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Perilous Siege
What is the Siege Perilous, and how does it affect the lives of everyone in the Regency universe of "Pride & Prejudice"? When a man dressed in strange attire falls to earth in a field on his Pemberley estate, Fitzwilliam Darcy has little inkling of the many and startling changes this mysterious man’s arrival will have on his life, his family’s lives, and indeed, his whole world. Set in the Regency world of "Pride and Prejudice," this refugee from a future Armageddon is befriended by Darcy. Will the presence of Major Edward McDunn influence the events of Jane Austen’s signature work, especially the tangled courtship between Darcy and the complex and endearing Elizabeth Bennet?
- GenresAudiobookTime Travel
377 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 29, 2019
About the author
C.P. Odom
11 books77 followersBy training, I’m a retired engineer, born in Texas, raised in Oklahoma, and graduated from the University of Oklahoma. Sandwiched in there was a stint in the Marines, and I’ve lived in Arizona since 1977, working first for Motorola and then General Dynamics. I raised two sons with my first wife, Margaret, before her untimely death from cancer, and my second wife, Jeanine, and I adopted two girls from China. The older of my daughters recently graduated with an engineering degree and is working in Phoenix, and the younger girl is heading toward a nursing degree. I’ve always been a voracious reader and collector of books, and my favorite genres are science fiction, historical fiction, histories, and, in recent years, reading (and later writing) Jane Austen romantic fiction. This late-developing interest was indirectly stimulated when I read my late wife's beloved Jane Austen books after her passing. One thing led to another, and I now have three novels published: A Most Civil Proposal (2013), Consequences (2014), and Pride, Prejudice, and Secrets (2015). My fourth novel, Perilous Siege, was just published. I retired from engineering in 2011, but I still live in Arizona with my family, a pair of dogs (one of which is stubbornly untrainable), and a pair of rather strange cats. My hobbies are reading, woodworking, and watching college football and LPGA golf (the girls are much nicer than the guys, as well as being fiendishly good putters). Lately I’ve reverted back to my younger years and have taken up building plastic model aircraft and ships (when I can find the time).
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 1, 2019
2.5 rounded up to 3 stars
This is certainly an ambitious JAFF novel. It's a mash-up of two completely different genres. Sadly, they don't jive together well for me.
One story takes up the first one-third of this novel, mostly disappears for a while, and then picks up again at the 87% mark on my kindle to the end. A very unusual Pride and Prejudice pops up in between.
At the opening, we meet Major Edward McDunn, a US Marine in England, and the year is 2045. We're given a very pessimistic view of our not-too-distant future, with all of civilized society on the brink of annihilation. The rest of McDunn's family have already died. Widespread nuclear attacks have caused mass destruction and death. Survivors and victors are bound to starve anyway thanks to chemical weapons that created a rapidly spreading blight on farmland around the world. McDunn, Corporal Sandra Desmond and a couple of their comrades are introduced on the eve of an unwinnable battle against barbarians. Although they have superior weapons, ammunition is almost gone and they're overwhelmingly outnumbered by their opponents, who are perfectly willing to die in order to defeat them.
The eventual carnage is brutal. McDunn appears to be the only one still alive, but he's mortally wounded. This is where a strange man named Kaswallon shows up. McDunn finds himself dragged to a cave and put into a rock-like device called the Perilous Siege which magically heals and transports him off to an alternate universe.
This is merrie olde England, and it's populated by characters in the Jane Austen novel that McDunn has been reading. However, it's 1809, three years before the beginning of Pride and Prejudice. Mr. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Georgiana discover McDunn on Pemberley land along with backpacks filled with various supplies from his prior 21st century universe.
From here, we have detailed information about how McDunn spends the next three years finding a niche for himself in this new reality. Kaswallan had warned him that this would be a one-way trip, and McDunn believes there's nothing for him to return to anyway. He recognizes Austen's characters, of course, and he eagerly anticipates having her famous story unfold before his own eyes when the time comes. In the meantime, he's a busy, busy man, and he develops a close brotherly relationship with the two Darcys and Colonel Fitzwilliam. This part of the story follows McDunn's point of view.
Three years later, Mr. Bingley invites both of the Darcys and Major McDunn to Netherfield. This begins the variation on Pride and Prejudice, and it stands apart from the preceding story. Gradually, McDunn's point of view drifts away; eventually it disappears completely. It's as if the author forgot he's there and should be accounted for. McDunn's only influence on the plot is perhaps to make Darcy a bit less class-conscious, but Darcy's innate snobbishness still prevents him from seriously considering Elizabeth Bennet as a potential wife.
The major twist here is that it's Elizabeth who is completely smitten by Darcy and not the other way around. She feels a strong physical attraction to him from the time she first sees him that she tries to push aside. Due to his haughtiness, she's not sure she even likes him. She does her best to avoid him in order to protect her heart, and she even avoids any discussion of the man. When Elizabeth realizes that she loves him, she also recognizes that the great disparity between their social spheres makes it impossible for him to ever offer for her. Broken-hearted, she falls into deep depression.
Mrs. Bennet is insufferable. Her actions have disastrous effects at two pivotal points in the story, and her insistence on ignoring her culpability and instead blaming Elizabeth is infuriating. Mr. Bennet's indolence is almost as damaging. When Elizabeth finally has had enough from her two incompetent parents, I felt like cheering.
There is a lot to like about the P&P part of the story, and I wish it had been made into a separate book. Georgiana is more involved throughout. Bingley has a backbone. Elizabeth is so dead-set against the possibility of encountering Darcy that she does NOT go with the Gardiners to visit Pemberley. Lady Catherine's confrontation with Elizabeth leads to a very dramatic climax and resolution near this story's end.
