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Once Bitten, Twice Dead
Get your spook on with the classic Monster High characters—the ghouls that started it all—while they hit up their old haunts in this all-new, original YA novel starring Draculaura, set in the world of Mattel’s Monster High, and written by author Tiffany Schmidt
When a horrific loss throws Monster High into a state of grave upheaval, Draculaura and the other ghouls find themselves coping in different ways. Cleo and her family sense opportunity in the mayhem, grasping at control and leaving the rest of the ghouls’ loyalties divided.
For her part, the chaos at school is making Draculaura sick. She feels more exhausted by the day, and she finds escape only by slipping away to the cemetery to pore over her mom’s old journals. It’s there that she meets Poe, a handsome human harboring some darkness of his own. Soon Draculaura finds herself caught in an impossible web of lies. If her ghoulfriends find out she’s fallen for a normie, they’ll freak. And if Poe discovers she’s a vampire, his monster-hunting dad may have a stake in the matter.
Meanwhile, dangerous events have begun plaguing the halls of Monster High. The gargoyles stage a mutiny, and the water in the swimming pool boils while Lagoona is swimming laps. When the magical protections around the school borders falter and a group of normies stumbles onto campus, Draculaura and the other ghouls know something needs to be done before Monster High becomes Monster Die.
But there’s a secret about Draculaura that no one—not Poe, the other ghouls, or even she—was aware of until a secret tied to the school’s very marrow. When Draculaura and Ghoulia uncover ancient texts that reveal the full implications of her identity, Draculaura is forced to make an impossible choice that will alter her identity forever.
Will her loyalties to Monster High determine all their fates? Or will Draculaura succumb to a dangerous passion that makes her feel more . . . alive than she ever has?
When a horrific loss throws Monster High into a state of grave upheaval, Draculaura and the other ghouls find themselves coping in different ways. Cleo and her family sense opportunity in the mayhem, grasping at control and leaving the rest of the ghouls’ loyalties divided.
For her part, the chaos at school is making Draculaura sick. She feels more exhausted by the day, and she finds escape only by slipping away to the cemetery to pore over her mom’s old journals. It’s there that she meets Poe, a handsome human harboring some darkness of his own. Soon Draculaura finds herself caught in an impossible web of lies. If her ghoulfriends find out she’s fallen for a normie, they’ll freak. And if Poe discovers she’s a vampire, his monster-hunting dad may have a stake in the matter.
Meanwhile, dangerous events have begun plaguing the halls of Monster High. The gargoyles stage a mutiny, and the water in the swimming pool boils while Lagoona is swimming laps. When the magical protections around the school borders falter and a group of normies stumbles onto campus, Draculaura and the other ghouls know something needs to be done before Monster High becomes Monster Die.
But there’s a secret about Draculaura that no one—not Poe, the other ghouls, or even she—was aware of until a secret tied to the school’s very marrow. When Draculaura and Ghoulia uncover ancient texts that reveal the full implications of her identity, Draculaura is forced to make an impossible choice that will alter her identity forever.
Will her loyalties to Monster High determine all their fates? Or will Draculaura succumb to a dangerous passion that makes her feel more . . . alive than she ever has?
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2024
About the author
Tiffany Schmidt
19 books585 followersTiffany Schmidt is the author of acclaimed books for young readers, including the Bookish Boyfriends series, I'm Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas, Once Upon a Crime Family duology and several others.
She’s found her happily ever after in Pennsylvania with her saintly husband, impish twin boys, and a pair of mischievous puggles.
You can find out more about her and her books at: TiffanySchmidt.com
She’s found her happily ever after in Pennsylvania with her saintly husband, impish twin boys, and a pair of mischievous puggles.
You can find out more about her and her books at: TiffanySchmidt.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
August 31, 2024
But did we really need to know about the obelisk in deuces pants
July 16, 2024
was this amazing? no. was it iconic? yes. i cast the curse of the ancient relic of snakestone on anyone who didn’t enjoy this
July 16, 2024
everyone involved in this book should be put behind bars.
