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Book Review: Dracula’s Child by J.S. Barnes

This post contains Amazon or other affiliate links that I may earn from with qualifying purchases. Please view the Disclaimers page for more on this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for my advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

One of my all-time favorite books is Dracula by Bram Stoker. I’d seen the movie growing up (the Gary Oldman and Keanu Reeves one) and finally read the novel my senior year of college. I fell in love with the story and the writing and the entire world. I even gave my youngest son ‘Bram’ for a middle name.

Shortly after joining NetGalley, I discovered Dracula’s Child as an available ARC to request. Due to my love of the original Dracula, I requested it knowing that I probably wouldn’t be approved. To my amazement, I received an approval notice via email. I’d gotten my FIRST approved ARC! I squealed in delight and immediately dove in.

The book

Author: J.S. Barnes
Genre: Horror
Pages: 448 (Kindle)
Published: September 22nd, 2020

Dracula’s Child picks up a decade after the original team of Van Helsing, Johnathan Harker, Dr. Seward, etc. vanquished the frightful Count Dracula.

Johnathan and Mina, of course, marry and try to move on with life in London as normally as possible. They have a son called Quincey, named after the courageous American Quincey Morris, who had sacrificed himself in the fight against the Count the decade before.

Soon after the story begins, things start happening—evil things. Possessions, bloodthirsty creatures running amuck, government takeovers, and ultimately the return of Count Dracula soon begin.

My reading experience

What I loved most about this story was it read just like the original Dracula. The chapters are set up like diary entries from each character, and the tone is accurately dark with a genuine gothic horror feel. This writing style displays the literary talent of Barnes in being able to write in a way that feels like a true sequel, almost as if it’d been written by Bram Stoker himself.

Not realizing it at the time, I now recognize a bit of a “return of He Who Must Not Be Named” vibe. There’s an evil presence thought to have been completely eradicated but somehow returned and with a vengeance. It’s a classic adventure of good versus evil.

What I liked

  • The original Dracula vibe.
  • The flow of the story was very good. Lots of description but nothing overwhelming or boring.
  • The return of some familiar characters.
  • Same-sex attraction is represented.
  • The number of gasp-inducing moments.

What I didn’t like

  • There was one small part of a scene at the beginning that I could have done without, but that’s because I’m a baby, and it made the scene that much better. So nothing, there’s nothing I didn’t like.

Final thoughts

My friends, if you are a fan of Dracula, then I beg you to read this book. Sit in a comfy seat next to an open window while it’s raining with a cup of hot tea beside you and read this damn book.

Would I watch this movie? Hell to the yes. And they better bring back Keanu, Winona, Gary, everyone! I don’t even care that it’s been 28 years.

I give Dracula’s Child 5 out of 5 stars!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Melissa @ Always, Lissa

    September 25, 2020 at 5:46 pm

    A dracula sequel? Yes please! Be right back, adding to my list! Thank you for the review!

    Reply
    • Kortnee

      September 25, 2020 at 9:47 pm

      😀 😀

      Reply

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