foxon's review against another edition
3.0
On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is Lady Julia Grey and 10 is Veronica Speedwell, Theodora is dead center. She is not particularly annoying or particularly exciting. From the reviews I had very low expectations, which ended up working in this books favor. The setting is striving for an atmospheric feel and the mystery was a slow burn, but it keep me reading.
The prose is a little rough in places, but my main complaint with this book is our MC's name. Theodora Lestrange. I have a irrational dislike for it. Eye rolls ensued when I read the first sentence and I had to say out loud the my boyfriend 'you wont believe the stupid name this character has'. Other complaints include the ending being a little self congratulatory and the audio narrators voice for the Count which is not dark and brooding or even a hilarious impersonation of the Count from Sesame Street. I have absolutely no idea what the narrator was trying to do, it was distracting at best.
The prose is a little rough in places, but my main complaint with this book is our MC's name. Theodora Lestrange. I have a irrational dislike for it. Eye rolls ensued when I read the first sentence and I had to say out loud the my boyfriend 'you wont believe the stupid name this character has'. Other complaints include the ending being a little self congratulatory and the audio narrators voice for the Count which is not dark and brooding or even a hilarious impersonation of the Count from Sesame Street. I have absolutely no idea what the narrator was trying to do, it was distracting at best.
kblincoln's review against another edition
3.0
I'm a huge fan of Raybourn's Lady Grey mystery series. Reading this book, I could see the love Raybourn must have for gothic novels that is so brilliantly underlaying the atmosphere in the Lady Grey series. The difference is, while the understated gothic-ness brings frissons of romance and horror to that series, here it turns into a full fledged homage to a gothic fest.
Theodora joins a childhood friend in a castle in Transylvania. She is drawn to the Count of the castle, even while stories of vampires and werewolves begin to make her fearful of the people around her.
The book was enjoyable, but the overwhelming gothicness of it was not to my taste. I felt the most interesting parts of the relationship between Theodora and the count, or Theodora and her childhood friend were glossed over and "told" to us rather than letting us experience the interesting day to day details of their interactions. This, I believe, is a characteristic of these kinds of novels, but I wanted more depth.
This Book's Food Designation Rating: Chocolate-chocolate chip fudge bars for the very intense emotions and themes running through it, delicious at first, and then cloying.
Theodora joins a childhood friend in a castle in Transylvania. She is drawn to the Count of the castle, even while stories of vampires and werewolves begin to make her fearful of the people around her.
The book was enjoyable, but the overwhelming gothicness of it was not to my taste. I felt the most interesting parts of the relationship between Theodora and the count, or Theodora and her childhood friend were glossed over and "told" to us rather than letting us experience the interesting day to day details of their interactions. This, I believe, is a characteristic of these kinds of novels, but I wanted more depth.
This Book's Food Designation Rating: Chocolate-chocolate chip fudge bars for the very intense emotions and themes running through it, delicious at first, and then cloying.
sandylovesbooks's review against another edition
3.0
If you like the romantic telling of Dracula, then you might like this book. Good ending. Is he or isn't he?
lautir's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't care for this book in the same way I liked the previous Deanna Raybourn series. The main character is too similar to Miss Julia Grey in her other series and I'd really like to see her change it up a bit. The story also takes a bit to get going before it gets into vampires and werewolves and such... Even the characters and plot kind of fell flat for me.
pygment's review against another edition
4.0
I love the little references to the characters in the other books she has written. The story was lovely and the vampire book I wish I'd written in high school.
margaretkearney's review against another edition
4.0
I love Deanna Raybourns Lady Julia series so I had high hopes for this book.Although I really enjoyed it,I didnt fall in love with it like I did Lady Julia.It really is a good read and I do recommend it but if you've read the other series dont expect the same.
The book is about Theodora,an orphaned spinster aurthoress,travelling to Translyvania for an old school friends wedding and to write a new book.Its basically a gothic novel with an old castle,spooky forest,vampires,werewolves,superstiton,seduction,mystery and murder.The heroine is likeable,if not instantly loveable, and the description of Transylvanian countryside makes me want to move there.
The book is about Theodora,an orphaned spinster aurthoress,travelling to Translyvania for an old school friends wedding and to write a new book.Its basically a gothic novel with an old castle,spooky forest,vampires,werewolves,superstiton,seduction,mystery and murder.The heroine is likeable,if not instantly loveable, and the description of Transylvanian countryside makes me want to move there.
floribunda52's review against another edition
3.0
I read this for a new online book club. Meh. Not at all my thing — gothic bodice-ripper with vampires!
caitlin_caswell's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
calluna_vulgar1s's review against another edition
3.0
If you're in the mood for a moody Byronic hero in a romantic gothic setting filled with folklore and intrigue, then this is for you.
I only scored it so low because I think I'm not that into romantic gothic stuff anymore. (I.e. I find it grating...) Regardless, Raybourn is a talented writer who does her research.
I only scored it so low because I think I'm not that into romantic gothic stuff anymore. (I.e. I find it grating...) Regardless, Raybourn is a talented writer who does her research.
lizjane's review against another edition
4.0
Unconventional heroine (aren't they all?) travels to Transylvania to meet with an old boarding-school friend before the friend's wedding. Great historical mystery/romance that may or may not have vampires. I loved it.