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Cursed in Crimson #1
Midnight Covenant
A slow-burning gothic historical reimagining of Dracula for fans of Jane Eyre and A Dowry of Blood. In the autumn of 1893, a young bride is delivered to a Transylvanian castle where secrets fester in the walls, and she must rely on herself if she hopes to survive.
Sold into marriage by her father’s reckless gamble, Mina Murray travels across Europe to wed a Transylvanian nobleman cloaked in mystery.
The castle towers above the mountains, a fortress of stone and silence that seems to watch her every step. Once inside, she feels trapped within a gilded cage—every door locked, every corridor alive with listening shadows.
The Count is charming, yet secretive, and Mina soon realizes the truth her new husband conceals may be far more monstrous than she dares imagine. Silenced and far from home, she must trust her instincts if she hopes to survive the castle—and the master who rules it.
Midnight Covenant is the first book of the Cursed in Crimson duology, a feminist gothic reimagining of Bram Stoker's classic.
Sold into marriage by her father’s reckless gamble, Mina Murray travels across Europe to wed a Transylvanian nobleman cloaked in mystery.
The castle towers above the mountains, a fortress of stone and silence that seems to watch her every step. Once inside, she feels trapped within a gilded cage—every door locked, every corridor alive with listening shadows.
The Count is charming, yet secretive, and Mina soon realizes the truth her new husband conceals may be far more monstrous than she dares imagine. Silenced and far from home, she must trust her instincts if she hopes to survive the castle—and the master who rules it.
Midnight Covenant is the first book of the Cursed in Crimson duology, a feminist gothic reimagining of Bram Stoker's classic.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 5, 2026
About the author
Amelie West
8 books68 followersAmelie West is an author and fiction editor from Toronto, Canada, who crafts dark, atmospheric gothic mysteries featuring strong, complex heroines. She draws inspiration from authors like Simone St. James, Deanna Raybourn, and Ava Reid. When she isn’t lost in her latest manuscript, Amelie can be found wandering old bookstores or enjoying the company of her two loyal companions—a French bulldog and a pug mix.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
January 26, 2026
This was a really fast moving well written and enjoyable Dracula retelling. It checks all the boxes with a dark gothic atmosphere and the story feels familiar and fresh at the same time. Thanks to netgalley the author and the publisher!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
﹒⌗﹒🦇﹒౨ৎ˚₊‧ Jane Eyre meets Dracula in this deliciously dark retelling.
𝕹𝖔𝖜 𝖕𝖑𝖆𝖞𝖎𝖓𝖌
The Vampire Masquerade by Peter Gundry ▶︎•၊၊||၊|။|||||။၊|။•
I ABSOLUTELY DEVOURED THIS BOOK. The eerie gothic ambience was sheer perfection.
We follow the story of Mina, promised to the Count of Transylvania (blehblehbleh/ref hehehehe) to be married as her dad gambled her hand for a drop liquor (as dads in 1893 London do?? ರ╭╮ರ) .
We navigate her life at the Dracula manor, in its twisting alleyways and halls as she meets her new husband. He is kind and sweet and gentle. He won't ever do something to hurt her, right? Right?
But when there are so many rules, like she can go anywhere without him and when he disappears so quickly and so frequently... Can she really trust anyone? Even her dear husband?
So TRUST ME I am on my KNEES for this book. Mina is a badass queen who takes no shit. The gorgeous writing omg THE gorgeous writing made me feel like i REALLY WAS inside the haunted castle of Dracula *insert wolf howls*.
This gothically dark story has me on TENTERHOOKS my heart was beating in my ears and I trusted NO ONE.
Needless to say, I will be watching out for the next book like a HAWK 🦅🦅 CUZ WTF WAS THE ENDING YOU CAN'T DO THAT TO ME NOOO???
⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺
🕸️๋࣭ ⭑𝒫𝓇𝑒 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹
I can't wait to devour this gothic and eerie story AND the description says Jane Eyre? I'm sold. No questions asked.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange of my honest review.
𝕹𝖔𝖜 𝖕𝖑𝖆𝖞𝖎𝖓𝖌
The Vampire Masquerade by Peter Gundry ▶︎•၊၊||၊|။|||||။၊|။•
I ABSOLUTELY DEVOURED THIS BOOK. The eerie gothic ambience was sheer perfection.
We follow the story of Mina, promised to the Count of Transylvania (blehblehbleh/ref hehehehe) to be married as her dad gambled her hand for a drop liquor (as dads in 1893 London do?? ರ╭╮ರ) .
We navigate her life at the Dracula manor, in its twisting alleyways and halls as she meets her new husband. He is kind and sweet and gentle. He won't ever do something to hurt her, right? Right?
But when there are so many rules, like she can go anywhere without him and when he disappears so quickly and so frequently... Can she really trust anyone? Even her dear husband?
So TRUST ME I am on my KNEES for this book. Mina is a badass queen who takes no shit. The gorgeous writing omg THE gorgeous writing made me feel like i REALLY WAS inside the haunted castle of Dracula *insert wolf howls*.
This gothically dark story has me on TENTERHOOKS my heart was beating in my ears and I trusted NO ONE.
Needless to say, I will be watching out for the next book like a HAWK 🦅🦅 CUZ WTF WAS THE ENDING YOU CAN'T DO THAT TO ME NOOO???
𝕸𝖊𝖓 𝖉𝖎𝖉 𝖓𝖔𝖙 𝖘𝖊𝖊 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖘 𝖜𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖓 𝖉𝖎𝖉.
⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺
🕸️๋࣭ ⭑𝒫𝓇𝑒 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹
I can't wait to devour this gothic and eerie story AND the description says Jane Eyre? I'm sold. No questions asked.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange of my honest review.
January 23, 2026
I was expecting a moody gothic romance with some vampire-y count vibes, and I got... about half of that promise delivered, spread out like butter that's been left out too long.
Mina spends literally forever traveling through creepy forests and foggy mountains. We're talking chapters. Plural. Of carriage rides, bad weather, and her inner monologue going "is this the part where I die or do I just get really chapped lips?" It's atmospheric, sure. I could practically smell the damp wool. But also... nothing happens. For so long. Like the book hits the brakes and just idles in "scenic dread" mode while I’m over here checking my watch like "girl are we there yet or" I swear 1-2/5 of the book was just her getting to the mountains (which is absurd because later they push it down to a couple pages and it feels like they traveled five minutes).
Then she finally arrives at the castle (shocker) and meets the mysterious Count who's brooding and absent. He's MIA for days at a time! Days! Mina's wandering these echoing halls like she's in the world's most luxurious haunted Airbnb, waiting for Mr. Tall Dark and Flaky to show up and do... something. Anything. Maybe monologue about eternal torment? Offer her a suspiciously red wine? Nope. More staring out windows. More snow. More "where tf is he" energy.
The buildup to their actual interactions is slow-burn to the point of third degree burns. When they do talk it's tension, the kind where you’re like "okay yes I see the sparks, now light the damn fire already." The chemistry is there, buried under layers of gothic interior design descriptions and Mina's endless overthinking. The count has that classic "I'm dangerous and tortured and also extremely hot" thing going on, which works. Props for not making him sparkle or whatever.
But then the ending. Oh buddy. This is a duology, right? Cool cool cool. Except it ends like someone yanked the plug mid-sentence. Nothing wraps up. Plot threads are dangling like Christmas lights in July. Major questions? Still open. Side characters? Poof, unresolved. It literally feels like the author went "haha psych! Buy book 2 or live in suspense forever losers." I respect the commitment to the cliffhanger but also... rude.
Strengths: gorgeous vibes, dread once it remembers to move. The prose has flair without being purple. Weaknesses: pacing that's slower than a hearse in traffic, and that abrupt cut-off that left me staring at the last page like "wait that's it??"
