Austenland by Shannon Hale

Jane Hayes is a seemingly normal young New Yorker, but she has a secret. Her obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, is ruining her love life: no real man can compare. But when a wealthy relative bequeaths her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-crazed women, Jane's fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become realer than she ever could have imagined.
Decked out in empire-waist gowns, Jane struggles to master Regency etiquette and flirts with gardeners and gentlemen;or maybe even, she suspects, with the actors who are playing them. It's all a game, Jane knows. And yet the longer she stays, the more her insecurities seem to fall away, and the more she wonders: Is she about to kick the Austen obsession for good, or could all her dreams actually culminate in a Mr. Darcy of her own?

Original Language: English
Publisher: Bloomsbury Pub Plc USA
Country: USA
Publication Date: 2007
ISBN: 1596912855
Page Count: 208

Austenland is Shannon Hales first excursion into a Regency role playing holiday destination where everyone can (temporarily) find their own Mr Darcy. It's a new and exciting idea, but fails to live up to its real potential.

Jane is a boring protagonist. I can easily understand her obsession with all things Austen (especially Mr Darcy)  but I can't understand how ridiculous it makes her. It's one thing to compare men to Mr Darcy, it's a complete other thing to expect a Darcy clone - wouldn't that be boring? And where does her embarrassment of her Austen obsession come from? I'm proud of my collection and would never resort to hiding anything in a pot plant.

I got sick of her complaining about not being able to find the right man - it's not something that happens overnight...exactly. Her 'confusion' between' Martin and Henry was irritating and irrational. It was obvious her attraction to Henry was a reflection of the antagonistic relationship between Lizzy and Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. The relationship between Jane and Martin is unrealistic, I can't stand how he treats her and how she reacts to him.

Speaking of which...the twists at the end (which I won't reveal in case others want to read it) comes from no where and adds nothing to the story. It just succeeds in making the cast, and the story, less likeable. I just can't stand Martin and there is no real character to Henry.

The world Hale creates in Pembrook Park is interesting and somewhat authentic - though Jane comments on a number of historical inaccuracies. The role playing seems like a fun, if not awkward, adventure and the characters are quite an endearing bunch - though Charming is as ridiculous and annoying a character as possible (anyone who says 'what what' more than once a book is an unsatisfactory character).

I am very disappointed by Austenland. I love re-exploring stories in new ways but Austenland had none of the special magic of Jane Austen.

Raiding Bookshelves Rating

Judging by the cover: The manor house is quite pretty and provides a nice contrast between the modern and regency eras. It's nice but not fantastic.

(Belated) Top Ten Tuesday: Books I wish I could reread for the first time

A fun new segment started by the book groupies over at The Broke and the Bookless who will post a new Top 10 list each week. 

