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Dragula
When Jonathan Harker visits Trans-ylvania to help Count Dragula purchase a London house, he makes some horrifying discoveries in his client's castle (including the wearing of espadrilles without irony) and the local area, where people insist on behaving bizarrely, festooning him with garlic and blethering on about a 'fierce queen', although perhaps something is getting lost in translation. They shout out to him: 'good luck, and don't get slurped up!'. It's about to get even weirder at the castle where there is a battle of wills going on between the mysterious Count and what he terms, the 'blood-sucking b*tches!' in the village, led by the infamous van High-Heelsing. But who will prevail on the runway? As each kween sashays towards the jugular, the reader is taken on a journey to the ultimate lip sync for your life finale.
112 pages, Hardcover
Published September 27, 2018
9 people are currently reading
248 people want to read
About the author
Ma'am Stoker
1 book2 followersMa'am Stoker is a passionate padding aficionado with a penchant for gothic horror realness. Dragula is her masterpiece, and will surely go down in herstory as one of the greatest vampire stories of all time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
October 17, 2021
Incredibly entertaining, sharp and funny. A must-read for Drag Race fans!
September 24, 2018
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Serving up some vampish realness - comic and rather silly!
Okay, so first thing's first; THAT FRONT COVER. That's what pulled me in, and I maintain it's one of the most fun front covers I've seen in a long time. Love it.
It also very much sets the tone for the frivolity that lies within. Count Dragula is (you guessed it) no basic b*tch; instead she's Transylvania's ex-VAMPageant winner. Until her dastardly ex-friend Van High Heelsing stole the title from her, that is.
Spying a photo of Mina's cousin Lukie (those cheekbones!) Dragula decides to head to Whitby to get another convert for his come-back. Will Lukie steal the show and crush Van High Heelsing into the ground? You'll have to read and see!
Firstly, be aware that this book is really a novella, not a book. However, it's such a lighthearted, gorgeously superficial tome that you wouldn't want it to be any longer. Also, if you don't like drag queens, then stay well away. This is all about drag culture, winched slightly inelegantly into the Dracula plot. I personally adore drag, so I enjoyed this aspect a lot.
Yes, it is silly (come on, what do you expect?). Yes, there are a few moments when it just became out-and-out ridiculous. But it's a whole lot of fun and the wolves howling 'ooooh gurl' made me laugh out loud.
A good laugh, and a nice easy read if you're looking for something non-serious to chuckle over. Yes, folks - the lord of darkness has been made light! Now, if you don't like that, I'm afraid you're going to have to sashay away...
Serving up some vampish realness - comic and rather silly!
Okay, so first thing's first; THAT FRONT COVER. That's what pulled me in, and I maintain it's one of the most fun front covers I've seen in a long time. Love it.
It also very much sets the tone for the frivolity that lies within. Count Dragula is (you guessed it) no basic b*tch; instead she's Transylvania's ex-VAMPageant winner. Until her dastardly ex-friend Van High Heelsing stole the title from her, that is.
Spying a photo of Mina's cousin Lukie (those cheekbones!) Dragula decides to head to Whitby to get another convert for his come-back. Will Lukie steal the show and crush Van High Heelsing into the ground? You'll have to read and see!
Firstly, be aware that this book is really a novella, not a book. However, it's such a lighthearted, gorgeously superficial tome that you wouldn't want it to be any longer. Also, if you don't like drag queens, then stay well away. This is all about drag culture, winched slightly inelegantly into the Dracula plot. I personally adore drag, so I enjoyed this aspect a lot.
Yes, it is silly (come on, what do you expect?). Yes, there are a few moments when it just became out-and-out ridiculous. But it's a whole lot of fun and the wolves howling 'ooooh gurl' made me laugh out loud.
A good laugh, and a nice easy read if you're looking for something non-serious to chuckle over. Yes, folks - the lord of darkness has been made light! Now, if you don't like that, I'm afraid you're going to have to sashay away...
