Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Quirk Books (2010), Paperback, 288 pages
Description
When a funeral at the local parish goes strangely and horribly awry and corpses suddenly spring from the soft earth, only one person can stop them. As the bodies pile up, Elizabeth Bennet evolves from a naive young teenager into a savage slayer of the undead in this prequel to "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies."
Media reviews
The absurdity of melding the paranormal with the beloved characters of Jane Austen is an unexpected mix.
User reviews
LibraryThing member lauradale77
Not being a huge fan of Jane Austin I was worried that this would be too dry for my tastes. Well it seems my worries were for naught because I never read the book... my 13 year old son stole it from me the minute it arrived! He read it cover to cover in 2 days and wanted to go out an buy the others
I completely enjoyed the twists the author has taken on these classic tales and would highly recommend them to anyone who does not mind making fun of everything "prim & proper" and has a strong stomach.
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immediately! He read me many excerpts during our long car rides and we both laughed hysterically throughout the story. I completely enjoyed the twists the author has taken on these classic tales and would highly recommend them to anyone who does not mind making fun of everything "prim & proper" and has a strong stomach.
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LibraryThing member PaperCrystals
I must admit, after my thorough enjoyment of PP&Z I had rather high hopes. Perhaps a bit too high, because while I did like Dawn of the Dreadfuls, it lacked the charm that its precursor had. Without Jane Austen's words to play with, the story becomes a fun romp through a Regency-era England with
The book could have stood alone easily enough, had the names of the main characters been changed. I think I should have liked it better that way... it seemed to me as if Miss Austen's characters were not acting true to themselves.
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zombies lurking around every corner and in every pond- but I was not delighted, merely mildly entertained.The book could have stood alone easily enough, had the names of the main characters been changed. I think I should have liked it better that way... it seemed to me as if Miss Austen's characters were not acting true to themselves.
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LibraryThing member titania86
The first indication that the dreadfuls had returned was when Mr. Ford rudely tried to walk out of his own funeral. This is where teenaged Elizabeth Bennet sees her first unmentionable. (The zed word is not said in polite society.) Mr. Bennet was involved in the previous zombie war, but gave up the
Hockensmith took great characters and put them in an entirely different situation while still preserving their essential being. The origins of the Bennet sisters fit very well with the image of them in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Jane's kindheartedness and compassion endures through her harsh training. Elizabeth is disillusioned and alienated by two different men, leading to her hard outer shell. The new characters introduced were wonderful. They are very flawed characters with dimensions, but most of them still managed to be likeable. The two that evoked the most feeling in me were Dr. Keckilpenny and Lord Lumpley. The doctor was quirky, cute, and absent minded. His extreme focus on finding scientific solution to the zombie problem was interesting. Lord Lumpley, on the other hand, was disgusting, lascivious, and made me feel dirty just reading about him. I liked that the point of view was in the third person and focused on different characters throughout the novel. It gave a peek into the inner workings of characters that wouldn't normally be showcased.
I was very interested in the way society was portrayed in the novel. When the Bennet girls first start to train, they are seen as social pariahs. This has to do with the tradition role of women in society and racism. Of course when the sisters were saving people that ostracized, the girls were popular and welcome. The attitude of the government when it didn't let people know the full extent of the zombie outbreak to keep people calm is reminiscent of many modern zombie novels. I've never seen this before in a book set in a different time period. These two aspects gave the story a bit of realism that made it easier to suspend disbelief and made me more engrossed with the story.
Dawn of the Dreadfuls was awesome. I loved this book. It was a great, fast read that moved fluidly. I think Steve Hockensmith had a slight advantage over Seth Grahame-Smith in that he didn't have to fit his writing into an existing text and try to blend the two together. This all new story was a much faster read than its predecessor, but just as enjoyable. The big zombie fight at the end really had me on the edge of my seat. I look forward to whatever Steven Hockensmith will do in the future.
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deadly arts when the menace appeared to have been vanquished. Now that the dreadfuls have returned, he seizes the chance to redeem his honor and train his daughters in the deadly arts. Elizabeth may not be the most talented or accomplished pupil, but she is definitely the most energetic and voracious. Between the initial zombie war and the recent outbreak, there had been a long time of people being buried in the normal way: with their heads attached. Now, all of these long buried dead have clawed their way out of graves all over Hertfordshire. Can the horde be stopped by the Bennet family and a hundred new, barely trained soldiers or will all hope be lost?Hockensmith took great characters and put them in an entirely different situation while still preserving their essential being. The origins of the Bennet sisters fit very well with the image of them in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Jane's kindheartedness and compassion endures through her harsh training. Elizabeth is disillusioned and alienated by two different men, leading to her hard outer shell. The new characters introduced were wonderful. They are very flawed characters with dimensions, but most of them still managed to be likeable. The two that evoked the most feeling in me were Dr. Keckilpenny and Lord Lumpley. The doctor was quirky, cute, and absent minded. His extreme focus on finding scientific solution to the zombie problem was interesting. Lord Lumpley, on the other hand, was disgusting, lascivious, and made me feel dirty just reading about him. I liked that the point of view was in the third person and focused on different characters throughout the novel. It gave a peek into the inner workings of characters that wouldn't normally be showcased.
