Having been a huge fan of Emma's for many years, I was excited to get my hands on an early copy of the first book in her first ever series, Dracula & Daughters. Set against the backdrop of the fear of the 'Contagion' returning, we enter a world where superstition and daily protection rituals rule everyone's lives. Emma's atmospheric prose and vivid descriptions, fully immerses the reader in this strange and unnatural place from the very first page. Our three unusual characters Mina, Buffy and Bella are bound together by a secret, which if discovered threaten to destroy everything they love. A deliciously dark and dangerous adventure which swept me away and kept me gripped throughout, With dastardly villains, scandalous secrets and sublime characterisation, this feisty feminist tale thoroughly entertained me. I can't wait for the next instalment in the series.

Dracula & Daughters is the start of a superb, spellbinding new series by the queen of historical fiction, but this one has a supernatural bite!

It’s midnight on a starless night and Mina is on a mission that she doesn’t relish, but it’s one she hopes will help her on the path to becoming Temstown’s first female doctor. When she gets to her destination, she is discovered by a girl who accuses her of an illegal activity, but Mina has not had the chance to complete her mission as the person she has come to collect has already broken out of her coffin …

It’s been twenty years since the contagion struck, but its effects have resonated throughout Temsworth ever since with strict protection rituals being followed including eating garlic, spreading salt and carrying silver. But will these protections be enough to stop a vampire who has come to hunt?

So begins an absolutely gripping gothic adventure as Mina, her younger sister, Buffy and their cousin, Bella, discover a family secret that will change their lives and lead them on a hunt, not to cull, but to heal vampires with the help of a special book – and their own incredible powers. This is an edge-of-your-seat, high-stakes adventure brimming with danger, revelations and deliciously dark twists and turns that will bring gasps … Are the vampires the villains or the victims? Could those with their own agenda have brought danger back to Temsworth?

This is a brilliantly atmospheric read with the increasing air of icy coldness permeating the city, the pervading hold of ever-increasing peril, the stifling control exercised by the Watchmen and the uncertainty of the fate of friends.

I absolutely adored the three cousins who each have their own strengths which they combine brilliantly when solving the mystery behind a famous death, and stopping the contagion spreading through the city. They are a strong, courageous and tenacious team who support and give strength to each other. Underestimate these girls at your peril!

As well as being a superb supernatural adventure, this story feels like it is set in an alternative 19th century with references to grave robbing, anatomy lectures and stalwarts of gothic literature – with a twist! There is also reference to gender inequality within society, something that is particularly evident as Mina wants to have the same rights as male students to have access to medical training, and as female scientists have not had their work valued. It is so wonderful that this story celebrates strong female characters who are intelligent, gutsy and who are determined to forge their own path in life.

A compelling, dark gothic adventure, with family and friendship at its heart, a story that pulsates with danger, secrets and hope.

Thank you, thank you, thank you Emma Caroll for giving middle-grade readers a marvellous new spin on vampires, legacies, and the world in which they can live! As someone rasied far too young on Buffy, Angel, and Charmed, they’ve been in my head as some of my earliest memories. As a result, anything vampiric will strike a euphoric match inside me when done correctly and Dracula and Daughters does just that!
 
Mina is a superb protagonist to see the book through. Her quiet confidence, sometimes drown out by hesitation but always met with purpose makes her the perfect character to see this world through. For the introductory novel, I don’t think it would’ve worked as well had sceptic Bella or animal-loving Buffy taken the helm. That being said, as a trio they truly shine and the familial relationship between them is a wonderfully explored plot within the novel.

I’ve said it in a few reviews now, but there’s nothing I love more than when the pacing is exquisitely delivered. Dracula and Daughters didn’t go from beat to beat to beat, it danced between them jovially with such ease. By around page 10, I knew full well this would be a book with no filler chapters, and I was correct. The adventure kept on coming, with one action after the next page after page. By the time we reach the climax of the novel, I can guarantee you will be sad it’s over so soon!
 
