Rating:  Summary: Thoroughly Enjoyable! Review: This retelling of the Cinderella story, replete with wicked step-mother, two step sisters, and Prince Charming, is a well-written treat to read, and has some excellent plot twists from the original fairy tale. Julia Quinn continues her engaging tales of the Bridgerton family with her trademark style, wit, and ability to to weave a lively and enchanting story. This writer is fast joining my read-anything-she's-written list, and I'm eager to see if the next installment reveals the identity of the mysterious Lady Whistledown, society writer, whose commentary added immeasurably to the book.
Rating:  Summary: Another Winner from Ms. Quinn! Review: I have been waiting for Benedict's story for a while. This book was in no way disappointing. Sophie was adorable and easy to love. It's a spin on the Cinderella story, with some wonderful secondarly characters, returning favorites from Quinn's other novels. I already can't wait for Colin's story (Benedict's brother). I just KNOW he and Penelope are destined for each other, though he was a total cad for hurting her as he does in "Offer..." I'm pretty sure that will be Julia's next book, the story of Colin and Penelope. As for this story, it lacks the layers of some other novels....but Sophie's pure heart sustains the book for me. A wonderful read. Highly recommend all of Julia Quinn's books.
Rating:  Summary: a fairy tale indeed Review: First of all,the novel is based on fairy tale, anyone who said that it's PREDICTABLE, well, sorry, but ur just stating the obvious fact. I've watched and read 20+ different versions of cinderella on films, cartoons, television and fairy tale books; the first time, it was kinda enchanting and magical just like how it should be for 8-yr-old girls. On the 10th and 11th version, it became a hobby of pointing technical alternations, a glove for a glass slipper, or a housekeeper for a fairy-godmother. Now, as I read the nth version of Cinderella, I was getting ready on calling the shots as I usually do, and I was disappointed that Quinn didn't even try hard enough to alter any details at all. What she did was even better; she extended the time line of the story, she bent the plot inside out, and she succeeded on breathing life to the overrated kiddie-tale. I always think the story a little bit lacking and unsatisfactory. For when the prince found Cinderella, they immediately hit u with their happily-ever-afters. Let me tell u, this novel didnt end there; it's the beginning instead. Dont u ever wonder wat will happen if the prince met the pauper b4 the princess? My wonderings ended shortly as I became engorged with Quinn's magic. I thought I'll find it absolutely ridiculous if the writer squeezed some of that love-at-first-sight stuff. It's either professionally disguised or Quinn is just a superb novelist for I never once cringed or bit my lip when I find myself imprisoned with the gooey-mooshy dialogues. Anyway, this is my first Quinn book, and as sure I am that Danielle Steel's books will never be as entrancing as her studio shots on the jacket cover of her novels, this won't be my last. It's not often that you find a writer who writes so freely and confidently. She took hold of the cinderella-plot as if it was her idea all along and not merely a revision. I like the way she interweaves humor on her scenes, subtle and not deliberate. Most of all, I like how she grasps human emotions and pour them not in one big splash, but drip by drip onto the right pages, on the exact moments. And when she knows it's enough, she stops and she doesnt ruin the effect by overdoing it. A person is a good writer if she doesnt have to convince her readers that she is really good. And I think Ms Quinn has convinced me completely when she transformed a universal tale of rich-boy;poor-girl type into a whole new story that even grown-ups like me, would surely enjoy.
Rating:  Summary: Another Keeper from Julia Quinn Review: I was a little aprehensive about this book at first, very weary of the Cinderella plot, however found myself falling in love with the character's as soon as I met them. I read through a couple other reviews and I cannot find myself agreeing that Sophie or Benedict lacked character, and I personally rather enjoyed a plot revolving around Sophie's illigitimate birth. I thought it brought up some interesting issues concerning a very real curcumstance not uncommon during those times. In today's society the exact same situation would be irrelivant (my husband was born out of wedlock and NO one thinks anything of it), however back then, it quite obviously was the difference between being a member of society and being forced into servitude (and honestly back then many illigitimate children had far worse fates than becoming a servant as Sophie had). I enjoyed this book very much, although yes, I do agree that it perhaps lacked a lot of the spunk that's in her other Bridgerton novels, but I still couldn't put it down until I had read the last page! Still very excellent and I can't wait until June when her next Bridgerton novel comes out, "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton". For those of you who don't know, it will be Colin and Penelope... hmmmm... I guess Colin will be eating his words when he said that he wouldn't marry her in "An Offer From a Gentleman". ~*giggles*~ I can't wait!!! And I'm starting to gather my own list of suspects as to just who Lady Whistledown is... ~*smile*~ I can't wait until her identity is finally revealed!
