Book Review: The Duke & I by Julia Quinn

 Title: The Duke & I

Author: Julia Quinn

Series/Standalone: Bridgerton Series (Book #1)

Genre: Historical Romance, Adult

Pages: 384

Publisher: Avon Books

Year Published: 2000

Format: Audiobook

"The Duke and I is a romance set in the Regency era.

In the ballrooms and drawing rooms of Regency London, rules abound. From their earliest days, children of aristocrats learn how to address an earl and curtsey before a prince- while other dictates of the ton are unspoken yet universally understood. A proper duke should be imperious and aloof. A young, marriageable lady should be amiable... but not too amiable.

Daphne Bridgerton has always failed at the latter. The fourth of eight siblings in her close-knit family, she has formed friendships with the most eligible young men in London. Everyone likes Daphne for her kindness and wit. But no one truly desires her. She is simply too deduced honest for that, too unwilling to play the romantic games that captivate gentlemen.

Amiability is not a characteristic shared by Simon Basset, Duke of Hasting. Recently returned to England from abroad, eh intends to shun both marriage and society- just as his callous father shunned Simon throughout his painful childhood. Yet an encounter with his best friend's sister offers another option. If  Daphne agrees to a fake courtship, Simon can deter the mamas who parade their daughters before him. Daphne, meanwhile, will see her prospects and her reputation soar.

The plan works like a charm- at first. But amid the glittering, gossipy, cut-throat world of London's elite, there is only one certainty: love ignores every rule."

My Rating: 3.5/5

The same as the rest of the planet I have watched the first season of Bridgerton and to bridge the gap (see what I did there) between seasons I've decided to read the books after the coinciding season. This one was just ok for me. I really enjoyed seeing the characters in their original work, but I will say that I loved the antics in the show just a little bit more. I understand that there are many who find this book problematic and I won't argue with that. I will say that it was explained to me in a way that I thought that the scene would be more graphic than it was. But if you didn't like the conflicts in the show, I doubt you will enjoy that in the book.

I plan to continue the series on audio after finishing each coinciding season of the show.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Author: JK Rowling
Series/Standlone: Harry Potter Series (Book #4)
Genre: Fantasy, Classic, Magic
Pages: 636
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year Published: 2000
Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)
First Line: "The villagers of Little Hangleton still called it 'the Riddle House,' even though it had been many years since the Riddle family had lived there."

"When Harry Potter wakes one morning with a searing pain in the lightning-shaped scar on his forehead, he is not sure what it means. All he knows is the last time it happened Lord Voldemort was close by. Three days later, the Quidditch World Cup ends in carnage at the hands of the Dark Lord's followers- and Harry steels himself for more trouble ahead.

Back at Hogwarts for his fourth year, Harry is astonished to be chosen by the Goblet of Fire to represent the school in the Triwizard Tournament. The competition is dangerous, the tasks terrifying, and true courage is no guarantee of survival= especially when the Darkest forces are on the rise..."

My Rating: 4.5/5

I'm really enjoying the reread of this series, but I have to say that I'm not the biggest fan of Harry as a character. And that's why I knocked down half of a star. I did really enjoy the setting and the expansion of the world that goes on in this book. I think that this book has a really great natural rhythm to it. I will say that I was annoyed with some of the other plot points a little bit, but I'm excited to continue rereading the series but I will be taking a month off from the reread, as my friend needs to finish this book this month (and she doesn't think she's gonna make it).

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: The Austere Academy by Lemony Snicket

Title: The Austere Academy
Author: Lemony Snicket
Series/Standalone: A Series of Unfortunate Events (Book #5)
Genre: Mystery, Young Adult, Fantasy, Fiction
Pages: 221
Publisher: HarperCollins
Year Published: 2000
First Line: "If you were going to give a gold medal to the least delightful person on Earth, you would have to give that medal to a person named Carmelita Spats, and if you didn't give it to her, Carmelita Spats was the sort of person who would snatch it from your hands anyway."


