Book Review - Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters

I think I like this book more than Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (PPZ). Like the predecessor, the author of Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters (SSSM) takes a well knows Jane Austen novel and puts his own twist in it. I felt that the book's altered universe was better woven into the main plot of the story than PPZ. Certainly, despite the tongue-in-cheek nature of SSSM, the altered universe was much less awkwardly inserted into the story.

Sense and Sensibility is my least favourite Jane Austen novel, mostly because I can't stand Marianne's character.I still didn't like her very much in this novel; in fact, she was equally as annoying as her original. But that just meant that Ben H. Winters kept somewhat true to the characterisations in the novel and has a pretty good grasp of the novel's nuances and themes.

My only complaints about the novel are:

• beyond a vague mention of a sea witch, we never find out exactly why Colonel Brandon received his affliction
• Sub-Marine Station Beta is London, so mentioning that there is a city of London in the story makes it a tad more confusing. Why is it that people would want to go to London when there is Sub-Marine Station Beta?
• Eliza William's ordeal, though the author tried to make it shocking and humourous, I actually thought it was sort of a let-down. I mean, I didn't find it all that villainous as compared to the events in the original book. Which made

If that wasn't exciting enough, Quirk Classics had also released a book trailer...

Book Review: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

I finished reading this book a while ago, but I didn't get much chance to put up a review until now.

Meryton has been taken over by zombies and it's up to the Bennet family to keep them at bay.

This book is hilarious! Yes, the author uses about 75% of Jane Austen's original text from Pride and Prejudice, but the alterations that he makes with the storyline makes it for a good read. There are even illustrations which I really enjoyed and compliment the story.

There are brain-eating zombies. There are ninjas. There is sword fighting. And most importantly, there is romance.

The story in P&P&Z follows the same plotline as the original, but there are some modifications that I really like. In particular, what happens with Wickham. I really like what the author has done with Wickham, it's definitely an ending that is fitting for him. I'm not so certain as to how I feel about Charlotte Lucas' alterations, but it affects Mr. Collins in the end, in an also fitting and satisfying ending for him. Lady Catherine also get her just desserts, ninja style.

I know I sound cryptic about the modifications in the storyline, but I don't want to give too much away. If you're a purist Jane Austen fan, you may not like what the author has done with the plot and character modifications. However, if you like a light read and something tongue-in-cheek, this is definitely it. I definitely give this book two thumbs up!

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Okay, I've read a lot of different Pride and Prejudice spin-off/fan fiction/whatever you want to call them. I'm actually not a big fan of Elizabeth Bennet because I find her too self-righteous and annoying, and sadly enough, I'm okay if I read a story where Darcy ends up with a different heroine. That's how much Elizabeth annoys me.

But I simply have to read this book! I don't think I've ever heard of a plot line quite like this, I think it's hilarious! And the book has illustrations too, how awesome is that?!?!

A synopsis can be found here.

Book Review: Stardust

After watching the movie Stardust, I was compelled to read the book on which the movie was based on. Neil Gaiman, from the extras that were on the DVD, came up with the premise of the novel one day while travelling in Ireland. He saw a wall with a hole in it, and began thinking what would be on the other side of that wall... and the land of Faerie was born.

I really like Gaiman's style of writing. The narration flows quite easily, and the worlds of Faerie and Wall are developed through his descriptions and dialogue, warmth and humour. It's an easy read, and it reads like a fairy tale. In fact, if you took out the three or so not-so-suitable-for-children references, you definitely can read this to a child, although, it is clearly an adult-fairy tale. I definitely could imagine everything in my mind while reading Gaiman's prose, even if the images rendered were from the movie, for the most part.

I won't explain the plot, but you can read it on Wikipedia if you're curious. But I have to say that looking for a fallen star (in the form of an adult woman) was certainly a very interesting and fresh premise, and that helped make this story unique. Well unique to me as my exposure to fantasy novels are almost nil. In any case, I don't think I've ever run across a premise like this in either books or film.

There are some similarities and differences between the book and the movie, but I don't know if I really could say if I preferred one over the other. I do feel that both the book and the movie can stand on its own. The movie has a Hollywood bent, and that is very apparent when compared to the book, but both have their own charms. The adventures that Tristan and Yvaine experience in the book were very different, but this allowed for a better and satisfactory plot development and the eventual blossoming of their relationship. Lilim (the witch), doesn't die at the end, but neither can she touch Yvaine's heart, because Yvaine had given it to Tristan by that point; it's no longer Lilim's (or anyone else's) to take as Tristan now owns the heart. Very clever.

I liked Tristan and Yvaine just as much in the book. There were also some characters in the book that didn't show up in the movie, but this is typical of most movie adaptations. And even though some of the character portrayal were different from the movie, I was satisfied with the different fates of the characters. I was sad in the end though, because Tristan, being mortal, does die, and Yvaine, unable to return to the sky, is left all alone. Babylon Candles aren't able to solve Yvaine's dilemma this time around, but I still liked the ending, because life isn't always fair, which makes it believable.

But still, Gaiman has made a fan of me. Two thumbs up!

A little spoof I found, for your entertainment...