Rating:  Summary: Simply one of the best books I've ever read! Review: Reading the back cover, one would think that the story seems too familar to be exciting. We all know the Cinderella story, but this book is so much more than that. Julia Quinn takes the story and sends it to new heights. The love that Julia Quinn pens for Sophie and Benedict seems so real, that you can actualy feel it. She also had me laughing out loud at times. The book is also filled with other wonderful charachters. It is very richly drawn, the type of thing you can rarley find in a book. One that has "it"-the magic that sends you into a different world, and you feel as if it all really happened. I will treasure my copy and read it again and again.
Rating:  Summary: A Prince Charming Named Benedict Review: The Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn is one of my most favorite books to read over and over again; this time, the second Bridgerton brother Benedict met his match in Sophie Beckett, the illegitimate daughter of the Earl of Penwood. This is a charming retelling of the Cinderella story but the focus here is more on the Prince Charming --Benedict. Benedict met Sophie in his mother's annual masked ball but he did not know it was Sophie because of her mask. He was immediately smitten and intrigued; while Sophie did the "run at midnight" but without the glass slipper. Benedict never forgot the lady in silver as what he started calling Sophie in his mind. He searched for her in vain. Then one night, he met a woman who aroused the same feeling as the lady in silver, the woman was Sophie Beckett whom Benedict rescued from a lecherous employer. Benedict fell in love with Sophie, and yet he kept thinking of the lady he met in the masked ball. Sophie cannot bring herself to tell Benedict that she was the lady he met in the masked ball. This might be a true and tried story but leave it to Ms. Julia Quinn to throw in some twists that might not leave you at the edge of your seat but will make you satisfied at the ending.
Rating:  Summary: Not one of her best works.... Review: First let me start off with "I LOVE JULIA QUINN" she is probably my favorite romance author. Almost all of her books have cheered me up and made me smile while reading them. That's why i was so excited when i found out another of her books had been published, that is until i read it. The characters were very flat and one dimentional and the plot was dismal and boring. There didn't seem to be a love story there at all. It just seemed that Ms. Quinn was trying to pump out another book quickly and didn't really care what the context was. First off, the whole illigitimate theme that was running through the entire book became boring very quickly. It wasn't a point to base the entire plot around, which eventually it became. Both sofie and Benedict didn't have much of a personality, and my favorite characters were those who were only in the script for about 2 pages. I do love Julia Quinn, and i will most likely buy her next novel, but i was very disapointed in "An offer from a gentlman" and hope that her next work will be better.
Rating:  Summary: The whole Bridgerton series is awesome! Review: This is the Third in the Bridgergon series. First was The Duke and I (excellent), the second was the Viscount Who Loved Me, the fourth is Romancing Mr. Bridgerton. the fifth is To Sir Philip With Love, and the sixth is When He Was Wicked." The whole series is great, but the first four are the best! While all the Bridgerton novels are a series, they can be read in any order...they stand alone well...but the first few are my favorites! The first time I read this book it was no my favorite of this series. But, I picked it up again later and I really really liked it more! It is a Cinderella story and the first time I read it I just kept saying to myself "Whe doesn't she just TELL him?" and "How can he not tell it is her?" The second time it just seemed to flow better for me! Sophie and Benedict have a unique version of the Cinderella story when he meets her on a balcony where she is disguised and spends the next few years not giving his heart to anyone else in hopes of finding her. When Sophie's evil stepmother and evil stepsisters kick her out of her own house she has no place to go. She runs across a sick Benedict again, and nurses him back to health, only to avoid telling him that they have met before. Benedict falls for Sophie but holds back to find his true love from the ball! I know this all sounds silly, but Quinn is a natural story teller so everything just comes together!
Rating:  Summary: a Regency Cinderella Review: Although this story is unbelievably close to the traditional story of Cinderella, it's still a must-read! Benedict thought he'd never find the one until he saw a splendid vision in silver...and he just KNEW that she was the woman that he belonged to. But he had let her slip through his fingers that long ago night. After months of searching for her, he has nearly given up hope, though he still has dreams about her. Then, saving a pretty servant from a party, Benedict once again feels the emotions that he had experienced only one other time in his life, with the silver siren. This time, he refuses to let go, even though she can be nothing more than a mistress... Which is a position that Sophie Beckett refuses to fill! Benedict was the Prince Charming that had filled her dreams ever since that magical night when she had slipped away to the Bridgerton masquerade. An earl's [illegitimate] daughter, she had once had the privilege genteel ladies of the ton had...however, after her father remarried and died, she is left to do the work of three maids. After she is kicked out, she meets Benedict again as he saves her from near rape. But how can she be his mistress when she has vowed never to bring an illegitimate child into this world to suffer as she did? She can only accept marriage, but Benedict being who he is, the possibility is nil. A heartwarming story to the end, especially the end!
Rating:  Summary: Marvelous read! Review: This is the first book I read by Julia Quinn, and I couldn't put it down! I loved it. Sophie and Benedict are marvelous together! This book got me hooked to the Bridgerton saga and Julia Quinn. I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys wit and romance.
|