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The Brides
Before Dracula, there were The Brides. . .
1903. Sir John Seward, survivor of Count Dracula’s murderous campaign ten years before, takes up a post as a psychiatric doctor at an Oxford public asylum. There, a new patient arrives whose traumatic experiences resurrect horrors John has spent a decade trying to forget.
1884. Mafalda Lowell journeys from London to Budapest to care for her recently widowed aunt Reka. She uncovers the chilling truth about her uncle’s death, and writes to her secret love Lucy North for comfort. Chaperoned by former schoolfriend Eliza and lady’s maid Alice, Lucy travels across the continent to be with her beloved.
Only Alice, beset by nightmares and terrifying visions, notices the strange black-clad man who seems to follow them wherever they go. When Eliza is struck down with a mysterious wasting illness, her doctor orders her to take the healing waters of Transylvania, a journey with devastating consequences.
There was meant to be four . . .
A dual timeline novel, told through letters, diary entries, psychiatric reports, that places women at the centre of literature's most famous vampire story.
1903. Sir John Seward, survivor of Count Dracula’s murderous campaign ten years before, takes up a post as a psychiatric doctor at an Oxford public asylum. There, a new patient arrives whose traumatic experiences resurrect horrors John has spent a decade trying to forget.
1884. Mafalda Lowell journeys from London to Budapest to care for her recently widowed aunt Reka. She uncovers the chilling truth about her uncle’s death, and writes to her secret love Lucy North for comfort. Chaperoned by former schoolfriend Eliza and lady’s maid Alice, Lucy travels across the continent to be with her beloved.
Only Alice, beset by nightmares and terrifying visions, notices the strange black-clad man who seems to follow them wherever they go. When Eliza is struck down with a mysterious wasting illness, her doctor orders her to take the healing waters of Transylvania, a journey with devastating consequences.
There was meant to be four . . .
A dual timeline novel, told through letters, diary entries, psychiatric reports, that places women at the centre of literature's most famous vampire story.
371 pages, ebook
Expected publication July 7, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
Want to Read
September 26, 2025when am i never gonna devour a retelling of dracula's brides honestly
January 28, 2026
Official-ish blurbage: THE BRIDES is an astonishing literary magic trick, managing to sew itself seamlessly into Dracula in a way that wholly honours the original while forging new ground with vibrant compelling characters and a story that held me rapt.
Unofficial review: LORD this was addictive but also classy? Felt like actual 19th century lit. Incredibly well done.
Unofficial review: LORD this was addictive but also classy? Felt like actual 19th century lit. Incredibly well done.
Did Not Finish
January 18, 2026DNF 😏
April 17, 2026
I am so enraged by these f(I'm trying not to swear)ing pestilential authors having their moment reviving f*ing DEAD LESBIAN SYNDROME right now.
This is the worst kind of cluttered, messy, hatefully heteronormative queerbaiting - that epilogue?! I can't fucking stand it.
Read the book, attempt to hunt down this click-baited Sapphic 'love story' (what - they hold one another's hands once?!), realise that it's the weakest kind of self-enfranchisement into the Carmilla canon, and boil it all down to the simpering "Oh Darling, we must take husbands to be historically accurate", then try - just try to see it from a lesbian woman's point of view that this is the most vile tokenistic use of our sexuality. That fucking epilogue! That fucking heterocentric over-glazing queer-eradication, and redemptive straightening-out of all that was Sapphic.
Do I have to write EVERY TIME the same review as The Night Stairs (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) over and over and over? I'm not able for it.
This is the worst kind of cluttered, messy, hatefully heteronormative queerbaiting - that epilogue?! I can't fucking stand it.
Read the book, attempt to hunt down this click-baited Sapphic 'love story' (what - they hold one another's hands once?!), realise that it's the weakest kind of self-enfranchisement into the Carmilla canon, and boil it all down to the simpering "Oh Darling, we must take husbands to be historically accurate", then try - just try to see it from a lesbian woman's point of view that this is the most vile tokenistic use of our sexuality. That fucking epilogue! That fucking heterocentric over-glazing queer-eradication, and redemptive straightening-out of all that was Sapphic.
Do I have to write EVERY TIME the same review as The Night Stairs (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) over and over and over? I'm not able for it.
Read
March 5, 2026I blurbed this one!
"The Brides is Dracula's worthy successor: a gothic, sapphic epistolary novel that thrills, chills, and delights in equal measure. I loved every page!"
"The Brides is Dracula's worthy successor: a gothic, sapphic epistolary novel that thrills, chills, and delights in equal measure. I loved every page!"
November 18, 2025
I am so sad to admit that I really struggled to engage with this one. On paper, this should have been immaculate. I adore multiple works of classical literature, grandeur gothicism and of course, the delectable darkness that is Bram Stokers masterpiece, Dracula. The concept of doing an inspired piece from the perspective of Count Draculas wives was an immediate sell to me. However, for me personally, I believe the concept was more engaging than its actual execution.
For me this was entirely a pacing issue, and I can only attribute this to the format in which the tale was presented. I do largely enjoy unconventional presentations of texts, be it diary entries, letters, or snippets of news. But in this particular instance, there were a number of differing povs, a series of unreliable narrators, scewed time-lines, and of course the epistolary written formats. It became incredibly confusing and particularly jarring to attempt to follow the plot.
This jarring and particularly slow pacing (especially for the first few hundred pages!) further damaged my relationship with the characters due to oftentimes being confused as to whose pov I was reading, and as such damaged the levels of empathy I had been attempting to build with this novel.
Whilst I realise this is an attempt at mimicking the original Stoker text, for whatever reason I truly struggled to engage with it. Perhaps I struggled with it being an e-arc as it was not simple to flick back constantly to see who was speaking and at what time.
I am sad to say I struggled with this one, but I would still urge others to read it and form their own opinions on it.
Thanks again to Tor Books/ Pan Macmillan for granting me the opportunity to read this novel as an arc and I look forward to working together again in future!
For me this was entirely a pacing issue, and I can only attribute this to the format in which the tale was presented. I do largely enjoy unconventional presentations of texts, be it diary entries, letters, or snippets of news. But in this particular instance, there were a number of differing povs, a series of unreliable narrators, scewed time-lines, and of course the epistolary written formats. It became incredibly confusing and particularly jarring to attempt to follow the plot.
This jarring and particularly slow pacing (especially for the first few hundred pages!) further damaged my relationship with the characters due to oftentimes being confused as to whose pov I was reading, and as such damaged the levels of empathy I had been attempting to build with this novel.
Whilst I realise this is an attempt at mimicking the original Stoker text, for whatever reason I truly struggled to engage with it. Perhaps I struggled with it being an e-arc as it was not simple to flick back constantly to see who was speaking and at what time.
I am sad to say I struggled with this one, but I would still urge others to read it and form their own opinions on it.
Thanks again to Tor Books/ Pan Macmillan for granting me the opportunity to read this novel as an arc and I look forward to working together again in future!
March 27, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
Want to Read
February 22, 2026Queer epistolary retelling of Dracula's Brides? No, no- you don't have to say anything else. I'm sat.
March 1, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins and the author
for an ARC of The Brides!
This was ALMOST a DNF. And I NEVER dnf. I trudged through it though.
