sanmeow's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
i've read better vampire literature, but this was still pretty good! i love vampires and this is a good example of classic vampire lit, and i intend to read every vampire book out there if i can. it's pretty standard thematically, which is nice, but i didn't feel particularly inspired by the writing style, so i can't give this more than 3.5 stars.
the_lady_disdain's review against another edition
3.0
If you love handsome and seductive queer coded vampires, you owe this man your thanks.
agica's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I don't even understand why I didn't read this classic vampire tale yet. Amazingly written and fantastically dark.
ceelie's review against another edition
3.0
The OG vampire in english literature!
Before Dracula and every one else, there was: Ruthven
- Introduction, description of Lord Ruthven's appearance and his reputation to the masses.
- Aubrey (the handsome, wealthy, young protagonist) has taken a liking to him.
- They travel together briefly
- Aubrey strays away from him as he is finding him odd already, and was also advised to do so by his relatives through a letter.
- He meets Ianthe and falls for her.
- Incidentally finds Ruthven staying in the same lodging as him, takes Ianthe as a victim of his vampire desires, killing her (???)
- They once again decided to travel together (???)
- Suddenly caught up in a raid of robbers wherein Ruthven was suddenly shot by a bullet on his shoulder.
- He becomes ill from the wound and slowly decreases strength.
- In his deathbed, he makes Aubrey swear not to expose his true nature as a v a m p y r e.
- The following day, as they were about to bury him, neither his corpse nor his clothes were nowhere to be seen.
- Aubrey comes back home to his beloved sister who is now preparing to get married to a ~distinguished ~ gentleman.
- Unbeknownst to Aubrey at first that his sister's betrothed was his monster friend, he loses his mind when he finds out.
- On the day of the wedding, Ruthven reminds Aubrey of his oath, that if broken, threatens to leave his sister and make everyone see her as 'undesirable for marriage'.
- Every relative/housekeeper/physician treated Aubrey as insane, he keeps asking for the wedding to be postponed, which they ultimately ignored. They decided to lock him up in his room in the meantime and still went forth with the ceremony.
- The newlyweds decided to leave the country soon afterwards
- Aubrey suddenly dies (???) and wrote a letter concerning the true nature of his sister's husband, which was found by nearby relatives and is already in a panic to save Aubrey's sister.
- They are too late, however. For in the end, Ruthven had already "disappeared, and Aubrey's sister had glutted the thirst of a VAMPYRE!"
All in all, this was fairly average for me. The scene transitions could've been better. But it's still a fascinating read!
Before Dracula and every one else, there was: Ruthven
Spoiler
Highlights from the text/summary of the entire tale:- Introduction, description of Lord Ruthven's appearance and his reputation to the masses.
- Aubrey (the handsome, wealthy, young protagonist) has taken a liking to him.
- They travel together briefly
- Aubrey strays away from him as he is finding him odd already, and was also advised to do so by his relatives through a letter.
- He meets Ianthe and falls for her.
- Incidentally finds Ruthven staying in the same lodging as him, takes Ianthe as a victim of his vampire desires, killing her (???)
- They once again decided to travel together (???)
- Suddenly caught up in a raid of robbers wherein Ruthven was suddenly shot by a bullet on his shoulder.
- He becomes ill from the wound and slowly decreases strength.
- In his deathbed, he makes Aubrey swear not to expose his true nature as a v a m p y r e.
- The following day, as they were about to bury him, neither his corpse nor his clothes were nowhere to be seen.
- Aubrey comes back home to his beloved sister who is now preparing to get married to a ~distinguished ~ gentleman.
- Unbeknownst to Aubrey at first that his sister's betrothed was his monster friend, he loses his mind when he finds out.
- On the day of the wedding, Ruthven reminds Aubrey of his oath, that if broken, threatens to leave his sister and make everyone see her as 'undesirable for marriage'.
- Every relative/housekeeper/physician treated Aubrey as insane, he keeps asking for the wedding to be postponed, which they ultimately ignored. They decided to lock him up in his room in the meantime and still went forth with the ceremony.
- The newlyweds decided to leave the country soon afterwards
- Aubrey suddenly dies (???) and wrote a letter concerning the true nature of his sister's husband, which was found by nearby relatives and is already in a panic to save Aubrey's sister.
- They are too late, however. For in the end, Ruthven had already "disappeared, and Aubrey's sister had glutted the thirst of a VAMPYRE!"
All in all, this was fairly average for me. The scene transitions could've been better. But it's still a fascinating read!
zaisgraph's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Mid
evitak's review against another edition
dark
fast-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
2.5