I have to warn JAFF-lovers that I was disappointed with this Mr. Darcy in the romance department. Although it's apparent that he's come to love Elizabeth by the time the book ends, at the point where they're planning to marry he's agreeable but doesn't seem passionately in love with her. I really missed reading a strong mutual declaration of love.
We now return to story #1. McDunn's plans with Georgiana, Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam have come to fruition. An impossible dream even comes true for him.
Instead of ending there, the story continues, and we learn the true purpose he was sent to this time and place: to save this universe from the same fate that destroyed the one he came from, assigning daunting roles to himself and his confederates in order to prevent disaster before the seeds can be planted. The epilogue jumps ahead more than 200 years, and all's right with the world and their descendants.
Wait...What??
The historical world view and philosophy this presents is thought-provoking. Unfortunately, I find it way too heavy and out of place for this particular plot. It's also not integrated effectively. Perhaps this sci fi element would work more successfully as a separate novel, but it really comes out of left field here. I'm not part of that sci-fi reading audience, so I can't judge its merits for those readers.
I CAN tell you without a doubt that this part of the book would be exactly the same if McDunn ended up in an alternate universe set in 1809 England and his new friends were NOT characters from a book.
There is one date discrepancy where Mr. McDunn is at Longwood on Wednesday, September 17 observing events, and then he travels to London with the news, which he delivers to the Darcy Townhouse on Wednesday, September 16. Hmmmm....
I admire Mr. Odom's daring and truly wish the result of his efforts were more pleasing to this reader. His writing is excellent, the characters feel real despite the bizarre circumstances described, and many of the P&P plot elements are inspired. This is certainly different from any other JAFF I've ever read. Those who enjoy both JAFF and sci-fi novels may find it more pleasing than I did.
There is some MA content.
This is certainly an ambitious JAFF novel. It's a mash-up of two completely different genres. Sadly, they don't jive together well for me.
One story takes up the first one-third of this novel, mostly disappears for a while, and then picks up again at the 87% mark on my kindle to the end. A very unusual Pride and Prejudice pops up in between.
At the opening, we meet Major Edward McDunn, a US Marine in England, and the year is 2045. We're given a very pessimistic view of our not-too-distant future, with all of civilized society on the brink of annihilation. The rest of McDunn's family have already died. Widespread nuclear attacks have caused mass destruction and death. Survivors and victors are bound to starve anyway thanks to chemical weapons that created a rapidly spreading blight on farmland around the world. McDunn, Corporal Sandra Desmond and a couple of their comrades are introduced on the eve of an unwinnable battle against barbarians. Although they have superior weapons, ammunition is almost gone and they're overwhelmingly outnumbered by their opponents, who are perfectly willing to die in order to defeat them.
The eventual carnage is brutal. McDunn appears to be the only one still alive, but he's mortally wounded. This is where a strange man named Kaswallon shows up. McDunn finds himself dragged to a cave and put into a rock-like device called the Perilous Siege which magically heals and transports him off to an alternate universe.
This is merrie olde England, and it's populated by characters in the Jane Austen novel that McDunn has been reading. However, it's 1809, three years before the beginning of Pride and Prejudice. Mr. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Georgiana discover McDunn on Pemberley land along with backpacks filled with various supplies from his prior 21st century universe.
From here, we have detailed information about how McDunn spends the next three years finding a niche for himself in this new reality. Kaswallan had warned him that this would be a one-way trip, and McDunn believes there's nothing for him to return to anyway. He recognizes Austen's characters, of course, and he eagerly anticipates having her famous story unfold before his own eyes when the time comes. In the meantime, he's a busy, busy man, and he develops a close brotherly relationship with the two Darcys and Colonel Fitzwilliam. This part of the story follows McDunn's point of view.
Three years later, Mr. Bingley invites both of the Darcys and Major McDunn to Netherfield. This begins the variation on Pride and Prejudice, and it stands apart from the preceding story. Gradually, McDunn's point of view drifts away; eventually it disappears completely. It's as if the author forgot he's there and should be accounted for. McDunn's only influence on the plot is perhaps to make Darcy a bit less class-conscious, but Darcy's innate snobbishness still prevents him from seriously considering Elizabeth Bennet as a potential wife.
The major twist here is that it's Elizabeth who is completely smitten by Darcy and not the other way around. She feels a strong physical attraction to him from the time she first sees him that she tries to push aside. Due to his haughtiness, she's not sure she even likes him. She does her best to avoid him in order to protect her heart, and she even avoids any discussion of the man. When Elizabeth realizes that she loves him, she also recognizes that the great disparity between their social spheres makes it impossible for him to ever offer for her. Broken-hearted, she falls into deep depression.
Mrs. Bennet is insufferable. Her actions have disastrous effects at two pivotal points in the story, and her insistence on ignoring her culpability and instead blaming Elizabeth is infuriating. Mr. Bennet's indolence is almost as damaging. When Elizabeth finally has had enough from her two incompetent parents, I felt like cheering.
There is a lot to like about the P&P part of the story, and I wish it had been made into a separate book. Georgiana is more involved throughout. Bingley has a backbone. Elizabeth is so dead-set against the possibility of encountering Darcy that she does NOT go with the Gardiners to visit Pemberley. Lady Catherine's confrontation with Elizabeth leads to a very dramatic climax and resolution near this story's end.
I have to warn JAFF-lovers that I was disappointed with this Mr. Darcy in the romance department. Although it's apparent that he's come to love Elizabeth by the time the book ends, at the point where they're planning to marry he's agreeable but doesn't seem passionately in love with her. I really missed reading a strong mutual declaration of love.
