Jane Slayre: The Literary Classic with a Blood-Sucking Twist by Sherri Browning Erwin

Aug 17, 2012 Misfit marked it as will-never-read

Shelves: monster-mash

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Dec 24, 2012 Book Chick City rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: horror, all-hallows-eve-2010

Reviewed by Laura for Book Chick City.

It's no secret that I have a love of the classics. The Brontës reaching the top of my favourites list. In fact, I did my final project for my English Degree on the novels of the three Brontë sisters.

I've seen the trend for horror rewrites in my local bookshop and I've warily avoided them. Odd seeing as I love classics, romance and horror alike, it should have been a great mashing of worlds for me.

So it was with a certain amount of trepidation that I picked u...more

3 likes · like · see review

May 03, 2011 OpenBookSociety.com rated it 5 of 5 stars

Review brought to you by OBS staff member Angie

Jane Slayer is a sweet and wonderful love story of a woman who finds herself falling in love with a man not her equal in societal status. She can’t believe he would ever be able to return her feelings. And just when she thinks that all is as it should be, fate takes him away from her. Jane must decide if she is going to follow the path that fate has chosen for her, of if she’ll defy her roots and take what she wants.

Jane Slayer is an orphaned infant...more Review brought to you by OBS staff member Angie

Jane Slayer is a sweet and wonderful love story of a woman who finds herself falling in love with a man not her equal in societal status. She can’t believe he would ever be able to return her feelings. And just when she thinks that all is as it should be, fate takes him away from her. Jane must decide if she is going to follow the path that fate has chosen for her, of if she’ll defy her roots and take what she wants.

Jane Slayer is an orphaned infant taken in by her uncle, Mr. Reed. He is attacked on his way home with her and finds himself a vampyre. His wife is unable to stand the thought of ever growing old and not having her husband by her side so she begs him to turn her. He obliges her and soon after, their three children are turned, as well.

After his untimely final death, Mrs. Reed is sworn to keep the girl, Jane, and raise her as one of her own. But of course she doesn’t. Jane is never given the same luxuries as her cousins, and they will not turn her nor eat her as she is considered a “commoner” and Mrs. Reed abhors commoners. Jane is sent away to a boarding school at age 9 where she learns that vampyres are not the only monsters in existence. It is at this boarding school that she is taught the ways of a slayer and that she has an uncanny ability in this activity.

Throughout this book we find Jane discovering her talents and herself. Nearly everyone she has ever had to rely on has left her or betrayed her in one way or another. Thus, she’s become a strong woman both in body and in mind. The fact that she uses her intellect more than her brawn, though, shows us that often times we overlook and underestimate that which seems weak on the surface.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and found the language to be very authentic of the 19th century; the cadence, the vocabulary, the formality. Erwin did a phenomenal job. It was beautifully written and I was brought to tears on more than one occasion. It was not over-seasoned with the current spicy trend of vampires, werewolves and zombies, but instead served just the perfect amount of zest to spark the supernatural senses without overwhelming.
(less)

1 like · like · see review

Apr 26, 2011 Aaron rated it 4 of 5 stars

There can be no question that for some high school students the idea of being forced to read Jane Eyre sends shivers down their spine. Erwin has created this new entry into the classic/paranormal mashup with one of the Victorian Era's most popular tales, and she does it well. For those less than familiar with the tale from the original novel, Jane is an orphan girl who grows up with the Reeds, an aunt and cousins. It turns out to be a horrible experience as her cousin John picks on her incessant...more There can be no question that for some high school students the idea of being forced to read Jane Eyre sends shivers down their spine. Erwin has created this new entry into the classic/paranormal mashup with one of the Victorian Era's most popular tales, and she does it well. For those less than familiar with the tale from the original novel, Jane is an orphan girl who grows up with the Reeds, an aunt and cousins. It turns out to be a horrible experience as her cousin John picks on her incessantly and her punishments include being locked up in the room in which her uncle died.

Some would think it would have been a boon to escape when she is sent to the Lowood Institute, a religious boarding school. While there, she gets all the elements of a formal education that privileged girls of the age would. This makes her a prime selection to become a governess when she turns 16.

She gains employment as such at Thornfield, a grand estate owned by the mysterious Mr. Rochester. Her student is his war Adele Varens. While Rochester is distant and aloof, he and Jane quickly find that they enjoy each other's company. They come to trust and even love each other even as rumors in the community indicate secrets surrounding Rochester. The truth is, he is holding his crazy wife upstairs. The rest of the novel goes forward in the usual romantic form.