- Brooding Vampire Count (But he’s more ST Gibsons vampire than our obsessive Dracula)
- Isolated Gothic Castle
- Plucky Heroine Travels Through Perilous Wilderness
- Slow-Burn "He’s Avoiding Me But Also Staring Intensely" Romance
- Absentee Love Interest Who Disappears For Plot Reasons
- Massive Cliffhanger Ending That Screams "Duology Bait"
- Atmosphere Over Action For Like Most Of The Book
If you're in the mood for vibes > velocity and don't mind waiting for book 2 to maybe answer the phone, give it a whirl. Me? I may pick up the sequel. Eventually. After I recover from the emotional blue balls of that ending.
Mina spends literally forever traveling through creepy forests and foggy mountains. We're talking chapters. Plural. Of carriage rides, bad weather, and her inner monologue going "is this the part where I die or do I just get really chapped lips?" It's atmospheric, sure. I could practically smell the damp wool. But also... nothing happens. For so long. Like the book hits the brakes and just idles in "scenic dread" mode while I’m over here checking my watch like "girl are we there yet or" I swear 1-2/5 of the book was just her getting to the mountains (which is absurd because later they push it down to a couple pages and it feels like they traveled five minutes).
Then she finally arrives at the castle (shocker) and meets the mysterious Count who's brooding and absent. He's MIA for days at a time! Days! Mina's wandering these echoing halls like she's in the world's most luxurious haunted Airbnb, waiting for Mr. Tall Dark and Flaky to show up and do... something. Anything. Maybe monologue about eternal torment? Offer her a suspiciously red wine? Nope. More staring out windows. More snow. More "where tf is he" energy.
The buildup to their actual interactions is slow-burn to the point of third degree burns. When they do talk it's tension, the kind where you’re like "okay yes I see the sparks, now light the damn fire already." The chemistry is there, buried under layers of gothic interior design descriptions and Mina's endless overthinking. The count has that classic "I'm dangerous and tortured and also extremely hot" thing going on, which works. Props for not making him sparkle or whatever.
But then the ending. Oh buddy. This is a duology, right? Cool cool cool. Except it ends like someone yanked the plug mid-sentence. Nothing wraps up. Plot threads are dangling like Christmas lights in July. Major questions? Still open. Side characters? Poof, unresolved. It literally feels like the author went "haha psych! Buy book 2 or live in suspense forever losers." I respect the commitment to the cliffhanger but also... rude.
Strengths: gorgeous vibes, dread once it remembers to move. The prose has flair without being purple. Weaknesses: pacing that's slower than a hearse in traffic, and that abrupt cut-off that left me staring at the last page like "wait that's it??"
- Brooding Vampire Count (But he’s more ST Gibsons vampire than our obsessive Dracula)
- Isolated Gothic Castle
- Plucky Heroine Travels Through Perilous Wilderness
- Slow-Burn "He’s Avoiding Me But Also Staring Intensely" Romance
- Absentee Love Interest Who Disappears For Plot Reasons
- Massive Cliffhanger Ending That Screams "Duology Bait"
- Atmosphere Over Action For Like Most Of The Book
If you're in the mood for vibes > velocity and don't mind waiting for book 2 to maybe answer the phone, give it a whirl. Me? I may pick up the sequel. Eventually. After I recover from the emotional blue balls of that ending.
January 13, 2026
If you enjoyed Dracula, this eerie, atmospheric retelling is well worth your time. Mina’s POV was my favorite part, being trapped in the castle alongside her was genuinely unsettling, and the gothic atmosphere is beautifully done. While it’s a slow burn, the tension steadily builds, making the pacing feel intentional rather than drawn out. And let’s not forget about that cliffhanger ending. I can’t wait to see where the second book in this duology takes the story.
March 21, 2026
Dnfing, I’m just bored
Maybe it’s a me thing. Anything I read directly after The Great Divide was gonna be a dud anyways
Maybe it’s a me thing. Anything I read directly after The Great Divide was gonna be a dud anyways
February 27, 2026
For me, the best test of a good gothic story is whether I am capable of reading the middle portions of it at night with the lights off (assuming I am reading it as an ebook). I tried with this one, and I swear every sound while doing so gave me a jump scare.
The vibe is spooky and atmospheric with it slowly building up from the first moment Mina sets foot in Transylvania, even at the bottom of the mountains before getting up to the castle. Even before that, there is the question of "why does this count want a schoolteacher from another country as his wife? Why does he need to gamble for one if he is a count?" The writing is so immersive that you feel deeply unsettled along with Mina the whole time. There is gaslighting galore from the inhabitants of the castle.
If you like Dracula, you will like enjoy this even though it is a loose retelling. While there are some differences in the plot, the main similarities appear to be the main setting and the cast of characters. Most chapters follow Meena, but there are also some that follow Lucy.
With the way this book ended, I am very interested to see where this goes in the next book to end the duology.
The vibe is spooky and atmospheric with it slowly building up from the first moment Mina sets foot in Transylvania, even at the bottom of the mountains before getting up to the castle. Even before that, there is the question of "why does this count want a schoolteacher from another country as his wife? Why does he need to gamble for one if he is a count?" The writing is so immersive that you feel deeply unsettled along with Mina the whole time. There is gaslighting galore from the inhabitants of the castle.
If you like Dracula, you will like enjoy this even though it is a loose retelling. While there are some differences in the plot, the main similarities appear to be the main setting and the cast of characters. Most chapters follow Meena, but there are also some that follow Lucy.
With the way this book ended, I am very interested to see where this goes in the next book to end the duology.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5 ⭐️ 1🌶
This Dracula retelling has all of the original
characters, albeit in a different imagining.
Mina is on her way to Transylvania to marry a count to settle her family debt upon her father's death. many things are not as they would seem, she learns that sitting is wrong with her husband and the castle. The story is heavy on the Gothic overtones, little to no spice. The story pacing is good. The ending does set up for the sequel to this story. I'll be waiting to see how the author wraps it all up.
If you are a fan of the original, give this one a try.
I was given an advanced copy for an honest review.
This Dracula retelling has all of the original
characters, albeit in a different imagining.
Mina is on her way to Transylvania to marry a count to settle her family debt upon her father's death. many things are not as they would seem, she learns that sitting is wrong with her husband and the castle. The story is heavy on the Gothic overtones, little to no spice. The story pacing is good. The ending does set up for the sequel to this story. I'll be waiting to see how the author wraps it all up.
If you are a fan of the original, give this one a try.
I was given an advanced copy for an honest review.
January 8, 2026
thank you Amelie West for the ARC read in exchange for feedback on the book :)
~~~
4 stars
YA / fade to black / no spice
•gothic fantasy
•historical retelling
•horror adjacent
interesting twist on the dracula retelling spin. i have not read the original dracula and i mostly know the story through pop culture and from seeing nosferatu which is already its own retelling, so my thoughts are based purely on this book itself. i am rating it on the characters, atmosphere, pacing, and how the story unfolds instead of comparing it to the original.
~~~~~
i really loved how dark and atmospheric this book felt. it has that slow creeping vibe that just kind of settles in while you read, and i was into it from the start.
the castle honestly feels like its own character. it is cold and heavy and a little suffocating in the best way, and it made everything feel extra tense.
mina’s point of view worked for me. she feels like a real girl from that time period, not suddenly fearless or unrealistically bold. her fear and confusion actually make sense, and i liked watching her quietly figure things out instead of charging in like a hero.
the pacing is definitely slower and more deliberate, which isn’t my normal vibe but for a Dracula retelling, anything else wouldn’t have fit. it lets the tension build and gives everything that gothic, moody feel
some of the side characters could have had a little more depth, and there were moments where i wanted more emotional connection between certain characters, but none of that took away from my enjoyment. it just left me a little unsatisfied with some of the story progression // wanting more
and that ending!! it left on a total cliffhanger, setting up for the next book well
overall this felt like a really solid gothic retelling that still manages to feel fresh. dark, atmospheric, a little eerie, and fun to read
~~~
4 stars
YA / fade to black / no spice
•gothic fantasy
•historical retelling
•horror adjacent
interesting twist on the dracula retelling spin. i have not read the original dracula and i mostly know the story through pop culture and from seeing nosferatu which is already its own retelling, so my thoughts are based purely on this book itself. i am rating it on the characters, atmosphere, pacing, and how the story unfolds instead of comparing it to the original.