We now return to story #1. McDunn's plans with Georgiana, Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam have come to fruition. An impossible dream even comes true for him.
Instead of ending there, the story continues, and we learn the true purpose he was sent to this time and place: to save this universe from the same fate that destroyed the one he came from, assigning daunting roles to himself and his confederates in order to prevent disaster before the seeds can be planted. The epilogue jumps ahead more than 200 years, and all's right with the world and their descendants.
Wait...What??
The historical world view and philosophy this presents is thought-provoking. Unfortunately, I find it way too heavy and out of place for this particular plot. It's also not integrated effectively. Perhaps this sci fi element would work more successfully as a separate novel, but it really comes out of left field here. I'm not part of that sci-fi reading audience, so I can't judge its merits for those readers.
I CAN tell you without a doubt that this part of the book would be exactly the same if McDunn ended up in an alternate universe set in 1809 England and his new friends were NOT characters from a book.
There is one date discrepancy where Mr. McDunn is at Longwood on Wednesday, September 17 observing events, and then he travels to London with the news, which he delivers to the Darcy Townhouse on Wednesday, September 16. Hmmmm....
I admire Mr. Odom's daring and truly wish the result of his efforts were more pleasing to this reader. His writing is excellent, the characters feel real despite the bizarre circumstances described, and many of the P&P plot elements are inspired. This is certainly different from any other JAFF I've ever read. Those who enjoy both JAFF and sci-fi novels may find it more pleasing than I did.
There is some MA content.
December 31, 2021
A near-future torn apart by war and disaster holds no hope for the last US Marine, but a mysterious device sends him out into the multi-verse and he lands in Jane Austen's England for a new start. The intro to this story sounded all sorts of exciting with a fun blend if sci-fi time travel and Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice from a rough Marine's perspective.
Perilous Siege starts out spending time settling the reader into the near future's dire situation that brevet Major Edward McDunn resides in. The world has been blighted by a bioweapon attacking the crops, terrorists on steroids, and failing governments. It's a dark and doomed place. McDunn cares about his people, but with ammo and food running out, he's made his peace with the fact that his little battalion isn't going to make it to the next day. Imagine his amazement when a kooky man speaks of a mysterious device that is used to send McDunn to the place most suited to him. He's a bit confused when he wakes up in Regency England by none other than Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Miss Darcy.
McDunn wisely keeps to himself what he knows about these people who are not just fictional characters any more, but he does have to tell them something when he arrives in his futuristic military attire, his weapons, and three satchels that his mysterious benefactor managed to send along with him. He has the dilemma of when to use his knowledge of the future or even the events in the Darcys' lives and when to keep quiet as he learns how to navigate his new life.
Meanwhile, Fitzwilliam Darcy and his family are thrilled by this fantastic circumstances that brings Major McDunn into their lives even as they meet up with their friends the Bingleys who now live in the neighborhood of the Bennet family one of which has the potential to entice Darcy out of his reserved and staid life.
Elizabeth Bennet doesn't know what to make of her mixed feelings for the proud Mr. Darcy, but just when she's figuring it out, her disastrous family ruins her chances. Or did they?
And, will McDunn ever learn why he was sent to his new world?
I ended up enjoying this one, as I rather thought I would. I liked the original characters that the author wrote and I liked how he wrote variations on Austen's characters and the P&P story. I thought the time travel device worked nicely and even the idea that people were sent to places where they were fated to be and for a purpose.
I enjoyed this one, as I said, but I also felt that it could have been trimmed down and in the trimming, created some built in tension and mystery to certain aspects of the story. For instance, the first third of the story happens in the future, but it could have been skipped since, later, McDunn ends up explaining many of those details and how things were in the future to his new friends so the reader got it twice. By letting his story come out in pieces as he reminisced or recounted to his friends, it would have heightened the intrigue at the start and livened up that part of the three years that McDunn first came to be with the Darcys.
The story did feel like ti was told in parts with the Major's story wrapped around Darcy's. It was different, but I ended up liking this because seeing P&P through several perspectives was fun. Getting more time with the Darcys early on like that and how McDunn's presence created small ripples of change that grew large enough to make McDunn wonder how things would ever get back on track or if they were even supposed to. The ending had a nice twist that wasn't too big of a shocker for me. The very end and epilogue acted as a wrap up that brought things full circle when it came to the why of it all which was nice.
So, all in all, I was well-pleased to get this unique time travel fun into the fictional world of Austen by a 21st century US Marine. While I don't think this will be for everybody, I think those who enjoy time travel, military, and alternate history stories will get a charge out of this one.
COYER Summer Scavenger Hunt clue a book with various ratings by GR friends.
Perilous Siege starts out spending time settling the reader into the near future's dire situation that brevet Major Edward McDunn resides in. The world has been blighted by a bioweapon attacking the crops, terrorists on steroids, and failing governments. It's a dark and doomed place. McDunn cares about his people, but with ammo and food running out, he's made his peace with the fact that his little battalion isn't going to make it to the next day. Imagine his amazement when a kooky man speaks of a mysterious device that is used to send McDunn to the place most suited to him. He's a bit confused when he wakes up in Regency England by none other than Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Miss Darcy.
McDunn wisely keeps to himself what he knows about these people who are not just fictional characters any more, but he does have to tell them something when he arrives in his futuristic military attire, his weapons, and three satchels that his mysterious benefactor managed to send along with him. He has the dilemma of when to use his knowledge of the future or even the events in the Darcys' lives and when to keep quiet as he learns how to navigate his new life.
