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Dawn of the Dreadfuls

(Pride and Prejudice and Zombies #0.5)

Steve Hockensmith (Goodreads Author),

Jane Austen

Patrick Arrasmith (Illustrator)

3.48 · Rating details · 21,554 ratings · 967 reviews

Journey Back to Regency England - Land of the Undead!

Readers will witness the birth of a heroine in Dawn of the Dreadfuls - a thrilling prequel set four years before the horrific events of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. As our story opens, the Bennet sisters are enjoying a peaceful life in the English countryside. They idle away the days reading, gardening, and daydreami ...more

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Paperback, 287 pages

Published March 1st 2010 by Quirk Books (first published March 6th 2007)

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Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith

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Start your review of Dawn of the Dreadfuls (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, #0.5)

Nov 24, 2016 Ahmad Sharabiani rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: horror, fiction, 21th-century, historical

Dawn of the Dreadfuls (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies 0.5), Steve Hockensmith, Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls (2010) is a parody novel by Steve Hockensmith. It is a prequel to Seth Grahame-Smith's 2009 novel Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, focusing on "the early life and training of Elizabeth Bennet, heroine of the earlier Pride and Prejudice and Zombies as she strove to become a gifted zombie hunter, with some mishaps in her early romantic encounters also in Dawn of the Dreadfuls (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies 0.5), Steve Hockensmith, Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls (2010) is a parody novel by Steve Hockensmith. It is a prequel to Seth Grahame-Smith's 2009 novel Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, focusing on "the early life and training of Elizabeth Bennet, heroine of the earlier Pride and Prejudice and Zombies as she strove to become a gifted zombie hunter, with some mishaps in her early romantic encounters also included." It was first published by Quirk Books on March 23, 2010.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز بیست و ششم ماه آوریل سال 2016 میلادی
عنوان: غرور و تعصب و زامبی ها : ظهور وحشت انگیزها؛ نویسنده: استیو هاکن اسمیت؛ جین آستین؛ مترجم: بهنام حاجی زاده؛ تهران، نشر بهداد، 1394؛ در دو جلد، مصور؛ شابک: 9786009584710؛ موضوع: داستان الیزابت بنت - شخصیت داستانی - زامبی - سده 21 م
عنوان: غرور و تعصب و زامبی ها : ظهور وحشت انگیزها؛ نویسنده: استیو هاکن اسمیت؛ جین آستین؛ مترجم: بهنام حاجی زاده؛ تهران، نشر باژ، 1396؛ در 452 ص، مصور؛ شابک: 9786008939689؛
همانند نسخه اصلی «غرور و تعصب» داستان در سده ی نوزدهم میلادی، رخ می‌دهد، و داستان شبیه «غرور و تعصب» نوشته «جین آستین (آستن)» است، خواهران «بنت» همگی در استفاده از شمشیر، و هنرهای رزمی برای کشتن زامبی‌ها مهارت دارند. آنها به دستور پدرشان، در «چین» برای استفاده از سلاح، و هنرهای رزمی آموزش دیده‌ اند، تا بتوانند از خود در برابر زامبی‌ها دفاع کنند و ... ا. شربیانی ...more

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Mar 11, 2012 Andrew rated it liked it

Okay so I have read them out of order (not that at the time I realised there was an order - and which no doubt I will ruin again if I get round to reading Dreadfully ever after).

Anyway I have had a copy of this book rattling around for a while now and thought I might as well read it.

The story is really a precursor to the Pride And Prejudice with Zombies book which caught everyones attention. However as fun as the story is (and as gruesome) it has nothing - or should I say even less to do with t ...more

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Oct 17, 2017 OonaReads rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ebooks, fantasy, completed-series, read-in-2017

Pride and Prejudice is my favourite book of all time, and I absolutely love to read all the retellings about Lizzie and Darcy (sadly, there's no Darcy in this one though *sniff*). While I admit this felt fairly ridiculous at times, I read it fast (considering I was supposed to do Uni work), and I found myself really enjoying this.
So, if you think you wanna read how Lizzie Bennet (and her sisters) became badass zombie fighters, maybe pick this one up.

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Jun 23, 2019 Nina rated it liked it

Shelves: تو-شهر-کتاب-خوندم

I didn't read zombied and pride and prejudice, but I liked this book.
eve tho the characters were YA cliches, they didn't make me feel bored. feminism inside it was good, but it should have been more argued. I liked the plot's speed, but only if all of the book was as exiting as the last 50 pages!

