Sense and Sensibility and Seamonsters Review
First of all, let me say that I have never had such a hard time getting through a book I liked so much. I slogged my way through this, and I'm here to tell you, it was painful.
Quirk Classics seemed to want to cash in really quickly on the heels of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies--which I enjoyed like a slice of cake--but the timing felt weird. It felt like it was rushed into production, and it suffered a little in terms of quality. Now, to be fair, part of that may be due to the subject matter it began with. Sense and Sensibility is not as popular as P&P, and the story itself is frankly not one of Miss Austen's finer pieces.
However, I don't think the framework for the novel is its only pitfall. In P&P&Z, we have the Miss Bennets transformed into independent, self-assured assassins. Lady Catherine is depicted as the Head Honcho Awesome Bitch of Killing Zombies, which I thought was just way too cool. The addition of zombies to the story brought to prominence a few really interesting things, and openly mocked them; Mrs. Bennet's desperate attempts to cling to the traditions of her generation and those past despite these hordes of undead roaming the English countryside is both sad and humorous at the same time. Mr. Bennet is just so much win--his Snark Flag is flying high and proud.
By comparison, S&S&M is thrust in the middle of a strange universe where sea monsters are rampaging the seas, as the title suggests. I like the technology that's been inserted, but that's probably because I just love steampunk goodness. Unlike the zombies, however, which were essentially unavoidable on all fronts, the sea monsters seem strangely prominent. It seems patently obvious to me to simply move all domestics away from the coastline, arm the boats necessary for trade, and move on. This is just too simple, I guess. I did kinda have to admire their sense of adventure and daring. They've got murderous beasts from the depths coming at them from all sides, and what do those enterprising Brits do? Build and underwater sub station. With a roof made of glass. Why no, I can't imagine how that would end badly, why do you ask?
One last grievance: The whole watery world is falling apart around these people, and they're still driveling and meebling along about engagements and invitatoins. Are you for serious. There's a complete lack of a real heroined, as Elinor and Marianne are both essentially the same. Mrs. Dashwood, bless, has a righteous moment early in the book of snapping an oar over her knee and stabbing a sea monster with it, but that's really it. Other than her, I would have to say that Lady Middleton is my favorite girl of the book. She's portrayed as a native of some island that is kidnapped after her husband and the rest of the men of the island are butchered, and then drug off in a net. That being said, her time in the book is spent repairing an old sub to escape in or fleecing others at gambling via some bizarre island game she and her mother (Mrs. Jennings, who is also really awesome) play.
Now, the good things, which I promise there are:
Colonel Brandon's face tentacles, omg. The descriptions of them jerking around whenever Marianne is in the room are just way too fun. It is just so hilarious. The way that everyone politely ignores it is pretty fun too.
Margeret transforming into a weird troll-like thing.
Lucy Steele being a sea witch. :D
The bizarre pirates and sailors.
And...that's about it. It ends all of a sudden, and is a little confusing to be honest. Everything gets wrapped up all nice and neat and then there are Bible Fish and I don't understand some of it, but I was just glad it was over at that point and not about to re-read it to try and understand.
All in all, it was a fun read, even if it did draaaaaaag on and on. I highly recommend it if you have a lot of spare time and a fairly strong stomach, and it does have a few good chuckles. I'd recommend the original or Pride and Prejudice and Zombies if you've not read it yet.
Quirk Classics seemed to want to cash in really quickly on the heels of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies--which I enjoyed like a slice of cake--but the timing felt weird. It felt like it was rushed into production, and it suffered a little in terms of quality. Now, to be fair, part of that may be due to the subject matter it began with. Sense and Sensibility is not as popular as P&P, and the story itself is frankly not one of Miss Austen's finer pieces.
However, I don't think the framework for the novel is its only pitfall. In P&P&Z, we have the Miss Bennets transformed into independent, self-assured assassins. Lady Catherine is depicted as the Head Honcho Awesome Bitch of Killing Zombies, which I thought was just way too cool. The addition of zombies to the story brought to prominence a few really interesting things, and openly mocked them; Mrs. Bennet's desperate attempts to cling to the traditions of her generation and those past despite these hordes of undead roaming the English countryside is both sad and humorous at the same time. Mr. Bennet is just so much win--his Snark Flag is flying high and proud.
By comparison, S&S&M is thrust in the middle of a strange universe where sea monsters are rampaging the seas, as the title suggests. I like the technology that's been inserted, but that's probably because I just love steampunk goodness. Unlike the zombies, however, which were essentially unavoidable on all fronts, the sea monsters seem strangely prominent. It seems patently obvious to me to simply move all domestics away from the coastline, arm the boats necessary for trade, and move on. This is just too simple, I guess. I did kinda have to admire their sense of adventure and daring. They've got murderous beasts from the depths coming at them from all sides, and what do those enterprising Brits do? Build and underwater sub station. With a roof made of glass. Why no, I can't imagine how that would end badly, why do you ask?
One last grievance: The whole watery world is falling apart around these people, and they're still driveling and meebling along about engagements and invitatoins. Are you for serious. There's a complete lack of a real heroined, as Elinor and Marianne are both essentially the same. Mrs. Dashwood, bless, has a righteous moment early in the book of snapping an oar over her knee and stabbing a sea monster with it, but that's really it. Other than her, I would have to say that Lady Middleton is my favorite girl of the book. She's portrayed as a native of some island that is kidnapped after her husband and the rest of the men of the island are butchered, and then drug off in a net. That being said, her time in the book is spent repairing an old sub to escape in or fleecing others at gambling via some bizarre island game she and her mother (Mrs. Jennings, who is also really awesome) play.
Now, the good things, which I promise there are:
Colonel Brandon's face tentacles, omg. The descriptions of them jerking around whenever Marianne is in the room are just way too fun. It is just so hilarious. The way that everyone politely ignores it is pretty fun too.
Margeret transforming into a weird troll-like thing.
Lucy Steele being a sea witch. :D
The bizarre pirates and sailors.
And...that's about it. It ends all of a sudden, and is a little confusing to be honest. Everything gets wrapped up all nice and neat and then there are Bible Fish and I don't understand some of it, but I was just glad it was over at that point and not about to re-read it to try and understand.
All in all, it was a fun read, even if it did draaaaaaag on and on. I highly recommend it if you have a lot of spare time and a fairly strong stomach, and it does have a few good chuckles. I'd recommend the original or Pride and Prejudice and Zombies if you've not read it yet.