Vampy and Campy Pride and Prejudice Fun!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Source: Review Copy from Author

TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice/Northanger Abbey Paranormal Mash-Up

THE PREMISE: Catherine Morland, Elizabeth Bennet’s cousin, accompanies her on her visit to Kent, where Catherine’s head fills with romantic notions for her dear cousin Lizzy and Lady Catherine’s nephews. And while there is some love in the air, this group is paid an unexpected visit by the undead and must now seek some help from a Bennet relation in Bath who is an expert on vampires…

WHAT I LOVED:

• A Perfect Concoction: Pride and Prejudice + Northanger Abbey + vampires = a brilliant brew. I love it when there are crossovers with Jane Austen’s characters, and having Elizabeth and Catherine related to each other was an interesting relationship to explore. And then you add actual vampires – pure genius! Here you go, Catherine, no need to obsess about horrid novels anymore, because you are in one! And it’s a doozy!

• Vampire Things: I love the origins of vampires in this story, what abilities and weaknesses vampires possessed, and the variety of reactions all the characters had to the idea of supernatural forms. I especially enjoyed how vampires could smell human emotions and see a manifestation of love between humans even if it is unspoken. It gave them such an upper-hand to know what others were feeling!

• Character Journeys: My favorites were Elizabeth, Darcy, Charlotte, and Colonel Fitzwilliam. I love that Elizabeth was knowledgeable about the undead and how she pulled an “Anne Elliot” and was calm, assured, and helpful in a crisis. I loved observing Darcy’s emotional turmoil about his sister and his blossoming regard and intense admiration for Elizabeth. I enjoyed seeing Charlotte redirect her course and take charge of her own life. And lastly, I loved how Colonel Fitzwilliam had his own anger and doubts to work through.

• Uncle Silas: Love him!! Like Mr. Bennet, but even more eccentric and shameless! He was so much fun, and I loved all his interactions with these characters. It was wonderfully diverting to see him partner up with General Tilney, or the moments where he would tease Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy! And I loved the surprise relationship that developed for him at the end.

WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:

• It Spiraled: I was fully onboard and loving this raucous paranormal farce for the first two-thirds of this novel. But then it did start spiral into a quick succession of busyness with new events, new relationships, and new developments. Some of which didn’t have a lot of foundation or connection. While the reader should be prepared to suspend their disbelief in a story such as this, I wouldn’t have minded a little less flash and slash changes and a little more fleshed-out developments.

• A Little Debauched: This might be my own preferences imbuing my opinion, but it sometimes felt jarring to see some characters (mostly those who were vampires) completely abandon all sense of propriety and behave so scandalously. I understand vampires have their own codes and certain rules don’t apply, but maybe it would been better to introduce these changes in certain characters’ behaviors gradually?

CONCLUSION: Despite my quibbles, this vampy and campy paranormal variation is an excessively diverting horrid novel! Join Elizabeth and Catherine as they traipse through a fantastical world of dangerous vampires, bloody battles, tests of fortitude, and more than one passionate romance. A perfect choice for fans of paranormal stories or readers who are looking for bewitching tales to enjoy this spooky season!

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