Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

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

So I saw this book in the book store a few months ago, picked it up, mainly because the cover caught my eye, read the back and then the first page, laughed and then put it back down. Funny concept, but I wasn’t paying almost 20 dollars for it. Funny though, I couldn’t stop thinking about it! I really liked the idea and was curious. So a few weeks ago I picked it up, paid the 20 and started reading. (I read two, sometimes three, books at a time so it takes me a while to get through one book.)
The beginning was a little boring…very close to the actual Pride and Prejudice written solely by Jane Austen. I put it down a few times because of how slow moving it was…if I wanted to read P & P again I would. But luckily things started to pick up, and they started to get funny, really funny. There were a few times that I laughed out loud, at very quiet, inappropriate moments in certain locations and startled the people around me. The cover got me a lot of attention as well. Strangers were asking about the book and what it was about. Of course, everyone has at least heard of Pride and Prejudice right? So what’s this about zombies? It was kind of uncomfortable for me…I’m not a very social person.
Anyway, Grahame-Smith does a great job building his own world of zombies into the classic tale of love, discrimination, misunderstanding and prejudice. In fact, there are some scenes which are improved by his addition of zombies and the slaying of them. It certainly gives the militia something more respectable to do! The violence is hilarious and the description very vivid. Some characters die that probably should die and some characters are beaten that definitely need to be beaten. Elizabeth is strong and opinionated, trained as a warrior by the Chinese while Darcy is her equal in fighting skill; they of course, end up being the perfect match.
The wording is identical to the original at times while at other times Grahame-Smith throws in a phrase that is totally inappropriate and amusing…like the musket ball transaction between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth…one of those laugh out loud moments when I was reading that scene, let me tell you!
Anyway, it was a funny novel, but it does take some patience…the language is consistent with a Victorian classic. Kudos to Grahame-Smith for the effort it must have taken to get the wording so accurate, the terminology of Japanese and Chinese fighting style implanted so effectively and the inclusion of zombies so appropriately…well done!



Review by Angela Minchella

Jabril by D.B. Reynolds

Jabril
By D.B. Reynolds


Once again D.B. Reynolds has captured my undivided attention with her sequel to Raphael...Jabril. The sequel was hotly anticipated, what with the twist at the end of book one that left me craving for more information, more story, more encounters between Raphael and Cynthia. I couldn't put this book down, hence the five stars. New characters are introduced, the villains portrayed with realistic and believable motivations, the innocent victims, willing to fight for their freedom and their lives. It was action packed and a lot of fun. Cynthia really kicks some major butt in this one which I found incredibly empowering. And of course, there is a very satisfying ending this time around. I liked the way Reynolds wrapped it up...there is promise for a future and she has created a very realistic vampire mythology. Well done! Can't wait for book number three.


Review by Angela Minchella

Lamb by Christopher Moore

Lamb
By Christopher Moore

Not only does this novel have many laugh out loud moments but it also has a very touching plot which, I have to admit, comes as a bit of a surprise! This is one of my favorite books of Moore’s. It is presented as the missing gospel of one of Christ’s childhood friends named Biff. Although it might seem like it would be offensive, I really don’t think that it bastardizes the religious story in any way. It is sensitive and thoughtful, while at the same time, not becoming boring read. Moore’s language is consistent with his other novels, just maybe not as crude. Biff tags along with Jesus on his journey to find himself and experiences all of the coming of age events that Jesus is not at liberty to enjoy himself. Moore thus allows Christ to enjoy the vices of the world vicariously through his best friend. There is also a bit of a love triangle, but not in a gross way and in the end everything works out for Biff. Jesus, unfortunately still dies but I found that Moore put a very touching spin on it; he gave Jesus realistic characteristics that make him seem more human then how the Bible portrays him to be. Even knowing how it was going to end, I found myself really hoping that Moore had changed Jesus’ fate, cursing Judas (actually feeling quite angry with that bastard) and cheering Biff…and that’s more emotion then I have ever felt toward my baptized religion and the many, many stories related to it that I have had to endure reading, so I’d say Moore did a pretty effective job at character development.
I loaned my copy to a friend of mine and I really don’t think I’m ever going to get it back but that’s okay because I’ve been eyeing the newer version that is bound to look like a real bible with fake leather covers and gold filigree edging. It’s pretty clever marketing if you ask me. I recommend this book to everyone I have book conversations with. Although I think it would definitely help to know a little bit about Jesus and the Catholic faith, I really think you can enjoy this book with total ignorance to the religion as well.



