What If Jane was More Scheming and Elizabeth was More Shielding?
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Source: Gift from Publisher
TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation
THE PREMISE: After almost losing her sister to a broken heart and multi-week illness seven years ago, Elizabeth Bennet has since taken it upon herself to carefully safeguard her sister’s health, happiness, and heart. When she fears that Netherfield’s new tenant might be cut from the same cloth as Jane’s inconstant and unfeeling past suitor, Elizabeth decides it is her place to intervene on her sister’s behalf. But will Jane thank Elizabeth for her troubles? Or does she blame her for scaring Mr. Bingley away…
WHAT I LOVED:
- An Evil Jane Premise: I enjoy an evil-Jane trope, and I feel the author’s liberties with Jane’s character are pretty credible. It is very easy to believe that Jane, who is celebrated primarily for her beauty and nature, could have no small amount of shallowness in her character. Add to that some unchecked selfishness and desperation and this more manipulative, deceitful, and spiteful character feels very authentic and plausible. It is a refreshing twist to see Jane placed in the antagonist role.
- An Overprotective Elizabeth: With Elizabeth witnessing Jane’s distress and heartbreak, it is easy to imagine it changing her actions towards her sister and her perception of men. I like this more vigilant and wary Elizabeth. I love that she takes action when she fears her sister’s heart is about to be broken again.
- A Defending Mr. Darcy: Our observant hero does not care for the way the woman he admires is being treated, and he can only bite his tongue so much…His kind assistance and care attracts Elizabeth’s notice and softens her first impressions of his character. I love when Mr. Darcy is Elizabeth’s preserver! In addition, I love that he steps in to protect her however he can, and even has words with others to make sure she is treated right. I love witnessing his actions speak of his affections.
- Slow Clap for Mrs. Gardiner!: Jane, Mrs. Gardiner is done tolerating your bs! She won’t have it anymore. I love how Mrs. Gardiner was not shy with speaking her mind and not hiding her frustrating or lack of patience show.
- Title and Cover: I think both are just so perfect, so fitting, so beautiful.
WHAT COULD’VE BEEN BETTER:
- A Lot of Jane: While I’m a fan of Jane being featured more prominently and in the antagonist role, I did feel like she got a lot of page time…and I wouldn’t have minded a little more Darcy and Elizabeth developing their feelings page time instead.
- A Tad Too Far, Elizabeth: I don’t mind Elizabeth being a little less perceptive and could buy into her being so solicitous and protective of her sister. But it felt like this Elizabeth was so subservient and conciliatory – to the point where Elizabeth’s keen skills of observation, judgments of character, and understanding of human nature seem to be absent. It just seemed a little bit too much of a stretch for Elizabeth to be so taken in, so willfully blind to her sister’s true nature, and castigate herself in such an extreme way.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
👯♀️ There was never such a devoted sister…
💔 Elizabeth refuses to allow her sister to die from a broken heart!
📖 A creative, clever, and credible Pride and Prejudice variation that explores a quite singular change in character.
I read this when it first came out and I quite enjoyed it and found it very readable. I have to say I agree with you in that there were a few occasions when I wanted to shake Elizabeth, but on the whole, I liked the premise, and I loved Mrs. Gardiner.
An interesting premise. I look forward to this one.
Interesting premise. Thank!
I read this. I think you have it spot on. I got a bit impatient with Elizabeth deferring over and over to Jane. But I do love Jane as a baddy trope. Her canon passiveness and unwillingness to see anything wrong, ever, makes her a very weak character. I like it when she exhibits any strength of character whether good, bad or even downright evil.
Evil Jane is an interesting character. Always enjoy the various ways to tweak her character especially to the antagonist direction. Looking forward to reading this new drop by Mary. Always enjoy her books.
Thank you
Sheila L. Majczan here. I read and reviewed this story. Enjoyed it.
I AM NOT enemytoofb88abcdf2 AND CAN’T SEEM TO GET MEREDITH’S ATTENTION TO CORRECT THIS. DON’T KNOW HOW THIS GOT ASSIGNED TO ME? !!!!!!!