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An Unnatural Inheritance: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a young witch in possession of ancestral magic must be in want of a coven.” Elizabeth Bennet and her sisters are proud of their ancestral magic, even if it is entirely unfashionable. But when an entailment and arcane magical law threaten to strip the Bennet Coven of their inheritance, Elizabeth is prepared to do what she must to protect her family. Complicating matters is the arrival of Mr. Darcy, an insufferable man with no tolerance for magic. Even as he becomes captivated by Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy unwittingly becomes the object of her affections and her power when she begins to trifle with magics far outside her control. An Unnatural Inheritance is a clean Jane Austen retelling which thrusts readers into a world of wild, elemental magic while retelling a timeless love story.
- GenresRomanceFantasyParanormal
393 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 12, 2017
39 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 8, 2021
This is a book that will grab your interest and keep it. There's enough of the canon material from Pride and Prejudice that it's a legitimate piece of JAFF, but the variations are strong enough to make you wonder what's going to happen next.
While spells and witchcraft figure prominently in the plot, it is made clear that the practice only celebrates mankind's gratitude and reliance on the earth rather than any demonic element; it's not inconsistent with heartfelt worship of Almighty God. Only fathers can pass the ability to practice magic to their offspring. Mr. Bennet and his daughters all share this talent, but Mrs. Bennet isn't told because she cannot be trusted to keep this secret. The girls have varying degrees of mastery and are all still learning how to practice the ancient craft.
In the Bennet line, magical ability also happens to be bound to the soil surrounding and encompassing Longbourn. This make the entail particularly devastating because, if none of Mr. Bennet's daughters marry Mr. Collins, their ties to Longbourn will be broken and they all will lose their magical abilities. Mr. Bennet makes it clear he expects one of the girls to shoulder this burden.
The magic involving Longbourn isn't exactly a secret in the Meryton area; it's just a topic that they speak of in hushed voices and never directly with the Bennets because witchcraft is "unfashionable." The family is discreet about it and well-liked by their neighbors. However, magic become a subject of discussion at Netherfield, and it is apparent that Mr. Darcy believes it exists but abhors the practice of it- just one of many things that Elizabeth finds distasteful about the gentleman.
When Mr. Collins arrives, Jane feels it is her duty as the first-born daughter to be the sacrificial lamb to marry their cousin, while Elizabeth has recognized her sister's love for Mr. Bingley and wants to prevent her from throwing her life away. This leads to the two sisters actually angling for Mr. Collins' attention. Brilliant!
Elizabeth decides she needs to take drastic measures to prevent Jane and Mr. Collins from marrying, and she elicits her sisters' aid in casting a series of well-intentioned spells that backfire. As a result, she and Mr. Darcy recognize their love for each other much sooner, but it sure doesn't lead to their HEA more quickly. And Darcy botches his initial proposal again, ticking Elizabeth off for a different reason.
The plot twists and turns, going toward and then back away from the original. Mr. Wickham starts off telling Elizabeth a tale that somewhat parallels the usual, but the way she deals with it brings startlingly different results. The Wickham-and-Lydia storyline also has a major tweak in the way it resolves.
I really enjoy the fantasy element of the story; it's incorporated into the plot very effectively. A plot twist at the end involving the Darcys is truly awesome. The writing is quite good and flows nicely. Content is clean.
*****
Just (May 2019) borrowed the current edition of this book (thank you, Kindle Unlimited) for a re-read. Still love the story.
While spells and witchcraft figure prominently in the plot, it is made clear that the practice only celebrates mankind's gratitude and reliance on the earth rather than any demonic element; it's not inconsistent with heartfelt worship of Almighty God. Only fathers can pass the ability to practice magic to their offspring. Mr. Bennet and his daughters all share this talent, but Mrs. Bennet isn't told because she cannot be trusted to keep this secret. The girls have varying degrees of mastery and are all still learning how to practice the ancient craft.
