Title: Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters

Author: Jane Austen and Ben Winters

Publisher: Quirk 2009

Genre: Jane Austen; Fantasy

Pages: 340

Rating:  5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fantasy; Mount TBR

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters expands the original text of the beloved Jane Austen novel with all-new scenes of giant lobsters, rampaging octopi, two-headed sea serpents, and other biological monstrosities. As our story opens, the Dashwood sisters are evicted from their childhood home and sent to live on a mysterious island full of savage creatures and dark secrets. While sensible Elinor falls in love with Edward Ferrars, her romantic sister Marianne is courted by both the handsome Willoughby and the hideous man-monster Colonel Brandon. Can the Dashwood sisters triumph over meddlesome matriarchs and unscrupulous rogues to find true love? Or will they fall prey to the tentacles that are forever snapping at their heels? This masterful portrait of Regency England blends Jane Austen’s biting social commentary with ultraviolent depictions of sea monsters biting. It’s survival of the fittest—and only the swiftest swimmers will find true love!

This is another book that languished on my TBR bookshelf for way too long!  Thankfully I came to my senses during the Bout of Books Readathon and added it to my immediate TBR stack.  I had high hopes after reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (and subsequent sequel and prequel).  I wanted it to be just as good.  It isn't, but only fractionally so.  This book blends Austen's story of two sisters (well, three, but Margaret is too young to be much of a character) looking for a place in the world.  Only this time, Colonel Brandon's face has tentacles, Willoughby is a treasure hunter, there is a pirate, Barton Cottage is on a mysterious little island, Bath is the Sub-Marine Station Beta on the ocean floor, and all manner of sea life want to kill humans.  Every day is fraught with perils, both from the sea and of the heart.  I loved the blending while keeping Austen's own words.  The twists at the end are fun, but wrapped up a bit too neatly.  Of course that is keeping with Austen's own works.  Maybe it's because I love zombies so much that P&P&Z holds a spot over this volume.  It was good, but not absolutely amazing.  There were some great illustrations and characters.  And that Lucy Steele, watch out for her!  I would recommend to lovers of Austen and monsters.  Great Saturday read!