Dracula's Guest and Other Weird Tales

From the opening sentence, this book had me in a chokehold. It was an amazing and spooky experience full of foreboding and dread. The gothic atmosphere also helped to create the ideal backdrop for this sinister tale.

The characters are dynamic and well-developed. And I really appreciated the sense of found family and love they had towards one another. My favorite character by far was Van Helsing he was the one who set the wheels into motion with his wisdom and quick thinking. The group wouldn't have gone far without his input.

I loved all the vampire lore that was in this book and how villainous Dracula was. The description of him smelling like decay and having long fingernails with a pale appearance was so ghastly. Quite different from the modern-day vampires we've romanticized and lust after.

And the pacing came full circle. We started with a rather shocking beginning as Jonathan Harker traveled to Transylvania to meet Count Dracula and the hellish discoveries that were made during his stay. Then we transition to a slower pace as we witness the unfolding of Dracula's diabolical plan to overtake London for his devilish enterprise.

Towards the end, the pace picks up again as the characters race to meet Dracula for the final showdown. Even though the story slowed considerably in the middle the mysterious circumstances that occurred were enough to keep me entranced.

While I'm still kicking myself that I haven't read this classic masterpiece sooner I'm glad that I chose it now. It was the perfect read to kickstart the spooky season. A must-read for those that love vampires.

Check out my full review on my blog: https://www.kathleenhaagenson.com/dracula-by-bram-stoker/