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Dracula #5
Dominion
A Chicago police detective investigates a series of bizarre murders and becomes involved with vampires, sorcerers and the deadly fight to gain control of a magical sword
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
14 people are currently reading
392 people want to read
About the author
Fred Saberhagen
335 books494 followersFred Saberhagen was an American science fiction and fantasy author most famous for his ''Beserker'' and Dracula stories.
Saberhagen also wrote a series of a series of post-apocalyptic mytho-magical novels beginning with his popular ''Empire of the East'' and continuing through a long series of ''Swords'' and ''Lost Swords'' novels. Saberhagen died of cancer, in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Saberhagen was born in and grew up in the area of Chicago, Illinois. Saberhagen served in the [[U.S. Air Force]] during the Korean War while he was in his early twenties. Back in civilian life, Saberhagen worked as an It was while he was working for Motorola (after his military service) that Saberhagen started writing fiction seriously at the age of about 30. "Fortress Ship", his first "Berserker" short shory, was published in 1963. Then, in 1964, Saberhagen saw the publication of his first novel, ''The Golden People''.
From 1967 to 1973, he worked as an editor for the Chemistry articles in the ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' as well as writing its article on science fiction. He then quit and took up writing full-time. In 1975, he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico.
He married fellow writer Joan Spicci in 1968. They had two sons and a daughter.
Saberhagen also wrote a series of a series of post-apocalyptic mytho-magical novels beginning with his popular ''Empire of the East'' and continuing through a long series of ''Swords'' and ''Lost Swords'' novels. Saberhagen died of cancer, in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Saberhagen was born in and grew up in the area of Chicago, Illinois. Saberhagen served in the [[U.S. Air Force]] during the Korean War while he was in his early twenties. Back in civilian life, Saberhagen worked as an It was while he was working for Motorola (after his military service) that Saberhagen started writing fiction seriously at the age of about 30. "Fortress Ship", his first "Berserker" short shory, was published in 1963. Then, in 1964, Saberhagen saw the publication of his first novel, ''The Golden People''.
From 1967 to 1973, he worked as an editor for the Chemistry articles in the ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' as well as writing its article on science fiction. He then quit and took up writing full-time. In 1975, he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico.
He married fellow writer Joan Spicci in 1968. They had two sons and a daughter.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 1, 2021
I have enjoyed this vampire series--as well as other books by science fiction author Fred Saberhagen (1930-2007). This one, from 1982, is the fifth of the 10 books of the series and I give it only *** because it was not quite on the same level as the others in the series that I've read. In this story, Dracula goes back in time to King Arthur's Britain. But that is only a small part of the story which I would have liked to have seen developed more. Most of the story is set in a castle in the Sauk River valley in Illinois ( I suppose it's supposed to be the Fox River?).
The best book in the series is "The Holmes-Dracula File." If you want to read one book in this series...
The best book in the series is "The Holmes-Dracula File." If you want to read one book in this series...
December 30, 2018
As well written as "Thorn", I didn't like the story line quite as much, so it got 3 stars. It was good. This time we revisited the Arthurian legend from a unique perspective. Well worth reading & not necessarily in order. While there is a recurring character of the series, it's not a big deal.
January 21, 2025
3.75/5
This was a very fun read but unnecessarily convoluted. The ending was also abrupt but it didn't hurt my enjoyment.
This was a very fun read but unnecessarily convoluted. The ending was also abrupt but it didn't hurt my enjoyment.
April 22, 2014
I can only say, WTF?????????? It was a relief to put this down. Not the worst book I've ever read but damn close. Seeing as it's part of a series that might be why ..... on second thought ..... nope, WTF is still appropriate.
September 11, 2011
It's an interesting take on the Arthur legend, with a magician gong slightly mad. However, it is a bit drawn out.
May 23, 2011
Confusing, underdeveloped characters who aren't even sure themselves about what their relationship to each other is, and I think there might have even been a plot in there somewhere.
July 11, 2015
The worst book in this series so far. I'd written a longer review, but it was eaten by technology. Rather than rewrite it, I'll just say that each of these books is written in a different style, and do not feel like a series, even if there are characters that make appearances in multiple books.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
February 12, 2021
More in the... adventures? of Dracula. Every novel he adopts a new name. Talisman? Okay.
This one has Arthur, Merlin, Morgan Le Fay... at least, variations of them, via Artos, Ambrosius, and Nimue. A damaged, confused, drunk Merlin. And A Morgan who wants to summon her dark lord to this realm, to rule (of course).