Review by Angela Minchella

Falling Christopher Pike

Falling
Christopher Pike

I’m a huge fan of Christopher Pike. As a kid I read all of his young adult novels. I still have them all and I’ve recently reread many of them. I’m always on the lookout for a new novel by Pike so when I stumbled on Falling I snatched it up right away. As usual Pike infuses his protagonist, Matt Connor with many personality flaws that make him both likeable and sets him up for the perfect role of the tragic hero. I really enjoy Pike’s ability to create characters (whether they are male or female) with realistic motivations. Matt is not perfect and makes mistakes that lead him down the path toward kidnapping, murder and betrayal. His hero is Kelly Feinmean an FBI agent with an interesting and quite tragic past who uses her expertise to try to help Matt despite his many flaws and mistakes.
Pike’s plot is complicated as is consistent with his many other novels. His technical descriptions of boating, scuba diving, flying, etc, all suggest his own interest and aptitude for these skills. In all he paints a very vivid and realistic series of scenarios that not only seem plausible but also allow for the problems to arise that reveal who the true villain really is. My only complaint is that sometimes the description is so technical that it gets a little boring.
Pike’s books are such a huge part of my childhood that I will never give up on searching for new novels by him. I think he is an excellent story teller, even if the characters all begin to blend into one. My theory, there’s got to be a little bit of Pike in all of his characters so that eventually you feel like you know them already before you even open a new book. That’s probably one of the things I like the best about Pike, his narrative voice is like an old friend.

Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen

Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen
By Dyan Sheldon

No, I haven’t seen the movie. Yes, I know that it is pretty good, from what I’ve heard anyway. The book is good as well, for a young adult novel anyway. I see these girls all the time; the ones who have low self-esteem even though they present themselves as over confident, rebellious, and dramatic. Oops, I think I just described myself! But seriously sometimes it’s the loud ones that have the lowest opinion of themselves, which seems to the case in this novel.
Anyway, Lola, whose real name is Mary Elizabeth is an attention seeker. She needs to be in the spotlight and does whatever it takes to get there. She manufactures a history for herself, creates a new persona to fit with her new school and consequently gets herself into some trouble when her plots, stories and plans all start to unravel. It is a funny little story that you can really see happening. Some girl, trying to one up the popular chick in school gets caught in a web of lies that she just doesn’t want to fess up to. In this case Lola lies about getting tickets to a concert and an invite to the band’s after party.
In the end she is triumphant while at the same times learns a valuable lesson. It is satisfying to see because even though she is a liar she isn’t a jerk. The nasty popular girl gets put in her place and the attention starved drama queen gets some time in the spotlight in a positive way. It seems well deserved and doesn’t come across as Lola being rewarded for being evil.
It’s cute and fun and I will watch the movie some day so that I can compare. Isn’t Lindsay Lohan in it or something?



Review by Angela Minchella

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Coraline
By Neil Gaiman

This was a cute book, although quite dark. There is great suspense and a lot of eerie details that I think would appeal to a lot of young readers. On the other hand, it’s not the type of book for any sensitive readers out there. Parents are kidnapped and trapped, villains have button’s for eyes, which is creepy, there are ghosts that need releasing and of course a talking cat that seems to be the voice of reason, defiance and help. The novel has a great message and a satisfying ending. I’m eagerly awaiting the movie that is coming out soon.



Review by Angela Minchella