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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
I don't think this book is very similar to Mexican Gothic, and its comparison almost made me go back and give it a higher rating. Both, however, did fall apart for me at the end with their repetitiveness. Mexican Gothic felt a little more fleshed out though.
I thought about this book the entire day after finishing it, and I've come to terms that I just didn't really like it at all. I didn't care that much for Lucy; I think if we had a dual pov with Bee I would've liked Lucy a lot more because it isn't fun being inside a tortured vampire's head for long. It's a cliché and it becomes tiresome. The writing was good, and the idea was interesting, but the execution could've been better.
I thought about this book the entire day after finishing it, and I've come to terms that I just didn't really like it at all. I didn't care that much for Lucy; I think if we had a dual pov with Bee I would've liked Lucy a lot more because it isn't fun being inside a tortured vampire's head for long. It's a cliché and it becomes tiresome. The writing was good, and the idea was interesting, but the execution could've been better.
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well, this was weird. Not in a bad way; it’s actually really nice when an author writes something that makes me go “what the hell”, because I wish it happened more often. I didn’t really have expectations when I picked it up, it just seemed like an interesting mashup of classic characters – though comparing it to “Mexican Gothic” is very inaccurate.
Due to their respective run-ins with Dracula and Mr. Rochester, Lucy Westerna and Bertha Mason have been made immortals. But immortality is not the never-ending party one might imagine it to be. In fact, the two women are more or less constantly on the run from their past, and have to work really hard to keep that past from contaminating their present. I don’t want to give too much away, but obviously, something happens that breaks the delicate balance of their lives, and the monsters who made them will soon be hot on their heels and have to be put away, for good this time.
Kiste chose to explore some very relevant themes through this strange speculative exercise, and this book is not a horror novel proper, but rather an exploration of feminine trauma and the difficulties of living with said trauma. That makes it a very unique and interesting work. My 3-star rating is much more about wishing for richer prose, denser atmosphere and a less repetitive pattern of hunter-becomes-the-hunted. It is meant to be set in 1960s Hollywood, but I had a hard time really feeling that setting (or San Francisco, when they end up going over there), beyond descriptions of clothing and houses. I loved the idea that drove the story, but I wanted to be able to lose myself in it a bit more.
Worth checking out, and I will keep an eye out for what Kiste comes up with next! She is clearly very talented, this book is just a tad unfocused.
Due to their respective run-ins with Dracula and Mr. Rochester, Lucy Westerna and Bertha Mason have been made immortals. But immortality is not the never-ending party one might imagine it to be. In fact, the two women are more or less constantly on the run from their past, and have to work really hard to keep that past from contaminating their present. I don’t want to give too much away, but obviously, something happens that breaks the delicate balance of their lives, and the monsters who made them will soon be hot on their heels and have to be put away, for good this time.
Kiste chose to explore some very relevant themes through this strange speculative exercise, and this book is not a horror novel proper, but rather an exploration of feminine trauma and the difficulties of living with said trauma. That makes it a very unique and interesting work. My 3-star rating is much more about wishing for richer prose, denser atmosphere and a less repetitive pattern of hunter-becomes-the-hunted. It is meant to be set in 1960s Hollywood, but I had a hard time really feeling that setting (or San Francisco, when they end up going over there), beyond descriptions of clothing and houses. I loved the idea that drove the story, but I wanted to be able to lose myself in it a bit more.
Worth checking out, and I will keep an eye out for what Kiste comes up with next! She is clearly very talented, this book is just a tad unfocused.
I absolutely loved this book! I literally could not put it down!! Loved the story and how it interwove characters from Jane Eyre and Dracula as the main protagonists and how Dracula and Edward Rochester were still the antagonists (villains). Cannot wait to read more by @gwendolynkiste !! I cannot say this enough!! This was an amazing book!! So glad I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway!!!
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
(rating: 2.75) So, on paper, this book is very interesting to me-- I like the idea of a revisionist (or I guess a more accurate, depending on how you look at it) storytelling of Dracula and Mr. Rochester. I also like Lucy and Bertha as main characters here (Lucy tho is the narrator/pov) because I've always been interested in Lucy across different iterations of Dracula and in the original and honestly, Bertha doesn't really get much characterization in the original Jane Eyre if I remember correctly. So, coming across this book, I was excited to read it. But honestly, most things felt flat in this book.
The writing was lovely, but Lucy and Bee felt lackluster and didn't really exhibit any core personality outside of their responses to the events in the book. Dracula and Mr. Rochester felt really 2 dimensionally evil, if that makes sense, which I would give a pass if they weren't recurring characters/antagonists in last chunk of the book. It gets kind of old after a while. The plot felt repetitive at times, but not annoyingly so. I don't think it'd be an issue at all, if the characters felt more alive (no pun intended). I really like that it's set during the summer of love/late 60s, it adds a really interesting backdrop to the themes brought up in the book. All in all, if you're fans of Dracula or Jane Eyre, your personal interest might be enough for you to finish the book and enjoy the story; if not, I wouldn't recommend it.
