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kebreads's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this story. I liked how it had letters, journal entries, etc. at the beginning of each chapter. The character development was well done. I found the magic system intriguing. The ending left it open for sequels, so I wonder if more books will come.
content: clean - some violence, a couple swear words
content: clean - some violence, a couple swear words
brendalovesbooks's review against another edition
1.0
I didn't like this book at all. This was my first book by this author, so I'm not sure if I just don't care for her writing, or if it was just this particular book. There wasn't really one thing that I can point to that I liked while reading this. I hate to be harsh, and I'm sure there is an audience for this book out there. I just found it boring and predictable.
On further looking, I see that I have read another book by Jessica Day George, and I liked it quite a lot, so it's just this particular story that I didn't care for.
On further looking, I see that I have read another book by Jessica Day George, and I liked it quite a lot, so it's just this particular story that I didn't care for.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to read this book because it was a werewolf paranormal type with no romance. I was quickly bored with the book put pushed through. It had gotten interesting to me half way through but it quickly grew annoying with Dracias’ character because she was running away from her problems instead of facing them and then when she finally finds her courage there is less than sixty pages left. Lou i feel could have had a better character in some way. The villains plan had made little to no sense to me until he was saying or yeah i want to marry Dracia and blah blah blah. I wish the book would have focused more on the mystery and not on the romance. It was aggravating that they held off what the secret was.
skytannathegreat's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
Being my first YA book that I have read in a good while, I will say that the story-line about an ancient family having a supernatural secret was enjoyable and helped push me through my read. That and some of the character's growing moments were about all that I enjoyed. I think that George should have stuck with telling this story how she first envisioned it: set in present day, as said in her author's note. The places and time didn't really show through her writing. There was something a little too modern about how the characters were acting throughout the story. I spent a whole semester reading books written in the 1800's, so I know how people are supposed to act, I hope so at least. These two teenage girls did have a wonderful relationship with each other and had some good moments as well, but the way that they would playfully punch other characters--even if they were playful ladies of the time--brought me out of the set time period, for example.
The setting in Romania was also not flushed out as much as it could have been. I feel bad for saying so because of the work that George said she did during her own trip to Romania, taking notes and pictures and the like. George didn't really describe the setting around the characters much, just little things about the buildings that they were currently in. Nothing about the countryside or the "Little Paris" Bucharest, which was disappointing. The dark forest where the first transformations took place could have been a lot more magical or scary with just a little more description, in my opinion.
I know this was a little more of a lengthy review, but I really liked reading this story and I actually couldn't put it down at some points! A more lengthy review just means that I respect the reading, whether good or bad, more than others.
I recommend this book to people who want an interesting take on the Dracula myth, or just someone who is looking for a quick YA read.
Being my first YA book that I have read in a good while, I will say that the story-line about an ancient family having a supernatural secret was enjoyable and helped push me through my read. That and some of the character's growing moments were about all that I enjoyed. I think that George should have stuck with telling this story how she first envisioned it: set in present day, as said in her author's note. The places and time didn't really show through her writing. There was something a little too modern about how the characters were acting throughout the story. I spent a whole semester reading books written in the 1800's, so I know how people are supposed to act, I hope so at least. These two teenage girls did have a wonderful relationship with each other and had some good moments as well, but the way that they would playfully punch other characters--even if they were playful ladies of the time--brought me out of the set time period, for example.
The setting in Romania was also not flushed out as much as it could have been. I feel bad for saying so because of the work that George said she did during her own trip to Romania, taking notes and pictures and the like. George didn't really describe the setting around the characters much, just little things about the buildings that they were currently in. Nothing about the countryside or the "Little Paris" Bucharest, which was disappointing. The dark forest where the first transformations took place could have been a lot more magical or scary with just a little more description, in my opinion.
I know this was a little more of a lengthy review, but I really liked reading this story and I actually couldn't put it down at some points! A more lengthy review just means that I respect the reading, whether good or bad, more than others.
I recommend this book to people who want an interesting take on the Dracula myth, or just someone who is looking for a quick YA read.
sallyavena's review against another edition
3.0
3.5...the point five is because it's Jessica Day George and I really like her writing style.
