For lovers of Jane Austen, a Fantasy retelling that shifts part of the story, and explores how it changes when one of the sister's chooses a different suitor.
"Whether you’re an Austen fan or a fantasy lover, this book is a heartfelt and enchanting journey you don’t want to miss!" ~Goodreads review
20-year-old Sensible Elinor and her 18-year-old passionate sister Marianne Dashwood wanted to enjoy their life and to become ladies of nearby manors. Their dreams are dashed as they are forced to adapt to a new way of life when their father died, and their brother left them with almost nothing. Elinor and Marianne begin to navigate their new financial status, and now they must adapt and begin to thrive in a small cottage owned by their mother’s cousin.
Elinor begins to let herself hope and dream of the man she has developed feelings for while staying strong for her family. Marianne, meanwhile, has attracted the attention of two Fae, the half-Fae Colonel Brandon, and the full Fae Willoughby of Allendale, but is faced with the realization that while her idea of love works well in poetry, it is very different from real life.
Each sister must face balancing their sense with sensibility.
A fantasy retelling of Jane Austen's classic Sense and Sensibility, that focuses on the growth and change of the sisters, and a reimagine that sees Brandon shine to the front.
Book Review: Of Sense and Sensibility by R Katze 🥰🥰📚🤩🤩📚
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉This beautifully crafted retelling of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility completely swept me away! R Katze takes a well-loved classic and infuses it with imagination, depth, and just the right touch of fantasy, transforming it into something both nostalgic and entirely new.
👉In this version, the Dashwood sisters—Elinor and Marianne—are not just navigating the emotional and financial upheaval of their father’s death, but also a world where the Fae exist among humans. Elinor remains the thoughtful, composed older sister, carrying the weight of responsibility with grace. Marianne is just as passionate and idealistic as ever, but her journey toward emotional maturity is made all the more powerful when seen through the lens of her interactions with two captivating Fae suitors.
👉Colonel Brandon, now portrayed as a half-Fae, steps into the spotlight with quiet strength and emotional depth, becoming a standout character you can’t help but root for. Willoughby, the full-Fae of Allendale, adds a layer of temptation and mystery that perfectly contrasts with Brandon’s steadiness. The dynamics between these characters felt rich and layered, offering new insights into the classic themes of love, loss, and emotional growth.
👉What I truly loved about this retelling is how it honors Austen’s core themes while expanding the emotional range and fantasy setting in a way that enhances rather than distracts. The prose is elegant, the character development is beautiful, and the emotional moments land perfectly. The magic is subtle but meaningful, elevating the stakes of each decision the sisters make.
👉This isn’t just a fantasy twist on a classic—it’s a thoughtful, emotionally resonant reimagining that centers the sisters' transformation and showcases the strength of love built on understanding and trust. Whether you’re an Austen fan or a fantasy lover, this book is a heartfelt and enchanting journey you don’t want to miss!
The meaning of true love. I’m not sure, but I was expecting something different or “more” from this story based on the summary. For me, the story was in essence almost the same as your original. With some mention of Fae and half Fae Characters, it was comparable to the influence of the ton in British society. I did enjoy hearing more of Marianne’s thoughts and interpretations of things though. Perhaps that was the greatest deviation - of her becoming more enlightened into the reality of true love.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars. This story is very true to the original Sense and sensibility, not much has changed in the story. Though Willoughby is a fairy and Coronel Brandon is a half fairy. Though there are only two Dashwood sister Elinor and Marianne. Unfortunately we do not learn much about the fairy world, except the clan has a big influence on their leader and they can bind a mortal life to theirs. The fairies has fangs and claws and ears, that I found could convey their emotions. In this story Marianne is attracted to Coronel Brandon from the beginning, but is unsettled by him. Instead of exploring her feelings, she is swept away by Willoughbys determination.
I received a free copy and are voluntarily leaving a review