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lulustjames's review against another edition
I’m a sucker for pretty covers and vampires. That much has always been clear. So, I voted for Princess Dracula by John Patrick Kennedy to be published by Kindle Press because I thought it would be fun. Then, I started it and was excited because wow! A wlw book too??? Can this truly have everything I could want? Then, I kept reading and my hopes became a nightmare.
I had to stop reading at 30% because it genuinely was so cringey for me to keep going. It felt like it was written as someone’s wet dream, and I’m sorry to be so crude, but that’s the honest truth. Then, I went back and realized the author was a man and realized oh, this makes sense. Everything is done to titillate. Oh look, I’m so innocent and naive and oh, woops! I’m naked and going to stay naked and woops! All the sex with all the people! And like, I’m no prude and I’ve read books that have been mostly pwp, aka the later books in the Anita Blake series. However, none have left me feeling so grimy and gross. This feels like it was written by someone who views women as toys, as Barbies. Even if that’s not who the author is, the writing feels this way and it is extremely off-putting.
Princess Dracula by John Patrick Kennedy is a story that had so much promise. A fantastic synopsis and cover which falls so low. It fails as erotica, it fails as parody, it fails as dark fantasy. If Kennedy tries to use Ruxandra’s sexuality as a metaphor for her budding liberation and freedom, he has sorely missed the mark as it is just completely written with obvious male gaze in mind.
// I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this title. //
I had to stop reading at 30% because it genuinely was so cringey for me to keep going. It felt like it was written as someone’s wet dream, and I’m sorry to be so crude, but that’s the honest truth. Then, I went back and realized the author was a man and realized oh, this makes sense. Everything is done to titillate. Oh look, I’m so innocent and naive and oh, woops! I’m naked and going to stay naked and woops! All the sex with all the people! And like, I’m no prude and I’ve read books that have been mostly pwp, aka the later books in the Anita Blake series. However, none have left me feeling so grimy and gross. This feels like it was written by someone who views women as toys, as Barbies. Even if that’s not who the author is, the writing feels this way and it is extremely off-putting.
Princess Dracula by John Patrick Kennedy is a story that had so much promise. A fantastic synopsis and cover which falls so low. It fails as erotica, it fails as parody, it fails as dark fantasy. If Kennedy tries to use Ruxandra’s sexuality as a metaphor for her budding liberation and freedom, he has sorely missed the mark as it is just completely written with obvious male gaze in mind.
// I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this title. //
m3l89's review against another edition
1.0
For me, Princess Dracula felt as though it was one long prologue to the rest of the series. This is probably going to sound harsh, but not a lot actually happened. There was a lot of nakedness and a lot of sex (which begs the question – do sex and horror go hand in hand? Not really) but plot wise, there wasn’t very much progression. I could probably summarise the entire book in a few brief bullet points.
In terms of writing style, Princess Dracula was comprised of short sentences which didn’t flow very well and I don’t think showed off the author’s talent. There was a little character development, with Ruxandra’s internal battle being made obvious by the use of italics, but I would have like to see this more evident in the plot. I don’t think this necessarily needed to be linked to Dracula as there weren’t any plot links except Ruxandra being his daughter, it could be argued that this was a hook to get readers interested. But perhaps the link is built upon further in the series.
In terms of writing style, Princess Dracula was comprised of short sentences which didn’t flow very well and I don’t think showed off the author’s talent. There was a little character development, with Ruxandra’s internal battle being made obvious by the use of italics, but I would have like to see this more evident in the plot. I don’t think this necessarily needed to be linked to Dracula as there weren’t any plot links except Ruxandra being his daughter, it could be argued that this was a hook to get readers interested. But perhaps the link is built upon further in the series.
kayraalara's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
3.0
clairebearrich's review against another edition
1.0
What a sexist piece of garbage.
This book is what happens when a man who only thinks of women as sexual objects writes a female protagonist. Ruxandra is naked for 80% of the book and the author reminds us of it constantly. The author cannot for the life of him cannot stop mentioning the word "breasts." Every female character is sexualized. Ruxandra initially has relationships with women, which would be great if her first experience with a man doesn't bring her to admit that he is sooooo much better than her female partners. Mixed in with the constant nudity and the sexual objectification is a lot of self-hatred of the main character, who I think we are somehow supposed to admire.
Also nothing actually happens in the book. Like really. I cannot think of a single interesting thing that actually happens. I spent the entire time cringing at how poorly written it is.
