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I, Dracula
Being alive for eternity without ever being loved is Dracula’s most painful ordeal. Ostracized by his mother, imprisoned by his father, feared by his country and hated by a woman he adores, Dracula’s only hope for love rests with the son he gave away at birth. Is Mihnea still alive? There is only one way to find out and the only way to ask for his forgiveness. Is Dracula’s tragic confession going to endear his son’s compassion? Will compassion earn him much longed for love? But is his story loyal to the truth...
268 pages, ebook
Published May 13, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
May 13, 2022
I am a reader that likes to dive deep into my characters - and with this, I got to get into the mind of the vampire that started it all! What a great account of his life! If you have any love for vampires AT ALL, you wont be disappointed!
Video review on my channel here! -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfxM-...
Video review on my channel here! -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfxM-...
May 13, 2022
The briefest, spoiler-free synopsis of I, Dracula is that it is a fictional account of the true history of Dracula, and, most interestingly, how he became a vampire. Vlad is the epitome of a grey character - he is absolutely evil, but is it entirely his fault that he became that way? Throughout my read I alternated between being sympathetic toward Vlad and disgusted by him.
In terms of writing, I have to say that I am shocked that this is a debut novel. Crowe's writing style is literary and beautiful, and the story is cohesive. Metaphors are plentiful but original and not overused. Her prose is appropriate for a 15th century chronicle but does not feel archaic. I look forward to reading more from D.S. Crowe.
You can expect to learn a lot about Romanian history while reading I, Dracula; now I want to do some research to find out which parts are historically accurate! I actually did look up a few things while I was reading, and I was shocked to find out they were true. However, this is not a retelling of Dracula or any other vampire legend I have heard - this is a wholly original story, and the ending took me by surprise.
I have rated this four stars rather than five because the pacing is more like historical fiction than a horror thriller, with discussion of political relations as well as romance elements, and I personally don't love historical fiction or romance. This will be a positive thing for some people, though.
There were also some problematic scenes in regard to sexual assault/consent that I can't really discuss without spoilers, as well as the context of these issues in terms of the way the story is told (letters from Vlad to his son). However, this is a traditional vampire novel, and I think that the traditional vampire is inherently a representation of assault, and it would be nearly impossible to avoid in this story.
I would like to sincerely thank D.S. Crowe for giving me a copy of I, Dracula in exchange for an honest review.
In terms of writing, I have to say that I am shocked that this is a debut novel. Crowe's writing style is literary and beautiful, and the story is cohesive. Metaphors are plentiful but original and not overused. Her prose is appropriate for a 15th century chronicle but does not feel archaic. I look forward to reading more from D.S. Crowe.
You can expect to learn a lot about Romanian history while reading I, Dracula; now I want to do some research to find out which parts are historically accurate! I actually did look up a few things while I was reading, and I was shocked to find out they were true. However, this is not a retelling of Dracula or any other vampire legend I have heard - this is a wholly original story, and the ending took me by surprise.
I have rated this four stars rather than five because the pacing is more like historical fiction than a horror thriller, with discussion of political relations as well as romance elements, and I personally don't love historical fiction or romance. This will be a positive thing for some people, though.
There were also some problematic scenes in regard to sexual assault/consent that I can't really discuss without spoilers, as well as the context of these issues in terms of the way the story is told (letters from Vlad to his son). However, this is a traditional vampire novel, and I think that the traditional vampire is inherently a representation of assault, and it would be nearly impossible to avoid in this story.
I would like to sincerely thank D.S. Crowe for giving me a copy of I, Dracula in exchange for an honest review.
November 25, 2022
I was expecting SO much more out of this book. What a disappointment.
June 2, 2022
Beautiful.
If I could give this beautifully written book more than five stars I would.
Written from Dracula's point of view this was heartbreaking and sometimes brutal. I honestly could put this down. This slides into first place of my favourite reads for this year.
If I could give this beautifully written book more than five stars I would.
Written from Dracula's point of view this was heartbreaking and sometimes brutal. I honestly could put this down. This slides into first place of my favourite reads for this year.
July 26, 2022
all reviews in one place:
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: Vlad Dracula, the Impaler prince of the Darkness, is in a hurry to write his life down. From the sad and lonely childhood. Then teenage years spent in Ottoman captivity, where he fully explored his supernatural powers. To adulthood, its stubborn will to fight for freedom, for what’s right. And the disappointment that followed, disheartening understanding that he became all this, for all that, and still couldn’t save those who didn’t care to save themselves. Thus, prince has turned away from life and the living, and turned to science that knocked on his door, in search for answers, truths. Having discovered them, he wrote for seven nights straight, rushing to put it all into pages…
My Opinion: This book should be read as a prequel to Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”, all while being its own thing, solid. Not historical fiction per se, as facts are abstract and used loosely here. The story itself is great, especially from second half on. What shortcomings I found can be put on the author within, Dracula himself not knowing how to express what has happened any better, and developing his own character the most through the seven nights it took him to write it all down. Author, D.S. Crowe, did a tremendous job creating a fluctuating, living tale, full of human emotions expressed through someone inhuman, monstrous passion, and surprising turn of events. This is a fine new gem in my Dracula collection.
