Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Book One

By Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

Elizabeth Bennet has trained her entire life to fight against the unholy plague of unmentionables that have overcome the English country side. Along with her sisters they make a fearsome assembly of warriors, but not only are they warriors they are still young women who attend balls and tend to their duties. During one of the balls the girls attend Miss Elizabeth is introduced to the arrogant Mr. Darcy. Through a series of events the two soon become close against Elizabeth’s own wishes.

Most of us know the story of Pride and Prejudice, with five movie adaptations and over twenty million copies sold of the book itself it’s hard not to know the story, but Seth Grahame-Smith has taken the classic story to a whole new level. I didn’t think I would enjoy this book as much as I did, even though you know the story the changes that have been made only seem to improve the overall experience. Seth Grahame-Smith takes the original story and adds zombie encounters here and there and a few innuendos making a classic romance novel into and action packed comedy on top of one of the most amazing love stories. I absolutely loved this book it’s definitely worth the read even if you have yet to read Pride and Prejudice. If you’re not a fan of regency romance novels this book is a great introduction into the world of Jane Austen so when you wife or girlfriend swoons over Mr. Darcy you’ll know why.

 

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Undeadly by Michele Vail Review

Undeadly

The Reaper Diaries Book One

By Michele Vail

Rick has been waiting a long time to date Molly Bartolucci and on her sixteenth birthday he has big plans to make his move. But when Molly’s birthday comes along her entire world is turned upside down, first the mean girls crash her party then her would be boyfriend hit his head and dies. Molly is able to grab some of his soul and put it back into his body. Relieved that, that crisis is averted she soon finds that life has more in store for her, she finds out her dad isn’t her biological dad and now she is being shipped off to a boarding school for necromancers. All this is just the beginning of the story as Molly’s whole world begins to tumble down.

Ok so as I was reading this novel I kept thinking “This is so obvious how can Molly be so stupid?” Boy was I wrong what I thought was so obvious was completely off the mark, yes I admit those thoughts bit me in the butt. I loved this book it was full of action, romance, and zombies what more could a girl want? The fact that zombies and necromancers are an everyday thing in this book was worth the read in itself, when you add in the Ancient Egyptian lore it makes it even better, then Michele Vail decides to combine all of this with a strong female lead this becomes an amazing novel. If this isn’t enough to keep you reading the series Michele Vail throws in an ending that is full of surprises ensuring your continued interest. I definitely recommend this book, whether you like zombies or young adult this is sure to be a fun read.

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Chasers by James Phelan Review

Chasers

Alone Book One

By James Phelan

Jesse, Anna, Dave and Mini are all attending the Un Youth Ambassadors camp in New York, as they are on their way to see the 9/11 memorial their subway carriage is derailed by a massive explosion. The four teenagers from around the world are the only one to survive and soon crawl their way to the surface to find that all of New York City has suffered from a devastating attack. When they come across what appears to be survivors they are elated, but soon have their hopes diminished when the “survivors” soon turn on them chasing after them for their blood, for that one precious drink that will satiate their thirst.

 

James Phelan brings to life an all new form of monster in this novel; he combines aspects of zombies and vampires leaving us with a horrifying image. There is not a single aspect of this novel that I disliked, the characters are relatable thrown into a situation where they are trapped and absolutely “Alone” the monsters are terrifying yet you feel for the souls who have been turned into such monstrous creatures. The only thing I didn’t get was why a group of survivors would stay in a high rise, 30 Rock, when most skyscrapers are collapsing around them, though the setting is superb for this novel as it provides ample life sustaining items for the small group. Honestly though the best part of this novel is the ending, it is amazing with not one but two spectacular twists that definitely secure your interest in the rest of this series.

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Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry Review

Patient Zero

Joe Ledger Book One

By Jonathan Maberry

Joe Ledger has been sought out for a very interesting mission, to stop the new face of Terror. When he must kill the same terrorist twice in one week he knows there is no way he can turn down his latest assignment. What if there is more to the newest Terrorist threat than just the jihad extremist?