I was considering this just the other day. I finished Anna and the French Kiss and couldn't remember the last time I'd enjoyed a book so much. So when I saw this meme I couldn't help but take it on board. So here are my ten from #10 down to my very favourite.
#10 Anne of Green Gables by L.M MontgomeryAnne has been one of my favourite characters since I was a little girl. Her spunk, curiosity and thrist for knowledge made her an inspiration to me in my childhood. I still get a wonderful feeling of cosiness when I reread but I wish I could remember how I felt the first time Anne smashes her slate over Gilbert's head.
#9 Pride and Prejudice by Jane AustenI first read Pride and Prejudice when I was about fifteen. I was starting my first literature class and wanted to prepare myself; I spent the summer reading all the Austen and Bronte novels I could get my hands on. Pride and Prejudice is definitely my favourite romance (though Persuasion and Wuthering Heights are better stories - shh don't tell Darcy). I know the story backwards, forwards and twisted in on itself. I remember reading it cover to cover on the plane home from Queensland and wish I could remember what I thought.
#8 The Eyre Affair by Jasper FfordeI read this book...two years ago? It was a set text for a fantasy narrative class and I did a ten minute presentation discussing how Fforde uses intertexuality and explaining how it reflected Jane Eyre. I was excited, passionate and astounded by how much I'd enjoyed the book. Unfortunately no one else has read it, or Jane Eyre and my excitement fell on mostly deaf ears.
#7 Ice Station by Matthew ReillyI've been reading Reilly since I started highschool, and now, nine years later, I still get excited enough by a new release to reread all his other books. Ice Station was my first Reilly adventure and will probably always be my favourite for that reason. His latest book, another Scarecrow adventure, came out in Australian book stores today. I look forward to reading Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves so recapture that first read feeling.
#6 The Sword of Shannara by Terry BrooksMy Mum introduced me to the Shannara series about ten years ago and I've read it religiously since. At the time there were eight books in the series, today there are 22 as well as a short story and graphic novel. I've seen the publication of thirteen of those books, and enjoyed most of them as much as the first time I picked up the Sword of Shannara. I'll always associate that book with Avril Lavigne's Sk8r Boi which I was obsessed with at the time.
#5 Obernewtyn by Isobelle CarmodyI learn something new every time I reread Carmody's post-apocalyptic series, but there's I still lose something in knowing how it will all turn out (up to a point) and that almost makes it feel premeditated - or predictable - and Carmody's stories are too well written for that! 
#4 The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen ChboskyGee whiz, there is something so special about this book! I read it for the first time at the start of the year and it still rocks my world. I'm hoping the movie will do the same thing - the cast looks impressive.
#3 Daughter of the Forest by Juliet MarillierMarillier is my favourite author and Daughter of the Forest is probably my favourite of all her books. It takes the story of the six swans and turns it into an epic tale. Her other fairytale rewrites, Heart's Blood and Wildwood Dancing are amazing as well.
#2 The Hunger Games by Suzanne CollinsThere is no need to explain the overwhelming level of awesome in this trilogy. While the first book is undoubtedly the best and strongest, the trilogy as a whole shook me. It instilled in me a love of dystopian literature and a desire to write my own (don't hold your breath). I view the forthcoming movie with a wary eye.
#1 Harry Potter by J.K RowlingThese books were my childhood. When people tell me they haven't read the books (or at least watched the movies) I feel like I've walked into a wall. My boyfriend thinks he outgrew them around Order of the Phoenix (as if it's possible to outgrow Harry Potter) but he still enjoys the movies (or else he'd be very single) and his Mum is reading the books. She remembers giving up part way through Goblet of Fire but this time around she can barely put the book(s) down. I love her excitement (and being the only HP authority she knows) and find myself envying it a little.I went to the shops at 7am on a Saturday morning for the release of Deathly Hallows and finished it before Mum got home from work that afternoon. Sometimes I wish I'd savoured the experience more.
I encourage everyone to try and pick up the books on my list. They are some of the most amazing books you will ever read. 
Until next week!

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Obviously, something went terribly wrong. Genetic mutations have festered, reducing human longevity to twenty-five, even less for most women. To prevent extinction, young girls are kidnapped, mated in polygamous marriages with men eager to procreate. Sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery, a recent victim of this breeding farm mentality, has vowed to break loose from its fetters; but finding allies and a safe way out is a challenge she can only hope she will survive. A dystopian fantasy series starter with wings.

Original Language: English
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Country: USA
Publication Date: March 22, 2011
ISBN: 9781442409057
Page Count: 358

Wither is Lauren DeStefano's debut novel and the first in a YA dystopian trilogy. It was published in March this year and I've been waiting for months to get my hands on it. It was everything as wonderful as I had hoped, and much to short for my tastes.

In terms of fitting into the field of YA dystopian novels, Wither definitely makes the cut and sits with the cool kids. The characters are engaging and the plot, though the story stays in the one house, keeps moving. Best of all is the idea that drives the story - in a future where genetic engineering has significantly shortened the human life span.

The characters were interesting. Rhine and Linden were the most developed, obviously, but other characters like Gabriel and Jenna are developed enough to keep the story progressing neatly. Cecily is both annoying and adorable while Rowan will hopefully receive enough development in future books to make him interesting.   Meanwhile, Housemaster Vaughn is a fascinating villain - he seemingly wants the best for his son but there is a second and more sinister motive behind his actions.

The plot moves quickly - at times almost too quickly - and creates a sweeping story that easily engages the reader. The interaction between characters, especially the camaraderie between the Sister Wives, and of course between Rhine and Gabriel. Linden can sometimes be a weak link but mostly DeStephano has created a solid world that beguiles the senses.

Wither's sequel, Fever is due for publication in February next year. I look forward to getting my hands on it.

Raiding Bookshelves

Judging by the cover: This cover is so elegant. I love that the model can look so calm and elegant while she's so ragged and on edge.