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: Vlad Dracula, the Impaler prince of the Darkness, is in a hurry to write his life down. From the sad and lonely childhood. Then teenage years spent in Ottoman captivity, where he fully explored his supernatural powers. To adulthood, its stubborn will to fight for freedom, for what’s right. And the disappointment that followed, disheartening understanding that he became all this, for all that, and still couldn’t save those who didn’t care to save themselves. Thus, prince has turned away from life and the living, and turned to science that knocked on his door, in search for answers, truths. Having discovered them, he wrote for seven nights straight, rushing to put it all into pages…
My Opinion: This book should be read as a prequel to Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”, all while being its own thing, solid. Not historical fiction per se, as facts are abstract and used loosely here. The story itself is great, especially from second half on. What shortcomings I found can be put on the author within, Dracula himself not knowing how to express what has happened any better, and developing his own character the most through the seven nights it took him to write it all down. Author, D.S. Crowe, did a tremendous job creating a fluctuating, living tale, full of human emotions expressed through someone inhuman, monstrous passion, and surprising turn of events. This is a fine new gem in my Dracula collection.
April 30, 2023
In Transylvania a boy is born to the ruler of Wallachia, he is pale with dark hair and dark eyes. A witch, Tinca declares him evil and insists she must take him, the ruler disagrees, his wife turns away from her son. Thus begins the lonely life of Vlad Tepe.
This is Dracula’s story but told from his perspective in a chronicle written to his son, Minhea. Based very much on the true history of Vlad the Impaler, this takes his life story and chronicles it, reimagining the dry history in glorious technicolour and combining it with the vampire mythology to produce a gloriously gothic tale.
It is totally immersive, the smells and sounds of the places seep out of the story, you can smell the filth, hear the screams, it is so good. His story is heartbreaking, the loneliness and isolation as a child, the sadness of his mother’s rejection in favour of his perfect younger brother, the betrayal of his father, his incarceration by the sultan, the violence, the dehumanisation and his eventual realisation of his true nature.
Once he steps into his power, his legacy as a merciless tyrant is played out here in full detail. He is obsessive, cruel and terrifying but so self possessed, he know what he is, but does it anyway. The imagery is raw brutality at its worst, gory and unflinchingly gruesome. This is such a new story in the Dracula canon, his autobiography spilled out to his son as he nears his end. Loved it!
Thank you to DS for the ebook, she really knows her history, this is so well researched and beautifully written.
This is Dracula’s story but told from his perspective in a chronicle written to his son, Minhea. Based very much on the true history of Vlad the Impaler, this takes his life story and chronicles it, reimagining the dry history in glorious technicolour and combining it with the vampire mythology to produce a gloriously gothic tale.
It is totally immersive, the smells and sounds of the places seep out of the story, you can smell the filth, hear the screams, it is so good. His story is heartbreaking, the loneliness and isolation as a child, the sadness of his mother’s rejection in favour of his perfect younger brother, the betrayal of his father, his incarceration by the sultan, the violence, the dehumanisation and his eventual realisation of his true nature.
Once he steps into his power, his legacy as a merciless tyrant is played out here in full detail. He is obsessive, cruel and terrifying but so self possessed, he know what he is, but does it anyway. The imagery is raw brutality at its worst, gory and unflinchingly gruesome. This is such a new story in the Dracula canon, his autobiography spilled out to his son as he nears his end. Loved it!
Thank you to DS for the ebook, she really knows her history, this is so well researched and beautifully written.
May 13, 2022
I, Dracula is written from Dracula’s point of view. We follow Vlad Tepes’ story from his birth and childhood thru his time as a prisoner of the Turks and a ruler of his own country. All the while, he gradually discovers who he is: someone who lives on bugs and blood, a man who casts no shadow, dissolves into a mist, has wings and is able to enter the minds of others and control their thoughts: Vampire.
The story is told through a series of letters written to his long lost son Mihnea, telling of his life and what drove his actions. It’s the story of a brutal, merciless man who makes no apology for his actions. As time goes by his thoughts continually turn to his son. Will he find him? Is he still alive? Does he share his father’s nature?
I, Dracula takes a different approach to the Dracula legend. D.S. Crowe tells the story as a historian, rather than a writer telling a horror story (although there is plenty to horrify here). It was an interesting experience spending so much time inside his head. The complete lack of regard for the people in his life and the choices he makes to further his own interests certainly suit the legend. I enjoyed this novel and I recommend it to readers who are looking for a fresh take on this well-known story.
