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ceilisbookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
This book was downright boring, even with the giant lobsters, killer swordfish, and monstrous octopi. I never thought I would dislike Jane Austen. I was wrong.
melbsreads's review against another edition
2.0
Honestly, the only reason I even reread this was because I have this stupid idea in my head that all the books I've ranked should have reviews against them. And most of the ones that don't have reviews are books I haven't read since 2010 at the latest, so basically I have very hazy memories of them. I remember that I bought this because I loved Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, even though zombies are my squick, and I remember being a little disappointed by this - disappointed enough, obviously, to give it a two star rating. But beyond that, all I remembered was that Colonel Brandon bears a striking resemblance to Pirates of the Caribbean's Davy Jones as evidenced by the cover.
Okay, firstly? Let's talk about that cover. COLONEL BRANDON IS 35, NOT 70. Why the hell is his hair white?! And it's not just there. It's throughout all the illustrations too. Sigh. Moving on to the plot, it was dumb. Part of the reason why I loved P&P&Z so much was that it was like 80% Austen and 20% zombies. The zombies were basically supplementary to the plot. It retained a lot of Austen's humour while adding more of its own (Darcy making jokes about balls? EXCELLENT), and despite zombies being my squick, the humour was enough to make me want to keep reading.
In contrast, this is like Call of Cthulu on steroids with Austen forced in after the fact. The basic plot is the same in that Papa Dashwood dies, they're forced out of their house and have to rely on the kindness of a distant relative, Elinor falls for Edward, Marianne falls for Willoughby, Col. Brandon falls for Marianne, everyone's disappointed, then everyone (except Willoughby) lives happily ever after. But the addition of sea monsters made very little sense. "Everything in the ocean is trying to kill us? LET'S REPLACE LONDON WITH AN UNDERSEA DOME! And while we're at it, let's train people-sized lobsters to synchronised swim!".
I think a big part of the problem for me was that the rules kept changing as time went on. At first it was "STAY AWAY FROM ALL WATER OMG", then it was "Let's go live on an island and have parties on the beach!", then "BTW, it's not just fish that want to kill us. It's aquatic mammals like seals and otters too", then "Oh, also, there's pirates." It was stupid moment after stupid moment, and the things that were supposed to be funny were like dropped anvils - hahahaha, Col. Brandon gets tentacle boners when he's around Marianne!! Excuse me while I mention it like EVERY TIME THEY'RE IN A ROOM TOGETHER.
In short, this was dumb. And it was the annoying kind of dumb where it's not awful enough to warrant one star (because it still, at its heart, contains something vaguely resembling Austen), and it's not awful enough to #stupidbookisstupid. Basically, the author has no fucks to give about Austen and thinks the plot deserves whatever he can do to it. Sigh.
Okay, firstly? Let's talk about that cover. COLONEL BRANDON IS 35, NOT 70. Why the hell is his hair white?! And it's not just there. It's throughout all the illustrations too. Sigh. Moving on to the plot, it was dumb. Part of the reason why I loved P&P&Z so much was that it was like 80% Austen and 20% zombies. The zombies were basically supplementary to the plot. It retained a lot of Austen's humour while adding more of its own (Darcy making jokes about balls? EXCELLENT), and despite zombies being my squick, the humour was enough to make me want to keep reading.
In contrast, this is like Call of Cthulu on steroids with Austen forced in after the fact. The basic plot is the same in that Papa Dashwood dies, they're forced out of their house and have to rely on the kindness of a distant relative, Elinor falls for Edward, Marianne falls for Willoughby, Col. Brandon falls for Marianne, everyone's disappointed, then everyone (except Willoughby) lives happily ever after. But the addition of sea monsters made very little sense. "Everything in the ocean is trying to kill us? LET'S REPLACE LONDON WITH AN UNDERSEA DOME! And while we're at it, let's train people-sized lobsters to synchronised swim!".
I think a big part of the problem for me was that the rules kept changing as time went on. At first it was "STAY AWAY FROM ALL WATER OMG", then it was "Let's go live on an island and have parties on the beach!", then "BTW, it's not just fish that want to kill us. It's aquatic mammals like seals and otters too", then "Oh, also, there's pirates." It was stupid moment after stupid moment, and the things that were supposed to be funny were like dropped anvils - hahahaha, Col. Brandon gets tentacle boners when he's around Marianne!! Excuse me while I mention it like EVERY TIME THEY'RE IN A ROOM TOGETHER.