July 17, 2024
I personally loved it. It was chaotic and weird and fun and captured the feeling of monster high for teenagers like it intended.
I loved all of the character cameos, and Deuce’s character development (especially regarding the snake stone)
I’m looking forward to anymore YA monster high novels
I loved all of the character cameos, and Deuce’s character development (especially regarding the snake stone)
I’m looking forward to anymore YA monster high novels
August 11, 2026
"I find my soul unsettled tonight- for it’s my soul that was up for debate."
By the time Monster High made its first appearance, I was old. Like out of High School for many many many moons old. Initially, I was jealous of the kids who got to enjoy the horrorness of these dolls. Then as I got older, I joined in on the fun because screw what people think for liking horror dolls.
Now I don’t know a lot about MH but this is why I’m here. It’s never too late to learn and enjoy.
This was totally campy, adorable, and a tad bit mysterious. Parts of the story were enjoyable and parts weren’t. I will say that most of the puns drove me batty. Ugh! It’s taking over now… The close friendships were what kept me around. What pissed me off the most was the killing off of someone major. Umm, I don’t think so.
‘Once Bitten Twice Dead’ was an okay story with some great characters and a cringy description of someone’s nether regions. Why!? I want to forget that I’ve ever read that part!!
By the time Monster High made its first appearance, I was old. Like out of High School for many many many moons old. Initially, I was jealous of the kids who got to enjoy the horrorness of these dolls. Then as I got older, I joined in on the fun because screw what people think for liking horror dolls.
Now I don’t know a lot about MH but this is why I’m here. It’s never too late to learn and enjoy.
This was totally campy, adorable, and a tad bit mysterious. Parts of the story were enjoyable and parts weren’t. I will say that most of the puns drove me batty. Ugh! It’s taking over now… The close friendships were what kept me around. What pissed me off the most was the killing off of someone major. Umm, I don’t think so.
‘Once Bitten Twice Dead’ was an okay story with some great characters and a cringy description of someone’s nether regions. Why!? I want to forget that I’ve ever read that part!!
July 23, 2024
The issue with this book is that for casual readers it would make no sense and sucks at being a YA book, and it’s not good enough to be a monster high book as it trashes the universe and does not feel like monster high at all.
The pacing and arcs of the book feel completely disjointed from eachother and it reads like hastily unplanned written fanfiction you’d find on wattpad.
The characters are absolutely butchered and Draculaura does not feel like her G1 counterpart at all.
There are wayyyy too many plot points that don’t come together in the end so it just feels so messy to read.
The main part of the book is supposed to take place over the course of a month, which means the pacing is also dreadful.
The language in this book overuses the G1 puns so bad that it’s just cringe worthy. Maybe if it was exclusively written in dialogue format it wouldn’t be bad, however, the puns are also used as descriptive terms, and you don’t need to be a literary genius to realise it just completely does not work at all.
The lack of descriptions about the characters and school and lore make it a really unwelcoming read to somebody who may just want to pick up a YA book and read it. It also actively takes away from the reading experience because it would be so wonderful to read about the world and characters from a fresh point of view with lovely descriptive analysis however, there’s none of that.
It’s mildly enjoyable, but a hot mess I fear.
******SPOILERS BELOW******
The relationship between Poe and Draculaura feels really rushed. They start kissing the second time they meet and the relationship could’ve been cute if it wasn’t so hastily developed.
Although fans of G1 have shipped Clawdeen with toralei, their relationship feels more like fan service than anything, and the fact Clawdeen calls toralei “kitten” multiple times throughout the book made me want to vomit. This could’ve been a really good enemies to lovers arc or even a book of its own. However it’s kinda just thrust into the book in an unsatisfying way.
It’s also extremely uncomfortable that the author tries to shove in sexual jokes and innuendos about the characters despite the fact they are minors. She tries to justify this by briefly mentioning Drac is a senior, suggesting that they’re all 18, however, it just feels wrong.
