Showing posts with label Steve Hockensmith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Steve Hockensmith. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Review: Dreadfully Ever After

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After
Steve Hockensmith

Series or Stand Alone: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies trilogy, book three

Release Date: March 2011

Publisher: Quirk Classics

Pages: 320

Author Site: http://www.stevehockensmith.com/

My Rating: 3.75/5

Source: Received for review from publisher

Synopsis:

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and its prequel, Dawn of the Dreadfuls, were both New York Times best sellers, with a combined 1.3 million copies in print. Now the PPZ trilogy comes to a thrilling conclusion with Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After.

The story opens with our newly married protagonists, Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy, defending their village from an army of flesh-eating “unmentionables.” But the honeymoon has barely begun when poor Mr. Darcy is nipped by a rampaging dreadful. Elizabeth knows the proper course of action is to promptly behead her husband (and then burn the corpse, just to be safe). But when she learns of a miracle antidote under development in London, she realizes there may be one last chance to save her true love—and for everyone to live happily ever after.

Review:

Dreadfully Ever After picks up four years after Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam get married. But their happily-ever-after gets cut short when Darcy gets bit by a dreadful. Although Elizabeth should be thinking of beheading and ultimately burning her true love, she finds out about a antidote that’s currently being worked on in London. Under the guidance of her nemesis, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Elizabeth heads to London under a false identity to save her husband’s life. The rest of the Bennett family gets dragged along for the ride as they set out find the cure.

What I liked most about the book was that Kitty and Mary got a lot of “air-time”. I still haven’t read the original Pride and Prejudice so I don’t know how true the PPZ trilogy has stayed to their original personalities but I’ve come to really like the two sisters. Kitty is somewhat silly and childlike but she certainly develops some brains and a backbone this time around. Mary is very independent and somewhat stubborn. I loved the fact that they got a certain kind of “happily-ever-after” for themselves that I won’t ruin for anybody.

Elizabeth was definitely a background character this time around. I missed her warrior-like spirit. I missed her fierce personality. Of course, it’s not proper for a married woman to be fighting off dreadfuls or carrying weapons of any kind. Darcy on the other-hand showed some attributes that made me see him in a different light. Although I started liking him at the end of PPZ I found him vulnerable and a lot more personable after being bitten. It’s crazy what a zombie-bite will do to you! Speaking of crazy…Darcy’s cousin Anne has a surprise or two up her sleeve for everybody, including her overbearing, psycho mother. Anne’s “coming out of her shell” is definitely enough for one to read the book. It makes the ending all that more exciting!

So overall, Dreadfully Ever After was a pretty satisfying conclusion to a crazy, zombie-filled romp through a classic novel. There were some slow times I had to trudge through but the ending certainly made up for it in my opinion. And although I enjoyed Hockensmith’s prequel a lot more than the conclusion, it’s still a great read for PPZ lovers! And to be honest I really love Quirk and the crazy things they come up with. I’m looking forward to future projects they’ll be dishing out for us.

P.S. (cover talk)

Not a big fan. The cover makes sense but I’m just not really digging it.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Teaser Tuesday [62] - Dreadfully Ever After




Teaser Tuesdays asks you to:




-Grab your current read
-Let the book fall open to a random page.
-Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12
-You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given.
-Please avoid spoilers!

 
 

"That's what I should have said before. when you were calculating what you might earn from robbing...never mind." She put her foot on his throat. "Tell me how to get to Bethlem Royal Hospital- truthfully -or my first step away from here will be through your esophagus." (127)



**Find out more about Teaser Tuesday at http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com. Join in the fun!**/



Sunday, March 06, 2011

Book Arrivals



Won/Miscellaneous:

  • Midnight's Daughter :: Karen Chance (Dorina Basarab series, book one)
    (August 2008 - Onyx)
    *from Paperbackswap
  • Destiny :: Alex Archer (Rogue Angel series, book one)
    (July 2006 - Gold Eagle)
    *from Paperbackswap
  • Witch Fire :: Anya Bast (Elemental Wiches series, book one)
    (June 2007 - Berkley)
    *from Paperbackswap
  • A Touch Mortal :: Leah Clifford
    (February 2011 - Greenwillow Books)
    *won from A Good Addiction
For Review:

  • Dreadfully Ever After :: Steve Hockensmith (Pride and Prejudice and Zombie trilogy, book three)
    (March 2011 - Quirk Books)


Sunday, March 14, 2010

Book Arrivals

From Paperbackswap.com:

The Mists of Avalon :: Marion Zimmer Bradley
(Book one in the Avalon series)

Here is the magical legend of King Arthur, vividly retold through the eyes and lives of the women who wielded power from behind the throne. A spellbinding novel, an extraordinary literary achievement, THE MISTS OF AVALON will stay with you for a long time to come....




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From Contests/Giveaways & Misc:

Dawn of the Dreadfuls :: Steve Hockensmith
(Prequel to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies)
(Received for review - Check it out
here!)

With more than one million copies in print, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was the surprise publishing phenomenon of 2009. A best seller on three continents, PPZ has been translated into 21 languages and optioned to become a major motion picture.

In this terrifying and hilarious prequel, we witness the genesis of the zombie plague in early-nineteenth-century England. We watch Elizabeth Bennet evolve from a naïve young teenager into a savage slayer of the undead. We laugh as she begins her first clumsy training with nunchucks and katana swords and cry when her first blush with romance goes tragically awry. Written by acclaimed novelist (and Edgar Award nominee) Steve Hockensmith, Dawn of the Dreadfuls invites Austen fans to step back into Regency England, Land of the Undead!

The Lumby Lines :: Gail Fraser
(Book one in the Lumby series)
(Received for review)

Nestled in the Northwest is a quaint little town that its quirky residents are proud to call home. With charming shops lining its one main thoroughfare, Lumby is home to the oldest apple tree in the county and the smallest bank in the state. And though it's hours from the nearest big city, readers will always find Lumby close to their hearts.

When Mark and Pam Walker, a vacationing couple from the East Coast, decide to restore Lumby's ramshackle Montis Abbey and turn it into an inn, it takes a while for the locals to warm up to them. Especially the irascible William Beezer, owner of The Lumby Lines-the newspaper "worth the paper it's printed on." At every turn, he tries to hinder the Walkers' efforts. But the couple soon learns that for every citizen like William, there are many more willing to lend a hand-and that Lumby isn't just a place, it's a way of life.

The Clouds Roll Away :: Sibella Giorello
(Book one in the Raleigh Harmon series)
(Received for review)

Forensic geologist Raleigh Harmon unravels mysteries in her hometown of Richmond where things are never quite what they seem. Raleigh's exemplary service in Seattle opened the door for her disciplinary transfer to be lifted, allowing her to return to her home FBI field office in Richmond, VA. A civil rights case turns out to be much more complex than anyone thought when Raleigh is forced to go undercover in a drug trafficking case. Things aren't any simpler at home. Raleigh's old friend DeMott wants her to find time for things outside of her FBI work: friendship and maybe something more. Raleigh will have to rely on her sharpest skills--and the faith that is slowly returning to her--to navigate her way through these clouds.

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Purchased:

The Fellowship of the Ring :: J.R.R. Tolkien
(Book one in The Lord of Rings Trilogy)

The first volume in J.R.R. Tolkien's epic adventure The Lord of the Rings"Here are beauties which pierce like swords or burn like cold iron." -- C. S. Lewis"Exciting . . . Tolkien's invention is unflagging." -- W. H. AudenOne Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,One Ring to bring them all and in the darkeness bind themIn ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elven-smiths, and Sauron, The Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One Ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-earth, it remained lost to him. After many ages it fell into the hands of Bilbo Baggins, as told in The Hobbit.In a sleepy village in the Shire, young Frodo Baggins finds himself faced with an immense task, as his elderly cousin Bilbo entrusts the Ring to his care. Frodo must leave his home and make a perilous journey across Middle-earth to the Cracks of Doom, there to destroy the Ring and foil the Dark Lord in his evil purpose.

Sweetheart :: Chelsea Cain
(Book two in the Gretchen Lowell series)

When the body of a young woman is discovered in Portland’s Forest Park, Archie is reminded of the last time they found a body there, more than a decade ago: it turned out to be the Beauty Killer’s first victim, and Archie’s first case. This body can't be one of Gretchen's—she’s in prison—but after help from reporter Susan Ward uncovers the dead woman's identity, it turns into another big case. Trouble is, Archie can't focus on the new investigation because the Beauty Killer case has exploded: Gretchen Lowell has escaped from prison.

Archie hadn't seen her in two months; he'd moved back in with his family and sworn off visiting her. Though it should feel like progress, he actually feels worse. The news of her escape spreads like wildfire, but secretly, he's relieved. He knows he's the only one who can catch her, and in fact, he has a plan to get out from under her thumb once and for all.

Burning Wild :: Christine Feehan
(Book three in the Leopard series)

Born into a world of twisted monsters, Jake Bannaconni is shaped and molded into a cold, revenge driven man. Honed in the fires of hell, he controls his world and rules with an iron hand. He has everything and anything money can buy. He’s ruthless, merciless and considered a man to leave alone. His hidden legacy, that of a shapeshifter, makes him doubly dangerous in the corporate world. Emma Reynolds is a woman who knows how to love and love well. When their two worlds collide, Jake’s plans for a complete take over, may just come tumbling down.

Stardoc :: S.L. Viehl
(Book one in the Stardoc series)

Dr. Cherijo Grey Veil leaves Earth and accepts a position as a physician at Kevarzanga-2's FreeClinic. Her surgical skills are desperately needed on a hostile frontier world with over 200 sentient species and her understanding of alien physiology is nothing short of miraculous. But the truth behind her expertise is a secret which, if discovered, could have disastrous consequences between human and alien relations...

Feast of Souls :: C.S. Friedman
(Book one in The Magister Trilogy)

C.S. Friedman, acclaimed author of The Coldfire Trilogy, returns to the epic style which has made her one of the most popular fantasy writers in the genre. In this first book of the trilogy, Friedman introduces readers to a world of high fantasy, replete with vampire-like magical powers, erotic interludes, treachery, war, sorcery, and a draconic creature of horrific power and evil that will have readers eagerly awaiting the next novel in the series.

The Iron King :: Julie Kagawa
(Book one in the Iron Fey series)

Meghan Chase has never fit in at her small-town high school, and now, on the eve of her 16th birthday, she discovers why. When her half brother is kidnapped, Meghan is drawn into a fantastical world she never imagined--the world of Faery, where anything you see may try to eat you, and Meghan is the daughter of the summer faery king. Now she will journey into the depths of Faery to face an unknown enemy . . . and beg the help of a winter prince who might as soon kill her as let her touch his icy heart. The Iron King is the first book in the Iron Fey series.

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls

Dawn of the Dreadfuls
Steve Hockensmith

Series or Stand Alone: Prequel to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Release Date: March 2010

Publisher: Quirck Books

Pages: 320


My Rating: 4.25/5

Source: Recieved from FSB Associates


Synopsis [from goodreads.com]:

With more than one million copies in print, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was the surprise publishing phenomenon of 2009. A best seller on three continents, PPZ has been translated into 21 languages and optioned to become a major motion picture.
In this terrifying and hilarious prequel, we witness the genesis of the zombie plague in early-nineteenth-century England. We watch Elizabeth Bennet evolve from a naïve young teenager into a savage slayer of the undead. We laugh as she begins her first clumsy training with nunchucks and katana swords and cry when her first blush with romance goes tragically awry. Written by acclaimed novelist (and Edgar Award nominee) Steve Hockensmith, Dawn of the Dreadfuls invites Austen fans to step back into Regency England, Land of the Undead!


Review:

A couple of things to mention before we begin:
  1. I always feel I must re-iterate this fact until I actually read an original Jane Austen book... I have not read anything by Jane Austen as of this moment, so my review may be a bit skewed. Not necessarily based on literary facts, my review is based on how I felt about the book...which is actually how I write ALL of my reviews...so I don't really know the point of this point...

  2. I have not read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (PPZ) yet, so again I have nothing to base this prequel on...

  3. I have read Sense and Sensbility and Sea Monsters (read my review here) and found reading it was quite a struggle for me. However, when I was done with the book I must say I kind of enjoyed the story =)
With those tidbits in mind, I pretty much had no idea what to expect with DAWN OF THE DREADFULS. The thing that surprised me the most about the book was how much I actually ended up enjoying it. The author's writing didn't turn me off at all, which was the case with SENSE AND SENSIBILITY AND SEA MONSTERS. There were plenty of giggles and jokes weaved into the book that were actually pretty entertaining. But I wasn't just amused with the story, I was pulled in by the characters. Elizabeth Bennet and her entire family are characters not to forget. And the characters introduced in the novel were unique, peculiar at times, but well put together overall.

I still got a sense of the Regency era despite the quirkiness of the zombie additions. I can't compare the authors writing style to that of Jane Austen's (refer to point 1 above). But I do know I had no problem following the story nor did I find myself frustrated to the point of throwing the book across the room, which are both extremely important in the reading process =)

So a basic rundown of the story is the plague of the "dreadfuls" has returned after being vanquished some time ago. Mr. Bennet, an old warrior of the first battle with the unmentionables, must come to terms with the fact that he stopped following the warrior way and he quickly decides to make up for it. He's determined to bring all of his daughters up to speed to be ready to fight beside him against the zombies. Mrs. Bennet, along with the rest of society, want nothing more for the girls to attend balls, marry off to eligible men, and stay with the essence of Englishwomanhood.

The sisters have a torn opinion, the two youngest put up the strongest fight against Mr. Bennet but soon enough he has all of them under his tutelage. All teenagers, they have never before come into contact with said zombies, but they have read on the Troubles and the fight against the dreadfuls. They also haven't had to practice ninja moves with animal names in the title while swinging katanas around in front of handsome characters that come to help the Bennets with the fight. The Bennet girls should never forget to be ladylike despite their weapons in hand...

The hilarity of the novel comes in the mixture of crazy zombie-killing scenes, the unique personalities of the characters (the sister's especially), and the overall ridiculous feel of the novel that makes you appreciate the author's skill. I think this has a lot to offer with brain eating, romantic twists, a strong female character packed into a relatively small novel =) Without having read PPZ, I still think DAWN OF THE DREADFULS will be my favorite out of the current three Quirck releases!

Now... a couple things I want to share with you before you go. (There are chances to win some goodies so I do hope you're paying attention)
  1. I will most likely be reading PPZ along with the original Pride and Prejudice so I can have a better base of judgement. (Don't ask me when though)

  2. To learn more about DAWN OF THE DREADFULS visit it's book page here: http://www.quirkclassics.com/index.php?q=dawnofthedreadfuls

  3. You have a chance to win one of 50 Quirk Classics Prize Packs.

    Each Prize Pack, with a retail value of more than $100, will include:

    -An advance copy of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls
    -Audio Books of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters
    -A password redeemable online for sample audio chapters of Dawn of the Dreadfuls
    -An awesome Dawn of the Dreadfuls Poster
    -A Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Journal
    -A box set of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Postcards

  4. To enter for one of the Prize Packs you must visit here and mention where you read your DAWN OF THE DREADFULS review (which is here at mis(h)takes I hope)

  5. Thanks for sticking with me and good luck if you enter. Tell me what you think of the book if you read it.

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Teaser Tuesday [40]

Teaser Tuesdays asks you to:






-Grab your current read
-Let the book fall open to a random page.
-Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12
-You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
-Please avoid spoilers!






----------


"Don't shoot, Lizzy. It's me."
Elizabeth pushed herself up and smiled sleepily. "Oh, I wasn't going to shoot you, Jane. I was about to stab you." (139)


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