Meanwhile, Fitzwilliam Darcy and his family are thrilled by this fantastic circumstances that brings Major McDunn into their lives even as they meet up with their friends the Bingleys who now live in the neighborhood of the Bennet family one of which has the potential to entice Darcy out of his reserved and staid life.
Elizabeth Bennet doesn't know what to make of her mixed feelings for the proud Mr. Darcy, but just when she's figuring it out, her disastrous family ruins her chances. Or did they?
And, will McDunn ever learn why he was sent to his new world?
I ended up enjoying this one, as I rather thought I would. I liked the original characters that the author wrote and I liked how he wrote variations on Austen's characters and the P&P story. I thought the time travel device worked nicely and even the idea that people were sent to places where they were fated to be and for a purpose.
I enjoyed this one, as I said, but I also felt that it could have been trimmed down and in the trimming, created some built in tension and mystery to certain aspects of the story. For instance, the first third of the story happens in the future, but it could have been skipped since, later, McDunn ends up explaining many of those details and how things were in the future to his new friends so the reader got it twice. By letting his story come out in pieces as he reminisced or recounted to his friends, it would have heightened the intrigue at the start and livened up that part of the three years that McDunn first came to be with the Darcys.
The story did feel like ti was told in parts with the Major's story wrapped around Darcy's. It was different, but I ended up liking this because seeing P&P through several perspectives was fun. Getting more time with the Darcys early on like that and how McDunn's presence created small ripples of change that grew large enough to make McDunn wonder how things would ever get back on track or if they were even supposed to. The ending had a nice twist that wasn't too big of a shocker for me. The very end and epilogue acted as a wrap up that brought things full circle when it came to the why of it all which was nice.
So, all in all, I was well-pleased to get this unique time travel fun into the fictional world of Austen by a 21st century US Marine. While I don't think this will be for everybody, I think those who enjoy time travel, military, and alternate history stories will get a charge out of this one.
COYER Summer Scavenger Hunt clue a book with various ratings by GR friends.
June 23, 2025
Difficult to review
In an attempt to be objective, I rated this book a 4, but debated. I thought it was well written, and while not opposed to the concept of the story, and even enjoyed much of it, there were some things as a JAFF follower I couldn’t get past. My main problem was the way Elizabeth was portrayed. I just don’t believe she would have behaved as she did in the Netherfield garden. I don’t mind her being allowed to have passion for Darcy, but to exhibit it that way, during that time, just didn’t fit for me. I also didn’t like that Darcy never really “knew” he loved her until he finally went to her, and even then he didn’t seem quite sure. I get that this story was different, with the parallel universe and all, but one thing that should never change for me is that love Darcy felt for Elizabeth in canon. I discovered this book after reading three other works of this author. This was my least favorite, yet I still appreciated it and recommend it.
September 2, 2021. - Second Read
With the second read of this book I still cannot reconcile myself to Elizabeth’s portrayal. Way too out of character for me. Not only was she overly forward, but she cried too much. It wasn’t until her confrontation with Lady Catherine that her “courage rose” with LC’s attempt to intimidate her. Still a good read.
In an attempt to be objective, I rated this book a 4, but debated. I thought it was well written, and while not opposed to the concept of the story, and even enjoyed much of it, there were some things as a JAFF follower I couldn’t get past. My main problem was the way Elizabeth was portrayed. I just don’t believe she would have behaved as she did in the Netherfield garden. I don’t mind her being allowed to have passion for Darcy, but to exhibit it that way, during that time, just didn’t fit for me. I also didn’t like that Darcy never really “knew” he loved her until he finally went to her, and even then he didn’t seem quite sure. I get that this story was different, with the parallel universe and all, but one thing that should never change for me is that love Darcy felt for Elizabeth in canon. I discovered this book after reading three other works of this author. This was my least favorite, yet I still appreciated it and recommend it.
September 2, 2021. - Second Read
With the second read of this book I still cannot reconcile myself to Elizabeth’s portrayal. Way too out of character for me. Not only was she overly forward, but she cried too much. It wasn’t until her confrontation with Lady Catherine that her “courage rose” with LC’s attempt to intimidate her. Still a good read.
April 17, 2019
Solid Positioning of Austen in Alt-iverse
C.P. Odom offers us a delightful and powerful speculation that blends the immortal characters of Jane Austen with some of Robert A. Heinlein 's cultural memes. Well written, this take moves along at a compelling pace. This is not your typical frothy romance but rather offers readers a challenging set of "what-ifs" to digest. Be prepared for a trip into a universe where (as Heinlein's concept of solipsism asserts ) Miss Austen's act of writing fiction created a universe where that fiction is reality.
C.P. Odom offers us a delightful and powerful speculation that blends the immortal characters of Jane Austen with some of Robert A. Heinlein 's cultural memes. Well written, this take moves along at a compelling pace. This is not your typical frothy romance but rather offers readers a challenging set of "what-ifs" to digest. Be prepared for a trip into a universe where (as Heinlein's concept of solipsism asserts ) Miss Austen's act of writing fiction created a universe where that fiction is reality.
January 4, 2023
I enjoyed it tremendously! The characters were extremely well and affectionately written. It starts in a war torn future. However, if you want to skip the early war scenes and go straight to the playful 1809 section featuring ODC, search for 'Darcy' and start there. It had a bit too much political dogmatism for me, but it was a minor part of the book, and easily skipped. To me, it was a real page turner and well worth the read.
August 30, 2019
I have read many of this author's stories but this one was not as pleasing to me. It was one I put down often.