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Sep 09, 2012 Carolyn rated it really liked it

The fact that Quirk Books is the publisher of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls gives a major clue as to what lies ahead. As the prequel to the very successful Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, it delves into the circumstances that changed the Bennett girls into lean, mean, zombie fighting machines.

When a recently deceased corpse reanimates into a zombie during its own funeral, it heralds the return of the Unmentionables. It is then that the girls learn that their father fou The fact that Quirk Books is the publisher of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls gives a major clue as to what lies ahead. As the prequel to the very successful Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, it delves into the circumstances that changed the Bennett girls into lean, mean, zombie fighting machines.

When a recently deceased corpse reanimates into a zombie during its own funeral, it heralds the return of the Unmentionables. It is then that the girls learn that their father fought nobly during The Troubles of years ago, and even trained in China. Reclaiming Mrs. Bennett’s potting shed for his dojo, he begins to teach his daughters the Asian fighting techniques that had proven effective before. Soon, an extraordinarily handsome young man, Master Hawksworth, arrives to take charge of their training.

The War Office dispatches a company of soldiers led by Captain Cannon, a limbless veteran of The Troubles. The company includes Dr. Keckilpenny who has some rather unorthodox ideas on the way to handle the zombie problem. As more and more unmentionables begin to appear around the countryside and must be dealt with, the news of the Bennett girls’ fighting prowess spreads, and their reputations as proper Englishwomen diminish.

When the invitation to the spring ball, scheduled to be Elizabeth’s entrance into society, is withdrawn, can the girls now ever hope to find proper husbands? Will Elizabeth favor Master Hawksworth or Dr.Keckilpenny? Can Lord Lumpley successfully seduce Jane, trapped in his home as his personal bodyguard? Will zombies overrun the countryside and make all the previous questions irrevelate?

Set four years before the original story, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn if the Dreadfuls manages to somewhat keep the flavor of Austen’s writing style, but is a completely original story of its own. The basic character of the principals remains intact, and the new characters are imaginative additions. Liberally dosed with humor throughout, and a fair amount of gore, the fast paced book is an enjoyable quick read for those who favor parody novels, or can take their classics with a twist.
...more

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Jun 09, 2011 Dustin Reade rated it really liked it

I know these "mash-up" books are stupid. THey are junk food for the brain. HOwever, I give this one credit for at least ATTEMPTING some originality. See, unlike the other "and zombies" books, this one does not simply insert zombies in the spaces where the source material lacked...uh...zombies. This book simply borrows the characters from Pride and Prejudice and threw them in a zombie-infested world.
It is basically just a Zombie novel set in Victorian England.
Had the Author called the Character ...more

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Apr 26, 2019 Emma rated it liked it

Shelves: historical-fantasy, zombies

It’s not often I get to say this: the film was much better.

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Aug 04, 2011 Amanda rated it really liked it

I could just imagine Jane Austen rolling in her grave when Pride and Prejudice and Zombies hit shelves and remastered the art of the public domain. When Quirk released Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls, the prequel to PPZ, Austen was probably so angry over the irreverent use of her work that she may just rise from the dead herself. This would, most likely, lead to sightings of a zombified Jane Austen shuffling through the streets, her arms outstreched, a low moan coming from I could just imagine Jane Austen rolling in her grave when Pride and Prejudice and Zombies hit shelves and remastered the art of the public domain. When Quirk released Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls, the prequel to PPZ, Austen was probably so angry over the irreverent use of her work that she may just rise from the dead herself. This would, most likely, lead to sightings of a zombified Jane Austen shuffling through the streets, her arms outstreched, a low moan coming from her mouth (along with a few pieces of skin here and there). She would search the earth to find the people at Quirk Classics who further defiled her work by writing Dawn of the Dreafuls, and, well, eat their brains. If Austen didn't make an appearance, one of her dedicated fans may make the trip on her behalf to protest the novel's completely irreverent treatment of the source material.

While I'm a huge fan of Austen's original novel, I was won over by the original Pride and Prejudice and Zombies thanks to its quirky, absurd and just downright fun premise. I was a little uncertain when Quirk announced the prequel, primarily because there was no Austen novel to build the plot from. Instead, the entire thing would just be, essentially, a fan fiction prequel of PPZ. But when given an opportunity to read the book, I thought I'd give it a try. I found that if I could let all my inhibitions go and just enjoy the book for what it is, it's incredibly fun, original, bizarre and fabulous.

Set four years prior to the events of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, the Bennett family is attending a funeral, when the corpse suddenly starts moving. Mr. Bennett finds that his worse fears are coming true: the dreadful are returning. He decides to thoroughly train his daughters in the warrior ways so they can be prepared to fight off the dreadfuls and keep them from overrunning the land.