July 28, 2022
Written from Dracula’s perspective and through a historical lens, I, Dracula follows Vlad’s life and offers us possible explanations and reasons for his horrific behaviours. As someone who adores Dracula and has read many versions of it, I was pleasantly surprised that this story differed from any other version I had read before.
I was incredible impressed that this was a debut work. D.S. Crowe writes beautifully!
Thank you to the author for providing me with a free copy of this book to read and review!
I was incredible impressed that this was a debut work. D.S. Crowe writes beautifully!
Thank you to the author for providing me with a free copy of this book to read and review!
June 10, 2022
Thank you to D.S Crowe for sending me a copy for an honest review
I’m not sure where to begin or how to start this review but here goes…
I, Dracula is written from Draculas own point of view. This isn’t a retelling of the original Dracula from Bram Stokers novel Crowe moulds an original tale of not only Dracula but vampires too. His life is laid out into the readers hands as he asks for forgiveness from his son Mihnea in letters. Crowe creates an opening into Dracula’s mind and doesn’t hold back. Inside we learn a little about Romanian history to which is easily explained.
One thing I must say is that I’m shocked this is Crowe’s first book… the writing is highly poised and richly detailed. In one word her writing is powerful! Very powerful and there are many lines that stand out above the rest. Her metaphors and similes seemed so original and added a powerful punch.
I must say for a supernatural being I do find Crowes version of Dracula to be very human, Crowe may humanise him through his emotions but she never compensates that he is a monster & what he does is monstrous. It’s very cleverly done. What I love most about this book is the nature and nurture theme. It plays a massive role and ends up making Dracula a grey character. I find him utterly fascinating! He’s cold, unsympathetic, he doesn’t know right from wrong, he’s blunt and he’s honest. Overall he is his mothers creation. Reading I was like a light switch with Dracula, at times I was sympathetic towards him and other times I was disgusted with his lack of human compassion.
Crowe wrote this story through the eyes of an historian and the hand of a writer. I,Dracula is gripping read that blurs the line between good and evil and nature and nurture.
I’m not sure where to begin or how to start this review but here goes…
I, Dracula is written from Draculas own point of view. This isn’t a retelling of the original Dracula from Bram Stokers novel Crowe moulds an original tale of not only Dracula but vampires too. His life is laid out into the readers hands as he asks for forgiveness from his son Mihnea in letters. Crowe creates an opening into Dracula’s mind and doesn’t hold back. Inside we learn a little about Romanian history to which is easily explained.
One thing I must say is that I’m shocked this is Crowe’s first book… the writing is highly poised and richly detailed. In one word her writing is powerful! Very powerful and there are many lines that stand out above the rest. Her metaphors and similes seemed so original and added a powerful punch.
I must say for a supernatural being I do find Crowes version of Dracula to be very human, Crowe may humanise him through his emotions but she never compensates that he is a monster & what he does is monstrous. It’s very cleverly done. What I love most about this book is the nature and nurture theme. It plays a massive role and ends up making Dracula a grey character. I find him utterly fascinating! He’s cold, unsympathetic, he doesn’t know right from wrong, he’s blunt and he’s honest. Overall he is his mothers creation. Reading I was like a light switch with Dracula, at times I was sympathetic towards him and other times I was disgusted with his lack of human compassion.
Crowe wrote this story through the eyes of an historian and the hand of a writer. I,Dracula is gripping read that blurs the line between good and evil and nature and nurture.
May 14, 2022
4,5
La fama di Dracula non conosce confini, ma chiunque abbia letto il romanzo di Stoker sa quanto poco questo meraviglioso personaggio appaia effettivamente nella storia.
Pochi sono stati in grado, a posteriori, di donare al Conte la giustizia che merita, e una di quei pochi è Crowe.
Dracula, nei panni di Vlad Tepes, scrive una lunga lettera a Minhea, suo figlio, raccontandogli la storia della sua vita. E lo fa senza filtri, mettendo a nudo sé stesso e il proprio tormento interiore.
Non cerca giustificazione per le sue azioni, non vuole pietà né comprensione, cerca solamente un perdono che non sa se sarà mai in grado di avere.
Non voglio raccontare troppo della trama, perché questo è un viaggio che va vissuto e assaporato.
Lo stile tragico, poetico ed elegante dell’autrice si adatta perfettamente alla storia che vuole raccontare, piena di sofferenza, guerra, tradimento, ma anche di amore.
È incredibile da una parte il lavoro di ricerca fatto per la stesura di questo libro, caratterizzato da una grande accuratezza storica legata alle gesta di Vlad il vovoida, dall’altra il desiderio di dare un background a Dracula, il leggendario vampiro.