 

I am not a huge fan of zombie novels there have only been a couple so far that I actually enjoyed; most seem to be all about zombies taking over and less about an actual storyline. This take on the genre is absolutely fascinating taking into account the struggles America has been facing and twists it into something truly frightening as the war on Terror now has an all new meaning when the dead begin to come back to life after being injected with a new strain of prion disease. Since not much is known about Prion Disease it has seem to have become a favorite for zombie fiction, which is fine by me it adds an all too realistic take on life after death. Not only does Jonathan Maberry create a vivid novel that is sure to leave you with the heebie jeebies but he also incorporates a fascinating storyline between each of the taskforce members. He also creates members in the taskforce that are relatable and from a military spouse point of view absolutely realistic in the way that they interact with each other. I definitely recommend this novel, especially if you are just beginning to feel out the zombie genre. 

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Jane Slayre by Sherri Browning Erwin and Charlotte Bronte

Jane Slayre:

The Literary Classic with a Blood-Sucking Twist

By Sherri Browning Erwin and Charlotte Bronte

Jane Slayre was orphaned by vampires shortly after she was born, when her uncle came to retrieve her he was attacked and turned into a vampire on the way home, though he was able to protect the infant from the blood thirsty fiends. This is how Jane Slayre found herself living in a home full of vampires, after her cousin attacks her leaving her bitten and almost completely drained of blood she soon becomes determined to rid the world of these abominable creatures.

This was a great re-telling of Jane Eyre, full of vampires, werewolves, even zombies.  So far this is one of my favorite “quirk classics.” The author did a wonderful job bringing to life a new world and blending in the characters from a classic setting producing an interesting and captivating novel. In the original novel you truly hate some of the characters, that is not as substantial in this novel but you have a more solid reason to dislike these people, such as students being transformed into zombies. I would definitely recommend giving this novel to someone who shows a lack of interest in an original classic it is sure to make you want to compare it to the first and in the process draw the reader into a classic world that knows no bounds.

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Reed Butler's Story by James Emory Thomas Review

Reed Butler’s Story:

Cowboys, Vampires, Zombies, and the Power of God

By James Emory Thomas

Eighteen Seventy-Nine, Reed Butler is grieving the loss of his wife and child when he is bitten by a vampire, but Reed Butler is chosen by God to put an end to the vampires once and for all. Along the way Reed Butler is joined by several different characters that will all play an integral part in the outcome.

This is an interesting take on the vampire/horror genre. I think it is the first Christian Fiction I have read that dips into the world of vampire and zombies, though I was a bit weary at first the author did a wonderful job using the right passages from the bible to intertwine with what he was writing making it a fun tie in.  The only problem I have with this book isn’t really a problem at all I just want more it was different and fun I cannot wait to see what this author comes up with next though I think this novel will be hard to top.

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Voyage of the Dead by David P. Forsyth Review

Voyage of the Dead

Sovereign Spirit Saga Book One

By David P. Forsyth

A ship full of passengers receive startling news from ashore, the ship has been at sea for the past few weeks and now on land there is an outbreak of what looks like zombies. The CDC is calling it a virus, super rabies to be exact and through social media and the toys of a man who has just won the lottery, the members aboard the ship do everything they can to save the people they care about.

This was an amazing book, right from the beginning the author jumps in with action and violence as the zombie plague spreads through LAX airport. Unlike some zombie books out there, this one has an origin a place where the zombies actually came from instead of just being an act of God, which I thoroughly enjoyed and for me it made the zombie apocalypse much more believable.  Another aspect I enjoyed of this book is that the people it surrounds are not only out there to save themselves but they truly want to save other people from a terrible fate and you don’t see that very much anymore. All in all this is a great action novel, with fast paced scenes and gruesome details it is sure to please any fan of the action genre.