Fans of the parody/monster mash-up will eat up PPZ: Dawn of the Dreadfuls. While haters of the original PPZ won't be converted, skeptics of this prequel really should just give it a chance. This is horror/comedy/parody at its best.

Can't wait for the PPZ graphic novel next month and Android Karenina this summer. ...more

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Dec 31, 2019 Gayle Noble rated it liked it

Shelves: 2019-300-challenge, horror, zombie, 2019-virtual-mount-tbr-100-books

Regency romance meets zombie fiction in this mash-up prequel to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I really wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading, but it turned out to be strangely entertaining.

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Feb 16, 2010 Misty rated it really liked it

Shelves: horror-mystery-suspense-thriller, own, supernatural-paranormal, janeite, cover-appeal, read-in-2010, parody-spoof-satire, review-copy-accepted, zombies, literary

In Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, we witnessed one of literature's favorite heroines, Elizabeth Bennet, fall in love while fighting valiantly against the zombie menace that had overtaken England. Now, in this lively prequel, PPZ: Dawn of the Dreadfuls, learn how the hoardes of unmentionables became said menace, and lively Lizzie found herself becoming one the British Isles foremost warrior-maidens.

There are going to be some of you reading this review who are going to be surprised that I decide In Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, we witnessed one of literature's favorite heroines, Elizabeth Bennet, fall in love while fighting valiantly against the zombie menace that had overtaken England. Now, in this lively prequel, PPZ: Dawn of the Dreadfuls, learn how the hoardes of unmentionables became said menace, and lively Lizzie found herself becoming one the British Isles foremost warrior-maidens.

There are going to be some of you reading this review who are going to be surprised that I decided to read this. You may recall from my review of Seth Grahame-Smith's Pride and Prejudice and Zombies that I was, shall we say, less than pleased. You're thinking, 'Why would she even bother if she didn't like the first one?' It's simple: Dawn of the Dreadfuls has a different author. It was a risk I was willing to take.

It was worth it.

PPZ: Dawn of the Dreadfuls blew the socks off the first book. Now, Steven Hockensmith did have some advantages in that writing a prequel was a bit more of a clean slate; though he did have to remain faithful to the world and characters created, he did not have to try to work his words into those of another and make it seamless. That's not to say he had an easy task. He still had to mimic Austen's writing, create a believable prequel that could plausibly lead up to both the original text and Grahame-Smith's altered one, and he still had to find a way to strike a balance between Regency-era novel and zombie romper. I think he did admirably on all counts.

In PPZ: DOD we get to watch as the dreadful plague, thought vanquished for years, returns to England. The Bennet girls find themselves in a peculiar situation, as their father intends them to learn the ways of the warrior, whilst their mother (and society) wishes them to go to balls and marry well. Young teens all, they've never been faced with the zombie menace -- or the handsome, red-coated officers who come to Meryton to battle them. The resulting mash-up of their experiences -- learning how to wield battleaxes and practice the Pouncing Panther and remain demure, proper English ladies at the same time -- makes for exactly the type of story Quirk Books is trying to present: fun parodies of literature's Greats that hit the mark without being condescending, insipid, or utterly ridiculous.

The best compliment I can give Hockensmith is that there were times, in the midst of the ridiculous Regency zombieness, that it felt like Jane Austen could have written it. Nearly all of the things I didn't like in the first book were well done in this prequel. Unlike G-S, Hockensmith captured her tone and liveliness and humor well, and he remained faithful to the characters and world she created. Lizzie is both the sharp girl of Austen's classic, and the budding fierce warrior of Grahame-Smith's parody. Her sister, Jane, is as charming and sweet-natured as ever, and Mrs. Bennet is ever anxious that her daughters marry well before someone fall victim to the unmentionables and leave them all ruined. He kept their characters and personalities intact, while skewing the story just enough to make their actions still make sense in much-altered circumstances.

All told, there's a little something for everyone: fans of Jane will find a fun twist on her work, and a real effort to stay true to her and her language, with little surprises planted for those familiar with her most famous work; fans of zombies will find brain-munching dreadfuls in abundance; fans of romance will find some romantic plot twists and general funness; fans of strong female characters will certainly love Elizabeth. If you didn't like the first one, I think you'll like this. If you did like the first one, I think you'll like this more. And if you've been unsure of whether to try one of these lit parodies that's suddenly all the rage, I think this is a good place to start. I would recommend getting your hands on a copy in time for Helluva Halloween II...(yeah, it's coming). ...more

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Dec 31, 2015 Sheila Majczan rated it liked it

