“Witty, smart, and sharp as a stake….Tongue in cheek, a bit naughty, and unputdownable, Jane Blood Persuasion has a brilliance that Ms. Austen would wholly appreciate!” —Colleen Gleason The delicious adventures of Jane Austen, vampire, continue! Janet Mullany follows up her delightful vampiric romp, Jane and the Damned , with Jane Blood Persuasion —pitting the Immortal author against a host of murderous creatures and an annoying ex-lover who intends to hound plucky Jane for all eternity, as she races to prevent an impending Undead civil war. Now fans of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies have more wicked fun to sink their fangs into!
Janet Mullany was raised in England by half of an amateur string quartet and now lives near Washington, DC. Persecuted from an early age for reading too long in the bathroom, she still loves books and is an avid and eclectic reader. She has worked as an archaeologist, classical music radio announcer, arts publicist, and for a small press.
Jane Austen begins to resist her metamorphosis of becoming one of the undead vampires that have invaded her home village. When they target her family, Jane must intervene and stop them. Will she succeed? Read on and find out for yourself.
This was a pretty good historical horror mash-up. If you like classical stories with a horror twist, definitely check this book out. It is available at your local library and wherever books are sold.
I got this book for $0.70 at a local bookstore in clearance. What a find! It was similar to Jane Bites Back for the storyline except it took place in JA's time. I got a good deal!
Blood Persuasion by Janet Mullany is the second in the "Immortal Jane Austen" series. This story takes place approximately thirteen years after the action in Jane and the Damned and we learn that Jane did take the water cure. For the past thirteen years she has been living quietly with her family and continuing to write.
Jane's father has died but she continues to live with her mother and sister Cassandra. Jane's niece has been sent to stay with them because of her scandalous and flirtatious behavior. What could be worse punishment that being banished to the countryside with her widowed grandmother and spinster aunts? But things in the countryside are not quite as bland as one might think, especially when two warring factions of "The Damned" move in. Vampires are no longer wholly accepted in polite society, thus the retreat to the country. Having "the Damned" as neighbors is bad enough but Jane's Creator as well as her former vampire master and lover have taken up residence nearby. Their visit coincides with several mutilations and attacks on the village. The higher class vampires are at odds with the lower class vampires termed le Sale. These lower class vampires have often been banished and hunt without regard for alliances or allegiances. Jane's creator is attempting to diplomatically stop Les Sales from their wayward behaviors. Of course Jane and her family are stuck in the middle. Jane's niece is enthralled with the leader of Les Sales, and even her own mother and sister can't seem to understand why Jane wishes to restrict their friendship to them despite her warnings. Jane must battle her inner demons as it appears she was not cured in Bath, while caught in the middle of the battle between the vampire groups. She must also deal with her attraction to her creator and his brother, as well her dormant feelings toward her former lover.
Blood Persuasion was slightly more credible for me than Jane and the Damned, but I still found it problematic. For basically thirteen years Jane has lived a quiet life free from vampirism but as soon as the vampires return to the countryside her desires for blood return. This behavioral change along with the idea that she actually pondered making one of her characters in Mansfield Park a vampire, basing the relationship of Mary and Henry Crawford loosely on that of her former lover and his sister, wasn't very believable to me. It did tie the notion of her vampirism and experiences as a vampire in with her writing but it seemed to be rather gratuitously thrown into the mix. The characters and the action in Blood Persuasion are slightly more developed and more in keeping with 19th century society, or at least what we have come to expect of 19th century society. Blood Persuasion isn't a bad read, all things considered, but it just wasn't the right fit for me.
Blood Persuasion is the second book in the Immortal Jane Austen series and is the sequel to Jane and the Damned. It picks up approximately 13 years after the events in the first book. Jane has returned to the simple and quiet life with her family; she has even resumed her writing. Another quiet summer is planned and that is when things go awry.