I was very interested in the way society was portrayed in the novel. When the Bennet girls first start to train, they are seen as social pariahs. This has to do with the tradition role of women in society and racism. Of course when the sisters were saving people that ostracized, the girls were popular and welcome. The attitude of the government when it didn't let people know the full extent of the zombie outbreak to keep people calm is reminiscent of many modern zombie novels. I've never seen this before in a book set in a different time period. These two aspects gave the story a bit of realism that made it easier to suspend disbelief and made me more engrossed with the story.
Dawn of the Dreadfuls was awesome. I loved this book. It was a great, fast read that moved fluidly. I think Steve Hockensmith had a slight advantage over Seth Grahame-Smith in that he didn't have to fit his writing into an existing text and try to blend the two together. This all new story was a much faster read than its predecessor, but just as enjoyable. The big zombie fight at the end really had me on the edge of my seat. I look forward to whatever Steven Hockensmith will do in the future.
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LibraryThing member Mrs.SmartyPants
I just finished Quirk Classics' newest future classic Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls. DotD is the prequel to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - Jane Austin's classic with Zombies and mayhem thrown in for good measure. This book begins four years before P&P&Z as Elizabeth is
Reading Steve Hockensmith's prose almost made me wonder if Jane Austin herself hasn't risen from the grave as well, because down to Mrs. Bennet's last "La" it sounds downright Austin. The book itself takes Regency to a new place with the scandalous nature of the Bennet girls becoming warriors, and shunned from society. How ever will they find a husband now? Humor is not lacking as we learn how the dreadfuls return to the English countryside, and we set the scene for P&P&Z.
I highly recommend this book. If you like Austin, and like fun - you'll enjoy this book too!
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ready to come out into society, but low and behold even those long dead can't resist a good party!Reading Steve Hockensmith's prose almost made me wonder if Jane Austin herself hasn't risen from the grave as well, because down to Mrs. Bennet's last "La" it sounds downright Austin. The book itself takes Regency to a new place with the scandalous nature of the Bennet girls becoming warriors, and shunned from society. How ever will they find a husband now? Humor is not lacking as we learn how the dreadfuls return to the English countryside, and we set the scene for P&P&Z.
I highly recommend this book. If you like Austin, and like fun - you'll enjoy this book too!
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LibraryThing member rrhodes1967
Hertfordshire England. Nineteenth Century. There are many things a young lady in this time period looks forward to. Her coming out ball, a romantic love interest, and her first zombie kill. This book has all those things. The story centers around Mr. Bennett and his 5 daughters: Lydia, Jane, Mary,
Along the way, the reader is introduced to some possible suitors and romantic interests. There is Dr. Keckilpenny, a man obsessed with trying to restore life to the zombies. Master Hawksworth who is sent to help train the girls in the deadly arts. Then there is Lord Lumpley, a rather disgusting individual who becomes quite interested in Jane Bennett. Then there is an unusual cast of surrounding characters. There is Lt. Tendall, who wants to protect Elizabeth. There is Captain Cannon, a man with no arms and no legs (due to a zombie battle) but two soldiers he calls Right Limb and Left Limb who push him around in a wheelbarrow.
There is a lot to offer in this book. There’s zombie fighting. There’s romance. There’s humor. There’s zombie fighting. There’s character twists. And there’s zombie fighting. Some of the humor may border on dark humor, but at times made me laugh at loud. Some examples, one of the Bennett girls is describing how brave Captain Cannon was to stay in the middle of a battle, when everyone else, including his limbs ran away. Then there is the minister, who is constantly reciting things that aren’t run of the mill, nor have they anything to do with the situation, such as when he’s carrying around a book by the Marquis de Sade. There’s also some humorous events when the girls first begin learning to use their new weapons.
All in All, this was a fun book to read. It had a lot of adventure, and a lot of humor. I don’t know how true it stayed to the original Austen characters, because Jane Austen is not someone I’ve ever read before. However, based on my knowledge of the time period, they did seem to stay true that period, for example, Young Ladies are not supposed to say the word Zombies. I think you should pick this up, and give it a shot, I think you’ll have fun reading it. It’s actually made me interested in going and getting Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and maybe Sense and Sensibilities and Sea Monster’s just to see what they’re like.
*Disclaimer* A review copy of this book was provided by Anna at FSB Associates. Thanks go to her for this book. It didn’t affect my review in any way.
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Elizabeth, and Kitty. There’s also Mrs. Bennett. Mrs. Bennett seems to ignore all the things going on around her. Her mind is occupied by more important things, such as the approaching ball, and finding a suitable suitor for her oldest daughters. Mr. Bennett however, is concerned with the more mundane things in life, such as saving his community, and teaching his daughters to be sword wielding zombie killers.Along the way, the reader is introduced to some possible suitors and romantic interests. There is Dr. Keckilpenny, a man obsessed with trying to restore life to the zombies. Master Hawksworth who is sent to help train the girls in the deadly arts. Then there is Lord Lumpley, a rather disgusting individual who becomes quite interested in Jane Bennett. Then there is an unusual cast of surrounding characters. There is Lt. Tendall, who wants to protect Elizabeth. There is Captain Cannon, a man with no arms and no legs (due to a zombie battle) but two soldiers he calls Right Limb and Left Limb who push him around in a wheelbarrow.
