Tomes of Shadowstalking

Welcome to the land of shadows, where evil is the greatest power, where nightfall marks the birth of terror, where your very soul is at risk. Join me as I investigate worlds filled with black magic and dark souls and encounter the monsters rule these wicked places.

W A R N I N G !

This review does not represent the opinions of the general public. It reflects my personal thoughts and opinions on the book.

That said, on to the review!

Title: Anno-Dracula
Author: Kim Newman
Publisher: Carroll & Graf Publishers, Inc.
Format: Hardcover
Copyright Date: 1992

It is a world very much like our own, yet it is immensely different. It shares the same history. Its people bear the same names. Everything is the same, yet everything is different, for in our world we choose to disbelieve in the children of the night. In Anno-Dracula they are a reality. They are citizens of the world. And the greatest among them rules one of the greatest western nations.

It wasn't always this way. Vampires hid in the shadows and stirred only to feed. However, one of their elders, the infamous Count Dracula, sought to relocate to Great Britain. In our world he failed, because a band of heroic vampire hunters pursued him to the peaks of the Carpathians to free one of their number from the vampire's taint. In this other world they failed miserably. Dracula slew his tormentors and claimed his bride. With those who would challenge him dead and gone, nothing can chain his ambitions, and he makes quick headway to the ultimate position of power available to him: Prince Consort to Queen Victoria. With his ascension to power, the world is made safe for vampires everywhere to come out of the darkness and dominate the ordinary folk with their superior strength and abilities.

There are none left to stem the power of the vampire elder...or is there? There are those among the humans who would rebel, and even those among the vampires that would return to the shadows. In Britain the Diogenes Club, represented by Charles Beauregard, searches for a way to save the kingdom: it's too late to save humanity, but there's still hope for the country. Genevieve Dieudonne, a French vampire, has her own regrets about rising to prominence in this new world and would as soon sink back into obscurity. Then there is the Silver Knife, a killer whose victims are newborn female vampires. Watch out, though, because Beauregard and Genevieve have an unexpected ally at the heart of Dracula's court!

I enjoy reading about vampires, and this book--for all that it creates an entirely different alternate reality--is filled with action and detail that makes this alternate reality...real. A reader might have some difficulty adjusting to the idea that Dracula triumphed in his conflict with Van Helsing, but it's a momentary thing that's easily overcome. Just keep reading and the facts will reconcile themselves. Warning: get ready for an unexpected ending (at least, I didn't expect it)!

Rating: Thumbs up! Waiting for an alternate world of vampires? You'll love reading this!

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