Scan barcode
A review by chloestanton2112
Dracula: The Un-Dead by Dacre Stoker
2.0
This book, oddly enough, follows the same plot as the musical LOVE NEVER DIES (the sequel to PHANTOM OF THE OPERA). The book follows Mina and Jonathon's son Quincey in his law studies in Paris, and reveals his passion for drama- this creates animosity between him and his father. Jonathon is shown as both a bad husband and father. Dr Seward has not given up on vampires, and has left England to France on the trail of Elizabeth Bathory. The English police become suspicious of Van Helsing, and the officer who let Jack the Ripper get away suspects the Professor of being the murderer. Throughout the novel the friendship between the original group is tested, and hardships are frequent.
SPOILERS FROM THIS POINT ONWARDS
I definitely enjoyed Elizabeth Bathory in this novel, with her being a powerful female LGBT villain that I have not previously read before. I would like to read a book from Bathory's perspective as the villainous vampire who ultimately succeeds in her mission- I didn't have any issues with the presentation of her character. Despite this, the progression of the characters from the original novel is somewhat disturbing, as they have all morphed into the complete opposite of their DRACULA characters. This was explained as showing the impact Dracula had on them, which does sound probable but could have revitalised the original novel to a much higher extent if the characters were better presented.
Mina's relationship with Dracula, and his consequent resurrection, felt very strange. The readers were meant to despise Dracula in the original novel, but then root for his success and sympathise with him in the sequel. I still have slight confusion over Basarab and Dracula's connection- I think they are the same person, but I cannot say for sure despite having read the book multiple times. I think the authors could have used Mina and Dracula's relationship in a much better way. Quincey throughout the book has a poor relationship with Jonathon and has moments where he is presented similarly to Dracula- the authors could have written Quincey as Dracula's son to create a much more dramatic and insightful book, but they did not.
The book mentions how the author wrote DRACULA THE UN-DEAD with the intention of keeping the Stoker copyright on the characters in-tact as it had almost run out, and this unfortunately does show in the novel.
The ending was not satisfactory to me, and I feel like it could have been written better- Bathory was set out to be the most powerful vampire that even defeated Dracula, and this could have been capitalised on in the ending. The swift change from the characters' disgust of vampirism in DRACULA to becoming vampires in this novel is definitely an interesting interpretation, but it is not developed well enough to be a logical progression for the characters.
Overall, I did enjoy reading DRACULA THE UN-DEAD, however I have rated the book 2/5 stars as it has many flaws from a critical perspective.
SPOILERS FROM THIS POINT ONWARDS
I definitely enjoyed Elizabeth Bathory in this novel, with her being a powerful female LGBT villain that I have not previously read before. I would like to read a book from Bathory's perspective as the villainous vampire who ultimately succeeds in her mission- I didn't have any issues with the presentation of her character. Despite this, the progression of the characters from the original novel is somewhat disturbing, as they have all morphed into the complete opposite of their DRACULA characters. This was explained as showing the impact Dracula had on them, which does sound probable but could have revitalised the original novel to a much higher extent if the characters were better presented.
Mina's relationship with Dracula, and his consequent resurrection, felt very strange. The readers were meant to despise Dracula in the original novel, but then root for his success and sympathise with him in the sequel. I still have slight confusion over Basarab and Dracula's connection- I think they are the same person, but I cannot say for sure despite having read the book multiple times. I think the authors could have used Mina and Dracula's relationship in a much better way. Quincey throughout the book has a poor relationship with Jonathon and has moments where he is presented similarly to Dracula- the authors could have written Quincey as Dracula's son to create a much more dramatic and insightful book, but they did not.
The book mentions how the author wrote DRACULA THE UN-DEAD with the intention of keeping the Stoker copyright on the characters in-tact as it had almost run out, and this unfortunately does show in the novel.
The ending was not satisfactory to me, and I feel like it could have been written better- Bathory was set out to be the most powerful vampire that even defeated Dracula, and this could have been capitalised on in the ending. The swift change from the characters' disgust of vampirism in DRACULA to becoming vampires in this novel is definitely an interesting interpretation, but it is not developed well enough to be a logical progression for the characters.
Overall, I did enjoy reading DRACULA THE UN-DEAD, however I have rated the book 2/5 stars as it has many flaws from a critical perspective.