My Amazon review....
This book is about Mina, told in the first person. The reader finds out a little about Mina's childhood in the beginning of the book. We find that she is not a "normal" girl. Mina often sleepwalks, and she is distant which frightens her parents. Later, she becomes a school teacher, but the sleepwalking does not stop. In fact, as she becomes older, and matures into a young woman, the voice of a man continues to haunt to Mina.
I will confess that its been a very long time since I read Dracula. I hardly remember it, to be honest. However, this isn't about Dracula, this is about Mina.
The historical details in this novel helped to give a better understand of the time period. There are so many historical fiction books I read that you would never know what era they are in unless there is a war going on. I think Ms. Essex does a great job of capturing Victorian ideology.
I liked the book, but this isn't a must read, and that's why I only gave it three stars. Also, the sex in the book could be a turn off for a lot of people. I didn't think the sexual encounters were poorly written, but this is a matter of taste, of course. I can see how some people would not like them. I think the reader, before buying this book, needs to think about their personal tastes. Are they OK with sex and rape in their book? If one doesn't mind it, then I say try it. However, if the reader is put off by it then I'm not sure they would enjoy this novel. I do believe this is a book one should borrow from the library because what one person views as tasteful another many not. This book is hard to judge.
This book is a fun, interesting take on the classic tale. It gives Mina a chance to tell her side of the story. For those looking for something a little spicy and not bothered by sex in their novels then I say give this one a go.
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Dracula in Love by Karen Essex
Dracula in Love by Karen Essex
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I've read enough reviews to convince me to give this a pass. If anything, I'll go and read the original. Appreciate the heads up on the sex, I like to do the same so people know what they are facing going in.
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[quote=""Misfit""]I've read enough reviews to convince me to give this a pass. If anything, I'll go and read the original. [/quote]
Misfit, absolutely do read the original Dracula if you haven't already. It is marvellous. The one reason I'm grateful I read The Historian is because it inspired me to try Dracula, which is so much better.
Misfit, absolutely do read the original Dracula if you haven't already. It is marvellous. The one reason I'm grateful I read The Historian is because it inspired me to try Dracula, which is so much better.
I do intend to do that. If I have read it I've completely forgotten it.
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I endorsed this one and enjoyed it, but I'm not adverse to graphic sex if it's presented within context. For this book, I felt it was necessary to explain Mina's obsession; what I really liked, however, was the mythological twist on the story.
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I didnt mind the sex, but I'm sure some will.
However, as I read it I just wasnt as excited as I wanted to be. I was really looking forward to this one. Maybe my expectations were too high?
However, as I read it I just wasnt as excited as I wanted to be. I was really looking forward to this one. Maybe my expectations were too high?
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[quote=""Divia""]I didnt mind the sex, but I'm sure some will.
However, as I read it I just wasnt as excited as I wanted to be. I was really looking forward to this one. Maybe my expectations were too high? [/quote]
I think that with a story this iconic, there's bound to be some of us who expect more than the book can deliver. It's no reflection on you; just the way it is. I'm a huge fan of the original Dracula and wasn't too keen on the recent sequel, Dracula the Undead by Stoker's nephew; it felt too made-for-Hollywood for me, but a lot of people loved it. Conversely, I didn't have much expectation when this book came around, except that it be well-written, as I've loved Karen's previous novels.
However, as I read it I just wasnt as excited as I wanted to be. I was really looking forward to this one. Maybe my expectations were too high? [/quote]
I think that with a story this iconic, there's bound to be some of us who expect more than the book can deliver. It's no reflection on you; just the way it is. I'm a huge fan of the original Dracula and wasn't too keen on the recent sequel, Dracula the Undead by Stoker's nephew; it felt too made-for-Hollywood for me, but a lot of people loved it. Conversely, I didn't have much expectation when this book came around, except that it be well-written, as I've loved Karen's previous novels.
THE QUEEN'S VOW available on June 12, 2012!
THE TUDOR SECRET, Book I in the Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles
THE CONFESSIONS OF CATHERINE DE MEDICI
THE LAST QUEEN
www.cwgortner.com
THE TUDOR SECRET, Book I in the Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles
THE CONFESSIONS OF CATHERINE DE MEDICI
THE LAST QUEEN
www.cwgortner.com
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I loved both Dracula and The Historian. However, in The Historian Dracula doesn't actually make much of an appearance until the end if I remember rightly.
I have Syrie James' Dracula My Love on its way to me as I speak!
I have Syrie James' Dracula My Love on its way to me as I speak!
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Books are mirrors, you only see in them what you already have inside you ~ The Shadow of the Wind
I have a review copy of that as well. I always tought that Essex's would be better. Maybe this other one is. Hmm.
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Thanks for this. I'd seen it in the store recently and thought about picking it up, being an avid fan of Bram Stoker and vampires in general. I adore the original, and just read the "sequel," (don't get me started on that one ) by Dacre Stoker.
I have no problems with sex in novels as long as it fits the story line. My biggest complaint about someone I used to love (Laurell Hamilton and her Anita Blake books) is that yes, give me good sex, but give me a good story to go with it!
Perhaps I'll wait for the paperback.
I have no problems with sex in novels as long as it fits the story line. My biggest complaint about someone I used to love (Laurell Hamilton and her Anita Blake books) is that yes, give me good sex, but give me a good story to go with it!
Perhaps I'll wait for the paperback.