This is your typical Dracula retelling/sequel. The tropes are pretty standard. Nothing new or exciting. There is some new combos, or at least ones I haven't read together before. Having the same or similar tropes isn't the end of the world, but I didn't really enjoy the first half of the book and found it rather tendinous.

Woman have no roles to be had. Mina is point of view character again. I think all the original POV characters do return, with addiction ones added. This is men and men alone fucking up. Yeah, its the Victorian Era and woman literally don't have rights, but their suffering sure does influences the plot. It doesn't really add much to the novel, maybe it had been more established as being a Dracula related thing rather than just trauma. It's woman's trauma but for the benefit of men. It's the men that are sad and this woman is just suffering for this sake. OG Lucy does have on some level, but she also very much Mina's best friend so she connecting force between all the characters. Also, there's a fun camp to Lucy having all these random love-interests.

This book is told in a diary, letters and newspaper like Dracula. It does mean we're miss out on important scenes. We have two voice actors, one for woman POVs a.k.a. Mina and one for men POVs a.k.a. everyone else. They both do a decent job. Probably could have benefited from another male voice actor as all these men are posh and these only so much that can be done to distinist them from each other by one actor.
Okay, there is another woman POV but she literally just spends most of the book being a sexual object for the middle-age men to look at and obsessing over her boyfriend. I don't think this book deals with the men character's brilliantly either, but it's just more noticeable with what happens to the women, especially as. Well, spoilers...
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None of them are technically alive by the end of the novel. It's a very typical fate for woman in horror and does not feel modern at all in that way. It's actually the usual ending for women. One of them also had been institutionalised and the treatment of that is not great.
I don't know what I think about the gay representation in this book. To paraphrase a TikTok meme, it's not homophobic but it don't feel right. You could probably argue it is homophobic but I don't have the words for it right now. They are important characters to the story, in the same way that a plot device is. I can't decide if its there's not enough gay representation in genre fiction for this to be passable in side characters or it is in fact just bad. I'm definitely not gonna recommend it for it.
Overall, I give this book 2.5/5 stars for Blood puddles. It's not the worst Dracula retelling I've ever consumed but it also wasn't that fun. Someone else might really love this book, I just didn't enjoy it much and wasn't interesting to me in what it deals with.

An interesting tale on one of my favourite classics.

I liked the story,although for me I found it a bit difficult to settle into, with so much originally focusing on the introduction of characters. That being said, the action once started was well paved and interesting, and the mix of old and new characters was well balanced and effective.

I also appreciated the homage to the original in the format of the book, plus the use of diary entries and journals makes for a more interesting and unique novel.

The use of multiple authors also really helped to make the story more immersive.

I volunteered to listen to this audiobook through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The narrators did a good job reading this book. The pacing of this story is good. The characters are good. It is read well by the narrators. This book is set in Transylvania. It talks about Dracula's Child. It is a good audiobook. It is in stores now for $21.87 (GBP).

Not too bad the story is what I expected just another version of Dracula, have actually read and listened to the Bhrams Stoker version which was good very different from the film version but this audio is more reading from diaries and journals so no action till the last part of the book and then the epilogue which seems to suggest another audio coming later. I did find it was very drawn out a lot could have been dismissed and I felt it was put in to plump out the book, otherwise, not a lot going on, the narration was very good very clear have heard of Jonathan Keeble before and the female was Emma Gregory, hope they do more audio as they have very good voices and would like to thank W F Howes Ltd for the audio to review, and of course Netgalley it is the only one I manage to download but they do have some good choices.

I have just finished listening to Draculas Child, this is a good new take on the Dracula novels, it is atmospheric and wonderfully narrated by Jonathan Keeble and I feel J.S Barnes has created a book that fits seemlessly into the Dracula novels from before and will sure to become a classic in its own right.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC In exchange for an honest review of the audiobook version if this novel.

Well first things first I would like to say that this book was everything I thought it would be and more! The way in which the story is presented is in a similar format to the original Bram Stoker's Dracula as it was a mixture of letters and diary entries. It has kept true to the Gothic roots and was probably one of the better sequels to a classic novel.