In the Bennet line, magical ability also happens to be bound to the soil surrounding and encompassing Longbourn. This make the entail particularly devastating because, if none of Mr. Bennet's daughters marry Mr. Collins, their ties to Longbourn will be broken and they all will lose their magical abilities. Mr. Bennet makes it clear he expects one of the girls to shoulder this burden.
The magic involving Longbourn isn't exactly a secret in the Meryton area; it's just a topic that they speak of in hushed voices and never directly with the Bennets because witchcraft is "unfashionable." The family is discreet about it and well-liked by their neighbors. However, magic become a subject of discussion at Netherfield, and it is apparent that Mr. Darcy believes it exists but abhors the practice of it- just one of many things that Elizabeth finds distasteful about the gentleman.
When Mr. Collins arrives, Jane feels it is her duty as the first-born daughter to be the sacrificial lamb to marry their cousin, while Elizabeth has recognized her sister's love for Mr. Bingley and wants to prevent her from throwing her life away. This leads to the two sisters actually angling for Mr. Collins' attention. Brilliant!
Elizabeth decides she needs to take drastic measures to prevent Jane and Mr. Collins from marrying, and she elicits her sisters' aid in casting a series of well-intentioned spells that backfire. As a result, she and Mr. Darcy recognize their love for each other much sooner, but it sure doesn't lead to their HEA more quickly. And Darcy botches his initial proposal again, ticking Elizabeth off for a different reason.
The plot twists and turns, going toward and then back away from the original. Mr. Wickham starts off telling Elizabeth a tale that somewhat parallels the usual, but the way she deals with it brings startlingly different results. The Wickham-and-Lydia storyline also has a major tweak in the way it resolves.
I really enjoy the fantasy element of the story; it's incorporated into the plot very effectively. A plot twist at the end involving the Darcys is truly awesome. The writing is quite good and flows nicely. Content is clean.
*****
Just (May 2019) borrowed the current edition of this book (thank you, Kindle Unlimited) for a re-read. Still love the story.
October 2, 2020
Warning if you are one of those people who think that Harry Potter is dangerous don't read this book, also don't be my friend. Thanks
Now to the rest of the world. I loved this book, so much. how much? So much that I intentionally stopped reading it last night because I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep if I didn't finish should I have kept reading.
It would be easy to dismiss this story as another Pride and Prejudice Paranormal or Pride and Prejudice and Witches. But that would be so wrong, this book is enchanting and has completely bewitched me. [I'm done with the puns don't hate me]. The author has done a magnificent job of weaving the Witchcraft story into the plot without making it feel heavy handed.
Now I am going to put the rest of my review / synopsis behind a spoiler tag read on if you dare
Now to the rest of the world. I loved this book, so much. how much? So much that I intentionally stopped reading it last night because I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep if I didn't finish should I have kept reading.
It would be easy to dismiss this story as another Pride and Prejudice Paranormal or Pride and Prejudice and Witches. But that would be so wrong, this book is enchanting and has completely bewitched me. [I'm done with the puns don't hate me]. The author has done a magnificent job of weaving the Witchcraft story into the plot without making it feel heavy handed.
Now I am going to put the rest of my review / synopsis behind a spoiler tag read on if you dare
July 3, 2019
This is a very creative story, IMHO. I do like reading versions which go off into sci-fi territory, i.e., vampires, werewolves, etc. I have read other variations in which there is witchcraft involved.
This story involves that "talent" being part of what the Bennet sisters inherit from their father. Mrs. Bennet is not directly informed of this as she cannot keep a secret but the friends and acquaintances know or suspect this and it is shared in gossip even with outsiders. Mrs. Bennet seems to be in denial. Each girl has a particular talented area in magic while some areas must be shared to be used. All owe their magic to a tie to the land that is know as Longbourn. If they leave lose that connection, the magic is also lost. Thus a problem with entail which is much more serious to the Bennet sisters than just having a place to reside. Again Mr. Bennet is too lazy and unmotivated to seek legal or magical correction to that condition.