November 1, 2018
Imagine, if you will, Jonathan Van Ness doing Dracula. So to speak.
It's very that.
Party.
It's very that.
Party.
December 5, 2021
Brilliant concept, poorly executed.
November 18, 2024
miss count dragula ATE 💋
September 10, 2018
This book had so much promise but sadly fell quite short for me in its execution. Don't get me wrong, there were moments of sheer brilliance to be found within but sadly, the whole flow of the book was so disjointed it was all I could do to get to the end.
In this book we meet Dragula who a while back lost her best queen crown to Van High-Heelsling when the latter cheated. Things haven't gone well for Dragula since then and her Transylvanian castle has been falling into disrepair. Enter one Jonathan Harker to survey said castle. And then things starts to get a bit weird and disjointed. Now, I'm a big fan of bonkers and I think you could safely say that this book is as bonkers as they come, but there's also got to be some structure and point to the bonkersness and this book for me just started to degenerate into some rather unfunny farce as it meandered to a bit of a damp squib of a conclusion.
Oh but wait, there were some really funny bits, double entendres an the like, as well as some very clever puns and other word play. But there were also some so called attempts of comedy that just really didn't work for me at all. And then there were the bits that just looked like they were afterthoughts and added to give something but which didn't quite fit.
Characterisation was interesting. I have read some bonkers books where the author has just about managed to say on the right side of their characters becoming caricatures but here, sadly that line has been well and truly crossed. Yes, I know, drag queens, larger than life, etc etc, and I am willing to concede that point, but the rest of them could have been given a bit more in the way of fleshing out.
It's a shame really as the actual concept and story went well. It just needs a good edit and a strong hand of guidance to whip what's left of the book into a bit better shape. Although that said, I can see it being performed as an alternative panto down the village hall come Christmas!
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
In this book we meet Dragula who a while back lost her best queen crown to Van High-Heelsling when the latter cheated. Things haven't gone well for Dragula since then and her Transylvanian castle has been falling into disrepair. Enter one Jonathan Harker to survey said castle. And then things starts to get a bit weird and disjointed. Now, I'm a big fan of bonkers and I think you could safely say that this book is as bonkers as they come, but there's also got to be some structure and point to the bonkersness and this book for me just started to degenerate into some rather unfunny farce as it meandered to a bit of a damp squib of a conclusion.
Oh but wait, there were some really funny bits, double entendres an the like, as well as some very clever puns and other word play. But there were also some so called attempts of comedy that just really didn't work for me at all. And then there were the bits that just looked like they were afterthoughts and added to give something but which didn't quite fit.
Characterisation was interesting. I have read some bonkers books where the author has just about managed to say on the right side of their characters becoming caricatures but here, sadly that line has been well and truly crossed. Yes, I know, drag queens, larger than life, etc etc, and I am willing to concede that point, but the rest of them could have been given a bit more in the way of fleshing out.
It's a shame really as the actual concept and story went well. It just needs a good edit and a strong hand of guidance to whip what's left of the book into a bit better shape. Although that said, I can see it being performed as an alternative panto down the village hall come Christmas!
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
September 22, 2018
2 stars
*Thank you to the author and NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Basically, I just read an extremely extra acting challenge episode of RuPauls Drag Race. It was an odd, witty and quick read - but it was just too much for my liking.
There is so much pop culture and drag race slang condensed in to the pages that it gave off the impression that the author was trying way too hard to make it comical and recognizable. The wolves don't even howl. They scream "YAS QUEEN" in unison. It was so overused and overwhelming that I couldn't enjoy it. For others, though, that might be right up their alley.
*Thank you to the author and NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Basically, I just read an extremely extra acting challenge episode of RuPauls Drag Race. It was an odd, witty and quick read - but it was just too much for my liking.
There is so much pop culture and drag race slang condensed in to the pages that it gave off the impression that the author was trying way too hard to make it comical and recognizable. The wolves don't even howl. They scream "YAS QUEEN" in unison. It was so overused and overwhelming that I couldn't enjoy it. For others, though, that might be right up their alley.
