Sunday, June 2, 2013

Mini reviews: P&P versions

With school craziness (yes, it is summer and I am still doing school) and ACT prep (for the second time) along with trying to maintain a social life, I actually got into the nasty habit of reading books and then forgetting to review them. I told myself I'd review everything I could get my hands on. Alas, I just put it off...then forgot. So to make up for that, I decided to do two mini reviews of Pride and Prejudice retellings because you can never have too many Mr. Darcy characters Jane Austen retellings.


First one:



Author: Elizabeth Eulberg

Publication date: January 4, 2011

Publisher: Point

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single girl of high standing at Longbourn Academy must be in want of a prom date.
After winter break, the girls at the very prestigious Longbourn Academy become obsessed with the prom. Lizzie Bennet, who attends Longbourn on a scholarship, isn't interested in designer dresses and expensive shoes, but her best friend, Jane, might be - especially now that Charles Bingley is back from a semester in London.
Lizzie is happy about her friend's burgeoning romance but less than impressed by Charles's friend, Will Darcy, who's snobby and pretentious. Darcy doesn't seem to like Lizzie either, but she assumes it's because her family doesn't have money. Clearly, Will Darcy is a pompous jerk - so why does Lizzie find herself drawn to him anyway?

Mini review: 

If you have read any of my posts recently, you would have noticed that I have started paying attention to a new (to me) author: Elizabeth Eulberg. I reviewed one of her books here and put her on the Nicest Authors list here because she deserves it (she even sent me a sweet tweet!). So I saw that she wrote a book about one of my favorite stories and knew I had to pick it up at the thrift store for only $2! That's besides the point. The point is, Eulberg writes great fluff books. I can pick up her book, be wrapped up in the story, but it also gives my mind a break, in a good way. 

If you want another cute, fluffy read, then this is your kind of book. Sometimes what I need to get myself back into the reading game is to read a book like this one because I don't have to think hard, I just get to enjoy the story. I also adore retellings.

My issues were slim considering it didn't have any glaring annoyances, but I would have wished some more swooning Darcy moments. We definitely got some, but not to the standard I would have liked being that I love to squeal over him. But, like I said, this one was a fast and light read, a book you like to have on the beach or to get away from some doom and gloom fantasy book. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Verdict: A fast and cute book that does a good job modernizing a special classic. 

Second book:


Title: Epic Fail

Author: Claire LaZabnik

Publication date: August 23, 2011

Publisher: HarperTeen

At Coral Tree Prep in Los Angeles, who your parents are can make or break you. Case in point:

- As the son of Hollywood royalty, Derek Edwards is pretty much prince of the school--not that he deigns to acknowledge many of his loyal subjects.
- As the daughter of the new principal, Elise Benton isn't exactly on everyone's must-sit-next-to-at-lunch list.

When Elise's beautiful sister catches the eye of the prince's best friend, Elise gets to spend a lot of time with Derek, making her the envy of every girl on campus. Except she refuses to fall for any of his rare smiles and instead warms up to his enemy, the surprisingly charming social outcast Webster Grant. But in this hilarious tale of fitting in and flirting, not all snubs are undeserved, not all celebrity brats are bratty, and pride and prejudice can get in the way of true love for only so long.

Mini review:

I had been pining to read this for the longest time since, as I stated above, I love retellings and I love this plot. Thankfully, I wasn't disappointed. Epic Fail was filled with humor, cuteness, and a vacuum that liked to suck my time away because it was so enjoyable. 

Once again, I didn't really care for how Darcy was represented via Derek considering that he didn't have as much mystery to him. From the very beginning, I felt like Derek was a good guy and I know he is, but...what about the insults? All he really did was glare and snub a bit. What about the "barely tolerable" line or another off-putting remark? Nothing he did actually deserved hatred and even though Elise goes on about how unlikable he is and how rude he is, she seemed to be always trying to get to know him, which felt odd to me. 

One other thing I would like to add before I give my thumbs-up approval was the dramatic Webster plot was highly disappointing. It felt like since it was a part of the original, the author knew she had to put it in there, but didn't know how. It felt rushed and anticlimactic, which let me down a bit. 

However, overall, I really liked and enjoyed this one. It was cute. It was breezy. It was witty. 

Verdict: A thumbs-up for everything I just mentioned above PLUS my (yes, real) middle name is Elise.

Winner: Epic Fail, but Prom & Prejudice was very close behind. 

Did I also forget to mention that I finished each one of them in about a day, staying up way too late because I thought they were adorable? I even watched Pride and Prejudice related movies and references because who doesn't love P&P?! I went on a bit of a Pride and Prejudice overload.


Do you have a favorite Pride and Prejudice retelling?

42 comments:

  1. I have to say that the ACT prep is worth it! I only submitted my ACT scores to schools because they were so much better than my SATs haha

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    1. Haha, good! I did good by 1st time, but I need to do better to get a scholarship.

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  2. I loved Epic Fail! I am only taking the SAT it is a bigger focus in my state than the ACT!

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  3. Is there such a thing as Pride and Prejudice overload? I'm a purest when it comes to P&P but I did read Prom and Prejudice and completely agree with you assessment.

