After two hundred years undead, Jane Austen still has bite. But will her most recent literary success be her last?
Life was a... read full description
Life was a... read full description
reviews
Jun 17, 2011
CoffeeTimeRomance
rated it: 
This tongue-in-cheek, satiric tale is packed with literary and film references which, after a while, just seem to exhaust my tolerance of and appreciation for snarky humor. I feel that some of the slapstick comedy is overdone, too, especially the ongoing twin mix-ups. Until this book, I never realized that croquet is such a dull game. All-in-all, I found it to be an okay to good read that, at times is quite funny. There are also several unexpected moments of brilliance tucked away that surprised
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Apr 18, 2011
JM
rated it: 
The premise of Jane Austen, a two-hundred year undead author among the modern world is intriguing, but adding the fact she is a vampire, quite inept with her powers, is hilarious. Her former lover, Lord Byron, tries to teach her the ways of a vampire, but Jane is a bumbling and reluctant student. Their dialogue and interaction made me laugh out loud.
Using the name Jane Fairfax, she runs a bookstore and writes romance novels. In love with a mortal, Walter, Jane struggles with the choice of More...
Using the name Jane Fairfax, she runs a bookstore and writes romance novels. In love with a mortal, Walter, Jane struggles with the choice of More...
Mar 05, 2011
Rob
rated it:
You know...I really didn't want to like this series. The first book was bought for me as a gift by someone who knows that I need to read everything that is even affiliated with Jane Austen in the slightest bit, and I grimaced when I saw it. I was expecting it to be absolute crap.
Surprisingly, Jane Bites Back turned out to be one of the most fun books I've ever read, and Jane Goes Batty is equally good. This book somehow manages to make light of the Jane Austen craze and how every More...
Surprisingly, Jane Bites Back turned out to be one of the most fun books I've ever read, and Jane Goes Batty is equally good. This book somehow manages to make light of the Jane Austen craze and how every More...
Mar 03, 2011
Rosalia
rated it:
Jane has a lot going on right now. Her book is being turned into a movie in her very own town. She's got a new editor that hates her. Walter's mother is visiting and it turns out she knows more then meets the eye. Add to this the usual worries about "our gloomy friend," a festival and twins and this makes for a very stressful period for Jane.
I have to give Michael Thomas Ford credit. Jane had so many different problems and such craziness going on that the anxiety just More...
I have to give Michael Thomas Ford credit. Jane had so many different problems and such craziness going on that the anxiety just More...
Feb 09, 2011
Robin
rated it:
CAUTION: SPOILERS AHEAD
NO, REALLY. SPOILERS AHEAD.
AND A SURPRISING AMOUNT OF BITTERNESS.
DON'T SAY I DIDN'T WARN YOU. BUT SERIOUSLY, IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW, STOP READING. NOW.
I was so looking forward to this book. I pre-ordered it months ago. I've been stalking Michael Ford's site, hoping for details. Where the first Jane Bites book was funny and clever and innovative, this one....isn't. I gave it a th More...
NO, REALLY. SPOILERS AHEAD.
AND A SURPRISING AMOUNT OF BITTERNESS.
DON'T SAY I DIDN'T WARN YOU. BUT SERIOUSLY, IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW, STOP READING. NOW.
I was so looking forward to this book. I pre-ordered it months ago. I've been stalking Michael Ford's site, hoping for details. Where the first Jane Bites book was funny and clever and innovative, this one....isn't. I gave it a th More...
Feb 07, 2011
Carlos
rated it: 
When selecting books from LibraryThing's Early Reviewer's program, I usually try to avoid later books in a series, since this will mean hunting down and reading other books just so I can give the ARC a fair shake. I did not take such care with this novel, which is in fact the second in a series, following Jane Bites Back. The premise of the series is that Jane Eyre was converted to vampirism by an undead Lord Byron. She is living--at least as much as a vampire can--in a small town and upstate
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Feb 18, 2011
Meredith (Austenesque Reviews)
rated it:
Our dear Jane (Austen) Fairfax is suffering from writers' block. She was supposed to have her new novel on her editor's desk six months ago, and while she keeps telling him that it's almost done, the truth is she has barely three chapters written – three chapters which, by the way, are complete rubbish. Why can't Jane write? Is it because Lord Byron has been keeping her busy with learning new vampire arts, like becoming invisible? Or is it because her first novel, Constance, is being adapted
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Mar 05, 2011
Catherine
rated it:
This is possibly the worst title for a book, um, ever, but I've got the distinct impression that was intended. The second in Ford's wry Austen-and-Byron-are-vampires series is nearly as much fun as the first, although the satiric edge is somewhat blunted, as the target has shifted from the Austen Industry to the easy target of Hollywood, with romance bloggers in his sights as well. Lord Byron has shifted from Annoying Ex and Potential Menace to Mischievous Gay Best Friend (more accurately, Mis
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Feb 08, 2011
Amanda
rated it:
I received Jane Goes Batty through a goodreads "first reads" giveaway - I never win anything, so I was just excited about that to begin with. I read the first book in the series while I waited for this one to arrive, and fell in love with the characters and the storyline - I only hoped the second book would be at least as good as the first. I wasn't disappointed.