The Brides is a feminist gothic horror about the three women who became the brides of Dracula - and the fourth who managed to escape ...
(This blurb snippet is what made me want to read this)
It’s very obvious that a ton of research went into this book. I enjoyed the history aspect and the vampire lore. But other than that, I found the story a bit bland and hard to follow. The characters were difficult to connect with. I feel like this was written for late Victorian readers… And maybe people who like books written in that kind of dense language (like the original Dracula) may be able to follow and enjoy this a little more than me. And while I loved the concept of a story told entirely through letters, documentation and diary entries, I don’t think it worked here. It just made an already confusing story/timeline/pov even more confusing. It was a slow read with, in my opinion, wayyyy too many characters that were unnecessary to the story and a timeline that jumps back and forth through too many pov’s and timelines that it made it so hard to keep track of who’s who.
I think this was a great tribute to the Dracula lore and a reimagining of things that we have yet to experience when it comes to his wives. I also think you NEED some familiarity with the original Dracula works in order to get the full scope of The Brides considering it’s written completely around the original story.
for an ARC of The Brides!
This was ALMOST a DNF. And I NEVER dnf. I trudged through it though.
The Brides is a feminist gothic horror about the three women who became the brides of Dracula - and the fourth who managed to escape ...
(This blurb snippet is what made me want to read this)
It’s very obvious that a ton of research went into this book. I enjoyed the history aspect and the vampire lore. But other than that, I found the story a bit bland and hard to follow. The characters were difficult to connect with. I feel like this was written for late Victorian readers… And maybe people who like books written in that kind of dense language (like the original Dracula) may be able to follow and enjoy this a little more than me. And while I loved the concept of a story told entirely through letters, documentation and diary entries, I don’t think it worked here. It just made an already confusing story/timeline/pov even more confusing. It was a slow read with, in my opinion, wayyyy too many characters that were unnecessary to the story and a timeline that jumps back and forth through too many pov’s and timelines that it made it so hard to keep track of who’s who.
I think this was a great tribute to the Dracula lore and a reimagining of things that we have yet to experience when it comes to his wives. I also think you NEED some familiarity with the original Dracula works in order to get the full scope of The Brides considering it’s written completely around the original story.
October 29, 2025
4.5 stars!
A sapphic epistolary gothic novel that is also (and I mean this in the best way) Dracula fanfic? Sign me up! This is a wonderful homage to Dracula (you can tell Cross loves that book deeply) whilst also managing to be its own thing. Very atmospheric for sure (definitely gave me some wild dreams). Perfect for all my vampire-loving girlies out there!
A sapphic epistolary gothic novel that is also (and I mean this in the best way) Dracula fanfic? Sign me up! This is a wonderful homage to Dracula (you can tell Cross loves that book deeply) whilst also managing to be its own thing. Very atmospheric for sure (definitely gave me some wild dreams). Perfect for all my vampire-loving girlies out there!
December 14, 2025
The Brides slides into the Dracula corpus as if it's always been there - a prequel and a sequel all at once - while at the same time feeling new and fresh and wholly, entirely its own. A must-read for anyone who loves Dracula, or vampires, or nuanced, meticulously researched explorations of the women living in the shadows of well-known narratives.
I absolutely adored it.
I absolutely adored it.
March 16, 2026
The Brides expands upon the much beloved Dracula story in a refreshing yet familiar way. It honours the original while creating a new story that will suck you in (pun intended), bring you to the verge of insanity like the women who become Dracula’s brides and leave you enthralled with the world of the dark one. This story feels like it was written at the time of Bram Stoker and Sheridan Le Fanu. It fits so seamlessly into the 19th century style of gothic literature which just adds to experience of reading this book.
Told in the form of diary entries and letters, The Brides gives us multiple points of views and timelines. We meet Sir John Seward who survived Dracula’s deadly campaign, a young servant girl called Alice writing to her mother and sister, and Malfada Lowell who is travelling to Budapest to care for her aunt who is recently widowed and writes to her secret love Lucy about her heartbreaking discoveries.
The way Charlotte has weaved this story together, stringing the multiple timelines, the lives of the various characters and bridging the gap between the orignal story we all know and the emergence of the Brides who terrorise Van Helsing and his companions is so well done. And at its heart is a devastating sapphic love story that will leave you in pieces as the tale unfolds.
It’s an addictive read, haunting and thrilling from the opening lines to the final words. The women of this story are outstanding characters, the skill of the author lies in how she brings them to vivid life on the pages, makes you thoroughly invested in each of their stories. A must for Dracula and vampire enthusiasts. A worthy successor to the original tale and an author who I’m going to be keeping an eye on for future releases.
The Brides will be released on March 19th. Thanks to Pan MacMillan and Tor Nightfire for the arc. 4.5 ⭐️
Told in the form of diary entries and letters, The Brides gives us multiple points of views and timelines. We meet Sir John Seward who survived Dracula’s deadly campaign, a young servant girl called Alice writing to her mother and sister, and Malfada Lowell who is travelling to Budapest to care for her aunt who is recently widowed and writes to her secret love Lucy about her heartbreaking discoveries.
The way Charlotte has weaved this story together, stringing the multiple timelines, the lives of the various characters and bridging the gap between the orignal story we all know and the emergence of the Brides who terrorise Van Helsing and his companions is so well done. And at its heart is a devastating sapphic love story that will leave you in pieces as the tale unfolds.
It’s an addictive read, haunting and thrilling from the opening lines to the final words. The women of this story are outstanding characters, the skill of the author lies in how she brings them to vivid life on the pages, makes you thoroughly invested in each of their stories. A must for Dracula and vampire enthusiasts. A worthy successor to the original tale and an author who I’m going to be keeping an eye on for future releases.
The Brides will be released on March 19th. Thanks to Pan MacMillan and Tor Nightfire for the arc. 4.5 ⭐️
Want to Read
January 17, 2026Thanks to Hanover Square Press and HarperCollins for my review copy!
April 4, 2026
Loved the format of this book.
Took me some time to get into it but for me I really started getting into it about 60% in.
I did get a little confused on some of the names and timeline but it made the ending worth it!
I think its a really great edition to Dracula, I did always wonder how The Brides came to be and this is the story i'm going with!
Eliza was by far my favorite to read about!
Also to add in, the cover is so incredibly beautiful!
Took me some time to get into it but for me I really started getting into it about 60% in.
I did get a little confused on some of the names and timeline but it made the ending worth it!
I think its a really great edition to Dracula, I did always wonder how The Brides came to be and this is the story i'm going with!
Eliza was by far my favorite to read about!
Also to add in, the cover is so incredibly beautiful!
March 5, 2026
Thank you to Panmacmillan for sending me a copy of this book as part of the book tour after release!
1903. Sir John Seward, survivor of Count Dracula’s murderous campaign ten years before, takes up a post as a psychiatric doctor at an Oxford public asylum. There, a new patient arrives whose traumatic experiences resurrect horrors John has spent a decade trying to forget. 1884. Mafalda Lowell journeys from London to Budapest to care for her recently widowed aunt Reka. She uncovers the chilling truth about her uncle’s death, and writes to her secret love Lucy North for comfort. Chaperoned by former schoolfriend Eliza and lady’s maid Alice, Lucy travels across the continent to be with her beloved. Only Alice, beset by nightmares and terrifying visions, notices the strange black-clad man who seems to follow them wherever they go. When Eliza is struck down with a mysterious wasting illness, her doctor orders her to take the healing waters of Transylvania, a journey with devastating consequences.