We begin in a world set in time about two decades into the future and find the world on the brink of imploding. Terrorists and a crop blight are wiping any life from the planet. Edward McDunn has been sent by the US Marine Corps to England to fight off the terrorists there but just as he and his fellow Marines seem to have met death McDunn is sent into an alternate universe via the stone throne, Perilous Siege. He finds himself in a field on Pemberley's grounds and meets Darcy, his sister, Georgiana, and his cousin, Richard Fitzwilliam. Having read P&P, McDunn questions in his mind that the setting in a novel is a real world which he can inhabit. He decides to reveal the truth about his appearance BUT keeps secret how events unfolded in the novel Pride and Prejudice.
For most of this tale McDunn is an observer of the personal affairs surrounding those he first met. However even though monies to support him showed up in his packs after the transition he decides to use his knowledge concerning inventions which enrich life to finance his and Darcy's lives: the telegraph and locomotive railroad engines.
Elizabeth Bennet is the one to first realize her love for Darcy but to also realize that due to her lack of wealth and connections that he will never consider marrying one such as her and so even when she relates her passionate feelings to Darcy she also ensures that their lives are separate so that she doesn't have to deal with the angst of seeing him but not being able to "be with" him permanently.
So McDunn and others observe and comment to Darcy their opinions about that relationship but then McDunn's past comes back actively into his life in the form of another figure from the Marines.
Knowing what the future holds for earth and mankind McDunn ponders and comes up with a way he thinks might save the world from the future he escaped. The epilogue then takes us back into the future to see if his plans were successful.
I did not care for the scenes when ODC finally reach a point in which they are then bound together. Elizabeth's verbal reactions were more that of a teenager - all excitement such as Lydia might have reacted. Darcy just didn't come across as having deep feelings for her.
We begin in a world set in time about two decades into the future and find the world on the brink of imploding. Terrorists and a crop blight are wiping any life from the planet. Edward McDunn has been sent by the US Marine Corps to England to fight off the terrorists there but just as he and his fellow Marines seem to have met death McDunn is sent into an alternate universe via the stone throne, Perilous Siege. He finds himself in a field on Pemberley's grounds and meets Darcy, his sister, Georgiana, and his cousin, Richard Fitzwilliam. Having read P&P, McDunn questions in his mind that the setting in a novel is a real world which he can inhabit. He decides to reveal the truth about his appearance BUT keeps secret how events unfolded in the novel Pride and Prejudice.
For most of this tale McDunn is an observer of the personal affairs surrounding those he first met. However even though monies to support him showed up in his packs after the transition he decides to use his knowledge concerning inventions which enrich life to finance his and Darcy's lives: the telegraph and locomotive railroad engines.
Elizabeth Bennet is the one to first realize her love for Darcy but to also realize that due to her lack of wealth and connections that he will never consider marrying one such as her and so even when she relates her passionate feelings to Darcy she also ensures that their lives are separate so that she doesn't have to deal with the angst of seeing him but not being able to "be with" him permanently.
So McDunn and others observe and comment to Darcy their opinions about that relationship but then McDunn's past comes back actively into his life in the form of another figure from the Marines.
Knowing what the future holds for earth and mankind McDunn ponders and comes up with a way he thinks might save the world from the future he escaped. The epilogue then takes us back into the future to see if his plans were successful.
I did not care for the scenes when ODC finally reach a point in which they are then bound together. Elizabeth's verbal reactions were more that of a teenager - all excitement such as Lydia might have reacted. Darcy just didn't come across as having deep feelings for her.
February 10, 2020
The Darcy’s save the world
This book was written for me. My first reading love was science fiction and fantasy. At age 10 I found the town library and for a short 10 minute bicycle ride I could return 2 books and bring back 2 more to read. I was in heaven. 2 of my favorite writers were Andre Norton and H. Beam Piper.
They both wrote of talented individuals who were thrown into desperate times and through their will alone great changes were made in the world around them. I was too young then to know I was loving books where the classic Hero myth was being spun again.
This is such a book, a mage, sends an accidental hero to a universe where Pride and Prejudice is real, the P&P characters are similar in this story but not identical. The romance unfolds in a more realistic way.
And all this is sandwiched in a story where a man from an alternate future 200 years in advance comes to change the world. Really, this should have been 2 separate books but where’s the fun in that?
A great try, not s classic but a great idea to try out. The author obviously loves the two genres and I’m glad for the attempt.
I recommend this book.
This book was written for me. My first reading love was science fiction and fantasy. At age 10 I found the town library and for a short 10 minute bicycle ride I could return 2 books and bring back 2 more to read. I was in heaven. 2 of my favorite writers were Andre Norton and H. Beam Piper.
They both wrote of talented individuals who were thrown into desperate times and through their will alone great changes were made in the world around them. I was too young then to know I was loving books where the classic Hero myth was being spun again.
This is such a book, a mage, sends an accidental hero to a universe where Pride and Prejudice is real, the P&P characters are similar in this story but not identical. The romance unfolds in a more realistic way.
And all this is sandwiched in a story where a man from an alternate future 200 years in advance comes to change the world. Really, this should have been 2 separate books but where’s the fun in that?
A great try, not s classic but a great idea to try out. The author obviously loves the two genres and I’m glad for the attempt.
I recommend this book.
April 1, 2019
A Turn of Fate and Fantasy
A Very unusual book. The reader must actively step away from the norm and go with the Sergeant's vivid imagination but the divergence, IMHO, is worth it. This one is creative and mature. A P&P variation devotee who desires pure romance, sweet, cleaned, and with only moderate variation will not appreciate this endeavor, but if an entirely original concept can catch your fancy and broaden your scope, I highly recommend this original variation.