Da amante dei vampiri in generale, e di Dracula in particolare, non ho potuto non apprezzare questo romanzo e il suo intento: dare dignità e voce a una figura famosa e affascinante, ma della quale sappiamo davvero molto poco.
Il libro è in inglese, e devo ammettere che il livello non è per principianti, ma se per voi non è un problema ve lo consiglio assolutamente. Spero davvero tanto che prima o poi venga tradotto in Italia.
La fama di Dracula non conosce confini, ma chiunque abbia letto il romanzo di Stoker sa quanto poco questo meraviglioso personaggio appaia effettivamente nella storia.
Pochi sono stati in grado, a posteriori, di donare al Conte la giustizia che merita, e una di quei pochi è Crowe.
Dracula, nei panni di Vlad Tepes, scrive una lunga lettera a Minhea, suo figlio, raccontandogli la storia della sua vita. E lo fa senza filtri, mettendo a nudo sé stesso e il proprio tormento interiore.
Non cerca giustificazione per le sue azioni, non vuole pietà né comprensione, cerca solamente un perdono che non sa se sarà mai in grado di avere.
Non voglio raccontare troppo della trama, perché questo è un viaggio che va vissuto e assaporato.
Lo stile tragico, poetico ed elegante dell’autrice si adatta perfettamente alla storia che vuole raccontare, piena di sofferenza, guerra, tradimento, ma anche di amore.
È incredibile da una parte il lavoro di ricerca fatto per la stesura di questo libro, caratterizzato da una grande accuratezza storica legata alle gesta di Vlad il vovoida, dall’altra il desiderio di dare un background a Dracula, il leggendario vampiro.
Da amante dei vampiri in generale, e di Dracula in particolare, non ho potuto non apprezzare questo romanzo e il suo intento: dare dignità e voce a una figura famosa e affascinante, ma della quale sappiamo davvero molto poco.
Il libro è in inglese, e devo ammettere che il livello non è per principianti, ma se per voi non è un problema ve lo consiglio assolutamente. Spero davvero tanto che prima o poi venga tradotto in Italia.
May 22, 2022
It is remarkable how D.S. Crowe manages to cast a new prospective on a character so extensivelly tapped into like Dracula. And she manages it with style! In a series of letters to his estranged son, Dracula reveals his trials and tribulations from a harsh, motherless childhood, to his surprising end. The reader follows his becoming with mixed feelings, at once awe and terror, sometimes even sympathy. The historical twist was particularly appealing to me, as it gave the character more credibilty, without turning him into a non-fictional character as his association with Vlad the Impaller may sometimes lead to. Beautiful integration of original Romanian folklore references into a fantasy novel. Together with the depth of the character and the well balanced rhythm of the prose, they place this debut novel far beyond vampire novels, in the gallery of trully good literature!
October 8, 2022
I was very much surprised about this book. I didn’t expect it to be so rich in history; the level of detail and the insights are mesmerizing and immersive (from customs and traditions to architectural styles, from the gloomy Romanian historical regions to exotic and cruel Turkish lands).
I loved the 1st person POV, that we have such an intimate view into the mind of Vlad The Impaler, also known as Dracula. He is such a complex character, I would not call him grey. He seems like a fully fleshed villain, but as villains are often forged in tragic stories, you do have some empathy after understanding his background.
As a Romanian, I thought that I was already so familiarized with the myth of Dracula that no piece of literature would be able to bring more thrills, but I was wrong. It was a very enjoyable read, and the style was absolutely beautiful.
I loved the 1st person POV, that we have such an intimate view into the mind of Vlad The Impaler, also known as Dracula. He is such a complex character, I would not call him grey. He seems like a fully fleshed villain, but as villains are often forged in tragic stories, you do have some empathy after understanding his background.
As a Romanian, I thought that I was already so familiarized with the myth of Dracula that no piece of literature would be able to bring more thrills, but I was wrong. It was a very enjoyable read, and the style was absolutely beautiful.
July 8, 2022
The book is written in Draculas pov, sometimes heartbreaking and brutal. While reading you can definitely tell how much of a dracula fan the author is ;) The historial context and the knowledge of romanian Folk lore is outstanding. I recommend this book to every dracula fan. Im looking forward to read the sequel.