We are introduced to a great many characters in this book. From Lucy, to Mafalda, to Alice, to Eliza. Mixing with doctors and travellers and village goers, it all created a vast world within the pages of the book. The different personalities and thoughts and emotions were all interesting to untangle whilst also seeing just how cleverly they all interwove as well.
I wasn’t too sure what to expect from the story. In the blurb, it mentions that the tale would be told through letters and reports and the like. However, I didn’t realise that meant the entire story was written that way! I somehow expected the letters etc to be linked within the story itself, appearing at the correct times for the biggest impact. I did struggle a little bit with the pacing, purely because of the layout. It was incredibly clever and certainly a different way of ingesting and experiencing a story but I would dare say I wouldn’t rush back to a story laid out like this again. I’m too much of a sucker for lyrical prose over correspondence! I did like the parallels to Dracula and how this story complimented the original so well. There is always a concern when a companion novel to a classic or well loved story emerges because you wonder how it could work. But this one does! The way it meshes the two together to further the story and add this extra depth was especially clever. This is definitely one the vampire lovers don’t want to miss out on!
Overall, The Brides is a great story complimenting the original Dracula very well - it’s just not entirely for me!
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you again to Panmacmillan for sending me a copy of this book.
1903. Sir John Seward, survivor of Count Dracula’s murderous campaign ten years before, takes up a post as a psychiatric doctor at an Oxford public asylum. There, a new patient arrives whose traumatic experiences resurrect horrors John has spent a decade trying to forget. 1884. Mafalda Lowell journeys from London to Budapest to care for her recently widowed aunt Reka. She uncovers the chilling truth about her uncle’s death, and writes to her secret love Lucy North for comfort. Chaperoned by former schoolfriend Eliza and lady’s maid Alice, Lucy travels across the continent to be with her beloved. Only Alice, beset by nightmares and terrifying visions, notices the strange black-clad man who seems to follow them wherever they go. When Eliza is struck down with a mysterious wasting illness, her doctor orders her to take the healing waters of Transylvania, a journey with devastating consequences.
We are introduced to a great many characters in this book. From Lucy, to Mafalda, to Alice, to Eliza. Mixing with doctors and travellers and village goers, it all created a vast world within the pages of the book. The different personalities and thoughts and emotions were all interesting to untangle whilst also seeing just how cleverly they all interwove as well.
I wasn’t too sure what to expect from the story. In the blurb, it mentions that the tale would be told through letters and reports and the like. However, I didn’t realise that meant the entire story was written that way! I somehow expected the letters etc to be linked within the story itself, appearing at the correct times for the biggest impact. I did struggle a little bit with the pacing, purely because of the layout. It was incredibly clever and certainly a different way of ingesting and experiencing a story but I would dare say I wouldn’t rush back to a story laid out like this again. I’m too much of a sucker for lyrical prose over correspondence! I did like the parallels to Dracula and how this story complimented the original so well. There is always a concern when a companion novel to a classic or well loved story emerges because you wonder how it could work. But this one does! The way it meshes the two together to further the story and add this extra depth was especially clever. This is definitely one the vampire lovers don’t want to miss out on!
Overall, The Brides is a great story complimenting the original Dracula very well - it’s just not entirely for me!
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you again to Panmacmillan for sending me a copy of this book.
November 12, 2025
The Brides is an epistolary novel, much like its inspiration, that weaves the intersecting stories of four women as they eventually find themselves travelling to Dracula's castle, before the events of the original 1897 novel. Years on, John Seward (the psychiatrist who oversaw Renfield) will piece together letters and journal entries, whilst working at an asylum in 1903.
A familiarity with Bram Stoker's Dracula is crucial to The Brides, that acts as a prequel and continuation of the original novel. Characters from Dracula make appearances, and Cross' brides are skilfully written around the original narrative.
The Brides deals heavily with the themes of female autonomy, sapphic relationships in the late Victorian era, and the effects of living with trauma. It focuses largely on the backstories of its leads, though I also found myself looking forward to the chapters from John Seward's perspective throughout the novel.
Dracula himself is an ever-present, though rarely seen, terrifying force that permeates the text. As a character study, the bulk of story is spent learning about the brides before Dracula's castle, and at times I did find the plot to unfold more slowly than expected. Ultimately however, I found The Brides to be a very gratifying slow-burn read.
I can never get enough of these types of Dracula adjacent continuations/retellings/reimaginings, so I was ecstatic to be able to receive a proof copy to review. Fans of recent classic vampire novel retellings like Hungerstone will be equally eager to devour The Brides.
*Thank you to the publishers for providing a proof copy of this book for review*
A familiarity with Bram Stoker's Dracula is crucial to The Brides, that acts as a prequel and continuation of the original novel. Characters from Dracula make appearances, and Cross' brides are skilfully written around the original narrative.
The Brides deals heavily with the themes of female autonomy, sapphic relationships in the late Victorian era, and the effects of living with trauma. It focuses largely on the backstories of its leads, though I also found myself looking forward to the chapters from John Seward's perspective throughout the novel.
Dracula himself is an ever-present, though rarely seen, terrifying force that permeates the text. As a character study, the bulk of story is spent learning about the brides before Dracula's castle, and at times I did find the plot to unfold more slowly than expected. Ultimately however, I found The Brides to be a very gratifying slow-burn read.
I can never get enough of these types of Dracula adjacent continuations/retellings/reimaginings, so I was ecstatic to be able to receive a proof copy to review. Fans of recent classic vampire novel retellings like Hungerstone will be equally eager to devour The Brides.
*Thank you to the publishers for providing a proof copy of this book for review*
January 10, 2026
I’m a huge fan of Dracula so I was fully expected to love this book. I was not disappointed. I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.
This book tells the origin of Dracula’s brides. It overlaps with the original story at points, and it’s told over many years. The books uses a blend of letters, diary entries to showcase the events of the past. We follow John Seward, years after the events of Dracula. He’s treating a patient with an unusual illness and he’s forced to remember his own traumatic events whilst investigating what happened to her. This feels reminiscent of the writing style in Dracula. Indeed, there’s so much affection and respect shown to the original material. The author has managed to beautifully tie her own work to the original novel, whilst creating something that stands up as its own story. Would you benefitting from being familiar with Dracula when reading this? Yes. Can it stand up as its own book without reading Dracula first? Also yes. I was really impressed with this and I’ll certainly be looking out for more from this author.
I loved the gentle blending of historical detail throughout this novel, particularly given it spans decades and takes place across England, Hungary and Romania. The setting is richly imagined in each case. We hear from multiple points of views across various letters and diaries. I was impressed with how individual each voice felt. Though the entries are labelled with their creator, I felt they were distinct enough I could have told the voice just from the writing.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and I would certainly read it again. Fantastic.