For many adults, parents, guardians and everyone in between who care for children, there may be a slight hesitation as most vampire books do come across more mature than needed, just even with what the vampires eat. However, Dracula and Daughters is the ideal gateway in vampires and creatures of the night, as it’s such a terrific new take on the concept. If you’re one of those concerned adult readers to children, please don’t be, Emma Carroll has you in safe hands!
 
Without saying too much as I want to avoid any spoilers, the stakes in this novel are HIGH (in more ways than one!) and I think this is a BRILLIANT introduction to a new middle grade series. Set flawlessly in a light horror circumstance for readers 9+, Dracula and Daughters is going to be one of this year’s big Halloween reads, I can tell already! In the meantime, I’m off to stock up on garlic (just in case) and you should get preordering… Mina can hear you if you don’t so you best had…

I was glad to receive an ARC of Dracula and Daughters in exchange for my honest opinion—and honestly, I really liked it. This book is a clever and heartwarming nod to vampire lore, packed with references. Many characters share names with figures from popular vampire literature, which was such a cute and fun touch for readers in the know.

At its core, this was a story about the strength of family and the bonds that tie us together. It had a clear feminist streak as well, with empowering themes woven throughout. It was refreshing to see a vampire book that leaned more into emotional depth and connection, rather than just spooky vibes (though there were a few of those too!).

That said, while it's being positioned as a middle-grade read, I would caution that some scenes didn’t feel entirely appropriate for the 9–11 age group. It leans more into early YA territory and would probably be better suited for teens. Just something to keep in mind for parents, teachers, or librarians. Oh—and I have to mention my favorite character: Poe, the raven. Such a delightful little addition.

Overall, Dracula and Daughters is a thoughtful, clever take on vampire stories with a strong heart at its center. Just maybe hand it to the older kids on your shelf.

Although stories of vampires existed long before it was written, Bram Stoker’s Dracula is undoubtedly the book that most people would immediately associate with the undead. One of those classics that I felt I should read, I have to admit to being disappointed when I read it a few years ago after seeing the BBC miniseries based on it but when author Emma Carroll announced this new spin off for a middle grade audience, I knew I would love it and immediately added it to my ever-increasing list of must-read titles.

Action packed, with a fabulous cast of female characters and wonderfully spooky, but not so spooky as to terrify more sensitive children, this is a brilliant start to the series – one that although a slight departure for the author, who is best known for her historical novels, will delight her existing fans and win her lots of new ones.

It’s midnight when our story opens, with protagonist Mina poised to steal the corpse of recently deceased actress Elsie Irving from her final resting place in order to further her efforts to train as a doctor. Heading to Temstown’s cemetery, Mina has prepared carefully for this by taking all the necessary precautions against vampires – not that she believes it to be necessary as there have been none found in the previous 20 years – but on reaching the grave, discovers its occupant has gone missing and Varney – the friend she had arranged to meet there – is nowhere to be seen.

With her friend still missing the following morning, Mina starts to worry that not only is Miss Irving now a vampire but that she is responsible for Varney’s disappearance. As the Contagion starts to spread in Temstown, Mina, sister Buffy and undertaker’s daughter Bella discover the secrets of how to cure vampires within the pages of an old book and set out to put them into practice, but with those in charge of the town intent on slaying the wave of vampires now appearing, can the members of new company Dracula & Daughters prevent the lives of those affected being irreparably changed forever?

Mina, Buffy and Bella are a trio of strong girls, who are living in a town ruled by men and often corrupt men at that. As the three of them uncover their connection to legendary vampire Dracula, each will discover strengths and powers that they never knew existed but which in combination make them a formidable force as they not only stand up for themselves but also those who are about to join the undead permanently if they do not receive the benefits of the cures the book prescribes.

As well as the usual anti-vampire tactics with which many young readers will be familiar that make an appearance within the book, the author has clearly had enormous fun in including lots of references to both Dracula and other vampire stories here, from more obvious ones like Buffy to those which are more obscure, like the name of the street on which Mina lives, making this a great title for older readers too. Perfect for those in Year 4 upwards, I thoroughly enjoyed it and cannot wait to see what Mina and the others encounter in their next adventure.

My enormous thanks go to publisher Faber & Faber and to NetGalley for my advance virtual read. Dracula & Daughters publishes 25th September.