Books like these always have so much potential. Unfortunately this one is a complete failure that left me reading it just so I could more roundly criticize it.
This book is what happens when a man who only thinks of women as sexual objects writes a female protagonist. Ruxandra is naked for 80% of the book and the author reminds us of it constantly. The author cannot for the life of him cannot stop mentioning the word "breasts." Every female character is sexualized. Ruxandra initially has relationships with women, which would be great if her first experience with a man doesn't bring her to admit that he is sooooo much better than her female partners. Mixed in with the constant nudity and the sexual objectification is a lot of self-hatred of the main character, who I think we are somehow supposed to admire.
Also nothing actually happens in the book. Like really. I cannot think of a single interesting thing that actually happens. I spent the entire time cringing at how poorly written it is.
Books like these always have so much potential. Unfortunately this one is a complete failure that left me reading it just so I could more roundly criticize it.
gatun's review against another edition
3.0
This one had promise but just did not get there. I think Mr. Kennedy has potential and will check out the next book in the series but this one just left me feeling flat. The princess and all the other characters were pretty much two dimensional. Perhaps they will be more developed in the next book.
If you like horror and a different spin on an old tale, try Princess Dracula. It was worth the time to look at a new author who I will follow in the future. I received a copy of the book free from the Kindle Scout program.
If you like horror and a different spin on an old tale, try Princess Dracula. It was worth the time to look at a new author who I will follow in the future. I received a copy of the book free from the Kindle Scout program.
mrremi's review against another edition
3.0
I wouldn't call this one of my favorite books but it was entertaining. I wasn't desperately needing to read the next books, though I probably would; however, after reading the last chapter I am now excited to read more. I have always been interested in the history and folklore around Vlad Dracula **SPOILER** (though he had a small part in this book) and of **SPOILER** Elizabeth Bathory, who folklore called Countess Dracula, who was introduced in the last chapter of this book. I'm interested to see how she turns out in the next book. **SPOILERS**I was a little surprised and sad to see how heartless Vlad Dracula turns out to be in this book, especially knowing the true history of the historical figure of Vlad Dracula who I do not believe was that heartless, especially towards his family. However, obviously, this is fiction so it is interesting to see how the author has recreated the lore of Dracula using Vlad Dracula's daughter.
This book was surprisingly graphic in regards to blood, gore, and sex. Though not a bad thing, this is definitely a book for adults, not kids or teens.
This book was surprisingly graphic in regards to blood, gore, and sex. Though not a bad thing, this is definitely a book for adults, not kids or teens.
ericashei's review against another edition
4.0
Provided me with entertainment for a few hours:) not a bad way to spend 3 bucks:)
necronomiconreads's review against another edition
1.0
This is one of the worse books I have ever read. Ever wanted to know what "the male gaze" is? Read this book. Or don't. I would recommend the latter.
read_with_her's review against another edition
4.0
Good, but not great
This book had a really awesome twist on the classic Dracula tale, however I feel as if the author dropped the ball a bit. I get that Ruxandra's tale takes time to tell, but I was expecting her to be a bit more badass. She could've conquered towns and villages and accepted her inner animal/evil. The first chapter alone with the naughty trio showed that she wasn't purely religious and already had a bad streak in her, then she was changed and she went backwards into this ridiculous religious zealot to atone for her sins. I just thought it was a bit backwards. For me, this book was just "meh". The timeline was drawn out and I kept reading in the hopes that she would get out of her cave and start making a life for herself and coming into her own as this new, horrifically wonderful monster.
Especially after reading this author's previous two books, I was expecting something extremely powerful and wretched and naughty and ...more... I think this book really has some potential. And if the author continues with the story then he really needs to let Ruxandra come into her own and dominate.
This book had a really awesome twist on the classic Dracula tale, however I feel as if the author dropped the ball a bit. I get that Ruxandra's tale takes time to tell, but I was expecting her to be a bit more badass. She could've conquered towns and villages and accepted her inner animal/evil. The first chapter alone with the naughty trio showed that she wasn't purely religious and already had a bad streak in her, then she was changed and she went backwards into this ridiculous religious zealot to atone for her sins. I just thought it was a bit backwards. For me, this book was just "meh". The timeline was drawn out and I kept reading in the hopes that she would get out of her cave and start making a life for herself and coming into her own as this new, horrifically wonderful monster.
Especially after reading this author's previous two books, I was expecting something extremely powerful and wretched and naughty and ...more... I think this book really has some potential. And if the author continues with the story then he really needs to let Ruxandra come into her own and dominate.