"Dear Reader,
If you are looking for a story about cheerful youngsters spending a jolly time at boarding school, look elsewhere. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are intelligent and resourceful children, and you might expect that they would do very well at school. Don't. For the Baudelaires, school turns out to be another miserable episode in their unlucky lives.
Truth be told, within the chapters that make up this dreadful story, the children will face snapping crabs, strict punishments, dripping fungus, comprehensive exams, violin recitals, S.O.R.E., and the metric system.
It is my solemn duty to stay up all night researching and writing the history of these three hapless youngsters, but you may be more comfortable getting a good night's sleep. In that case, you should probably choose some other book.
With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket."

My Rating: 4.5/5

So when I read these when I was younger, this is where I left off. I thought that this book was kind of strange the first time I read it, but as an adult, I think that it was an opening point to see where the series is going. I enjoyed the ending and the research that was put into Count Olaf's character. The way that the author thought through the story so far amazes me. The foreshadowing and planning is incredible to me. The way it's written gives the reader so much more than the story of the Baudelaire orphans and I can honestly say I've never read any series quite like this one. I can't wait to venture into unfamiliar territory with this series and see where it goes.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: The Miserable Mill by Lemony Snicket

Title: The Miserable Mill
Author: Lemony Snicket
Series/Standalone: A Series of Unfortunate Events (Book #4)
Genre: Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 194
Publisher:  HarperCollins
Year Published: 2000
First Line: "Sometime during your life- in fact, very soon- you may find yourself reading a book, and you may notice that a book's first sentence can often tell you what sort of story your book contains."

"Dear Reader,

I hope, for your sake, that you have not chosen to read this book because you are in the mood for a pleasant experience. If this is the case, I advise you to put this book down instantaneously, because of all the books describing the unhappy lives of the Baudelaire orphans, THE MISERABLE MILL might be the unhappiest yet. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are sent to Paltryville to work in a lumbermill, and they find disaster and misfortune lurking behind every log.
The pages of this book, I'm sorry to inform you, contain such unpleasantries as a giant pincher machine, a bad casserole, a man with a cloud of smoke where his head should be, a hypnotist, a terrible accident resulting in injury, and coupons.
I have promised to write down the entire story of these three poor children, but you haven't, so if you prefer stories that are more heartwarming, please feel free to make another selection.

With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket."

My Rating: 4/5

I didn't like this instalment as much as the other books in the series. It seemed to be too straight forward other than the other books. That being said it is a nice short read for a Sunday afternoon and fit perfectly in my schedule. I also enjoy how this series takes a turn to make it more Young Adult rather than Middle Grade with it's themes. The characters as always stay true to who they are and continue to lead unpleasant lives. I can't remember what happens in the next book so I look forward to being surprised by the rest of the series and then I hope to binge watch the tv show.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: The Wide Window by Lemony Snicket

Title: The Wide Window
Author: Lemony Snicket
Series/ Standalone: A Series of Unfortunate Events (Book #3)
Genre: Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 214
Publisher: HarperCollins
Year Published: 2000
First Line:"If you didn't know much about the Baudelaire orphans, and you saw them sitting on their suitcases at Damocles Dock, you might think that they were bound for an exciting adventure."

"Dear Reader,
If you have not read anything about the Baudelaire orphans, then before you read even one more sentence, you should know that Violet, Klaus and Sunny are kindhearted and quick-witted, but their lives,  I am so sorry to say, are filled with bad luck and misery. All of the stories about these children are unhappy and wretched, and the one you are holding may be the worst of them all.
If you haven't got the stomach for a story that includes a hurricane, a signalling device, hungry leeches, cold cucumber soup, a horrible villain, and a doll named Pretty Penny, then this book will probably fill you with despair.
I will continue to record these tragic tales, for that is what I do. You, however, should decide for yourself whether you can possibly endure this miserable story.

With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket"

My Rating: 5/5

This book is the third in the series and I'm really enjoying this rereading experience. I hope to pick up at least 2 books from this series a month, but that will depend on my schedule this month. I thnk this is my favourite so far in the series, and it really got me thinking. I work with children in a daycare centre and seeing how characters react to these children got me thinking. The lack of understanding and listening in this story made me wonder if that's how children often feel in other circumstances. I also found that this book really highlighted the villainy which I loved. I love a good villain, even if I only love to hate them. These books make a change in this book from middle grade to young adult. As an adult, I'm finding these books to be so much more enjoyable, as I pick up on jokes I did not when I was in my preteens.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny