Scan barcode
verkisto's review
2.0
While I was reading Anno Dracula 1899, I wondered if reading this book would be necessary, since the last story in that collection was a shorter version of this story. It turns out my concerns were unfounded, since the entire story in that collection didn't even cover the first two chapters of this book. So reading that story won't spoil anything in this novel.
Unfortunately, it wasn't that great of a book. It took about two-thirds of the book before any kind of plot took shape, and up to that point, it seemed to be more about Newman telling the reader all about Japanese vampires. It also tells some of the story of what happened before Dracula became the Prince Regent in the first book, which was nice, but that sort of made this more Anno Dracula 0.5. Oh, and the rest of the book takes place before The Bloody Red Baron, so would it be more Anno Dracula 1.5? It's not confusing, but it means that there's not a whole lot happening for most of the book.
Also, I like the way Newman pulls in a bunch of different fictional characters into the series, but Popeye? That's a bridge too far.
Unfortunately, it wasn't that great of a book. It took about two-thirds of the book before any kind of plot took shape, and up to that point, it seemed to be more about Newman telling the reader all about Japanese vampires. It also tells some of the story of what happened before Dracula became the Prince Regent in the first book, which was nice, but that sort of made this more Anno Dracula 0.5. Oh, and the rest of the book takes place before The Bloody Red Baron, so would it be more Anno Dracula 1.5? It's not confusing, but it means that there's not a whole lot happening for most of the book.
Also, I like the way Newman pulls in a bunch of different fictional characters into the series, but Popeye? That's a bridge too far.
linda_edwards's review
3.0
Not as good as the previous ones. It started off slow, then picked up and got interesting but then tapered off. I did enjoy it but it just lacked pace and intrigue.
maggierobots's review
3.0
Not bad. A little slower than the rest of the series so far. The chapters with Kostaki didn't do much for me. It was a lot of "Get back to Genevieve!"
flying_monkey's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The direct prequel to Daikaiju in Newman's Anno Dracula sequence, One Thousand Monsters is about how a party of sea-going vampires escape from Dracula's terrifying rule over Britain in the late 1890s and pitch up in Japan amongst the traditional Japanese monsters, the Yokai, many of whom are stranger, and more terrifying than the vampires. It's a great deal of grisly fun, especially if you know anything about traditional Japanese monsters and ghosts. If you don't I recommed this online guide: http://yokai.com/
nigellicus's review
5.0
A few years after the events of the first Anno Dracula book, with Vlad's rule in Britain fatally undermined but his ouster not complete, Genevieve Diudonne and a host of other surly recalcitrant, revolutionary, backstabbing or too nasty even tor Tepes vamps are tossed on a boat and thrown into exile. Their long journey brings them to Japan, and Yokay Town, an enclave in Tokyo where the Emperor keeps the various monsters whose existence he does not formally acknowledge. Their position is precarious, if not desperate. They must adjust to a whole raft of bizarre Japanese vampires and their ways in their efforts to secure a sanctuary for Dracula's outcasts.
Drawing on Japanese culture, folklore, pop-culture, art and literature to populate his Japanese vampire ghetto, this is another thrilling and dizzying tale of blood and guts, culminating in a massive epic battle between supernatural monsters.
Drawing on Japanese culture, folklore, pop-culture, art and literature to populate his Japanese vampire ghetto, this is another thrilling and dizzying tale of blood and guts, culminating in a massive epic battle between supernatural monsters.
kjcharles's review
Completely failed to find a way into this. I've read a couple in the series but the worldbuilding is now hugely complex and gnarly and I don't have the moral strength to find out who the giant cast all are.
I also read a book #16 or something in a romance series recently that did this. I get that existing fans will love all the passing mentions of the 40+ people from previous books, but it's a bit wearing for a newbie to the series, not to mention impenetrably dull.
I also read a book #16 or something in a romance series recently that did this. I get that existing fans will love all the passing mentions of the 40+ people from previous books, but it's a bit wearing for a newbie to the series, not to mention impenetrably dull.
More...