Dracula: The Un-Dead ~by~ Dacre Stoker & Ian Holt
Synopsis Courtesy of Waterstone's:
The story begins in 1912, twenty-five years after the events described in the original novel. Dr. Jack Seward, now a disgraced morphine addict, hunts vampires across Europe with the help of a mysterious benefactor. Meanwhile, Quincey Harker, the grown son of Jonathan and Mina, leaves law school to pursue a career in stage at London's famous Lyceum Theatre. The production of Dracula at the Lyceum, directed and produced by Bram Stoker, has recently lost its star. Luckily, Quincey knows how to contact the famed Hungarian actor Basarab, who agrees to take the lead role. Quincey soon discovers that the play features his parents and their former friends as characters, and seems to reveal much about the terrible secrets he's always suspected them of harbouring. But, before he can confront them, Jonathan Harker is found murdered. The writers were able to access Bram Stoker's hand-written notes and have included in their story characters and plot threads that had been excised by the publisher from the original printing over a century ago. Dracula is one of the most recognized fictional characters in the world, having spawned dozens of multi-media spin-offs. The Un-Dead is the first Dracula story to enjoy the full support of the Stoker estate since the original 1931 movie starring Bela Lugosi.
My thoughts:
When I bought this book I expected something similar to the writings of the original, but Bram Stoker it's not. That's not to say it wasn't good, I loved it! The story carries on with the original main characters, Johnathon and Mina Harker, and the addition of quite a few more interesting ones, including their son Quincy.
It is a much easier, fast paced read than Dracula and not written in the flowery prose of the first, although it still conjured up that gothic dark feeling that we enjoyed in the original. I found it utterly enjoyable to read how the lives of the original cast progressed while the blending of other characters was both imaginative and entertaining.
The storyline thought up by the two authors used a lot of poetic license, and I would suggest an open mind if you plan on reading this. Both authors worked well together and the end result is a fantastic sequel.
I would definately recommend it
10/10