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sleepy_giraffe's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
carolyn_jefferson's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
anniejakes's review against another edition
3.0
Dracula is one of my top 5 novels ever, so I was thrilled to read this book. It Started in Budapest by Julie Daines is a creative story stemming from Bram Stoker's original horror novel. I enjoyed the ties to Stoker's work and the bit of thrill throughout the novel. Molly was quirky, but it made sense based on her history, which made for an enjoyable character.
A fun read with a unique premise and characters.
3.5 stars
A fun read with a unique premise and characters.
3.5 stars
deshie5055's review against another edition
5.0
Using the novel "Dracula," as her guide, Molly Cooper sets off to save her twin brother, Matthew, from a terrible sickness that has plagued him since birth. Her. She knows that she took his health from him, so it must be up to her to save him. Along the way she meets Percy Hunt, a kind American who quickly learns of her plan and joins her as she embarks on her quest to Transylvania.
There are so many different things to love about this novel. You quickly come to adore Molly's spunky and naive personality. She is the embodiment of hope in this story. She couldn't be swayed in her belief and in her journey to help her brother. She is filled with courage and love towards her family. She is stubborn in the face of adversity and brave when she wants to break. I loved the nuance of Molly's fear of white. It created an additional depth to her character and reminds us that each of us deal with trauma and trials in our own way.
Percy Hunt is another fun character that you meet right from the start. He is kind, and patient towards Molly. He respects her decisions and her fears even if he doesn't understand them. He is a true gentleman towards those around him and I loved that he followed Molly along instead of telling her family.
Julie Daines always creates a masterpiece and "It Started in Budapest" is no different.The mysterious Nicholas was a favorite of mine and I hope he is in the next installment of "Romance on the Orient Express." He added a fun touch of unknown to the story. I love the feeling of mystic and supernatural that she adds to her stories. They always leave me believing a little bit more than when I started the story.
There are so many different things to love about this novel. You quickly come to adore Molly's spunky and naive personality. She is the embodiment of hope in this story. She couldn't be swayed in her belief and in her journey to help her brother. She is filled with courage and love towards her family. She is stubborn in the face of adversity and brave when she wants to break. I loved the nuance of Molly's fear of white. It created an additional depth to her character and reminds us that each of us deal with trauma and trials in our own way.
Percy Hunt is another fun character that you meet right from the start. He is kind, and patient towards Molly. He respects her decisions and her fears even if he doesn't understand them. He is a true gentleman towards those around him and I loved that he followed Molly along instead of telling her family.
Julie Daines always creates a masterpiece and "It Started in Budapest" is no different.The mysterious Nicholas was a favorite of mine and I hope he is in the next installment of "Romance on the Orient Express." He added a fun touch of unknown to the story. I love the feeling of mystic and supernatural that she adds to her stories. They always leave me believing a little bit more than when I started the story.
kibbles15's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is a well written tale of a young woman who loves her brother so much, she goes in search of a supernatural cure for him. In the process she learns about love, death, family, and herself in ways that she never imagined. I highly recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Terminal illness
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Mental illness, and Death
Minor: Suicide
katiemayveil's review against another edition
4.0
Molly Cooper is determined to save her twin brother. Matthew has always been sickly, which their mother blames on Molly. Their parents have tried everything from blood-letting to hot coals to mineral baths to find a cure for Matthew. Molly is ready to try something a little less ordinary. They are traveling from Paris on the Orient Express to Bulgaria, and Molly is dead-set on getting to Transylvania to find a vampire.
Percy Hunt is an American who met Molly by chance in Paris. Stuck on the Orient Express together Molly's plan comes out. Percy is honor bound as a gentleman to not let her go alone to the wilds of Transylvania. He follows her and sets out to be her protector. After a fire, fear of the color white, and being robbed they discover that they are more alike than they thought.
This is a sweet romance with mystical undertones. I love stories like this and Julie Daines is a phenomenal author. She pulls off a weaving of Dracula and proper romance very well.
Percy Hunt is an American who met Molly by chance in Paris. Stuck on the Orient Express together Molly's plan comes out. Percy is honor bound as a gentleman to not let her go alone to the wilds of Transylvania. He follows her and sets out to be her protector. After a fire, fear of the color white, and being robbed they discover that they are more alike than they thought.