Its a five Stars read for me
Its a five Stars read for me
May 19, 2022
A bridge between the historical king Vlad and the Dracula the vampire
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 May 2022
A wonderful collection of stories and angles linking the famous Dracula character to his true identity as Vlad the Impaler. I said stories because even that the work is a full novel, you can enjoy many chapters as potentially separate stories. The book is unfolding the growth of the Dracula vampire from birth to the apparently cliffhanger in the end. All this in the context of accurate historical details borrowed from the genuine Vlad king historical person. You can feel a psychoanalytical drive in the growth and evolution of Dracula, rejected by his mother, almost killed at birth by a demonic woman, ignored in his early years in favor of his younger brother Radu. You may say that a lot of future events are more or less a return to the primal act at her mother chest, seeking to find again that mix of pleasure and nourishment. The story will walk you from the forest of old Valahia to the shores of Ottoman Empire and back in the territory near Transylvania. For sure the link between blood and Eros is not forgotten and you can feel that in the intense episodes of love with Mara/Ileana which is coming with a twist in the end where you cannot be sure anymore if is pushing the character in an area of an abuser or again a tragic victim of several woman who reject him again and again. The most positive tone is kept in the relationship with his son Mihnea which is offering also the main background of the novel, designed as a confession letter to his lost and beloved son. In a nutshell, an interesting debut, full of power, written in a clear visual style which might become a long saga.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 May 2022
A wonderful collection of stories and angles linking the famous Dracula character to his true identity as Vlad the Impaler. I said stories because even that the work is a full novel, you can enjoy many chapters as potentially separate stories. The book is unfolding the growth of the Dracula vampire from birth to the apparently cliffhanger in the end. All this in the context of accurate historical details borrowed from the genuine Vlad king historical person. You can feel a psychoanalytical drive in the growth and evolution of Dracula, rejected by his mother, almost killed at birth by a demonic woman, ignored in his early years in favor of his younger brother Radu. You may say that a lot of future events are more or less a return to the primal act at her mother chest, seeking to find again that mix of pleasure and nourishment. The story will walk you from the forest of old Valahia to the shores of Ottoman Empire and back in the territory near Transylvania. For sure the link between blood and Eros is not forgotten and you can feel that in the intense episodes of love with Mara/Ileana which is coming with a twist in the end where you cannot be sure anymore if is pushing the character in an area of an abuser or again a tragic victim of several woman who reject him again and again. The most positive tone is kept in the relationship with his son Mihnea which is offering also the main background of the novel, designed as a confession letter to his lost and beloved son. In a nutshell, an interesting debut, full of power, written in a clear visual style which might become a long saga.
September 11, 2022
I enjoy villain origin stories. I like following the shaping of the characters, and developing motivations for subsequent actions and events. Crowe bridges a gap that we see in the classic gothic literature, “Dracula,” where the entire story is narrated by everyone BUT Dracula. I often wondered what his viewpoint would reflect in the story. This book does not take place during Stoker’s Dracula, but reads as historical fiction from Dracula’s pov in his appeal for love to his son.
This is a spectacularly entertaining example of Dracula’s narration in his origin story from birth with accurate historical and cultural references throughout. He is not a particularly likable character, born with his vampiric abilities, unloved, and estranged from the world. We get to see in depth development of Dracula as the historical character he was based on. I can tell that a lot of research and authenticity of historical events went into this narration.
I finished this book feeling more knowledgeable about Vlad Tepes the Impaler and immensely entertained by Dracula’s origin story. I’m looking forward to the next book, “You, Dracula.”
This is a spectacularly entertaining example of Dracula’s narration in his origin story from birth with accurate historical and cultural references throughout. He is not a particularly likable character, born with his vampiric abilities, unloved, and estranged from the world. We get to see in depth development of Dracula as the historical character he was based on. I can tell that a lot of research and authenticity of historical events went into this narration.
I finished this book feeling more knowledgeable about Vlad Tepes the Impaler and immensely entertained by Dracula’s origin story. I’m looking forward to the next book, “You, Dracula.”
May 20, 2022
From page one, this novel drops you into the mind of Dracula as he turns from an unloved and feared child to cruel despot and finally to a creature desparate for human love. This is a fantastically written book and is rich in detail - you can almost smell and taste the castles and dungeons of Transylvania and the beautiful descriptions bring alive the history, the folklore, the people and the geography of this area. But at its heart is the story of this unique character and it is a testament to the author that the ending moves the reader in the way it does. Tinka, Dracula's nemesis, is a worthy foe and the ending leaves it open for further sequels as Vlad moves through the centuries. Even if you've never read Bram Stoker's Dracula, give this a go!
October 3, 2023
A powerful and unpredictable origin story.
As a big fan of Dracula, I had to read this excellent book and it was well worth it. In this volume we read Dracula's story in his own words, from his own view point, taking us all the way back to the beginning. We learn of his life from childhood into adulthood and what shaped him into the tragic character that is presented here. We feel his pain and his struggle as though we are experiencing his transformation with him.
This book doesn't paint Dracula as the romantic hero that many modern retellings and reimagining do today and as many decades past, but it does paint him with some sympathy, looking for many of the things that we all long for in this world.
If you are a fan of Dracula, this is definitely the book for you.
As a big fan of Dracula, I had to read this excellent book and it was well worth it. In this volume we read Dracula's story in his own words, from his own view point, taking us all the way back to the beginning. We learn of his life from childhood into adulthood and what shaped him into the tragic character that is presented here. We feel his pain and his struggle as though we are experiencing his transformation with him.