Thus much of the story has us on edge as Jane and Elizabeth vie for being the one to "save" their coven by marrying Mr. Collins when he shows up and indicates his desire to marry any one of the sisters.
Where does Darcy come in? He presents as first of all having disdain for any who practice magic. While it is not illegal it is held in suspicion and considered as just not "the thing" to admit to practicing. It is considered gauche. Then as the story progresses we are surprised by Darcy's family's own history. "Damned if you do and damned if you don't"...when Georgiana has a need and Darcy has little choice.
I don't want to give many details here so as not to spoil the process of being pleased by the creativity of the author when others read this tale.
One of the surprises I will mention is that both England and France seem to view the powers of magic as one way of helping them wage a successful war against each other.
Elizabeth can't seem to get it completely right in her efforts and the consequences are not just plain or even partial failures but have powerful consequences for her and/or those involved.
I enjoyed this story and it kept my attention. I recommend it to other JAFF readers.
This story involves that "talent" being part of what the Bennet sisters inherit from their father. Mrs. Bennet is not directly informed of this as she cannot keep a secret but the friends and acquaintances know or suspect this and it is shared in gossip even with outsiders. Mrs. Bennet seems to be in denial. Each girl has a particular talented area in magic while some areas must be shared to be used. All owe their magic to a tie to the land that is know as Longbourn. If they leave lose that connection, the magic is also lost. Thus a problem with entail which is much more serious to the Bennet sisters than just having a place to reside. Again Mr. Bennet is too lazy and unmotivated to seek legal or magical correction to that condition.
Thus much of the story has us on edge as Jane and Elizabeth vie for being the one to "save" their coven by marrying Mr. Collins when he shows up and indicates his desire to marry any one of the sisters.
Where does Darcy come in? He presents as first of all having disdain for any who practice magic. While it is not illegal it is held in suspicion and considered as just not "the thing" to admit to practicing. It is considered gauche. Then as the story progresses we are surprised by Darcy's family's own history. "Damned if you do and damned if you don't"...when Georgiana has a need and Darcy has little choice.
I don't want to give many details here so as not to spoil the process of being pleased by the creativity of the author when others read this tale.
One of the surprises I will mention is that both England and France seem to view the powers of magic as one way of helping them wage a successful war against each other.
Elizabeth can't seem to get it completely right in her efforts and the consequences are not just plain or even partial failures but have powerful consequences for her and/or those involved.
I enjoyed this story and it kept my attention. I recommend it to other JAFF readers.
November 6, 2019
There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved: It is God's finger on man's shoulder. ~ Charles Morgan
What if Darcy:
… believed in magic
… believed in witches
… believed in spells …
When Darcy knows he has been surprised by the magic of love … when he suspects he has been enchanted by a witch … will he mention it in his proposal?
There never was a merry world since the fairies left off dancing, and the Parson left conjuring. ~John Selden, "Parson," Table Talk, 1689
The Bennet family – except Mrs. Bennet – is a coven of witches. Magic was inherited from their father and each sister has her own abilities. In many ways, Lydia is the strongest witch of them all.
Their magical power has been tied to their land – Longbourn – which will pass to the non-magical Mr. Collins. If the sisters leave the land their powers will be gone; a fact which creates an unusual competition among the sisters to entice the Reverend.
Wickham rears his handsome head of course. He claims to have magical powers; to be an earth worshipper. Yet he still insists Darcy unfairly denied him a living as an Anglican clergyman. Make up your mind, Wickham!
Elizabeth creates a series of spells which don’t have the results she intended. Does she have the power to make Wickham truthful?
All the witchcraft here is "white magic" -- no Black Mass -- no Devil worship. Barefoot prayers in the natural world.
This is a work of fiction. All the characters in it, human and otherwise, are imaginary, excepting only certain of the fairy folk, whom it might be unwise to offend by casting doubts on their existence. Or lack thereof. ~Neil Gaiman
What if Darcy:
… believed in magic
… believed in witches
… believed in spells …
When Darcy knows he has been surprised by the magic of love … when he suspects he has been enchanted by a witch … will he mention it in his proposal?