The audio was surprisingly good as the narration was split into male and female so you develop more of a sense of the different characters in the story and I feel like it added a new level to the audiobook, however I don't think I respond as well the horror genre in audiobooks and think if I had a hard copy I would have felt more drawn in and scared, only of the only criticisms I have is that it did drag a bit at the start and I did speed up the audiobook but once some of the supernatural events started I was hooked to finish it,.

If you are a fan of the original and also enjoy reading the darker vampire novels then this is the book for you, however I would say if you haven't read Stoker's Dracula then I would possibly read that first so you have a better depth of understanding to the characters.

<i>Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book by the publisher in return for an honest review.</i>

You might feel <i>Dracula</i> doesn't need another sequel, and you'd probably be right, but J. S. Barnes' addition to the uncanon is smart enough to make it worth your time.

Bram Stoker's book has probably had more sequels, prequels, reimaginings and spin-offs than any other single novel – Dracula comes back, it's what he does. One of Barnes's first clever decisions is to make that repetition an overt part of the narrative. Much of this book's horror comes from the idea of a traumatic period in one's life suddenly intruding on the present, like a nightmare come to life. It's a psychological horror and one that reflects the returning characters' increased age and sense of responsibility.

But this isn't just a rerun. The book's most interesting thread is one of full-blooded satire. It's an often overlooked aspect of Stoker's novel that it played on contemporary fears of the precariousness of British values and supremacy. In his book, Barnes brings that satire up to date, having Dracula rise to power on a wave of populism, national insecurity and xenophobia. Privileged members of government present themselves as champions of the people as they undermine democratic institutions, while a compliant press affirms readers' worst prejudices in the names of circulation.

It's great stuff, well done, and the book's strongest thread.

The one weak bit of the story is ironically the one on which the novel's publicity focuses. The story of Quincey Harker feels underdeveloped and, as a result, quite generic (echoes of <i>The Omen</i> in both cover and text). There are flashes of how it ties into that broader satirical stroke ("The young must be sacrificed as was the rite of Abraham") but they are only flashes and, as a result, what's apparently meant to be the main story feels more like a subplot.

But it is just one weak element. You might come for the paedophobic horror, but you'll stay for the satire – red in tooth and claw.

Let me tell a little secret...
I nearly gave this book a hard pass.

How dare J.S. Barnes touch my beloved Dracula?

But this was the old me trying to get in the way. The same old me that keeps squealing whenever I pick a genre other than Horror. The old me that would rather not try to read something different.

NOPE!

Screw the old me.

I decided to go for it and see what J.S. Barnes could come up with.

As I'm writing this review, I keep thinking of fancy ways to describe what the author did in this book, but let just keep it simple: nailed it

J.S. Barnes nailed it.

The writing is impeccable and will immediately remind you of the original Dracula.

As with Dracula, if you’re not a fan of the epistolary form, this might not be for you. Just know that the format works just as great as it did in the original.

It could be classified as a slow-burner, which isn’t an issue to me. As long as I’m enjoying the story, the pace is secondary.

Overall, a fantastic surprise.

I really enjoyed this one and I’m glad I decided to give it a fighting chance.

If you’re a fan of Dracula, ‘Dracula's Child’ should be on your TBR.

Huge thanks to Titan Books and NetGalley for sending me a review copy.

My thanks to W.F. Howes Whole Story QUEST for a review audiobook via NetGalley of ‘Dracula’s Child’ by J. S. Barnes in exchange for an honest review. It is narrated by Jonathan Keeble and Emma Gregory.

This novel continues the story of Dracula and is presented in an epistolary format, as was Stoker’s original. Set in 1903, it follows the adventures of the surviving members of the Crew of Light, who had defeated Dracula in Transylvania years before. Yet evil never really dies.

The marriage of Jonathan and Mina Harker is hitting a rough patch. Jonathan is drinking again, leaving Mina feeling increasingly isolated. Their son, Quincey, is prone to fits and at times seems to be overcome by dark thoughts as well as exhibiting disturbing behaviour.

