At first I was disappointed that so much of the text was lifted straight from the original novel [b:Dracula|17245|Dracula|Bram Stoker|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255650730s/17245.jpg|3165724]. However, as it went on, I was more and more impressed with Ms. James' alternate explanations for the events of the original. And it had a pretty good ending. So, to the author I say, well done.

The absolute best part of this, though, was the audiobook narrator's Van Helsing voice. Hilarious! He really is written like that in the original, too! He talks in pidgin English, uses ridiculous metaphors, and generally sounds like a quack emboldened by everyone around him taking him seriously. ( )

Según la famosa novela de Bram Stoker, el conde Drácula fue un ser salvaje y sanguinario, un manipulador sin escrúpulos felizmente aniquilado por Jonathan Harker y el doctor Van Helsing. Ahora, a partir de los diarios secretos de Mina Harker, Syrie James nos muestra el verdadero rostro del vampiro: un ser atormentado, sensible y fascinante, que arrastrará a un romance tempestuoso a una Mina que se debate entre la atracción fatal que siente por el conde y la devoción al marido que le impone su educación puritana.

Though I was excited to read a book based on Mina's perspective, I had a hard time getting into this book. I thought the Mina/Dracula love angle was ok, but the story just moved at an extremely slow pace. Maybe Stoker's Dracula was the same - it's been so long since I've read it, I can't remember what it was like.
( )

Retelling of the Dracula story told through Mina's eyes. I enjoyed the story. I also enjoyed her feelings for Dracula and his for hers. I wish the ending were different but then again maybe it is. ( )

If you have always sympathized with Dracula or wanted to see Mina and Dracula's romance, then this book is for you! My preference for characters leans toward the antagonistic and I am thrilled by forbidden romance. This book was right up my alley. I enjoyed it immensely--devoured it in but a few sittings, in fact. I was pleased with the characterization, dialogue, plot, pace, diction, basically everything. This includes the ending (which is really wonderful if you look at the signs, and does leave room for a sequel). I honestly can't think of a single complaint offhand.

This book also made me realize something. That is, you can be a paid author of fanfiction. Let's be a bit truthful here in admitting that this work is fanfiction. And that it is published and thus the author is getting paid for it. This is a beautiful, wonderful thing which gives me hope for my own future (and plenty of good things to read!). Of course I already knew this, but this book solidified the concept in my mind and very well too. ( )