There is a lot to offer in this book. There’s zombie fighting. There’s romance. There’s humor. There’s zombie fighting. There’s character twists. And there’s zombie fighting. Some of the humor may border on dark humor, but at times made me laugh at loud. Some examples, one of the Bennett girls is describing how brave Captain Cannon was to stay in the middle of a battle, when everyone else, including his limbs ran away. Then there is the minister, who is constantly reciting things that aren’t run of the mill, nor have they anything to do with the situation, such as when he’s carrying around a book by the Marquis de Sade. There’s also some humorous events when the girls first begin learning to use their new weapons.
All in All, this was a fun book to read. It had a lot of adventure, and a lot of humor. I don’t know how true it stayed to the original Austen characters, because Jane Austen is not someone I’ve ever read before. However, based on my knowledge of the time period, they did seem to stay true that period, for example, Young Ladies are not supposed to say the word Zombies. I think you should pick this up, and give it a shot, I think you’ll have fun reading it. It’s actually made me interested in going and getting Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and maybe Sense and Sensibilities and Sea Monster’s just to see what they’re like.
*Disclaimer* A review copy of this book was provided by Anna at FSB Associates. Thanks go to her for this book. It didn’t affect my review in any way.
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LibraryThing member Ginerbia
I was drawn in from the very first page. Mr. Bennet and I share the same feeling when it comes to funerals: revulsion. It's my belief that funerals bring out the worst in people. Take Mrs. Bennet for instance. She was commenting on the quality of the casket and busy making sure her eldest daughter,
Then things get interesting. Mr. Bennet tells Elizabeth and Mary to follow him towards the zombie. This is the girls' first exposure to the undead and they ultimately fail to put it out of commission. Mr. Bennet, trained in the deadly arts, quickly dispatches the zombie and realizes that he must train his girls in the deadly arts as well. They need to be trained not only for their own protection, but also to repair a vow he had broken to a secret league of warriors he used to belong to.
Throughout the story, the girls learn all sorts of fighting moves and how to use various weapons, much to the displeasure of Mrs. Bennet. Not only are the girls fighting zombies, they are also becoming social outcasts. They have to deal with stares and whispers from their neighbors and even get uninvited to a ball. This doesn't seem to bother the girls very much as they have realized what is most important.
One of my favorite lines from the book is when Elizabeth is debating with herself if she should follow her father towards the undead Mr. Ford. "And then a third voice chimed in, one Elizabeth didn't even recognize at first, so well trained were proper young ladies in ignoring it. The voice of Self."
I think this is a great "girl-power" story where zombies are metaphors for anything that would traditionally be considered a man's job. Personally, I wouldn't want the job of dispatching zombies, but I do enjoy my freedom to have that choice. The Bennet girls had to break out of the mold society and their own mother made for them.
This was an excellent story and I enjoyed reading it. The story line flowed quite nicely from one event to another. Witty, exciting and liberating would be how I would describe it.
Here are a few more of my favorite lines from this book:
"A battle cry shatters the shackles of good manners and gentility"
"Ladylike be damned!"
and last but not least...
"You're all so quick to point out what you can't do. The time has come to learn what you can."
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Jane was displaying herself properly. Never know when one might meet a prospective husband. Then of course there is Mr. Ford, the guest of honor at the funeral, who didn't even have the social grace to stay put in his casket. When Mr. Ford started thrashing around, the whole congregation went berserk, mostly Mrs. Bennet.Then things get interesting. Mr. Bennet tells Elizabeth and Mary to follow him towards the zombie. This is the girls' first exposure to the undead and they ultimately fail to put it out of commission. Mr. Bennet, trained in the deadly arts, quickly dispatches the zombie and realizes that he must train his girls in the deadly arts as well. They need to be trained not only for their own protection, but also to repair a vow he had broken to a secret league of warriors he used to belong to.
Throughout the story, the girls learn all sorts of fighting moves and how to use various weapons, much to the displeasure of Mrs. Bennet. Not only are the girls fighting zombies, they are also becoming social outcasts. They have to deal with stares and whispers from their neighbors and even get uninvited to a ball. This doesn't seem to bother the girls very much as they have realized what is most important.
One of my favorite lines from the book is when Elizabeth is debating with herself if she should follow her father towards the undead Mr. Ford. "And then a third voice chimed in, one Elizabeth didn't even recognize at first, so well trained were proper young ladies in ignoring it. The voice of Self."
I think this is a great "girl-power" story where zombies are metaphors for anything that would traditionally be considered a man's job. Personally, I wouldn't want the job of dispatching zombies, but I do enjoy my freedom to have that choice. The Bennet girls had to break out of the mold society and their own mother made for them.
This was an excellent story and I enjoyed reading it. The story line flowed quite nicely from one event to another. Witty, exciting and liberating would be how I would describe it.
Here are a few more of my favorite lines from this book:
"A battle cry shatters the shackles of good manners and gentility"
"Ladylike be damned!"
and last but not least...