This book tells the origin of Dracula’s brides. It overlaps with the original story at points, and it’s told over many years. The books uses a blend of letters, diary entries to showcase the events of the past. We follow John Seward, years after the events of Dracula. He’s treating a patient with an unusual illness and he’s forced to remember his own traumatic events whilst investigating what happened to her. This feels reminiscent of the writing style in Dracula. Indeed, there’s so much affection and respect shown to the original material. The author has managed to beautifully tie her own work to the original novel, whilst creating something that stands up as its own story. Would you benefitting from being familiar with Dracula when reading this? Yes. Can it stand up as its own book without reading Dracula first? Also yes. I was really impressed with this and I’ll certainly be looking out for more from this author.
I loved the gentle blending of historical detail throughout this novel, particularly given it spans decades and takes place across England, Hungary and Romania. The setting is richly imagined in each case. We hear from multiple points of views across various letters and diaries. I was impressed with how individual each voice felt. Though the entries are labelled with their creator, I felt they were distinct enough I could have told the voice just from the writing.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and I would certainly read it again. Fantastic.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to the publisher for sending me an advance copy of The Brides in exchange for an honest review.
Going into The Brides, I expected a total Dracula retelling, but it's really more of an expansion on Bram Stoker's original story, creating a narrative before and after the events of Dracula. Most striking from the beginning of The Brides was how similar in style it felt to the original. Given that Dracula is perhaps my favourite book of all time, this felt to me like coming home. It's obvious that Charlotte Cross cares a great deal for the original story, and The Brides glitters with little references to Dracula that will thrill superfans.
I loved the depth given to all of the characters, and the level of research that was obviously put into giving them a believable world to live in. The gothic atmosphere was delicious, and everything felt very authentic, and there was an excellent balance of horror and build-up that made The Brides feel like a classic work of literature.
Dracula's brides appeared only briefly in the original, but they were characters that stood out and enchanted me from the first time I read it. I love that we've finally been given a backstory to these women, written in the same epistolary style that makes Dracula such a lasting work of literature. Saying that, I do think the novel stands on its own, although I don't think it would be as exciting for readers who aren't familiar with Dracula.
Going into The Brides, I expected a total Dracula retelling, but it's really more of an expansion on Bram Stoker's original story, creating a narrative before and after the events of Dracula. Most striking from the beginning of The Brides was how similar in style it felt to the original. Given that Dracula is perhaps my favourite book of all time, this felt to me like coming home. It's obvious that Charlotte Cross cares a great deal for the original story, and The Brides glitters with little references to Dracula that will thrill superfans.
I loved the depth given to all of the characters, and the level of research that was obviously put into giving them a believable world to live in. The gothic atmosphere was delicious, and everything felt very authentic, and there was an excellent balance of horror and build-up that made The Brides feel like a classic work of literature.
Dracula's brides appeared only briefly in the original, but they were characters that stood out and enchanted me from the first time I read it. I love that we've finally been given a backstory to these women, written in the same epistolary style that makes Dracula such a lasting work of literature. Saying that, I do think the novel stands on its own, although I don't think it would be as exciting for readers who aren't familiar with Dracula.
March 28, 2026
As a lover of vampire novels I was immediately seated when I saw this prequel/sequel. Cross writes an intriguing, harrowing debut exploring Dracula's brides and how they came to be.
I really enjoyed how Cross elevated the original source material and added new and relevant elements to the story whilst keeping true to Stoker's plot and characters. I really loved the character Alice - I'm a sucker for a strong, independent maid. The toxic lesbian trope was strong with this one as well. Cross described the beauty of Buda-Pesth wonderfully, and I was glad she did not take on the dull travelogue style of Dracula. Initially I was a little bit confused due to the epistolary nature of the novel and the pacing was a little slow at first but once you are settled into the story this book is a page turner.
A perfect ode to Stoker's titular novel, Dracula, that is a thrilling and feminist expansion of the universe.
I really enjoyed how Cross elevated the original source material and added new and relevant elements to the story whilst keeping true to Stoker's plot and characters. I really loved the character Alice - I'm a sucker for a strong, independent maid. The toxic lesbian trope was strong with this one as well. Cross described the beauty of Buda-Pesth wonderfully, and I was glad she did not take on the dull travelogue style of Dracula. Initially I was a little bit confused due to the epistolary nature of the novel and the pacing was a little slow at first but once you are settled into the story this book is a page turner.
A perfect ode to Stoker's titular novel, Dracula, that is a thrilling and feminist expansion of the universe.
April 11, 2026
A great surprise!! Review to come.
February 17, 2026
Thank you Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When I first heard about a book about Dracula but focused on his Brides, and there was ALSO a lesbian relationship throughout it I was like “sign me up.”
It had an interesting format, with letters and correspondences collated together to set the stage and show how the women cross paths with Dracula and what in their lives led them to this point. Since I really liked The Appeal by Janice Hallett, I thought this would be another book of a similar format, so I’d enjoy it, but make it gothic (even better!).
I do think it suffered from a too-big cast of characters, but combine that with the letters etc. not being in chronological order and I was lost… a lot.
I kept forgetting who was who, who knew whom, and whether we had jumped back or forward in time. It created quite a ball of confusing notes and it was hard to keep everything on track.
I did love the relationship between Lucy and Mafalda and their correspondence was wha really kept me going with this book, they were clearly devoted to each other in a time when it was nearly impossible to be as two women without a husband to give them financial independence and freedom. Their little comments back and forth and worry when their letters get stuck in customs were adorable.
Dracula is really a background character till quite a way into the book but his presence is certainly felt in the effects on the people around him. The book is very much not about him, but about the women impacted by him.
I really liked the build up to the final confrontation scene, it felt appropriately spooky and gothic and you could really feel the terror in the characters as they recounted their ordeal.
Overall I found this book to be a nice gothic and nostalgic Dracula book with an adorable romance, but it was quite difficult to follow who was who and therefore jumping back in was harder than it usually is for a book for me.
When I first heard about a book about Dracula but focused on his Brides, and there was ALSO a lesbian relationship throughout it I was like “sign me up.”
It had an interesting format, with letters and correspondences collated together to set the stage and show how the women cross paths with Dracula and what in their lives led them to this point. Since I really liked The Appeal by Janice Hallett, I thought this would be another book of a similar format, so I’d enjoy it, but make it gothic (even better!).
I do think it suffered from a too-big cast of characters, but combine that with the letters etc. not being in chronological order and I was lost… a lot.
I kept forgetting who was who, who knew whom, and whether we had jumped back or forward in time. It created quite a ball of confusing notes and it was hard to keep everything on track.
I did love the relationship between Lucy and Mafalda and their correspondence was wha really kept me going with this book, they were clearly devoted to each other in a time when it was nearly impossible to be as two women without a husband to give them financial independence and freedom. Their little comments back and forth and worry when their letters get stuck in customs were adorable.
Dracula is really a background character till quite a way into the book but his presence is certainly felt in the effects on the people around him. The book is very much not about him, but about the women impacted by him.
I really liked the build up to the final confrontation scene, it felt appropriately spooky and gothic and you could really feel the terror in the characters as they recounted their ordeal.
Overall I found this book to be a nice gothic and nostalgic Dracula book with an adorable romance, but it was quite difficult to follow who was who and therefore jumping back in was harder than it usually is for a book for me.
Review of advance copy
2.5/3 stars (goodreads won't let me alter my rating as the book hasn't been published yet)
This book was released early in my country, which is why I've access to it. I bought this book because I was interested in the premise and I enjoy the genre.
