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Dark Wars: The Tale of Meiji Dracula

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The Tale of Meiji Dracula: Dark Wars

What would have `Dracula' read like if it was originally a Japanese traditional legend?

"Dark Wars, The Tale of Meiji Dracula" answers that question. Best selling Japanese horror novelist, Hideyuki Kikuchi turned his love of the Dracula films into a thrilling oriental flavoured Lord of the Undead adventure.

Vlad Tege, Count Dracula, arrives at a dark seaport and set up residence in an abandoned British mansion in Edo (Tokyo). Daigo Shoichiro, a talented 17 yr old swordsman and teacher, and his friends meet Count in the evening while trying to sneak a peak at a famous painting. Sensing danger, the friends quickly leave. The Count quickly befriends the elite of the town, while forcing Jigoro, an educated sensei, to build a team bent on dispatching Count Vlad as quickly as possible. The list of the Counts' victims grows to include Sayo, Akane, Renta, Shiro, yet does not include Chizuru, a love struck young woman. Only by fighting Dracula without Judo can he be destroyed. Just how Daigo deals with the Lord of the Undead makes this an amazing novel!

Those familiar with the original novel will recognize names (Renta-Renfrew), and scenarios. Yet, in that familiarity he puts enough twists into the story and Japanese culture that it becomes uniquely Oriental. There is obsession, there is misplaced loyalty, and on the part of Vlad, there is even a sense of twisted honor as he returns Daigo's fathers' belongings to him. Dracula is still Dracula, and the familiar elements to the story like Transylvanian soil, horse drawn carriages, and creatures of the night.. In a scene reminiscent of the original Tod Browning production, the story evokes a black and white/silent movie feel that reflects Kikuchi's graphic story telling skills.

Fans of horror and the Vampyre genre will appreciate this fresh look at a genre in need of new `blood'.

[...]

I remain,

Very alive

Tim Lasiuta

This book was a great surprise to me. I was first interested because of my love for the original Dracula novel and the Vampire Hunter D series written by the author of this book. This is a light novel, think the Japanese version of a young adult book, so I was a bit wary at first, but quickly grew engrossed by the story and great characters. The story takes place about 10 years before the Bram Stoker novel, and quickly jumps into the action of the main characters dealing with Dracula. Dracula himself is portrayed in a very interesting manner; his nobility and skill as a warrior are a focal point for the novel, however it is still made very clear just how evil he really is and many of his actions make sure you don't see him as a sympathetic character. The protagonists are very likable, and though the story is quick it feels very complete. The ending was the best part of the novel, handled in such a perfect way. I would say this is easily the best Dracula novel I have read outside the original, and much preferable to most of the vampire books coming out nowadays.

The English and the flow of the book was a little hard to follow. Over all the story was good though.

Way cool book and gives a different look at Dracula and also gives a glimpse into Japan's past. The glossary at the end is most helpful in understanding the terms used all throughout the book. The characters are engaging and you can't hardly put the book down, as read what happens next the characters and each story plays out and is interconnected. The ending does leave you guessing as to what happens to the main character's fate. That is sort of left up to the reader's imagination. It is a great read for all fans of Dracula.