"You're all so quick to point out what you can't do. The time has come to learn what you can."
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LibraryThing member krau0098
Okay guys this is my first Giveaway on my blog and it is being offered through Quirk Books!
I read and enjoyed both "Pride and Prejudice" and "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" (PPZ). So when I heard that a prequel to PPZ was being released I was excited. I mean, finally, we get to learn all about
This book follows the Bennet family as they discover the first dreadful rising (out of a coffin at a funeral), through training the Bennet girls receive, to the inevitable massive zombie attack.
Hockensmith did a great job in keeping the tone of the story similar to PPZ. Mrs. Bennet was definitely the Mrs. Bennet from PPZ and Jane and Elizabeth also maintained their character very well. I thought the story actually flowed much better than PPZ; probably because Hockensmith got to control the storyline this time and could match it to the characters better. Hockensmith has created some fabulous character additions. Master Hawksworh (the Bennet's instructor in the deadly arts) and Dr. Keckilpenny (a doctor who seeks to cure the dreadful affliction) are a lot of fun.
The fighting scenes are well done and more inclusive than in PPZ, again I think that being able to incorporate the action scenes fully into his own story helped Hockingsmith out on this one. The plot takes some interesting twists and turns towards the end of the story which I really enjoyed.
My only complaint would be at times the characters are a little bit over the top. This is a small complaint. I know these over-the-top characters are there for humor, and many times, they are very funny. At times though it goes a bit over-board and feels forced. The dialogue is witty and entertaining enough all on its own; it didn't need any more than that to be funny.
Overall I liked this book even better than PPZ. It was entertaining, engaging, and had me chuckling a number of times. Hockensmith did a good job staying true to the main characters nature, even if the additional characters sometimes went a bit over-the-top with their actions.
I read and enjoyed both "Pride and Prejudice" and "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" (PPZ). So when I heard that a prequel to PPZ was being released I was excited. I mean, finally, we get to learn all about
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how Elizabeth Bennet and her sisters got their awesome fighting skills. I got a copy of Dawn of the Dreadfuls through Quirk Books. I actually enjoyed this book more than PPZ; Hockensmith has created some great tongue-in-cheek characters and the book was very well done!This book follows the Bennet family as they discover the first dreadful rising (out of a coffin at a funeral), through training the Bennet girls receive, to the inevitable massive zombie attack.
Hockensmith did a great job in keeping the tone of the story similar to PPZ. Mrs. Bennet was definitely the Mrs. Bennet from PPZ and Jane and Elizabeth also maintained their character very well. I thought the story actually flowed much better than PPZ; probably because Hockensmith got to control the storyline this time and could match it to the characters better. Hockensmith has created some fabulous character additions. Master Hawksworh (the Bennet's instructor in the deadly arts) and Dr. Keckilpenny (a doctor who seeks to cure the dreadful affliction) are a lot of fun.
The fighting scenes are well done and more inclusive than in PPZ, again I think that being able to incorporate the action scenes fully into his own story helped Hockingsmith out on this one. The plot takes some interesting twists and turns towards the end of the story which I really enjoyed.
My only complaint would be at times the characters are a little bit over the top. This is a small complaint. I know these over-the-top characters are there for humor, and many times, they are very funny. At times though it goes a bit over-board and feels forced. The dialogue is witty and entertaining enough all on its own; it didn't need any more than that to be funny.
Overall I liked this book even better than PPZ. It was entertaining, engaging, and had me chuckling a number of times. Hockensmith did a good job staying true to the main characters nature, even if the additional characters sometimes went a bit over-the-top with their actions.
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LibraryThing member Ann_Louise
The Quirk Classics series has done a great job of combining the best aspects of Jane Austen and the Horror genre. As a devoted fan of both, I couldn't be happier!
LibraryThing member sagustocox
Steve Hockensmith's Dawn of the Dreadfuls is a whimsical prequel to the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies mash-up. But even though it is a prequel, the struggles with the zombies occurred long before this story begins and this is just a rebirth of the plague.
"Capturing a dreadful, it turned out, was
Dr. Keckilpenny's custom-built zombie net fit over the unmentionable's head and upper torso snugly enough, pinning its arms to its sides. But the only way to get the creature to do anything other than hurl itself, snarling, at the nearest sign of life was to push or pull it by the attached rod." (Page 192)
In this story, the Bennet girls are being trained in the dark arts following the rise of the undead in the English countryside. Unlike previous mash-ups, Hockensmith stays true to Austen's language and characterizations, as much as he can with the introduction of zombies and ninjas. Mr. Bennet seeks to take on the tutelage of his daughters on his own, but the Order soon sends him Master Hawksworth, a young man of 26, who takes a keen interest in his daughter Elizabeth.
Along the way the Bennet sisters work hard to polish their skills, vanquish unmentionables, and reclaim their dignity in a society that finds their modern ways unappealing until it is convenient for them. From the strong and reserved master to the single-minded Dr. Keckilpenny, the Bennets meet obstacles head on and overcome them. Some of the same societal prejudices exist in this mash-up, but it's also full of fun dialogue, swift action, and bungling antics. And readers will see a different side of Mr. Bennet and learn some of Mrs. Bennet's past in Dawn of the Dreadfuls.