~~~~~
i really loved how dark and atmospheric this book felt. it has that slow creeping vibe that just kind of settles in while you read, and i was into it from the start.
the castle honestly feels like its own character. it is cold and heavy and a little suffocating in the best way, and it made everything feel extra tense.
mina’s point of view worked for me. she feels like a real girl from that time period, not suddenly fearless or unrealistically bold. her fear and confusion actually make sense, and i liked watching her quietly figure things out instead of charging in like a hero.
the pacing is definitely slower and more deliberate, which isn’t my normal vibe but for a Dracula retelling, anything else wouldn’t have fit. it lets the tension build and gives everything that gothic, moody feel
some of the side characters could have had a little more depth, and there were moments where i wanted more emotional connection between certain characters, but none of that took away from my enjoyment. it just left me a little unsatisfied with some of the story progression // wanting more
and that ending!! it left on a total cliffhanger, setting up for the next book well
overall this felt like a really solid gothic retelling that still manages to feel fresh. dark, atmospheric, a little eerie, and fun to read
May 27, 2026
Midnight Covenant by Amelie West is a gothic retelling of Bram Stoker's Dracula. In this retelling Mina is the main character and finds that she has been promised to wed the Count by her recently deceased father due to his gambling addiction. She believes that the proper thing to do is go through with this marriage and depart to the Carpathian Mountains with her cousin, Jonathan, who has business with the Count who's looking to purchase a property in England.
The mystery and constant eeriness of the book really set it apart from other retellings and the storytelling is beautifully gothic. Castle Dracula is shrouded in mystery and designed to be confusing. Mina is unsure at times if she is being led through the halls on new paths or if she's just unable to commit the layout to memory. The only safe area is her room that she's effectively trapped in unless chaperoned by the Count or his loyal staff. She's alone in a new world that sits atop a tretchorace mountain, completely detached from her loved ones... or anyone other than the sometimes charming Count. As the story goes on you're never sure how much it will line up with the familiar tale and it helps create a feeling of uneasiness (in a good way) as you never know where things will go next.
This is a must read for any fan of Dracula. It checks all of the boxes and brings in an excellent perspective to the events through Mina's eyes. Dracula is written to be an absolute hair trigger of a man, seamlessly moving from charismatic to gaslighting mastermind, which is just the best kind of Dracula unless you're looking for a real romance. It's slow in a way that lets you know it's not afraid to take its time to build the suspense properly and it completely pays off. I was absolutely hooked and will be counting the days to book 2.
The mystery and constant eeriness of the book really set it apart from other retellings and the storytelling is beautifully gothic. Castle Dracula is shrouded in mystery and designed to be confusing. Mina is unsure at times if she is being led through the halls on new paths or if she's just unable to commit the layout to memory. The only safe area is her room that she's effectively trapped in unless chaperoned by the Count or his loyal staff. She's alone in a new world that sits atop a tretchorace mountain, completely detached from her loved ones... or anyone other than the sometimes charming Count. As the story goes on you're never sure how much it will line up with the familiar tale and it helps create a feeling of uneasiness (in a good way) as you never know where things will go next.
This is a must read for any fan of Dracula. It checks all of the boxes and brings in an excellent perspective to the events through Mina's eyes. Dracula is written to be an absolute hair trigger of a man, seamlessly moving from charismatic to gaslighting mastermind, which is just the best kind of Dracula unless you're looking for a real romance. It's slow in a way that lets you know it's not afraid to take its time to build the suspense properly and it completely pays off. I was absolutely hooked and will be counting the days to book 2.
February 2, 2026
Arc Review: I was consumed from the very start, completely drawn into the dark, Gothic Victorian atmosphere.
Mina is a young woman promised to a stranger—a debt her late father incurred after losing a gambling bet. Now she must travel from London to Transylvania to meet the man she is meant to marry. But from the moment she arrives, it’s clear nothing is quite as it seems.
What I loved :
Mina has an inquisitive and empathetic nature. She refuses to accept being treated as though what she sees and feels isn’t the truth. Though others insist she is weak, that couldn’t be further from who she truly is
The setting is perfectly crafted: cold, eerie, snow-covered landscapes; dangerous creatures lurking in the shadows; and a dreary stone castle filled with winding corridors and far too many locked doors. Mina’s intuition tells her secrets are being kept—are they meant to protect her, or is there something far more sinister at play?
Then comes the “Stranger”—a delightful surprise that took the story in a direction I did not expect and elevated it even further.
I loved the pacing and how the story leaned into a darker, more sinister tone, keeping me glued to my Kindle and desperate to know what would happen next.
This is a part of a duology- book 2 comes out just in time for fall spooky season 🎃 Can’t Wait 🙌🏻
@ameliewest is definitely an auto read author for me 🖤
Thank you to the author for opportunity to read and review this e-arc
Mina is a young woman promised to a stranger—a debt her late father incurred after losing a gambling bet. Now she must travel from London to Transylvania to meet the man she is meant to marry. But from the moment she arrives, it’s clear nothing is quite as it seems.
What I loved :
Mina has an inquisitive and empathetic nature. She refuses to accept being treated as though what she sees and feels isn’t the truth. Though others insist she is weak, that couldn’t be further from who she truly is
The setting is perfectly crafted: cold, eerie, snow-covered landscapes; dangerous creatures lurking in the shadows; and a dreary stone castle filled with winding corridors and far too many locked doors. Mina’s intuition tells her secrets are being kept—are they meant to protect her, or is there something far more sinister at play?
Then comes the “Stranger”—a delightful surprise that took the story in a direction I did not expect and elevated it even further.
I loved the pacing and how the story leaned into a darker, more sinister tone, keeping me glued to my Kindle and desperate to know what would happen next.
This is a part of a duology- book 2 comes out just in time for fall spooky season 🎃 Can’t Wait 🙌🏻
@ameliewest is definitely an auto read author for me 🖤
Thank you to the author for opportunity to read and review this e-arc
Review of advance copy
✨Arc review✨
Midnight Covenant is a Dracula retelling with a gothic, Victorian vibe set in the 1890’s. If you’re in the mood for a fast paced, fade to black novel with a dash of mystery then check this one out!🖤
At her dad’s funeral, Mina finds out that she has to marry a Count to settle a family debt. 💸 She leaves her life in London and travels to Transylvania - upon arrival finds out she’ll be living in a castle. 🏰 At first her soon to be husband seems to be everything she didn’t expect - handsome, caring and kind. But after a while she starts to notice strange things happening in her new home and questions why he’s always gone.🤔Is her new husband keeping secrets from her? Why isn’t she allowed to roam the castle on her own? She soon finds out some secrets are better kept hidden.
Rating
3.75⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
No spice
Thank you to the author for this advanced reader copy! All opinions are my own.
Midnight Covenant is a Dracula retelling with a gothic, Victorian vibe set in the 1890’s. If you’re in the mood for a fast paced, fade to black novel with a dash of mystery then check this one out!🖤
At her dad’s funeral, Mina finds out that she has to marry a Count to settle a family debt. 💸 She leaves her life in London and travels to Transylvania - upon arrival finds out she’ll be living in a castle. 🏰 At first her soon to be husband seems to be everything she didn’t expect - handsome, caring and kind. But after a while she starts to notice strange things happening in her new home and questions why he’s always gone.🤔Is her new husband keeping secrets from her? Why isn’t she allowed to roam the castle on her own? She soon finds out some secrets are better kept hidden.
Rating
3.75⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
No spice
Thank you to the author for this advanced reader copy! All opinions are my own.
April 18, 2026
Thank you to the author for an audio arc for review. All opinions remain 100% genuine.
Actual rating: 3.5 / 5
I am a sucker for an atmospheric, gothic, vampire story and this Dracula retelling certainly hit those criteria. West's prose oozes this rich storytelling, centering the tale on Mina, Dracula's English bride, and her discovering the truth of their strange and unexpected wedding.