The writing was lovely, but Lucy and Bee felt lackluster and didn't really exhibit any core personality outside of their responses to the events in the book. Dracula and Mr. Rochester felt really 2 dimensionally evil, if that makes sense, which I would give a pass if they weren't recurring characters/antagonists in last chunk of the book. It gets kind of old after a while. The plot felt repetitive at times, but not annoyingly so. I don't think it'd be an issue at all, if the characters felt more alive (no pun intended). I really like that it's set during the summer of love/late 60s, it adds a really interesting backdrop to the themes brought up in the book. All in all, if you're fans of Dracula or Jane Eyre, your personal interest might be enough for you to finish the book and enjoy the story; if not, I wouldn't recommend it.
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Grief
Moderate: Confinement, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: War
This is a quick read and perfect to escape to on the beach, by the pool, or at an airport during summer travel this year. It also features two women that literature has, well, ignored in exchange for their more dastardly male counterparts. Notably, Lucy Westerna and Bertha Antoinette Rochester (but Jane Eyre is thrown in there for good measure, along with 1970s portrayals of Rochester and Dracua).
One thing I found strange is the choice to set this book in the 1970s. It seemed random and unintentional and the writing style kind of sometimes made me forget we weren't in the 21st century.
But, if you like feminist re-tellings (of sort) or diving deeper into side characters, you'll likely enjoy this book.
Although it was largely a quick read, there were some 'huh, why is this here?' moments, or pacing items that felt too short or too long. I was in an airport and a little bit focused on reading, so I'm not sure if these pacing issues would have been a bigger deal if I had not been so focused.
One thing I found strange is the choice to set this book in the 1970s. It seemed random and unintentional and the writing style kind of sometimes made me forget we weren't in the 21st century.
But, if you like feminist re-tellings (of sort) or diving deeper into side characters, you'll likely enjoy this book.
Although it was largely a quick read, there were some 'huh, why is this here?' moments, or pacing items that felt too short or too long. I was in an airport and a little bit focused on reading, so I'm not sure if these pacing issues would have been a bigger deal if I had not been so focused.
If I could I'd say this was 3.5 stars
Firstly I really liked the premise; you are hearing the side of the story of some iconic female characters from classic literature and finding things aren't what they was portrayed. Lucy from Dracula and Bertha from Jane eyre, on the run from Dracula and Rochester and were found to be victims in their own ways; and on the run in 1960's hollywood no less. This was a really intriguing spin on well known characters and provided a new take on what we thought we knew of the characters- with ideas that are new and interesting explanations, but still connecting to the story we know. It also delivered some strong lines reflecting on how women can be oppressed, have their voices stripped and stories told by others which can really resonate, and showed women can take back their power even if it seems impossible or too late.
I did feel though that it could have maybe been shorter; a lot of the story was travelling between places but it didnt necessarily feel...needed? it was still interesting but it felt like not a lot was getting done in terms of story plot/ character progression and some parts felt a bit like it was done to just progress but to the detriment of the character. There's also a feeling of talking from the beginning couldve helped the characters so much; the logic was they didnt pry into painful past but then its only in the last part of the book or so they kind of go "...maybe we should have spoke about this in our last 70 years together?" like gee you think???! and in this same vein I expected a lot more feminine rage in the story the blerb implied they decide to change fate and fight back far earlier than they do but in reality its a lot of running and trying to hide things even though they feel its impossible. The ending WAS good and clever but it just felt like it just suddenly happened and that rage that determination to fight only occurred in last 50 pages or so?
Still an enjoyable read don't get me wrong but I expected a little more fight and a little less faltering.
Firstly I really liked the premise; you are hearing the side of the story of some iconic female characters from classic literature and finding things aren't what they was portrayed. Lucy from Dracula and Bertha from Jane eyre, on the run from Dracula and Rochester and were found to be victims in their own ways; and on the run in 1960's hollywood no less. This was a really intriguing spin on well known characters and provided a new take on what we thought we knew of the characters- with ideas that are new and interesting explanations, but still connecting to the story we know. It also delivered some strong lines reflecting on how women can be oppressed, have their voices stripped and stories told by others which can really resonate, and showed women can take back their power even if it seems impossible or too late.
I did feel though that it could have maybe been shorter; a lot of the story was travelling between places but it didnt necessarily feel...needed? it was still interesting but it felt like not a lot was getting done in terms of story plot/ character progression and some parts felt a bit like it was done to just progress but to the detriment of the character. There's also a feeling of talking from the beginning couldve helped the characters so much; the logic was they didnt pry into painful past but then its only in the last part of the book or so they kind of go "...maybe we should have spoke about this in our last 70 years together?" like gee you think???! and in this same vein I expected a lot more feminine rage in the story the blerb implied they decide to change fate and fight back far earlier than they do but in reality its a lot of running and trying to hide things even though they feel its impossible. The ending WAS good and clever but it just felt like it just suddenly happened and that rage that determination to fight only occurred in last 50 pages or so?
Still an enjoyable read don't get me wrong but I expected a little more fight and a little less faltering.