The author also put a sexual joke in a moment that is supposed to be tense, which just completely ruined the mood of the scene.
The pacing and arcs of the book feel completely disjointed from eachother and it reads like hastily unplanned written fanfiction you’d find on wattpad.
The characters are absolutely butchered and Draculaura does not feel like her G1 counterpart at all.
There are wayyyy too many plot points that don’t come together in the end so it just feels so messy to read.
The main part of the book is supposed to take place over the course of a month, which means the pacing is also dreadful.
The language in this book overuses the G1 puns so bad that it’s just cringe worthy. Maybe if it was exclusively written in dialogue format it wouldn’t be bad, however, the puns are also used as descriptive terms, and you don’t need to be a literary genius to realise it just completely does not work at all.
The lack of descriptions about the characters and school and lore make it a really unwelcoming read to somebody who may just want to pick up a YA book and read it. It also actively takes away from the reading experience because it would be so wonderful to read about the world and characters from a fresh point of view with lovely descriptive analysis however, there’s none of that.
It’s mildly enjoyable, but a hot mess I fear.
******SPOILERS BELOW******
The relationship between Poe and Draculaura feels really rushed. They start kissing the second time they meet and the relationship could’ve been cute if it wasn’t so hastily developed.
Although fans of G1 have shipped Clawdeen with toralei, their relationship feels more like fan service than anything, and the fact Clawdeen calls toralei “kitten” multiple times throughout the book made me want to vomit. This could’ve been a really good enemies to lovers arc or even a book of its own. However it’s kinda just thrust into the book in an unsatisfying way.
It’s also extremely uncomfortable that the author tries to shove in sexual jokes and innuendos about the characters despite the fact they are minors. She tries to justify this by briefly mentioning Drac is a senior, suggesting that they’re all 18, however, it just feels wrong.
The author also put a sexual joke in a moment that is supposed to be tense, which just completely ruined the mood of the scene.
September 12, 2024
This felt like fanfiction. It definitely isn’t lore accurate and is impossible to distinguish where exactly in the G1 timeline this book takes place. This story has a lot of unanswered questions and plot holes. Even includes a new love interest (who basically seems like a self-insert) for our girl, Drac.
But, this didn’t stop me from enjoying it. We miss our favorite ghouls and the fangtacular stories, and this gave me a little slice of it. I have a feeling this is going to be turned into a series. Will I be reading the next book? yes.
But, this didn’t stop me from enjoying it. We miss our favorite ghouls and the fangtacular stories, and this gave me a little slice of it. I have a feeling this is going to be turned into a series. Will I be reading the next book? yes.
August 20, 2024
It's giving the same energy as the original monster high books, I love it. This was so fun, my only problem with it is I wish there was more time with the other ghouls and less Poe
Want to Read
March 25, 2024Adding this my TBR, because I learned on twitter that Lagoona gets boiled alive and dies in the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2024
I was super excited for this novel as a longtime monster high fan. I do think it is effective in most of the character interactions, though almost all of the romantic dialogue felt very stiff and awkward, and the descriptions of grief and how it affects your daily life were really well done.
My main issue was that for the majority of the novel, nothing is really happening. The plot is introduced set up and basically answered in the first third but then it stagnates and focuses on Draculara’s relationship. It severely slowed down the pacing and made the whole thing feel more like a really long character study than an actual story. This could be a good thing depending on the person but I personally like a more plot driven story.
I also feel that despite the last third being much more enjoyable it didn’t fully resolve the conflict introduced between the characters at the end.
Based on the descriptions and advertisement I’d been seeing I was expecting this to be gritty and spooky, a thriller mystery. If you are thinking of reading this novel for that be warned that it’s really not. There is barely any focus on that. All the scary gruesome stuff (like lagoona getting boiled from the synopsis) happens off screen and is only mentioned in passing.
Overall this was an entertaining book, it was short and simple, not to mention nostalgic. I think most OG monster high fans would really enjoy this.