3.5 stars

As one review stated you have to read this as a tongue in cheek farcical take-off of Pride and Prejudice. I was smiling at the nonsensical action all the way through. This is not my usual fare in reading although I have read hundreds of Jane Austen Fan Fiction books and P&P is my favorite variation. But it is almost unthought-of for me to read of fantasy creatures in connection with these romances. Books about Vampires, Werewolves, Sea Creatures, and Zombies belong on other book shelves 3.5 stars

As one review stated you have to read this as a tongue in cheek farcical take-off of Pride and Prejudice. I was smiling at the nonsensical action all the way through. This is not my usual fare in reading although I have read hundreds of Jane Austen Fan Fiction books and P&P is my favorite variation. But it is almost unthought-of for me to read of fantasy creatures in connection with these romances. Books about Vampires, Werewolves, Sea Creatures, and Zombies belong on other book shelves in my opinion.

However when I learned that a movie is being released in February of 2016 titled Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (from the sequel to this book) the thought of reading the novel began to rattle around in my brain. I then learned from a friend, Claudine, that there was both a prequel and a sequel. So I finally decided to dive in.

I don’t want to relate too much of the story although I can’t really say that there was much mystery involved. Language from canon is used on various pages but rarely as in canon. The characters are few of those with which we are familiar: Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and 5 daughters, Charlotte, Mrs. Long and Mrs. Hill and the setting is Hertfordshire with Meryton, Longbourn and Netherfield. We have 3 men posturing for 2 of the sisters. But nowhere to be found in this book are the Bingleys or the Darcys or even Colonel Fitzwilliam. There is, however, a mention of Lady Catherine and her role is a surprise.

The undead/THE DREADFULS enter upon this tale immediately as we read of a funeral service during the which the corpse stirs from his casket. His wife is all happiness as she believes he was NOT dead and that a mistake has been made and she wants to embrace him. We learn here that a plague of the Dreadfuls occurred a number of years back and that Mr. Bennet was one of the successful warriors against that incursion, BUT he has failed in his oath…he has not reared his daughters to be warriors! Enter one Master Hawksworth, trained in the oriental martial arts, he wastes no time taking over a garden shed to use as a training center, a dojo, and ALL the Bennet girls are soon under his command. As this action evolves we read of a ripple in the connection between a Master and one of his students. But as we read of how he holds her in esteem we also learn of a secret he holds concerning his own abilities.

Close behind the Master enters into Hertfordshire a Dr. Keckilpenny who seeks to use science to turn these savage undead creatures back into the English gentlemen and ladies on which the British Empire is founded. He too sees Miss Elizabeth Bennet as an asset to help him seek his goal. Meanwhile in Netherfield lurks a different type of monster. One who is not a fantasy creature, but nevertheless one who preys on the innocents and then makes sure they don’t get in his way. Lord Lumpley is no Charles Bingley but he does admire the beautiful and demure Jane Bingley.

So can I recommend this book? I would say that if you plan to see the movie that you might want to read the books which are the source of that. But if you are looking for the romance for which P&P is so well loved, you may be disappointed. However I say that having only read this prequel and the first several chapters of the main book. Those chapters seem to follow canon very closely…except for a disruption at the Meryton Assembly. Poor Mrs. Long: she will never be able to gossip about how Mr. Darcy sat next to her for all of a half of an hour without speaking one word to her!
...more

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Mar 10, 2010 Alyssa rated it liked it

Shelves: book-review, first-reads-giveaways

"Half the soldiers whirled away to do as he asked, desperate for any excuse to put distance between themselves and the unmentionable about to sprout like some ghastly flower. The other half simply stared with their mouths agape." (p. 175)

The hamlet of Meryton has been in a state of peace for years since The Troubles. It seems an ordinary day for an ordinary funeral where most of the town is in attendance. Suddenly, the dearly departed is no longer at rest and sits upright during his own funeral. "Half the soldiers whirled away to do as he asked, desperate for any excuse to put distance between themselves and the unmentionable about to sprout like some ghastly flower. The other half simply stared with their mouths agape." (p. 175)

The hamlet of Meryton has been in a state of peace for years since The Troubles. It seems an ordinary day for an ordinary funeral where most of the town is in attendance. Suddenly, the dearly departed is no longer at rest and sits upright during his own funeral. The congregation is shocked, yet unsure of what to make of the scene before them. Mr. Bennet, however, realizes before anyone else what is happening. Having fought during The Troubles himself, he recognizes that Mr. Ford has become one of the sorry stricken. As the church empties of frightened mourners, Mr. Bennet calls upon his daughters to help him with the corpse of the former town apothecary. Thus begins the return of the dreadfuls to Hertfordshire. Mr. Bennet spares no time in beginning the training in the deadly arts for his five daughters. He sends word to the military and to his former Masters informing them of the zombies as well as asking for assistance. Soon a Master Hawksworth comes to Meryton to aid in the Bennet girls' training. As Elizabeth and her sisters accomplish their training and slay the sorry stricken, it is clear that more dreadfuls are coming. Elizabeth learns the ways of a warrior all while contemplating her feelings for her Master and the new Dr. Keckilpenny who believes he can stop the zombies by examining them. The Bennets prepare for war against the walking dead and for the ball; because in regency England, there will always be a ball.