What stood out: the way JDG described Romania, the people and the costumes. She always does a great job with imagery and setting the stage without being too wordy. I liked the sisterly bond between the 2 main characters, the romance being a minor plot line (not too much gooey stuff as my younger kids would say) and I liked the couple of twists to the plot that I didn't see coming.
What I wish were different: I did not enjoy the letters/journal entries as I thought they were like little commercials in the story...just a nuisance that took away from the flow. I also didn't like the overall predictability of the story line, but have hopes for the second book now that the stage is set.
For me this was out of my realm of normal reads...I don't go for the paranormal/supernatural and avoided Twilight like the plague. That being said, it wasn't bad, I just really didn't enjoy those parts of the story.
What stood out: the way JDG described Romania, the people and the costumes. She always does a great job with imagery and setting the stage without being too wordy. I liked the sisterly bond between the 2 main characters, the romance being a minor plot line (not too much gooey stuff as my younger kids would say) and I liked the couple of twists to the plot that I didn't see coming.
What I wish were different: I did not enjoy the letters/journal entries as I thought they were like little commercials in the story...just a nuisance that took away from the flow. I also didn't like the overall predictability of the story line, but have hopes for the second book now that the stage is set.
For me this was out of my realm of normal reads...I don't go for the paranormal/supernatural and avoided Twilight like the plague. That being said, it wasn't bad, I just really didn't enjoy those parts of the story.
bekkz27's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
The two main characters were nearly insufferable and I actually hoped harm on the main one. Lulu deserved better than her cousin as a best friend.
eyreguide's review against another edition
4.0
There were many things to love about this story - the focus on and the strength of two heroines who are each very different in personality but have a great friendship and are easy to empathize with. The story's setting is exciting too - I love the Victorian era, and it was intriguing to read a bit about the culture of three different countries - America, France and Romania. The spin on werewolves and other supernatural creatures was wonderful as well - very different and unpredictable, which made the story suspenseful.
The story took awhile to really capture my interest though. It is told through both of the girl's POV, with diary entries and letters augmenting the story. I didn't think using letters and personal diary entries added too much to the narrative. Instead I felt that it lengthened out the mystery of the Florescu family secret too much. But once you get halfway through the book, there is more action and a bit more plot to keep the reader riveted.
The best part of the book for me was getting to know Dacia and Lou. It's wonderful to read about a strong friendship, and these two complemented each other beautifully. They both grow as characters in this book too - and I liked seeing how they adjusted and lived up to their potential. They each have a fun sense of humor as well which made me like their characters more.
This is a book for the younger YA set I think, and feels a little light in terms of story depth, but it is still a lovely read, with fantastic characters and a chilling aspect to the supernatural element.
(I received this book from the publisher or author for a fair and honest review. I was not compensated for this review.)
The story took awhile to really capture my interest though. It is told through both of the girl's POV, with diary entries and letters augmenting the story. I didn't think using letters and personal diary entries added too much to the narrative. Instead I felt that it lengthened out the mystery of the Florescu family secret too much. But once you get halfway through the book, there is more action and a bit more plot to keep the reader riveted.
The best part of the book for me was getting to know Dacia and Lou. It's wonderful to read about a strong friendship, and these two complemented each other beautifully. They both grow as characters in this book too - and I liked seeing how they adjusted and lived up to their potential. They each have a fun sense of humor as well which made me like their characters more.
This is a book for the younger YA set I think, and feels a little light in terms of story depth, but it is still a lovely read, with fantastic characters and a chilling aspect to the supernatural element.
(I received this book from the publisher or author for a fair and honest review. I was not compensated for this review.)
yvkhan's review against another edition
4.0
Honestly the worst part of the book was that Houri mess? The Theo guy was basically replaced with someone else after we were made to dislike him, and unlike with idk, Darcy, there’s little reason to why he might have reacted like that in the first place?
Other than that things were fine. I did feel as if the difference between Dacia’s and Lou’s personalities was very much blurred after Lou found out she was [redacted], but overall it was cool.
I really liked how snarky everyone was though.
Other than that things were fine. I did feel as if the difference between Dacia’s and Lou’s personalities was very much blurred after Lou found out she was [redacted], but overall it was cool.
I really liked how snarky everyone was though.
mnstucki's review against another edition
4.0
I always enjoy Jessica Day George’s work and especially love that much of it is based in fairytales/folklore/mythology from around the world. This was a fun read and now I want to visit Romania and read Dracula.