In Erwin's presentation, the Reeds are vampires, making her childhood tortures even more extreme; the Lowood student body is made up of zombies, and Rochester's wife Bertha is a werewolf. As with previous examples of this genre of literature, the author has attempted to make use of as much of the original content and text as possible, weaving in the paranormal elements to add flare to the tale. While this does create fun for those of us who love the paranormal, it does mean the reader is confronted with the same dry, word writing style that so many kids dread while reading these works in school. That will by no means put everyone off, but I would never claim that these mashups are an easy way to get introduced to the classics.

I was probably one of those rare guys who actually liked reading Jane Eyre in school, despite the fact that my teacher seemed to want to make it as boring as possible with daily quizzes on our reading. I do think the melding of the tale was well done, and Erwin does capture Bronte's original tone and feel quite well. I always wonder if true fans of these books/authors will be insulted by what has been done to the classics.

I did enjoy it, but I don't think it is for everyone.(less)

like · see review

Apr 04, 2011 Särah Nour rated it 2 of 5 stars

I must confess, I have often done Google searches to look for T-shirts that say “Team Bronte” and “Team Austen.” I’ve been a fan of Charlotte Bronte since I read Jane Eyre in high school. I immediately fell in love with the book and became quite the Bronte enthusiast. On the other hand, Jane Austen and I have never really clicked, and I was very amused when I read that Charlotte was actually one of Jane Austen’s biggest critics back in the day—hence my desire to declare my membership of Team Bro...more I must confess, I have often done Google searches to look for T-shirts that say “Team Bronte” and “Team Austen.” I’ve been a fan of Charlotte Bronte since I read Jane Eyre in high school. I immediately fell in love with the book and became quite the Bronte enthusiast. On the other hand, Jane Austen and I have never really clicked, and I was very amused when I read that Charlotte was actually one of Jane Austen’s biggest critics back in the day—hence my desire to declare my membership of Team Bronte.

However, this has not turned me away from the relatively recent slew of fantasy rewrites that have made their way to the shelves, such as Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters. I admit I would probably enjoy those more than Jane Austen’s originals. So you can probably imagine my excitement when I came across a copy of Jane Slayre, written by Sherry Browning Irwin, in a London bookstore. The cover, which depicted a famous portrait of Charlotte Bronte, only with a stake in her hand and blood spattered on her arm, immediately drew me in. My beloved Jane Eyre as a vampire slayer? How awesome would that be?

The best I can say about Jane Slayre is that it’s a fun, action-packed read. But I would advise fans of the original not to set their standards too high.

The transformation of Jane Eyre into a fantasy adventure is quite well done in many ways. In the original, Jane is abused by her cruel aunt and cousins and disregarded by the servants. In this one, her relatives are vampires, and one of the servants is later revealed to be a zombie. The corrupt headmaster of Jane’s school, Mr. Brockelhurst, becomes Mr. Bokorhurst—a bokor being a voodoo priest. Jane springs into action when he finds out her classmates are being turned into zombies. This portion of the book is by far the most entertaining, as Jane learns the art of swordplay from her teacher, Miss Temple, and goes on a zombie-beheading spree.

I interpreted this whole zombie angle to be metaphorical. The original book portrays Jane as a spirited, outspoken girl whom the adults in her life try to tame into a subservient drone—a zombie of sorts. Similarly, the school she attends really cracks the whip down on students, so to speak, so that they do what they’re told without question—essentially turning them into “zombies.” Whether this was Irwin’s intention or not, I found this to be an effective use of allegory.

However, once Jane leaves the zombie-ridden school and goes to work for Mr. Rochester, her love interest, the book goes downhill.

Charlotte Bronte took her sweet time developing Jane and Mr. Rochester both individually and as a couple. She gave her readers the time to know them and care enough to root for them to end up together. But Irwin here has other factors in play—the vampires, the zombies, the werewolf in the attic—so the rapport between the characters takes a back seat in favor of the fantasy elements. Irwin just wants to get back to the “good stuff”—vampire-slaying and whatnot—and does so by rushing through the relationship of Jane and Rochester, changing their characters in the process. At this point, the book becomes plot-driven instead of character-driven. Proud, steadfast Jane deteriorates into a weepy, lovesick teenager, while Rochester’s Byronic hero qualities are toned down to make him more like a white knight and less like Bronte’s complex antihero.

Furthermore, being familiar with Jane Eyre, I found that some portions of Jane Slayre were copied, word-for-word, from the original novel. Every now and then, amid demon-slaying ventures and metaphorical dream sequences, a phrase or an entire paragraph directly pulled from Jane Eyre would jump out at me, and it felt out of place. The formal 19th-century dialect of Bronte’s literary voice disrupted the rather whimsical fantasy element. In other words, Irwin and Bronte’s writing styles don’t quite mesh.