There never was a merry world since the fairies left off dancing, and the Parson left conjuring. ~John Selden, "Parson," Table Talk, 1689
The Bennet family – except Mrs. Bennet – is a coven of witches. Magic was inherited from their father and each sister has her own abilities. In many ways, Lydia is the strongest witch of them all.
Their magical power has been tied to their land – Longbourn – which will pass to the non-magical Mr. Collins. If the sisters leave the land their powers will be gone; a fact which creates an unusual competition among the sisters to entice the Reverend.
Wickham rears his handsome head of course. He claims to have magical powers; to be an earth worshipper. Yet he still insists Darcy unfairly denied him a living as an Anglican clergyman. Make up your mind, Wickham!
Elizabeth creates a series of spells which don’t have the results she intended. Does she have the power to make Wickham truthful?
All the witchcraft here is "white magic" -- no Black Mass -- no Devil worship. Barefoot prayers in the natural world.
This is a work of fiction. All the characters in it, human and otherwise, are imaginary, excepting only certain of the fairy folk, whom it might be unwise to offend by casting doubts on their existence. Or lack thereof. ~Neil Gaiman
August 28, 2017
In this Pride and Prejudice variation, the daughters of Mr Bennet are witches through their paternal line. The story follows the cannon plot line but replaces the cause for the angst. Both Elizabeth and Darcy feel that they love the other, but keeps the info buried inside and questions the source. They must reach through their own prideful and prejudicial feelings to find their happily ever after.
The witch aspect of this book was a bit much at times, but the author brought out the feelings of her characters so well I could easily get past it. I was tearing up many times during the story. I also loved the sisters working together.
The witch aspect of this book was a bit much at times, but the author brought out the feelings of her characters so well I could easily get past it. I was tearing up many times during the story. I also loved the sisters working together.
April 9, 2021
A solid JAFF x Magic
Synopsis:
Because of the church, magic is no longer fashionable, but rather taboo. Although some posses it they do not study it or acknowledge they have it. This is resulting in magic starting to fade into the stuff of wives tales, as it slowly dies out.
The Bennets are practicing witches, and although they keep it on the DL, rumors of this abound in Meryton. The magic itself is pretty basic, things like closing doors, lighting candles or prompting rain- nothing that can change the natural course of destiny.
Their magic is tied to LB- in thanks to a naughty ancestor who got carried away and received magic house arrest- so the girls are aware they will one day loose access to it when Collins inherits.
At the MA, Lizzy actually goes out of her way to initiate conversation with Darcy, who in kind repays her friendliness by not only insulting her looks but throws in aspersions towards her intelligence for good measure as well. Fret not, Lizzy bestows a just retaliation.
Darcy, after his uncanny lapse in grace and coupled with the rumors, soon suspects Lizzy to be a witch and much of their interactions are him surreptitiously trying to garner a confession while Lizzy proves apt at evasiveness.
Lizzy:
Lizzy is the most incompetent witch of her generation.
All her spells backfire spectacularly, which I actually appreciated as it is the idle magical equivalent for how book Lizzy's assumption land her in hot water.
Thus this yarn is innocent of the most prevalent of JAFF sins: Lizzy being cast a Mary Sue. Here she is decidedly not! She bumbles and blunders her way through the story & she is the least capable witch of her sisters. No matter how many times she finds herself in a hole of her own making, she won't stop digging herself in deeper!
Mr Bennet is in fine indolent form, and by fine I mean he is as frustrating as ever! He won't attempt to appeal to a court to get the magic liberated from the entail, so that is daughters may keep their 'unnatural inheritance,' nor can be moved to contribute with his magic when a young girls life rests in the balance.
Mr Bennet:
That Which Sparked Joy:
♡ Good balance of prose and dialogue, though neither stood out as particularly memorable or evocative to me.
♡ The Hunsford proposal was excellent- likely the best scene in the book. Darcy believes he has been bewitched- literally.