I really feel like this book was marketed woefully incorrectly, as the author praise promises a wholly different reading experience than the one actually provided.
The blurb promises 'a dark Dracula prequel, full of toxic love and monstrous ambition'.
Said 'toxic love and monstrous ambition' only really came into play about 300 or so pages into the book, and by that point there was only 80 pages left before I was finished!
It's also described as 'haunting and seductive'. I'm not sure where any of the seduction was supposed to be in the book, as all the main characters are painfully prude and polite that there were only mentions of seduction two or three times in the entire book. There is little to no tension of that sort in this book, which is okay, just not what was promised.
Considering this is a book centering around Dracula's brides, there's a whole lack of... well... them being his brides. The brief chapter where they were his brides was one of my favourite in the book; gory, visceral and cruel. It felt like I was reading a totally different book at that point! But other than that, for the first 200 or so pages, I felt more like I was reading Bridgerton - which was utterly unbearable.
The main cast of females are dithering, boring, dull women with little to no conflict or opinions whatsoever over anything. The dread that hangs over the book is only really because you know what it's about rather than actual written words. I found a lot of their conversations totally pointless and eye-numbing to read.
Another point to consider is the book is an epistolary novel, which I really don't think worked in it's favour. With such a wide cast of characters (most irrelevant), it became confusing to tell who was who and who was related to who etc. Repetition became a teeth grinding issue again and again, three or more characters writing about the same incident ad nauseam. I found myself skimming through certain parts because of how much bloat took up page space. However, some persepctives were more interesting than others. I found Sir John Seward's entries interesting, as well as Alice's and Lucy's toward the end.
However, from page 280 onwards - once the girls are actually in Transylvania and the Count becomes a reoccuring character, the book really starts to pick up its feet. The Count is frightening and beguiling, the girls' gradual deterioration under his care was nail biting and deeply tragic to read. I really enjoyed the latter end of the book, which was rewarding considering how much mud I'd had to crawl through to get to it.
Overall, I'd give this book a 2.5/3 stars, only for its final few chapters. I think it's clear that Charlotte loves and respects her source material, and considering this is her first novel, it's beautifully written. Unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend it for anyone looking for a solid vampire novel, simply because of how little a majority of the book actually revolves around vampires.
This book was released early in my country, which is why I've access to it. I bought this book because I was interested in the premise and I enjoy the genre.
I really feel like this book was marketed woefully incorrectly, as the author praise promises a wholly different reading experience than the one actually provided.
The blurb promises 'a dark Dracula prequel, full of toxic love and monstrous ambition'.
Said 'toxic love and monstrous ambition' only really came into play about 300 or so pages into the book, and by that point there was only 80 pages left before I was finished!
It's also described as 'haunting and seductive'. I'm not sure where any of the seduction was supposed to be in the book, as all the main characters are painfully prude and polite that there were only mentions of seduction two or three times in the entire book. There is little to no tension of that sort in this book, which is okay, just not what was promised.
Considering this is a book centering around Dracula's brides, there's a whole lack of... well... them being his brides. The brief chapter where they were his brides was one of my favourite in the book; gory, visceral and cruel. It felt like I was reading a totally different book at that point! But other than that, for the first 200 or so pages, I felt more like I was reading Bridgerton - which was utterly unbearable.
The main cast of females are dithering, boring, dull women with little to no conflict or opinions whatsoever over anything. The dread that hangs over the book is only really because you know what it's about rather than actual written words. I found a lot of their conversations totally pointless and eye-numbing to read.
Another point to consider is the book is an epistolary novel, which I really don't think worked in it's favour. With such a wide cast of characters (most irrelevant), it became confusing to tell who was who and who was related to who etc. Repetition became a teeth grinding issue again and again, three or more characters writing about the same incident ad nauseam. I found myself skimming through certain parts because of how much bloat took up page space. However, some persepctives were more interesting than others. I found Sir John Seward's entries interesting, as well as Alice's and Lucy's toward the end.
However, from page 280 onwards - once the girls are actually in Transylvania and the Count becomes a reoccuring character, the book really starts to pick up its feet. The Count is frightening and beguiling, the girls' gradual deterioration under his care was nail biting and deeply tragic to read. I really enjoyed the latter end of the book, which was rewarding considering how much mud I'd had to crawl through to get to it.
Overall, I'd give this book a 2.5/3 stars, only for its final few chapters. I think it's clear that Charlotte loves and respects her source material, and considering this is her first novel, it's beautifully written. Unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend it for anyone looking for a solid vampire novel, simply because of how little a majority of the book actually revolves around vampires.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
For a long, long time I've been wanting to read a Brides take on the renowned story of Count Dracula. And The Brides by Charlotte Cross was exactly what I've been waiting for!
First, let me start with a couple of scruples because I did have some, even though the book overall was fantastic. There are eleven Parts to this book, and the first two were...incredibly slow. If I did not know the premise of the story, I would've given up reading right then & there because there was absolutely nothing enticing at the beginning of the book to hook the reader in and set us up for the horror-show down the road. I get all the characters needed to be properly introduced, but this could've been done with more hints of foreboding, a more sinister tone to the writing, anything really to tell the reader "something truly terrible is coming".
Second, this book is entirely told through letters and diary entries of the characters involved, which I'm not sure if that was really necessary. It is explained towards the end of the story why this was the case, and I appreciate Cross giving us something different than your average prose, but in this case, I think just having letters and journal entries severely limited her writing. Cross's strength is her plotting and weaving, which she does considerably well, but her writing is simple and at times too bland for the subject matter at hand. There were way too many sequences in the story that felt like I was reading a general women's historical fiction novel instead of a HORROR novel about the soon-to-be BRIDES OF DRACULA!! I think if a more conventional narrative had been chosen, Cross would've had more freedom to inject the shadow and depth that is desperately needed in a lot of scenes that just felt too prim and proper for a vampire story.
But to what I loved - which was a lot! Plenty of plot twists as the story eventually unfolds. The action scenes do not disappoint! Cross makes you excitedly guess, and guess, and guess again who the Brides will turn out to be. I found myself unexpectedly mourning those particular women, as if I knew them personally, but it becomes understandable how their individual insecurities, vices, and desires make them the perfect candidates and easy prey for the Count. And in true horror fashion, the one who survived walks away with the ever-lingering knowledge that evil cannot be conquered, only delayed. For now.
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced digital ARC!
First, let me start with a couple of scruples because I did have some, even though the book overall was fantastic. There are eleven Parts to this book, and the first two were...incredibly slow. If I did not know the premise of the story, I would've given up reading right then & there because there was absolutely nothing enticing at the beginning of the book to hook the reader in and set us up for the horror-show down the road. I get all the characters needed to be properly introduced, but this could've been done with more hints of foreboding, a more sinister tone to the writing, anything really to tell the reader "something truly terrible is coming".
Second, this book is entirely told through letters and diary entries of the characters involved, which I'm not sure if that was really necessary. It is explained towards the end of the story why this was the case, and I appreciate Cross giving us something different than your average prose, but in this case, I think just having letters and journal entries severely limited her writing. Cross's strength is her plotting and weaving, which she does considerably well, but her writing is simple and at times too bland for the subject matter at hand. There were way too many sequences in the story that felt like I was reading a general women's historical fiction novel instead of a HORROR novel about the soon-to-be BRIDES OF DRACULA!! I think if a more conventional narrative had been chosen, Cross would've had more freedom to inject the shadow and depth that is desperately needed in a lot of scenes that just felt too prim and proper for a vampire story.