"Capturing a dreadful, it turned out, was
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the easy part. Getting it to go where one wanted -- that was nearly impossible.Dr. Keckilpenny's custom-built zombie net fit over the unmentionable's head and upper torso snugly enough, pinning its arms to its sides. But the only way to get the creature to do anything other than hurl itself, snarling, at the nearest sign of life was to push or pull it by the attached rod." (Page 192)
In this story, the Bennet girls are being trained in the dark arts following the rise of the undead in the English countryside. Unlike previous mash-ups, Hockensmith stays true to Austen's language and characterizations, as much as he can with the introduction of zombies and ninjas. Mr. Bennet seeks to take on the tutelage of his daughters on his own, but the Order soon sends him Master Hawksworth, a young man of 26, who takes a keen interest in his daughter Elizabeth.
Along the way the Bennet sisters work hard to polish their skills, vanquish unmentionables, and reclaim their dignity in a society that finds their modern ways unappealing until it is convenient for them. From the strong and reserved master to the single-minded Dr. Keckilpenny, the Bennets meet obstacles head on and overcome them. Some of the same societal prejudices exist in this mash-up, but it's also full of fun dialogue, swift action, and bungling antics. And readers will see a different side of Mr. Bennet and learn some of Mrs. Bennet's past in Dawn of the Dreadfuls.
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LibraryThing member reakendera
Just as good as the first Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, if not better. A very funny and enjoyable read which introduces us to the zombie epidemic and Mr. Bennet’s training of his daughters.
LibraryThing member kahlan67
I'll preface this review by saying, while I know the story of Pride and Prejudice, I have yet to read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. It struck me a bit odd that the prequel was authored by someone other then the original and I will be curious to see when reading ... and Zombies how well the two
With this being said, I very much enjoyed the book. Following the growth of the Bennet girls from English Country girls to social outcasts to "war" heros was a classic tale done well. My main disappointments laid with (1.) the 'master' who appeared two different characters; the start of the book in comparison to the end and (2.) (yes I'm sure many will disagree) the cover art, which I feel did not represent the book so much as hope to evoke a response. I even have one friend afraid to take the book home to read for fear her young daughter might see the cover.
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coordinated time frames and character development. With this being said, I very much enjoyed the book. Following the growth of the Bennet girls from English Country girls to social outcasts to "war" heros was a classic tale done well. My main disappointments laid with (1.) the 'master' who appeared two different characters; the start of the book in comparison to the end and (2.) (yes I'm sure many will disagree) the cover art, which I feel did not represent the book so much as hope to evoke a response. I even have one friend afraid to take the book home to read for fear her young daughter might see the cover.
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LibraryThing member Micah
Dawn of the Dreadfuls is a very entertaining read. I haven't yet read Pride and Prejudice (and Zombies) but I intend to do so immediately, though I'm not sure if I'll be able to take a full dose of Mrs. Bennet. The other Bennets are amusing and though I knew that everyone important would make it
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through the book, it was still quite engaging. Show Less
LibraryThing member lmberrones
I think the ship may have sailed on Quirk's derivative work line of books; P&P&Z was brilliant for the fact that it was new and fresh, then came S&S&S and everyone asked, can they do it twice, and now, it is with a collective groan that people will welcome this book into the world. The story is a
It's a prequel to Austen's work, but only a few years before the regular P&P or the original derivative P&P&Z, so everyone is basically the same, just not trained in the deadly arts; and their training which is most of the book, is boring to read about. The new Master has a thing for Lizzy, the fat womanizing baron down the road wants a piece of Jane, and Mr. Bennett is upset that no one seems to take the impending zombie influx seriously. And Mrs. Bennett is still only worried about marrying off her daughters, except she has lost any cleverness she may have had and become just an irritant to everyone. Oh, and there is an armless, legless military Captain sent in to handle the situation who is pushed around in a wheelbarrow by two meatheads he refers to collectively as Limbs.
If you can get past some of the more boring parts, this isn't a terrible read. But unfortunately, it can't hold its own up against either of the other Quirk books or the original, whose characters he took such liberties with.
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little weak, and there is nothing to do with Austen's P&P aside from using the Bennett family again. Characters are stereotypes of themselves, which makes most of them completely unlikeable, and end up just plain contrived or boring. It's a prequel to Austen's work, but only a few years before the regular P&P or the original derivative P&P&Z, so everyone is basically the same, just not trained in the deadly arts; and their training which is most of the book, is boring to read about. The new Master has a thing for Lizzy, the fat womanizing baron down the road wants a piece of Jane, and Mr. Bennett is upset that no one seems to take the impending zombie influx seriously. And Mrs. Bennett is still only worried about marrying off her daughters, except she has lost any cleverness she may have had and become just an irritant to everyone. Oh, and there is an armless, legless military Captain sent in to handle the situation who is pushed around in a wheelbarrow by two meatheads he refers to collectively as Limbs.
If you can get past some of the more boring parts, this isn't a terrible read. But unfortunately, it can't hold its own up against either of the other Quirk books or the original, whose characters he took such liberties with.
