Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls -- A Review

books
Before I begin, I have a confession: The first time I saw Quirk Classics' Pride and Prejudice and Zombies my response was "What the...?" I picked the book up, looked at it, looked at it again, and put it back down because I couldn't wrap my mind around the weirdness. Fortunately, I changed my mind because it so turns out that zombies go with Jane Austen like Havarti goes with pears.

Because Pride and Prejudice and Zombies ended up being such a rollicking good time, I jumped at the opportunity to acquire and review an advance reader's copy of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls by Steve Hockensmith (release date: 3/23/2010). And lo, I was not disappointed.

Unlike the original Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, this prequel is a completely original work rather than a mash-up featuring the work of Jane Austen. Never fear! Hockensmith captures the essence of Regency Literature, only better! I found this read faster while still including the descriptions of British country social life that one expects from Ms. Austen.

The book answers several questions which readers may have following a reading of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: How did England come to be overrun by foul unmentionables? Where did the Bennet Girls acquire their mad martial arts skills? Is it possible to be both a lady and a warrior? It includes excellent discussions of balls (ahem), the stresses connected with coming out during Times of Troubles, and life and love prior to the arrival of Messrs Darcy and Bingley in Hertfordshire.

Who would benefit from this book? Anyone adventurous enough to experience the daring mix of Regency literature and violent zombie mayhem, ballgowns and nunchucks, courtship and warrior maidens! The book contains a fair amount of violence, dismemberment, and the consumption of humans living and dead. So, if reading about jellied brains and rotting flesh causes you to vomit like many of the fine residents of Meryton, you may want to hold off on this one, or at least keep a basin handy. Otherwise, an exceptionally fun, tongue-in-cheek read well-suited to reluctant readers.

Is your interest piqued? Quirk Books is running a contest in preparation for the release of Dawn of the Dreadfuls! Up for grabs are prize packages which include:

o A Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Journal
o Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Postcards
o Audio Books of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters
o An advance copy of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls
o A password redeemable online for sample audio chapters of Dawn of the Dreadfuls
o A Dawn of the Dreadfuls Poster

Click here to enter, and let them know I sent you!

Mental stability is something other people have

Confessions
Today was not a very good day. It's a Wednesday, which means it's a fasting, blood-draw day for me. Plus, I'm now up to appointments every two weeks, so it was lab work plus a visit with the midwife. Seriously--whoever thought it was a good idea to routinely perform fasting tests on pregnant women a) is probably a man and b) needs to have his head examined.

This morning, I was running late. I had to boil an egg and stop at the supermarket to pick up an English muffin and a bottle of water so that I could eat breakfast after the blood draw. (They draw, I eat, and then they draw again 2 hours later to check my sugars.) I got to the doctor's office at about 8:40 or 8:45, checked in with the receptionist and let her know that I needed to have my glucose levels checked and that I had an appointment with one of the midwives at 9:00. Then I sat down and waited. And waited. And waited. Generally, I don't wait longer than about 5 minutes. But it was pushing 15. I figured the lab was busy, and I didn't see the phlebotomist who usually does my blood draws. At 9:00, the nurse comes out to get me for my appointment and I freak out on her.

"But, the lab hasn't called me yet. I'm gestational diabetic and they need to test my sugars. I can't eat until they test me and they haven't called me yet. I need them to take the draw so I can eat breakfast. I haven't eaten in 12 hours and I'm not allowed to eat until they..." You get the picture. I'm listening to this come out of my mouth and it's like I can't stop it. Nor can I control the volume or timbre of my voice which is getting louder and shriller and beginning to shake as I start to cry.

So they took my blood. Blew out one of my veins in the process (that'll leave a mark), but got the fasting draw. And then let me eat in the examination room. Where I proceeded to find out I'd lost 3 pounds in the past two weeks, had sugar in my urine (this hasn't happened before and didn't really make me happy as it could indicate that diet and exercise are no longer cutting it) and then had to try to explain to the midwife why I was teary that morning. Which, naturally, I couldn't do without crying more.

My morning's performance won me a recommendation for Fish Oil supplements, Vitamin D supplements, and a trip to the counselor to make sure my depression isn't relapsing. Oh, and I feel like a complete asshole due to my inappropriate behavior. I was also advised to perhaps take the day off from work and take a nap instead--which I did. I hate using the sick time at this point because I'd much rather use it during my maternity leave, but I think I really needed the sleep.

In spite of everything, the Tadpole keeps on doing her thing. I might be losing weight, but my belly is growing and is apparently measuring "right on." She's busy and likes to kick and wiggle for me, and be perfectly calm and serene for her Daddy. Let's hope this continues after she comes out. Daddy can deal with her at 2:00 AM.

Right now, I'm at 30 weeks. Her due date is January 17, 2009. However, we know that babies show up when they darn well feel like it. So I propose a little contest:

Guess the Tadpole's Birthday!

Rules are simple. Enter in the comments when you think she's going to show up. I will send sock yarn to the winner--or if the winner doesn't knit, we can discuss an appropriate prize later. The winner will be announced, well, at some point following the Tadpole's birthday :)

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