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A review by flappermyrtle
Jane and the Damned by Janet Mullany
3.0
After having read the `Jane Bites Back´ series, the concept of Jane Austen as a vampire does not strike me as odd anymore. Or, maybe, not too odd anymore. The interesting thing about this novel is that it is set in the Regency era, with the London ton being high-born vampires rather than just high-born dandies. Taking the waters at Bath is considered the only cure for vampirism, which is why the place is so very popular.
Jane is made a vampire, then left by her creator to figure things out on her own. She and her family repair to Bath so she can heal from her 'illness', which is when the French attack and take over England. All quite alright, slightly historically incorrect, but clever enough. What bothered me, as an avid reader of Anne Rice and the like, was the absolute lack of vampire rules and laws - some terms are thrown around, but the structure of the vampire circle Jane moves in never becomes clear, nor do the reasons for certain matters.
Mullany managed to put in some scenes and dialogues reminiscent of Jane's later books (e.g. when Margaret is trying to put Jane off about Luke - very Lady Catherine de Bourgh), even though the context is radically different. It is done with flair and very naturally, so I highly commend that.
The ending is not plausible. That may sound a bit critical, considering the subject matter of the novel, but it just doesn't fit with the rest of the story. Too dramatic, too illogical. The novel as a whole was enjoyable, the idea worked out well, but eventually it does not stand out in the crowd of Austen spin-offs.
Jane is made a vampire, then left by her creator to figure things out on her own. She and her family repair to Bath so she can heal from her 'illness', which is when the French attack and take over England. All quite alright, slightly historically incorrect, but clever enough. What bothered me, as an avid reader of Anne Rice and the like, was the absolute lack of vampire rules and laws - some terms are thrown around, but the structure of the vampire circle Jane moves in never becomes clear, nor do the reasons for certain matters.
Mullany managed to put in some scenes and dialogues reminiscent of Jane's later books (e.g. when Margaret is trying to put Jane off about Luke - very Lady Catherine de Bourgh), even though the context is radically different. It is done with flair and very naturally, so I highly commend that.
The ending is not plausible. That may sound a bit critical, considering the subject matter of the novel, but it just doesn't fit with the rest of the story. Too dramatic, too illogical. The novel as a whole was enjoyable, the idea worked out well, but eventually it does not stand out in the crowd of Austen spin-offs.