♡ I was often surprised by the events, which is a feat indeed! Read enough JAFF and it gets predictable; however I was impressed by the Ms Brand's willingness to shake it up and write new scenes while roughly sticking to the outline, i.e. Darcy catching Lizzy caring for tenants, some Rosings walk interaction.
♡ Jane putting her duty first and actually slighting Bingley for Collins, hadn't seen that previously. You really feel for Bingley and Jane! I adored this Bingley overall.
♡ The accidental feeling revelation spell was great.
♡The Bennet sisters particular traits translate spectacularly into their magical disposition.
That Which Courted Disdain:
✗Magic is ill-defined. I am a big fantasy fiend but I didn't feel the magic was explored enough to merit a magic tag for my taste. I think I need more world building to set the stage, this magic system was fairly halfsy. Author also failed to stress the importance of it in their daily lives [The Stakes], they don't seem to use it over much for me to care if they lose it.
✗ Darcy is good at times but at others I grew frustrated with his wishy washy behavior.
I believe Darcy should be more resolute once he sets his mind, this work is definitely guilty of Negative Motivation* which frustrated me and soured the story in my estimation by a degree.
✗Some of the characters motivations and action based on their understanding didn't ring true;
x Also fairly superficial; doesn't go into those little details that bring a scene to life either with emotion or atmosphere.
The Decree:
In my opinion the author gambled with the momentum and as a result the climax was fairly underwhelming and unromantic. The whole ‘I assumed you would not forgive me so I stayed away’ shtick is not one that engenders any fondness for a story, it is a form of Negative Motivation*.
It is the most aggravating, blatantly manufactured, of tensions; it makes the protagonist unlikeable and at odds with the reader. Put a real conflict, think up a 'dragon', to keep them apart and yeah- I’ll eat that up! However, hesitation is rarely interesting- except in Hamlet, but that’s in a league of it’s own.
Overall it is solid, but it did not give me those butterflies I get when I am enthralled with a JAFF nor did it inspire an inclination to revisit.
My favorite JAFF meets magic remains Dangerous Magic: A Pride and Prejudice Variation.
*Negative Motivation: when a character consciously decides not to do anything to solve a conflict that is entirely in their power to solve/ attempt to solve, so this is a hinderance since:
a. The conflict devolves into an artificial construct since the reader knows the character could just fix it if they wanted to, but doesn't to drag it out. Also, a conflict the character can walk away/ refrain from, is one the reader can walk away from.
b. Inaction is a burden to the plot, makes it stale, you have to keep the ball rolling. A story is when the protagonist says 'Yes!' to adventure, not 'Hmm I better not, let's wait and play it by ear.'
c. Missed opportunity to create tension/ anticipation. A writer should never pass up the opportunity to test their character, whether they have them prevail or fail spectacularly, it opens a host of potential to take the story to interesting places and round out character.
Synopsis:
Because of the church, magic is no longer fashionable, but rather taboo. Although some posses it they do not study it or acknowledge they have it. This is resulting in magic starting to fade into the stuff of wives tales, as it slowly dies out.
The Bennets are practicing witches, and although they keep it on the DL, rumors of this abound in Meryton. The magic itself is pretty basic, things like closing doors, lighting candles or prompting rain- nothing that can change the natural course of destiny.
Their magic is tied to LB- in thanks to a naughty ancestor who got carried away and received magic house arrest- so the girls are aware they will one day loose access to it when Collins inherits.
At the MA, Lizzy actually goes out of her way to initiate conversation with Darcy, who in kind repays her friendliness by not only insulting her looks but throws in aspersions towards her intelligence for good measure as well. Fret not, Lizzy bestows a just retaliation.
“Perhaps Mr. Darcy simply tripped under the overwhelming weight of his ego,”
Darcy, after his uncanny lapse in grace and coupled with the rumors, soon suspects Lizzy to be a witch and much of their interactions are him surreptitiously trying to garner a confession while Lizzy proves apt at evasiveness.