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LibraryThing member sensitivemuse
I can tell you, that I LOVED this book as much as P & P & Z. It had the wonderful moments of humor and wit that I experienced before and enjoyed. You will see the original characters except for a few (no Darcy or Bingley here, sorry. This does take place before they met Lizzy and Jane). You read
Of the new characters, I enjoyed Dr Keckilpenny (really, with a name like that, what’s not to enjoy?) the most. First, because no one seems to get his name right (except for Lizzy), and second because he just seemed to be so friendly and so likable. Lord Lumpley played your average greaseball with a secret – I especially enjoyed how he tried his advances on Jane, but to no avail. Then you get one of the most interesting characters I have ever seen, and that is Captain Cannon who uses four of his soldiers as arms and limbs (you have just to read it to get a good laugh). The moment I started reading about his arms and limbs made me laugh, but it made the book much more enjoyable with these kinds of new, strange yet quirky characters.
The book was very well written, the plot flowed well and did not stop. The humor was in the right places at the right times so reading this book was enjoyable and fun. There is gore. Lots of it. I think moreso than P & P & Z. So, if you are not into that sort of theme. Perhaps this book may not be for you. However this would be great for zombie fans and will satisfy P & P & Z readers, it’s a well done prequel and will be listed as one of my favorites for 2010.
Overall, I love this book. What I would like to see next, is another zombie novel but with Darcy and Bingley before they met the Bennet sisters. That would be interesting, I think. Who knows where the Dreadfuls will strike next?
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more about Mr Bennet who seems to take a more active role in the story (he helps trains his daughters to become warrior women). However the book also introduces new memorable ones which will prove unforgettable and absolutely hilarious to read. What I thought was interesting was the nice reference made with the mysterious “soldier” the left and broke Mrs Bennet’s heart when she was a girl. If you’re well versed in P & P then you’d know what I’m taking about. It’s these little references to the main novel that make the prequel do justice to P & P & Z. Readers also be advised, this book is meant to be a parody, and a funny one at that. If you treat it with a sense of humor, enjoyment is increased tenfold.Of the new characters, I enjoyed Dr Keckilpenny (really, with a name like that, what’s not to enjoy?) the most. First, because no one seems to get his name right (except for Lizzy), and second because he just seemed to be so friendly and so likable. Lord Lumpley played your average greaseball with a secret – I especially enjoyed how he tried his advances on Jane, but to no avail. Then you get one of the most interesting characters I have ever seen, and that is Captain Cannon who uses four of his soldiers as arms and limbs (you have just to read it to get a good laugh). The moment I started reading about his arms and limbs made me laugh, but it made the book much more enjoyable with these kinds of new, strange yet quirky characters.
The book was very well written, the plot flowed well and did not stop. The humor was in the right places at the right times so reading this book was enjoyable and fun. There is gore. Lots of it. I think moreso than P & P & Z. So, if you are not into that sort of theme. Perhaps this book may not be for you. However this would be great for zombie fans and will satisfy P & P & Z readers, it’s a well done prequel and will be listed as one of my favorites for 2010.
Overall, I love this book. What I would like to see next, is another zombie novel but with Darcy and Bingley before they met the Bennet sisters. That would be interesting, I think. Who knows where the Dreadfuls will strike next?
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LibraryThing member sakana
After having read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies last year, I was very excited to hear that the same publishing house would be working on its prequel, a wholly original text based off of the characters from Austen's Pride and Prejudice, as opposed to the abridged adaptation we saw in Pride and
Alas, this work falls short of its sister in several areas, including atmosphere, dialogue, and sheer fun. I personally believe a large part of this has to do with the fact that Seth Grahame-Smith, who worked on Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, did not work on this prequel, thus losing out significantly on consistency between the two works. While Grahame-Smith's book, like Austen's original, is told solely from the perspective of Elizabeth Bennet, Hockensmith's Dreadfuls wanders between character perspectives without any warning, occasionally slipping into an omniscient perspective. This, along with noticeable differences in writing style, caused for me a great disconnect in the telling of this Regency-era zombie tale.
The bigger crime, in my mind, is that Dreadfuls just isn't as fun to read as its sister. The battle scenes are short and often use very similar, bland descriptions of combat. The inventiveness and almost carefree chaos of Grahame-Smith's book are completely missing. And this may seem a bit on the nitpicking side, but as it's a pet peeve of mine I must bring it up: Needlepoint is not knitting, and does not require the use of knitting needles. A small amount of research into Regency-era hobbies could have cleared this up, and provided Hockensmith with period-apropos, inventive weaponry with which to dispatch zombies.
All in all, I do not consider having read this a waste of my afternoon, but I don't believe I will be reading it again, nor would I recommend it to my friends. A little zombie romp, however bland, is never a regrettable way to pass a spring afternoon.
