This is, above every other aspect, a retelling of Pride and Prejudice. It is adapted to a science fiction setting. Overall I would say that it is a pretty good retelling. Some of the characters from the original are parsed together in interesting ways.

The author talks to us about bodily autonomy and fundamental rights, including reproductive rights. Consent is discussed quite often, and I feel it does a good job of breaking down the principles of enthusiastic consent.

Our FMC finds herself very drawn to Martian law. That particular aspect I very much liked. It does echo P&P’s Elizabeth in that they are both quite intelligent and are avid readers. I could see Elizabeth Bennet studying law.

This book also is inclusive of those who fall outside the gender binary. Non-hetero couplings are included as well.

The depiction of AI, and the Intelligence in particular, is what I would call critical. Its speech is jarring. The vernacular pulls me out of the book, disrupting the reading experience.

Be sure to read the content warnings at the beginning! My anxiety was mostly quiet with this book but there were a couple of points where it did kick off, so I will check this *Yes* on the Anxiety, but it was just a little bit for me.

As for the smut element: There is some BDSM. It doesn’t overtake the story, but it is there. Otherwise, the smut was not obtrusive but not particularly innovative.

I regret to say that the author neglected including a scene involving a white shirt and a lake. An opportunity missed, unfortunately. But we do get him heaving, covered in blood, holding an axe, so that's something.

<b>“Give me my freedom. Over my body. Over my future.”</b>

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and loved the themes that it explored. The coverage of bodily autonomy, consent, and traditional gender roles was inspiring to “expect more” from our lives. Also loved the coverage of AI, climate change, and the parts that talked about America having the means to provide for everyone but unfortunately it is not a fundamental value here.

The only feedback I have is that the love story felt a bit rushed, but at the same time I think that was a big point of the book that it was not a typical romance, and more focused on Vivian’s journey and the topics mentioned above.

Overall, the book covered so many important topics that was done really well and in a way that left me feeling empowered and hopeful for the future as women!! Excited for it to come out to be able to discuss with my friends.

I was very lucky to get an ARC of this book from NetGalley, and I’m so glad I did!

Imagine a future when disadvantaged Earth women are contracted to go through risky pregnancies on Mars because Martians themselves cannot reproduce and a sentient AI told them this was the best way. You contract your womb away without knowing just how much you’re risking and giving up, but you quickly learn just how much you’ve signed away. Now imagine Mr. Darcy is there to help you defend your autonomy. Yes please!

This book was an awesome P&P retelling. The homage to the characters and the original storyline are clear and well-done without the author feeling like she had to stick too closely to the original characters and story. I never felt like this book was constrained by being a rewrite; the author departed from the original story whenever it was what HER story needed and truly made it her own.

The characters were interesting, realistic, and complex. The story was fast-paced and kept me hooked the entire time. The scifi and romance aspects were both integral to the story and complemented one another. I really like the entire concept of this dystopia, and the AI talking exactly how ChatGPT does was witty and well-done.

This is an excellent and thoughtful commentary on current affairs in the US while also being an entertaining read.

I found this book to be a very unique retelling of Pride and Prejudice. I like the science fiction aspect in the novel. I also like the compelling characters, and the writing style was engaging! I recommend this book for fans of Jane Austen!

It's Pride & Prejudice ON MARS! And I was so down for it!

I'd be willing to bet Barner is a Star Trek fan, as we see the same format used in many a Star Trek episode across all the shows of a colony where everyone gets really into recreating a specific time and place (i.e. the 19th century Ireland planet, the RenFaire planet, the 1930's Chicago planet, the 1990's small town American Midwest planet - that show had really gone over budget that season -, the Scottish Highlander romance novel planet, etc.)

In this story, the Martian colonists have gotten really into the Regency period, cos-playing Bridgeton, complete with all the delights of the Season:

"What does 'promenade' mean?"
"Walk," Luz said. "Pretentiously."

Mars, like so many human colonies throughout history, needs working wombs if its going to survive, and women from Earth and being imported in to chose a partner and start making babies, after courtship through a series of balls where they get to meet the local Martian men.

And so the P&P storyline plays out, beat for beat, on Mars, holding up surprisingly well to scrutiny, Jane Austen's wry commentary on human foibles still relevant, even in the future on a different planet. (The "Mr. Collins" proposal scene had me in almost tears of laughter!) But all throughout Barner points out what Austen was too constrained by society to say out loud - that these women have precious little choices, and are looking down the dangerous barrel of forced pregnancy.

Then, at about 3/4's through, the story takes a sharp left turn as Barner, like so many sci-fi authors, uses the genre to call out things going wrong in our present, reminding her present day American audience that, currently, we are f*cked by an educational system being dismantled, our bodily autonomy being taken away, health care disappearing, and climate change wreaking havoc.

In an action packed climax, Barner makes the uncomfortable point that sometimes might does make right, as we see real political change happen at the tip of a sword. (Never forget that there is a solid through line from Carrie Nation's ax to the 18th Amendment.) In a update on Teddy Roosevelt's political theory, Barner suggests carrying a law book in one hand and a broadsword in the other. It plays out surprisingly effectively.

Overall an excellent retelling of Pride and Prejudice, with things to say about past, present and future, all wrapped up perfectly in this wonderful book.