But to what I loved - which was a lot! Plenty of plot twists as the story eventually unfolds. The action scenes do not disappoint! Cross makes you excitedly guess, and guess, and guess again who the Brides will turn out to be. I found myself unexpectedly mourning those particular women, as if I knew them personally, but it becomes understandable how their individual insecurities, vices, and desires make them the perfect candidates and easy prey for the Count. And in true horror fashion, the one who survived walks away with the ever-lingering knowledge that evil cannot be conquered, only delayed. For now.
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced digital ARC!
March 28, 2026
3.75 Very mixed thoughts on this gothic vampire retelling of Dracula!
I enjoyed the canon-compliant feeling to the novel. The vibes were good. You can tell the author loves the original and particularly Dr John who was lovingly drawn. I also really liked the writing style!
However, I found this confusing at times. I was listening to an audiobook, so I don’t think that medium suits an epistolary novel (you can’t easily check what letters are being written by whom, etc). (But I have seen other reviewers mentioning this issue as well even if they didn’t read the audio).
It felt like they were wayyyyyy too many characters for my taste. I could not keep track of who everyone was, especially since we had two timelines 1903 & 1884. (Also technically 1893 from the original and briefly, the 1870s from some context flashbacks). (I was literally tempted to draw a character map to keep track).
The pacing was also incredibly slow. The characters don’t leave England to go to Hungary until about the 40% mark, and they (mild spoiler that’s not really a spoiler since the title) only arrive at Dracula’s castle at like 70%… they are barely the brides in this book ????
The way they’re used in this novel is more to humanise the human women the Stoker’s brides used to be before becoming apparently mindless monsters and showing them as victims, rather than exploring them extensively as the brides themselves. (Maybe read A Dowry of Blood if you’re looking more for that).
I would have completed shifted things around, especially in the first half. Maybe even cut this wayyyyy shorter to be like 8hrs instead of 12hrs. (So maybe cut like 100 pages or so).
Oddly, I think Dr John might be my favourite character in this book…. (called the brides 😭). Just a lovely guy. When a character brings up Lucy Westenra to him aghhh my heart. He gets a minor romance which I thought very charming even though they barely had any page time so brava to that.
Weirdly I would be tempted to reread this in the future. I would understand soooo much more (especially if I got my hands on a paper copy and could keep track of things easier).
Would be intrigued what people think if they know nothing about the original novel… I feel like knowing what went down in the 1890s gave me more of a sense of anticipation. (And I don’t feel like this book meaningfully summarises Stoker’s Dracula for anyone not in the know).
I would still be interested in Cross’ next novel despite some of my issues with this one!
I enjoyed the canon-compliant feeling to the novel. The vibes were good. You can tell the author loves the original and particularly Dr John who was lovingly drawn. I also really liked the writing style!
However, I found this confusing at times. I was listening to an audiobook, so I don’t think that medium suits an epistolary novel (you can’t easily check what letters are being written by whom, etc). (But I have seen other reviewers mentioning this issue as well even if they didn’t read the audio).
It felt like they were wayyyyyy too many characters for my taste. I could not keep track of who everyone was, especially since we had two timelines 1903 & 1884. (Also technically 1893 from the original and briefly, the 1870s from some context flashbacks). (I was literally tempted to draw a character map to keep track).
The pacing was also incredibly slow. The characters don’t leave England to go to Hungary until about the 40% mark, and they (mild spoiler that’s not really a spoiler since the title) only arrive at Dracula’s castle at like 70%… they are barely the brides in this book ????
The way they’re used in this novel is more to humanise the human women the Stoker’s brides used to be before becoming apparently mindless monsters and showing them as victims, rather than exploring them extensively as the brides themselves. (Maybe read A Dowry of Blood if you’re looking more for that).
I would have completed shifted things around, especially in the first half. Maybe even cut this wayyyyy shorter to be like 8hrs instead of 12hrs. (So maybe cut like 100 pages or so).
Oddly, I think Dr John might be my favourite character in this book…. (called the brides 😭). Just a lovely guy. When a character brings up Lucy Westenra to him aghhh my heart. He gets a minor romance which I thought very charming even though they barely had any page time so brava to that.
Weirdly I would be tempted to reread this in the future. I would understand soooo much more (especially if I got my hands on a paper copy and could keep track of things easier).
Would be intrigued what people think if they know nothing about the original novel… I feel like knowing what went down in the 1890s gave me more of a sense of anticipation. (And I don’t feel like this book meaningfully summarises Stoker’s Dracula for anyone not in the know).
I would still be interested in Cross’ next novel despite some of my issues with this one!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A gothic historical about the women who fell into Dracula’s web told through epistolary style letters. It’s has a present timeline (1903) where a lauded psychologist is trying to help a traumatised and ill woman, but mostly it’s told through the letters of the women 20 years prior.
We have Alice, the stalwart maid who has inherited uncanny abilities, Lucy who is in love with her dear Malfalda and eager to find a way to support herself should Malfalda leave her behind. Malfalda, somewhat heartless but in love with Lucy, journeys to help her aunt in Romania where she’s having maladies.
The story unfolds beautifully as your move through it. Each letter adding to character, tone, setting and plot. The way it’s woven together is masterful and the writing style is expertly historical - I can’t believe this is a debut, I was awed at how immersive yet accessible the writing was!
The story is about the women. Their lives that brought them here, their experiences during these unsettling weeks, the relationships that drive them and the journey they leads them to their destruction. Dracula haunts from the sidelines, his approaching figure terrifying for the reader, knowing the danger but an unknown to these women. It was so easy to see how he worked and how they easily their misfortune led them down this path. It was heartbreaking but gripping.
Aunt Reka was a really interesting cornerstone of the story. She is the motivator drawing these women to her, her maladies, her secrets, her city… Malfalda is cunning and selfish but strong and undeterred. She was certainly interesting to read but as we get more from Lucy’s pov, I couldn’t help but dislike her carelessness, though I didn’t question the love/ complex feelings she held for Lucy despite her selfish decisions. Eliza was also a great addition to the cast, truly kind and a degree separated from the family, she was an interesting contrast to the others. Plus she brought Alice along, who was the only one who saw things clearly. The dynamics between them all were great and I loved exploring these characters as the story progressed.
The ending was fantastic! I was not at all expecting how it came together and really loved the reveal and how the threads all connected. Absolutely brilliant
If you enjoy historical fiction and gothic stories then this is for you!
Thank you Tor books and Bookbreakuk for the proof copy. All thoughts are my own
We have Alice, the stalwart maid who has inherited uncanny abilities, Lucy who is in love with her dear Malfalda and eager to find a way to support herself should Malfalda leave her behind. Malfalda, somewhat heartless but in love with Lucy, journeys to help her aunt in Romania where she’s having maladies.
The story unfolds beautifully as your move through it. Each letter adding to character, tone, setting and plot. The way it’s woven together is masterful and the writing style is expertly historical - I can’t believe this is a debut, I was awed at how immersive yet accessible the writing was!