I enjoyed the female centric story and how we unravelled the vampire arc through Mina's eyes, who was a very likeable narrator who seemed quite strong willed (very refreshing).
I think this was a solid vampire story and an enjoyable Dracula retelling and I'm eager to read the wrap up to this duology. I'm intrigued to see if the author gives it a new conclusion, or explores the traditional themes in a unique way.
Pick it up, give it a go & enjoy!
Actual rating: 3.5 / 5
I am a sucker for an atmospheric, gothic, vampire story and this Dracula retelling certainly hit those criteria. West's prose oozes this rich storytelling, centering the tale on Mina, Dracula's English bride, and her discovering the truth of their strange and unexpected wedding.
I enjoyed the female centric story and how we unravelled the vampire arc through Mina's eyes, who was a very likeable narrator who seemed quite strong willed (very refreshing).
I think this was a solid vampire story and an enjoyable Dracula retelling and I'm eager to read the wrap up to this duology. I'm intrigued to see if the author gives it a new conclusion, or explores the traditional themes in a unique way.
Pick it up, give it a go & enjoy!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This really scratched an itch I had to read some horror! A Dracula reimagining too?! Perfect!
Thank you Amelie for the eARC I absolutely LOVED this 🫶🏼
Mina finds out at her fathers funeral she has been sold to a transylvanian nobleman 👀 Count Dracula...
Amelie's writing is so descriptive and the world building is incredible I felt like I was literally right in that castle alongside Mina.
The twist on the classic Dracula story (which is one of my favourites ever!) was just perfection and I loved the little nod to Jonathan Harker and Van Helsing!
If you have read and loved Dracula then I 100% recommend this! You will love it 🌹
Thank you Amelie for the eARC I absolutely LOVED this 🫶🏼
Mina finds out at her fathers funeral she has been sold to a transylvanian nobleman 👀 Count Dracula...
Amelie's writing is so descriptive and the world building is incredible I felt like I was literally right in that castle alongside Mina.
The twist on the classic Dracula story (which is one of my favourites ever!) was just perfection and I loved the little nod to Jonathan Harker and Van Helsing!
If you have read and loved Dracula then I 100% recommend this! You will love it 🌹
January 18, 2026
I really enjoyed this retelling of a classic with a feminine point of view. It gave life to Mina as a character and I liked seeing the mystery unravelling from her POV. I did struggle with the language in the classic, so this book was refreshing to enjoy a story that I love where it was literally hard to put down! Really looking forward to the next book, the cliffhanger!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you enjoy classic gothic vibes, you're not going to want to miss this one! This was one of those books that slowly pulls you in until, suddenly, you realize you're fully invested.
Amelie is an expert at beautiful, atmospheric writing. I've read enough by her now to know I will happily read anything she writes! The mood in this Dracula reimagining was dark and intimate without ever feeling too heavy. Every page drew me in more and more.
In the autumn of 1893, a young bride, Mina, is delivered to a Transylvanian castle where secrets fester in the walls, and she must rely on herself if she hopes to survive.
Mina was an easy character to connect with, she was layered and very likeable. I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll just say I'm very much looking forward to the second part of this duology to find out what becomes of her!
Overall, I would highly recommend this beautifully written book to anyone who enjoys gothic, emotionally rich stories.
Amelie is an expert at beautiful, atmospheric writing. I've read enough by her now to know I will happily read anything she writes! The mood in this Dracula reimagining was dark and intimate without ever feeling too heavy. Every page drew me in more and more.
In the autumn of 1893, a young bride, Mina, is delivered to a Transylvanian castle where secrets fester in the walls, and she must rely on herself if she hopes to survive.
Mina was an easy character to connect with, she was layered and very likeable. I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll just say I'm very much looking forward to the second part of this duology to find out what becomes of her!
Overall, I would highly recommend this beautifully written book to anyone who enjoys gothic, emotionally rich stories.
August 23, 2026
This is my first read from indie author Amelie West. Midnight Covenant is a reimagining of Dracula through a more feminist lens - a radically feminist lens for the era. The characters seem familiar, but they are more lively than the original. This is definitely the best Van Helsing ever! Overall, this book is fun - hypnotic in places and chilling in others. Full coffin burial.
January 16, 2026
Wow!! This was my first ARC book and I absolutely loved this book. The story building was done so incredibly well I felt so immersed in the story. The plot twists in the story were amazing and I found myself needing to get to the next chapter to find out what happened next! This was a quick read that kept me on the edge of my seat!
March 5, 2026
Okay, so I just want to put this out there that this is NOT a Dracula romance. To be fair, the author is pretty clear about this on her tiktok account (which I did not check before reading), but the cover, blurb, and fact 'romance' was tagged on here made me imagine a VERY different novel than what I got. I am not rating 3 stars because of that (even though I want that in a novel so badly, someone write it plz). Overall, it was a well written novel that follows the general premise and plot of the original, with the exception that Mina is taken as a Bride and it follows her POV.
What the novel does really well is build up the gothic, oppressive atmosphere with a little bit of horror. I could feel Mina's dread as she wandered the halls and heard whispers of her name. The atmosphere and vibes are done really well, and the writing is enjoyable.
The author mentions that vampires in Midnight Covenant are an allegory for abusive relationships and that's well-presented. There's nothing seductive or sexy about the Count or about their relationship. I would not in any way say there's even a hint of romance in this (at least not with Dracula, not sure where we're going with other relationships and if this will follow the main Jonathan - Mina relationship of the OG). Their relationship build-up is mostly off page and we get only hints of any positive interactions with him. I actually think this really hinders the novel - I understand the intention wasn't for this to be a romance but it also doesn't make for a super convincing read about an abusive relationship either. It's presented as he's nice to her for a few weeks (no real feelings there though), and then shows his true colors and starts gaslighting her. In contrast, Dowry of Blood provides a much more interesting and nuanced view of this sort of dynamic.
I also struggle with Mina's character, and part of this has to do with the length of the novel. It is only 300 pages and a large chunk of that is her journey to the castle and then her hall wanderings, so I don't feel like we got to know her well enough.
In general, it's a nice little spooky and atmospheric read. Personally, comparing it to the original and Dowry of Blood, there doesn't feel like there's anything interesting here to really set it apart.
What the novel does really well is build up the gothic, oppressive atmosphere with a little bit of horror. I could feel Mina's dread as she wandered the halls and heard whispers of her name. The atmosphere and vibes are done really well, and the writing is enjoyable.
The author mentions that vampires in Midnight Covenant are an allegory for abusive relationships and that's well-presented. There's nothing seductive or sexy about the Count or about their relationship. I would not in any way say there's even a hint of romance in this (at least not with Dracula, not sure where we're going with other relationships and if this will follow the main Jonathan - Mina relationship of the OG). Their relationship build-up is mostly off page and we get only hints of any positive interactions with him. I actually think this really hinders the novel - I understand the intention wasn't for this to be a romance but it also doesn't make for a super convincing read about an abusive relationship either. It's presented as he's nice to her for a few weeks (no real feelings there though), and then shows his true colors and starts gaslighting her. In contrast, Dowry of Blood provides a much more interesting and nuanced view of this sort of dynamic.
I also struggle with Mina's character, and part of this has to do with the length of the novel. It is only 300 pages and a large chunk of that is her journey to the castle and then her hall wanderings, so I don't feel like we got to know her well enough.
In general, it's a nice little spooky and atmospheric read. Personally, comparing it to the original and Dowry of Blood, there doesn't feel like there's anything interesting here to really set it apart.
May 9, 2026
Frustrating in a good way
This book reads fast and I’d say is medium paced. The lead up takes enough time to not drag but get you invested. I enjoyed the sort of mystery element it had for a lot of the book and while most are still unsolved, I am excited to continue this duology. Honestly how could one not fall for the count but it went down hill with the gaslighting. Poor Mina. Hopefully she can continue using her back bone in the second book.
