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saccalai's review
3.5
How did Bram Stoker come up with the idea for Dracula? Maybe he actually came across vampires in his lifetime??? I couldn't believe it took me so long to get all the clues but it was a clever twist.
It was sometimes a bit confusing to figure out who was talking in a conversation but overall an interesting and intriguing story.
It was sometimes a bit confusing to figure out who was talking in a conversation but overall an interesting and intriguing story.
seang81's review
2.0
Who doesn’t love Dracula? It’s the original gothic horror and a personal favourite. Recently I’ve been enjoying novels that mash genres together and I went into ‘Mr Stoker…’ expecting similar. Which I got to a point. The world built by Matthew Gibson is picture perfect, eliciting the feeling of being back in the 18oo’s, however, this is where it also falters. As the author is a revered expert in Bram Stoker i found this to be an almost academic slog instead of the pulp fiction vaudeville escape that I was hoping for. I finished but it was a struggle so I would say if you’re looking for a more serious piece of fiction then this may be your cup of tea. For me, it just didn’t go for the jugular.
the_sassy_bookworm's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Book Review: “Mr Stoker and the Vampires of the Lyceum” by Matthew Gibson
Overall rating: ★★★☆☆
London, September 1888. Jack the Ripper roams the streets, and the Lyceum Theatre becomes a stage for something far more sinister. In “Mr Stoker and the Vampires of the Lyceum,” Matthew Gibson takes us on a journey through Gothic intrigue and vampiric happenings that will keep readers enthralled until the shocking final scene.
The story revolves around Bram Stoker, the acting manager of the Lyceum Theatre and an aspiring author. When a young actress is attacked beneath the stage, suffering peculiar bite wounds to her neck, Stoker finds himself thrust into the limelight and immersed in a world of vampires. As he becomes increasingly perplexed by the unsettling behavior of Henry Irving, the brilliant but mercurial actor, and Ellen Terry, Irving’s acclaimed leading lady, Stoker’s suspicions grow. Soon, another attack reveals a vicious Prussian baron, returned to London as a vampire seeking revenge.
One of the highlights of “Mr Stoker and the Vampires of the Lyceum” is its atmospheric setting. Gibson masterfully creates a gothic ambiance that immerses readers in the dark and mysterious world of Victorian London. From the dimly lit streets to the eerie corners of the Lyceum Theatre, every scene oozes with tension and suspense.
Gibson’s deep knowledge of Bram Stoker and his work shines through in this novel. The author’s meticulous research is evident in the rich historical details that bring 19th-century London to life. Readers who appreciate a well-crafted historical backdrop will find themselves captivated by the authenticity of the setting.
However, while Gibson’s writing skill is undeniable, “Mr Stoker and the Vampires of the Lyceum” may not be for everyone. The novel’s density of detail can be overwhelming at times, detracting from the overall storytelling experience. The abundance of information slows down the pace, making it a bit of a slog to get through.
That being said, for those who enjoy delving into the intricacies of Victorian literature and have a penchant for immersive storytelling, this book has much to offer. Gibson’s ability to weave together Gothic elements with historical events creates an intriguing narrative that will keep readers engaged until the very last word.
In conclusion, “Mr Stoker and the Vampires of the Lyceum” is a book that showcases Matthew Gibson’s talent as a writer and his deep understanding of Bram Stoker’s works. While its dense detail may hinder some readers’ enjoyment, its atmospheric setting and compelling storyline make it a worthwhile read for fans of historical fiction and Gothic literature.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
Overall rating: ★★★☆☆
London, September 1888. Jack the Ripper roams the streets, and the Lyceum Theatre becomes a stage for something far more sinister. In “Mr Stoker and the Vampires of the Lyceum,” Matthew Gibson takes us on a journey through Gothic intrigue and vampiric happenings that will keep readers enthralled until the shocking final scene.
The story revolves around Bram Stoker, the acting manager of the Lyceum Theatre and an aspiring author. When a young actress is attacked beneath the stage, suffering peculiar bite wounds to her neck, Stoker finds himself thrust into the limelight and immersed in a world of vampires. As he becomes increasingly perplexed by the unsettling behavior of Henry Irving, the brilliant but mercurial actor, and Ellen Terry, Irving’s acclaimed leading lady, Stoker’s suspicions grow. Soon, another attack reveals a vicious Prussian baron, returned to London as a vampire seeking revenge.
One of the highlights of “Mr Stoker and the Vampires of the Lyceum” is its atmospheric setting. Gibson masterfully creates a gothic ambiance that immerses readers in the dark and mysterious world of Victorian London. From the dimly lit streets to the eerie corners of the Lyceum Theatre, every scene oozes with tension and suspense.