A Very unusual book. The reader must actively step away from the norm and go with the Sergeant's vivid imagination but the divergence, IMHO, is worth it. This one is creative and mature. A P&P variation devotee who desires pure romance, sweet, cleaned, and with only moderate variation will not appreciate this endeavor, but if an entirely original concept can catch your fancy and broaden your scope, I highly recommend this original variation.
January 17, 2021
I really enjoyed the change of pace this story brings. A completely original plot that allows our beloved characters to still be the main attraction. Thoroughly recommended
May 2, 2021
A soldier from the future drops in the meadow at Pemberley. . .He has weapons, money and technology from the future. He has also read Pride and Prejudice!
Strangely, Fitzwilliam Darcy, Richard Fitzwilliam, and Georgiana Darcy find him, believe him and invite him to become part of their lives. He uses his knowledge to build things that haven't been invented yet. He watches as the characters move through their 'story', especially the integration of Elizabeth Bennet. He works to make what he believes would be a better world.
It was a smash up of distopia, utopia, and regency = a bit odd.
Strangely, Fitzwilliam Darcy, Richard Fitzwilliam, and Georgiana Darcy find him, believe him and invite him to become part of their lives. He uses his knowledge to build things that haven't been invented yet. He watches as the characters move through their 'story', especially the integration of Elizabeth Bennet. He works to make what he believes would be a better world.
It was a smash up of distopia, utopia, and regency = a bit odd.
Did Not Finish
December 9, 2019Read up to Chapter 17 (57%) of the book, where Mary accepts Collins. A definite no for me as far as a P&P variation goes.
October 17, 2022
Was really quite disappointed by this. I love a good time travel story but this one just didn’t work. Firstly, I found the backstory very strange - the idea of the world being this way in only 25ish years beggars belief. I also couldn’t help but detect some strange political sentiments buried in there that just didn’t sit right with me, though I am not sure if that was intentional by the author. An over-valorisation of the American military alongside a horror-filled tale about how the “intellectual elites” tried to form a “utopia” and destroyed the apparently previously perfect United States? And apparently the horrible “barbarian” middle eastern refugees (fleeing nuclear destruction and life-threatening radiation) who, rather than being accommodated for, need to be expelled from Europe by borrowed American military force, and also somehow end up ruining Europe by making Europeans into “barbarians” also? It was just too much that made me quite uncomfortable with the feeling that this was representative of the author’s political leanings.
Nonetheless, this I could have ignored if Odom did not apply such a bizarre hatchet-job to the tale of Pride and Prejudice. Elizabeth’s character was unrecognisable and bizarre, feeling that her apparently insurmountable carnal attraction to Darcy would make her so unable to control herself that she refuses to stay at Netherfield to care for her ill sister who has asked for her to do so… No wonder Darcy in this variation seems not to be so ardently in love with her as he was in our classic text, seeing as many of her qualities were muted in this due to her inexplicable fear of being “fallen” for… being attracted to a man. Regency women were no more sexless than modern women, and to act as if she would be having her first ever feelings of lust at 20 and be so disturbed by them that her character and behaviour become completely warped for no reason… It just didn’t work.
Overall a disappointment, especially since the initial plot synopsis seemed to have so much potential.
Nonetheless, this I could have ignored if Odom did not apply such a bizarre hatchet-job to the tale of Pride and Prejudice. Elizabeth’s character was unrecognisable and bizarre, feeling that her apparently insurmountable carnal attraction to Darcy would make her so unable to control herself that she refuses to stay at Netherfield to care for her ill sister who has asked for her to do so… No wonder Darcy in this variation seems not to be so ardently in love with her as he was in our classic text, seeing as many of her qualities were muted in this due to her inexplicable fear of being “fallen” for… being attracted to a man. Regency women were no more sexless than modern women, and to act as if she would be having her first ever feelings of lust at 20 and be so disturbed by them that her character and behaviour become completely warped for no reason… It just didn’t work.
Overall a disappointment, especially since the initial plot synopsis seemed to have so much potential.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2020
This reminded me of a novel I read years ago 1632. Both involved a person/people from the future going back in time to use the advances of the modern era to transform the past and try to change the future. However, I liked 1632 better than this.
The premise is a marine, Major McDuff, from a near-future world who was involved in a war for the preservation of civilization. Through dues ex machina, the major is transported to Pemberly in 1810. Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam rescue the marine, believe his story and set about to change the world. Due to McDuff's presence, events from Pride & Prejudice evolve differently, with the major change being that Wickham never tries to elope with Georgiana.
I think the last chapter and the epilogue are what turned my opinion sour on this story. I also disliked many of the changes to Darcy and Elizabeth's story.
The premise is a marine, Major McDuff, from a near-future world who was involved in a war for the preservation of civilization. Through dues ex machina, the major is transported to Pemberly in 1810. Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam rescue the marine, believe his story and set about to change the world. Due to McDuff's presence, events from Pride & Prejudice evolve differently, with the major change being that Wickham never tries to elope with Georgiana.
I think the last chapter and the epilogue are what turned my opinion sour on this story. I also disliked many of the changes to Darcy and Elizabeth's story.
February 13, 2021
Interesting concept
It's an extremely different story set in two time periods - 2045 where the world is ending due to war and nuclear weapons, and 1800 Recency England when the industrial revolution was just becoming. A Marine from the future is sent back to save the world by a "Druid" of some sort. It's confusing to me because I know little about King Arthur and his Knights. The Marine lands in the middle of Pemberley lands and is found by Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Fortunately the Marine knows about Jane Austen and her characters so he's not totally confused about who they are.