This book doesn't paint Dracula as the romantic hero that many modern retellings and reimagining do today and as many decades past, but it does paint him with some sympathy, looking for many of the things that we all long for in this world.
If you are a fan of Dracula, this is definitely the book for you.
May 19, 2022
As a fellow Romanian, I appreciate that a Romanian writer was able to paint such an original Dracula portrait, so aptly and brilliantly! D.S. Crowe did this with such ease and it is because she is Romanian and has a deep understanding of our traditions and history, making this for a very authentic read. I would highly recommend this novel, especially if you want a different and original perspective of this intriguing subject!
May 22, 2022
I often don’t like retellings of my favorite stories, because they feel unoriginal or lack the source material’s spirit. Not only does this story contain everything I love about Stoker’s Dracula, but it provides historical context, a fresh perspective, and feels like a classic without being outdated or convoluted. It explains but does not excuse the famous villain, and allows you to feel the hunger, rage and motivations behind the historical (Vlad) and fictional (Dracula).
January 16, 2023
I finished this book last night and I absolutely loved it. It was the life story of Vlad the Impaler told from his own point of view as if he really was a vampire. Over the course of a week he writes his story down for his son. I felt such sympathy for him at times in this book. Not a single person had ever loved him. It was sometimes sad and sometimes brutal. Beautifully written and hard to put down. Highly recommend.
June 8, 2022
Crowe’s incredible depth of characterization and chilling descriptive verse acts as a time machine, transporting the reader to dark and haunting Gothic times. A truly mesmerizing book.
June 8, 2022
Fab! adds flesh (and a little blood) to the back story of Dracula. Beautifully told, this confessional delves deep into the troubled psyche of Dracula and will appeal to all gothic lovers.
January 31, 2023
Summary:
‘I, Dracula’ by D.S. Crowe explores Dracula’s life as he grows up in Valahia (Wallachia) and as he grows into his vampire self. The story is steeped in the history of Dracula’s country and delves into the conflicts he had to face as it leader. It is also about the absence of love and how it in part creates the monster that is Dracula.
Dracula strives to be the good son and is rewarded with imprisonment. He strives to lift his country from its subjugation, and he receives loathing and condemnation. He strives to love and is ultimately met with revulsion.
Without love and overwhelmed by rage and hate, both in the form of self-loathing and rejection from others, when Dracula is granted a son, Mihnea, he sees no choice but to give his heir away. This story is Dracula’s confession to his son and his quest for forgiveness and compassion for his many misdeeds.
Thoughts:
‘I, Dracula’ is beautifully written and brutal.
D.S. Crowe imparts a wealth of history, conflict, and tragedy with immersive description that builds an emotive and violent story. As Dracula imparts his confession, he does not hold back from the truth of his barbaric actions or from the wrenching cruelty he suffers simply for being born.
This story swings the reader back and forth in pendulum fashion from being disgusted by Dracula’s depravations to feeling sympathy for his miserable plight. Dracula is without love, he is not granted it even from his own mother, and it shapes him as much as the curse he was born with.
There are times when he believes he is doing right, but his ideals are so obscured by the hate he has grown from and love he is missing, that in the end, he commits more depravities. This story as much examines how a monster is created by its environment as it is born into it.
‘I, Dracula’ feels authentic to cannon material and gives depth to the villainous character the original novel conceived. The historical background of Vlad Dracul and his country is artistically woven into the story and builds upon the facets of his life that we already know of from Bram Stoker’s novel.
The story is written as a first-person narrative, with mainly Dracula’s view of events in his scribed confessions, and there is minimal dialogue. The novel relies heavily on Crowe’s descriptive detail to push the story along, at which she is accomplished. Though this may not suit everyone’s tastes, for me, it is fitting, and it reflects the epistolary style of ‘Dracula’.
The ending is left open and somewhat vague, but in my opinion, it works with the style of storytelling, and of course, we all know Dracula’s story continues well past the 1500s. However, I must admit I was pleased to see on the very last page that a sequel, ‘You, Dracula’, is in the works and I very much look forward to this story continuing and filling in more of the Count’s history before ‘Dracula’ takes place.
My main criticism with ‘I, Dracula’ is not with the novel itself but with the fact it hasn’t (yet) reached the acclaim I believe it deserves. I truly hope the author, and the novel, receives it and go on to write the sequel. For me, this was a five-star read and a book I would highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the original novel upon which it is based.
‘I, Dracula’ by D.S. Crowe explores Dracula’s life as he grows up in Valahia (Wallachia) and as he grows into his vampire self. The story is steeped in the history of Dracula’s country and delves into the conflicts he had to face as it leader. It is also about the absence of love and how it in part creates the monster that is Dracula.