This book reads fast and I’d say is medium paced. The lead up takes enough time to not drag but get you invested. I enjoyed the sort of mystery element it had for a lot of the book and while most are still unsolved, I am excited to continue this duology. Honestly how could one not fall for the count but it went down hill with the gaslighting. Poor Mina. Hopefully she can continue using her back bone in the second book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was my last read of 2025, and boy, did I go out with a bang!! West is always an author that I'll read without question, but when she announced this gothic Dracula masterpiece, I almost died with excitement.
What can only be described as a gothic revival, West has delivered a monstrous read. Focusing on Stoker's version, West's Mina is outstanding in her ordinaries. She is a woman of the time, who does her duty and tries to make do and get on by. I absolutely love this. In todays book climate, so many FMCs are fiesty, morally grey, etc. But Mina is just a woman who got caught up in a terrible situation and how she deals with it.
The lack of knowledge given to both mina and the reader really adds to the ambience. You end up feeling like there's someone behind you, and at any time whilst reading, you'd almost expect to feel a breath on your neck.
The tension West builds throughout her book is palpable, I'm honestly surprised I don't have a ripped 6 pack with how much I was tensing whilst reading. I also really enjoyed the POV switches between Mina & Lucy as you slowly see it all weave together right up till the end. And the ending?? Holy hells I was on the edge of my seat. I can't wait for book 2
What can only be described as a gothic revival, West has delivered a monstrous read. Focusing on Stoker's version, West's Mina is outstanding in her ordinaries. She is a woman of the time, who does her duty and tries to make do and get on by. I absolutely love this. In todays book climate, so many FMCs are fiesty, morally grey, etc. But Mina is just a woman who got caught up in a terrible situation and how she deals with it.
The lack of knowledge given to both mina and the reader really adds to the ambience. You end up feeling like there's someone behind you, and at any time whilst reading, you'd almost expect to feel a breath on your neck.
The tension West builds throughout her book is palpable, I'm honestly surprised I don't have a ripped 6 pack with how much I was tensing whilst reading. I also really enjoyed the POV switches between Mina & Lucy as you slowly see it all weave together right up till the end. And the ending?? Holy hells I was on the edge of my seat. I can't wait for book 2
Review of advance copy received from Author
Heart pounding, Mina opened the envelope. Another raindrop landed on the back of her hand, and she swiped it against her black dress before pulling the letter from the envelope. She grasped it between shaking fingertips, her eyes skimming the familiar script of her father's hand.
It was addressed to her, and when the meaning of the words sank in, she felt suddenly lightheaded.
Thank you to the author for the chance to ARC review this title.
Midnight Covenant by Amelie West is book one in a duology retelling of Bram Stoker's Dracula. Set up as a dark romantasy that places Mina Murray at the center of the Dracula tale, Midnight Covenant looks at what the story would be like if Mina, instead of Jonathan, had been left in Transylvania, alone with the Count among the foreboding mountains and dangerous creatures-- including her new husband.
Those of you who know me, know that I am passionate about two things in academia: the 19th century and monsters. I taught Dracula to my undergraduates when I was teaching intro to composition courses-- both the Francis Ford Coppola movie and the original novel-- and have a deep love for it myself because it is among the original western vampire novels. As such, I probably wasn't the ideal reader for this novel, if we're being honest with one another. I know the novel well. I've written about it, talked about it, studied it relentlessly... And retellings are usually more enjoyed by those with a casual appreciation for a text rather than a career-focused near-obsession with it.
Even if I were to remove the fervor of my love for Dracula by Stoker, this book felt largely derivative in a way that did not feel welcoming and interesting, but rather kind of flat and a bit boring. Even if the novel was meant to draw more from the source text of Dracula, I could see the influences of the film on the way that certain characters-- Mina and Lucy in particular-- talked. Winona Ryder's Mina said "of course" like it was the only thing she was scripted as being allowed to say. In addition to this, the book took all of Mina's badassery and made it into something less impressive. Mina Murray in Stoker's novel is ahead of her time-- a proto-feminist. She knows how to use a typewriter and is the sole reason the reader has the text of Dracula in their hands. She is the one who compiles the heroic narratives into a cohesive whole-- not her husband, not Dr. Seward, not Lord Arthur Holmwood. So for her to be poised to be this hero and to still need rescuing by men was a big let down. I was hoping for more from this version of Mina.
Beyond this issue, it was interesting to see how the narrative changed in making Mina into the direct protagonist, rather than a side story that occurs only due to her connections to Jonathan Harker. Unlike the romance in the movie, the Count in this rendition only appears charming and kind in order to gaslight Mina into believing that she can't trust her own mind. While I was hoping for a different kind of antagonist that did not rely on old stereotypes of foreigners as a threat-- a very British Gothic kind of trope-- I could have been on board with the Count remaining the villain if we had spent more time with him. As it stands, he was a very absent kind of villain. He's bad because we're told he's bad and then he does a few very sudden, cruel things in view of Mina to convince her that he's both evil and in total control.
If you love Dracula and aren't married to the idea of every FMC needing to be a badass, then I would consider picking up this book. It's a relatively short read and you may find it enjoyable.
It was addressed to her, and when the meaning of the words sank in, she felt suddenly lightheaded.
Thank you to the author for the chance to ARC review this title.
Midnight Covenant by Amelie West is book one in a duology retelling of Bram Stoker's Dracula. Set up as a dark romantasy that places Mina Murray at the center of the Dracula tale, Midnight Covenant looks at what the story would be like if Mina, instead of Jonathan, had been left in Transylvania, alone with the Count among the foreboding mountains and dangerous creatures-- including her new husband.
Those of you who know me, know that I am passionate about two things in academia: the 19th century and monsters. I taught Dracula to my undergraduates when I was teaching intro to composition courses-- both the Francis Ford Coppola movie and the original novel-- and have a deep love for it myself because it is among the original western vampire novels. As such, I probably wasn't the ideal reader for this novel, if we're being honest with one another. I know the novel well. I've written about it, talked about it, studied it relentlessly... And retellings are usually more enjoyed by those with a casual appreciation for a text rather than a career-focused near-obsession with it.
Even if I were to remove the fervor of my love for Dracula by Stoker, this book felt largely derivative in a way that did not feel welcoming and interesting, but rather kind of flat and a bit boring. Even if the novel was meant to draw more from the source text of Dracula, I could see the influences of the film on the way that certain characters-- Mina and Lucy in particular-- talked. Winona Ryder's Mina said "of course" like it was the only thing she was scripted as being allowed to say. In addition to this, the book took all of Mina's badassery and made it into something less impressive. Mina Murray in Stoker's novel is ahead of her time-- a proto-feminist. She knows how to use a typewriter and is the sole reason the reader has the text of Dracula in their hands. She is the one who compiles the heroic narratives into a cohesive whole-- not her husband, not Dr. Seward, not Lord Arthur Holmwood. So for her to be poised to be this hero and to still need rescuing by men was a big let down. I was hoping for more from this version of Mina.
Beyond this issue, it was interesting to see how the narrative changed in making Mina into the direct protagonist, rather than a side story that occurs only due to her connections to Jonathan Harker. Unlike the romance in the movie, the Count in this rendition only appears charming and kind in order to gaslight Mina into believing that she can't trust her own mind. While I was hoping for a different kind of antagonist that did not rely on old stereotypes of foreigners as a threat-- a very British Gothic kind of trope-- I could have been on board with the Count remaining the villain if we had spent more time with him. As it stands, he was a very absent kind of villain. He's bad because we're told he's bad and then he does a few very sudden, cruel things in view of Mina to convince her that he's both evil and in total control.
If you love Dracula and aren't married to the idea of every FMC needing to be a badass, then I would consider picking up this book. It's a relatively short read and you may find it enjoyable.
July 18, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
Midnight Covenant strikes a great balance between incorporating the recognisable aspects of the original Dracula novel and changing aspects to make this retelling feel fresh. The book doesn't feel like a drastic reimagining or 'correction' of the original text, as retellings sometimes can; instead, it feels like a 'what if?' that pays homage to the original while exploring what could have happened if things had played out just a little bit differently.
