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A review by clairedrinkstea
Anno Dracula by Kim Newman
4.0
Very interesting and really rather good upon reflection. I listened to the audio version read by William Gaminara.
Kim Newman has wonderful ideas well put forth in Anno Dracula.
The story is set in 1888 and Queen Victoria has married Vlad Tepes (Count Dracula). The story includes familiar characters from 'Dracula' as well as Victorian writers, poets, fictional characters and persons from history however it follows Geneviève Dieudonné (a Vampire) and Charles Beauregard (a 'Warm' Investigator working on behalf of the Diogenes Club) as they look into the Jack the Ripper murders.
Newman's twists and turns with history and familiar literary persons is very well done. He remains faithful to the characters and our understanding of them and slots the changes into the story seamlessly. For example, the Ripper victims are Vampires and the context of their murders and Jacks reasons why makes sense both to Anno Dracula and what we know of the actual events from Whitchapel and the Police investigation. Also how Dracula became the Prince Consort fits with Stokers original text for Vlad's coming to Britain.
We hear from past events such as Van Helsing's journal to flesh out this 'dark kiss' twist on history. Sometimes these flash back sequences became a little confusing or seemed a little long but the story gets back on track. This is possibly due to the audiobook medium, and if read may not be an issue.
Geneviève Dieudonné and Charles Beauregard are wonderful characters. It takes a little while before they meet face-to-face but it is worth it. They have a good partnership built on respect. Charles understands Geneviève is an old Vampire with knowledge and understanding he does not. Geneviève sees that Charles has emotions and an intelligence worth taking note of. They find something in each other that they both needed.
Main frustration with the book is the ending. Not the events that transpired - those were great! But it's left on a cliffhanger!!
Defiantly worth a go if you're interested in non-sparkly vampires, Victorian set dramas (not a steampunk book but could be well appreciated by those who enjoy them) and a nice murder mystery where it's not who did it but why.
Kim Newman has wonderful ideas well put forth in Anno Dracula.
The story is set in 1888 and Queen Victoria has married Vlad Tepes (Count Dracula). The story includes familiar characters from 'Dracula' as well as Victorian writers, poets, fictional characters and persons from history however it follows Geneviève Dieudonné (a Vampire) and Charles Beauregard (a 'Warm' Investigator working on behalf of the Diogenes Club) as they look into the Jack the Ripper murders.
Newman's twists and turns with history and familiar literary persons is very well done. He remains faithful to the characters and our understanding of them and slots the changes into the story seamlessly. For example, the Ripper victims are Vampires and the context of their murders and Jacks reasons why makes sense both to Anno Dracula and what we know of the actual events from Whitchapel and the Police investigation. Also how Dracula became the Prince Consort fits with Stokers original text for Vlad's coming to Britain.
We hear from past events such as Van Helsing's journal to flesh out this 'dark kiss' twist on history. Sometimes these flash back sequences became a little confusing or seemed a little long but the story gets back on track. This is possibly due to the audiobook medium, and if read may not be an issue.
Geneviève Dieudonné and Charles Beauregard are wonderful characters. It takes a little while before they meet face-to-face but it is worth it. They have a good partnership built on respect. Charles understands Geneviève is an old Vampire with knowledge and understanding he does not. Geneviève sees that Charles has emotions and an intelligence worth taking note of. They find something in each other that they both needed.
Main frustration with the book is the ending. Not the events that transpired - those were great! But it's left on a cliffhanger!!
Defiantly worth a go if you're interested in non-sparkly vampires, Victorian set dramas (not a steampunk book but could be well appreciated by those who enjoy them) and a nice murder mystery where it's not who did it but why.