Customer Reviews

Lord of the Vampires (Diaries of the Family Dracul)

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The DIARIES OF THE FAMILY DRACUL series is remarkable and appealing historical fiction --- the series falls within the realm of historical fiction because Kalogridis bases it on characters from recorded history. I'm a big fan of hers and have read all of her recent books, and I'm also a huge fan of DRACULA and believe in preserving the integrity of the classics.

THE DIARIES OF THE FAMILY DRACUL series is a completely unique take on the original DRACULA, and readers will find that it really adds a lot to it. Even if you may not have realized there were lingering questions, reading this series will answer them. A few examples of questions addressed are: Why did Dracula commission Jonathan Harker specifically and why did he choose to come to England rather than elsewhere?; who were the three female vampires in Bram Stoker's story?; where did they come from and what happened to them?

This series is a lot darker than the original, if you can imagine that. The story is written in a parallel style to the original diary format, and you'll find that Kalogridis has done a significant amount of research on Vlad the Impaler to create the story. This enhances the classic profoundly. The bottom line is that it's also a thrilling story.

I do have a MAJOR concern with the series in that it significantly alters a main theme of Bram Stoker's classic, particularly the central faith-based concept in Stoker's ideal of good and evil. While I'm not at all opposed to the concept of diversity in religion and acceptance of alternative ideas, I do feel strongly that in the instance of tying into a classic, Stoker's original thought processes should be preserved in every important way --- especially in a story which has become so colossal. But you'll have to read the series to know more because to comment further on this would be a spoiler.

That said, it is a thrilling trilogy, and Dracula becomes a much more menacing and terrifying villain than he has been. I highly recommend this book based on the quality of the writing and the story, but I would not recommend it to anyone who reveres the original DRACULA because it is too inconsistent with the classic.

Jeanne Kalogridis has transformed the story of Dracula. the family dracul trilogy was an amazing piece of literature. the diary form made me almost lose myself in the characters perceptions. for anyone who loves vampire books, these are the ones for you.

Of all of the fiction stories of or about vampires, none has kept me glued to it like this trilogy has done, I enjoyed it very much, Great detail, Storyline and everything else was magnificant, I think Jeanne Kalogridis is my favorite author of any I have ever read anything by.

This is the most seductive novel of the three. My eyes were glued page by page anticipating the next move from Vlad? Elisabeth?, or the Dark Lord? Who would prevail? Excellent work blending the two stories (Dracula/Lord of the Vampires) into a masterpiece. You've made the story much more compelling, and enjoyable. I wish you could somehow continue the story. Maybe Elisabeth will have her own tale. Can't wait to see the movies!!!! Already have actors in mind!!!!!!!!

This was an excellent book, I've read all of the books in this exquist trilogy, the way the author incorperated the Bram Strokers version was supurb I can't believe its over! I'm going to read them all agian!!

"Lord of the vampires" is the last of the trilogy of "The Diaries of the Family Dracul". The first book is "Covenant With the Vampire" and the second is "Children of the Vampire. The reason I mentioned the other novels is because they really should be read before reading this one. All are highly engrossing and interesting. How Ms Kalogridis thought up all this is beyond me - but she is obviously talented. Although all the books are wonderful reads - be prepared - there are strange situations in the books - among them are incest and homosexuality. The books don't go into to much "intimate" details on these subjects - and they're not something that carries on into the complete story. So the squeamish should tolerate them just fine. Therefore, I would advise anyone who likes vampire novels to purchase all three of them.

I've read this book and the others in this trilogy about 2 years ago. They were ALL put together extremely well. As you read further into the novels, each character seemed to appear so real. The story line of each book, followed the tale of Dracula to its extreme. I can't say enough GOOD things about these books. I just wish she would write more like them.

It certainly was ambitious for any author to write a series of prequels to Dracula that overlap with the main book. All of Ms Kalogridis' extensive research is on display in the series, and the first two are excellent (though definitively noncanonical) attempts to flesh out the story behind Bram Stoker's magnum opus. Unfortunately in this, her third outing, Kalogridis seems so desperately to want to place feminism on display in her story she actually directly contradicts Dracula. To me, that is a major blunder. I won't spoil the story by saying exactly how she did so, but a key scene is changed radically with some rather intriguing rationalization to provide support, however feeble, for the change. Then Kalogridis follows that up by recreating another scene from Dracula--which she also bowdlerizes, this time without bothering to explain. There are a few other, less glaring contradictions in the books, but I won't bother enumerating. I'm sure anyone reading this gets the idea. It's sad such a fine series had to end in a way so directly contradictory to its inspiration. Still, the trilogy overall is worth reading if for no other reason than to serve as a what if for how Dracula became the iconic villain of a masterpiece of modern literature.

Kalogridis has full round characters, and the evil in this Vlad Dracul leaves Bramstoker's character almost as a child, to read the first book was enough to realize i had a great trilogy on my hands. Few authors can infuse such live in each and everyone of the characters.

Oh, poor, poor "Sal" (customer reviewer). You hated this because you did not read the first two!!! This is a series that you must read IN ORDER and you must read ALL OF THEM!!! The majority of the history is in the first novel, too bad you missed out on that!!! This is the BEST vampire series to date, and I am an avid Anne Rice fan, but Anne Kalogridis far surpasses Ms. Rice with this trilogy!! I am SO sad that the series is over!!!! Finally, a vampire novel that intertwines the actual history of Vlad the Impaler!!! No "Lestat" and "Armand"......Vlad and the Family Dracul is real history and this series is gripping to the very end!!!!!!