Monday, May 13, 2013

My Share in the Conversation... All the Appearance of Goodness


All the Appearance of Goodness by Maria Grace

This book is the third volume in the trilogy, Given Good Principles, by Maria Grace.  Volume I & II are both prequels to Pride and Prejudice with Volume I focusing on Darcy and his life prior to his trip to Herefordshire with Charles Bingley. Some background of the Bennet family and the reputations of Kitty and Lydia comprise the story for Volume II. I highly recommend reading both before reading Volume III.

In the beginning of All the Appearance of Goodness, Darcy and Lizzy meet for the first time. (And in a most unusual way)  I loved this scene and the repertoire between my two favorite characters. It was very well done and brought many smiles. Another good thing about it was that it made for some nice references later in the book.

George Wickham is mentioned but is not in this story as he was dealt with in Volume I. He does have a replacement of sorts, in the form of Mr. Collins, the handsome and charming clergyman. (Yes, you read right!) Lizzy is true to character here as she is, at first, taken in by his looks and eloquence of speech. Lydia, not true to character, is not, and has an intense dislike for their fetching cousin. She even tries to convince Lizzy of her reasons for mistrusting him but Lizzy will not listen. What could Lydia possibly know…except maybe a bit of jealousy?

Darcy’s good friend and now vicar, Mr. Bradley, plays a big part again in this volume. He still is the mentor that Darcy needs and is pivotal in helping him see things without prejudice. This character that Ms. Grace has created is one I much love and of whom I would like to read again.

Louisa Bingley is unmarried but betrothed. Her personality is much improved and even likable. Mary has a much bigger role and a good one. It was great to see her happy and having good things happen to her for a change. Some of the other characters are matched up much differently than in the original book, but it made for fun reading. I loved the allusions to a relationship that might be developing for Kitty! You will never guess the fellow and I won’t spoil the surprise! 

Darcy and Lizzy have misunderstandings of which their relationship is renowned. That makes the understanding between them all the better when it does happen. Toward the end it gets extremely intense. I couldn't put the book down.  Anyone that loves P & P retellings will want to read this book! It is most excellent! Thank you, Maria Grace, for these three volumes. I am hearing rumors there might be a fourth! I hope that is true!

4.5 out of 5 stars

PG for no explicit sex

I was given an ARC eBook by the author for an honest and fair review.

This is my eighth selection for the P & P Bicentenary Challenge of 2013

Maria Grace is giving an eBook of All the Appearance of Goodness to one lucky person who leaves a comment. Be sure and add your email address to your comment so we will be able to reach you. This giveaway is worldwide and will end at midnight, May 19. Thank you, Maria!

For any of you that are interested (I'm sure that is ALL of you) Maria is posting a chapter a week of a new book, It Only Stands to Reason, on her blog, Random Bits of Fascination. I have been following it since the beginning and it is also a fabulous story. I wait anxiously for each Wednesday to roll around so I can read the next chapter! Be sure and check it out. The link to her blog is on the right side of the page!

26 comments:

  1. All the Appearances of Goodness sounds great. I like how the characters may be the same from P&P, but how they interact with one another comes across like a completely different book (or in this case series) that it is able to stand alone. I especially love that the younger Bennett sisters have a larger presence in this retelling. Jane is not mentioned in the review above. I haven't read Volumes 1 or 2, so I am curious if she has a large part to play. And Mr. Collins? Handsome and charming? That is definitely a twist. Wonder how that will affect poor Charlotte?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Raquel. Thanks for your comments. Yes, Jane does play a large part in this book. She has her sweet nature and her character has some very interesting changes!I won't say anymore!:)

      Thanks again for stopping by and good luck in the giveaway. Be sure and leave your email address!

      Delete
  2. I am so curious now to see how the changes in the original characters affect the story. Thanks for sharing your review thoughts and for the giveaway opportunity.

    Congrats on your 8th challenge book. I'm working on a book for the challenge right now too.
    sophiarose1816 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are quite a few changes in this compelling story! It has many unexpected but interesting relationships and a couple of really bad characters. You will love to hate them. When you get the chance to read this trilogy, I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

      Glad you stopped by and shared your thoughts.

      Delete
  3. would love to see where you take your version!!!
    thank you for the giveaway!!!

    cyn209 at juno dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You need to read these books to discover your answer! They are well written books with lots of different twists. I enjoyed all three!

      Thanks for visiting today and good luck!

