudice Adaptation
SETTING: Begins in both March 1811 and March 2011
SYNOPSIS:A Bronze-Age Stone Circle near Pemberley has the inexplicable and secret power to bring people forwards and backwards in time, and an unsuspecting modern-day Elizabeth Bennet finds herself brought back to the year 1811 while touring the site. While waiting for her opportunity to return to the future, Elizabeth tries to pass herself off as a Regency lady under the protection of Mr. Darcy. But her emerging feelings for Pemberley’s master and her knowledge of Pemberley’s future makes traveling back to her time fraught with complications and heartbreaking decisions…
WHAT I LOVED:
- Unique and Unfamiliar: Even though I’ve read my fair share of time-travel and time-slip novels involving these characters, this story places them in such unique and unfamiliar circumstances that it was often refreshingly unpredictable. The usual elements of pride, prejudice, and misunderstandings are not brought into agency in this story. Instead Heather Moll crafts together a most compelling romantic adventure that not only illustrates the poignancy of an impossible love, but also poses the question of what could/would you sacrifice for love?
- Thoughtful Analyzation: It is abundantly evident that Heather Moll spent a lot of time pondering and examining the differences between life in 1811 and 2011. She cleverly highlights the differences between these two times – whether it be the obvious changes in dress, technology, women’s rights, and healthcare practices, or the deeper disparities in certain word uses, verbal and non-verbal communication, and relationship customs. Ms. Moll’s thoughtful analyzation is apparent in each description and explanation as she consistently addresses questions of how would ‘X ‘appear to someone not of this time? How would you describe ‘X’ to someone who didn’t know anything about it?
- Falling Love: The journey to love is delightfully atypical in this story as both characters debate and deliberate about how much they should declare or act on their feelings when they know a future together is impossible. I found so much to love and appreciate in our principal characters – I loved Elizabeth’s playful irreverence, courageous strength, and independent mind, and I loved Mr. Darcy’s dedicated responsibility, forward-thinking, and subtle sense of humor. Whether they were chafing at being yoked together, forming a tentative friendship, or trying to suppress or acknowledge with their growing attachment, the exchanges between these characters were stirring to witness.
- Skillful Construction: I love all the historical and factual tie-ins Ms. Moll implemented in this story. It is fascinating that she found a real ancient stone circle with supposed mystical properties in Derbyshire! It is obvious that Ms. Moll scrupulously researched so many facts, customs, and laws for her writing, and it makes this fictional and fantastical tale glimmer with history and authenticity.
- Mr. Darcy is Adorbs: SPOILER ALERT! I just have to express how much I love seeing Mr. Darcy in the twenty-first century – using the word “fine,” whipping out a phone to avoid social interactions, tolerating the indecency of wearing shorts and t-shirts, and making his own food – everything about this made me so happy.
- Secondary Characters: Heather Moll found creative new ways to develop both Georgiana Darcy and Mrs. Reynolds and flesh out their pasts. I loved her thoughtful choices and was impressed with how beautifully they fit in with what we know of the original characters.
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
Ugh! That I’m not Elizabeth Bennet!
NOTE: Because of the occasional use of profanity and some intimate scenes (last few chapters only), I’d recommend this story for Mature Audiences
CONCLUSION:
Ingenious, astute, and intentional – Nine Ladies by Heather Moll is simply a brilliant and beautifully-crafted work of Austenesque fiction! I highly recommend this story to any reader who wants to have their share of a romantic time-travel adventure with Mr. Darcy!
As a time shift author myself, I really appreciated Ms Moll’s attention to detail…both in scene setting and character development. One of the best and not to be missed.
I agree! It was marvelously done!
Isn’t it absolutely fabulous? I had no idea how it was going to end until the actual end! As you say the research is intense and the whole story is believable!
Yes, definite Elizabeth envy here!
It is always lovely when you can’t predict how things will go!
Lol! Glad to know I’m not the only one!
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed Nine Ladies Meredith! The summer solstice is this Sunday, so if you head out to the real stone circle maybe you’ll get lucky like Elizabeth did, and some handsome guy out of his time with a few pride issues will show up!
Uh…That undoubtedly would backfire on me! . I can see myself living in the Middle Ages probably heading for the burning stake just for showing up in the circle.
Yeah, I don’t think I’d last long either. Probably get burned at the stake for being outspoken.
Haha! I need to track down the nearest stone circle in NC and give it a try!
Thanks so much for this beautiful story, Heather! I loved it!
I am pretty critical in giving 5 stars to a book, but you better believe this was one of them! Such a fun read with great characterization. I absolutely loved it.
Yay! Gald you felt this one was worthy!! I really enjoyed spending time with these characters!
I also read and loved this story…read it twice.
That’s awesome, Sheila!
I read this and loved it so much! I’m pretty picky about my Austenesque novels and this is one of the best and most memorable I’ve read.
Love hearing that you think this story is worthy of such high praise! Thanks so much for sharing!
This is at the very top of my summer reading list! I can’t wait to jump into it! Lovely review, Meredith – I’m not surprised you loved it.
Yay! It is a such an excellent choice for the summer! I know you will love it as much as I did!
I have seen this book while browsing through my kindle, now I will have to read it!
Do it! I think you will love it!
Fabulous review, Meredith! I just read Heather’s debut novel and thoroughly enjoyed it! I’m looking forward to reading this one after your wonderful review and several others!
Thank you, Carole! I’ve really enjoyed all of Heather’s books so far – but this one is my most favorite!
I wholeheartedly agree, Meredith! This story is absolutely brilliant.
So glad to hear you thought so, Katie!
I have this on my TBR.
denise
Hope you get the chance to read it soon!
I am generally not interested in time travel plots, but as usual, I found my opinions changed in the hands of an excellent writer. For me, this is easily one of the top 3 this year. I look forward to reading more by Heather.
Excellent, Robin! I am with you regarding time-travel. I’m so glad to hear you rate this one so highly!
What a wonderful review! I agree with it wholeheartedly. Nine Ladies is such a great book!
Thank you, Daniela! This book is so deserving of all the praise it is receiving!
This is one book I should also get as a paperback as well as an ebook, in case I don’t have internet access or are not allowed electronic devices.
It is definitely a worthy one to have as paperback – especially as the cover is gorgeous!
What a great review, I definitely have to read Nine Ladies myself 😀
Yes! I recommend it highly!
This was one beautifully wonderful book, in my opinion. Your review will hopefully entice lots of other readers to read it. If I hadn’t read it already I would defend be enticed. Good job, Meredith, no spoilers. I have to reread it now, I just loved it. Heather’s tale really was so well researched we could just sit back and enjoy (love) without some detail pulling us out of the story.
I hope my review does the same, Michelle!
It is a doubly special book because of how unique it is and how well it is all executed!
Definitely. Duh.
Sounds great! I was just asking someone the other day about stories with a Regency Mr. Darcy in the 21st century. I had read about this novel when it first came out, but hadn’t quite realized it wasn’t just Elizabeth going back in time. Thanks for this review, Meredith, and congrats, Heather!
I think I’ve read a couple of others with Mr. Darcy traveling through time. It is always interesting to see how he reacts to our modern world, isn’t it?
I appreciate you checking out my review!