Jane Slayre is an overall entertaining read. Despite the botched characterization and inconsistent writing style, this book does deliver its share of fun. I’m sure there are diehard fans of the original out there who would want to stake themselves after reading what they perceive as a bastardization of a classic; but if you can come out of it unscathed, I would recommend this for a light read.

Read this and other reviews at my blog: http://zeitgeist-sacha1689.blogspot.com/(less)

5 likes · like · see review

Aug 27, 2010 Jenny rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Apr 23, 2010 Chelleyreads (Michelle&Leslie's Book Picks) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Leslie's Review:
Before I begin my review, let me first say that I don't read the English classics. They bore me and I have a hard time with the language as it's not something I'm used to. However, after reading this book I really, really want to read the original Jane Eyre. Also, this was my first "twisted classic" book and I didn't know what to expect when I first began. Anyway, to sum this book up: Jane Eyre + paranormal creatures = Jane Slayre. And wow, this book was really good!

Jane was awes...more

3 likes · like · see review

Apr 17, 2010 Cinnamon rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review

First thing’s first. If you are a Charlotte Brontë purist, you may not like or appreciate JANE SLAYRE by Charlotte Brontë and Sherri Browning Erwin. This story is similar to the original in the way 10 Things I Hate About You was similar to Taming of the Shrew; close enough to recognize the story, but that's about it. If you've ever read and liked these kind of adaptations before, I'm fairly certain you'll love this book. If you would rather keep Ms. Brontë's the story the way it is in your mind...more First thing’s first. If you are a Charlotte Brontë purist, you may not like or appreciate JANE SLAYRE by Charlotte Brontë and Sherri Browning Erwin. This story is similar to the original in the way 10 Things I Hate About You was similar to Taming of the Shrew; close enough to recognize the story, but that's about it. If you've ever read and liked these kind of adaptations before, I'm fairly certain you'll love this book. If you would rather keep Ms. Brontë's the story the way it is in your mind and don't want to experiment, don't read it.

That being said, I highly recommend this book. Full of the paranormal, this is like crack for those of us who love the classics but just can't seem to get enough dark and creepy in our books. From the first page you'll get hooked as we meet Jane Slayre and learn a little bit about the family she is living with. While her cousins weren't my favorite children in the original, they are hilarious in this adaptation. Hilarious, but certainly not nice. You see, Jane has the unfortunate circumstance of living with a bunch of vampires. Not really something that to stick on a resume or use to boost one's social status.

Like any good heroine in a paranormal story, Jane quickly learns that there is more to her history than she knew. She is a slayer, destined to hunt down creepy blood-suckers and end their miserable existence. All while wearing a dress and bonnet mind you. Can't have a girl's hair go frizzy, now can we.

Probably the best aspect of this story was the hilarity of the situation. I haven't read a whole lot of these adaptations, so the whole idea is still pretty fresh and new to me. I just loved that I could revisit a favorite story of mine with a brand new twist thrown in. Combine that with the fact that one of my favorite romances now has an edge of suspense to it and you've got one heck of a book.

Did I mention there are werewolves in JANE SLAYRE?

Oh yes, there are! Zombies, vampires, werewolves...a paranormal girl's dream come true!

Will Jane end up with Mr. Rochester? Will Mr. Rochester eat Jane? You'll have to read to find out!

Yep. Loved it. Definitely recommend it. Even if this didn't have the original classic to cling on to and use for publicity, this would still be a great book. It can easily stand on its own against any paranormal out there right now. Well, that's my opinion anyway.

What do you think Charlotte Brontë would say? I would hope she'd have a sense of humor and get a good giggle out of this story. I know I did.(less)

3 likes · like · see review

Apr 15, 2010 Cheryl rated it 4 of 5 stars

Jane Slayre has just obtained a job as the new governess to Mr. Rochester’s daughter, Adele. Once Jane arrives, she realizes that it might have been a mistake to agree to be the new governess. There is something strange about Mr. Rochester. Most of the time he hides behind closed doors. Though, whenever Jane does get to spend time with Mr. Rochester, she feels a connection with him.

