Welcome to the last My Lady Jane readalong discussion! Yes, I know, I’m sad too! I really enjoyed this month of reading MLJ and discussing it with all of you. I don’t know what I’ll do with myself after this (I wish there was a sequel). But at least I know that I can dive into the next readalong that I’m hosting (which some of you have also joined already, yay!), so there’s that. Anyway, on to the discussion!
If this is the first time you’re hearing about this readalong, you can read the announcement and sign-up post here! I was accepting new participants up to this point, and welcome to all of you who may have joined us since the first discussion! I guess I could accept participants for the next discussions as well? I mean, if you read quick, or are sure that you can catch up, you are welcome to join in and even add to the previous discussions! Just be sure to sign up so that I can keep track of everyone!
– The Readalong Book –
My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows!
Title: My Lady Jane
Author: Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows
Type: Fiction
Genre: YA, Historical, Fantasy, Romance
Imprint: HarperTeen
Publisher: HarperCollins
Date published: June 7, 2016 (hardcover)
May 9, 2017 (paperback)
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 494
Synopsis: Edward (long live the king) is the King of England. He’s also dying, which is inconvenient, as he’s only sixteen and he’d much rather be planning for his first kiss than considering who will inherit his crown…
Jane (reads too many books) is Edward’s cousin, and far more interested in books than romance. Unfortunately for Jane, Edward has arranged to marry her off to secure the line of succession. And there’s something a little odd about her intended…
Gifford (call him G) is a horse. That is, he’s an Eðian (eth-y-un, for the uninitiated). Every day at dawn he becomes a noble chestnut steed—but then he wakes at dusk with a mouthful of hay. It’s all very undignified.
The plot thickens as Edward, Jane, and G are drawn into a dangerous conspiracy. With the fate of the kingdom at stake, our heroes will have to engage in some conspiring of their own. But can they pull off their plan before it’s off with their heads?
– Chapters 24-30 Discussion Questions –
Note: those of you who have not yet read My Lady Jane and still intend to read it, don’t read this post beyond this point (including the comments)! But if you like spoilers go right ahead.
To participants: It’s not mandatory that you answer these questions! This is not school, haha. These are mainly meant to generate conversations in case some of our read-a-long-ers are having a hard time picking something to talk about. Feel free to mention and discuss anything which I may not have thought of in the questions below! Please, also keep in mind that we are discussing chapters 24-30 at this point only, and that if you have read ahead, you be conscious about not sharing spoilers. We want to keep this fun for everyone! Please be considerate.
- What are your favourite parts in this section of the book?!
- Do you believe in and/or enjoy happily ever afters?
- Was the kiss between G and Jane everything you hoped it would be?
- What about the kiss between Gracie and Edward?
- Did the bear scene end up being what you expected it to be?
- Did you expect Edward to take back his throne the way he did? And did you expect Mary to end up being an Eðian?
- Did you expect Edward to give the crown to Bess?
- Are you looking forward to, and will you be reading the next book by these authors, which is coming out next year and will be about Jane Eyre and Charlotte Brontë?
– My Answers –
- The Shakespeare bits, and some of the really funny parts. Also, of course Jane and G’s first kiss (ah!), and the ones which follower. Their confessions of love to one another, as well. And Edward and Gracie’s kiss! I also liked that the authors kept it realistic by stating that Edward and Gracie’s relationship could go in any direction!
- Yes, I love happily ever afters…if they feel realistic!
- YES! There was also so much more chemistry there than I expected! Ah!
- I wasn’t really rooting for them as much as I was for G and Jane, but yeah it was cute!
- Nope. I thought they’d be faced with some Eðian who would somehow end up helping them in their quest. Poor bear 🙁
- No, I did not expect either thing. But I just want to say that I was cheering when Mary turned into an ass, hahaha, because cosmic justice!
- Yes, for once I did see that coming. It was sort of being hinted at for a bit of the book, and I think Bess makes a better queen than Edward makes a king. So, we agree on that. Haha.
- YES! 100%, because I love Jane Eyre, and I love the Brontë sisters, and I love how these authors write books together! Hey, maybe I’ll host a readalong for it when it comes out!
– Readalong Schedule –
| Date | Chapter Discussions | Discussion Location |
|---|---|---|
| August 1, 2017 | Start reading! | N/A |
| August 9, 2017 | 1 – 8 | Located Here |
| August 16, 2017 | 9 – 15 | Located Here |
| August 23, 2017 | 16 – 23 | Located Here |
| August 30, 2017 | 24 – 30 | This post! |
THANK YOU FOR READING AND THANK YOU TO THOSE OF YOU PARTICIPATING IN THIS READALONG! PLEASE GIVE ME ANY FEEDBACK REGARDING READALONGS YOU’VE HOSTED OR PARTICIPATED IN THE PAST (AND YOUR PREFERENCES), IN THE COMMENTS BELOW! I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING ALL OF YOUR THOUGHTS, AND HAPPY READING!
