Comments on: Review: Dracula, My Love, Syrie James

By: Ana

Ana — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 05:57:27 +0000

I absolutely loved this book. I never felt any reason to like the original novel due to it’s lack of romance, however I completely enjoyed Mina’s point of view…I couldn’t help but fall in love with Dracula,and somehow already knowing the ending, I wished with all my heart that Mina and Dracula could live happily ever after….After finishing the book, I started to think that Dracula lied about the way he could heard Lucy’s thoughts. I think there is a mystery about the whole thing. Maybe she drank his blood as well…I also dislike the way Dracula kept pushing Mina into becoming a vampire, making her feel that there were more benefits that anything else..I somehow discover that Dracula didn’t really died at the very end, since he had explained to Mina that he could only die during the day when he didn’t have all his powers…I felt as if he just choose to let her live the life she wanted, but waiting to come back before she died…

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 14:42:36 +0000

I have seen a lot of really interesting reviews for this one. Most of them didn’t really push me toward reading it though. I think part of that is that I didn’t really LOVE Dracula. The most appealing aspect of this book is that Mina seems to come out as a stronger character with more back story, but even that seems to be tarnished by the hold that Dracula seems to have on her. Even though I was incredibly reluctant when it first came out, I’m thinking that I just might have to end up reading this one just because I am so incredibly curious!

By: Syrie James

Syrie James — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 18:23:21 +0000

Dear Meghan,
Hi! I’m so sorry you didn’t connect with my novel “Dracula, My Love,” but I thank you for taking the time to review it. I fell madly in love with Dracula while writing this book, and yes, nearly all the critics and readers loved it. You can find their reviews at http://www.syriejames.com/DraculaReviews.php, and reader feedback at http://www.syriejames.com/DraculaReaderFeedback.php. Here are a couple of excerpts:

“I loved it! A gripping story, infused with passion, excitement, and emotional turmoil. This vampire can bite my neck any time!” —American Book Center

“What magnificent writing! 5 stars. To put it simply: this novel was truly outstanding! I took pleasure in gaining new understanding and insight to Dracula’s character, the compelling action of the plot, and the ardent yet illicit love affair between Dracula and Mina Harker. Dracula, My Love is a poignant, passionate, and powerful novel you should not miss!” —Austenesque Reviews

I felt compelled to reply to some of the things you said, just to set the record straight and to correct a misimpression. Mina and Dracula do indeed have frequent, long, meaningful, and passionate meetings throughout the book–their love story is the central focus of the novel, and something that was entirely missing from Stoker’s original. And although you said Mina “never considers that he might be manipulating her,” that’s not true. Mina questions Dracula’s veracity several times, the first time in this excerpt on page 246:

I leaned back against the wall, my mind a whirl of confusion. Should I believe him? What if he was just inventing these explanations to win me to his side? I had no way to verify any of it, and surely he knew that…

Here are a few more excerpts from the reviews:

“The rest of the world might think they know everything about the Count from Transylvania, but only Mina Harker, who once fell under the seductive spell of literature’s most famous vampire, knows Dracula’s true story. James gives readers an intriguing alternate theory as to the events that occurred in Stoker’s classic horror tale while at the same time delivering a spooky yet thoroughly romantic love story.”
—Chicago Tribune

“This very romantic side to Dracula, seen through Mina’s eyes, is powerfully sensuous and gives credence to his obsession and Mina’s acquiescence. Masterfully told, smooth flowing and compelling; DRACULA, MY LOVE by imaginative storyteller Syrie James should sit side by side with Bram Stoker’s DRACULA on your keeper shelf.” —Single Titles Reviews

“5 stars. Fans of Anne Rice and Stephenie Meyer will find much to rejoice about in this novel… However, in my opinion, James is a better writer than either.” —Much Madness is Divinest Sense

I hope your readers will give DRACULA, MY LOVE another chance! And please check out my new novel, NOCTURNE: http://www.syriejames.com/NocturneSummary.php

Thanks and take care,
Syrie James

By: Michele @ Reader's Respite

Michele @ Reader's Respite — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 02:58:09 +0000

Oh thank goodness, you’ve made me feel less guilty for never haven gotten around to reading this. Many thanks!

By: heidenkind

heidenkind — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:04:33 +0000

Wait, so we don’t see her actual meetings with Dracula? Isn’t that the whole point of the book?

By: Pam

Pam — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 18:08:14 +0000

I loved this book because I loved the original. I had a problem with van Helsing’s accent but Syrie later left a comment explaining that to me and I agree completely with her explanation. So sorry you couldn’t connect more.

By: Kailana

Kailana — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 17:43:02 +0000

I really have to read the original. It’s in mind for later in the year!

By: bermudaonion (Kathy)

bermudaonion (Kathy) — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:49:49 +0000

I’ve never read the original and probably won’t read this one. The whole vampire thing has never really interested me. Thanks for a thoughtful review.

By: zibilee

zibilee — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:13:18 +0000

I liked the original very much, and don’t feel that I would really be able to appreciate this book because of some of the things that you mentioned. Sometimes it’s better to just leave things alone, rather than trying to freshen them up with spin-offs and re-imaginings.