There's a reason Pride & Prejudice is a well beloved classic. It hits the perfect notes of humor, social commentary, ridiculous characters, and a swoon worthy romance story. In fact, I hate arguments over whether it's a social satire or a love story - it exists as both, which is something many adaptations fail to understand. But Ibi Zoboi capture the essence of P&P perfect while updating it into a modern story. Instead of facing destitution because of entailed property to male heirs, the Benitez family faves raising rents and a gentrifying landscape to their beloved Bushwick neighborhood. Zuri is a perfect update of Lizzie; she's proud of her heritage as a Domincan-Haitian Brookklynite, protective of her wild sisters, and deeply judgmental of anything new. She gets a chance to open her mind and world, all while sticking to her core and being a vocal advocate of why she's scared of change. Darius Darcy is cold and aloof while he tries to balance his upper class upbringing with the realities of being a black teenager in the 21st century. The development of their love story was really satisfying and well-paced, an expertly balanced ode to the original Lizzie and Darcy while still being fresh and modern for our contemporary teenagers.

I think it's obvious - I really loved this book. Zoboi's ideas were so perfect to fit this story. You read a lot about the neighborhood's status and changing with a clever and funny charm. It avoids feeling like it's preaching to reader instead of what is: a real look at what's happening to neighborhoods like Bushwick. Plus it doesn't skimp on swoony moments between Zuri and Darius, which is ultimately what a good adaptation needs. I'm really impressed by this book, and I'm looking forward to picking up more from Ibi Zoboi!