Dracul by Dacre Stoker and J.D. Barker
It’s almost Halloween and now is the perfect time to share this review:
Authors: Dacre Stoker and J.D. Barker
Published: October 2, 2018
512 Pages
Reviewed By: Kim
Kim’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
The prequel to Dracula, inspired by notes and texts left behind by the author of the classic novel, Dracul is a riveting novel of gothic suspense that reveals not only Dracula’s true origins but Bram Stoker’s — and the tale of the enigmatic woman who connects them.
It is 1868, and a twenty-one-year-old Bram Stoker waits in a desolate tower to face an indescribable evil. Armed only with crucifixes, holy water, and a rifle, he prays to survive a single night, the longest of his life. Desperate to record what he has witnessed, Bram scribbles down the events that led him here…
A sickly child, Bram spent his early days bedridden in his parents’ Dublin home, tended to by his caretaker, a young woman named Ellen Crone. When a string of strange deaths occur in a nearby town, Bram and his sister Matilda detect a pattern of bizarre behavior by Ellen — a mystery that deepens chillingly until Ellen vanishes suddenly from their lives. Years later, Matilda returns from studying in Paris to tell Bram the news that she has seen Ellen — and that the nightmare they’ve thought long ended is only beginning.
Kim’s Review:
I was so excited when this review copy came in the mail! J.D. Barker seems to be one of our favorite authors at Jessica’s Reading Room and the praise is so well deserved. I am incredibly fascinated by Dracula, but unfortunately after multiple attempts, Dracula by Bram Stoker has been moved to my DNF shelf. For some reason I never managed to get into it or enjoy it. However, other books about Dracula, such as The Historian, have become some of my favorite books. Dracul joins those ranks easily.
I loved this book so much! It did get a little slow in the beginning, but once the mystery of Nanna Ellen started, it didn’t stop. I loved the jumps in the timeline and suspense was ridiculous. Bram and his siblings were relatable characters and they kept the tension tight throughout the entire book. Adding Nanna Ellen and her story was a unique twist. I got to see the physical aspects and abilities of vampires in much more detail. The authors didn’t let reality hold them back, but went all out with the fantastic. I would absolutely recommend this to any suspense or horror fans. I thoroughly enjoyed it!