Gibson’s deep knowledge of Bram Stoker and his work shines through in this novel. The author’s meticulous research is evident in the rich historical details that bring 19th-century London to life. Readers who appreciate a well-crafted historical backdrop will find themselves captivated by the authenticity of the setting.
However, while Gibson’s writing skill is undeniable, “Mr Stoker and the Vampires of the Lyceum” may not be for everyone. The novel’s density of detail can be overwhelming at times, detracting from the overall storytelling experience. The abundance of information slows down the pace, making it a bit of a slog to get through.
That being said, for those who enjoy delving into the intricacies of Victorian literature and have a penchant for immersive storytelling, this book has much to offer. Gibson’s ability to weave together Gothic elements with historical events creates an intriguing narrative that will keep readers engaged until the very last word.
In conclusion, “Mr Stoker and the Vampires of the Lyceum” is a book that showcases Matthew Gibson’s talent as a writer and his deep understanding of Bram Stoker’s works. While its dense detail may hinder some readers’ enjoyment, its atmospheric setting and compelling storyline make it a worthwhile read for fans of historical fiction and Gothic literature.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
not_another_ana's review against another edition
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher
Bram Stoker, the current acting manager of the Lyceum Theatre and future writer of Dracula, finds himself involved in a supernatural matter when crimes seemingly related to vampiric activity start happening in London. I expected something a little bit different from this. It technically has a lot of elements that I enjoy but the way the were assembled was a failure, like putting together a puzzle without looking at the reference picture.
My two biggest issues were details and pacing, the two being closely linked in this case. I think the author knows a lot about Bram Stoker and the context in which he lived. You can notice this in all the details he chose to add to the story, and while they help set the scene and transport the reader to the appropriate place and time there were just too many of them. They dragged the story down, I did not need to know all the correct historical terms for every little thing. This, in turn, affected the pacing. I dropped the book around 48% because it was just so slow. At that point in the story Bram Stoker had only tangentially learned something about the main plot and none of that was interesting enough to keep me going.
I don't think the book knows what it wants to be. It contains multitudes in a way. It's a Bram Stoker biography, a historical novel, a vampire tale and a campy romp all at the same time. None of this meshes well with a central plot. One of the things that made me put this down was a sudden change of POV to a completely new villanous character who wasn't even in the city and just infodumped a lot of the plot. Just very odd and not enjoyable. Maybe give this a go if you really want to know about London in the 1880s but not if you want a tale about the inspiration for Dracula.
Bram Stoker, the current acting manager of the Lyceum Theatre and future writer of Dracula, finds himself involved in a supernatural matter when crimes seemingly related to vampiric activity start happening in London. I expected something a little bit different from this. It technically has a lot of elements that I enjoy but the way the were assembled was a failure, like putting together a puzzle without looking at the reference picture.
My two biggest issues were details and pacing, the two being closely linked in this case. I think the author knows a lot about Bram Stoker and the context in which he lived. You can notice this in all the details he chose to add to the story, and while they help set the scene and transport the reader to the appropriate place and time there were just too many of them. They dragged the story down, I did not need to know all the correct historical terms for every little thing. This, in turn, affected the pacing. I dropped the book around 48% because it was just so slow. At that point in the story Bram Stoker had only tangentially learned something about the main plot and none of that was interesting enough to keep me going.
I don't think the book knows what it wants to be. It contains multitudes in a way. It's a Bram Stoker biography, a historical novel, a vampire tale and a campy romp all at the same time. None of this meshes well with a central plot. One of the things that made me put this down was a sudden change of POV to a completely new villanous character who wasn't even in the city and just infodumped a lot of the plot. Just very odd and not enjoyable. Maybe give this a go if you really want to know about London in the 1880s but not if you want a tale about the inspiration for Dracula.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Minor: Suicide and Antisemitism
claires_loveofbooks2020's review
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
I loved the story and the premise of this novel. It had intriguing characters with quite a lot of depth to them, and they all seemed to interlink with each others lives very intricately. I enjoyed reading the novel as it was set back in the 1800s, and the wording in the novel represents this era, I had a lot of fun trying to understand some of the words. My only flaw was the ending, I expected it to be a lot different than what it was, and I felt a little disappointed. Overall, it was a really interesting read, and if you like the era of Jack the Ripper, mysteries, and vampires, pick this one up!
vesper1931's review
mysterious
4.0
London 1888. During rehearsals at the Lyceum, a scream is heard coming from the cellar resulting in the discovery of a young female who had been attacked. By whom and how. There is also the murders by Jack the Ripper, coupled with the suspicious behaviour of Henry Irving and Ellen Terry to contend with. What can Bram Stoker think or do to solve the mysteries.
An entertaining Victorian gothic tale. A well-written story with its interesting and varied characters.
An entertaining Victorian gothic tale. A well-written story with its interesting and varied characters.
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