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Prejudice and Zombies.Alas, this work falls short of its sister in several areas, including atmosphere, dialogue, and sheer fun. I personally believe a large part of this has to do with the fact that Seth Grahame-Smith, who worked on Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, did not work on this prequel, thus losing out significantly on consistency between the two works. While Grahame-Smith's book, like Austen's original, is told solely from the perspective of Elizabeth Bennet, Hockensmith's Dreadfuls wanders between character perspectives without any warning, occasionally slipping into an omniscient perspective. This, along with noticeable differences in writing style, caused for me a great disconnect in the telling of this Regency-era zombie tale.
The bigger crime, in my mind, is that Dreadfuls just isn't as fun to read as its sister. The battle scenes are short and often use very similar, bland descriptions of combat. The inventiveness and almost carefree chaos of Grahame-Smith's book are completely missing. And this may seem a bit on the nitpicking side, but as it's a pet peeve of mine I must bring it up: Needlepoint is not knitting, and does not require the use of knitting needles. A small amount of research into Regency-era hobbies could have cleared this up, and provided Hockensmith with period-apropos, inventive weaponry with which to dispatch zombies.
All in all, I do not consider having read this a waste of my afternoon, but I don't believe I will be reading it again, nor would I recommend it to my friends. A little zombie romp, however bland, is never a regrettable way to pass a spring afternoon.
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LibraryThing member harahel
While charming, this book lacked the tongue and cheek poking at the orignal text that made Pride and Prejudice and Zombies so charming. While the new story, told of whole cloth, is interesting in its own right, it lacks Jane Austen's punchy lines and sly dialogue.
LibraryThing member heterotopic
Though intended as a prequel to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, this is a book in itself. I like the plot twists and the fights, but it didn't satisfy my questions regarding the Bennet's backstory, as I was waiting for the sisters' trip to China (as mentioned in the original Pride and Zombies
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book), and wondered why the story showed the slightly-fake Master Hawksworth. I don't think it succeeded greatly as a prequel to Pride and Zombies, but as a book/story in itself, it was pretty good. Show Less
LibraryThing member SusieBookworm
I thought that Dawn of the Dreadfuls was a humorous, yet macabre, fantasy novel that had little to do with Austen's Pride and Prejudice but was otherwise a nice, fun read.
LibraryThing member bane47
I liked this prequel a lot more than the original Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, mostly because the author did not stick to the Victorian writing style as much as in the original. The story was also much better paced. I was expecting the book to discuss the source of the original zombies but I
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suppose I will have to wait for the inevitable pre-prequel to be released. Overall I enjoyed the book very much. Show Less
LibraryThing member svdodge
A book caught between the crossroads of Austen-era prose and light-handed zombie-horror, Dawn of the Dreadfuls suffices as an easy, entertaining read.
While it does not contain the careful elegance of Austen's writings, it does well to evoke the feeling of it. English society is well represented,
The Bennett sisters are well characterized, distinct, and each one seems to demand her own page-time. Their parents, however, are fairly one-dimensional. The other main characters seem to fall somewhere in between, with the most focus put on Lord Lumpley and the other suitors of Jane and Elizabeth.
Perhaps the best characterization is of the "Unmentionables," as they slowly storm the town. Peaking out of graves, ponds, houses, in their...deadness...they take on a certain charm.
Also taking on a certain charm is the methods of their disposal. We learn of the Bennett's training and "Deadly Arts" skills, which are described just enough so we get a vague idea of what's going on...besides the general run-of-the-mill head bashing. The Zombie killing is violent, and sometimes disgusting, but nothing scary or overly gross.
Overall, this book reads like a movie, which is to say quickly, with distinct scene changes, a spirited pace, and just enough detail to engage without becoming bogged down in minutiae. It's a good read, though I get the feeling it was put together more for the publisher's demands rather than an honest desire to flesh out the story. In either case, it's definitely worth a read if you loved the first Pride and Prejudice and Zombies book.
While it does not contain the careful elegance of Austen's writings, it does well to evoke the feeling of it. English society is well represented,
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and the disparity between the noble(s) and commoners is interesting, if a bit glossed over.The Bennett sisters are well characterized, distinct, and each one seems to demand her own page-time. Their parents, however, are fairly one-dimensional. The other main characters seem to fall somewhere in between, with the most focus put on Lord Lumpley and the other suitors of Jane and Elizabeth.
Perhaps the best characterization is of the "Unmentionables," as they slowly storm the town. Peaking out of graves, ponds, houses, in their...deadness...they take on a certain charm.
Also taking on a certain charm is the methods of their disposal. We learn of the Bennett's training and "Deadly Arts" skills, which are described just enough so we get a vague idea of what's going on...besides the general run-of-the-mill head bashing. The Zombie killing is violent, and sometimes disgusting, but nothing scary or overly gross.
Overall, this book reads like a movie, which is to say quickly, with distinct scene changes, a spirited pace, and just enough detail to engage without becoming bogged down in minutiae. It's a good read, though I get the feeling it was put together more for the publisher's demands rather than an honest desire to flesh out the story. In either case, it's definitely worth a read if you loved the first Pride and Prejudice and Zombies book.
