The Wondrous Wizarding World of Elizabeth Bennet

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Source: Gift from Author

TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Fantasy Variation

THE PREMISE: Orphaned sisters, Jane and Elizabeth, are finally given the opportunity to study magic at Lattimore College. The only problem is their parents were notorious murderers, and the majority of students and teachers they encounter either highly resent or mistrust them…

WHAT I LOVED:

• Harry Potter Vibes: With magic and mages, an orphaned protagonist, a Mage Council, a magical university, and famous/infamous parents this Pride and Prejudice variation shares a lot of similar elements with the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling. And yet, it still travels its own path – one that is unique, unpredictable, and spellbinding!

• A Jane Austen Version of Hogwarts: School is in session! The social dynamics are different and so exciting to explore in this variation. There are dormitories and roommates, friend groups and nasty pranks, meals in the dining hall and study sessions in the library. It was a fun and fresh change from the Regency world of house calls, dinners, and walks into town. I appreciated how this setting revealed each characters’ nature to both the reader and other characters – Elizabeth is exceptionally bright and hard working, Mr. Darcy is studious and principled, and Mr. Wickham is lazy and weak.

• Elemental Magic:  I enjoyed learning about Elemental magic – magic that works with earth, fire, water, and air. I loved seeing characters learn how to harness and grow stronger with their abilities. And I appreciated the practical application of their lessons – like learning to work with other elements or using their elemental magic to save people, buildings, and land.

• Friends and Foes: I loved the interesting mélange of characters in this story! Elizabeth Bennet is roommates with Lucy Steele and friends with Emma Woodhouse and Anne Elliot, Sir John Middleton and Lady Russell serve on the Mage Council with Lord Matlock, and Mrs. Suckling and Lady Catherine are some of the professors at the university. Such creative groupings and skillful utilization of these characters and personalities. I especially enjoyed how several relationships and characters evolved – Mr. Bingley, Mr. Wickham, Mr. Darcy, and Lady Catherine.

• Mystery, History, and Conflicts: The blend of these is just exceptional in this story! There are malicious mishaps, a kidnapping attempt, unanswered questions about Elizabeth’s and Jane’s parents and how they inexplicably turned evil.  Elizabeth Bennet and her magical mystery gang are in the middle of it all. So much action and activity. I loved how everything unraveled in the end and how each aspect resolved.

• A True Gryffindor: Elizabeth is quite the heroine in this tale. She is brave, resilient, innately honorable, and determined. There is so much to admire about her. I loved how she maintained her courage and sense of self when others treated her like a social pariah, I loved her close bond and connection to Jane, and I loved how she worked through her issues with trust and how her heart slowly opened towards Mr. Darcy.

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER: 

• I’m seriously put out that this isn’t a 7-book epic fantasy series with movies. What is that about?

FINAL THOUGHTS:

⚡️  A Regency version of Harry Potter and Hogwarts!

🔥  A fantastic combination of magical elements, nefarious schemes, sincere friendships, and inspiring character development.

🧙🏻  Sarah Courtney skillfully creates a plausible and compelling magical world that any fantasy reader would be eager to step into!

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