In short, this was dumb. And it was the annoying kind of dumb where it's not awful enough to warrant one star (because it still, at its heart, contains something vaguely resembling Austen), and it's not awful enough to #stupidbookisstupid. Basically, the author has no fucks to give about Austen and thinks the plot deserves whatever he can do to it. Sigh.
caitir's review against another edition
2.0
Was not as good as Pride & Prejudice & Zombies, unfortunately.
The former story was compelling enough to propel me through my dislike of Austen, but sea monters and pirate curses of old just could not do it for me this time.
The former story was compelling enough to propel me through my dislike of Austen, but sea monters and pirate curses of old just could not do it for me this time.
cindeereads's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this strange book where I do not think I would enjoy the normal classic novel but I found this unique and very interesting to read. I really liked the characters they were entertaining especially Elinor and Marianne and their love interests were also so interesting to read about. The characters have that classic Jane Austen feel to them they are quirky and interesting I enjoyed reading about them. The story was interesting a classic novel with a sea monster addition that made it strange yet interesting all at the same time. So overall I liked this book very much I may read more of the books like this at some point.
reneegallo's review against another edition
4.0
I picked up this book instead of Pride & Prejudice & Zombies based on another friends review of the two and I really enjoyed reading SSSM.
Winters had a strong vision of the alternate world for SSSM in which all of the ocean's creatures will viciously attack if given the opportunity. What I find wonderful is that the story is still Austin's story. He doesn't bother trying to fill you in with back story as to why the sea is full of vicious predators he just sets it up that this is their world and has been such for a while.
The "new text" is well integrated into the original, it's not as if extra bits about sea monsters were tacked in between Austin's text. Instead he resets many of the locations (including a city under the sea) and really creates a new world where a young woman is looking for a husband but also perfectly capably of fending off an attack by the Devonshire Fang Beast.
I enjoyed it enough that if he were to write another book set in this world with the "evil ocean" I would probably pick it up just to explore the world a little more.
Winters had a strong vision of the alternate world for SSSM in which all of the ocean's creatures will viciously attack if given the opportunity. What I find wonderful is that the story is still Austin's story. He doesn't bother trying to fill you in with back story as to why the sea is full of vicious predators he just sets it up that this is their world and has been such for a while.
The "new text" is well integrated into the original, it's not as if extra bits about sea monsters were tacked in between Austin's text. Instead he resets many of the locations (including a city under the sea) and really creates a new world where a young woman is looking for a husband but also perfectly capably of fending off an attack by the Devonshire Fang Beast.
I enjoyed it enough that if he were to write another book set in this world with the "evil ocean" I would probably pick it up just to explore the world a little more.
beebeewin's review against another edition
5.0
This book was great I think if I read sense and sensibility alone I would be bored to tears!
doriastories's review against another edition
4.0
A very fun read, almost as good as "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies." Yet somehow the ending left me with the feeling that something was lacking. Apocalyptic visions of leviathan-induced destruction are all very well, but really, how does this connect to, or inform, the fundamental problem of how to bag a man? Plus, I found the whole sea witch angle rather weak, and not well thought out. Too much of a rabbit out of the hat trick to feel like an authentic part of the narrative, whereas the recurring motif of flesh-hungry octopi I found to be both dramatically effective and seamlessly integrated into the story line. Sub-Marine Station Beta was also a fun concept, that worked quite well, menaced from within and without by both questionable morality and man-hungry aquatic life.
My favorite part of the book, oddly enough, was probably the Reader's Discussion Guide at the end, in particular, question #6, which follows:
It would be too easy to attribute Marianne's disinterest in Colonel Brandon merely to the fact that she is smitten with Willoughby. Does she overlook the steadfast and wise Brandon as a suitor primarily because of his age? Because he has been "attached" before? Or because of the unspeakable, writhing carnival mask of his lower face?
I recommend reading this book over sushi lunch!
My favorite part of the book, oddly enough, was probably the Reader's Discussion Guide at the end, in particular, question #6, which follows:
It would be too easy to attribute Marianne's disinterest in Colonel Brandon merely to the fact that she is smitten with Willoughby. Does she overlook the steadfast and wise Brandon as a suitor primarily because of his age? Because he has been "attached" before? Or because of the unspeakable, writhing carnival mask of his lower face?
I recommend reading this book over sushi lunch!
tome15's review against another edition
3.0
The book club discussion guide at the end makes this read worthwhile. But after Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, did we really need this one?
jbsidbury's review against another edition
3.0
Meh.
It's not as great as Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, but it's okay.
It's not as great as Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, but it's okay.