Scan barcode
sheilasamuelson's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
Thank you to Revell for sending me this FREE ARC COPY earlier this year as part of their review crew. Even tho this was only the 2nd Novel ive read in this series by Michelle Griep, im really loving this series and story about Bram Stoker's life and background while he was writing "Dracula" in 1890 England.
The Characters were so fun and interesting to read about. Rosa, James and Bram were definately my favorites mainly because I LOVED learning about their background and how their relationship and friendship evolved up to the publication of "Dracula".
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in 1890 Yorkshire, England while reading especially when the scenery was described. I hope there's a Book 3 in this series because i can see a continuation for this series.
Overall Another Enjoyable and Interesting Story in this series about Librarian Rosa Edwards and her friendship with James Morgan and Bram Stoker!! Can't wait to read more by Michelle in the future!!
Review:
Thank you to Revell for sending me this FREE ARC COPY earlier this year as part of their review crew. Even tho this was only the 2nd Novel ive read in this series by Michelle Griep, im really loving this series and story about Bram Stoker's life and background while he was writing "Dracula" in 1890 England.
The Characters were so fun and interesting to read about. Rosa, James and Bram were definately my favorites mainly because I LOVED learning about their background and how their relationship and friendship evolved up to the publication of "Dracula".
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in 1890 Yorkshire, England while reading especially when the scenery was described. I hope there's a Book 3 in this series because i can see a continuation for this series.
Overall Another Enjoyable and Interesting Story in this series about Librarian Rosa Edwards and her friendship with James Morgan and Bram Stoker!! Can't wait to read more by Michelle in the future!!
aprilslibrary's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kimsbookmoon's review
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
An amazing Gothic, Christian fiction. Vampires, religion and a library.
It's 1890 in England. Rosa and her father own the library. Sir James Morgan is believed to be cursed.
I loved the quotes from Bram Stoker's Dracula,
The BEST book I have read!!
(I received the ARC for free. This is my honest review.)
It's 1890 in England. Rosa and her father own the library. Sir James Morgan is believed to be cursed.
I loved the quotes from Bram Stoker's Dracula,
The BEST book I have read!!
(I received the ARC for free. This is my honest review.)
katie_bookey's review
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
If you would have told me I'd enjoy a Gothic romance, I'd have thought you were crazy. In fact, I disliked the first book in this series so much I stopped reading it. But this second installment is one I really enjoyed!
This is the second book in the series Of Monsters and Men, but it is a stand-alone novel. Good thing, too, because I suggest skipping the first book altogether and just reading this one.
This story is loosely based on Dracula and follows three points of view: Sir James Morgan, a baronet who the community believes to be a vampire killing their livestock. Rosa Edwards, who works for her father at the library and is determined to educate the community. And Albin Mallow, the nephew of an evil shipyard owner who sees substantial growth throughout this story.
Each character was well developed and the story was captivating. Rosa works so hard to help those around her eliminate their superstitions. Sir James is a strong yet conflicted character who you can't help rooting for the whole time. And the romance that develops between them is sweet and adorable, if not involving several dangerous moments (Rosa finds herself in scrapes quite often).
The way the ending wraps things up is just wonderful. Even the butler of Sir James gets a happy ending and you can't help but smile for him. Content: there is one kiss that was semi-detailed that threatened to make me uncomfortable, but it ended just in time :).
I received and ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This is the second book in the series Of Monsters and Men, but it is a stand-alone novel. Good thing, too, because I suggest skipping the first book altogether and just reading this one.
This story is loosely based on Dracula and follows three points of view: Sir James Morgan, a baronet who the community believes to be a vampire killing their livestock. Rosa Edwards, who works for her father at the library and is determined to educate the community. And Albin Mallow, the nephew of an evil shipyard owner who sees substantial growth throughout this story.
Each character was well developed and the story was captivating. Rosa works so hard to help those around her eliminate their superstitions. Sir James is a strong yet conflicted character who you can't help rooting for the whole time. And the romance that develops between them is sweet and adorable, if not involving several dangerous moments (Rosa finds herself in scrapes quite often).
The way the ending wraps things up is just wonderful. Even the butler of Sir James gets a happy ending and you can't help but smile for him. Content: there is one kiss that was semi-detailed that threatened to make me uncomfortable, but it ended just in time :).
I received and ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
cgonya1's review
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
3.0
I have read Michelle Griep’s Blackfriars Lane series, but this will be my first in her Of Monsters and Men series.
It is 1890 and the setting is England. Subscription librarian Rosa Edwards is attempting to educate the poor and remove the use of gossip and superstition. However, the mysterious Sir James Morgan has returned to his manor home, and many are calling him a vampire.
Sir James just wants to cure his mother from a deadly disease. He hadn’t intended to start a relationship with a stubborn but alluring librarian.
This is not a retelling of Bran Stoker’s Dracula. Instead, readers actually receive a brief meeting of the Irish novelist as he uses Rosa’s library for research. I found more parallels with Beauty and the Beast, the insistent suitor, the almost oblivious father, and the ignorant mob.
The writing was spectacular as I expected from Michelle Griep. Readers will feel that they are amidst the villagers, will feel the stigma of the superstitious. However, I found that those same feelings made it unbearable for me. I couldn’t stand Rosa’s parents, and their “all about appearances” attitude. I would have thought another librarian like Mr. Edwards would be better educated, more in tune with his daughter. I find that the majority of the 1800 novels have this mentality of parents being ignorant and the children are the teachers. I cannot wonder if this is truly how the time was, or if it is the author’s prerogative to enhance their own stories.
Overall, I rate this novel 3 out of 5 stars.
More...