From Page to Screen: The Duke and I (Bridgertons Book 1) by Julia Quinn

This will be the first instance of where I've watched the adaptation prior to reading the book!

The BOOK

Not gonna lie, this book started out really slow for me. I've watched the show three times now, so the way the novel started was a bit jarring for me.

The story really picks up whenever Simon finds Daphne in a particularly compromising situation with Lord Berburke . . . which didn't happen so quickly in the show. I did enjoy getting to see Simon's inner thought processes as he apprised Daphne. That was something we don't really see in the show because we don't get his inner monologue.

I'm not going to lie. I DNF'd this one at about 60%. The novel felt bland and lacked a lot of the elements I adore in the show.

The SHOW

Listen. I am a fan of this show. Shonda Rhimes was the perfect person to take on these novels and adapt them to the screen. I'd never heard of Bridgerton prior to the first season of the show, and honestly, I didn't think I'd read the books because I enjoyed the show so much.

First off, this show has A++++ casting. The Duke of Hastings is everything you'd want and more in a morally gray man with secrets. From the moment he's on screen, Simon absolutely steals the show.

Of course, you have a lot of side plots and shenanigans, but his romance with Daphne on the screen is hot and fun! Fake dating is such a fun trope, and it was really well done here. I find it hard to imagine anyone else playing either of the main two characters.

This isn't quite for me to say, but I didn't like Queen Charlotte's illicit drug use. I'm not a Black person, but to me, it almost felt like they were perpetuating drug stereotypes, and it just gave me an ick. (Please know I mean no offense to anyone here, I just really wanted to see a strong Black woman succeeding without that!)

The Bridgerton family dynamic is so fun. I like that we get to see a lot of what's going on outside of the main relationship as the creators build toward the other Bridgerton siblings having their own romances.

Final THOUGHTS

If you're expecting the book to be similar to the novel... it has the basic plotline. It lacks a lot of the things I adore about the show: the family dynamics, the heat between Daphne and Simon, and how the ton is like its own character. I'd skip this one and just stick to the show.

Abbie

Book Review: New Witch on the Block by Louisa West

I've been in a really witchy mood lately. I have always had a deep love for all things witchy. For years, Charmed was my favorite show! I picked up this book from the stuff your kindle event, but I really wasn't sure whether I'd like it or not.

Given my last couple of reads, I didn't have high hopes for this one. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised.

Rosie has just escaped her abusive husband with her daughter Maggie in the middle of the night. They end up in a small town, in a house that's seen better days. Rosie hasn't really worked a full time job, and she's been beneath her husband's thumb for over twenty years. She stayed because of their daughter, thinking that the love for her child would be enough.

Mosswood is a quaint little town in the middle of nowhere. The town has a small community based around their evangelical church. As Rosie and Maggie settle in, they find a routine that fits their new normal. Then weird things start happening.

One of the respected members of the community hits on Rosie and believe the husband when he says it's the other way around. The man who lives nearby stumbles drunkenly onto Rosie's property, claiming she is his Witch Queen and he, her Witch King.

After settling in, Rosie learns that she is a witch. The details on this were a little unclear to me, honestly, but I was willing to suspend my belief a little. I didn't like how the love interest, Declan, was introduced, but I wasn't completely put off by it.

While trying to make this new place their home, Rosie learns how to live again. This was a great story about a woman reaching middle age learning who she really is. Even though I felt like there wasn't enough given about her being a witch, I was satisfied enough with the story that I will more than likely continue this series.

Abbie

From Page to Screen: On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

I am a fan of Angie Thomas. THUG is an incredible novel, and I knew I would read just about anything she writes. This week, I dive into her follow up novel to THUG, which isn't a direct sequel, but takes place in Garden Heights, the same place as THUG.

The BOOK

Bree is in the midst of prepping for college entrance exams, but she can't focus on it, because her entire life is hinging on a phone call. You see, 'rookies' are invited to battle in The Ring on Thursday nights, and she has a chance.

Bree is a rapper. She just hasn't had her come up yet.

This novel takes place in the same neighborhood of Garden Heights, but in a distinctly different setting than The Hate U Give. Bree lives with her recovering addict mother and older brother, who's been to college but moved home to help the family. Her mother has been working hard to provide, but it's a struggle daily. Bree's father was gunned down when she was little, but he's a legend in his own right.

Known as Lawless, he was the one that was supposed to make it out of the Garden, but he never did.

When the phone call comes inviting Bree to the ring, it's a chance to change not only her life, but the life of everyone around her.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel all over again. Rap is poetry, and it was a lot of fun getting to see the inner workings of Bree's mind whenever she was coming up with a rap. This novel explores going after your dreams when everything is set against you reaching them.

Bree has experienced a lot of trauma at her age, and it just keeps coming with violent security guards at school, her aunt who is a member of a gang, and the overall perception of others trying to paint her in a bad light.

It's such a good novel, and, like THUG, it paints a portrait that people like me could never understand. Angie Thomas is a brilliant writer.

The MOVIE

I didn't realize a movie was made until recently, which is why I chose this novel to include in my From Page to Screen series.

If ever there was a book so different from the movie that I barely recognized it... this is it.

I completely understand having to cut characters and plot points for times sake. When adapting to film, stories have to be made succinct. But, y'all, it felt like the screenplay took the characters created by Thomas and rewrote the entire story.

The base plot of Bree getting her call and going into the ring that first night is the same, but, from there, the story could not be more different. I found it hard to enjoy the movie because it was such a whiplash from the book.

Things I enjoyed:

-seeing Aunt Pooh on the screen. I think she is a very dynamic character and I would love if Angie Thomas wrote her story. Morally gray characters that love with their whole heart just GET ME.

-the actress that played Bree was incredible! The movie definitely had an 8 Mile feel to it, but give me a badass female rapper any day!

Things I didn't enjoy: -Changing the plot of that first battle. In the book, there are three rounds. In the movie, it's just one and Bree chokes and I thought that was so unfair to the character.

-I wanted to see more of Bree's family dynamic included in the movie. We lost the grandparent plotline and a lot of the actual healing done between Bree and her mom.

Final THOUGHTS

I almost wish I hadn't re-read the novel before watching the movie, just because it was so different that I would have liked to enjoy the movie for what it is. Overall, if you enjoy Black stories, rap music, and an unwavering faith in your dreams, I'd recommend reading the novel and/or watching the movie!

Abbie