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LibraryThing member dichotomy
I liked this book far more than I thought I would. I have not read any Jane Austen, nor have I read the first P&P&Z, so for me this was just a period zombie story. I went into it thinking it was a dumb idea, but after the first few chapters I was drawn in and began to really enjoy the story and the
As I understand it, the book is an attempt to answer the questions brought up by the first P&P&Z - where did these zombies come from and why do the Bennet sisters fight them so well? This prequel does a pretty good job inventing the answers (though Mr. Bennet's background seems a little forced), and leaves the reader wanting to hear the rest of the story.
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characters, and take it as the light-hearted, gory bit of silliness that it is.As I understand it, the book is an attempt to answer the questions brought up by the first P&P&Z - where did these zombies come from and why do the Bennet sisters fight them so well? This prequel does a pretty good job inventing the answers (though Mr. Bennet's background seems a little forced), and leaves the reader wanting to hear the rest of the story.
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LibraryThing member norabelle414
Little did we know that Hockensmith's true talent was being held back by his strict adherence to Jane Austen's plot. This book is definitely better than the first. It's imaginative without being outlandish, and it almost feels a bit steampunk-ish. Love love love!
LibraryThing member kpolhuis
This book stayed in keeping with Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. From a different view, if someone who had never read Jane Austen, and was just looking for a good zombie book, this is a great way to start and then progress on to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (and hopefully onto the originals
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next). Being a school librarian I am always looking for those books that will segue on to other works and greater things, this just may do it. Show Less
LibraryThing member elbakerone
I was one of many readers that eagerly devoured 2009's quirk literary hit Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I was really amused by the retelling of the classic story with the inclusion of the undead, however I was hesitant to read Dawn of the Dreadfuls, feeling that without the mainframe of Jane
I was right in my assessment of the story, but wrong in thinking it would not be worth reading. Dawn of the Dreadfuls acts as a prequel to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies telling the story of how the Bennet sisters rose to their positions as fearless zombie killing warriors. Though many people may lament the unfamiliar story (and the lack of Mr. Darcy) it still stands as a charming and amusing book.
Author Steve Hockensmith does a nice job of capturing the spirit of Austen's writing style but introduces plenty of humorous characters (and zombies) to keep the story out of a serious tone. In many ways, I liked Dawn of the Dreadfuls even better than Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and it definitely stands as strong entry into the new genre of Quirk Classics.
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Austen's text, it might be just an excuse for telling a tale of zombies running amok in Regency period England. I was right in my assessment of the story, but wrong in thinking it would not be worth reading. Dawn of the Dreadfuls acts as a prequel to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies telling the story of how the Bennet sisters rose to their positions as fearless zombie killing warriors. Though many people may lament the unfamiliar story (and the lack of Mr. Darcy) it still stands as a charming and amusing book.
Author Steve Hockensmith does a nice job of capturing the spirit of Austen's writing style but introduces plenty of humorous characters (and zombies) to keep the story out of a serious tone. In many ways, I liked Dawn of the Dreadfuls even better than Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and it definitely stands as strong entry into the new genre of Quirk Classics.
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LibraryThing member drizzlegirl
Zombies are like bacon, they just make everything better! In Steve Hockensmith’s novel Dawn of the Dreadfuls, this statement takes new life! Although the Bennet family as Ms. Jane Austin portrayed them represented their time well, they do not translate as well to the young women of today. Mr.
Dawn of the Dreadfuls is full of dark comedy, which I just love! If you love the dark bubbly comedy like Pushing Daisies (American sitcom) than you love this book. There is blood and gore, with a lighthearted spin! When I found out about the Fulcrum of Doom and its sister move the Axis of Calamity, I almost wet myself. The Fulcrum of Doom is a swift forward kick to the groin, and the Axis of Calamity is a swift backwards kick to the groin. I am now waiting until the opportune moments in life to pull out these terms, but they are imaginatively great! Therefore, if you have a pension for lighthearted dark mayhem then this is the book for you!
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Hockensmith although keeping with Ms. Austin original vision of each character he has brought their actions forward into the twenty –first century. A great example of this is Jane Bennet; sweet, demure, tender-hearted Jane is just as naïve as she was in Pride and Prejudice, except when she’s truly wronged in this book she sticks up for herself in the end! This book gives more insight into each character, and makes them more relatable to contemporary readers. In one scene Lydia is doing a needlepoint of her sister Mary “complete with halo, fangs, and the words OUR LITTLE ANGEL-MAY GOD TAKE HER BACK SOON”. Most girls nowadays do not even learn needlepoint, but you can just see those who do, having this type of sentiment about a sibling!! Dawn of the Dreadfuls is full of dark comedy, which I just love! If you love the dark bubbly comedy like Pushing Daisies (American sitcom) than you love this book. There is blood and gore, with a lighthearted spin! When I found out about the Fulcrum of Doom and its sister move the Axis of Calamity, I almost wet myself. The Fulcrum of Doom is a swift forward kick to the groin, and the Axis of Calamity is a swift backwards kick to the groin. I am now waiting until the opportune moments in life to pull out these terms, but they are imaginatively great! Therefore, if you have a pension for lighthearted dark mayhem then this is the book for you!
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Language
Original publication date
2010
Physical description
287 p.; 5.28 inches
ISBN
1594744548 / 9781594744549
Local notes
horn
based on 'pride and prejudice' by jane austen
based on 'pride and prejudice' by jane austen