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Wendy Darling's Reviews > My Lady Jane
My Lady Jane (The Lady Janies, #1)
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Wendy Darling's review
bookshelves: young-adult, historical-fantasy, fantasy, alternate-history, 2016-favorites, read-2016, hilarious, heroines-butt-kicking, pn-shapeshifters
Jul 29, 2014
bookshelves: young-adult, historical-fantasy, fantasy, alternate-history, 2016-favorites, read-2016, hilarious, heroines-butt-kicking, pn-shapeshifters
4.5 stars This revisionist retelling of Lady Jane Grey's brief reign and romance shouldn't work--but it does! It's deliriously dotty and clever, with affectionate nods to great absurdist historical comedies like THE PRINCESS BRIDE, Monty Python, and even, I think, Black Adder and LADYHAWKE. The ridiculously punny humor had me giggling from beginning to end.
It's also superbly well-crafted, especially considering the three POVs were written by three different authors, and the historical details and context are inserted with just the right touch. Most notably, the strict mores and sexism of the time are observed and acknowledged before they are slyly subverted, particularly in the fantastically endearing and capable women (only one of whom wields a weapon).
It's hard to believe a tragic moment in history could be turned into such a delightful confection of joyous alternate history, but The Lady Janies have done it.
Review to come. Love it to pieces.
It's also superbly well-crafted, especially considering the three POVs were written by three different authors, and the historical details and context are inserted with just the right touch. Most notably, the strict mores and sexism of the time are observed and acknowledged before they are slyly subverted, particularly in the fantastically endearing and capable women (only one of whom wields a weapon).
It's hard to believe a tragic moment in history could be turned into such a delightful confection of joyous alternate history, but The Lady Janies have done it.
Review to come. Love it to pieces.
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Reading Progress
July 29, 2014
– Shelved
May 13, 2016
–
Started Reading
May 17, 2016
–
Finished Reading
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Jess
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rated it 4 stars
May 17, 2016 04:58AM
I am so excited to read this.
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You had me at Monty Python! Can't wait to get my hands on it!
Jess--DO! It's such a fun book. In a year of really great funny YA books, it still stands out.Tawny--yay! It's out in just a few weeks. :) Most of the inspiration seems to come from PRINCESS BRIDE, but I think you'll see what I mean about the Holy Grail-ishness of it as well.
Hurrah! It's been on my radar for a few weeks and it just popped up on the library on-order list.
I can't wait! But does she still end up like her historical counterpart?
Jenn--I'm glad to hear that! Hope you are early in the queue for the book. I didn't know what to expect from it (basically, I knew Jane + authors), but it turned out to be a fantastic book. I'm still impressed by it/am thinking about it now.
asdfghl--Wellll. I don't like to answer spoiler questions, but I kind of understand in this case. A hint: (view spoiler) That should probably answer your question.
I love Cynthia Hand and I can't wait to read this!
At first I was skeptical about the premise, but my manager encouraged me to read it. I am so glad that I did, one of my favorite books that I have read this year.
I'm not finished yet, but I am so surprised by this book! Very funny. And reading this alongside watching this season's Game of Thrones is even funnier.