Mr. Rochester is not the only person, Jane has to worry about. His former wife is locked up in the attic. She is a...more

4 likes · like · see review

Oct 04, 2012 Heather Boustead rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: action-adventure, audiobook, fantasy, drama, horror, paranormal, romance

Jane Slayre:
The Literary Classic with a Blood-Sucking Twist
By Sherri Browning Erwin and Charlotte Bronte

Jane Slayre was orphaned by vampires shortly after she was born, when her uncle came to retrieve her he was attacked and turned into a vampire on the way home, though he was able to protect the infant from the blood thirsty fiends. This is how Jane Slayre found herself living in a home full of vampires, after her cousin attacks her leaving her bitten and almost completely drained of blood sh...more

like · see review

Aug 08, 2010 Beth N rated it 4 of 5 stars

After reading this book I found a whole new respect and perspective on Jane Eyre. I read the original work in high school for Advanced Placement Literature for a summer reading assignment. [Yes, I actually did the assignment. Sue me, I like to read!:] When I first read Jane Eyre it was a chore and I was fearful this book would be the same, and boy! I have never been so glad to be wrong! This book gives this classic work a fresh light and a chance at meeting a whole new audience. Jane Eyre as a c...more After reading this book I found a whole new respect and perspective on Jane Eyre. I read the original work in high school for Advanced Placement Literature for a summer reading assignment. [Yes, I actually did the assignment. Sue me, I like to read!:] When I first read Jane Eyre it was a chore and I was fearful this book would be the same, and boy! I have never been so glad to be wrong! This book gives this classic work a fresh light and a chance at meeting a whole new audience. Jane Eyre as a character was irritatingly passive aggressive and didn't seem to have much direction at all. Jane Slayre on the other hand while she did go with the flow and had her passive aggressive moments, she also was exciting and dynamic.

As far as how the new additions changed the story, I found it wasn't drastic! It was entirely believable (with some exceptions) and just brought the conflicts into a more dramatic light. For instance, we can show the differences between Jekyll and Hyde by changing their voices but throw on a costume and change the body language and its a whole other animal. Jane Slayre did this for Jane Eyre. The addition of classical ideas of zombies, vampires, and werewolves just enhanced the previously monstrous characters (pun intended).

The central love story was pretty much the same as the original story with one twist at the end. You will have to read it to the end to get it. (No skipping ahead!) As far as the Misters Rochester, I still find him annoying! I am all for a heroine saving herself and proving her worth but come on! Man, be a man! How hard is it to tell the truth!

::SPOILER:: If you have not read the original work or this book do not proceed.
I technically, never had a crazy significant other but I know I wouldn't have treated Jane or Mrs. Rochester like that. The thing that always bugged me is that she goes back! I understand she loves him (and my reaction maybe because I am of this time) but MOVE ON! He has proven himself to be a coward and a liar (by omission).
::END SPOILER::

Now on to the things I wasn't overly thrilled with. Jane Slayre as a character is a little too modern for the time period in which she is supposed to be in. Which in most cases with this book is a good thing because it breathes new life into the story, however somethings could not be over looked. Some of the language was way to modern especially in regard to her time with the Rivers' family. It was a little glaring and more reminiscent of something Buffy would say, such as "stake-o-matic". That was definitely not a statement I expected from this time period. As far as Jane Slayre's character I liked her much better than Jane Eyre. Jane Slayre was far more assertive in herself than Jane Eyre was. Jane Eyre also managed to remind me of a thirteen-year-old girl crushing on a much older man. Jane Slayre for the most part was slightly better.

Personally, I think this book is a fantastic book! I think this should be on the reading list for schools because it gets the same points across, and a sense of the times (yes, the language for the most part does stick to the time period) but would probably not instill the same dread that the original work has come to. This is not to say the original work is anything short of a masterpiece (and it is) but this book would be a great start for readers whom consider the classics dreadful and hard work instead of enjoyable. So basically I consider this new genre (classics with a twist) to be like a gateway ~~drug~~ that can lead to life long ~~addiction to~~ enjoyment of reading and classics. I give this book an easy four.

For more reviews see: FlyingOffTheShelves.blogspot.com(less)

like · see review

May 18, 2010 Jessraquel rated it 4 of 5 stars

First off, this book was right up my alley. Some of you may be familiar with the books that have come out that are mythical spins on literary classics, like Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies. This is one of those books. Jane Slayre is basically Jane Eyre with some supernatural twists.

As I stated before, this book was totally me. As some as you may already know (or are about to find out), I love the supernatural, especially vampires. My obsession started with Buffy (the show, not the crappy movie), f...more First off, this book was right up my alley. Some of you may be familiar with the books that have come out that are mythical spins on literary classics, like Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies. This is one of those books. Jane Slayre is basically Jane Eyre with some supernatural twists.

As I stated before, this book was totally me. As some as you may already know (or are about to find out), I love the supernatural, especially vampires. My obsession started with Buffy (the show, not the crappy movie), followed by True Blood which took me awhile to see. Then Twilight and believe me, I dragged my heels and kicked and screamed the whole way there before I got sucked in.