The story is about the women. Their lives that brought them here, their experiences during these unsettling weeks, the relationships that drive them and the journey they leads them to their destruction. Dracula haunts from the sidelines, his approaching figure terrifying for the reader, knowing the danger but an unknown to these women. It was so easy to see how he worked and how they easily their misfortune led them down this path. It was heartbreaking but gripping.
Aunt Reka was a really interesting cornerstone of the story. She is the motivator drawing these women to her, her maladies, her secrets, her city… Malfalda is cunning and selfish but strong and undeterred. She was certainly interesting to read but as we get more from Lucy’s pov, I couldn’t help but dislike her carelessness, though I didn’t question the love/ complex feelings she held for Lucy despite her selfish decisions. Eliza was also a great addition to the cast, truly kind and a degree separated from the family, she was an interesting contrast to the others. Plus she brought Alice along, who was the only one who saw things clearly. The dynamics between them all were great and I loved exploring these characters as the story progressed.
The ending was fantastic! I was not at all expecting how it came together and really loved the reveal and how the threads all connected. Absolutely brilliant
If you enjoy historical fiction and gothic stories then this is for you!
Thank you Tor books and Bookbreakuk for the proof copy. All thoughts are my own
March 7, 2026
What a brilliant and fascinating reimagining of ‘Dracula’ this debut novel is!
In this very skilfully written story, the author has given a voice to the three ‘living dead’ women who appeared in the original Dracula novel.
We meet, and become acquainted with, a number of female characters, in 1884, by reading extracts from their personal records and correspondence. We hear from Lucy North through her journal; Alice Smith through the letters she writes to her mother and sister; and Mafalda who writes to Lucy.
The narrative has been divided into 12 parts, and each part begins with an extract from Sir John Seward’s diary, in 1903. This details his new job as director of Littlemore Hospital, an asylum in Oxfordshire, and the arrival of his new patient: Lady Lowell. The mystery surrounding Lady Lowell is gradually revealed as we learn more about the events in 1884.
Dr John Seward was a character in ‘Dracula’, and I thought his involvement in this one was very cleverly orchestrated and, along with the other characters, was a credible addition to the original. You don’t need to have read ‘Dracula’ to enjoy this one - but it might tempt to you read it afterwards.
Although I grew to really enjoy the structure of this novel, it did take me a while to adjust to reading a series of letters and journal extracts rather than the usual narrative. It’s also a very in-depth narrative with the first half of the book detailing the background of the women before they all converge in Buda-Pesth.
While I enjoyed the build-up and getting to know the characters, the most dramatic action in the final three parts was my favourite. Here, the tension builds dramatically and we find out what ultimately happens to the ladies and who, if any, escape the evil clutches of Count Dracula!
I was very kindly sent a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
In this very skilfully written story, the author has given a voice to the three ‘living dead’ women who appeared in the original Dracula novel.
We meet, and become acquainted with, a number of female characters, in 1884, by reading extracts from their personal records and correspondence. We hear from Lucy North through her journal; Alice Smith through the letters she writes to her mother and sister; and Mafalda who writes to Lucy.
The narrative has been divided into 12 parts, and each part begins with an extract from Sir John Seward’s diary, in 1903. This details his new job as director of Littlemore Hospital, an asylum in Oxfordshire, and the arrival of his new patient: Lady Lowell. The mystery surrounding Lady Lowell is gradually revealed as we learn more about the events in 1884.
Dr John Seward was a character in ‘Dracula’, and I thought his involvement in this one was very cleverly orchestrated and, along with the other characters, was a credible addition to the original. You don’t need to have read ‘Dracula’ to enjoy this one - but it might tempt to you read it afterwards.
Although I grew to really enjoy the structure of this novel, it did take me a while to adjust to reading a series of letters and journal extracts rather than the usual narrative. It’s also a very in-depth narrative with the first half of the book detailing the background of the women before they all converge in Buda-Pesth.
While I enjoyed the build-up and getting to know the characters, the most dramatic action in the final three parts was my favourite. Here, the tension builds dramatically and we find out what ultimately happens to the ladies and who, if any, escape the evil clutches of Count Dracula!
I was very kindly sent a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
March 16, 2026
As a long-time fan of Dracula by Bram Stoker, I was incredibly excited to receive early access to The Brides by Charlotte Cross.
Set between the late 1800s and early 1900s, the story unfolds through diary entries and letters, echoing the structure of the original Dracula. Familiar names appear throughout, including Dr John Seward, alongside references to Jonathan Harker, Mina, Carfax and Whitby.
The story follows the women who would eventually become known as Dracula’s brides – exploring who they were before, the paths that led them there, and how their lives became entangled with Dracula himself. Rather than remaining a mysterious footnote in the original story, these women take centre stage here.
One of the things I love most about historical fiction is the language and the sense of being transported to another era. The polite, eloquent way characters speak and carry themselves always draws me in. Through letters and journal entries from multiple perspectives, the story gradually builds the bigger picture.
This is very much a slow-burn narrative, carefully laying its foundations as pieces of the puzzle slowly start to fall into place. Around the halfway mark I found myself trying to connect the dots and work out where everything was leading.
I also enjoyed the historical touches woven into the story, including references to Dr Hyslop and the infamous Bedlam asylum – small details that add another layer of realism to the gothic atmosphere.
The tension builds steadily as the story progresses and the truth behind the brides begins to unfold, culminating in a dramatic gothic finale before the final pieces of the puzzle fall into place.
Overall, I enjoyed my time with The Brides. If you enjoy gothic fiction, historical settings, and stories inspired by Dracula, this is definitely one to add to your list.
✨ Publication date: 19 March
Thank you to Charlotte Cross, Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early.
Set between the late 1800s and early 1900s, the story unfolds through diary entries and letters, echoing the structure of the original Dracula. Familiar names appear throughout, including Dr John Seward, alongside references to Jonathan Harker, Mina, Carfax and Whitby.
The story follows the women who would eventually become known as Dracula’s brides – exploring who they were before, the paths that led them there, and how their lives became entangled with Dracula himself. Rather than remaining a mysterious footnote in the original story, these women take centre stage here.
One of the things I love most about historical fiction is the language and the sense of being transported to another era. The polite, eloquent way characters speak and carry themselves always draws me in. Through letters and journal entries from multiple perspectives, the story gradually builds the bigger picture.
This is very much a slow-burn narrative, carefully laying its foundations as pieces of the puzzle slowly start to fall into place. Around the halfway mark I found myself trying to connect the dots and work out where everything was leading.
I also enjoyed the historical touches woven into the story, including references to Dr Hyslop and the infamous Bedlam asylum – small details that add another layer of realism to the gothic atmosphere.
The tension builds steadily as the story progresses and the truth behind the brides begins to unfold, culminating in a dramatic gothic finale before the final pieces of the puzzle fall into place.
Overall, I enjoyed my time with The Brides. If you enjoy gothic fiction, historical settings, and stories inspired by Dracula, this is definitely one to add to your list.
✨ Publication date: 19 March
Thank you to Charlotte Cross, Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A delightful, lush Dracula prequel told through letters and diary entries.
We have diary entries and letters from Lucy North in 1884 as well as letters from her accompanying servant who has visions.
In the present timeline, we have Sir John Seward’s personal diary from 1903 in Littlemore Hospital, Oxfordshire. Yes, the Dr. Seward from the original Dracula. This is him practising medicine after the defeat of Dracula, tending to a new patient with a strange case.
