A review by tlfuller13
Stoker's Manuscript by Royce Prouty
4.0
I truly enjoyed reading this novel. It was a fun treasure hunt, so to speak, mixed with suspense, history and adventure. I loved learning the old world superstitions, and being taken into a much different world than where I live in now. I would recommend reading this novel at night to anyone, it gives it a sense of atmosphere, so you'll feel apart of the story as Joseph has his nightly dealings.
the character of Joseph isn't my favorite, I felt he was one dimensional at times, but then complex at others. I felt for his character in many of his sticky situations but the way he handled some of them, imprisonment for example, was just acceptance with a hint of worry. I didn't feel his fear, but mostly confidence and courage. I respect that in a character, but when the nemesis says he smells fear, I didn't get that sense until much later.
One thing that annoyed me about the nemesis was how intimidating he was. towards the end he states how Joseph is not the first human to by time, which I can understand why our bad guy would be frustrated. however, he has been looking for something for a very long time, and he keeps getting timid and frustrating results because they are all scared of him and don't want to die. a good nemesis is charming, so you want to please him, how has he not thought to bait him with charm and promises of a safe end to the deal, not imprisonment, fear and death. I get why he is represented so evil and cruel, but even Bram Stocker 's Dracula was charming...
the character of Joseph isn't my favorite, I felt he was one dimensional at times, but then complex at others. I felt for his character in many of his sticky situations but the way he handled some of them, imprisonment for example, was just acceptance with a hint of worry. I didn't feel his fear, but mostly confidence and courage. I respect that in a character, but when the nemesis says he smells fear, I didn't get that sense until much later.
One thing that annoyed me about the nemesis was how intimidating he was. towards the end he states how Joseph is not the first human to by time, which I can understand why our bad guy would be frustrated. however, he has been looking for something for a very long time, and he keeps getting timid and frustrating results because they are all scared of him and don't want to die. a good nemesis is charming, so you want to please him, how has he not thought to bait him with charm and promises of a safe end to the deal, not imprisonment, fear and death. I get why he is represented so evil and cruel, but even Bram Stocker 's Dracula was charming...