Only Dracula, a confused stage magician and his lady sidekick, and Joe (the cop and semi-regular protagonist, for the series) are available to stop world-shaking magics, a dedicated cult and a werewolf and some kind of magical ghouls and spirits... lots of bad guys.
The ending felt rushed, which is unfortunate, but as enjoyable to read as I always find Saberhagen.
This one has Arthur, Merlin, Morgan Le Fay... at least, variations of them, via Artos, Ambrosius, and Nimue. A damaged, confused, drunk Merlin. And A Morgan who wants to summon her dark lord to this realm, to rule (of course).
Only Dracula, a confused stage magician and his lady sidekick, and Joe (the cop and semi-regular protagonist, for the series) are available to stop world-shaking magics, a dedicated cult and a werewolf and some kind of magical ghouls and spirits... lots of bad guys.
The ending felt rushed, which is unfortunate, but as enjoyable to read as I always find Saberhagen.
Want to read
April 6, 2010Read several books in this series when my older son (who was born in 1993) was in NICU immediately after birth. I read the books out loud to him, and it was fun hearing the nurses tell each other at shift change what had happened in the story :)
Anyway, I've read all the books in the series and want to go back and re-read them.
Anyway, I've read all the books in the series and want to go back and re-read them.
February 7, 2008
More entertainment in the Dracula series. Much different outlook than original Dracula story by Bram Stoker.
August 20, 2024
This series started off good for 3 books but then I found the 4th book to be a disappointment and then this one was basically everything wrong with that book multiplied by 10. When I read the previous book I felt like it was a much longer book that was clumsily edited down leaving out important parts and leaving in the boring parts and that the subplot taking place in the past had the climax completely chopped off. This does the exact same thing but worse, there's also a subplot taking place in the past (one of the characters gets sent back in time to the time of King Arthur) and it seems to be building to a climax and then suddenly at the climax of the story taking place in the present she's suddenly back from her journey to the past with no explanation of what happened to that story, how she got back to the present and captured by the baddies. There seems to be a ton of missing information that you figure you'll get eventually but just don't.
I mentioned the fact that King Arthur is in the book, which could have been cool but it wasn't until I was almost done with the book that I realized that's who the character was supposed to be. Arthur, Mordred, Merlin and all those characters are in this book but with different names. For example Arthur is Artos and Mordred is Medraut, these are apparently the names that an author named Rosemary Sutcliff used in a series of Arthurian novels she wrote but I've never read. I'm not sure why she changed their names (it wasn't a legal thing as Arthurian legend is public domain) but I'm even more confused why Saberhagen used her names for them. However the subplot with Arthur doesn't really go anywhere, like I said the girl who goes back in the past is hanging out with him and they seem to be getting ready for a big battle against Mordred's forces and then that part of the story just ends and the girl is somehow back in present day.
I had planned on reading this whole series but after the 4th and 5th books I'm just not sure I want to anymore.
I mentioned the fact that King Arthur is in the book, which could have been cool but it wasn't until I was almost done with the book that I realized that's who the character was supposed to be. Arthur, Mordred, Merlin and all those characters are in this book but with different names. For example Arthur is Artos and Mordred is Medraut, these are apparently the names that an author named Rosemary Sutcliff used in a series of Arthurian novels she wrote but I've never read. I'm not sure why she changed their names (it wasn't a legal thing as Arthurian legend is public domain) but I'm even more confused why Saberhagen used her names for them. However the subplot with Arthur doesn't really go anywhere, like I said the girl who goes back in the past is hanging out with him and they seem to be getting ready for a big battle against Mordred's forces and then that part of the story just ends and the girl is somehow back in present day.
I had planned on reading this whole series but after the 4th and 5th books I'm just not sure I want to anymore.
December 29, 2021
all reviews in one place:
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: There was once a powerful sword, one we might know best as the Excalibur. But it was hidden away. And now it’s the time to find it, now there’s power enough, there’s knowledge enough… A whole horde of supernaturals scurry in attempts to find it, Vlad Dracula among them.
My Opinion: Time traveling Dracula who works with a cop, and searches for the Arthurian Legend, all while some wicked woman breeds humans together to create a more powerful being. Or at least have victims at hand. Every more interesting topic was dropped, instead you get to read about some perverts with their cousins or sisters. There’s nothing to even say about character writing.
