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caidyn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This was so good the second time around. I read it for the first time in 2013, my junior year of high school. Why it took me five months to read, I have no clue. What I remembered of it was that it was great once I got into it, and that I loved the comradery around the characters. This time, I felt the same way about it. And, it was so enjoyable that I bumped it up to five stars and it has earned itself a place on my favorites shelf.
I know, this book has its faults. It does move pretty slow, with random exciting things happening then dying back to a dull murmur. If that bothers you, don't read it. However, if you love a group of characters who honestly care for each other, then go for it. That's what sells me with this book.
Take Lucy for instance. She literally has three men propose to her on the same day. Far fetched, I know. But, this is 1897. Just go with it. However, instead of those guys being pissy or complaining about the friendzone like they would now, they all devote themselves to her. Literally. They all get along and they all love her and they all would die for her. Even the ones she rejected. Sorry, but if that doesn't get to you, then I don't know what will. It was incredibly sweet and Van Helsing is one of my favorite characters.
While I know many women won't like Mina, she is literally the embodiment of everything a man wanted in a woman back then. A little modern, but mainly devoted and willing to do whatever he tells her to do. She's a strong character, to be honest. One of the strongest this book has, since we don't really get a feeling for a lot of them, or as much as I would like. Personally, I like the portrayal that NBC's Dracula did for Mina. Really modernized her, even though they brought her away from her original self in this book. Plus, I can't get enough of unrequited love, especially of the lesbian kind, so that show sold it all for me. I wish there was more Lucy in the books. If only she didn't die so soon.
And don't you dare yell at me for spoiling a book that's been published for over 100 years.
Really, just an excellent read this time around. I'm really glad I took the time to reread it in honor of the new season of Penny Dreadful coming out in May.
I know, this book has its faults. It does move pretty slow, with random exciting things happening then dying back to a dull murmur. If that bothers you, don't read it. However, if you love a group of characters who honestly care for each other, then go for it. That's what sells me with this book.
Take Lucy for instance. She literally has three men propose to her on the same day. Far fetched, I know. But, this is 1897. Just go with it. However, instead of those guys being pissy or complaining about the friendzone like they would now, they all devote themselves to her. Literally. They all get along and they all love her and they all would die for her. Even the ones she rejected. Sorry, but if that doesn't get to you, then I don't know what will. It was incredibly sweet and Van Helsing is one of my favorite characters.
While I know many women won't like Mina, she is literally the embodiment of everything a man wanted in a woman back then. A little modern, but mainly devoted and willing to do whatever he tells her to do. She's a strong character, to be honest. One of the strongest this book has, since we don't really get a feeling for a lot of them, or as much as I would like. Personally, I like the portrayal that NBC's Dracula did for Mina. Really modernized her, even though they brought her away from her original self in this book. Plus, I can't get enough of unrequited love, especially of the lesbian kind, so that show sold it all for me. I wish there was more Lucy in the books. If only she didn't die so soon.
And don't you dare yell at me for spoiling a book that's been published for over 100 years.
Really, just an excellent read this time around. I'm really glad I took the time to reread it in honor of the new season of Penny Dreadful coming out in May.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Panic attacks/disorders
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