A brief summary as described on the back cover. "Jane Slayre, our plucky demon-slaying heroine, a courageous orphan who spurns the detestable vampyre kin who raised her, sets out on the advice of her ghostly uncle to hone her skills as the fearless slayer she's meant to be. When she takes a job as a governess at a country estate, she falls head over heels for her new master, Mr. Rochester only to discover he's hiding a secret." I'm not going to reveal what the secret is even though it's said on the back cover. I think it's better not to know and I don't want to give away the original story either.

I really enjoyed this book, it was one of those books that you just want to keep reading. I'm a fan of the original Jane Eyre but of course this version was much easier to get through. Basically if you want to understand the basic story, just read this and cut out all the vampires and mythical shenanigans. I kind of like this version better though because Jane Slayre comes off as much more a heroine then her Jane Eyre counterpart. She is, obviously, way more kickass. Plus she fights vampires and zombies, what's not to love about that? The only thing that I didn't like about it is that the little twists were pretty predictable, I was always able to tell what was coming.

All in all, I loved Jane Slayre. It keeps as close as possible to the original story without having to change too much to include all the supernatural stuff. Now I know I'm going to have to look into Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter.

I give Jane Slayre by Charlotte Bronte & Sherri Browning Erwin 4 Stars(less)

like · see review

Jan 09, 2012 Miklos Hargitay rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am usually weary of adaptations or remakes of novels, especially those recently concerned with the hybridization of victorian period pieces and monsters. This was case in point with Pride & Prejudice & Zombies, an awful example of the author copy and pasting paragraphs involving zombies at random parts of Pride & Prejudice. Such was not the case with Jane Slayre. Jane Eyre was in itself not terribly interesting (I gave it two of five stars) but Jane Slayre managed to take the novel...more

like · see review

Jan 13, 2012 Mia Darien rated it 2 of 5 stars

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but that doesn't always mean that it works.

This was my first classic and horror "mash-up" that wasn't from Quirk Classics, and now I'm regretting it. What I loved so much about "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" as well as "Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters" was that it took the whole of Austen's text and just added fun absurd things to it, only altering the original as necessary to fit the crazy additions.

Not so with "Jane Slayre," I'm afraid. I...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 10, 2011 Jen3n rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: horror, humor

Like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies or other recent books of this genre, this book takes a 19th century novel and inserts a slightly snide subplot of supernatural shennanigans into the story. It's a cute device that, depending on how it's handled, causes me to either hoot with laughter or feel vagely offened.

This time around, author Sherri Browning Erwin avoids both the sneering condecention AND the laughs and gives us a third option: paranorml romance. This book reads, entertainingly enough, l...more

like · see review

Apr 19, 2010 Theresa rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Teens through adult

Shelves: classics, favorites, fiction, horror, humor, review-copy, romance, suspense

I adore reading "The Classics" with a paranormal twist. I find them refreshing and fun. Jane Slayre, unlike those done by the Quirk Classics, has a more serious tone to it, and took these books to a totally different level for me. To say I loved this book, would be a gross understatement!

Sherri Browning Erwin took Jane Eyre and made it "hers". The incorporation of vampires and other paranormal creatures, was flawless and brilliantly done. Had I not known about Jane Eyre, I would have sworn that...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 28, 2011 Brooke Kuehn added it

