Reviews

Dracula the Un-Dead by Ian Holt

dorian_gray02's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

rebel_fairy's review against another edition

3.0

I enjoyed that Countess Bathory was featured. I am a little sad about the contradiction between this novel and Dracul.

the_sassy_bookworm's review against another edition

4.0

This book is getting some horrible reviews, and yes, if you are looking for a sequel to the original, then you are likely to hate it. There is nothing remotely sequel like about this book except for the fact that a relative of Bram Stoker wrote it!

All that being said, I rather enjoyed it, it was fast paced, the characters were interesting, it was just an entertaining read to me.

reasonpassion's review against another edition

2.0

Reading about the characters from the original tale is quite interesting and fairly well done as to a projected analysis of how they would fare given the ordeal they each went through. The introduction of Countess Bathory is where things get bogged down and read more like a pale attempt at a horror story rather than an exposition on the frailty of the flesh and the deep-seated longing for the release of a pent-up sexuality found in blood-letting. Perhaps it was the tone of the book that simply doesn't match the original Stoker's prose or perhaps the theme has been so overdone that this reader has become jaded. I'm not sure the answer but whatever it is, the ending of the book leaves little doubt that it devolves into near-ridiculousness and so any confusion felt is mitigated by the rueful shaking of head that sees Dracula become less than what he was.

faerlyrainny's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

benwoll's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

audsisburrito's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.25

gitanita's review against another edition

4.0

Odlučila sam pročitati ovu knjigu da vidim što su to točno potomci Brama Stokera odlučili još napisati. Original Brama Stokera sam pročitala i ostala sam poprilično razočarana tako da sam i u ovaj projekt krenula s dozom skepticizma (iako sam inače fascinirana likom grofa Drakule).

I ova priča, kao i original kreće vrlo sporim, ponekad izluđujuće sporim, tempom. Moram priznati da sam u par navrata debatirala sama sa sobom da li da nastavim čitati ili ne. Međutim, taman kad sam počela tako razmišljati dogodilo se pa preokreta koji su me zaljepili za knjigu. Iako se isprva, kako to već obično biva s pričama o borbi dobra i zla, čini kako se sve okrenulo protiv glavnih junaka i kako se nikako neće moći izvuči, čitaš dalje u nadi da će stvari ipak krenuti na bolje.
Pisci su unijeli pregršt zanimljivih sporednih likova koji upotpunjuju priču, malo upotpunili originalnu priču likova i spojili različite događaje iz povijesti Engleske i svijeta u jednu priču povezanu istim likovima. U drugom dijelu knjige akcija i suspenzija su gotovo opipljive, a svako poglavlje završava "cliffhangerom". Taman kad pomisliš da si "pročitao" priču i znaš tko je tko, priča te zezne i shvatiš da još uvijek ne znaš što bi se na kraju moglo dogoditi.

Priča je uistinu odlična, a četvorku dajem samo zbog tog sporog početka i zato što me naivnost i zaluđenost nekih likova dovodila do ludila i u meni čak budila tjeskobu. A možda je baš to i odlika odlične priče vrijedne čiste petice.

noomlum's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

nikshelby's review against another edition

3.0

Written by Bram’s grandnephew, this book was a interesting sequel. I hated some parts. I hated their interpretation of how the heroes of “Dracula” would have responded to their previous adventures – particularly Van Helsing. I’m undecided on their reinterpretation of Dracula himself…I’m still thinking about it.

The main redeeming element? The introduction of Elizabeth Bathory. The success of Bathory worked for me; not only because she was an excellent villain, but because (like Dracula) there is a real historical Elizabeth Bathory – a famous serial killer who bathed in blood to keep her youth.

I also enjoyed the tie-in with the Jack-the-Ripper mystery, the appearance of Bram Stoker himself, and future potential of the story-migration to America.