What are your favourite parts in this section of the book?!
I really enjoyed the Jane and Edward “storming the castle.” That was a pretty well put together plan that was equal parts funny and dramatic.
Do you believe in and/or enjoy happily ever afters?
I believe in fictional happily ever afters. I felt it coming in this one despite the very tragic real life ending to this story.
Was the kiss between G and Jane everything you hoped it would be?
I found it perfect. I was hoping their story would end the way it would.
What about the kiss between Gracie and Edward?
I enjoy Edward and Gracie together. I think they can both learn a lot from each other.
Did the bear scene end up being what you expected it to be?
*sigh* This was the only part of the book that felt disappointing to me. It was kind of anticlimactic and predictable. I was excepting an epic battle, I did not get an epic battle and I was kind of upset about this.
Did you expect Edward to take back his throne the way he did? And did you expect Mary to end up being an Eðian?
For me, Mary was the character that felt closest to IRL Mary. I wasn’t expecting her to be an Edian, but it did feel like justice almost. IRL Mary was so terrible. I like that she became the thing she seemed to hate so much. It was nearly poetic justice.
Did you expect Edward to give the crown to Bess?
Yes, because although there was a lot of “re-writing” history, it would have felt silly to me to change the succession of the British throne when they had kept it the way it was historically up until that point. I think it also showed a growth in Edward’s character from the beginning of the book.
Are you looking forward to, and will you be reading the next book by these authors, which is coming out next year and will be about Jane Eyre and Charlotte Brontë?
YES. I would love to see a funny take of what I find to be a slightly ridiculous novel.
Yes! That part was really good! I was definitely biting my nails though, because I thought that one of them might die in the process.
I agree with you about the bear scene! It wasn’t as fun as I thought it would be. And I felt bad for the bear. But as I said to Darque in my comment to her, I realized while writing my comment that this scene was probably meant simply to create a bond between G and Edward!
Ahhhh, see? I don’t really seem to know my history. Haha. Which is fine, since some things were more surprising for me I guess.
And yay! Would love to have you join the readalong for it when I host it!
Ohhh, I think I would like to join in for your next readalong. This is a very interesting idea
Ahhh I would love to have you! I’m hosting another one right now, actually, too.
Here is the link! I am still accepting sign ups, and the first discussion is on Sept 6th!
https://flaviathebibliophileblog.wordpress.com/2017/08/19/a-darker-shade-of-magic-by-v-e-schwab-readalong-announcement-post-sign-up/
I read this one already, but I wouldn’t mind re-reading
I would love to have you join if you’d like to! And I’m sorry that it’s not a book that you haven’t read before 🙁
I am so happy that Edward gave the crown to Bess!! I don’t think the ending would have satisfied me nearly as much if it hadn’t SOMEHOW come full circle and ended up on a historically accurate path again. So that was really satisfying, plus she was just hands down the better leader anyway.
And G and Jane are adorable and I loved the happily ever after of their relationship so much!!
I finished it a while ago (oops) and returned my copy to the library so I don’t remember a lot of specifics, but it was such a cute book. I’ll definitely read the next one because I, too love Jane Eyre and that sounds fascinating!
YES! It just felt right that Bess should have it, since she was so passionate about ruling, and felt like a NATURAL at it. I didn’t even realize who Bess was, so I wasn’t too sure about how they would end it.
Yesssss G and Jane are the cutest! Seriously.
Also yaaaay! Hope you’ll just the readalong for that one! 😀
The kisses were definitely my favorite part!! And the Jaws reference, lol!
I believe in happily every afters sometimes, and I definitely enjoy them!!
I think the kiss was great, and I am glad they got the “special hug” too! About time!!
I am glad Edward got his kiss with his girl! I am more glad he got his freedom too!
The bear scene was a bit odd and it never really led anywhere…
I thought Mary would end up being edian just to prove her to be an ass, haha. Yep, I did that..
I did not expect Edward to give up his crown, but it was a nice ending!
I think the authors need to hurry up with the next two books so we can read along with those too!! This one was so good! So many comical moments!
Yaaaaay! The kisses were so worth the wait! And yes the Jaws reference was too funny!
Lmao the special hug. I don’t know why I find this so funny, but I burst out laughing every time. Plus the part where they said something like “P.S. they totally consummated.” Hahaha.
Yes, I think Edward definitely deserved his freedom. Especially after everything he’s been through!
Yeah, the bear scene I feel…was turning into something that never happened. It’s like they didn’t delete the entire scene. Although…thinking about it now….it might have been the only way they could think of..to force the boys into a situation together, and therefore make them bond?
Yeeees! I think I’ll definitely host a readalong for that one whenever it’s out! Both books probably. Lol.
I love the “P.S they totally consummated,” line, lol!!
I agree about the bear scene maybe having been meant to be more and was forgotten.
I can’t wait for those read alongs!
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