Synopsis
Bone white. Blood red. Along this path, you'll soon be dead.
Following the horrifying revelation of Jack the Ripper's true identity, Audrey Rose Wadsworth flees her home in Victorian London to enroll as the only female student in Europe's most prestigious forensics school. But it's impossible to find peace in the dark, unsettling Romanian castle that houses the school- and was also once home to the depraved Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Prince Dracula.
When a series of troubling deaths brings whispers of Vlad's bloodthirsty return from the grave, Audrey Rose and her sharp-witted companion, Thomas Cresswell, must unravel the cryptic clues that will lead them to the shadowlike killer- living or dead.
Loved
- Oh my goodness I ADORED this book. I just ate up every single word and devoured it Dracula to his prey. This was definitely my favorite book in the series.
- I absolutely loved the setting. I have never known much about Vlad the Impaler and how he became the Dracula legend we all love, but after reading this I'm semi-obsessed with him and I read Dracula shortly after, which I loved. I thought the mysterious, creepy castle was just delicious and the perfect setting for Audrey Rose's next mystery. Of course the forensics school is in Romania, in Dracula's castle- why not?
- The history. I love the folklore and history tied into this story through superstitious villagers and seemingly rambling professors. This history-turned folklore behind Vlad the Impaler is fascinating and it was so fun to see it incorporated into this story as Audrey Rose learns more about him. The ending of this story was so bizarre that at first I hated it and I felt like it was way too far-fetched, but then I read the author's notes at the end of the book and found out that all too-bizarre-to-be-true things that happened in the story were actually TRUE! When I read those notes and found out the events were based off real people, I about died (I guess I shouldn't use that term too casually in reference to this story . . . ) But I was completely on board and fascinated when I found out those things that happened were based on real things (like Countess Dracula- who knew she was real person and really did bathe in people's blood?!)
- Speaking of the ending, I loved the Indiana Jones meets the Socerer's Stone all set in Dracula' castle type ending. Audrey Rose and Thomas go through a series of creepy rooms and tunnels, meeting different horrors in each one, which felt Sorcerer's Stone-y with a dash of Indiana Jones. It was an awesome ending, especially after finding out it was based on real history like I said before.
- Thomas. "You're dressed for sneaking about Dracula's castle. Be still my thawing, dark heart. You certain know how to make a young man feel alive, Wadsworth." Okay I just love love love Thomas in this book. There is some unnecessary drama that's a little annoying, but overall I just adore Thomas and his witty, but improper comments. His witty banter is a perfect balance to the creepiness of the setting.
- The mystery. This mystery had so many fascinating elements combining history, the folklore, and the superstitions of the people around the castle. I did end somewhat guess who the murderer was, but there were many layers of the mystery which was fascinating and kept me on my toes.
- The Order of the Dragon. Okay who knew there really was a secret organization dedicated to taking down Vlad the Impaler? I certainly didn't. But it's a thing (or was), and it's part of this story! I thought that was fascinating and I love the the author incorporated this history into the story.
Didn't Love
- The only thing I didn't like about this book initially was the ending, like I said before. But that was before I realized that these events and people were based off real people! After reading the author's notes, all my misgivings about the ending turned into fascination and awe at the creepiness of real-life people and events.
Content
- Language:
- Occasional use of "hell."
- Sexual content:
- Main characters kiss a few times, but the romance isn't the focus of the book. They do have a lot of "improper" banter for that time period- mostly Thomas saying risqué comments to Audrey Rose, and her blushing at them, but enjoy it. He makes flirty comments about wishing they were meeting for a tryst instead of mystery-solving, and wishing she was dressed in less layers, etc.
- Audrey Rose walks in on two female characters having a clandestine moment in the labs at night. Described as "two figures were locked together, in a darkened corner, hands drifting over each other everywhere . . ." (pg. 111).
- Violence:
- These murders are disturbing, but I felt they were the least graphic of the four books. The bodies were much less desecrated and graphic than in book one. The bodies are looked at scientifically from a forensic perspective.
- A body is found with a stake driven through the heart.
- A body is found with all the blood drained out.
- A person emerges out of a bathtub of blood.
- A body is found that had been scratched and attacked by vampire bats.
- There is much folklore of the strigoi, which are basically dead people turned into vampires. Much talk of having to kill suspected strigoi by decapitating them and driving a stake through the heart.
- Other themes:
- We've got LGBTQ+ representation- two female characters are in a secret relationship. Talk of how it would affect their reputations were they exposed during this time period.
Overall Thoughts
Okay I just completely devoured this book and licked the plate. I just couldn't get enough of Dracula's castle and the suspicious, eerie folklore/history that surrounds the castle. I loved the mystery of vampires, strigoi, plus political drama going on in the academy. Audrey Rose and Thomas's relationship was my favorite in this book because it doesn't take itself too seriously and mostly consists of witty banter and risqué jabs. I also love how the focus of the book is the creepy mystery, but the banter keeps us laughing amidst the eeriness. This was definitely my favorite of the series and I can't recommend it enough, even if you didn't love the first book. This setting is just delicious and learning about Vlad the Impaler is so intriguing- I found myself researching him and even reading Dracula after this to quench my thirst. Highly highly recommend this book!
Comments
Post a Comment