** this review was a required assignment for our EL 309 Lit class
Jane Slayre is a bloody yet somewhat comical remix of Charlotte Bronte’s classic, Jane Eyre. This style of adding horror to a classic coincides with other popular remixes such as Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters. Some critics of remixing believe one day in the future this “fad” will be laughed at, while others say remixes are not original. To say a remix is not original is to say no writ...more ** this review was a required assignment for our EL 309 Lit class
Jane Slayre is a bloody yet somewhat comical remix of Charlotte Bronte’s classic, Jane Eyre. This style of adding horror to a classic coincides with other popular remixes such as Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters. Some critics of remixing believe one day in the future this “fad” will be laughed at, while others say remixes are not original. To say a remix is not original is to say no writing is original. All writing is based on the author’s experiences. One cannot write what one does not know, and to know, one must have experienced.
Jane Slayre is the story of an orphaned girl who is living with the Reed family, a family of vampyres. She is despised by the family, yet only kept alive because the Reeds refuse to drink the blood of such a low-class girl. However, Jane’s purpose is revealed to her when her deceased uncle tells her she is from a line of slayers and that is to be her vocation. After being sent away to school, Jane unexpectedly has to brandish her skills as a slayer to save her classmates from an outrageous outbreak of zombies.
The next chapter of Jane’s life revolves around her newest career endeavor as a governess. Jane begins to fall in love with the master of the household, Mr. Rochester; however, it soon becomes apparent Jane is not the only one in the house carrying paranormal secrets. As Jane and Rochester fall in love, Jane also falls deeper and deeper into a tangle of violence and mystery. Sherri Browning Erwin adds zombies, vampyres, and werewolves to a timeless classic creating a twist of both horror and comedy in a romantic nineteenth century novel.
While some remixes branch farther away from the original text, Jane Slayre oftentimes cites quotes from Bronte’s original work. However, in staying close to the text, the novel establishes its uniqueness. By adding guts and gore to the romantic drama of Jane Eyre, Jane Slayre becomes a complicated remix that can be categorized in several genres, thus targeting a variety of readers. However, although the novel has its own uniqueness and originality, the book can be a bit repetitive to read shortly after reading Jane Eyre. One may become bored reading the same passages so quickly after finishing the original text.
Although one can thoroughly enjoy this remix without having read Jane Eyre, I would recommend reading the classic version first. The idea of a little girl slaying zombies and vampyres is quite comical in itself; however, imagining Bronte’s Jane Eyre becoming a monster slayer is even more hilarious. In creating a nineteenth century character who slays monsters, the audience may lose the rich history that is provided in Jane Eyre. Jane Eyre’s character seems to stay more true to the time period than that of Jane Slayre. Jane Slayre is told her purpose as a child; therefore, her growth as a person is far different than that of Jane Eyre. Jane Slayre is an entertaining read; however, it is not to be mistaken as a replacement for the original text of Jane Eyre. Jane Slayre may have both comedy and horror; however, with these additions it loses the essence of a true nineteenth century character trying to find happiness in a doubting world.
(less)

like · see review

Aug 06, 2012 Terra Harmony rated it 4 of 5 stars

This one took me by surprise! Before I begin my review, please know that I never read Jane Eyre. I was given this book by someone in my writer's group who picked it up for $2 in the bargain bin. My initial fascination with a vampire spin on a classic tale was originally brought on by Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, which I have yet to read.

I was skeptical at first because I don't do well with an older style of writing. I think the author of this one successfully 'modernized' the writing style s...more

like · see review

Oct 07, 2010 Brooke rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

We read this book for our "October/Halloween" Book Club Choice. Even though "Jane Eyre" was my mom's favorite book growing up, I had never read it. (My favorite book growing up was "Anne of Green Gables", and do you think I can get Hayliann to read that? NO!)

Anyway, it was a delightful twist on the Jane Eyre story. While reading it, I was partially distressed that the "Vampyre" and Zombie sections of the story didn't seem to flow with the rest of it. It was only AFTER finishing the book, that I...more

like · see review

Apr 13, 2010 Meghan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: aa11reqrec

Jane Slayre is an extremely fun read and the perfect example of how the new classic mash-up genre can be done well. Browning Erwin weaves vampires, werewolves, and zombies into Jane Eyre deftly and without losing the essence of the story itself. For the well-read vampire nut.

1 like · like · see review

Apr 13, 2010 Melissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë has to be one of my all time favorites classic books. So, I was excited to learn that someone took that book and made a paranormal out of it. Sherri Browning Erwin has made what I believe as a successful adaptation of the Jane Eyre. I enjoyed this book a lot.

I can also see why some people may not like it. The purists who hate to have a classic “messed” with might not have the same fun that I had with this book. The main story of Jane was altered a bit and not just...more

like · see review

Apr 15, 2010 Christina (Reading Extensively) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, read2010, romance

I love Jane Eyre. It is one of my favorite classics so I approached this book with some reserve, especially since I did not like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and was unable to finish that particular classic mashup. There is a huge difference between Jane Slayre and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies however. It is obvious from the first page that the author has much respect for the original work. The addition of vampyres, werewolves, and zombies is cleverly and rather tastefully done. Most of th...more I love Jane Eyre. It is one of my favorite classics so I approached this book with some reserve, especially since I did not like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and was unable to finish that particular classic mashup. There is a huge difference between Jane Slayre and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies however. It is obvious from the first page that the author has much respect for the original work. The addition of vampyres, werewolves, and zombies is cleverly and rather tastefully done. Most of the book retains the feel of Jane Eyre so I felt like I was rereading the original much of the time. Jane Eyre is a grave book and does not have much humor in it but I found the humor sprinkled throughout Jane Slayre to be refreshing in instances like Jane wondering if perhaps Blanche Ingram is a vampyre. The main characters retain their essence and much of the dialogue is the same so I was able to enjoy the interactions between Jane and Mr. Rochester. In the original, Bertha Mason is merely mad. Here she is also a werewolf, which explains further Mr. Rochester's treatment of her and her strange behavior. I loved that the Reeds were vampyres. I thought they were horrible people in the original so I thought this suited them perfectly.