Dracula strives to be the good son and is rewarded with imprisonment. He strives to lift his country from its subjugation, and he receives loathing and condemnation. He strives to love and is ultimately met with revulsion.
Without love and overwhelmed by rage and hate, both in the form of self-loathing and rejection from others, when Dracula is granted a son, Mihnea, he sees no choice but to give his heir away. This story is Dracula’s confession to his son and his quest for forgiveness and compassion for his many misdeeds.
Thoughts:
‘I, Dracula’ is beautifully written and brutal.
D.S. Crowe imparts a wealth of history, conflict, and tragedy with immersive description that builds an emotive and violent story. As Dracula imparts his confession, he does not hold back from the truth of his barbaric actions or from the wrenching cruelty he suffers simply for being born.
This story swings the reader back and forth in pendulum fashion from being disgusted by Dracula’s depravations to feeling sympathy for his miserable plight. Dracula is without love, he is not granted it even from his own mother, and it shapes him as much as the curse he was born with.
There are times when he believes he is doing right, but his ideals are so obscured by the hate he has grown from and love he is missing, that in the end, he commits more depravities. This story as much examines how a monster is created by its environment as it is born into it.
‘I, Dracula’ feels authentic to cannon material and gives depth to the villainous character the original novel conceived. The historical background of Vlad Dracul and his country is artistically woven into the story and builds upon the facets of his life that we already know of from Bram Stoker’s novel.
The story is written as a first-person narrative, with mainly Dracula’s view of events in his scribed confessions, and there is minimal dialogue. The novel relies heavily on Crowe’s descriptive detail to push the story along, at which she is accomplished. Though this may not suit everyone’s tastes, for me, it is fitting, and it reflects the epistolary style of ‘Dracula’.
The ending is left open and somewhat vague, but in my opinion, it works with the style of storytelling, and of course, we all know Dracula’s story continues well past the 1500s. However, I must admit I was pleased to see on the very last page that a sequel, ‘You, Dracula’, is in the works and I very much look forward to this story continuing and filling in more of the Count’s history before ‘Dracula’ takes place.
My main criticism with ‘I, Dracula’ is not with the novel itself but with the fact it hasn’t (yet) reached the acclaim I believe it deserves. I truly hope the author, and the novel, receives it and go on to write the sequel. For me, this was a five-star read and a book I would highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the original novel upon which it is based.
July 21, 2022
This is a tough review to write. I believe this is a fantastic book that just wasn't for me. Going into it, I have yet to read Bram Stoker's Dracula. I wasn't sure if that was going to be a good or bad thing. The result was that since I had no ties to the original Dracula, I could only judge this book on what is in it, and not how it ties back to the original.
One aspect that shined was the writing. I am surprised to see that this is Crowe's first novel, as the writing would indicate the author has written tons before. It felt appropriate for a story being told hundreds of years ago, while not being so dense that it was tough to read. The prose was rich and detailed, but still managed to flow, making it very easy to read.
The character work in this one is quite masterful. Crowe manages to balance this fine line of humanizing Dracula, while also showing how much of a monster he has become. The story is told from Dracula's perspective, as he is issuing an apology of sorts to his son. We follow his story from the start when he was born, and throughout the book, we watch him develop to be the monster we know as Dracula.
I don't think morally grey really describes Dracula adequately, as he seems to not know at all between good and bad or right or wrong. How he processes feelings, how he has to internalize them due to being a social outcast, really does speak volumes. I found myself questioning whether he was born this monster, or he was molded into who he was solely based on his lived experiences. An outcast since birth, Dracula never had the parental love he desperately craved. He struggles to find acceptance anywhere. On top of the rejection, he also faces abuse, imprisonment, and other experiences that would be devastating to anyone coming of age.
One thing I loved about this book is that I never felt as though the author was trying to get me to love or hate Dracula. It was simply layed out infront of the reader, and the reader can then come to their own conclusion. I have read other novels where it is quite clear that the author is trying to make you feel a certain, and I usually do not like that. I finished this story feeling conflicted, but thoroughly understanding this version of Dracula's story.
The only reason for the lack of stars is because I felt as though I probably should have been familiar with the original material. I had a hard time getting into the story at first, as I felt Dracula was a character I already should have known. As a result, I struggled through some aspects of the book, as I dodn't know where they were going or why we were focused on that aspect of Draculas story. In the end, I felt it all came together nicely, and this would be an amazing read for any Dracula fans or even those who love vampires in general.
One aspect that shined was the writing. I am surprised to see that this is Crowe's first novel, as the writing would indicate the author has written tons before. It felt appropriate for a story being told hundreds of years ago, while not being so dense that it was tough to read. The prose was rich and detailed, but still managed to flow, making it very easy to read.
