I love Jane Austen, Mr. Darcy, and vampires, therefore the book Mr. Darcy, Vampyre seemed tailor made for me. This novel starts on the day of the wedding of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. After their wedding, a change in plans is made and Lizzy finds herself headed to Europe for a continental honeymoon instead of the planned vacation at the Lake District. The Darcys’ find many adventures in Europe and Elizabeth meets Mr. Darcy’s extended family. Elizabeth begins to wonder if something is not quite right about Mr. Darcy, especially after he fails to visit their bedchamber every night.While the story started off vintage regency romance, it quickly turned into a gothic thriller that would be the dream of Catherine Morland of Northanger Abbey. Indeed, the book is dedicated to Miss Morland, which gave me an occasion to smile.
I really enjoyed the book at first, as it continued on though, I found it rather lackluster. While I know Elizabeth would be adventurous, I really don’t think she would go along with getting chased through the Alps by angry villagers without asking more questions. Mr. Darcy never fulfilling his marriage obligations would also be a sore point.
Overall, I really enjoyed the first part of the novel with getting to see the Bennet family and the double wedding. The gothic story found in the rest of the book was okay, but I was underwhelmed. I enjoy the “Diary” series by Amanda Grange much better. I would really like to see a P&P sequel from Ms. Grange that does not involve vampyres.
This is item number 10 in my Everything Austen Challenge List.
I enjoyed the passion that Darcy and Elizabeth had for each other, and this is my favorite quote from the book.
Mr. Darcy to Elizabeth:
“I love you to distraction. I thought I would go mad, being with you every day but never able to touch you. If only you knew how I longed to do this, to feel your skin, to run my fingers through your hair and over your face, to feel you, touch you, be with you. . . but I couldn’t, I couldn’t.”
I've seen a lot of vague reviews for this one. Yours is the first that actually gives me some detail. I appreciate that! I think I do want to read it now.
ReplyDeleteWow I can't believe this is #10 on your Everything Austen list.
ReplyDeleteI liked your candid review.
Thanks for the review. I like how you explain WHY you feel the way you do. It's very helpful.
ReplyDeleteI was up in the air on this one, but I think I'll be skipping it. Thanks for the honest review.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! This is on my list to read soon!
ReplyDelete"I love you to distraction." I am going to try this line tonight! wish me luck, ha.
ReplyDeleteI've been hearing mixed things about this one, and it makes me want to dive into it and figure out my own thoughts on it even more. Great review! And better luck on the rest of your Everything Austen challenge items? :-) Happy reading.
ReplyDeleteWow, up to #10 already! I'm not big on vampires, so I'll probably skip this one. Funny, I saw at least three people reading in this at the airport a couple weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteWow, ten is quite impressive! Great honest review--the book has an interesting concept but all the ambivalent reactions make me want to bypass it.
ReplyDeleteWell, I had been kicking myself for not snapping this one up when it was offered, but the review seem to be just so-so. Now I feel better, it can go on my wish list...a bit farther down!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you here. I'm on page 200 and she still hasn't figured out he's a vampire, oh sorry, I mean vampyre?? The Elizabeth I know from P&P is a little smarter than that..at least I hope she is. Maybe I shouldn't have read P&P&Zombies before I read this one. My expectations are too high now.
ReplyDeleteStill on my TBR list for this challenge and it's my last one! I'm up in the air on whether or not I'll like it since there's been so many mixed reviews.
ReplyDeleteI like this review... I may be sold on it yet
ReplyDelete