Pride and Prejudice and Zombies September 10, 2009

Title: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Author: Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

Summary: It’s Pride and Prejudice…with zombies! Fighting off zombie attacks are a daily chore for the Bennet sisters. During their years of training in China, they have honed their mastery with the sword, becoming famous in their small town for their abilities. Our hero Mr. Darcy happens to also be a famous zombie slayer. It would be a match made in heaven if not for Darcy’s superior status and the disapproving glare of his aunt, the renowned Lady Catherine de Bourgh. With the classic cast of passionate, sharp-mouthed, lovesick characters, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies brings this original tale back to life – literally.

Who will like this book?: If you’re a fan of Gregory Maguire, I’d say this book is for you. If you enjoyed the original Pride and Prejudice, you might enjoy this as well, as it contains many direct passages (and essentially the same plot) from the original.  Even if you don’t like reading the classics, you’ll find this one hard to put down.

If you like this, you should try: Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters. Wicked and Mirror Mirror by Gregory Maguire. Fool by Christopher Moore. Goose Girl by Shannon Hale.

Recommended by: ZZ, Fairfield resident and avid reader

Ella Enchanted September 25, 2008

Title: Ella Enchanted

Author: Gail Carson Levine

Summary: At birth, the fairy Lucinda “gifted” Ella  with obedience. Whenever ordered to do something, Ella can’t help but to comply. At an early age her mother dies and at the funeral she meets Prince Char, her first best friend.  A few years pass before her father starts being courted by the awful Dame Olga, who has two monsters for daughters–Hattie and Olive. To make matters worse, Hattie soon discovers that Ella will do anything she says.  The story follows Ella as she learns to deal with these new step-devils, some ugly–and rather old–suitors, trolls, and of course her curse. Only Lucinda can remove the curse, but the problem is Lucinda never takes back a gift. Can Ella save her life before it all falls apart?

Who will like this book?: If you want a classic fairy tale, this is the book for you. A charming Prince, a witty female lead, evil humans and creatures, and some unexpected magical friends add up to the essentials of this fairy tale. It has more dialogue than action, but it’s fast-paced and hilarious. And apart from the characters and basic plot outline, it’s not anything like the movie.

If you like this, you should try: Anything else by Gail Carson Levine–she has a series of fairy books, as well as The Wish. Other good fairy-tale books are Tithe by Holly Black, Artemis Fowlby Eoin Colfer, almost anything by Dianna Wynne Jone or Shannon Hale, and the Wolf Tower series (Wolf Tower is the name of the first one) by Tanith Lee.

Recommended by: ZZ, resident of Fairfield and avid reader.