Dawn of the Dreadfuls is set to take place about five years before we meet the Bennets in Pride and Prejudice. To enjoy this read, one cannot be an Austen purist. There is no continuity pertaining to Pride and Prejudice, nor Pride and Prejudice and Zombies for that matter. I chose to view it as the Bennet family has been plucked from the pages of the classic and placed into a zombie novel during regency England. The characteristics of each member of the Bennet family largely hold true, this story is far from providing plausible history of Lizzy and her family. One point that bothered me was Mr. Bennet's attitude toward Mrs. Bennet. Yes, Mrs. Bennet is annoying and Mr. Bennet remarks on it in his dry humor, but Austen always had affection hidden under his words, in my opinion. This Mr. Bennet seems too cruel, though passionate about his daughters especially Lizzy and Jane.
When I started Dawn of the Dreadfuls, I assumed it would be a true prequel to the first story by Seth Grahame-Smith. I could not find hardly any continuity between the two. There is no mention of the girls going to China to learn the deadly arts. The readers are only informed that Mr. Bennet did study in China.
Having won this book through First Reads giveaways, the book was accompanied by a poster of the cover. I must say that it was my favorite part of the package. It was a fun read, but not a favorite of mine. The creepily elegant poster of the young girl with bloodied hands and mouth proudly hangs in my apartment. =)
...more

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Nov 13, 2009 CJ - It's only a Paper Moon rated it really liked it

Shelves: zombies

Ok, surprisingly, this was pretty good. I didn't know how I was going to feel reading a prequel of P&P without the angst of Darcy and Lizzy but I found that with a good enough premise, an already existing solid novel and the character development that even Ms. Austen would appreciate, I could get over not seeing Darcy.

This book begins with Lizzy about to "come out" to the ton and the Bennett's are all assembled for a funeral for one of their neighbors. It starts off with Mr. Bennett's POV and I Ok, surprisingly, this was pretty good. I didn't know how I was going to feel reading a prequel of P&P without the angst of Darcy and Lizzy but I found that with a good enough premise, an already existing solid novel and the character development that even Ms. Austen would appreciate, I could get over not seeing Darcy.

This book begins with Lizzy about to "come out" to the ton and the Bennett's are all assembled for a funeral for one of their neighbors. It starts off with Mr. Bennett's POV and I never thought I would like the man more than I did when I read the original novel, but the long-suffering, slightly negligent father has his reasons as we see as the book progresses.

Anyhoo, the monotony of a funeral is broken by the deceased making the grave miscalculation of etiquette of coming back to life and trying to eat people. Well, Mr. Bennett decides to take advantage of this situation by correcting a mistake he long ago made - allowing his daughters to live the life of privileged women as opposed to warriors as he had sworn long ago.

Well, upon seeing the 'dreadful', he realizes two things. One, the plague that affected England not so long ago, is back. Two, his daughters seriously need an education on how to be warriors.

Enter the "Master". About 18 and solidly trained, he becomes the Sensei to both Mr. Bennett (because it is apparent that he has forgotten his training) and the young ladies. It wouldn't be an Austen mash-up without the hint of romance. And who do you thing the Master has an eye for?

As a foil, please enter Doctor K. The exact opposite of brute force, the Doctor is a thinker and he hopes to tame the zombies so that he can learn from them and turn the plague away by re-civilizing the undead.

While all this is happening, the dead are rising from their graves, Mrs. Bennett is trying to get Jane married to a notorious letch and oh and let's not forget that Lizzy still has not come out yet and frankly with the girls taking up swords, nobody wants anything to do with them.

Until they find that they have need for the 'poor crazy' Bennett girls.

This is the prequel for P&P and Zombies and it is a good prologue to the series (if there's a series, I don't know but I'd like to see Lizzy and Darcy's marriage while kicking zombie ass). It explains a lot about Mr. Bennett, the girls and the Dreadful plague that so infected England in the P&P/Zombies book.