Edit: so it’s a year later and I found out that this book essentially functions as a prologue(?) to the comic book series “Monster High: New Scaremester”. Personally I find this annoying since this was advertised as a standalone and nowhere does it indicate that the story would continue. But this also means that a lot of my issues with the characterization and ending could be fixed? Potentially? It also means that you’d be missing out on some context if you start by only reading the comics tho so I’m really not sure what they were thinking with this.
My main issue was that for the majority of the novel, nothing is really happening. The plot is introduced set up and basically answered in the first third but then it stagnates and focuses on Draculara’s relationship. It severely slowed down the pacing and made the whole thing feel more like a really long character study than an actual story. This could be a good thing depending on the person but I personally like a more plot driven story.
I also feel that despite the last third being much more enjoyable it didn’t fully resolve the conflict introduced between the characters at the end.
Based on the descriptions and advertisement I’d been seeing I was expecting this to be gritty and spooky, a thriller mystery. If you are thinking of reading this novel for that be warned that it’s really not. There is barely any focus on that. All the scary gruesome stuff (like lagoona getting boiled from the synopsis) happens off screen and is only mentioned in passing.
Overall this was an entertaining book, it was short and simple, not to mention nostalgic. I think most OG monster high fans would really enjoy this.
Edit: so it’s a year later and I found out that this book essentially functions as a prologue(?) to the comic book series “Monster High: New Scaremester”. Personally I find this annoying since this was advertised as a standalone and nowhere does it indicate that the story would continue. But this also means that a lot of my issues with the characterization and ending could be fixed? Potentially? It also means that you’d be missing out on some context if you start by only reading the comics tho so I’m really not sure what they were thinking with this.
Read
August 16, 2024it has everything monster high is supposed to have but it’s not the monster high i thought i’d be reading about
SPOILERS AHEAD
to clear up misconceptions, lagoona doesn’t die from being boiled alive. she’s deeply injured though 😭
this is set in some weird version of g1 where they reference webisodes like mashionals but van hellscream is a total stranger
g1 monster speak was used differently than it was in the original version and it was jarring to read.
this is set after clawd and draculaura “grew apart”. no explanation beyond that.
lastly to address what everyone’s been hearing about this book. innuendos aren’t uncommon in YA however seeing as this something we all grew up with, it feels very uncomfortable. it’s not something heavily focused on in the book, i would say it’s a few throwaway lines
SPOILERS AHEAD
to clear up misconceptions, lagoona doesn’t die from being boiled alive. she’s deeply injured though 😭
this is set in some weird version of g1 where they reference webisodes like mashionals but van hellscream is a total stranger
g1 monster speak was used differently than it was in the original version and it was jarring to read.
this is set after clawd and draculaura “grew apart”. no explanation beyond that.
lastly to address what everyone’s been hearing about this book. innuendos aren’t uncommon in YA however seeing as this something we all grew up with, it feels very uncomfortable. it’s not something heavily focused on in the book, i would say it’s a few throwaway lines
October 14, 2026
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 4/5 ⭐️
i loveddd monster high as a kid so this was so fun to read! i don't know if some things were accurate but i had a good time nonetheless. it felt very ya, the puns were a lot, and there was lots insta love but it didn't bother me as much as it should have. it was a great spooky time that i would recommend even if you don't know anything about monster high (because i don't know much).
i loveddd monster high as a kid so this was so fun to read! i don't know if some things were accurate but i had a good time nonetheless. it felt very ya, the puns were a lot, and there was lots insta love but it didn't bother me as much as it should have. it was a great spooky time that i would recommend even if you don't know anything about monster high (because i don't know much).
₊˚⊹ • "but maybe that's how it always worked–maybe it was fear that made people fight. fear of the unknown, fear of change, fear of some imagined threat to their privilege or status quo. maybe this entitlement was what made normies so adept at playing both villain and victim. implementing unprovoked attacks, then claiming ownership of the resulting trauma."
September 4, 2024
-the pacing was absolutely terrible in my opinion, I didn't even realize the story took place in a MONTH.