The strongest part of Midnight Covenant is the layers of mystery it builds up. West's narrative asks a lot of questions, and only gives some of the answers. The novel does a great job of posing questions that original readers can guess the answers to - for instance, who stalks the castle at night and whispers Mina's name outside her door - which gives this delicious sense of dramatic irony, where we know the answer and are waiting for Mina to uncover it. But West also poses other questions, ones which readers of the original can guess at, but not answer. I think this is key to maintaining our interest in the novel - things have changed, and there's something new for readers who already know the Dracula story to uncover in this retelling. The reader feels like we know some things, but others we have to puzzle out alongside Mina.
West also creates an amazingly tense atmosphere in Mina's explorations of the shadow-filled and spooky Castle Dracula. I could really picture and feel along with Mina as she crept around the shadowy halls and jumped at sounds in the darkness. The image of her wandering around in her white nightdress with candelabra held high was so deliciously Gothic, I loved it!
Really my only quibbles with the book were that there were some anachronisms and Americanisms (e.g. calling it a 'sidewalk' while narrating from the POV of a British character) that suggested the author had overlooked some historical details. Also, the author occasionally used words incorrectly or had minor continuity errors (e.g. Mina rushing to open shutters that she'd already opened on the previous page). These were not frequent mistakes, however, and very minor compared to my overall enjoyment of the book.
Midnight Covenant ends on an agonising and tense cliffhanger, and I can't wait to see where the story goes next!
Midnight Covenant strikes a great balance between incorporating the recognisable aspects of the original Dracula novel and changing aspects to make this retelling feel fresh. The book doesn't feel like a drastic reimagining or 'correction' of the original text, as retellings sometimes can; instead, it feels like a 'what if?' that pays homage to the original while exploring what could have happened if things had played out just a little bit differently.
The strongest part of Midnight Covenant is the layers of mystery it builds up. West's narrative asks a lot of questions, and only gives some of the answers. The novel does a great job of posing questions that original readers can guess the answers to - for instance, who stalks the castle at night and whispers Mina's name outside her door - which gives this delicious sense of dramatic irony, where we know the answer and are waiting for Mina to uncover it. But West also poses other questions, ones which readers of the original can guess at, but not answer. I think this is key to maintaining our interest in the novel - things have changed, and there's something new for readers who already know the Dracula story to uncover in this retelling. The reader feels like we know some things, but others we have to puzzle out alongside Mina.
West also creates an amazingly tense atmosphere in Mina's explorations of the shadow-filled and spooky Castle Dracula. I could really picture and feel along with Mina as she crept around the shadowy halls and jumped at sounds in the darkness. The image of her wandering around in her white nightdress with candelabra held high was so deliciously Gothic, I loved it!
Really my only quibbles with the book were that there were some anachronisms and Americanisms (e.g. calling it a 'sidewalk' while narrating from the POV of a British character) that suggested the author had overlooked some historical details. Also, the author occasionally used words incorrectly or had minor continuity errors (e.g. Mina rushing to open shutters that she'd already opened on the previous page). These were not frequent mistakes, however, and very minor compared to my overall enjoyment of the book.
Midnight Covenant ends on an agonising and tense cliffhanger, and I can't wait to see where the story goes next!
August 6, 2026
Disclaimer: I received a free ARC of this book. Thanks to NetGalley and Amelie West for providing me with an advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.
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⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5)
I went into Midnight Covenant expecting a fairly familiar gothic romance. A young woman is forced into an arranged marriage with a mysterious Count, they're trapped together in an isolated castle, and I thought I knew exactly where the story was heading.
I was wrong.
This Dracula retelling surprised me in the best way. While it has all the gothic elements I love, including an eerie castle, isolation, secrets and creeping dread, it became much more interested in the psychological horror and the power dynamics between Mina and Dracula than I was expecting.
Mina was such an easy character to root for. She's strong, relatable and willing to sacrifice everything for her family, but watching her confidence slowly erode under manipulation and control was both fascinating and unsettling. I also appreciated that the story is told through Mina's perspective, allowing us to experience the mystery alongside her.
The writing was another standout. It was descriptive and atmospheric without ever feeling overwhelming, and I found myself flying through the pages. Even when the story took its time setting things up, I was completely immersed in the gothic atmosphere.
The book also made me think about why stories like Beauty and the Beast continue to resonate with us. It explores the fine line between love and possession, and asks some interesting questions about control, captivity and the romanticisation of the "monster" without offering easy answers.
My only real criticisms were that some of Mina's internal thoughts became a little repetitive, and the ending felt far too abrupt. I don't mind a cliffhanger, but I would have liked a little more resolution before the story came to a close.
Overall, I had a fantastic time with this one. If you enjoy atmospheric gothic fiction, psychological horror, Dracula retellings and slow-burning stories filled with secrets and tension, I think this is well worth picking up.
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⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5)
I went into Midnight Covenant expecting a fairly familiar gothic romance. A young woman is forced into an arranged marriage with a mysterious Count, they're trapped together in an isolated castle, and I thought I knew exactly where the story was heading.
I was wrong.
This Dracula retelling surprised me in the best way. While it has all the gothic elements I love, including an eerie castle, isolation, secrets and creeping dread, it became much more interested in the psychological horror and the power dynamics between Mina and Dracula than I was expecting.
Mina was such an easy character to root for. She's strong, relatable and willing to sacrifice everything for her family, but watching her confidence slowly erode under manipulation and control was both fascinating and unsettling. I also appreciated that the story is told through Mina's perspective, allowing us to experience the mystery alongside her.
The writing was another standout. It was descriptive and atmospheric without ever feeling overwhelming, and I found myself flying through the pages. Even when the story took its time setting things up, I was completely immersed in the gothic atmosphere.
The book also made me think about why stories like Beauty and the Beast continue to resonate with us. It explores the fine line between love and possession, and asks some interesting questions about control, captivity and the romanticisation of the "monster" without offering easy answers.
My only real criticisms were that some of Mina's internal thoughts became a little repetitive, and the ending felt far too abrupt. I don't mind a cliffhanger, but I would have liked a little more resolution before the story came to a close.
Overall, I had a fantastic time with this one. If you enjoy atmospheric gothic fiction, psychological horror, Dracula retellings and slow-burning stories filled with secrets and tension, I think this is well worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 ⭐️
This is a Dracula retelling where Mina is the main character and she's married off to the Count due to a debt her father owed.
“Show me the fire within you. I want proof of its burn upon my skin. You are not like the others, Wilhemina. Prove me right. Show me what lies beneath the mask of duty.”
As she travels from London to Transylvania with Jonathan, she wars with her inner thoughts, the unknown, and her upcoming role as wife to a man she knows nothing about. The closer to the castle they get, the more strangely people behave.
The count is kind and thoughtful when he is around but he is away far more than he is around and never tells Mina where he is going. This leaves Mina alone a majority of the time. There are rules she is expected to follow which leads to feeling like she's a prisoner. There is an incident where Mina struggles with whether or not she can trust her memory. Eventually, curiosity gets the best of her and she starts seeking answers for the growing number of questions she has. Mina starts off unsure then slowly (very slowly) finds her two feet underneath her to stand up for herself in a world where women are meant to act a certain way, keep their thoughts quiet, and allow men to handle things.
The pacing is slow building... it's moody and tense... as it should be! The castle itself almost feels like a character with the sheer size, maze-like structure, and general mystery.
We all know things are not what they seem. Whether you've read Dracula or have read or watched any number of possible things regarding it, you know we're dealing with vampires. I love that I don't know how this is going to play out. I look forward to Mina in book 2. All I know is I'm absolutely having a good time. This is part 1 of 2. It just straight up ends on a huge cliffhanger.
“You are his, Wilhemina. His. You belong to him, and he is coming.”
Oh, and Van Helsing is going to be a star character in the next book and I cannot wait. The glimpses we have of him made my heart happy.
I received an eARC from the author and these thoughts are my own.