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: There was once a powerful sword, one we might know best as the Excalibur. But it was hidden away. And now it’s the time to find it, now there’s power enough, there’s knowledge enough… A whole horde of supernaturals scurry in attempts to find it, Vlad Dracula among them.
My Opinion: Time traveling Dracula who works with a cop, and searches for the Arthurian Legend, all while some wicked woman breeds humans together to create a more powerful being. Or at least have victims at hand. Every more interesting topic was dropped, instead you get to read about some perverts with their cousins or sisters. There’s nothing to even say about character writing.
June 28, 2025
So...I am not a fan of the Arthurian legend woven into other books. Unfortunately, this one, while it provided a new take on the idea, did not really resonate well with me. I didn't find that it was any better than other books with those legends.
I found it long and difficult to read at times. There was so much of the story that didn't seem to make sense. I also felt like there was much that was unnecessary.
With the exception of Dracular - Talisman - and Joe (and Kate), the newer characters did not seem to jump off the page as others had in the previous books. I thought that the first book was difficult to get into...this one was even more so.
I'm still going to move along in the series (after I purchase 6 & 7).
I found it long and difficult to read at times. There was so much of the story that didn't seem to make sense. I also felt like there was much that was unnecessary.
With the exception of Dracular - Talisman - and Joe (and Kate), the newer characters did not seem to jump off the page as others had in the previous books. I thought that the first book was difficult to get into...this one was even more so.
I'm still going to move along in the series (after I purchase 6 & 7).
June 30, 2023
Saberhagen, having set out to rehabilitate the reputation of Count Dracula in the first volume of this series, decided to do the same for Vlad the Impaler in the fourth volume. He not only made that work, he did it in a much better novel, a better piece of fiction. This is by a wide margin the best of the series.
January 31, 2021
Dracula must work with a mysterious wanderer called 'Feathers' to stop the most powerful weapon in history from falling into the wrong hands.
A good idea when it finally coalesces, the narrative struggles to get going, by which point the reader's ability to care has waned badly.
A good idea when it finally coalesces, the narrative struggles to get going, by which point the reader's ability to care has waned badly.
April 22, 2021
Chicago Police Detective Joe Keogh, husband of Mina Harker's great-grand-daughter, turns to Count Dracula for help when his investigation into a series of bizarre murders turns out to involve vampires, sorcerers, and the deadly fight to gain control of a magical sword.
November 28, 2021
A great blend of Dracula and Arthurian legends. A very engaging read until the rather disappointing ending. The ending was rushed. It came so abruptly that is was disconcerting after all the buildup.
Still a good read.
Still a good read.
September 8, 2025
It’s been decades since I last read a book in this series. I still enjoy Saberhagen’s writing, but find it odd how little Dracula is in the book.
August 1, 2020
This one surprised me a bit. It was a much hoped-for notch above the others.
I think I have a notion as to why...Dracula is sharing the stage more and more~ he’s becoming an ensemble player who knows when to pass the mic. What’s more, the sarcastic tone is kept minimal, in favor of dissecting the deep thought spirals of other characters.
I very much enjoy a medieval setting and the frequent, misty time traveling. Reencountering characters through centuries keeps your wits ready to race to piece things together.
However...the ending still feels rushed and makes you wonder why you ever cared.
I think I have a notion as to why...Dracula is sharing the stage more and more~ he’s becoming an ensemble player who knows when to pass the mic. What’s more, the sarcastic tone is kept minimal, in favor of dissecting the deep thought spirals of other characters.
I very much enjoy a medieval setting and the frequent, misty time traveling. Reencountering characters through centuries keeps your wits ready to race to piece things together.
However...the ending still feels rushed and makes you wonder why you ever cared.
September 23, 2013
One of the origins of my nome de geurre it is an entertaining modern twist on Arthurian legend and a worthwhile addition to the Dtacula Sequence but the main characters are pretty flat in retrospect filling established tropes comfortably but without great depth.
January 4, 2011
For a lover of vampire books, this was a let down -- poorly written (e.g., **no** character is developed; every one of them is off-the-shelf).
3 stars is, on 2nd thought, too generous.
3 stars is, on 2nd thought, too generous.
May 30, 2022
A bit disapointing.This series seems to be hit or miss"Thorn"was a hit:"a matter of taste"as well.This was very confusing and nothing is really explained enough for my taste.
November 1, 2013
Great addition to Saberhagens Dracula series, going to have to read it again soon.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews