Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters

Title: Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Jane Austen and Ben H. Winters
Genre: Fiction, Mashup, Classic, Horror
Rating: 2/5

As the title implies, this is Jane Austen's classic retold with a twist. Something has transformed the world's oceans and the creatures of the sea have mutated and now hunger for the flesh of man. Amongst all the tentacles and giant lobsters, can the Dashwood sisters find true love?

I was rather disappointed in Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters. The premise was intriguing but the writing failed to live up to its promise. The connection between Austen's original and Winters' new scenes felt disjointed and I think Winters would have been better off writing something original. As well, there was a little too much repetition, especially in regards to how disgusting Colonel Brandon's mucous-covered tentacles were. By the fourth or fifth mention I just wanted to shout 'all right already, I get it.' I also found the way everyone looked down on Colonel Brandon and his cursed features contradictory once Winters introduced the idea that John Dashwood was undergoing experimentation in society's fight against sea monsters. However, there was one thing I really enjoyed, the addition of steampunk when Elinor and Marianne go to Sub-marine Station Beta, a London-like city based within a dome on the ocean floor.

Overall, Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters is not a book that I'd recommend. It's not that I hadn't expected it to be ridiculous, I did, but it was just too much so. I do hope that Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was better orchestrated as it's still on my to-be-read list.

Soulless

Title: Soulless by Gail Carriger
Genre: Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Steampunk
Rating: 4/5

In a Victorian London populated with werewolves, vampires and ghosts, there is only one being that can negate their supernatural powers. Alexia Tarabotti is a preternatural, a person without a soul, and when she accidentally kills a newly turned vampire, she becomes embroiled in the investigation of the mysterious appearances and disappearances of other vampires. And she must face an enemy crueler than she can imagine.

Soulless is the best paranormal novel I've read in ages. It was nice to read something a little different after all the recent paranormal novels set in modern-day. The writing was a little rough for the first thirty pages or so while Carriger figured out her characters and style, but after that I couldn't put it down. The combination of the paranormal, steampunk and Victorian romance genres was intriguing. I especially enjoyed the idea that the success of the British Empire was due in large part to the accepted presence of werewolves and vampires in society. Soulless is a book that I'd recommend to a variety of readers. And I can't wait to read the sequel, Changeless, which is out on March 31.

After

Title: After by Amy Efaw
Genre: Fiction, YA
Rating 4/5

Devon Davenport is a straight-A student and competitive soccer player with a bright future. Until she abandons her baby in a trashcan behind her apartment in an act of desperation. Now she's living in a juvenile detention centre, charged with attempted murder, while the court decides whether to try her as an adult, despite the fact that she's only 15, which would land her life in prison.

I couldn't put After down. The desire to find out what could make a model teenager like Devon ignore every sign that something wrong with her body and then commit such a desperate and shameful act kept me riveted. The book starts with Devon home sick from school and barely conscious, hardly able to focus on what's occurring around her. It's hard not to empathize with Devon as she begins to sort through her dream-like, perhaps nightmare-like, memories in order to remember and comprehend her own actions. Especially as we learn of her strong belief in self-discipline and of her mother's flirtatious and child-like behaviour.

After is a fast-paced, engaging and emotional read that I'd definitely recommend to others.

The Children of Men

Title: The Children of Men by P. D. James
Genre: Fiction, Dystopia
Rating: 4/5

It's the year 2021, mankind is sterile and the youngest generation on earth has turned twenty-five. England is ruled by a charismatic dictator and the nation is regularly subjected to embarrassing fertility tests with no hope in sight. Until one small group of individuals decides that it's time to challenge the ruling power.

I really enjoyed The Children of Men. It's a dark read, and really made me think about what people are capable of when faced with their own death and the death of their entire species. The horror of knowing that you're growing older but there is no child or grandchild to follow after you. In The Children of Men, that knowledge has driven some women mad, as they transfer their maternal instincts to dolls and pets. James' future is chilling but utterly believable.

As for the writing itself, I enjoyed the combination of the first person narrative and the third person narrative. The stream of consciousness entries from Theo's diary allowed greater insight into his character, and also allowed James to provide the history necessary for the reader to develop an understanding of Omega without it reading like a "Here's what you need to know" section. I also appreciated James' descriptive skill. The imagery wasn't overly graphic, she didn't focus on the blood and gore, and yet it was still truly disturbing.

The Children of Men is a book that I'd like to read again one day and certainly one that I'd recommend to other readers.

Moab is my Washpot

Title: Moab is my Washpot by Stephen Fry
Genre: Non-fiction, Autobiography
Rating: 4/5

The humorous and frank story of the first twenty years of Stephen Fry's life, following his public school years and his turbulent teens.

I really enjoyed Moab is my Washpot. I've not read many autobiographies in the past, but Stephen Fry's was a joy to read, he's such a genius with words. And his intelligence, or at least his vast knowledge, was evident in the many literary and cultural references throughout the book. The language is a little colourful at points, and the humour a little bawdy but it follows with Fry's style of writing and I didn't find it off-putting.

I have to admit that I was surprised to learn what Fry was like as a child and teen. He seems so friendly now, and it's difficult to picture him causing so much trouble and being arrested in his youth. In Moab is my Washpot, he talks openly about his actions and doesn't make excuses. It's obvious now where many of the ideas for his first novel, The Liar, came from. In fact, he admits to taking whole sections of the book from his own life.

Fry's conversational style of writing and his wit are a joy to read, and I fully plan on reading the rest of his works. Apparently, Fry announced at the beginning of the year that he was taking a break from acting in order to complete a second volume of his autobiography and I await it with bated breath.