-the romance between poe and draculaura felt like instant love, some of their decisions pissed me off as well. "You don't owe them anything" to "I'm willing to help" to "This is the last time we're seeing each other." From poe felt like whiplash, vastly different emotions all coming right after each other.
-Drac wanting to become human didn't even feel like a choice she made genuinely, her mother's diaries are barely brought up with her sense of being human and just feels like she did it for poe, point blank period.
-The ghoulfriends did not get enough page time, they were there to be ignored by Drac and then eventually team up to save Frankie.
-Save Frankie campaign from freaky fusion part 2
-The major plot of Drac turning human felt all over the place. Despite Ghoulia researching to save her being a vampire, she is doing it all off page and just shows up when it's done. The middle section of the book is just pure romance between poe and Drac where she ultimately decides she wants to become human. Just a giant chunk of romance with no urgency from ghoulia and barely any urgency of the school literally attacking students.
-lagoona is literally boiled and becomes pink, feels like a bit of a g3 diss but 🤷♂️ what do I know. Thought it was weird she was limping practically into the room afterwards but could save Frankie with just fine. She was boiled and burnt, how is she doing this 😭
-Who is the other person on the cover? The entire book I'm waiting for someone described with a half shaven head or straight hair but no. I have half the mind to think it's supposed to be Poe but the way the brush was applied/rendered makes me see a Venus McFlytrap cut but cut short 😭 please tell me I'm not the only one.
-no Rebecca Steam or Rochelle Goyle mention, absolutely devastated
-TOO MANY PUNS. Genuinely half of these puns needed to leave. I've never heard the ghouls say half of them. "Sphinx" and "Of Corpse" made me want to rip my hair out.
-Drac using the puns when speaking to Poe took me out, how is he supposed to know half of the things she's saying 😭 he doesn't think it's weird to say "of corpse"?
-some of the world building feels weird 😭 like the van helsing society but what about van hellscream from the movies, I have to assume this is just strictly webisodes maybe? Or just loosely connected to actual g1, idk even as a g1 fan I'm confused sometimes
-the random sexual innuendos are crazy, I didn't need them 😭 especially deuces obelisk...
Overall, despise this book but it will stay in my Monster High collection.
-the romance between poe and draculaura felt like instant love, some of their decisions pissed me off as well. "You don't owe them anything" to "I'm willing to help" to "This is the last time we're seeing each other." From poe felt like whiplash, vastly different emotions all coming right after each other.
-Drac wanting to become human didn't even feel like a choice she made genuinely, her mother's diaries are barely brought up with her sense of being human and just feels like she did it for poe, point blank period.
-The ghoulfriends did not get enough page time, they were there to be ignored by Drac and then eventually team up to save Frankie.
-Save Frankie campaign from freaky fusion part 2
-The major plot of Drac turning human felt all over the place. Despite Ghoulia researching to save her being a vampire, she is doing it all off page and just shows up when it's done. The middle section of the book is just pure romance between poe and Drac where she ultimately decides she wants to become human. Just a giant chunk of romance with no urgency from ghoulia and barely any urgency of the school literally attacking students.
-lagoona is literally boiled and becomes pink, feels like a bit of a g3 diss but 🤷♂️ what do I know. Thought it was weird she was limping practically into the room afterwards but could save Frankie with just fine. She was boiled and burnt, how is she doing this 😭
-Who is the other person on the cover? The entire book I'm waiting for someone described with a half shaven head or straight hair but no. I have half the mind to think it's supposed to be Poe but the way the brush was applied/rendered makes me see a Venus McFlytrap cut but cut short 😭 please tell me I'm not the only one.
-no Rebecca Steam or Rochelle Goyle mention, absolutely devastated
-TOO MANY PUNS. Genuinely half of these puns needed to leave. I've never heard the ghouls say half of them. "Sphinx" and "Of Corpse" made me want to rip my hair out.
-Drac using the puns when speaking to Poe took me out, how is he supposed to know half of the things she's saying 😭 he doesn't think it's weird to say "of corpse"?
-some of the world building feels weird 😭 like the van helsing society but what about van hellscream from the movies, I have to assume this is just strictly webisodes maybe? Or just loosely connected to actual g1, idk even as a g1 fan I'm confused sometimes
-the random sexual innuendos are crazy, I didn't need them 😭 especially deuces obelisk...
Overall, despise this book but it will stay in my Monster High collection.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2024
Los fanfics que escribí a los 12 años tenían más sentido.
April 24, 2026
the amount of times this book got me rolling my eyes was crazyyyyy
Did Not Finish
October 12, 2024Dnf.
September 10, 2024
*3.5
Started off pretty good then got a bit bored by the end, otherwise a pretty good read. Kind of fun to jump back into the classic monster high, made me think of the old movies haha.
Glad to see my boy Jackson Jekyll even if he was there mostly as a name drop haha, pretty sure he had like one line... sad. Missed opportunity to have him a bit more involved considering how "normie" focused this book was. Ah well, glad to see him regardless haha
Started off pretty good then got a bit bored by the end, otherwise a pretty good read. Kind of fun to jump back into the classic monster high, made me think of the old movies haha.
Glad to see my boy Jackson Jekyll even if he was there mostly as a name drop haha, pretty sure he had like one line... sad. Missed opportunity to have him a bit more involved considering how "normie" focused this book was. Ah well, glad to see him regardless haha
September 7, 2024
DNF at 80 pages in. The characters felt flat, the dynamics were watered down and I just didn't feel the same platonic connections I did in the show/movies. Grief or no grief. It was difficult for me to get into. And made worse because I personally don't like Toradeen (I prefer Clawdeen with a different ghoul) and felt they didn't have chemistry, the author broke up all of the original couples (so I was left with Toradeen and Poe), the author acted like the mansters didn't interact with the ghouls on a daily basis (dating or no dating you'd still see them around in the og), went back on Cleo's character development from Boo York in a way that made me roll my eyes so hard, and they did Clawd so dirty. To have Clawd not even make an appearance and to give more focus for the Lagoona and Gil's offscreen breakup than Clawd and Lala's off screen breakup (and not even said by Lala or Clawd). Just so Draculaura can be paired with a white boy. Oof, not a good look. At the very least have treated their breakup with more care than a tertiary thought.
I do want to note I enjoy Adult and Junior fiction and typically struggle reading anything YA because I often do not like the narrative choices in that demographic. So it may be more tolerable for someone who does. I took a go at it because I enjoy MH and was curious how this book would approach the characters. And unfortunately it did not approach the characters in a way I found entertaining/particularly interesting.
Giving a 2 star specifically because it has a few ideas I did like, such as the border between the monster and human world causing anxiety for humans who cross it. And the first page with the descriptions of the characters smells (even if, like many of the other physical descriptors, it felt kind of forced in). The smells were well thought out in typical fanfiction fashion.
I do want to note I enjoy Adult and Junior fiction and typically struggle reading anything YA because I often do not like the narrative choices in that demographic. So it may be more tolerable for someone who does. I took a go at it because I enjoy MH and was curious how this book would approach the characters. And unfortunately it did not approach the characters in a way I found entertaining/particularly interesting.
Giving a 2 star specifically because it has a few ideas I did like, such as the border between the monster and human world causing anxiety for humans who cross it. And the first page with the descriptions of the characters smells (even if, like many of the other physical descriptors, it felt kind of forced in). The smells were well thought out in typical fanfiction fashion.
April 6, 2026
it’s always evil humans and bland original characters
June 17, 2026
This book felt very tonally different compared to the canon Monster High lore. I think readers might enjoy this more if they didn’t already know about Monster High going into it.
The central plot of the story, Draculaura and Poe’s romance, felt bland and out of character for Draculaura. Their relationship is extremely rushed, as they only kissed the second time they met. That’s somehow enough for Draculaura to be conflicted about if she wants to be human or stay a vampire.