The second book begins right where the first leaves off - Jane's book is a hit and Our Gloomy Friend is apparentl More...
The second book begins right where the first leaves off - Jane's book is a hit and Our Gloomy Friend is apparentl More...
Apr 12, 2011
Anna
rated it:
What a fun, humorous weekend read! We've been plagued with the flu here in my neck of the woods and my remedy was to snuggle on the couch and read Jane Goes Batty. This didn't exactly cure my illness although I did feel noticeably happier, but it did make me laugh out loud. Ford does a fantastic job capturing the spirit of Jane Austen.
Jane isn't what you'd call a natural at being a vampire which is, in part, what makes this book so funny. However, what made this work for me was More...
Jane isn't what you'd call a natural at being a vampire which is, in part, what makes this book so funny. However, what made this work for me was More...
Feb 14, 2011
Bree
rated it:
I really enjoyed the first book, Jane Bites Back, because it was a fun, quirky, intelligent little mind-candy book. The second book was much the same, though not quite as engaging, mostly I think because of the more Hollywood, as opposed to literary, storyline -- and I mean this literally. The first book was all about Jane trying to be published and then dealing with the success of that, while trying to hide her vampirism (especially from the man she likes). This one deals with the now standard
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Feb 08, 2011
Dian
rated it:
GoodReads Book Win.
I was actually very surprised at how much i enjoyed this book. If there was a 3.5 rating, thats what I'd give this book. I enjoyed the first book in the series enough that I wanted to read the second one, but it wasn't on my top list of books coming out by a long shot, which would have been my mistake. I found Jane Bites Back to be a good book, but lacking in real depth as well as tedious through the middle of the story. Jane Goes Batty does not have that problem in More...
I was actually very surprised at how much i enjoyed this book. If there was a 3.5 rating, thats what I'd give this book. I enjoyed the first book in the series enough that I wanted to read the second one, but it wasn't on my top list of books coming out by a long shot, which would have been my mistake. I found Jane Bites Back to be a good book, but lacking in real depth as well as tedious through the middle of the story. Jane Goes Batty does not have that problem in More...
Feb 24, 2011
Kimberly
rated it:
I received Jane Goes Batty as a part of LibraryThing member giveaway. I don't normally like vampire books, but the notion of Jane Austin, Lord Byron, and Charlotte Bronte all being vampires was interesting enough for me to enter. I was pleased to win and so am posting my review.
Though the second book in a series it was very accessible to someone who's not read the first book. I jumped right in and had no problem following along. I read it in less than a day. The book was a lig More...
Though the second book in a series it was very accessible to someone who's not read the first book. I jumped right in and had no problem following along. I read it in less than a day. The book was a lig More...
Jun 20, 2011
Marilyn
rated it: 
I'm not a Janeite and I am also not a fan of the new classic/monster mashups. But the premise of this book sounded pretty good: Jane Austen is a vampire and dwells among us, still writing but having some trouble getting published, and being bossed around by her former lover Byron, her agent, her boyfriend, her prospective mother-in-law, and hell, probably the garbage collector for all I know.
I can see that the writing is good, but the book just isn't working for me. I've tried for a More...
I can see that the writing is good, but the book just isn't working for me. I've tried for a More...
Mar 07, 2011
Kat
rated it:
The story of Jane Fairfax, owner of Flyleaf Books in the small town of Brakeston and recently published author of Constance, continues in this second book about an undead Jane Austen who's experiencing writer's block. Austen, or Jane Fairfax as she's presently known, has been a vampire for nearly 200 years. In the first book of this series, Jane Bites Back, Jane tries to find publishing success again in the present day after her six novels were published in the early nineteenth century. She's si
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Feb 18, 2011
Erin
rated it:
This arrived yesterday afternoon and I read it in one sitting. OK, it isn't a huge book, so maybe that isn't as impressive as it initially sounds, but I still couldn't put it down. The beginning was a bit slow for me, which is the only thing that kept me from giving it four stars, so read that as three-and-a-half. :)
Once I got past the beginning, I really got into the story and enjoyed it. More vamps to keep track of, which is not a bad thing, Byron as arrogant as ever, and I love the More...
