Ever! He isn't even present for the first two-thirds of the book, and when he did appear in Full Force, I had to cheer. And this leads me to the biggest disappointment in the novel, Dracula Himself. Morris Quince and The Count are both sexually voracious ( or so we are led to believe-actually the Count seems quite normal in his sexual appetites, unless you count the Blood) and of questionable character, while the other male characters repress their sexuality but are arguably of a more immediate Threat.

But 'tis not just Jonathan with whom Mina must be Concerned-every male character is this book is some sort of threat, except for the old gentleman at the Cemetery, who will not be banging anything other than Heaven's Door any time soon. To wit, Jonathan, who is sweet and Innocent before he leaves for Austria (Austria, really? Let's just suck all the exoticism out of that trip) and becomes quite Dangerous and Untrustworthy after he returns, having experienced the lamias' fellatious acts performed upon his Person. Although perhaps trying to overcorrect this, Essex has committed the opposite but equal sin of presenting the male characters in the book in just such a fashion. Speaking of-as we know, in many Victorian (and modern) novels, women are portrayed as archetypes of either being sweet and innocent, or sexually voracious and Dangerous. Even after His Lordship Count Dracula appears and saves her from the evil Victorian Menfolk. But she never changes into a properly wicked woman, and thus remains a complete Yawnfest. Although she has Frequent Visions, she chooses to ignore them and marry Jonathan like a Proper Young Lady.

The largest difficulty for the book are the characters. It adds nothing to the myth of Dracula and often comes off as cheesy when it's trying to be spooky. This novel is a mess and completely unsuccessful as a Romance or Vampire novel. Reader, I have come across much disappointment in ye olde bloggosphere in regards to this book, and I regret to say that I share these intrepid reviewers' opinion. Her bestie, Lucy, also becomes embroiled in a Scandalous Affair with a Bold American Gentleman. Although Mina has the untested love of solidly middle-class and unimaginative Jonathan Harker, Esq., she becomes Enraptured by the dubious pleasures of the Flesh after Count Dracula lures her into his toothsome clutches. The novel attempts to tell the story of the vampire Dracula's infamous visit to the Native Shores of England through the eyes of Wilhemina Harker, née Murray. August 29th, 2010 Gentle Reader, It was but a few hours ago that I finished Dracula In Love by the woman of Independent Means, Miss (Mrs?) Karen Essex.

Dracula in love by karen essex