The author got rid of Draculaura and Clawd’s relationship in a lazy manner off-screen. In fact, we only know they broke up because Lagoona says her and Gil broke up in a similar manner: they just grew apart. That’s all we got? Really? Clawd is Draculaura’s primary love interest. We could’ve at least explored Draculaura’s feelings about the breakup or even showed her reconciling with him after the events of the story.
Poe is such a bland love interest and he feels like a self-insert or OC that didn’t have much development. He’s athletic and he’s decent to Draculaura, but that’s not really enough to get readers to care about him or feel for him.
I also wasn’t a fan of how Cleo was written. She seemed meaner than usual and was blindly supporting her dad without any consideration for what Draculaura was going through. Her breakup with Deuce also felt unnecessary. Why was the author so obsessed with making everyone except Clawdeen and Toralie go through a breakup?
If there wasn’t already established Monster High lore, this actually wouldn’t be that bad of a story, so I’ll be generous and give it 3 stars.
The central plot of the story, Draculaura and Poe’s romance, felt bland and out of character for Draculaura. Their relationship is extremely rushed, as they only kissed the second time they met. That’s somehow enough for Draculaura to be conflicted about if she wants to be human or stay a vampire.
The author got rid of Draculaura and Clawd’s relationship in a lazy manner off-screen. In fact, we only know they broke up because Lagoona says her and Gil broke up in a similar manner: they just grew apart. That’s all we got? Really? Clawd is Draculaura’s primary love interest. We could’ve at least explored Draculaura’s feelings about the breakup or even showed her reconciling with him after the events of the story.
Poe is such a bland love interest and he feels like a self-insert or OC that didn’t have much development. He’s athletic and he’s decent to Draculaura, but that’s not really enough to get readers to care about him or feel for him.
I also wasn’t a fan of how Cleo was written. She seemed meaner than usual and was blindly supporting her dad without any consideration for what Draculaura was going through. Her breakup with Deuce also felt unnecessary. Why was the author so obsessed with making everyone except Clawdeen and Toralie go through a breakup?
If there wasn’t already established Monster High lore, this actually wouldn’t be that bad of a story, so I’ll be generous and give it 3 stars.
November 4, 2024
I decided to check out this book because I grew up in the early 2000s and loved Monster High as a kid. As an adult, I still love Monster High and was super excited to read this book as Draculaura has always been my favorite character. But as soon as I started reading, I was immediately annoyed by the CONSTANT use of puns. Of course the original series had a lot of puns, but in book form it’s SO much more annoying! An unnecessary pun on every page? I mean this book is for Young Adults, and even I loved the puns in the show, but it’s just a little much to include them in the books so often! Now, to be fair I stopped reading on page 48 because it was becoming unbearable, but that wasn’t my only issue. As soon as the male love interest was introduced, I knew I hated the writing. It was already iffy as I felt like the chapters were written more like a fan fiction than a YA novel, but the dialogue between Draculaura and Poe??? My god. A grown woman wrote this? It’s PAINFUL! That’s the only word I can use to describe this book. No matter how much I love Monster High, this book is terrible and could’ve been so much more.
November 13, 2024
This review is just to help me remember key points about the book. If you find it helpful or relatable that's cool too.
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"A mountain of blood-red flowers leaned against the black fabric someone had draped over the closed door."
As a fan of Monster High this was a quick and fun read that I finished it in one sitting. This story felt like it was well incorporated into the MH universe but I feel like the author could have deviated from the source material more.
It felt like they took the movie Ghouls Rule and made Draculaura the main character. If you're going to talk about somemonsters' stonesnake you could have taken a few more creative liberties without turning into a Riverdale plotline.
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"A mountain of blood-red flowers leaned against the black fabric someone had draped over the closed door."
3.5 Stars ⭐️
As a fan of Monster High this was a quick and fun read that I finished it in one sitting. This story felt like it was well incorporated into the MH universe but I feel like the author could have deviated from the source material more.