This is a Dracula retelling where Mina is the main character and she's married off to the Count due to a debt her father owed.
“Show me the fire within you. I want proof of its burn upon my skin. You are not like the others, Wilhemina. Prove me right. Show me what lies beneath the mask of duty.”
As she travels from London to Transylvania with Jonathan, she wars with her inner thoughts, the unknown, and her upcoming role as wife to a man she knows nothing about. The closer to the castle they get, the more strangely people behave.
The count is kind and thoughtful when he is around but he is away far more than he is around and never tells Mina where he is going. This leaves Mina alone a majority of the time. There are rules she is expected to follow which leads to feeling like she's a prisoner. There is an incident where Mina struggles with whether or not she can trust her memory. Eventually, curiosity gets the best of her and she starts seeking answers for the growing number of questions she has. Mina starts off unsure then slowly (very slowly) finds her two feet underneath her to stand up for herself in a world where women are meant to act a certain way, keep their thoughts quiet, and allow men to handle things.
The pacing is slow building... it's moody and tense... as it should be! The castle itself almost feels like a character with the sheer size, maze-like structure, and general mystery.
We all know things are not what they seem. Whether you've read Dracula or have read or watched any number of possible things regarding it, you know we're dealing with vampires. I love that I don't know how this is going to play out. I look forward to Mina in book 2. All I know is I'm absolutely having a good time. This is part 1 of 2. It just straight up ends on a huge cliffhanger.
“You are his, Wilhemina. His. You belong to him, and he is coming.”
Oh, and Van Helsing is going to be a star character in the next book and I cannot wait. The glimpses we have of him made my heart happy.
I received an eARC from the author and these thoughts are my own.
February 5, 2026
“Show me the fire within you. I want proof of its burn upon my skin. You are not like the others, Wilhemina. Prove me right. Show me what lies beneath the mask of duty.”
I absolutely loved this book! It has been ages since I have watched or read anything related to Dracula specifically, so this retelling felt fresh and interesting to me. The story moves quickly, and it was impossible for me to put this book down once I started reading.
This book is dark, murky, filled with things that go bump in the night (and whisper your name creepily from behind closed doors, in Mina’s case: “Wilhemina, Wilhemina.”). There is a mysterious nature to the story that had me enthralled and turning the pages without even realizing how much time had passed. The way the story moves between multiple character's experiences adds an alluring mystique, especially since much of it is unexplained while reading.
Mina is such a great character. Classically suppressed - as women in the 1800’s were - and ruled by men. She has a fighting spirit, and her progression from compliant to defiant felt both historically accurate and natural. If there's one theme in a story that I can never get enough of, it's a repressed woman taking back her power. 🔥
“She had spent much of her life shaped by the will of others, never wanting to cause distress or discomfort—but she saw where that had led her. She had nearly lost her life ... and now, she refused to leave such things in the hands of men.”
I really liked the approach to vampire lore: less supernatural, more traditional. There's some really interesting plot points revolving around Dracula and his creepy castle, and I can't wait to see where they lead.
The ending sets the scene for book 2 perfectly! I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good, eerie mystery, historical fiction, female empowerment, and (of course) vampires.
Thank you for sharing an ARC with me, Amelie! ♥️
March 15, 2026
By and large, a delicious retelling that frames Mina's meeting with Dracula to happen at the start of the book.
Dracula is one of my favourite classics, if not among my favourite books period, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. The way the author wrote it, made perfect sense for why Mina was thrust into the story so much earlier. The spooky scene setting was great, the twists on scenes I know so well from the original text - the peasant woman and the crucifix, how Dracula handles the crucifix, the 'wives' etc - were a joy to behold and this was fascinating. Although how fast does it take to travel to and from England and Transylvania? It doesn't seem long in this book....
One thing that annoyed me was the way the men treated Mina's questions. (Ok, the way men in general treated her, but in these kind of books the men are always awful to the women, it seems to be the thing, and then she'll have some moment near the end where they have to take her seriously, thus justifying the horrible abu- ok, getting off topic.) Mina's questions. Every time she asks them, the characters act as if she is being dumb/stupid/unreasonable to have these questions. Nine times out of ten, they make perfect sense when you know what little Mina does know.
I would have even taken Van Helsing just saying 'we don't know what the count did to you, so we can't tell you that' rather than the aggressive sighing/eye roll/ignoring they do.
Main rant over, this was a delight. A slower burn perhaps than many books, but it built up and Mina despite people trying to push her into a 'weak' mindset was a strong MFC. Also, my boy Quincy was in it! I love Quincy and I've yet to see an adaptation of the text which does him justice, I'm hoping he'll play a bigger part in book two.
The ending was a cliffhanger as to be expected.
I will keeping an eager eye out for book two.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
Dracula is one of my favourite classics, if not among my favourite books period, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. The way the author wrote it, made perfect sense for why Mina was thrust into the story so much earlier. The spooky scene setting was great, the twists on scenes I know so well from the original text - the peasant woman and the crucifix, how Dracula handles the crucifix, the 'wives' etc - were a joy to behold and this was fascinating. Although how fast does it take to travel to and from England and Transylvania? It doesn't seem long in this book....
One thing that annoyed me was the way the men treated Mina's questions. (Ok, the way men in general treated her, but in these kind of books the men are always awful to the women, it seems to be the thing, and then she'll have some moment near the end where they have to take her seriously, thus justifying the horrible abu- ok, getting off topic.) Mina's questions. Every time she asks them, the characters act as if she is being dumb/stupid/unreasonable to have these questions. Nine times out of ten, they make perfect sense when you know what little Mina does know.
I would have even taken Van Helsing just saying 'we don't know what the count did to you, so we can't tell you that' rather than the aggressive sighing/eye roll/ignoring they do.
Main rant over, this was a delight. A slower burn perhaps than many books, but it built up and Mina despite people trying to push her into a 'weak' mindset was a strong MFC. Also, my boy Quincy was in it! I love Quincy and I've yet to see an adaptation of the text which does him justice, I'm hoping he'll play a bigger part in book two.
The ending was a cliffhanger as to be expected.
I will keeping an eager eye out for book two.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
January 4, 2026
Spoiler Free:
I don’t want to say too much about this book in order to avoid spoilers, but it was such a good read! I have personally never read Dracula, but I am a fan of vampires and the gothic genre and I enjoyed Midnight Covenant immensely. I found it easy to read and hard to put down.
🦇🦇🦇
Mild Spoilers:
This book was beautifully written and there are so many small details that the author fits into it to make it clear that this book is not a modern setting (which is something I love). Even if the year were not listed in the chapters, you would know that this book takes place in the past simply based on the environment around the characters and their actions throughout the story. The author paints a really good picture of things!
Mina as a main character is extremely compelling and complex in my opinion. She feels a sense of duty and responsibility throughout the book and even when things get rough she does her best to stick to it. She is strong, brave, and intelligent (despite it seeming like she doesn’t believe this herself). A majority of the story is told through her inner dialogue, and I feel like it serves the story well. It also really reminds the reader of how isolated she truly is.
I can 100% see what motivates Mina as a character, and I really love how she is written.
The book is slow and suspenseful with shorter chapters that work really well for the pacing of things. I kept finding myself saying “just one more chapter before I put it down” and then finally putting the book down 5 chapters later. I WANTED to know what was happening next.
Personally, I don’t think I would change anything about Midnight Covenant. This book feels like “Act 1”, and I can’t wait for the second Act. It ends off on a massive cliffhanger that has me anticipating the next release in this duology!
I don’t want to say too much about this book in order to avoid spoilers, but it was such a good read! I have personally never read Dracula, but I am a fan of vampires and the gothic genre and I enjoyed Midnight Covenant immensely. I found it easy to read and hard to put down.
🦇🦇🦇
Mild Spoilers:
This book was beautifully written and there are so many small details that the author fits into it to make it clear that this book is not a modern setting (which is something I love). Even if the year were not listed in the chapters, you would know that this book takes place in the past simply based on the environment around the characters and their actions throughout the story. The author paints a really good picture of things!
Mina as a main character is extremely compelling and complex in my opinion. She feels a sense of duty and responsibility throughout the book and even when things get rough she does her best to stick to it. She is strong, brave, and intelligent (despite it seeming like she doesn’t believe this herself). A majority of the story is told through her inner dialogue, and I feel like it serves the story well. It also really reminds the reader of how isolated she truly is.
I can 100% see what motivates Mina as a character, and I really love how she is written.
The book is slow and suspenseful with shorter chapters that work really well for the pacing of things. I kept finding myself saying “just one more chapter before I put it down” and then finally putting the book down 5 chapters later. I WANTED to know what was happening next.
Personally, I don’t think I would change anything about Midnight Covenant. This book feels like “Act 1”, and I can’t wait for the second Act. It ends off on a massive cliffhanger that has me anticipating the next release in this duology!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Midnight Covenant is a beautifully wrought reimagining of the Dracula mythos—moody, intimate, and steeped in the kind of creeping dread that makes gothic fiction so irresistible. From the moment Mina Murray is delivered to her new husband’s Transylvanian castle, the novel wraps you in an atmosphere thick with secrets and unease.
The setting is wonderfully vivid: a looming fortress carved into the mountains, its corridors whispering with things unsaid. The sense of isolation is palpable, and the author uses it to great effect, letting the tension build slowly as Mina begins to understand just how precarious her situation is. The locked doors, the watching shadows, the Count’s polished charm—everything feels slightly off‑kilter, as though the house itself is holding its breath.
What elevates the story is Mina herself. This is a feminist gothic at heart, and her journey from silenced bride to a woman determined to survive is handled with nuance and quiet strength. Her fear is real, but so is her resolve, and watching her trust her instincts in a place designed to disorient her is deeply satisfying.
The novel’s pacing is deliberate, allowing the dread to unfurl gradually, and fans of Jane Eyre and A Dowry of Blood will appreciate the blend of romantic tension, psychological unease, and atmospheric world‑building. By the final chapters, the sense of something monstrous lurking beneath the castle’s elegance becomes impossible to ignore.
A haunting, immersive opener to the Cursed in Crimson duology—rich in mood, beautifully written, and perfect for readers who love their gothic tales slow, simmering, and full of dark promise.
My thanks to Amelie West, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
The setting is wonderfully vivid: a looming fortress carved into the mountains, its corridors whispering with things unsaid. The sense of isolation is palpable, and the author uses it to great effect, letting the tension build slowly as Mina begins to understand just how precarious her situation is. The locked doors, the watching shadows, the Count’s polished charm—everything feels slightly off‑kilter, as though the house itself is holding its breath.
What elevates the story is Mina herself. This is a feminist gothic at heart, and her journey from silenced bride to a woman determined to survive is handled with nuance and quiet strength. Her fear is real, but so is her resolve, and watching her trust her instincts in a place designed to disorient her is deeply satisfying.
The novel’s pacing is deliberate, allowing the dread to unfurl gradually, and fans of Jane Eyre and A Dowry of Blood will appreciate the blend of romantic tension, psychological unease, and atmospheric world‑building. By the final chapters, the sense of something monstrous lurking beneath the castle’s elegance becomes impossible to ignore.
A haunting, immersive opener to the Cursed in Crimson duology—rich in mood, beautifully written, and perfect for readers who love their gothic tales slow, simmering, and full of dark promise.
My thanks to Amelie West, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
February 6, 2026
This is a re-imaging of Dracula, and I enjoyed reading this story. I am very picky when it comes to vampire-based books, but this one did not disappoint. I have read the Clara Dawson series by Amelie West and loved it, so I was excited to read more of her work. I loved the writing and the buildup of the great mystery of Castle Dracula.
From the start, we find out that Mina just recently lost her father, who had problems with money. She learns that, in his troubles, her father sold her into marriage to a count in Transylvania. She must leave her aunt, her students, and her best friend, Lucy, who is like a sister to her. When she arrives in the town before getting to the castle, she encounters many people who are afraid of where she is about to go. She has heard about the rumors, but chooses not to believe them just yet.
At the castle, she finally meets the count, who happens to be handsome and very charming. Everything seems good for Mina, until one night she hears voices outside her room, even though she was told no one else resides in the castle. After that night, she runs into people she was not supposed to know about just yet. After that encounter, she gets locked up in a dungeon-type room until she gets rescued by a mysterious man. He leads her to a cabin far from the castle and reveals himself to be Van Helsing, and her tells her about what is going on and who Dracula is.
The book does end on a cliffhanger, and I cannot wait for the next and final instalment of this story. There are so many questions that still need to be answered, especially how Lucy is connected to everything. I might have a theory on that, but I don't want to explore it just in case I am wrong.
From the start, we find out that Mina just recently lost her father, who had problems with money. She learns that, in his troubles, her father sold her into marriage to a count in Transylvania. She must leave her aunt, her students, and her best friend, Lucy, who is like a sister to her. When she arrives in the town before getting to the castle, she encounters many people who are afraid of where she is about to go. She has heard about the rumors, but chooses not to believe them just yet.
At the castle, she finally meets the count, who happens to be handsome and very charming. Everything seems good for Mina, until one night she hears voices outside her room, even though she was told no one else resides in the castle. After that night, she runs into people she was not supposed to know about just yet. After that encounter, she gets locked up in a dungeon-type room until she gets rescued by a mysterious man. He leads her to a cabin far from the castle and reveals himself to be Van Helsing, and her tells her about what is going on and who Dracula is.
The book does end on a cliffhanger, and I cannot wait for the next and final instalment of this story. There are so many questions that still need to be answered, especially how Lucy is connected to everything. I might have a theory on that, but I don't want to explore it just in case I am wrong.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A suspenseful Dracula retelling, this story examines what makes a woman ignore her instincts in favor of fulfilling family duties and doing what men tell her she must do.
Mina's father loses a gamble and trades her off as a bride to a nobleman from Transylvania in order to settle his debt. She's escorted by her cousin, Jonathan. I loved the conversation during the journey. Jonathan is trying to comfort Mina that arranged marriages aren't that unusual and tend to be more beneficial for the woman.
That shuts up his sugarcoating the situation. Mina is leaving her work as a school teacher, her best friend, and her aunt, but she's remarkably levelheaded and resigned to the marriage.
Dracula turns out to be handsome and charming, although maddeningly secretive and often absent. Amelie West is a master of writing suspense and creeping gothic dread. The castle scenes were my favorite as Mina increasingly sneaks around to discover what's really going on.
There are a few POV shifts to Mina's best friend, Lucy, who is alarmingly sleepwalking and becoming dangerously anemic since Mina's departure. The two POVs converge in the end, raising many more questions and making me wish I could read the second book in this duology immediately!
Thank you to the author for the gifted ARC!
Mina's father loses a gamble and trades her off as a bride to a nobleman from Transylvania in order to settle his debt. She's escorted by her cousin, Jonathan. I loved the conversation during the journey. Jonathan is trying to comfort Mina that arranged marriages aren't that unusual and tend to be more beneficial for the woman.
"Would you ever do it?" she asked abruptly.
He blinked. "Marry an unknown bride? Perhaps. It would—"
"No," she said. "Abandon the career you've spent years pursuing. Leave England—and all those you hold dear—for a place you've never seen, to wed a bride you have never spoken to."
That shuts up his sugarcoating the situation. Mina is leaving her work as a school teacher, her best friend, and her aunt, but she's remarkably levelheaded and resigned to the marriage.
Dracula turns out to be handsome and charming, although maddeningly secretive and often absent. Amelie West is a master of writing suspense and creeping gothic dread. The castle scenes were my favorite as Mina increasingly sneaks around to discover what's really going on.
There are a few POV shifts to Mina's best friend, Lucy, who is alarmingly sleepwalking and becoming dangerously anemic since Mina's departure. The two POVs converge in the end, raising many more questions and making me wish I could read the second book in this duology immediately!
Thank you to the author for the gifted ARC!
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