The Austen characters and events don't play out exactly as she wrote. The most important change is in Elizabeth who falls in love with Darcy almost immediately, and has both a backbone and a sharp tongue. She expressed her views quite explosively regarding Lydia going to Brighton and ends up changing her family trajectory - no elopement with Wickham!
It's an interesting concept and I wish more emphasis was on the individuals and also on how these characters changed the world.
It's an extremely different story set in two time periods - 2045 where the world is ending due to war and nuclear weapons, and 1800 Recency England when the industrial revolution was just becoming. A Marine from the future is sent back to save the world by a "Druid" of some sort. It's confusing to me because I know little about King Arthur and his Knights. The Marine lands in the middle of Pemberley lands and is found by Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Fortunately the Marine knows about Jane Austen and her characters so he's not totally confused about who they are.
The Austen characters and events don't play out exactly as she wrote. The most important change is in Elizabeth who falls in love with Darcy almost immediately, and has both a backbone and a sharp tongue. She expressed her views quite explosively regarding Lydia going to Brighton and ends up changing her family trajectory - no elopement with Wickham!
It's an interesting concept and I wish more emphasis was on the individuals and also on how these characters changed the world.
April 19, 2019
Wow! Unexpected
A most unusual story, with an inventive plot and fascinating characters, both new and familiar. The action grips you immediately, and a world of fantasy and magic mixes with a world of brutal war, combat and loss. The resulting mixture is completely different from what you might expect from the usual P&P variation. The idea of time travel and all the complications it would cause is made acceptable by the introduction of the strong and charismatic character of Major McDunn. His discovery by Darcy and Fitzwilliam, and their acceptance of him is made possible by the force of his personality.
I enjoyed the fact that Georgiana is given a strong role. Even Elizabeth is given a much more forceful personality, speaking her mind at surprising times. She is kind of a tortured soul for most of the story, but she has her reward eventually. The whole book is so truly original that it was great fun to read. Very well written, and I recommend it highly.
A most unusual story, with an inventive plot and fascinating characters, both new and familiar. The action grips you immediately, and a world of fantasy and magic mixes with a world of brutal war, combat and loss. The resulting mixture is completely different from what you might expect from the usual P&P variation. The idea of time travel and all the complications it would cause is made acceptable by the introduction of the strong and charismatic character of Major McDunn. His discovery by Darcy and Fitzwilliam, and their acceptance of him is made possible by the force of his personality.
I enjoyed the fact that Georgiana is given a strong role. Even Elizabeth is given a much more forceful personality, speaking her mind at surprising times. She is kind of a tortured soul for most of the story, but she has her reward eventually. The whole book is so truly original that it was great fun to read. Very well written, and I recommend it highly.
January 16, 2020
A Complex, But Uneven Read
I was fascinated by the first half of the book as a modern American Marine was transported to Regency England and scrambled to find his footing amongst fictional characters who were all too real. I enjoyed following him as he made adjustments and made friends of Darcy and Col. Fitzwilliam.
Unfortunately, we lost track of him and his progress as the story switched from Pemberley to Hertfordshire, where the author scrambled Austen's account of the "courtship" of ODC. I'm not certain why Elizabeth's inner challenges with accepting her sexuality was such a focus, but it seemed out of place with the kind of storytelling at the start of the book.
We never quite matched up the two stories in a satisfying way, though the author tried. I gave four stars for the creative beginning and the great "conspiracy " leading to a "better" future, but the middle was a let-down that seemed to belong to another book.
I was fascinated by the first half of the book as a modern American Marine was transported to Regency England and scrambled to find his footing amongst fictional characters who were all too real. I enjoyed following him as he made adjustments and made friends of Darcy and Col. Fitzwilliam.
Unfortunately, we lost track of him and his progress as the story switched from Pemberley to Hertfordshire, where the author scrambled Austen's account of the "courtship" of ODC. I'm not certain why Elizabeth's inner challenges with accepting her sexuality was such a focus, but it seemed out of place with the kind of storytelling at the start of the book.
We never quite matched up the two stories in a satisfying way, though the author tried. I gave four stars for the creative beginning and the great "conspiracy " leading to a "better" future, but the middle was a let-down that seemed to belong to another book.
July 8, 2019
Truth is always the first casualty of political correctness.
The story opens in 2045 during the dying gasps of our world, the future in store for us if we don't start making some big changes immediately. The last remnants of Marines are bravely trying to hold off the barbarian invaders, but with limited resources, it's a lost cause.
Edward McDunn is mortally wounded, and it appears that all of his comrades are dead. Hazily, he realizes that someone is moving him into a cave. The strange man is speaking, but his words aren't making sense, something about the Siege Perilous and sending him where he belongs.
His next awareness is lying in a field being addressed by Fitzwilliam Darcy and Richard Fitzwilliam. The story that follows is both fantastic and credible.
I enjoyed the story until the ending, but I couldn't buy into their plan for the future.
7
The story opens in 2045 during the dying gasps of our world, the future in store for us if we don't start making some big changes immediately. The last remnants of Marines are bravely trying to hold off the barbarian invaders, but with limited resources, it's a lost cause.
Edward McDunn is mortally wounded, and it appears that all of his comrades are dead. Hazily, he realizes that someone is moving him into a cave. The strange man is speaking, but his words aren't making sense, something about the Siege Perilous and sending him where he belongs.
His next awareness is lying in a field being addressed by Fitzwilliam Darcy and Richard Fitzwilliam. The story that follows is both fantastic and credible.
I enjoyed the story until the ending, but I couldn't buy into their plan for the future.
7
July 2, 2019
4 and half Stars for the Major. Three for Elizabeth and Darcy.