Lizzy:
‘Mr. Darcy. How dare that abominable man interfere with their lives! He had no right. And was he truly going around telling people she was a witch?’
Lizzy is the most incompetent witch of her generation.
All her spells backfire spectacularly, which I actually appreciated as it is the idle magical equivalent for how book Lizzy's assumption land her in hot water.
Thus this yarn is innocent of the most prevalent of JAFF sins: Lizzy being cast a Mary Sue. Here she is decidedly not! She bumbles and blunders her way through the story & she is the least capable witch of her sisters. No matter how many times she finds herself in a hole of her own making, she won't stop digging herself in deeper!
Mr Bennet is in fine indolent form, and by fine I mean he is as frustrating as ever! He won't attempt to appeal to a court to get the magic liberated from the entail, so that is daughters may keep their 'unnatural inheritance,' nor can be moved to contribute with his magic when a young girls life rests in the balance.
Mr Bennet:
That Which Sparked Joy:
♡ Good balance of prose and dialogue, though neither stood out as particularly memorable or evocative to me.
♡ The Hunsford proposal was excellent- likely the best scene in the book. Darcy believes he has been bewitched- literally.
♡ I was often surprised by the events, which is a feat indeed! Read enough JAFF and it gets predictable; however I was impressed by the Ms Brand's willingness to shake it up and write new scenes while roughly sticking to the outline, i.e. Darcy catching Lizzy caring for tenants, some Rosings walk interaction.
♡ Jane putting her duty first and actually slighting Bingley for Collins, hadn't seen that previously. You really feel for Bingley and Jane! I adored this Bingley overall.
♡ The accidental feeling revelation spell was great.
♡The Bennet sisters particular traits translate spectacularly into their magical disposition.
That Which Courted Disdain:
✗Magic is ill-defined. I am a big fantasy fiend but I didn't feel the magic was explored enough to merit a magic tag for my taste. I think I need more world building to set the stage, this magic system was fairly halfsy. Author also failed to stress the importance of it in their daily lives [The Stakes], they don't seem to use it over much for me to care if they lose it.
✗ Darcy is good at times but at others I grew frustrated with his wishy washy behavior.
‘She was the reason he would never marry, for he knew in his core that he could marry none but her. And he would not marry her. Though temptation made him weak, he was resolved on this one point.’
I believe Darcy should be more resolute once he sets his mind, this work is definitely guilty of Negative Motivation* which frustrated me and soured the story in my estimation by a degree.
✗Some of the characters motivations and action based on their understanding didn't ring true;
x Also fairly superficial; doesn't go into those little details that bring a scene to life either with emotion or atmosphere.
The Decree:
In my opinion the author gambled with the momentum and as a result the climax was fairly underwhelming and unromantic. The whole ‘I assumed you would not forgive me so I stayed away’ shtick is not one that engenders any fondness for a story, it is a form of Negative Motivation*.
It is the most aggravating, blatantly manufactured, of tensions; it makes the protagonist unlikeable and at odds with the reader. Put a real conflict, think up a 'dragon', to keep them apart and yeah- I’ll eat that up! However, hesitation is rarely interesting- except in Hamlet, but that’s in a league of it’s own.
Overall it is solid, but it did not give me those butterflies I get when I am enthralled with a JAFF nor did it inspire an inclination to revisit.
My favorite JAFF meets magic remains Dangerous Magic: A Pride and Prejudice Variation.
*Negative Motivation: when a character consciously decides not to do anything to solve a conflict that is entirely in their power to solve/ attempt to solve, so this is a hinderance since:
a. The conflict devolves into an artificial construct since the reader knows the character could just fix it if they wanted to, but doesn't to drag it out. Also, a conflict the character can walk away/ refrain from, is one the reader can walk away from.
b. Inaction is a burden to the plot, makes it stale, you have to keep the ball rolling. A story is when the protagonist says 'Yes!' to adventure, not 'Hmm I better not, let's wait and play it by ear.'
c. Missed opportunity to create tension/ anticipation. A writer should never pass up the opportunity to test their character, whether they have them prevail or fail spectacularly, it opens a host of potential to take the story to interesting places and round out character.