      Delete
  4. This book has been on my radar for quite so long and just recently discovered that it was a trilogy! I had a chance to read the 2nd one -- The Future Mrs. Darcy. I didn't have high hopes (who wants to read Elizabeth story without Mr. Darcy?!) but as i read, page by page (or at least tap by tap in my kindle, lol!) I got hooked! :) And when I read her meeting Mr. Darcy in an original scene -- I was ecstatic. It was like Mr. Darcy was forgotten and then there he is! :)

    And so I'm really really looking forward to reading the 3rd book of this story and see how this concludes -- which should be bittersweet for me!

    jsnato atgmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you will really enjoy the third book. Glad you liked the 2nd book. It was good to see the differences in the characters and learn some background of the Bennets. The Darcy and Lizzy meeting is definitely an ecstatic moment!

      Good luck in the giveaway. I'm glad you stopped by.

      Delete
  5. My, this one is intriguing -- I wish I'd read volumes I and II already so I could jump into it, but I will follow your advice, Janet, and complete those first. Thanks again for a great review -- I really enjoy knowing I will get enough detail to raise my interest without having a concern about getting an entire plot outline or spoiling the most interesting threads of the novel.

    But darn! It seems every time I visit your blog site, my reading list just keeps growing and growing! (Not a bad thing, mind you -- just never enough hours in the day.) ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Tess. Thank you so much for your kind words about my reviews. You have made my day! :) So glad you took the time to read this review and leave a comment. I understand about those reading lists though! There are many new books that sound so good. I keep adding to my list but the hours in the day aren't growing with the list!

      Delete
  6. I couldn't put the book down.

    That's the best recommendation! You don't say that of every book, so I know this is going to be a fab read.

    ~ junewilliams7 {at} yahoo {dot} com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are definitely right! Thanks and good luck!

      Delete
  7. Hmmm, enticing review, Janet! I have been reading much about Maria Grace's trilogy in recent months and, like Tess, I want to read the first two volumes before this one. I really like when there is an original character that blends well with those we know from the novel, and I also like the idea of refreshing new takes on old characters (eg Mr Collins). Definintely for the 'to be read' list, which is ever-growing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Cassandra, for your share in the conversation. Mr. Bradley is such a dear character. I felt a bond with him in Volume I. He is a good man of the best kind and worthy of being a mentor to Darcy. Maria Grace gives us quite an interesting take on Mr. Collins. The other mix-ups are fun too. A very enjoyable book...

      I understand about the ever growing list, but then again, isn't it wonderful to have so many good books to read! :)

      Delete
  8. I'm very enticed by the numerous variations from canon and original P&P (the charming and handsome Mr Collins is definitely a very attractive idea, as is Caroline's demoting) and ever so curious about the effects they would have on the story. Also, a book where slimy Wickham doesn't get to spread his poison is very tempting too. Your books are fabulous, Maria, as are your posts about Regency. Many thanks, they are a joy to read!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joana, I'm glad to stopped by. The changes to canon in this trilogy are fun and delightful to read. Maria Grace has a writing style that makes those changes believable. It is a set of books that I highly recommend for your reading pleasure!

      Have you been following, IT ONLY STANDS TO REASON, on her blog? It is a great story! Can't wait until tomorrow for the next chapter!

      Delete
  9. Hi Maria!
    Your writing style is so much fun!! Thank you for doing what you love! I can't wait to read more from your heart!
    HUGS.
    -Carol
    (mom7plus)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. mom7plus at bellsouth.net, that is. Oops. Sorry I forgot to finish it!
      Carol

      Delete
    2. Thanks for stopping by Carol. What a nice comment that you left for Maria!

      Good luck in the giveaway!

      Delete
  10. Can't wait to read this, thanks for the giveaway

    meikleblog at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you stopped by and commented, Vesper! I will make sure you are in the giveaway!

      Delete
  11. Grace, I hope your new book is doing well. I just love all of your stories. Jen Red

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for visiting, Jen! I am honored to have you here!

      Delete
  12. I have the first two books of this trilogy but haven't got the third yet. I really like the idea of a handsome, charming Mr Collins (although I can't imagine it!) because he could come between our couple just as much as a Wickham. If canon Collins had been less hideous Lizzy might have been much inclined to consider his suit. I'd be really interested to read this one.

    frawli1978(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have to say that he does cause a bit of trouble for Darcy and Lizzy but that is all I will say regarding the subject. It is hard to imagine him handsome and charming, isn't it, but Maria Grace makes it easy to believe! Maybe if you win this one, you will then have the third book. Good luck.

      Delete
  13. For any of you that haven't been reading Maria Grace's book on her blog, be sure and check it out. It is a very good book and is titled, IT ONLY STANDS TO REASON. I recently added a paragraph about it at the end of my review. A link to her site is on the right of this page, Random Bits of Fascination. A new chapter is posted on most Wednesday's.

    ReplyDelete