The character work in this one is quite masterful. Crowe manages to balance this fine line of humanizing Dracula, while also showing how much of a monster he has become. The story is told from Dracula's perspective, as he is issuing an apology of sorts to his son. We follow his story from the start when he was born, and throughout the book, we watch him develop to be the monster we know as Dracula.
I don't think morally grey really describes Dracula adequately, as he seems to not know at all between good and bad or right or wrong. How he processes feelings, how he has to internalize them due to being a social outcast, really does speak volumes. I found myself questioning whether he was born this monster, or he was molded into who he was solely based on his lived experiences. An outcast since birth, Dracula never had the parental love he desperately craved. He struggles to find acceptance anywhere. On top of the rejection, he also faces abuse, imprisonment, and other experiences that would be devastating to anyone coming of age.
One thing I loved about this book is that I never felt as though the author was trying to get me to love or hate Dracula. It was simply layed out infront of the reader, and the reader can then come to their own conclusion. I have read other novels where it is quite clear that the author is trying to make you feel a certain, and I usually do not like that. I finished this story feeling conflicted, but thoroughly understanding this version of Dracula's story.
The only reason for the lack of stars is because I felt as though I probably should have been familiar with the original material. I had a hard time getting into the story at first, as I felt Dracula was a character I already should have known. As a result, I struggled through some aspects of the book, as I dodn't know where they were going or why we were focused on that aspect of Draculas story. In the end, I felt it all came together nicely, and this would be an amazing read for any Dracula fans or even those who love vampires in general.
June 28, 2022
1st off- look at the gorgeous cover of this book!!
I have to be honest, other than the fact that he’s a vampire and sucks blood, I don’t know a whole lot about Dracula. I never watched the Bram Stroker’s Dracula or Interview with the Vampire movies. So I didn’t really know what I was getting into with this book.
I really enjoyed learning about the Romanian language and historical aspects of this book. Dracula writes to his son Mihnea and asks him for forgiveness and to tell him about his mother. I was impressed by how Crowe wrote in so much detail on Dracula’s upbringing. It was as if I was right there with him. And I ended up being very disgusted (maybe a bit intrigued) by him.
Thank you so much @d.s.crowe_author for allowing me to read this ebook in exchange for an honest review!! I have learned a lot!
I have to be honest, other than the fact that he’s a vampire and sucks blood, I don’t know a whole lot about Dracula. I never watched the Bram Stroker’s Dracula or Interview with the Vampire movies. So I didn’t really know what I was getting into with this book.
I really enjoyed learning about the Romanian language and historical aspects of this book. Dracula writes to his son Mihnea and asks him for forgiveness and to tell him about his mother. I was impressed by how Crowe wrote in so much detail on Dracula’s upbringing. It was as if I was right there with him. And I ended up being very disgusted (maybe a bit intrigued) by him.
Thank you so much @d.s.crowe_author for allowing me to read this ebook in exchange for an honest review!! I have learned a lot!
November 4, 2022
I won a signed copy of this book at the IGA's Gothic Interruptions Conference Pub Quiz in the summer and it has taken me ages to read the book, which tells Dracula's life story. Vlad himself is the narrator, telling his post son about his life, his pursuits, his thirst for blood and his need for women. It is as cruel, violent, and terrible as you might have expected but it is also well researched and the Romanian heritage of the author allows her to really transform story and setting for the better. Major trigger warnings apply but this was an interesting read. The treatment of women was of course terrible but also to be expected? Dracula truly is a monster, but a fascinating one.
July 22, 2022
To put it simply, I loved this book! I’ve read a lot of books about Dracula, and the uniqueness, historical accuracy and complexity of our morally grey Vlad was what stood out the most.
Thank you to the author, D.S Crowe for sending me this beautifully written story. Highly recommend for all fans of Dracula.
You can find a short interview with the author on my Instagram.
Thank you to the author, D.S Crowe for sending me this beautifully written story. Highly recommend for all fans of Dracula.
You can find a short interview with the author on my Instagram.
October 25, 2022
This book was so gripping, interesting and steeped in history which I loved. Dracula had me feeling sorry for him, hating him, disgusted by him, understanding him and fascinated by him! I am so looking forward to and excited by the second book and anything else from this author as it's clear that they know their subject and setting so well.
November 10, 2022
A compelling prequel to Bram Stoker's Dracula, giving the world's most famous vampire a voice. Historical research and the author's knowledge of Dracula's homeland provides the basis for a tale that draws us in to his viewpoint. This can be unsettling as this isn't a Dracula reworked to be more benign - but we can perhaps understand his motivation. Atmospheric and unputdownable.
August 25, 2022
This book is brilliant, a real page-turner! I was all the time shifting between feeling sympathetic towards Vlad to being utterly disgusted by him. It is beatifully written, a must to all the lovers of the Dracula myth.
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