Once I got past the beginning, I really got into the story and enjoyed it. More vamps to keep track of, which is not a bad thing, Byron as arrogant as ever, and I love the More...
Feb 06, 2011
April
rated it:
Charming, witty book about Jane Austen, who just happens to be a vampire! Jane has just had her book "Constance", published and now is dealing with, movie people, her mortal boyfriend's mother, her friend, Lord Byron (also a vampire) and it is all getting to be a bit much for Jane.
This was quick fun read, and I love Jane and Lord Byron, their interactions are funny and well written.
Jane is a bit overwhelmed by everything going on, and has a deadline to finish a new book, More...
This was quick fun read, and I love Jane and Lord Byron, their interactions are funny and well written.
Jane is a bit overwhelmed by everything going on, and has a deadline to finish a new book, More...
Feb 20, 2011
Desa
rated it:
As the sequel to Jane Bites Back I was excited to get to it. The story is fun and the characters are endearing. Jane Austen as a Vampire turned by her lover Lord Byron and 234 years later plagued by the dreary Bronte is
a unique twist on a Jane Austen story.
While I loved the first book this one was not quite its equal. I thought it spent the whole time developing the story and never really getting there. Those zany characters I loved in the first book were toned down or minimi More...
a unique twist on a Jane Austen story.
While I loved the first book this one was not quite its equal. I thought it spent the whole time developing the story and never really getting there. Those zany characters I loved in the first book were toned down or minimi More...
Feb 09, 2011
Nancy
rated it: 
Excellent!
Jane Fairfax is a woman with many secrets. For one, she is over 200 years old. For another, she is a vampire. For yet a third, she is actually Jane Austen. And her former lover (and sire), Lord Byron, has re-entered her life.
All of the above complicate the normal, suburban, life she has been trying to create for herself. After establishing herself as a bookstore owner and author, her book is going to be made into a film. The resulting upheaval, the murder of h More...
Jane Fairfax is a woman with many secrets. For one, she is over 200 years old. For another, she is a vampire. For yet a third, she is actually Jane Austen. And her former lover (and sire), Lord Byron, has re-entered her life.
All of the above complicate the normal, suburban, life she has been trying to create for herself. After establishing herself as a bookstore owner and author, her book is going to be made into a film. The resulting upheaval, the murder of h More...
Mar 03, 2011
Stacia
rated it:
I really liked Jane Goes Batty. It was a light, fun and easy read. I found the story to be accessible, even though it's a sequel and I hadn't read the first book. I must admit that I'm a big fan of Jane Austen, and I've pretty much always liked vampire stories, so although the two together never would have occurred to me, I was interested to see what would happen when they met. The tone of the book is rather humorous, and even now, thinking back on some of the things that happened in the book, I
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Sep 06, 2011
Emily
rated it:
I didn't enjoy this as much as the first book. Too many threads hanging around, and I still don't get why she hasn't told the guy she's marrying that she's a vampire when everybody else she knows seems to be aware of it. Too many unnecessary characters introduced and it just wasn't as much fun.
It also seems to me that the author's disclaimer at the end was just a cop out. If you don't remember your own mythology (like the whole vampire's have souls certainty in the first book), why did More...
It also seems to me that the author's disclaimer at the end was just a cop out. If you don't remember your own mythology (like the whole vampire's have souls certainty in the first book), why did More...
Jun 09, 2011
Susanna
rated it:
What would Jane Austen be like if she had never died, instead living on - as a vampire - into modern times? In Ford's sequel to Jane Bites Back, she is now Jane Fairfax, the owner of a small-town bookstore in upstate New York. Her best friends, Lord Byron (also a vampire) and Lucy (a normal human being but an extraordinary friend), live nearby, as does Jane's boyfriend, Walter. Life is going great for Jane. Her newest novel, the first in almost 200 years, is a best-seller, soon to be made into a
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Apr 17, 2011
Laurie
rated it:
The stress in her life feels overwhelming. Jane Fairfax, as she is now known, has finally achieved some breakthrough literary success with her bestseller, Constance. Unfortunately, she is suffering a severe case of writer’s block and is far behind deadline on a promised second book.
Walter Fletcher loves Jane and wants to get married but his mother, Miriam, is obstinately opposed, and is not shy about letting her intense dislike for Jane be known.
Walter does not kn More...
Walter Fletcher loves Jane and wants to get married but his mother, Miriam, is obstinately opposed, and is not shy about letting her intense dislike for Jane be known.
Walter does not kn More...
Feb 06, 2011
Frances
rated it:
I loved how this book includes Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte, some of my most favorite authors. The book made me laugh a lot. It was really entertaining... and even though I already read this book, I never read the first one so I will start that one ASAP.