Lucy has a sapphic friends-to-lovers thread that is devastating. Not only was homosexuality not recognised during this time period, they were also unknowingly facing evil.
You start off unsure how everything will connect. Just a bunch of characters writing down their thoughts with a few editor’s notes within the text which only adds more mystery.
If you are more familiar with Dracula, I think this will come together more quickly for you.
This has great reflections on independence, reliance, gender roles and societal conformity.
‘They have no idea how to deal with any emotion that is not anger, so they treat a sensibility like a deep universal truth rather the nonsense it is. A man having an emotion is the most important occurrence in the history of the world, and everyone else be damned!’
This was very reminiscent to Dowry of Blood and it is clear Cross is aware of the many different vampire retellings alongside the original texts. This is both classical and unique. Exactly what you want from a retelling.
A great debut even if I did sometimes struggle with the formatting of how the plot was relayed.
Physical arc gifted by Tor Books.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
We have diary entries and letters from Lucy North in 1884 as well as letters from her accompanying servant who has visions.
In the present timeline, we have Sir John Seward’s personal diary from 1903 in Littlemore Hospital, Oxfordshire. Yes, the Dr. Seward from the original Dracula. This is him practising medicine after the defeat of Dracula, tending to a new patient with a strange case.
Lucy has a sapphic friends-to-lovers thread that is devastating. Not only was homosexuality not recognised during this time period, they were also unknowingly facing evil.
You start off unsure how everything will connect. Just a bunch of characters writing down their thoughts with a few editor’s notes within the text which only adds more mystery.
If you are more familiar with Dracula, I think this will come together more quickly for you.
This has great reflections on independence, reliance, gender roles and societal conformity.
‘They have no idea how to deal with any emotion that is not anger, so they treat a sensibility like a deep universal truth rather the nonsense it is. A man having an emotion is the most important occurrence in the history of the world, and everyone else be damned!’
This was very reminiscent to Dowry of Blood and it is clear Cross is aware of the many different vampire retellings alongside the original texts. This is both classical and unique. Exactly what you want from a retelling.
A great debut even if I did sometimes struggle with the formatting of how the plot was relayed.
Physical arc gifted by Tor Books.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was really intrigued by this book, it promised a lot of things I really like: dual timelines, an epistolary format, a Dracula retelling, and sapphic characters.
Unfortunately, for me, the promise was better than the premise. I think a lot of the struggle for me was the pacing. The story was quite slow and only ramped up to a short lived climax once you're 75% of the way in. I think another thing that caused the story to suffer, again, in my opinion, is the repetition. An event would occur and then you'd have to read about said event from each character's POV and often the characters didn't provide a unique enough perspective to hear about an event again and again and again. Finally, while I think sometimes being ahead of characters before they make certain realizations can add to the atmosphere and the dread, in this case it just didn't work. I think in that sense being a Dracula retelling worked against the dual timelines and multiple character POVs.
But I really enjoyed the dual timeline and epistolary format of the book. There were certain parts that were so fun to read, the Victorian scandal of it all! I liked one of our main characters being John Seward, I've never seen a Dracula retelling from his perspective before so in that sense, this story was successfully original. I also really loved Alice's character as she was the only character who consistently continued the story in a meaningful way.
I'm disappointed I didn't enjoy this more, this had such potential to be fully up my alley! But I think this is just a case of "It's not you, it's me." and I'll be adding this author to my list of authors to keep an eye on and check out their future works.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, for me, the promise was better than the premise. I think a lot of the struggle for me was the pacing. The story was quite slow and only ramped up to a short lived climax once you're 75% of the way in. I think another thing that caused the story to suffer, again, in my opinion, is the repetition. An event would occur and then you'd have to read about said event from each character's POV and often the characters didn't provide a unique enough perspective to hear about an event again and again and again. Finally, while I think sometimes being ahead of characters before they make certain realizations can add to the atmosphere and the dread, in this case it just didn't work. I think in that sense being a Dracula retelling worked against the dual timelines and multiple character POVs.
But I really enjoyed the dual timeline and epistolary format of the book. There were certain parts that were so fun to read, the Victorian scandal of it all! I liked one of our main characters being John Seward, I've never seen a Dracula retelling from his perspective before so in that sense, this story was successfully original. I also really loved Alice's character as she was the only character who consistently continued the story in a meaningful way.
I'm disappointed I didn't enjoy this more, this had such potential to be fully up my alley! But I think this is just a case of "It's not you, it's me." and I'll be adding this author to my list of authors to keep an eye on and check out their future works.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Tor UK for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
The Brides is a sapphic, epistolary retelling of Count Dracula, centring the women of the tale. Through letters, diary entries, psychiatric reports, and more, we follow a group of women from Yorkshire to Buda-Pesth and, finally, Transylvania, while 20 years later, one of the only survivors is admitted to a psychiatric ward, and her consultant may just know exactly who is the cause of her strange presentation.
This book was honestly such an interesting concept and I adored unraveling the narrative as we jumped between the two timelines, hurtling towards the horrifying end. Some of twists and turns I did guess as the novel progressed, but I enjoyed them nonetheless. I honestly think I was far too engrossed with working out who was going to survive that I sort of forgot to be creeped out - but fair warning this is a foreboding tale. It was just a lot of fun, especially given my job, to pick it all apart in time with Sir John and try to figure it out before him.
I think my biggest problem with this - which maybe is a ‘good’ problem, if that can be true - is that I wanted MORE. I wanted more of Sir John’s backstory, I wanted more of Lady Lowell’s current presentation in 1903… The former understandably was omitted due to the focus being on the women, but the later felt a little like a missed opportunity.
Overall, this was a uniquely put together retelling of the Brides of Dracula that I really did enjoy. If you’re a fan of non-traditional narratives, women at the forefront of tales, and a bit of supernatural horror, I think you’ll really enjoy this one.
4.25 🌟
The Brides is a sapphic, epistolary retelling of Count Dracula, centring the women of the tale. Through letters, diary entries, psychiatric reports, and more, we follow a group of women from Yorkshire to Buda-Pesth and, finally, Transylvania, while 20 years later, one of the only survivors is admitted to a psychiatric ward, and her consultant may just know exactly who is the cause of her strange presentation.
This book was honestly such an interesting concept and I adored unraveling the narrative as we jumped between the two timelines, hurtling towards the horrifying end. Some of twists and turns I did guess as the novel progressed, but I enjoyed them nonetheless. I honestly think I was far too engrossed with working out who was going to survive that I sort of forgot to be creeped out - but fair warning this is a foreboding tale. It was just a lot of fun, especially given my job, to pick it all apart in time with Sir John and try to figure it out before him.
I think my biggest problem with this - which maybe is a ‘good’ problem, if that can be true - is that I wanted MORE. I wanted more of Sir John’s backstory, I wanted more of Lady Lowell’s current presentation in 1903… The former understandably was omitted due to the focus being on the women, but the later felt a little like a missed opportunity.
Overall, this was a uniquely put together retelling of the Brides of Dracula that I really did enjoy. If you’re a fan of non-traditional narratives, women at the forefront of tales, and a bit of supernatural horror, I think you’ll really enjoy this one.
4.25 🌟
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