When I originally reviewed Jane and the Damned, I lauded it for its unique take on a well known trope. And while many of the characters introduced in the first book return in the second, sadly they do not have the same impact as they did before. Fitzwilliam (now known as Fitzpatrick) was an interesting character in the first book and in the second he is quite a bore. My real problem was with the characterization of Jane herself; more than once she came across as shrill and irritating. At one point she even berates her vampire lover Luke, screaming “I thought you loved me!” even while knowing herself that vampires are fickle and take numerous partners.
As far as the overall plot, that is something I can’t comment on simply because there really wasn’t one. There were numerous little plots, such as Jane’s niece being seduced by one of the vampires or the business with the feuding vampire families, but aside from where things took place and the characters involved there was little to tie everything together. The epilogue, while bittersweet, also left much to be desired.
Sadly, Blood Persuasion must join the list of books I simply cannot recommend. As much as I enjoyed the first book, the second one let me down. Read and enjoy the first book – Jane and the Damned – dear readers. And stay far far away from this one.
DNF. Wtf did I just read (or tried to read). I picked it up because the premise was very interesting but Jesus christ this was one of the most boring books that I've ever read. It could be a brilliant book if it wasn't so fucking boring. The characters are dull ad the plot nonexistent. I'd highy recommend you to skip this one and if you're in a mood for some Austen/vampires mash-up just read some fanfics.
As I wrote in my review of the first book, this author is hit and miss with me and I had the same reservations about this one, plus a few more. This one is less 'clean' with the language, and I was disappointed that she doesn't find a way to keep Jane 'alive' and her death being a cover story. Who ever heard of a transformed human being 'cured' of vampirism-twice! Meh.
I think I would have liked this book if I had read the first one. I downloaded this and didn't realize it was a sequel. Who wouldn't love Jane Austen as a vampire?
Jane Austen becomes a vampire?! my my... appalling. haha. The plot itself is not the best, and the characters are a trifle bit boring. But Jane herself is dynamic; spinster and an en sanglant next! The only reason I gave a 4 star is because of Jane. Luke, William, etc... the vampires themselves are boring. Jane's friend who goes to 'exchange recipes' is a lark :)
I won this novel in an odd first reads giveaway. Frustrated with having a difficult time with all giveaways, I entered for several novels I would never otherwise have considered and when I won, I was elated with joy yet dreaded having to read it. I have never been a big fan of vampire books, avoiding them whenever possible, but I figured I should start reading Jane Austen spin-offs eventually (my library is constantly having a sale featuring them). To my deepest surprise, I enjoyed this novel, and I can't wait to read the first. It took a while to get into the plot and familiarize myself with the characters and jokes obviously carried over from the first novel. The transition, sadly, was not a fluid one, but as I got into this novel, I was able to pick up the storyline without a hitch. Having only read Pride and Prejudice and having done very little study on Jane Austen herself, I cannot be sure how parallel the storyline and Jane Austen's own life were. I regret this, because this, at least, seemed very consistent with her works and my own depiction of how Jane Austen would have acted. I must say, though, that one of my very strong pet peeves found ground in this book: shifting love interests. I hated it in the Uglies series, The Dark Glamour, and many others. The transition to Luke from Raphael was flawed and hurried and I long to clear up the romantic history between the two by reading the first novel. Oh, the ending. I must say, I really wanted Jane to be happy. Perhaps she was happy and found what she most desired, but I just felt... over resolved. I almost wanted a sequel to this piece rather than an epilogue type of ending. I also longed for much, much, much more character development. I felt almost as though I barely met Anna and it felt increasingly awkward as she narrated the last chapter. Still, I loved the plot line and moral struggles. I intended to hold a giveaway for this book, but I believe I'll have to buy another copy to raffle as well as adding the prequel to my collection. I recommend this book to readers looking for a fun, paranormal read largely based on moral struggles and willing to jump into a novel with an open mind.