I love how the author created Jane as a vampire who finds a new love, Walter and can't seem to decide to accept or refuse his proposal because of his mother, who unexpectingly is a famous vampire killer.
I loved this book a lot an More...
I love how the author created Jane as a vampire who finds a new love, Walter and can't seem to decide to accept or refuse his proposal because of his mother, who unexpectingly is a famous vampire killer.
I loved this book a lot an More...
May 24, 2011
Vivian
rated it:
Jane Goes Batty takes up just where Jane Bites Back left off. Jane is now being followed by a film crew and is in the midst of having her book filmed. She's slightly ticked off because the screenwriter and director have taken liberal creative license and changed her work to the point of being unrecognizable. If that's not bad enough, there's a vampire hunter on the loose and it turns out to be her boyfriend's mother. Oh, and the deranged Charlotte Bronte is still out there somewhere. This book i
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Feb 14, 2012
Jeanne
rated it:
This sequel to Jane Bites Back returns readers to upstate New York and Jane Fairfax AKA the immortal Jane Austen. Yes, Jane is now one of the undead, due to Lord Byron’s bite so many years ago.
When our story begins, Jane is in a real pickle: her boyfriend, Walter, wants to marry her. She has not told him that she is a vampire, and she never expected a marriage proposal from him. How can she tell him the truth? Additionally, his mother is coming to town. How will she deal with h More...
When our story begins, Jane is in a real pickle: her boyfriend, Walter, wants to marry her. She has not told him that she is a vampire, and she never expected a marriage proposal from him. How can she tell him the truth? Additionally, his mother is coming to town. How will she deal with h More...
Mar 18, 2011
Lisa
rated it:
In Michael Thomas Ford's, JANE GOES BATTY, the second book in this series, Jane (Austen) Fairfax returns as our likeable and still undead heroine.
Life couldn't be better for Jane in the sleepy town of Brakeston, in upstate New York. Business is good at her bookstore so she promotes her best friend and confidante Lucy to manager, Lord Byron is helping her develope her vampire powers, she's in a relationship with Walter, her novel is at the top of the New York Times bestseller list More...
Life couldn't be better for Jane in the sleepy town of Brakeston, in upstate New York. Business is good at her bookstore so she promotes her best friend and confidante Lucy to manager, Lord Byron is helping her develope her vampire powers, she's in a relationship with Walter, her novel is at the top of the New York Times bestseller list More...
Mar 02, 2011
Jenny
rated it:
March 2011 review for library's website...
What would Jane Austen do if she were still alive today? Why, she'd run a book store and have finally published another novel. In Jane Goes Batty, 2nd book in a 3 book series, author Michael Thomas Ford has Jane working on her vampire skills. This isn't your average vampire novel so please don't shy away from the series if you don't like vampires. If you like Jane Austen you'll most likely like this novel. Her being a vampire is really a secondary More...
What would Jane Austen do if she were still alive today? Why, she'd run a book store and have finally published another novel. In Jane Goes Batty, 2nd book in a 3 book series, author Michael Thomas Ford has Jane working on her vampire skills. This isn't your average vampire novel so please don't shy away from the series if you don't like vampires. If you like Jane Austen you'll most likely like this novel. Her being a vampire is really a secondary More...
Oct 23, 2011
Raina
rated it:
Jane Austen is a two-hundred year old undead author living in the modern world as vampire who quite inept with her powers which makes for a hilarious read! Her former lover, Lord Byron, tries to teach her the ways of a vampire, but Jane is a bumbling and reluctant student. Their dialogue and interaction made me laugh out loud.
Going under the pseudonym Jane Fairfax, she runs a bookstore and writes romance novels. In love with a mortal, Walter, Jane struggles with the choice of whether More...
Going under the pseudonym Jane Fairfax, she runs a bookstore and writes romance novels. In love with a mortal, Walter, Jane struggles with the choice of whether More...
Feb 08, 2011
Laurel
rated it:
Michael Thomas Ford is a wicked wit with a scoop of irony on top
Our Janeite sensibilities tell us that the notion of Jane Austen as a vampire is pretty wacky. It’s just so hard to visualize “our” Jane as one of the undead, still here after two hundred years, and struggling with life challenges and her condition. Author Michael Thomas Ford understands this too. He has created a trilogy based on our uncertainty, curiosity and proclivity for the burlesque that Austen herself was so fond o More...
Our Janeite sensibilities tell us that the notion of Jane Austen as a vampire is pretty wacky. It’s just so hard to visualize “our” Jane as one of the undead, still here after two hundred years, and struggling with life challenges and her condition. Author Michael Thomas Ford understands this too. He has created a trilogy based on our uncertainty, curiosity and proclivity for the burlesque that Austen herself was so fond o More...
