Reviews

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

lakecake's review against another edition

4.0

I don't know why everyone's hating on this book in these reviews. I thought it was really great! Funny, suspenseful, definitely intriguing. I've read a lot about the Dracula myth over the years, and I think this was actually a good addition to the lore surrounding one of the most enduring stories of evil of all time. Sure, it's completely impossible, but come on--it's vampires!

sara_4539's review against another edition

3.0

a bit too rambling for me. took me forever to read and to be honest it probably wasn't worth the time. bit of a let down.

skconaghan's review against another edition

dark informative mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

acathey's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional medium-paced

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

5.0

redheadreading's review against another edition

informative mysterious slow-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

champagneghost's review against another edition

2.0

dracula ex machina. also, there's a lot of weird romanticisation of history/historians, and weird romanticisation of certain cultures??

what is the point of the story within a story within a story if the characters don't react accordingly to what they're discovering in real time? for instance,

Spoiler

when we learn that Helen is a descendant of Dracula and then we flash forward back to her daughter, we don't see... any reaction whatsover to this news, the daughter just bangs her companion.. ?

and we see this time and time again.

ultimately this was a fun book and a fun vampire novel, but wow so frustrating.

emikemper's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

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

4.25

emmagossage's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark informative mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

thereadingwren's review against another edition

4.0

The atmosphere of this is kind of everything. It has that haunting vibe, chilling and mysterious with enough tension to keep you on your toes. I was so enthralled by this book I hardly wanted to put it down.

I normally hate duel timelines, and while I didn't love this one I didn't loathe it either. I was far more interested in the past timeline and not with the present one. But this whole almost academic search for Dracula was fascinating!

momoj8's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-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

3.25