It felt like they took the movie Ghouls Rule and made Draculaura the main character. If you're going to talk about somemonsters' stonesnake you could have taken a few more creative liberties without turning into a Riverdale plotline.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2026
The entire last bit of the story really got me changing my opinion on it as a whole. I was liking it a lot more. The whole thing with Dracula dying and Draculaura becoming human I think is very cool. I just did not care for Poe lmao, but I guess a human love interest for Draculaura is how it gets her to consider being human. I just felt absolutely nothing with their relationship bro. The ending though was inventive. Her saving the school and students with the blood thing: iconic.
Let’s be real, this feels like pure fanfiction. The characters didn’t seem entirely like themselves either. Especially Draculaura. This book is not a master class in writing, but it certainly was there and I still appreciate it for what it is.
Let’s be real, this feels like pure fanfiction. The characters didn’t seem entirely like themselves either. Especially Draculaura. This book is not a master class in writing, but it certainly was there and I still appreciate it for what it is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2025
2.75
was it good ? no. was it interesting? yeah kind of ??
the plot had potential, really. draculaura’s struggles had me hooked as i wanted to see what choices she would make. however … i just hated the love part of this story. it was rushed, so so rushed. the guy called poe was so basic and u never really got a chance to like him. tbh i really hated him, i found him boring. you cant be in a world where the main characters are vampires werewolves and mummies and spect anybody to root for *check notes* a white man.
also, my whole life i saw draculaura as a lesbian so that didn’t help at all.
overall, it would have been a solid 3 stars if the love plot wasn’t as bad as it was.
was it good ? no. was it interesting? yeah kind of ??
the plot had potential, really. draculaura’s struggles had me hooked as i wanted to see what choices she would make. however … i just hated the love part of this story. it was rushed, so so rushed. the guy called poe was so basic and u never really got a chance to like him. tbh i really hated him, i found him boring. you cant be in a world where the main characters are vampires werewolves and mummies and spect anybody to root for *check notes* a white man.
also, my whole life i saw draculaura as a lesbian so that didn’t help at all.
overall, it would have been a solid 3 stars if the love plot wasn’t as bad as it was.
May 4, 2026
Putting aside my huge fandom for the Monster High franchise, this is a great book.
The characters feel more mature now, and I liked that they included double entendres; it gives the characters a modern touch, and it feels like we've been growing up together in a way.
The plot was very entertaining. There were some strange things, but that's precisely what Monster High is all about—never knowing what to expect. It's part of the essence of the franchise, and at no point does any situation feel out of place within the Monster High lore.
I felt like I was back at school.
The characters feel more mature now, and I liked that they included double entendres; it gives the characters a modern touch, and it feels like we've been growing up together in a way.
The plot was very entertaining. There were some strange things, but that's precisely what Monster High is all about—never knowing what to expect. It's part of the essence of the franchise, and at no point does any situation feel out of place within the Monster High lore.
I felt like I was back at school.
November 5, 2024
2.5 I guess since I cant decide but the dialogue and constant "puns" was a lot ill be honest and this just like, wouldnt ever happen in the MH universe also its a little weird that Draculaura was kind of dating a human boy thats like 37 centuries younger than her I feel like thats slander on my poor girl
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2024
Was it well written? No. Did it feel like a fanfiction at times? Yes. Did I get hooked and couldn’t put the book down? Yes.
Key moments
Jenna Goretega
To All the Boys I've Bled Be Gore
Obelisk
The insane amount of monster words
Key moments
Jenna Goretega
To All the Boys I've Bled Be Gore
Obelisk
The insane amount of monster words
April 23, 2025
not sure how I got here but I did
August 31, 2025
It was amazing coming back to a childhood franchise!
January 19, 2026
there were too many puns. i say this as a g1 die hard.
the random adult joke at the end about deuce’s… obelisk made me want to die a little.
the random adult joke at the end about deuce’s… obelisk made me want to die a little.
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