There were some things that I did not enjoy-particularly the zombies at Lowood and the treatment of Helen Burns. In the original, Helen is a close friend of Jane and very important to her. In Jane Slayre, I didn't feel that Jane was as close to Helen and I didn't like Helen's fate in the novel. Most of the time however, I was able to enjoy the changes to the story but there were a few times that I did want to go pick up Jane Eyre instead. My favorite parts of the novel were at Thornfield Hall and I thought the author did a fantastic job with it, particularly Jane and Rochester's relationship.

Overall I thought this was a tastefully and respectfully written mashup with some great humorous moments mixed in with a good story. I love Jane Eyre but I enjoyed Jane Slayre as well and it made me want to reread the original Bronte novel. There have been a number of mashup novels since the publication of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies but this one would be a cut above the rest. I would recommend this to fans of that new genre as well as to those who enjoy satirical writing. Be sure to check out the reader's guide in the back as well. The discussion questions will have you howling! If the idea of messing with the story of Jane Eyre sounds sacrilegious to you, you may want to skip Jane Slayre but I think it is an excellent retelling which might inspire new fans to seek out the classic.
(less)

like · see review

Dec 02, 2010 Tina rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Those who love horror and Victorian novels

This was an absolutely hilarious adaptation/modification of Jane Eyre. This was way better than Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (the one that started all these macabre versions of classics?), because all the original text was included, but with either slight modifications or additions - it was a seamless blend of old and new, whereas P&P&Z omitted a lot and changed the rest. Slayre was still romantic and I did feel as if I were still reading a Victorian domestic fiction. The vampires, zo...more

1 like · like · see review

May 18, 2011 Penny Watson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Jane Slayre by Sherri Erwin and Charlotte Brontë

First, let me say that attempting to do a mash-up of a well-beloved classic takes a ton of guts. Blood and guts and green goo, too. It is a huge undertaking for several reasons. One, folks don't like authors messing with their favorite classic books. Two, seamlessly blending the old text with new text is quite a challenge. Not only does the author need to adopt a new "voice" (that of Charlotte Brontë), but the new material must be incorporated into...more Jane Slayre by Sherri Erwin and Charlotte Brontë

First, let me say that attempting to do a mash-up of a well-beloved classic takes a ton of guts. Blood and guts and green goo, too. It is a huge undertaking for several reasons. One, folks don't like authors messing with their favorite classic books. Two, seamlessly blending the old text with new text is quite a challenge. Not only does the author need to adopt a new "voice" (that of Charlotte Brontë), but the new material must be incorporated into the classic manuscript in a flowing, non-jarring way. Three, you know damned well that folks will be comparing your book to the classic, which must be intimidating in the extreme. Finally, you have to "make it work" in the immortal words of Tim Gunn. Which is to say, mix horror with historical romance, and make it entertaining, clever, and satisfying.

Having just read the original Jane Eyre for the first time, I was really looking forward to seeing a new twist on the classic. Jane Eyre charmed the pants off me....I loved the romance, I loved the melodrama, and I adored the heroine. I also love quirky unexpected twists in my reading material--taking a children's fairy tale and turning it into a BDSM erotica, creating a book that mixes historical romance with steampunk paranormal comedy (Soulless by Gail Carriger), sexing up the Santa Claus myth (my own book, Sweet Inspiration). So, mixing horror (zombies, vampires and werewolves) into a classic piece of literature seemed like a heavenly proposition to me. Shaun of the Dead is one of my all-time favorite movies. Horror and comedy go together like chocolate and peanut butter, like Sonny and Cher, like Dean Martin and a martini. It's a fabulous combination!

So, did it work? Well, Erwin made a few improvements on the original in my estimation. The pacing is much faster in her book and the story flows better. The incredibly long-winded bits of narrative and dialogue (especially from Rocky McRochester) in the original were at times painful to slog through. Although you get used to it. But for modern readers, we're not really used to that sort of pacing. Erwin's mash-up still manages to keep the "flavor" of the original (with the lush description and heart-felt dialogue) but moves it along at a brisker pace.

Also, let's face it. The original Jane Eyre is not a funny book. Jane's journey is emotionally draining and painful, but wonderfully romantic at the end (just like a good romance should be!). It could have used a bit of comedic relief, which Erwin provides in a most hilarious way. Jane doling out round-house kicks to vampires, lopping off zombie heads and getting sprayed with green goo, and sharpening her wooden stakes, are all wonderful additions to the original story.