January 28, 2018
Magical
Definitively different but highly entertaining. I loved the glimpse into a world of magic. A marvelous tale where everything is possible.
Definitively different but highly entertaining. I loved the glimpse into a world of magic. A marvelous tale where everything is possible.
July 17, 2020
Magic Elizabeth
It is a great story but i have been a bit annoyed with Elizabeth and her behaviour throughout the book. Also Mary is more read than Lizzy who often came across as unaware as they come.
I did like Lydia quite a bit and i wish that more of her and Georgiana’s story was explored.
It is a great story but i have been a bit annoyed with Elizabeth and her behaviour throughout the book. Also Mary is more read than Lizzy who often came across as unaware as they come.
I did like Lydia quite a bit and i wish that more of her and Georgiana’s story was explored.
October 3, 2020
Magical Pride and Prejudice
Bewitching, highly engaging story that I loved from start to finish.
Magic was out of fashion and frowned upon but not entirely extinct.
The Bennets had old land-bound magic they performed clandestinely. Unfortunately, Longbourn was entailed to the dreaded cousin and their magic would die out when they left the land...
The story kept to the timeline of canon but the events were entirely new and inventive with surprising twist and turns.
Rated: Chaste
Highly recommend!
October scavenger hunt 2020 JAFF 226
Bewitching, highly engaging story that I loved from start to finish.
Magic was out of fashion and frowned upon but not entirely extinct.
The Bennets had old land-bound magic they performed clandestinely. Unfortunately, Longbourn was entailed to the dreaded cousin and their magic would die out when they left the land...
The story kept to the timeline of canon but the events were entirely new and inventive with surprising twist and turns.
Rated: Chaste
Highly recommend!
October scavenger hunt 2020 JAFF 226
August 23, 2018
Inventive
Well thought out, with the angst served up nicely by a difference of beliefs rather than strictly based on social status. Some inventive imaginings without going too far into the occult. Could have benefited by an explanatory epilogue as it ends more wistful than romantic, but maybe that was by design, or maybe the author ran out of steam. There was quite a bit of electricity. Could have used a good measure of added "steam".
Well thought out, with the angst served up nicely by a difference of beliefs rather than strictly based on social status. Some inventive imaginings without going too far into the occult. Could have benefited by an explanatory epilogue as it ends more wistful than romantic, but maybe that was by design, or maybe the author ran out of steam. There was quite a bit of electricity. Could have used a good measure of added "steam".
August 28, 2017
Love it!!
I admit that I do love a good witch story, and there is something deeply satisfying about that deeper connection possible for Elizabeth and Darcy when any magic is involved. This was a very, very good employment of the magical possibilities, and I truly enjoyed the entire book.
I do suspect that strict canon and historical accuracy fans will be bothered by some of this, but I can only shrug and reply that it is their loss. Highly recommend to any with even the slightest open mind for variation of the classic!
I admit that I do love a good witch story, and there is something deeply satisfying about that deeper connection possible for Elizabeth and Darcy when any magic is involved. This was a very, very good employment of the magical possibilities, and I truly enjoyed the entire book.
I do suspect that strict canon and historical accuracy fans will be bothered by some of this, but I can only shrug and reply that it is their loss. Highly recommend to any with even the slightest open mind for variation of the classic!
January 9, 2020
The perfect mixture of P&P, witches, and the abuse of magic by well-intentioned and meddling young adults (and teenagers) that create quite a mess.
It is a nicely written fantacy love story.
It is a nicely written fantacy love story.
