Customer Reviews

Vlad Dracula: The Dragon Prince

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an impressive piece of historical fiction - well researched and well told. While Vlad Dracula is certainly a famous, or infamous, historical figure, not a lot has been written about his world. Augustyn does a very good job of introducing the average history buff, such as myself, to the region and time. Augustyn is clearly a revisionist. By placing Dracula in historical context, he demonstrates that his subject's bad reputation is at least partially unfair. One can understand how Dracula is still considered a national hero in Romania. The bottom line of what makes this book work is that it tells an interesting story. It reads like a fictional thriller. I do not understand why the book has not received more main stream attention.

Having no endurance for novels with endless historical facts, this story engaged my imagination without overdoing the research, which was just enough and not too much and didn't interfere with the story movement. Michael Augustyn writes smoothly and well, and I enjoyed meeting all of his characters, including Prasha, but what stays with me the most, long after having finished reading the book, is the ending and the deft manner in which Augustyn blended the historical Dracula with the fantastical Dracula. I also enjoyed the colorful settings, including the battle scenes, and the tense relationship between Vlad and his brother Radu, the latter living in the Ottoman empire, effectively sleeping with the enemy. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a different, more realistic view of the 15th Century world of Vlad Dracula, the harshness of that world and his determination to bring order and justice to it, which caused him to become known as the "Impaler."

This book takes the few bare bones given us by history, and fills out the flesh. The author goes many steps further than Florescu and McNally's research by providing a full *context* for Dracula's actions, thereby making him seem not like the "mad impaler" described in German pamphlets but rather like the shrewd tactician that he was. The history of the region is explored, from Kossovo to the fall of Constantinople, rooting this story in the vital realities of the time. My only problem with the book: the sentences tend to run short. And choppy. Like this. To explain things. It gets annoying. But overall - an amazing amount of insight has gone into the characters (other than the cardboard-flat "Prasha"). It is only too bad this book was on such a small press. I hope to see more from Augustyn.

As someone who has read most of Dr Florescu and McNally's books- I must say that I was impressed with the fine attunement to historical facts in this book. It is so nice to see that a great General often demonized by his detractors has once again been allowed a human face. I was surprised to find that this was a 1st novel and on the basis of THIS one would be tempted to read other novels should Micheal Augustyn write any. As a former English major with a strong interest in folklore- I really enjoyed the links to legend as well presentation of the man who is regarded as hero by even modern day Romanians (per Dr Florescu)-

I have have read two biographies of Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler / Dracula) and Bram Stoker's novel (thrice). First, for those who were not aware, yes, he did exist. Bram Stoker based his fictional vampire VERY LOOSELY on the man. This book is a novelization of his life. The author did a fine job, not taking as many liberties with the truth as most writers of historical fiction. I was very pleased. HOWEVER, the last chapter was totally out of context with reality and unnecessary. Read it for yourself and see what I mean. For those who want to learn about the real Dracula but don't have the patience to read history books, this book is made to order. I think you'll find him much more interesting (and frightening) than any fictional vampire. I took off one point for the last chapter.

I was interested in this book specifically because of the authors bio that said "he spent seven years researching the life of Vlad Dracula". But, after reading this book, I could not believe that statement. The author seems to have watched Rudolph Martin in "Dark Prince:The True Story of Dracula", taking many things from this movie (especially the melancholy of Dracula's mistress#. Then, Vlad the monk #Dracula's half brother) was never killed by Dracula which Augustyn says Vlad killed and gave last rites too. This man, the author mistook for Dan III. There is more regarding the name Augustyn used for Vlad Dracula's mistress, but I only have so much space to write. Which leads me to many other errors: Vlad's first son was named Mihnea not Vlad as the author states. Mathias Corvinus also was only around twelve, not twenty during the battle of Belgrade and Vlad Dracula was already dead before January of 1477, letters to Moldavia state this. These simple things are easily found in historical books and I could not gather a reason of why the author made these errors if Mr. Augustyn studied Vlad Dracula's life for 7 years. But, after all the interesting plots and twists of Vlad Dracula's real life, I could not understand why Mr. Augustyn also felt the need to damage Dracula's heroism with the ending, it just did not fit the entire book. The return of the head was interesting, but the transformation was sad for the author to have to resort to a fairy tale ending. As a historical novel: I don't think so.

This book is very entertaining and informative, especially about the politics surrounding Wallachia during the middles 1400's. Easy to read and hard to put down.

I have wanted for years to purchase this book and only recently broke down and followed through. In my case I believe it was money well spent. I found the book both educational and entertaining. Whether you are interested in the history of Dracula, or are just looking for a good book, I cannot recommend this one highly enough.

The book was very exciting and educating. I think this book was one of the best I have read

i have VLAD THE IMPALER IN MY FAMILY TREE. I HAVE READ SO MANY BOOKS . I LOVE THIS ONE. GOOD JOB.