Exceptionally good reading, this novel of Jane Austen, her sister, Cassandra; her feisty little niece, Anna; her mother and their close friend and housekeeper, Martha, is set in the sleepy little village of Chawton. What shakes up an otherwise pleasant but routine existence for them is the new neighbors...renting Jane's brother's house. A family of vampires including Jane's creator, Fitzwilliam/Fitzpatrick, the handsome vampire who became Jane's "maker" when the French and English were battling and the help of the "Damed," those recognized as vampires, was required to win against the forces of Napoleon. Jane's worried about the safety of her family given the hunger and lack of morality of most of the vampires she knows! It's the push-pull of these gorgeous creatures, their blood lust ways and their enticings of the innocents vs. Jane's eagerness to protect and not fall back into her own vampiric ways that makes this a wonderful read. Not to mention Jane's love interests... :]
Janet Mullany's research is impeccable. But, more than that, she writes with such believability. Every scene is beautifully rendered; so much so that you can hear the china tea cups clink in Mrs. Austen's drawing room, and the see the crystal chandeliers gleam in the gothic ballroom of Fitzpatrick's house. I felt like swooning myself as she describes the dazzling vampire men. Who could resist them? I have such a weakness for dark and mysterious, dangerous men...especially vampires! Mullany knows how to create them, and she places them like gems in her Georgian vignettes. I love Jane Austen, but dress her up with a struggle over three main, gorgeous vampires of the "Damned" and I'm there for the asking every time!
Anything Mullany writes should be a must read for those who love "mash ups" of Miss Austen. In this case, the book is so entertaining, engrossing from the start, including a beloved cast of characters that all Janeites will be familiar with. It's not possible to be anything other than delighted to be reading "Jane Austen: Blood Persuasion." I loved it, and tried to read it in one sitting. Would have accomplished that, if it hadn't been for a grandson who wanted to go swimming all day!
What will it take for me to resist the temptations of the past?
Jane Austen has spent the last thirteen years trying to recover from being part of the Damned and return to a normal family life. She is writing, enjoying her mother, sister, and trying to reform a wayward niece. However, her domestic tranquility comes to a crashing halt when her creator comes back to town and wants Jane back with his family of misfit characters.
William “saved” Jane from death by making her part of the undead and Jane has done everything she can to cure herself of this disease. She still longs for the taste of blood and hungers for the adventures in the darkness but has kept herself under control all these years. Having William return as well as her former lover is making the life of this responsible unmarried woman very confusing and dangerous for her family.
Jane knows she can trust no one outside her family but to stay alive and keep everyone from destruction she also knows she must step a toe back into the society of the Damned. William tempts her with eternity and Luke with his version of love but all Jane desires is the pursuit of writing her next great novel and not have the fragile peace she has created explode.
If Jane Austen is having trouble putting all the pieces of a life together, the rest of us may never figure it out.
How does one write Jane Austen so that she is fresh and innovative, ask Janet Mullany because she has a gift for it. The most sought after character in historical romance is Jane Austen who has been discussed and dissected from every angle, sans one. She is never allowed to step outside the box and have some otherworldly experience, enter Ms. Mullany who has so seamlessly produced a book that shows what tortured Jane besides her writing.
Jane Austen: Blood Persuasion, the sequel to Jane and the Damned, follows up with Jane years after she had taken the Cure. Finally finding the time and creativity, Jane has begun writing again. Her peaceful work is short-lived however, once the vampires descend upon her village.
I love how Janet Mullany mixes facts about Jane Austen's life with vampire adventures. Both books are fun paranormal stories that do much to showcase the strength and perseverance of the real Jane Austen. In Blood Persuasion, we continue to see Jane shed the conventions of her time in order to aid others in need and keep her family safe. Against her own wants, Jane becomes once again involved with the Damned, including those of her own former vampire family.
As a respectable spinster, she fights against her rekindled attraction to Luke. Of course, it's easy enough when he seems to have switched allegiances from her creator, William, to a band of vampires who have no qualms about eating her neighbors and other villagers.
Janet Mullany continues her Immortal Jane Austen tale in a way that makes the post of the time period, vampires and Jane Austen herself. The ending is truly excellent, making the book more emotional and giving the reader some unexpected closure. Blood Persuasion wraps up Jane's life in a way that leaves very little room for a third in the series. I'm disappointed that it seems there won't be more stories about Jane Austen and her vampires, but the I absolutely loved the ending of Blood Persuasion, so I can't complain.
