tiny pink books

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies:  The Classic Regency Romance - Now With Ultraviolent Zombie Mayham!
by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
Quirk Books, 2009

Preserving most of the original text of Pride and Prejudice, this modified classic now includes zombies and a horror twist.  The “strange plague” going around England is actually that of zombies.  Elizabeth Bennet and her sisters have been trained in “the deadly arts” to be, no longer just well-mannered young ladies, but zombie slayers of the finest caliber as they putter about society before being married off.  Mr. Darcy has also been transformed into a gentlemanly, zombie slaying hero.

And now to admit something that perhaps will sway your view of me as a reader–until it was available in zombie fused fashion, I have never read Pride and Prejudice. Although I was forced to read some other Austen novels in high school, they never moved me, a true tomboy at heart, enough to seek out anything more.  It wasn’t until there were zombies and a concept so hilarious (fancy, well-mannered ladies zombie slaying!) that I just had to pick it up.  Pick it up I did and it was in doing so that I realized that, while the zombie bits are funny, the real goodness of the book is in Austen’s original work.  I found myself enjoying the characters and the original humor enough that, at times, the zombie interruptions felt just like that–like interruptions.  Although I credit Grahame-Smith for coming up with such a wonderful concept and for fusing it in some seamlessly, the quality of the book still lies in the original work.

All in all, the postmodern, zombie mashup concept is a good way to get reluctant readers slightly more interested in Jane Austen.  I could see this being successfully used in high school English classes to make Austen (slightly) more appealing to boys and girls.  At the same time, I can see why Austen fans might be offended at the addition of ironically place gore and grossness in such a beloved classic.  I think it’s important to recognize that this zombie version of Pride and Prejudice, will never replace the original text.  It’s just a fun twist that may get non-Austen readers (like me) to pick up and *actually enjoy* Pride and Prejudice.

The Compound by S.A. Bodeen
Feiwel and Friends, 2008

Eli is the 15-year-old son of a mega rich, genius founder of a major technology company (think Bill Gates) in Seattle, Washington. His father, obsessed with the threat of nuclear war, has built an incredible underground compound where he and his family will live out a 15 year nuclear fallout. Only, when the family is rushed into the compound one night, under the threat of nuclear way, things don’t go smoothly, leaving Eli’s twin Eddie and his grandmother locked outside, presumably to die. Six years later, with not a word from the outside world, Eli has grown used to a sad and drastic life of routine in the compound. But, as the food supply grows low and Eli’s father pushes the entire family towards a horrific and immoral solution, Eli begins to question everything he has known of his father, the compound, and life as he knows it.

The premise of The Compound is terrifically cliche…and everything about the book–the characters, their motivations, the plot–really works on this level. It’s like a really good, cheesy action movie that keeps you hooked, even though years of television and movie watching have trained you to know what’s coming. The characters, especially, the father, are cartoonish caricatures in some ways…but that only adds to the fun of The Compound. Bodeen has managed to write a novel that reads in an almost cinematic way (and it would make a great movie!).

Perfect for reluctant readers and boys who enjoy things like the Anthony Horowitz novels. Oh and I listened to the audio version, which was well read.

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Delacourte Books for Young Readers, 2003.

Set in 1895, 16 year old Gemma Doyle’s life changes forever with the sudden and mysterious loss of her mother.  She is sent from India, where she grew up with her parents, to the prestigious and imposing Spence Academy in English.  While she struggles to find her place among the other girls and deals with the grief surrounding her mother’s death, Gemma also faces a more unusual problem.  Finding herself in possession of new, powerful abilities and a connection to a dark secret society, Gemma must struggle to understand her new power and place in the world.

I’m not much of a fan of historical fiction, so I opened A Great and Terrible Beauty with a lot of reservations.  What I found though was a novel that was compelling to read, with just enough historical detail to add to the story without being overwhelming.  The story itself, though a little predictable, is a fun read.  The contrast of the powers that Gemma has in the supernatural world with the lack of power she has as a woman in 1800’s England works well.  Even though I wouldn’t say that I was in love with this book, the pages kept turning and I found myself unable to put it down.

I’d recommend this one to readers seeking a girl + supernatural world/power story.  Fans of Twilight, The Summoning, and such will be pleased as this is a solid contribution to the genre.

Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks
Harcourt Children’s Books, 2009.

Nina Harrison is not the kind of sleek, sexy, ultra powerful vampire that you have no doubt read about in other books.  No, Nina is a vampire alright, but in Catherine Jinks’ refreshing novel, vampires are pretty much like normal people–except they are weak, tired, whiny, and they are literally dead during daylight hours.  Nina is part of a support group of vampires living in Sydney, Australia.  Meeting weekly in a church basement for the last 30 years, Nina and her friends groan and moan about the ups and downs on being a reformed vampire (a vampire who does not go around “fanging” humans).  When one of their members is found murdered with a stake to the heart, Nina and her friends set out to find the killer, taking them on a caper of an adventure that involves courage, strength, wits, and all the things that this group of misfit vampires generally seems to lack.

The concept for Reformed Vampire Support Group is fantastic.  Jinks uses the concept of the whiny, beaten down vampire in a way that is both humorous and realistic (if you were around for 100+ years, don’t you think you’d be feeling tired and whiny?).  Aside from that, the reformed vampire concept gives Jinks free range to create a memorable cast of characters who, especially in Nina, must break free from their passivity to overcome.  The story is basically a standard mystery, but the characters and concept make it work.

Although I found it to be a little bit long and lagging (a witty concept can only carry you so far…), especially in the second half, I still recommend Reformed Vampire Support Group to readers who like humor, mystery, and (of course!) vampires.  Reluctant readers should beware the slowish pace (at parts) and, although there are sparks of romance, die hard Twilight fans will not find any major teenage longings of love in this satirical vampire world.  The cover gives you a fairly accurate representation of the tone of the book–it’s cute, it’s goth, and it’s silly.

Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway
Razorbill, 2008

When her ex-boyfriend’s band hits it big with a song based on their breakup (titled “Audrey, Wait”), normal suburban rocker girl Audrey is also skyrockets to fame.  While the fame and fortune have some benefits (backstage concert passes anyone?), the drawbacks of having your love life scrutinized by the world are tough.  Her once normal teenage life is taken over by paparazzi, internet snark, and cruel gossip.  Throughout it all, Audrey and her friends use their sarcastic wit to make the best of things while Audrey tries to make do and move on.

Audrey Wait! is one of those books that’s so fun, lighthearted, and geniunely sweet that it’s just a joy to read.  The characters are lovable, but smart and quick witted enough that the story never drags.  My only criticism is that Audrey (and the other characters, more or less) can seem a tad bit flawlessly lovable at times.  With a unique plot and just the right balance of humor, emotion, and fun, Audrey Wait! is perfect for a light summer read for the beach or poolside (or any kind of situation that calls for a fun, sweet as sugar kind of book).  While this is a YA book (and is also suitable for adults) younger  or more sensitive readers should be warned that there is quite a lot of language.