Meanwhile, a new evil is rising on the Continent. A naturalist is bringing a new species of bat back to London (bats are lovely but a bit of a worry when it’s captured in the Carpathian Mountains and is described as large and overly predatory). Also, two English gentlemen, initially on separate tours of the Continent, meet up and journey together. They are encouraged by an exotic woman to visit a certain Transylvanian castle.

Back in Britain there is increasing social unrest. No further plot details in order to avoid spoilers.

I am a huge fan of the original ‘Dracula’ and have read a number of works that have sought to expand on or continue the story. I was very impressed by ‘Dracula’s Child’ and applaud J.S. Barnes for his faithfulness to the ambience of the original ‘Dracula’.

The novel develops slowly and builds up a powerful sense of dread as events unfold. It is told in a very straight-faced and serious manner rather than with any post-modern irony or asides.

I always feel that epistolary novels work well in audio format and the author, as Jonathan Barnes, has already adapted a number of classic titles for Big Finish Productions including works of Bram Stoker and H.G. Wells as well as a series of Sherlock Holmes stories. He captures the Victorian period with ease, including the etiquette of the times and social decorum.

In terms of the audiobook’s two narrators - Jonathan Keeble is a well known and prolific audiobook narrator, who handles a wide range of character voices with ease. Emma Gregory also has narrated an impressive number of audiobook titles and here voices the Mina Harker journal entries. With a predominately male cast of characters it was good to have Mina voiced separately. She was very much the heart of the novel.

I enjoyed it very much, and was carried along by the narrative. It was atmospheric and chilling, while also providing a number of interesting twists. Superbly Gothic.

Overall, I feel that ‘Dracula’s Child’ is a worthy continuation of the Dracula legend.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

Note: as I reviewed both the ebook and audiobook editions, my review for Amazon and Goodreads combines my thoughts on both.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. It is set to be published in September 2020.

"Dracula's Child" by J.S. Barnes is one of the most charming, absorbing horror novels I've read recently.
It's set a few years after the epilogue of "Dracula" by Bram Stoker--Mina and Jonathan Harker's son Quincy is 12 years old when "Dracula's Child" begins. Fans of the original will be delighted to meet their favourite characters again, to see how they've been coping with going back to their ordinary lives and to learn what they've been up to since confronting and defeating the Count.
The author somehow managed the near-impossible feat of being passionately loyal to the original and yet at the same time to create something new, fresh and imaginative. "Dracula's Child" is more than just a sequel to one of the most famous masterpieces of genre literature in the world: it's a masterpiece in its own right.
The story is handled in such a way that even someone who hasn't read the original - or someone who hasn't re-read it in a good while, like me - can feel right at home among these pages and enjoy the book thoroughly.
The story, true to the original, is a slow-burn crescendo of visionary horror, that gradually picks up its pace throughout the narration: it starts quietly, but by the time you reach the ending, you'll be gasping for breath.
I loved the characters, the old ones and the new ones as well. They are all beautifully deep, complex and flawed. Even the really minor ones, who only appear in one single scene, take centre stage in turn and can give the reader goosebumps. I found the characters of Joshua and his "sister" truly chilling, and they are only present in a handful of pages!
I loved how every character in the book has his/her own voice, something which was perfectly achieved by the joint efforts of an amazing author such as J.S. Barnes and two very talented narrators such as Jonathan Keeble and Emma Gregory.
The writing style shows an admirable loyalty to the original, although some modern elements have been added that would have been unthinkable in the days of Bram Stoker, such as open references to homosexuality--albeit the "deed" always happen off-scene, with respect for the Victorian sensitivity most of the characters retain.
The atmosphere is exactly like in "Dracula"--but made even scarier by the horrors being closer to us in time ("Dracula's Child" is set in the 20th century) and with respect to the villains' modus operandi: explosive devices detonating in European capitals are sadly not confined to horror fiction these days!
Another added bonus was the subtle political critique that permeated the second half of the novel, giving a nod to the current events we hear every day in the news.
My favourite quote from the novel - which must be one of my favourite quotes EVER - is, "I shall kill you just as many times as it takes."
The ending was awesome - the final twist really blindsided me - and the very last sentence that concludes the last chapter, before the epilogue, is one of my favourite quotes as well, but I'm not including it in this review because I don't want to spoil it for whoever hasn't read it yet.