Jane Austen has a hell of a lot to distract her- not only is there bedlam loose in the English countryside, but there's also the war between the vampires, mortals, and the Damned(the forsaked, not the punk band). There's the sexy ex who won't let her go(he hasn't gotten over his broken heart, it just seems sexual because they're vampires), Jane's watching over her niece, who's chomping at the bit(with fangs, no less, a real challenge) to become a vampire, and general chaos- which takes Jane away from her necessary past-time, writing her novels. This is the second book in the series, and it's hysterical. I love anything that takes a classic and throws modern day undead or the like into it and makes you see classics in a whole new light. Janet Mullany has a great sense of humor, which you're privy to in the chapters, the dialogue, and the witty happenings in this book. I would and will highly recommend this to anyone who needs to laugh(which I did, and I did!). I can't wait to read her next installment.
The protagonist here is Jane Austen herself (age 35, an aged spinster), who harbors a secret: she’s not-quite-human. She used to be one of the Damned (see Jane and the Damned), but she took 'the Cure' and now she's caught midway between human and vampire. She’s busy being a respectable spinster when her vampire buddies reappear as the new tenants in her brother Edward's mansion. Their presence pulls Jane back to the dark side, which she resists less because she’s worried about her soul and more because she's worried about not being able to write (a problem when she was previously Damned). [more]
Argh! I lost the review I wrote upon finishing this!! ( don't you hate that!)
Well worth reading for the light amusement value. Like Austens books, their are some great one-liners, some great obsevations, all buried in prose that can find itself a tad monotonous and bogged down.
Sadly I haven't read the first in the series, so have to assume I have missed out on the significant "get to know your character" stage, ad there wasn't a lot of development going on in this story.
Overall, it's light and fun, probably far better if read in sequence, maybe not a reread, but certainly one I would happily reccomend and loan out.
I won a copy of Jane Austen: Blood Persuasion from a First Reads giveaway. I received my copy in the mail today!!! I can't wait to read it!! :D.
This book was an enjoyable book. It started a little slow for me, but definitely got better. I haven't read the first book in the series so i am not sure if it would have helped or not. I really love that the author Janet Mullany has made Jane Austen so kick ass. She is definitely a strong woman given her situation. I love it! This was a good read!
I won this book in a giveaway from Goodreads and it was an interesting read. My attention was easily enough grabbed, but not really at the beginning. The first chapter or two reminded me of Pride and Prejudice, but with a modern feel that was not as endearing or captivating as the earlier work. I would say that I will not read anything else by the author, I imagine that other books of hers would be unappealing due to the sensuality that was shown in this one.
I'm all for a little lighthearted fluffy reading now and then, and this fit the bill. The characters were rather predictable, and not terribly believable. I found myself shaking my head at the over-use of the term "en sanglant". I felt the best characters were under-used, and the worst over-used.
It wasn't too bad as a study break from heavy textbooks, but I wouldn't have finished reading it had it not been a gift.
I enjoyed the first book in the series, Jane and The Damned more. It had been awhile since I had finished the first book and unfortunately there was no re-cap given of the first novel (until over 200 pgs. into the book) making things rather confusing. The story seemed to move rather slow, with little action or romance until the end. As for the ending, it was bittersweet. This book is fantasy, but don't expect a fantasy ending. Expect a more Austenish ending.
Delightfully unique switch on Jane Austen. Janet draws the reader into the world of Ms.Austen and then allows you to see a side of her you thought could never exist. Even if you're an Austen purist, I think that if you enjoy something a little different with a paranormal twist, you'll enjoy JANE AUSTEN: BLOOD PERSUASION.
I've tried to read this book about four times now, and I just can't do it. I might try to pick it up again a few months down the road, but it's just not the right book for me.
Won a copy through First Reads...this wouldn't be something I would normally pick up, so I'm looking forward to trying something new!! Full review to follow:)