Northanger Abbey and Angels and Dragons [Kindle Edition]

Dear readers, leaving the comfortable realm of amiable and serene Austenesque novels, I have decided to take a brief sojourn into the terrifying, and sometimes violent, world of Jane Austen monster mash-ups. Having read and exceedingly enjoyed other Jane Austen paranormal creations (Jane Bites Back, Bespelling Jane Austen, and Jane and the Damned), I felt ready to jump into a true monster mash-up (I did read Emma and the Vampires, but didn't really find it to be much of a mash-up). And after reading a three chapter excerpt of Northanger Abbey Angels and Dragons on Vera Nazarian's website, [...] I became enchanted with her tale of angels, dragons, and temperature-changing nephilim.

Through the pages of Vera Nazarian's Northanger Abbey Angels and Dragons, we learn that our heroine, Catherine Morland, possesses great metaphysical powers that enable her to see, hear, and talk to angels. In addition, we discover that John and Isabella Thorpe are strange nephilim creatures that inspire the whole town of Bath to search for secret hidden treasure. The clues of which they claim could be found encrypted in Mrs. Radcliffe's novels. Add to that mysterious dragons flying in the sky and ghosts dwelling in furniture and you have a supernaturally twisted version of Northanger Abbey that's quite diverting.

What an amusing and charming monster mash-up! I found Northanger Abbey Angels and Dragons to be a reverent and well-crafted homage to Jane Austen's original. I loved Catherine's little hosts of angels; the poor dears had the difficult task of trying to keep Catherine out of danger. In addition, I found it hilarious that the odious John Thorpe was akin to a repulsive ogre that rattles about hidden treasures and encrypted clues all the time. Moreover, I thought it quite apropos that his sister, Isabella Thorpe, is a nephilim with a truly cold heart, that chills everyone that comes within her vicinity. And what about Henry Tileny, you say? What type of supernatural creature is he? What metaphysical powers does he have??? I'm afraid I can't disclose that here, if you really want to know, you must read Northanger Abbey Angels and Dragons to find out!

As you can see this is more of a mash-up of comedy and absurdity rather than violence and mayhem. Ms. Nazarian pokes fun at Northanger Abbey, her readers, and her own novel. By just reading the back cover of this book, readers can see evidence of Ms. Nazarian's subtle sense of humor and playful tone. Besides making you laugh, this tale will warm your heart. The ending is beautifully and surprisingly romantic.

Now the question remains: would I read another monster mash-up in the future? Most assuredly! Especially if it is a comical mash-up or parody! And especially if it is written by Vera Nazarian! I'm looking forward to the next installment in her Jane Austen Supernatural series, which is titled Pride and Platypus: Mr. Darcy's Dreadful Secret. (I wonder what his secret could be...)

Austenesque Reviews

With Mansfield Park and Mummies: Monster Mayhem, Matrimony, Ancient Curses, True Love, and Other Dire Delights, Vera Nazarian began a new kind of classic mashup. Instead of just shoehorning in some outrageous new content, as did the author of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, she has been approaching the mashup genre with wit and style, creating affectionate parodies that leave the reader chuckling.

Northanger Abbey lends itself readily to this treatment, since Miss Austen herself originally wrote it to skewer the then-current fascination with gothic novels among fashionable young women. Ms. Nazarian adds another layer that skewers the current fascination with Dan Brown and his imitators who spin yarns of sinister conspiracies and secret codes buried in famous works of art and literature.

And she even manages to slip in some deeply metaphysical discussion about the nature of life and love.

What's not to love?

I just finished the very entertaining novel Northanger Abbey and Angels and Dragons. What a splendid read it was! The supernatural elements were woven into the story quite seamlessly, and I was pleased to find it an easy and most enjoyable way to pass the time. I haven't read many Jane Austen or mashup novels, but I think this one worked quite well.

The only parts I found somewhat jarring were the several footnotes relating to Oscar Wilde and being gay. I think they were a little overdone, and could have been omitted after the first one.

I am looking forward to reading the next most frightfully horrid (in a good way) novel from Ms. Nazarian.

I did receive this as an e-book through a LibraryThing.com giveaway. While I was asked to give a review in exchange for the book it was not required to be a positive one.