Audio ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review



Audio review first: the narrators were excellent. They both managed to capture the tone of this book and the original, and were versatile enough to do several convincing character portrayals. The book was a pleasure to listen to.





The book itself is good. However I initially had the same complicated reaction to this, that I had to ‘Love Never Dies’ – the sequel to Phantom of the Opera. On one hand, it was immersive and took me back to my original joy at discovering Dracula. On the other, I really didn’t want an immediate sequel. Clearly this is my problem because I shouldn’t be treating all my favourites as ‘don’t touch stories’.



That aside, this could have gone horribly wrong but was saved by the author convincingly aping Stoker’s style and being true to the source material and characters. It's set ten years after the events in Dracula and focuses on Mina and Jonathan Harker's son, Quincey. In celebrating his birthday, the old gang gets back together - everyone who was present for the count's destruction with the exception of the original Quincey who died. However, events quickly transpire which blight the occasion and set us up nicely for a series of increasingly disturbing events until Mina is forced to conclude that perhaps Dracula is not truly gone. He wants revenge and his gaze is on her fey and disquieting son. Barnes not only managed to convincingly pull off Stoker's style, he did it in the epistolary fashion without losing the interest of the story. (Normally I dislike epistolary narratives with Dracula being the exception) He showed good understanding of the original characters and the historical setting, and projected likely paths for them based on what had happened to each and how their characters would have developed. It's an interesting journey. There are also a few new and convincing character's caught up in the Count's web. I wasn't sure about the end and I have a suspicion that it might have been left open to a sequel but overall this was an enjoyable book.



Definitely one of the better riffs on an old classic. If you’re a Dracula fan, give it a try.

Set years after the Crew of Light vanquished Dracula, Jonathan and Mina live in Oxfordshire with their son Quincey. On Quincey’s 12th birthday, with friend Van Helsing in attendance, tragedy strikes and a warning is given, Dracula will return. What follows is a series of characters, both originally involved in the Crew of Light, and new characters, as they either work for or against the forces of darkness, and not all is what it seems.
This book is definitely one of 2 halves and I’ll admit I struggled with the first half where characters are introduced, there a lot of conversations and it feels, bar a few dramatic events, very little happens. I understand the need to establish characters, set up events and so on but listening to this as an audiobook as I did, it was easy for my mind to wander, the pacing was a struggle. There are also quite a lot of characters introduced that it became confusing at times keeping track.
The 2nd half is a lot more interesting, I didn’t find it scary, there wasn’t built up suspenseful moments where the senses are provoked, it just sort of happens but the horroR was well written nonetheless And as a follow on it does well.

My biggest positives comes to the narrators of the audiobooks who do a commendable job of a variety of accents to keep it interesting!

INSTAGRAM REVIEW TO COME.

Jonathan and Mina Harker survived their terrible vampiric ordeal and have attempted to move on with their lives, and with each other. Years have passed in relative peace but now old menaces threaten to become unearthed as new secrets and blood are spilled...

This was such a great retelling, which came with a similar prose style and epistolary accounts, as in Stoker's original Gothic text. I felt it also captured the eerie atmosphere and suspenseful narrative of the former, whilst delivering something new and entirely of Barnes' own chilling creation.

This, like Dracula itself, was a slower-paced novel, with portions of altering perspectives used to deliver moments of high drama and intrigue. It was this pace that so enamoured me, as I felt consistently kept a hair's breadth away from the sinister somethings lurking in the shadows and forever unaware for where Barnes would have them strike next.

Vampires aren't supernatural beings that illicit fear, for me, and so I found nothing here to intensely horrify. It did, however, charge my imagination and deliver a creepy read I found a dark joy in devouring long into the moonlit hours.