June 15, 2020
I would probably rate this 3.75. In this variation, the Bennet sisters have inherited the power of witchcraft from their father. The problem is that their magic is tied to the land and stands to be lost in the entailment of Longbourn. Magic is looked down on in society and so they are forced to hide their powers though there are rumors of witchcraft attached to their family. Elizabeth is a bit reckless with her powers in this book and practices poor judgement which begins a chain of events that is quite different from what is intended and causes harm to more than one person. While Elizabeth's foolishness was a bit out of character, I did appreciate that she was portrayed as human and not the personification of perfection that we read too often in P&P variations. We can all certainly relate to not using the best of judgement in matters of the heart and thus we can relate and forgive such actions. I really enjoyed this book and only felt that it dragged a little too much in places where I wish things would have come together a little faster. Good book.
August 24, 2022
This book proves its not just American authors who use modern language(not that I ever thought that). The author uses chuffed and prat both words from the mid 20th century. She also uses big words incorrectly.
After reading a magical series and really enjoying it, I decided to try this one. I’m not a big fan.
Elizabeth’s hair is auburn then brown.
I hate the cover, what is up with the Victorian dress?
After reading a magical series and really enjoying it, I decided to try this one. I’m not a big fan.
Elizabeth’s hair is auburn then brown.
I hate the cover, what is up with the Victorian dress?
November 6, 2023
What is this unnatural inheritance?
What is this unnatural inheritance?
Elizabeth seems, how do I say this? Awkward. Not the one whom we are used to seeing so in control, or confident. She made me feel sad and not fully complete.
Mary is so smart! Jane is still very compassionate. Lydia is strong and still a bit mischievous, but smart too. Kitty is very on cue.
We do have our hea.
What is this unnatural inheritance?
Elizabeth seems, how do I say this? Awkward. Not the one whom we are used to seeing so in control, or confident. She made me feel sad and not fully complete.
Mary is so smart! Jane is still very compassionate. Lydia is strong and still a bit mischievous, but smart too. Kitty is very on cue.
We do have our hea.
September 18, 2017
Intriguing
I liked it very much. I have only one criticism, the ending!
This whole book was about magic and the coming together of Darcy and Lizzy and to end the story by saying basically, we'll talk about it later (magic)! Totally missed an opportunity for an exciting and "magical" ending! Sigh!!!
I liked it very much. I have only one criticism, the ending!
This whole book was about magic and the coming together of Darcy and Lizzy and to end the story by saying basically, we'll talk about it later (magic)! Totally missed an opportunity for an exciting and "magical" ending! Sigh!!!
September 1, 2017
Different
Of all the various variations I've read over the years, this one, which I think was well written, was perfect taking me away with Darcy and Elizabeth from beginning to end!
Of all the various variations I've read over the years, this one, which I think was well written, was perfect taking me away with Darcy and Elizabeth from beginning to end!
March 22, 2018
Really loved this variation! The events of the book are very similar, but take a new direction with MAGIC. It's excellent, highly recommend this to anyone who's looking for a P&P variation with a magical twist!
March 19, 2023
Magical delight!
Wonderful variation with the magical twist. Well developed and written with only minor typos. Very creative storyline with our favorite characters finding their HEA.
Wonderful variation with the magical twist. Well developed and written with only minor typos. Very creative storyline with our favorite characters finding their HEA.
January 22, 2018
Avid Reader
This is the second book this week that I have read where the Bennett family and Darcy family are connected by ancient, supernatural powers. I enjoyed both.
This is the second book this week that I have read where the Bennett family and Darcy family are connected by ancient, supernatural powers. I enjoyed both.
June 17, 2018
An unnatural inheritance
Simply brilliant. Like a warm bath, this book was easy to submerge into. The premise of this book worked so veru
Simply brilliant. Like a warm bath, this book was easy to submerge into. The premise of this book worked so veru
May 15, 2023
For me this book did not get going until the second act, but then it took off.
Really good read.
Really good read.
October 7, 2023
3.5 stars
March 21, 2024
In this Pride and Prejudice variation the Bennet daughters have inherited their magical abilities via Mr Bennet (who is as usual useless), a secret kept from their mother. How does this affect them all especially when the spells don't always go as planned.
An entertaining story
An entertaining story
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