For me, this is a one-joke novel. It may appeal most to those who love or are deeply familiar with the original. #DNF ( )

Full review can be found here

https://nordie.wordpress.com/2016/07/30/bookreviewsense-and-sensibility-and-sea-...

Not as good as P&P&Z; it felt like it was trying too hard and I don't think Sea Monsters had much of an appeal anyway. ( )

3.5 stars

This retelling of Jane Austen’s “Sense and Sensibility” adds in some additional... characters, adventure, etc. in the form of sea monsters! The Dashwoods – mother and three sisters – are put out of their house and must move to an island. Their son/brother inherited all the money, and though he initially intended (on a promise to his dying father) on providing his family with some money, his wife convinces him they can’t afford to. Anyway, while on the island, they still manage to visit with a lot of people, and to find men for the eldest two sisters, Elinor and Marianne, to fall in love with (in fact, Marianne has a choice of two men... though one has an odd facial/health issue in the form of tentacles).

It was a bit hard to keep the characters straight, between using first names or sometimes a title with last names (Mr. or Miss). I thought the book did pick up in the 2nd half and especially the last 1/3 with the sea monster and underwater action! I did enjoy those parts of the book, odd as they might have been. There were some good illustrations that were added to the book, as well. It helped me picture some of the odd sea creatures. It also included humourous book club discussion questions, which I quite enjoyed reading, as well. ( )

Let me start with this: I love Jane Austen's novels, and Sense and Sensibility is my favorite. Pride and Prejudice is my second favorite, and having absolutely adored Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies, I knew I had to read Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters.

The book started off well, drawing on Austen's original story and adding bits about sea monsters, and the event which pitted humans against fish. With an added mystery, the first half of the book was well-written, and a quirky version of my favorite novel.

That's when things went sour. I think the author just gave up. Where PP&Z was ridiculous in a way that made you laugh and cringe while still wanting to read more of the story in an unbelievably believable "what if" scenario, S&S&S was ridiculous. Just ridiculous. From the way characters behaved (after the first half, they were no longer true to Austen's beloved characters) to the ridiculous sports with fish and other sea notions, the book just...devolved. Into utter chaos.

I don't care how ridiculous or unbelievable a plot is. That's not the point. If you're writing it, you have to make me believe it. That's an author's job. Make me believe that fish have turned against humans and that humans are afraid of the water while still trying to overcome their fishy foes. Make me believe that society has changed, but don't just throw stuff in with a few characters half-heartedly arguing that something is wrong.

That's another issue. The inconsistencies. In the plot and in characters' behaviors.

And don't even get me started on the pirates...or Colonel Brandon.

The only thing I can think of is that this book was created, not to continue the quirky Austen classic stories, but merely for money. If I had paid for this book, I would demand a refund. As I borrowed it from the library, I'll let it stand. I didn't completely hate the book, because I enjoyed the first half, but I wouldn't read it again, and if it were made into a movie, I wouldn't watch it.

So, that's my long-winded review. I didn't hate it, but I certainly didn't love it either. ( )