I must admit that part of the "magic" of the original book was lost in this version. But two things made it a big winner in my opinion. One is that Erwin kept the ending intact (the HEA)....with a paranormal twist of course. (Poor Rocky McRochester has a bit of furry werewolf-y problem which Jane takes care of). The ending of this story is just as fabulous and satisfying as the original. The most excellent change to the original is how Erwin has transformed Jane into a butt-kicking monster-slayer. It was truly difficult to read about how powerless Jane is at the beginning of Jane Eyre...being abused by the Reeds, Brocklehurst, etc. In Erwin's version, it doesn't take long for her slaying tendencies to kick in, and it empowers her, and the reader, in a fantastic and oh-so-satisfying way.

There were a few things that bothered me. One was having Helen turn into a zombie...I saw that one coming, but since Helen's death was one of the most touching and emotional moments of the original book, I didn't think it was the best place for a comedic reference. Also, some of the best bits in this book are the funny lines....and there just weren't enough of them. There is a time and place for restraint, and a zombified version of Jane Eyre is not one of them! Erwin has a great sense of humor, and I would have liked to see it slip off its leash a bit more. Also, it occurred to me that some juicier love scenes would have been fun. I think Erwin could have taken a few more liberties with the original text, and pushed it a bit more over the top.

All in all, I found this book to be a fun and entertaining twist on the classic Jane Eyre. If any heroine was ever meant to be a butt-kicking vampire slayer, it is certainly intrepid Jane. I am now inspired to read Pride and Prejudice and all the kooky new versions of that book, too!

Grade: B+

Happy Days,
Penelope(less)

like · see review

Apr 15, 2010 Gaby rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-romance, fantasy, thriller

I admit that although I've watched Jane Eyre on Masterpiece Theater, I haven't yet read the book in full. This may sound odd, but after reading this offshoot of the classic novel, I'd like to read the original Jane Eyre.

With the vampyres, werewolves, and zombies, Jane Slayre is a playful adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's classic novel. Whether she's battling vampyres, zombies, or her growing attachment to Mr. Rochester, Jane Slayre is plucky, earnest, and endearing. I enjoyed the vampyre slayer a...more

like · see review

Sep 05, 2010 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: literature-fiction, mystery-suspense, horror, steampunk

I read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë in College for an English Course. At that time we were asked to evaluate Jane's character from the perspective that she was, perhaps, histrionic and much of the suspense in the story was derived from her imagination rather than from truth. I believe that having dissected Jane Eyre years ago from this perspective helped me to truly enjoy this version of Jane "Slayer", a strong and determined woman in her own right who resides in a world replete with real, not...more

like · see review

Oct 27, 2012 Melbourne on my mind rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, retellings, paranormal, mashups

Plot summary: Jane Eyre, but with vampires, zombies, ghosts and werewolves. The Reeds are vampires, Mr Brocklehurst is turning Lowood girls into zombies, and Bertha Rochester is a werewolf. Yeah...

Thoughts: I wanted to like this, I really did. I LOVED Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, the book that started the whole mash-up craze. But I think this took it all one step too far. There were too many different kinds of monsters, and despite having very little training, Jane can miraculously pick up a...more

like · see review

Nov 01, 2012 Chrystie rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was another one of those "insert monster into beloved classic literature" books. It wasn't as well done as some others I have read, but I enjoyed reading it (especially at Halloween). It started out well, with Jane growing up with her relatives that in this version, weren't only disapproving and cruel, but also blood sucking vampires as well. She then moved on to Lowood school, which was also fun. In this version, not only did dozens of girls at the school there perish from sickness and poo...more

like · see review

Sep 29, 2010 Mary Ann rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Oct 08, 2012 Amanda Allen rated it 4 of 5 stars

I've always been a little more Team Bronte than Team Austen (I know - gasp!, right?). As much as I love Elizabeth Bennett, I think I prefer Jane Eyre. She's just a little darker. I've always thought that "Jane Eyre" was a spooky story on its own, and this version, which adds vampires, zombies, and werewolves into the mix, is a fun diversion. I love that Erwin stuck to the original story and just added some hilarious plot twists - like Helen Burns coming back as a zombie, Crazy Bertha not only be...more

like · see review

title link	preview: Jane Slayre: The Literary Classic with a Blood-Sucking Twist
avg rating	preview: Jane Slayre: The Literary Classic with a Blood-Sucking Twist Goodreads rating: 3.70 (2048 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7430962-jane-slayre?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1269829418l/7430962.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7430962-jane-slayre?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Jane Slayre: The Literary Classic with a Blood-Sucking Twist by Sherri Browning Erwin[/url]

Jane Slayre: The Literary Classic with a Blood-Sucking Twist

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (14)

Videos About This Book

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Sherri Browning Erwin

Books by Sherri Browning Erwin

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Jane Slayre: The ...