Jane Bites Back

I came to this book as one of the uninitiated, one who is baffled by both the Austen and vampire crazes (having read none of Austen's novels and barely skimmed the vampire genre). I bought this book out of some kind of desperation, either to make sense of or to take part in both trends. And I am very glad I did.

Jane Bites Back was a fun, light read, with true to life characters (even though two of them are vampires). The book deftly explores both the frustrated mind of an immortal author with writer's block and the lonely heart of a woman who is hesitant to love. Ford gently but astutely satirizes both literary trends while also giving a sneak peek into the publishing world which feeds their ravenous fans.

I can't wait for the next show more installment, but until then, I may just have to pick up some of Jane's books! show less

I was so excited to get this for the early review. Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors, so I had some pretty high expectations for this book. It delivered on most of them, and was a quick and fun read.

Jane is a vampire living in America as a small town bookstore owner who is trying to balance a love life, get published, and stay anonymous. Jane is a character that is easy to like, and I found her to be completely believable, even as a vampire, a point that isn't dwelled on for this plot, and is merely a slight inconvenience at times for the character. The story is not about vampires, it's about people, which is so refreshing and likeable. Sure, some of the people happen to be vampires, but that just allows them to be important show more characters from history, and have convenient little advantages and disadvantages now and again. Though, all the characters seemed more modern than what I'd expect from someone who actually lived those centuries, it was a point easy to forget in the modern setting.

The supporting cast was fantastic and well rounded as well. Each character came with their own foibles and kindnesses, and even the "bad guys" had some redeeming characteristics that allowed them to be more than just cast roles.

The novel didn't have the same feel as an Austin novel, but it wasn't a boring or trite wannabe. Michael Ford made the story his own and simply borrowed the characters, or rather their names! He had a great humor woven throughout and that made it such a great read.

The only thing I didn't like about the book were the references to other Austin spin-off books, or things that seemed like insider information. They dwelled quite a bit on "Pride and Predjudice and Zombies," so much so that I now want to read it, if for nothing else, just to see which side of the argument I come down on. I kind of wished that the author would have made more of a vague nod to his fellow writers, so the reader wouldn't feel left out if they weren't familiar with the others.

The only other thing is that I now want to read Jane's manuscript "Constance." It was such a driving force behind the book, with quotes in front of every chapter, and such a buildup within the book, that I feel extremely put out that it isn't something I can pick up and read for the summer as well!

All in all, this was a witty, fun, and original feeling book, and I will be looking forward to the sequel that was promised at the end! show less

The start of Ford's Austen related novel, featuring the timeless author as a vampire seeking to publish that one last manuscript (which has been rejected 116 times in two centuries) and disgruntled over all the sequels and spin-offs she is not receiving royalties from, is a witty and entertaining read with just the right amount of bite.

Jane is a curious mix of both 18th century propriety and modern sensibilities as we see her try to navigate a rapidly changing world. The book begins with an 'Austen' writer energetically pushing her book Waiting for Mr. Darcy to a captive audience, claiming that every woman should wait--chastely--for her own Mr. Darcy the same way that Elizabeth Bennett does. Jane's inner thoughts are acidic, but show more amusing as she thinks of a variety of ways she would have described the woman to her long dead sister Cassandra.

The author makes mention several other famous Austen sequels and spin-offs, including Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (which Jane adored and found entertaining) and some hopefully made up titles like The Jane Austen Workout Book, but is careful to keep Jane's opinions fairly neutral. Her own unpublished manuscript, written in secret and the only piece of writing she was able to secret away after being made a vampire, is a constant battle for her as publisher after publisher rejects it. At one point she contemplates tossing it out altogether and wondered what all her fanatic fans would say to that.

Jane's vampire nature isn't much of a problem or hindrance honestly. Aside from the occasional nibble, some nifty glamour powers of persuasion and eternal youth (well eternal youth at the age of 41) there aren't many drawbacks for Jane. She can go out in the sun, doesn't need to kill to survive and has worked out a reasonable system (aided by each new decades 'keep young longer' strategies) for when she has to leave wherever she's at. The most surprising turn was who made her a vampire and who else (of literary fame) was made into a vampire.

This book will appeal to Austen fans and vampire fans a like, it doesn't act like its the best Austen spin off ever, but its an entertaining, witty and fascinating spin on who Jane Austen could have been if she had been turned into a vampire. show less

Quick Review...for when I don't have a lot to say...

It's no secret that I adore Austen adaptations. In fact, one of my lesser-known goals is to read ALL THE ADAPTATIONS. (Okay, MOST of them. I won't read the gross-out mashups.) When I saw this series, written by a man, I knew I had to get in on the fun.

I wasn't disappointed. This series is just plain fun, and sometimes downright hilarious. I love that Jane Austen is an actual character in them, even if she is undead. Her inclusion added that special touch that the series needed to stand out.

There are twists that I definitely didn't see coming, but enjoyed nonetheless. I won't spoil those for you, but be prepared to laugh out loud when you meet some of the supporting characters. I nearly show more died laughing.

The book is well-written and one that I'll put on my 'to buy' list. I have a special shelf for all the adaptations, of course. This series will be a nice addition to my collection.

3.5 Eiffel Towers show less

I have read way too many Jane Austen spin-offs, sequels, and rip-offs than is probably good for my health. But it's books like Jane Bites Back that make it an addiction I'm in no hurry to quit!

I have not tended to like sequels or spin-offs that concern Jane Austen herself. They always seem to paint her in light that is either unbelievable for her time, or make her so unlike how I imagine her that I cannot enjoy the story. But Jane Bites Back, for the most part, makes me love Jane (Austen) Fairfax. She is just an un-dead woman trying to make a place for herself in the world, and an author frustrated by her inability to recapture her glory days. My only problem with her character is the circumstances surrounding her becoming a vampire show more (which I won't spoil here). How a woman of her time, who kept up a fairly robust correspondence, would be able to hide the facts of this rendezvous is beyond me. But I enjoyed her character so much that I could overlook it as a silly MacGuffin, and relish in Jane Austen in our time. She is annoyed more by the fact that she makes no money from the Austen cottage industry than by the fact that is exists at all. At one point she even references Pride & Prejudice & Zombies, and amazingly, found it funny! Those touches really made me love Jane Austen as a character.

The only other flaw is the excerpts from her 'lost' book that the character is trying to publish. Some of the selections are spot-on Austen, and some feel completely out of character. But my minor problems only held me up for a few seconds, and then something completely hilarious would happen to poor Jane, and I was back in the story. The side characters are excellent as well, and since the book is obviously set up for sequels, I eagerly await more from Ms. Austen and Mr. Ford. show less

This is by far one of the silliest, funniest, most enjoyable books I have read in a while. Jane Austen is alive and well living as a vampire in upstate New York. She owns a book store and has finally succeeeded in getting her last book published (all it took was 200 years).

This book is totally over the top in everyway. Many things happen that are just a little too convenient and there is some triteness, but honestly it is just so rediculously funny that it is totally worth it. The reader can expect cameos from Lord Byron and Charlotte Bronte and the biggest and best laughs of the book come from Charlotte's jealousy of Jane's success. This is not for you if you expect any kind of depth of character or a serious plot. It is a quick read show more that is good for a laugh and is highly enjoyable. I can't wait for the sequel. show less

This is by far one of the silliest, funniest, most enjoyable books I have read in a while. Jane Austen is alive and well living as a vampire in upstate New York. She owns a book store and has finally succeeeded in getting her last book published (all it took was 200 years).

This book is totally over the top in everyway. Many things happen that are just a little too convenient and there is some triteness, but honestly it is just so rediculously funny that it is totally worth it. The reader can expect cameos from Lord Byron and Charlotte Bronte and the biggest and best laughs of the book come from Charlotte's jealousy of Jane's success. This is not for you if you expect any kind of depth of character or a serious plot. It is a quick read show more that is good for a laugh and is highly enjoyable. I can't wait for the sequel. show less