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Generation by William Knight Review

Generation

By William Knight

What if when you died you were completely aware of what was happening to you, the bugs eating your body and the rotting of your limbs? William Knight’s book brings that very question to life, in a disturbing and realistic way combining genetic modification with the locked in syndrome. Not only does William Knight manage a gruesome novel but he also weaves an addictive tale, Hendrix Harrison is a reporter searching for the truth behind people who have been seen after they have died, Sarah Wallace is a scientist whose body farm start to lose its inhabitants, they work together to put a stop to the evil pharmaceutical company whose drug is directly responsible for these people remaining conscious even after they have started to rot.

This book was absolutely amazing, definitely a new twist on the popular zombies who are mindless murdering creatures. The descriptions are so well written and vivid if you don’t think “eww” at least once there is something seriously wrong with you. If you want a book that will make you reconsider being cremated this is the one for you. 

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So Many Reviews So Little Time?

So I have done 3 reviews in the past three days.. go me! lol  Today I decided to take it easy. I caught up on one of my shows, The River... zombies wth? Seriously though what is so fascinating with zombies lately? Makes me want to grab a gun and shoot them in the head through the television. That's an Idea! A game like the old duck hunt on nintendo but zombies. (not like COD but old school have the zombies pop out from behind the bushes!) Anyways I did get a review up today it's of a short story that just wasn't my cup of tea, though some of you may like it. It's not a bad story but, I am definitely the wrong audience demographic for it! lol Now I plan on getting back to some mind numbing tv my brain needs a rest.. 

I love this! I want to get my husband the T-Shirt from ThinkGeek

Dawn of the Dreadfuls by Steve Hockensmith Review

Dawn of the Dreadfuls
By Steve Hockensmith


Some of you may know that Dawn of the Dreadfuls is the prequel to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Considering this, I decided I would read this first and try not to compare it to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.  The story opens during a funeral where, suddenly, the guest of honor, or the dearly departed, sits up straight up in his casket.  We really have no idea why the dead do not remain that way nor why this epidemic arose roughly 20 years ago shortly followed by  "the troubles;" a war fought against the zombie hordes.
In this book we watch as the five Bennet daughters are schooled in the "Shaolin style."  This story predominantly centers on Elizabeth Bennet, the second oldest daughter, and her transformation from a teenager to warrior, two men vying for her affections, her master, Hawksworth, who instructing her in the deadly arts, and an eccentric scientist Dr. Keckilpenny, who is preoccupied with the study of zombies in his personal quest to better understand how to best handle them.

“Complete with romance, action, comedy, and an army of shambling corpses, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls will have Jane Austen rolling in her grave-and just might inspire her to crawl out of it!"  -from the Goodreads.com description.

I usually don't quote other synopsis. Normally I draw upon my own opinion and skills to phrase everything into my own words and thoughts. Although I do read other reviews prior to undertaking the experience, I attempt not be swayed or influenced.  However, when I read this line I just had to include it.  It was too enjoyable and I felt the need to share it.  This book is definitely unlike anything I have read to date. Firstly, this is only my second zombie novel, if you happen to count "The Stupidest Angel" by Christopher Moore.  Secondly, I've never attempted a "quirk classic" before. This is by no stretch of the imagination to be considered one of the most action packed books.  There are times were the story seems to really slow for me and my opinion is the entire thing is just a build up for "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies."  It can be funny and I especially enjoyed the cartoon style pictures and scenes that captivate you so much that you and cannot fathom what happens next.  I have to admit that I am not a huge fan of the zombie horror genre.  My husband loves anything about them, and I tolerate it for the most part. (and accept his poor taste. - added by my husband during edit process) But I've discovered that reading of them is more my style versus the myriad of movies and games available.  To me, my mind and imagination are far more inventive and the fear factor of this classic movie monster is significantly magnified.
I am conflicted in my review of this novel.  I think one may need to read "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" first to thoroughly enjoy the way this book is laid out for us. As I stated earlier, it just seems like one long build up to the next book.  It is a fun and easy read though, but sometimes tends to drag on.  If, somehow, you persevere the ending is a fairly good cliff hanger.