This is a sweet romance with mystical undertones. I love stories like this and Julie Daines is a phenomenal author. She pulls off a weaving of Dracula and proper romance very well.
blueluz's review against another edition
4.0
This book follows Molly in her desire to help find a cure for her sickly twin brother, Matthew. Molly’s favorite book is Bram Stoker’s Dracula and she holds the belief that it is based on the truth that vampires do exist in the wilds of Transylvania. So when her family is traveling on the Orient Express to the Black Sea to try a new treatment for Matthew, Molly devises a plan to leave the train at Budapest and follow the journey of Mr. Harker in Dracula.
This is historical fiction, not historical fantasy. Vampires do not really exist. But Molly is hopeful that they do so that she can save Matthew. She blames herself for his illness as she has always been the healthy twin and he has always been the sickly twin.
Molly meets a man in Paris named Percy Hunt who also happens to be on the Orient Express. He is an American and Molly finds him intriguing. He also finds her interesting, especially her aversion to the color white. Percy learns of Molly’s plan to leave the train in Budapest and refuses to let her travel alone. He accompanies her and makes so much effort to help her cope with her phobia of the color white.
So Molly and Percy head off into the wilds of Eastern Europe following the path of a fictional character in a fictional book in the hopes that Molly will be able to find the means to save her brother’s life. Along the way they meet some other characters and get into some interesting situations. The real question is: Will Molly be able to find a way to help her brother or does she need to prepare herself for his death?
I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley for review consideration. This in no way affects my opinion of the title nor the content of this review.
This review first appeared at CatholicAmanda.com
This is historical fiction, not historical fantasy. Vampires do not really exist. But Molly is hopeful that they do so that she can save Matthew. She blames herself for his illness as she has always been the healthy twin and he has always been the sickly twin.
Molly meets a man in Paris named Percy Hunt who also happens to be on the Orient Express. He is an American and Molly finds him intriguing. He also finds her interesting, especially her aversion to the color white. Percy learns of Molly’s plan to leave the train in Budapest and refuses to let her travel alone. He accompanies her and makes so much effort to help her cope with her phobia of the color white.
So Molly and Percy head off into the wilds of Eastern Europe following the path of a fictional character in a fictional book in the hopes that Molly will be able to find the means to save her brother’s life. Along the way they meet some other characters and get into some interesting situations. The real question is: Will Molly be able to find a way to help her brother or does she need to prepare herself for his death?
I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley for review consideration. This in no way affects my opinion of the title nor the content of this review.
This review first appeared at CatholicAmanda.com
heather_pluim's review against another edition
5.0
Molly Cooper has lived her life believing that she is responsible for her twin brother Matthew's frail health. When her family boards the Orient Express to seek treatment for Matthew in Bulgaria, Molly sneaks off alone and plans to journey to Transylvania to find a cure for her brother.
Percy Hunt is intrigued by the brief and unusual encounters he's had with Molly. Upon learning of her plan to slip away alone, his concern for her safety and well-being leave him with no choice but to join her on her strange journey.
Molly is willing to go to any lengths to save her brother. As their journey begins, she and Percy have no idea how far their path will truly take them and the dangers lurking along the way.
Julie Daines is such a great storyteller! Get characters are so real and relatable. This book deals with a lot of great themes like trust, loyalty, fear, love, and overcoming past pain and trials. These themes are woven into such an engaging story that I didn't want it to end! I'm looking forward to the next book in this series!
Percy Hunt is intrigued by the brief and unusual encounters he's had with Molly. Upon learning of her plan to slip away alone, his concern for her safety and well-being leave him with no choice but to join her on her strange journey.
Molly is willing to go to any lengths to save her brother. As their journey begins, she and Percy have no idea how far their path will truly take them and the dangers lurking along the way.
Julie Daines is such a great storyteller! Get characters are so real and relatable. This book deals with a lot of great themes like trust, loyalty, fear, love, and overcoming past pain and trials. These themes are woven into such an engaging story that I didn't want it to end! I'm looking forward to the next book in this series!
ashleejuanita's review against another edition
2.0
I just couldn’t like the main character at all, felt she was insanely stupid, and the whole story requires way too much suspension of belief. I get it’s an escape, light-hearted read, but it felt it took itself much too serious for that to be the case.