While it's weird to not hear of hind nor hair of Bingley and Darcy, this book is simply not about them. While the book does veer off to different POV's (all entertaining), the book is about Elizabeth and her journey from naive young woman to strong capable warrior woman.

It's funnier than PPZ and is has more illustrations and simply put, it's entertaining. If you like Austen and you can appreciate a good mash-up, this is a must read. ...more

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Dec 30, 2010 Karissa rated it really liked it

Okay guys this is my first Giveaway on my blog and it is being offered through Quirk Books!

I read and enjoyed both "Pride and Prejudice" and "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" (PPZ). So when I heard that a prequel to PPZ was being released I was excited. I mean, finally, we get to learn all about how Elizabeth Bennet and her sisters got their awesome fighting skills. I got a copy of Dawn of the Dreadfuls through Quirk Books. I actually enjoyed this book more than PPZ; Hockensmith has created some Okay guys this is my first Giveaway on my blog and it is being offered through Quirk Books!

I read and enjoyed both "Pride and Prejudice" and "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" (PPZ). So when I heard that a prequel to PPZ was being released I was excited. I mean, finally, we get to learn all about how Elizabeth Bennet and her sisters got their awesome fighting skills. I got a copy of Dawn of the Dreadfuls through Quirk Books. I actually enjoyed this book more than PPZ; Hockensmith has created some great tongue-in-cheek characters and the book was very well done!

This book follows the Bennet family as they discover the first dreadful rising (out of a coffin at a funeral), through training the Bennet girls receive, to the inevitable massive zombie attack.

Hockensmith did a great job in keeping the tone of the story similar to PPZ. Mrs. Bennet was definitely the Mrs. Bennet from PPZ and Jane and Elizabeth also maintained their character very well. I thought the story actually flowed much better than PPZ; probably because Hockensmith got to control the storyline this time and could match it to the characters better. Hockensmith has created some fabulous character additions. Master Hawksworh (the Bennet's instructor in the deadly arts) and Dr. Keckilpenny (a doctor who seeks to cure the dreadful affliction) are a lot of fun.

The fighting scenes are well done and more inclusive than in PPZ, again I think that being able to incorporate the action scenes fully into his own story helped Hockingsmith out on this one. The plot takes some interesting twists and turns towards the end of the story which I really enjoyed.

My only complaint would be at times the characters are a little bit over the top. This is a small complaint. I know these over-the-top characters are there for humor, and many times, they are very funny. At times though it goes a bit over-board and feels forced. The dialogue is witty and entertaining enough all on its own; it didn't need any more than that to be funny.

Overall I liked this book even better than PPZ. It was entertaining, engaging, and had me chuckling a number of times. Hockensmith did a good job staying true to the main characters nature, even if the additional characters sometimes went a bit over-the-top with their actions. ...more

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May 30, 2010 Marlene rated it really liked it

DAWN OF THE DREADFULS is the prequel to PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES and takes place when Elizabeth is sixteen. After a zombie arises during its funeral, all the Bennett children learn, that their father fought zombies during the previous zombie infestation. Now, the Bennett children must learn quickly and take up arms against the enemy. To aid the girls in this endeavor a ninja master, Master Hawksworth, is sent and the fun begins.

As a rabid Jane Austen fan, I enjoy reading most anything ...more

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Nov 04, 2014 Sarah rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is a gem of hilarity. Listened to it on tape at work and burst out laughing far more often than seemed proper. Mrs. Bennet's frivolity and all the humor at her expense was my guilty favorite thing, beside the random "dreadfuls" that kept popping up in the middle of everyone's polite conversations. Really fantastic, and the narrator I listened to (Katherine Kellgren) gave a highly amusing performance. Loved this!

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Jun 25, 2016 Beth rated it it was amazing

Very amusing zombie story! On to the next one!

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Oct 08, 2017 Aisha rated it really liked it

I hadn't heard of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies until I picked up its prequel: Dawn of the Dreadfuls.
Don't dismiss it by its juvenile and badly designed cover, or judge me for saying that it was the first book I read off my #BigBadWolf haul, because I have zero shame or regrets.