The approach to this story is radically different from every P&P revisit that I’ve ever read. I was instantly engaged by the Major and his world. My biggest criticism is that the author lost sight of him throughout the middle part of the book. He was incidental to Darcy and Elizabeth’s romance and that was a real shame because they were pretty boring.
Now I think about it, perhaps I couldn’t put this book down because I wanted more from the major. If it wasn’t for him, I don’t think the rest of the story was worth my time.
The approach to this story is radically different from every P&P revisit that I’ve ever read. I was instantly engaged by the Major and his world. My biggest criticism is that the author lost sight of him throughout the middle part of the book. He was incidental to Darcy and Elizabeth’s romance and that was a real shame because they were pretty boring.
Now I think about it, perhaps I couldn’t put this book down because I wanted more from the major. If it wasn’t for him, I don’t think the rest of the story was worth my time.
December 12, 2024
An alternative universe for P&P
4 1/2 stars
I have the audiobook, too, and that was wonderfully narrated by Benjamin Fife. His narration made the book even better.
Be prepared for a totally new but yet the same P&P world. This involves a one way time / world travel for our primary main character, McDunn. I love that he was dropped directly into his favorite Austen story or so he thought. I enjoyed seeing the similarities and differences to the original and it was well done. It was funny to see how Darcy and Elizabeth came together. This will be one I read / listen to again.
4 1/2 stars
I have the audiobook, too, and that was wonderfully narrated by Benjamin Fife. His narration made the book even better.
Be prepared for a totally new but yet the same P&P world. This involves a one way time / world travel for our primary main character, McDunn. I love that he was dropped directly into his favorite Austen story or so he thought. I enjoyed seeing the similarities and differences to the original and it was well done. It was funny to see how Darcy and Elizabeth came together. This will be one I read / listen to again.
December 14, 2019
Has adult content
It a great storyline, just wish the author will make sure to add to the description that there is adult content in his books. Had to skip a great deal of, to my opinion, unnecessary details. I enjoyed the beginning and the extra scientific info. I was having fun reading it. But this is not a book I would recommend. Kind of “the cockroach spoilt the ice cream”. At least for me.
It a great storyline, just wish the author will make sure to add to the description that there is adult content in his books. Had to skip a great deal of, to my opinion, unnecessary details. I enjoyed the beginning and the extra scientific info. I was having fun reading it. But this is not a book I would recommend. Kind of “the cockroach spoilt the ice cream”. At least for me.
September 15, 2024
So much wrong with it. Silly things like Collins and Bingley traveling on a Sunday without any need to. And McDunn not being invited to a dinner with the officers. But then the story itself . Rather stories. Couldn’t seem to decide which story to tell. And the time travel part of it was boring, didn’t seem to go anywhere really, and with absurd consequences at the end! Too bad because it could’ve been interesting.
April 21, 2019
An Amazing Story
I could not put this book down. It is an intriguing mix of future and past in an alternate universe. The traditional P&P characters are present, with many of their usual attributes, but the presence of Major McDunn from 2047 changes many things. This is a wonderful read.
I could not put this book down. It is an intriguing mix of future and past in an alternate universe. The traditional P&P characters are present, with many of their usual attributes, but the presence of Major McDunn from 2047 changes many things. This is a wonderful read.
July 8, 2021
Inventive premise
The story was indeed different. Didn’t particularly like this Elizabeth but author’s right to have her think and act different. Not so much a romance as a piece of science fiction. The ending for me was unrealistic but something you can do in fantasyland. If only. Off to read a more “realistic” variation. Thanks for the story.
The story was indeed different. Didn’t particularly like this Elizabeth but author’s right to have her think and act different. Not so much a romance as a piece of science fiction. The ending for me was unrealistic but something you can do in fantasyland. If only. Off to read a more “realistic” variation. Thanks for the story.
August 12, 2023
A little bit of P&P and a lot of political ravings
The small part of the story that focused on D& E was enjoyable. But the beginning and ending, which is a large chunk of the story are the constant repetitions of someone with a political agendas. Not a true JAFF. Reader beware.
The small part of the story that focused on D& E was enjoyable. But the beginning and ending, which is a large chunk of the story are the constant repetitions of someone with a political agendas. Not a true JAFF. Reader beware.
November 10, 2019
Better than expected!
This is not my genre, but I read it out of sheer curiosity. I enjoyed the twists of storyline made by characters who were similar to Austen’s but different. Good read!
This is not my genre, but I read it out of sheer curiosity. I enjoyed the twists of storyline made by characters who were similar to Austen’s but different. Good read!
December 17, 2021
Truly an alternate universe
A fascinating combination of science fiction and Pride and Prejudice, with a soldier from the future dropping into Pemberley. A little adventure, a little romance, a little philosophy, and a very interesting story.
A fascinating combination of science fiction and Pride and Prejudice, with a soldier from the future dropping into Pemberley. A little adventure, a little romance, a little philosophy, and a very interesting story.
January 29, 2020
What????
Didn't read it all had to keep skipping thinking I would find something worth reading, learnt a bit about guns that I didn't need to know.
Didn't read it all had to keep skipping thinking I would find something worth reading, learnt a bit about guns that I didn't need to know.
February 7, 2020
Different kind of variation.
I really liked this book. The pride and prejudice characters were in it ...but it was about circaventing a future of horror and death.
I really liked this book. The pride and prejudice characters were in it ...but it was about circaventing a future of horror and death.
January 8, 2021
A slow start
I almost put it down the first chapter.. Glad I didn't as the book is phenomenal. I enjoyed reading this story and I am amazed by the storyline.
I almost put it down the first chapter.. Glad I didn't as the book is phenomenal. I enjoyed reading this story and I am amazed by the storyline.
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