Review: Mansfield Park

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5 stars. This was a Jane Austen I'd just never gotten to! I always enjoy her writing, but there were a few things that annoyed me about it. First, Fanny was almost too perfect and too sweet. I felt badly for her, but I wish she had a tiny bit more pep or something. She was just always getting so tired and was so incredibly meek and mild and I just wanted her to state her opinion on something sometime! But she didn't. I guess I just prefer Elizabeth Bennets to Fanny Prices.

It also annoyed me that it wasn't until the last couple of paragraphs before (view spoiler)[ Fanny ends up with Edmund. (hide spoiler)] Edmund always cared about her and trusted her, but I was frustrated by how obsessed he was with Mary. I know we were supposed to be frustrated by that, but I just wish it hadn't lasted the entire book. I would have enjoyed seeing the (view spoiler)[ process of him falling in love with Fanny a little more. (hide spoiler)]

Still, I was wanting to know the whole time what was going to happen so I was very motivated to listen to it. I also enjoyed watching the movie afterwards and they definitely gave Fanny more spunk than she had in the book. It made me really want to reread Pride and Prejudice (my favorite, although Persuasion is a close second) actually. I think I might. :) Now I only have Lady Susan and will have read them all!

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Review: Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really, really liked this book! Definitely the best middle grade book I've read in a long time (and I've read a few good ones recently!). There were creative, whimsical characters (including a giant talking cat - who doesn't love that??), a unique world, a compelling plot, and more! I think this series has a lot of potential. The comparisons to Harry Potter are fair, at least as far as the feelings evoked while reading it and the potential it has for future books. I loved the actual trials and the scenes that took place surrounding holidays. I think there is room for more world-building and development of the antagonist, but I am looking forward to that in future books. I almost never give 5 stars, but I think this one may be worthy of the rating!

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