It's kind of unexpectedly superb? In a way that you find dry humour, a lot of darkness and sadness, and way less sap than you'd get in Austen's immensely dull book. I found myself giggling through parts of it the way He ...more

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Feb 16, 2010 Laurel rated it liked it

Shelves: austen-inspired, regency-era-fiction

More zombies than Austen this time around

If you have not heard about the book Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, you must be from another planet. The break-out best seller of 2009 (and soon to be major motion picture staring Natalie Portman) took the publishing industry quite unawares making its co-author Seth Grahame-Smith a hot property, oodles of publicity for its publisher Quirk Books and mega moola for all involved. Who’da thought combining Jane Austen’s genteel Regency-era novel and bone-cru ...more

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Aug 24, 2018 Emma Lauren rated it it was ok

Dawn of the Dreadfuls by Steve Hockensmith was the prequel to the bestselling Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. It takes place prior to the parody, and follows the Bennet Sisters as they begin their warrior training to become master zombie hunters. In this story we see Elizabeth's wit take form, and Jane become more hardened, and we see Mary, Lydia, and Kitty... be the exact same... We also see people not understanding what the apocalypse is, or if it is really coming, therefore making the girls' ...more

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Nov 07, 2017 Malarie rated it it was ok

Shelves: books-of-2017

I wasn’t a huge fan of this book. At first it reminded me of a YA anime novel. It’s not that it has zombies in it just did not tickle my fancy.

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May 09, 2020 dania rated it did not like it

Shelves: did-not-finish

a whole month later, and i was only able to make it to page 20 after falling asleep twice. it was boring, not gonna bother.

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Nov 20, 2017 Justine Davie rated it liked it

Never did I think I'd enjoy a zombie version of a beloved Jane Austen novel, but...such is life. :)

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Jun 13, 2011 Small Review rated it liked it

Shelves: g-dyst-apoc, pages-200s, 2011-read

Originally posted on Small Review

3.5 stars

What kind of reader are you?

Look, I think this is pretty obvious, but if you're the type of fan who believes the original Pride and Prejudice is a sacred text that should never be tampered with, then this really isn't the book for you. If you don't like zombie books where the zombies are of the hoarding, mindless brain-eater variety, then you probably won't like Dawn of the Dreadfuls.

If, however, those sorts of zombie stories appeal to you and you don't ...more

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Dec 21, 2014 Ape rated it liked it

Shelves: england, alternatives-and-end-of-the-world, austenmania

Continuing on the trend of -nothing-is-sacred-copyright-expired re-mangling of the classics; this book is the prequel to Pride and Prejudice and zombies, introducing you to the tale of how zombies first came to Longborn. It's not exactly the start of the zombie troubles, as people have been off fighting long before this, but it is the Bennett girls' introduction to the undead and to their ku fung training or whatever the hell that was meant to be. There's the usual zombie beheadings, seige and f Continuing on the trend of -nothing-is-sacred-copyright-expired re-mangling of the classics; this book is the prequel to Pride and Prejudice and zombies, introducing you to the tale of how zombies first came to Longborn. It's not exactly the start of the zombie troubles, as people have been off fighting long before this, but it is the Bennett girls' introduction to the undead and to their ku fung training or whatever the hell that was meant to be. There's the usual zombie beheadings, seige and final stand that you'd expect of zombie fare. Because the follow on book came out first, and far more importantly because everyone knows what happens in Pride and Prejudice, it's easy enough to work out who is going to survive, and which couples are not going to make it.

It's meant to be a comedy horror and a bit of a send up, so it works ok on that respect. Personally I find the whole kung fu element a bit stupid and tedious, but I suppose this had to be included as it is in the second book. Surprisingly for a zombie book, there are all rather dull stretches, especially in the first half of the book.

It's comedy and it's light reading so you've got to take it for what it is. But I said it with the Pride and Prejudice one, and I'll say it with this. I think it could have been SO much better if it had been done seriously. The voice of Jane Austen really isn't here. In the other one, because the guy had the original text to pilfer, he could lean heavily on that. With this, it's relying on imagination, but the dialogue and so forth really isn't convincing Austen - probably doesn't matter so much as it's meant to be a comedy. But my main thing is that if this had been the start of the zombie apocalypse proper, it would have been fascinating to experience this in Regency England and to see how society would or wouldn't have coped with it. This is a time when the social hierarchy essentially made some people lesser humans; women weren't considered capable of much; and many subjects simply weren't spoken of. There were many unmentionables. How on earth would this world have reacted to a zombie stumbling through a churchyard and eating someone? Now that's a book I'd really love to read. ...more

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Mar 26, 2010 Peggy rated it liked it

This review originally appeared at RevolutionSF.com:

“And if you preserve genteel English womanhood while
serving up genteel English women as so much steak
tartare, I would say that you have most definitely lost."

Dawn of the Dreadfuls is technically a prequel to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, giving us the story of how the Bennett family came to be the people we met therein. It gives us the first return of the unmentionables to Meryton, and the beginnings of the ly martial arts training of t This review originally appeared at RevolutionSF.com:

“And if you preserve genteel English womanhood while
serving up genteel English women as so much steak
tartare, I would say that you have most definitely lost."

