March Debrief
Classics, courtships, and climate betrayal.
Us now that the weather is warming up:
I entered March with a cheering vision: a near-future version of myself reclined gracefully in the backyard, period drama in hand as the magnolia blossoms unfurl overhead. I had, in my mind, already begun transformation into the type of person who can sit languidly for hours, too lost in my book to pay heed to the rough bark pressing into my back.
I remain (as ever) unrewarded by my optimism. A cold front bounded through—in true midwest fashion—taking with it both the life of my unfurled blooms and my will to carry on. Rather than reading on the lawn with a fresh squeezed lemonade, I remained curled on the couch beneath the heated blanket—a beloved state which grows less comforting by the day.
Nonetheless, I endeavored to read (and watch) on. I will cease my complaints and advise only to see below for a full month’s accounting:
Matters of the Page
Trading Ohio’s post-spring chill for sweltering heat, I traveled (in spirit, if not in body) to the Asia-inspired city of Kekon. As the first book ever added to my Goodreads TBR, Fonda Lee’s Jade City has been on my radar for… a while.
The first book in The Green Bone Saga, this installment introduces the impact of the city’s access to a rare magical jade. While jade users once protected the island from invasion, families with the genetic ability to wield jade now play smaller roles, like managing trade and maintaining order.
When a war erupts between the Kaul family and their rival clan, the outcome will determine the city’s future and the fate of all Green Bones.
Six POVs gives the reader a wide view of what living in this universe is like, while a fast-paced plot prevents the story from dragging. The action starts in the very first scene and I was hooked right away.
Perfect for fantasy lovers who appreciate strong world building and layered characters. The synopsis describes this series as “Godfather-esque” and—with blood feuds, street violence, and an over-crowded city—I would have to agree.
While it was not read amid fragrant spring flowers, March’s classic of choice certainly did not disappoint.
Originally published in 1813, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice remains a quintessential standard for the historical romance genre. Following the five Bennett sisters through love and scandal, the story focuses primarily on Elizabeth’s relationship with the rich and arrogant Mr. Darcy.
Despite being set in rural England in the early 19th century, this story’s thematic exploration of sisterhood, class, and reputation continue to resonate with modern readers.
As a long-time lover of regency era stories, I was unsurprised by my enjoyment of this book. While other works in the genre may offer greater drama or higher stakes, it was rewarding to experience a story so foundational to a genre that I love.
I can’t believe that it took me so long to pick this one up. I also watched the 2005 adaptation this month, which I will discuss below.
In anticipation for one of the year’s biggest page to screen adaptations, I read Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.
This standalone novel, which won the Goodreads Choice Award for Readers’ Favorite Science Fiction in 2021, follows Ryland Grace on an unexpected space mission to save humanity. As the sole survivor on his ship, it’s up to him and his scientific expertise to solve the mystery that threatens mankind’s extinction.
A self-proclaimed “space nerd,” Weir’s work is praised for its scientific accuracy. Packed with technical problem-solving, his writing never glosses over the specifics as Ryland endeavors to save the world.
As someone who tends to dislike most saving-humanity-from-space stories, I picked this up mainly out of curiosity for what’s made it so beloved. Basically, I read this for science.
I now must report my findings to be… unexpected. I loved it! Thanks to a certain unanticipated character, I found the story to be quite amusing. I also enjoyed the dual timelines, which revealed the events leading up to Ryland’s trip to space as he regained his memories.
I’m planning to see the movie in April, which was released on March 20. To watch the trailer, click here.
Two months later and I still haven’t moved on from The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion. Desperate for more of Beth Brower’s writing—second only to my longing for spring— I picked up her standalone novel The Beast of Ten.
A Beauty and the Beast retelling, this is a classic tale of good versus evil, told through an allegorical narrative. Seized from her home by an immortal being known as The Death Bleak, Ember is destined to turn him away from the darkness.
While I enjoyed the general storyline, I struggled with the way certain critical elements (like the “Lights” that sway Ember’s destiny) felt under explained. I was also drawn out of the story by the inherent evil of The Death Bleak, who wasn’t given enough backstory to explain his choices.
While I’m sure many will enjoy The Beast of Ben, it was sadly my least favorite work from Brower’s backlog.
My final read of the month was Heretic, a prelude in Noah Isaacs’ The Testament to the Broken Gods series.
Planned for publication on April 5, this novella-length story follows Varre, an assassin set on a quest to kill an emperor.
The story is most intriguing for its setting, from the presence of firearms in a traditional fantasy world to years-long droughts that have resulted in a strictly rationed water supply.
While this was my favorite component of the book, it felt at times like the plot was an after-thought to the world building. The steps felt too easy as the main character set off to accomplish a seemingly impossible task.
After reading the synopsis for book one (set to release in October), I was surprised to find that it will not include the same characters. This leaves me feeling unsure what the goal was in beginning the series with this installment.
Regardless, I feel confident in the author’s writing ability and am intrigued enough by the setting that I plan to continue the series.
Matters of the Screen
After feeling left out for a month and a half, I finally made it to the theatre for Emerald Fennell’s production of Wuthering Heights.
I really enjoyed the movie’s moody atmosphere, though I will say that I would have traded some of Catherine and Heathcliff’s screen time in favor of exploring the next generation. Like in the book, this would have given the story a redemptive quality. The actors who played the young versions of the main characters (Charlotte Mellington and Owen Cooper) would have been perfect to portray the lives of their children.
Adding the images just now, I have to laugh at the similarity.
I’ve always loved historical romance and can’t believe it took be so long to watch Pride and Prejudice. Known to be the most widely beloved of all 15+ adaptions, I went with the 2005 version starring Kiera Knightly.
I loved most the representation of the Bennet household, which portrays the craze of a family of daughters much like Little Women.
While I enjoyed the movie, I’m remain very excited for the six-part series coming to Netflix later this year. Watch the teaser here.
Despite all instinct, my pessimistic heart makes one exception: I continue to expect a good reading month (an acceptable assumption thanks to extensive planning and borderline obsessive research, of course). With that in mind, here’s what I imagine lies ahead for April:
A continuation of The Greenbone Saga, reading book two: Jade War
Two classics with their respective adaptations: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas and Emma by Jane Austen
Possibly Assassin’s Quest by Robin Hobb (I’m still too scared to start)
Project Hail Mary and a big ass bucket of popcorn