    Good luck with your schooling and ACT prep this summer!

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    1. Okay, there probably isn't such a thing ;)

      Thank you so much!

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  4. Wellll, now I want to read BOTH of these, Sunny! :D Hope your ACT goes well. :)

    Molli | Once Upon a Prologue

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  5. I AM GOING TO READ THESE. I LOVE a good Austen adaptation, and have been known to go on adaptation kicks now and then. I have Epic Fail, so now I just need to get my hands on Prom & Prejudice.

    You're so right too...one can't have too many Mr. Darcy characters. :P

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    1. Also, good luck on your ACT! You'll rock it!

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    2. GOOD. Then tell me how you like them!

      One can't. I think it's impossible.

      Aw, thanks, Ems!

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  6. I don't have a favorite Pride & Prejudice re-telling, yet. I have a favorite Jane Eyre re-telling: Jane by April Lindner, just LOVED! I think I have Epic Fail somewhere here, or maybe on my Kindle. I'll have to give it a go now, Sunny! Great mini reviews! :)

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    1. Ooh, I'll have to read that one next then!

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  7. I haven't read any P&P retelling, but I adored The Lizzie Bennet Diaries and it made me really want to see more retellings of the story, so I may have to check these books out!

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    1. Yes! The LBD was amazing, I can't wait for what else they do :)

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  8. Light books are the perfect thing to read while preparing for ridiculous standardized tests (good luck in the ACT, by the way). I remember feeling the same way about Prom and Prejudice when I read it two years ago, although it can be annoying when characters are lackluster, especially if you have high hopes for them. I haven't read Pride and Prejudice (should probably fix that, right?) so I didn't have a standard for Mr. Darcy, but I can imagine he must set the bar pretty high.

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    1. Thanks :) Probably, but I really should reread it! I read it in middle school and couldn't enjoy it fully because I pictured the movie so now maybe that I have matured (?) I'll like it more.

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  9. I've read both of those! I also love to read Pride and Prejudice retellings :) I'm hoping there will be more retellings. Do you know of any besides those two? Great reviews!

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    1. Hm. I feel like I do, I just can't remember them. There's the Lizzie Bennet Diaries, but that's more a vlog. There's more than YA like the ones here: http://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/pride-and-prejudice-retellings and also some that my sister has read. I'll let ya know later!

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  10. Yay, The Lizzie Diaries gifs :)
    Darcy <3 Love him, any version of him. Ha! These books sound so cute and fun.

    I also took the ACT twice, and did much better the second time. Hope you do well too!

    Alise @ Readers In Wonderland

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  11. Both books look so adorable! You make me want to have a P&P week. I have the mini series all set to go, and I think both books too! Good luck on the ACT. Don't work too hard this summer :)

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    1. Great, that sounds like a fantastic week ;)

      Aw, thanks, Lucy <3 My mom keeps telling me the same thing!

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  12. Aww both of these books sound super sweet Sunny! I've actually had both books for a long time too, so will definitely have to pick them up over the Summer. Thanks for sharing these adorable reviews with us! :)

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  13. Awww, I read these too! I've never read the original, but retellings are just something that I always go for. Prom and Prejudice was my favorite, though! Have you read Prada and Prejudice? If not, you really should! Awesome reviews, Sunny!! :D

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    1. Ooh, I've never heard of Prada and Prejudice! Thanks :)

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  14. I've never read Pride & Prejudice. *hides* But these look like cute retellings! I think Epic Fail is already on my TBR. Thanks for sharing! :)

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  15. I haven't read either yet, but I'm definitely interested in both. I know for sure that you enjoyed it by the fact that you stayed up late to finish it. That in and of itself tells me to read them! :)

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  16. Both of these sound really cute and fun, especially Prom and Prejudice! Love the LBD gifs! :) Great reviews!

    Alice @ Alice in Readerland

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  17. I love the Austen theme! I have to admit, I've only tried one Jane retelling and it didn't work for me, but I am dying to see Austenland. I bet it'd work as a movie, although I haven't tried it as a book. Plus, Keri Russell. And cute guys.

    Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

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  18. These books sound like great summertime reads. I can't remember if I've read an Austen retellings.. maybe I need to!

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  19. LOVE Austin retellings myself. I still haven't read either of these, though. I think I might actually have both ebooks, though. I should check. They both sound adorable!

    Good luck on the ACTs. (I think I did better on those than the SATs, but it's been awhile...lol.)

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    1. Do!

      Thanks, Jen :) I won't be doing the SATs because at least I can guess on the ACTs!

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  20. I'm reading both of these in September for the Classics Retold event so I'm glad to hear you liked them. I think no one will live up to Mr. Darcy so I'm not surprised these versions of him fell a little flat. I didn't realize that first author had other books. Are they all retellings? I'll have to check her out. Great reviews

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    1. You have to tell me how you like them! I don't think so.

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  21. There is no such thing as a P&P overload. :)

    I enjoyed Prom and Prejudice as well. It is a perfect fluff book. I haven't read Epic Fail yet but want too. I really enjoyed the author's other Austen book The Trouble with Flirting. I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed it as Austen reworkings tend to make me break out in hives.

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