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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
LOVED this book. It caught me by surprise, too. An unexpected treasure.
dark
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Like a dark League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, this book incorporates a lot of late 1880-1890s literary characters from Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, even Varney the Vampire, etc, which may seem like fan fiction, but the story focuses on original characters. We don't even see Dracula himself until the end of the book.
Essentially, this is a reimagining of what that world could be like if Dracula had won at the end of Stoker's book, and what happened in Salem's lot happened to Great Britan.
My criticism would be that he REALLY tried to force some famous characters into the story, for example: Dr. Moreau and Dr. Jekyll, without development or making much sense, which took away from story.
Newman is a master at building atmosphere and this book is in the Gothic style of Shelley, Poe, and Stoker. It's a fun read that recommend to fans of classic horror.
Essentially, this is a reimagining of what that world could be like if Dracula had won at the end of Stoker's book, and what happened in Salem's lot happened to Great Britan.
My criticism would be that he REALLY tried to force some famous characters into the story, for example: Dr. Moreau and Dr. Jekyll, without development or making much sense, which took away from story.
Newman is a master at building atmosphere and this book is in the Gothic style of Shelley, Poe, and Stoker. It's a fun read that recommend to fans of classic horror.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Weird, wild alternative history of when the vamps take England. Fun read.
Filmconaisseur Kim Newman wirft alles an Charakteren und Topoi in einen großen Topf und kocht diesen zu absoluter Kurzweil zusammen. Da ist kein unnötiges Fett an dieser Story um Stokers Vampirlord, der es mit Conan Doyles Figuren ebenso aufnehmen muss, wie mit einem Vorfahren von James Bonds höchst eigenem Boss „M“. Für den Genrefilm- und -buchnerd wie mich ein riesengroßer Spaß, der Lust auf die Nachfolgebände macht. Ich vergebe: 4,5 von zehn blutbesudelte Fledermäuse.
Not for me - the names were too hard to keep track off, and the language felt unnecessarily complicated. Perhaps if I had more experience with the vampire genre it would make it a lot easier to follow, but it just felt a lot like the plot lacked substance.
The author, Newman, does an excellent job of crafting an alternate history London where Dracula has married Queen Victoria and vampires roam free. The characters are well enough fleshed out and mystery of Jack the Ripper is played well. The issue for me tends to be the somewhat abrupt ending. All of the loose ends very quickly close themselves within possibly two chapters. Dracula makes an appearance for one chapter himself.
I understand the ending, it makes sense, but it almost feels a bit forced. I can't strongly recommend this to just anyone, but if like me you enjoyed Stoker's original you will likely find enjoyment in reading this one. I enjoyed it enough I'll move ahead with the second in the series.
I understand the ending, it makes sense, but it almost feels a bit forced. I can't strongly recommend this to just anyone, but if like me you enjoyed Stoker's original you will likely find enjoyment in reading this one. I enjoyed it enough I'll move ahead with the second in the series.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The problem with a lot of horrors or supernatural books is they struggle to land the ending.
I read this book in one sitting, I just wanted to know what happens next. The setting was interesting, I do love alternative history settings especially with vampires.
The problem is when they build the villain to be almost unbeatable they have to create a clever way for them to be defeated, this story did not. The ending didn't ruin the journey and I would recommend this book but with that in mind.
I read this book in one sitting, I just wanted to know what happens next. The setting was interesting, I do love alternative history settings especially with vampires.
The problem is when they build the villain to be almost unbeatable they have to create a clever way for them to be defeated, this story did not. The ending didn't ruin the journey and I would recommend this book but with that in mind.
What if Dracula was not defeated by Van Helsing et. al. and instead married Queen Victoria?
That's the setting of Anno Dracula. The London where vampires walk among the living and acquire the means of power.
Sounds like a fairly cool story, but then Jack the Ripper shows up. In a way that actually makes superb and perfect sense in the Victorian London that has vampires running about.
This is a great tasty book for people who love stories where characters from various books mix and mingle. Half the fun of the book is watching the cameos from other books interact. Like the chapter where Dr. Jeckyl and Dr. Moreau dissect a vampire corpse.
I would highly recommend reading this immediately after Bram Stoker's Dracula. I would give this 4.5 stars if I could.
It's such a page turner that I completed it in less than 72 hours.
That's the setting of Anno Dracula. The London where vampires walk among the living and acquire the means of power.
Sounds like a fairly cool story, but then Jack the Ripper shows up. In a way that actually makes superb and perfect sense in the Victorian London that has vampires running about.
This is a great tasty book for people who love stories where characters from various books mix and mingle. Half the fun of the book is watching the cameos from other books interact. Like the chapter where Dr. Jeckyl and Dr. Moreau dissect a vampire corpse.
I would highly recommend reading this immediately after Bram Stoker's Dracula. I would give this 4.5 stars if I could.
It's such a page turner that I completed it in less than 72 hours.