Dawn of the Dreadfuls is technically a prequel to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, giving us the story of how the Bennett family came to be the people we met therein. It gives us the first return of the unmentionables to Meryton, and the beginnings of the ly martial arts training of the Bennett s. We also get hints of romance, with two suitors each for Jane and Elizabeth.

Hockensmith does an excellent job creating younger, more versions of the Bennett s and he does equally well in showing their growth. We meet a young Elizabeth Bennett who's still smart and feisty, but who is much more open to romance than she would later become. And we see the hopes and disappointments that lead to her mistrust in love. We learn more of Mr. Bennett and the first invasion of the unmentionables, and we even get to see a new side of the impossible Mrs. Bennett. But Hockensmith is especially adept at creating the foppish, stupid, arrogant, and downright evil people who look down on the Bennett's, especially Elizabeth.

Who knew just how satisfying it would be to see all of those stuck-up, classist, horrible, horrible people eaten by zombies? I know my high school English classes would have been a lot more fun (and more people would have paid attention) with a judicious application of zombies. If Hockensmith can figure out a way to off Heathcliff and Catherine in this same delightfully gross way, I might just ask him to marry me.

The writing style is just as -on as in the first book, so if it gave you troubles there, it's likely to do so again. But the rewards of the story itself are worth the effort.

If you liked Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, by all means give this one a look. But even if you didn't read it, even if you never read Jane Austen in your life, if you like your stories full of action, romance and a dark sense of humor, you'll still enjoy this tale of love and zombies.
...more

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Oct 20, 2012 Rebecca rated it really liked it

"Journey Back to Regency England - Land of the Undead".

Now, I know A LOT of people despise when someone comes along and re-writes a classic tale with a bit of a twist to it, but me? I absolutely love it! And re-writing it with zombies just makes this book that little bit more awesome!

So, you have the same characters, they all have the same personalities, the same traits, Mrs Bennet strictly focused on finding rich husbands for her daughters, Mr Bennet ignoring the majority of what comes out ...more

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Mar 04, 2010 Cheryl rated it liked it

Elizabeth Bennet and her sisters don’t have a care in the world, other than finding good husbands to marry. While attending a funeral, Elizabeth and her sisters hear an awful howling sound. It is the sound of the undead. They are coming. Mr. Bennet wants his daughters to be prepared to defend themselves, so he hires Master Hawksworth to train his daughters to become vicious slayers.

Dr. Keckilpenny is a bright scientist. He also joins the fight against the undead but his ways are more unorthodox ...more

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Mar 31, 2010 Jennifer rated it really liked it

Shelves: para-zombies

Dawn of the Dreadfuls is the prequel to the mother of all monster/classic mashups, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I loved PPZ and was very excited to read the prequel. Steve Hockensmith did an amazing job of envisioning the rise of the Bennet girls as zombie fighters.

I was expecting something a little different when I first started Dawn of the Dreadfuls. I was misled by the title. I thought this prequel would be focusing on the first occurrence of the zombie menace, perhaps with an explanation ...more

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Nov 18, 2009 Gofita rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: zombie fans everywhere

Shelves: 2010-read, historical-fiction, zombie

I liked this book. It still had lots of zombie mayhem and violence, which I always find extra delightful! This book takes place four years before P&P&Z, when Lizzie is just about to hold her coming-out into society ball. But while at a funeral the deceased comes back to life as a zombie Lizzie's father Mr. Bennett knows the unmentionables are back. He rallies his daughters together to teach them to fight like warriors! While he's trying to round up the army to fight he sends for a new master to ...more

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About Steve Hockensmith

Steve Hockensmith

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Steve Hockensmith is the author of the New York Times bestseller Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls and several other novels, including the Edgar Award finalist Holmes on the Range. He lives in Alameda, California.

Other books in the series

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2 books)

Books by Steve Hockensmith

Dreadfully Ever After (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, #2)

Holmes on the Range (Holmes on the Range, #1)

The White Magic Five and Dime (Tarot Mystery, #1)

On the Wrong Track (Holmes on the Range, #2)

The Black Dove (Holmes on the Range, #3)

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Quotes from Dawn of the Dread...

“Walking out in the middle of a funeral would be, of course, bad form. So attempting to walk out on one's own was beyond the pale.” — 36 likes

“A battle cry" Mr. Bennet said "is a warrior's calling card. Only it does not say 'Good afternoon. I have come for tea and crumpets.' It says 'Death has come for you! Flee or be killed where you stand!” — 9 likes

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