If you ask me what my favorite classic novel is, my answer is always that it’s tied between Dracula and The Picture of Dorian Gray. When it comes to vampire novels, I am a connoisseur, or a vamp tramp if you prefer term.

So when I came across this book, I had to buy it and give it a read. However, I wasn’t sure I would like it. Why? Because I’ve read Dracula the Un-dead by Dacre Stoker and was unimpressed with the novel.

Admittedly, this novel started off the same for me. I dredged through it in the beginning, not finding it very interesting. Though this story is told through Bram’s eyes from a young age as a sickly child with a nanny who is (clearly) a vampire, it failed to capture my focus. I constantly picked this book up and put it down after a few minutes of reading it. I was so bored through the first half of the book that I almost DNF’ed it (and it’s rare I do that, so I think that shows just how bad it was).

However, the second half of the book was a lot more interesting. We learn the nanny’s backstory, which was interesting and tragic. The use of letters in this novel is well-done and reminiscent of Dracula, which I don’t mind. We see Bram’s sister-in-law get turned into a vampire (sorry if that’s a spoiler to anyone, I won’t tell you her outcome though).

The ending of this novel wasn’t what I expected. The way the final events took place shocked me quite a bit. Though I hated the first half of this novel, I feel the second half is good enough to make me keep it on my shelf for awhile. Also this book without its book jacket is stunning, especially the binding. So I did something I’ve never done before- I discarded the book jacket and am leaving the book bare. Who am I turning into?!

I’m not sure if I’ll read anymore of Dacre Stoker’s books. I really seem to have a love-hate relationship with them that borderlines closer to hate (though hate is probably a ridiculously strong word in this regard). I hate to say it, but I feel like he’s trying to ride the coattails of his great-grand uncle, Bram Stoker. And he’s not doing it well.

Have you read any of Dacre Stoker’s other books? Will you read this one? And if you had to choose, what is your absolute favorite vampire novel? I would love to know! I hope everyone has a great weekend.