October 30, 2021
I love watching RuPaul’s Drag Race, so when I saw Dragula on the shelves I had to buy. But honestly, it’s a wet lettuce. The story follows two rival queens competing in the VAMPageant with a narrative that puts a drag pun in every sentence. A lot of it fell flat and the writing was so poor in places that it felt cringey and derogatory. An ok attempt that only gets 2 stars because it’s drag.
November 9, 2018
3.5*
One of the most ridiculous and comical things I've ever read. Fans of Rupaul - like me - will love this.
One of the most ridiculous and comical things I've ever read. Fans of Rupaul - like me - will love this.
December 10, 2022
Very entertaining indeed, gurrrrl.
June 14, 2024
Hilariously unserious and camp. I loved the goofiness of it all. The part of me that adores B-horror films was delighted. I’m so glad I bought this ridiculous book
October 31, 2024
A ridiculously silly and fun drag take on Dracula. Exactly what it's advertised to be and I loved it.
February 15, 2024
3.5 stars - very entertaining retelling of a classic in celebration of drag culture.
May 6, 2024
A great easy read! Definitely a good read for any fans of Drag Race, little references that made me smile!
May 26, 2020
Dragula is as simple a concept as it sounds. It takes the story of Dracula and gives it a drag queen twist. This is a story full of people saying "yaaaas kween" and lip-syncing to everything. When basic-bitch Jonathan Harker makes his way to Castle Dragula, he thinks he's just there to talk about possible renovations. Little does he know that he's about to be dragged into a dispute between two famous drag queens. Count Dragula was once the most beloved queen in Transylvania but is now a recluse living with her 3 drag daughters. Van High Heelsing was once Dragula's friend but has now taken her crown. When the local VAMPageant comes to town, Dragula has to make sure that she makes the comeback to beat all comebacks. But just what do Jonathan's fiance and her cousin have to do with it all?
The problem that I've always found with these parody style retellings is that, after a few pages, the jokes start to wear very thin. I know it's kind of the point but the story is very one-note. It does get grating that it never goes beyond a very basic level of humour. To be honest, it feels as though this simplifies drag culture. I admit that my own knowledge of the drag community isn't extensive but I know that there is more to it than this book suggests. It feels as though this was a book written by a straight white woman whose only experience of drag is watching Drag Race.
Which gives the book an overall cringy feeling. I felt bad reading it. I know that it's meant to be a silly and irreverent so criticising it is meaningless. And, to be honest, I wouldn't mind so much if the book was funny. The problem is, I didn't find myself laughing. I couldn't stop cringing but the laughter never came. There is a sense of desperation to get as many references in there and it all comes down to references. It's The Big Bang Theory of books where the humour comes from someone thinking "I've also heard of that thing". There's no inwit here and the story just can't sustain itself for too long.
There are some very weird and interesting choices within the story. It is set in the same period as the original novel but the narrator continually breaks the fourth wall by mentioning modern pop culture. It's a conceit that never quite works and, frankly, gets quite irritating. I feel that this would have been a stronger story had it at least kept up the period of the original. Although, overall, this book promised more than it could actually deliver. It was all just a bit too much and trying too hard to be funny. I had such high hopes for this and it just ended up being disappointing.
The problem that I've always found with these parody style retellings is that, after a few pages, the jokes start to wear very thin. I know it's kind of the point but the story is very one-note. It does get grating that it never goes beyond a very basic level of humour. To be honest, it feels as though this simplifies drag culture. I admit that my own knowledge of the drag community isn't extensive but I know that there is more to it than this book suggests. It feels as though this was a book written by a straight white woman whose only experience of drag is watching Drag Race.
Which gives the book an overall cringy feeling. I felt bad reading it. I know that it's meant to be a silly and irreverent so criticising it is meaningless. And, to be honest, I wouldn't mind so much if the book was funny. The problem is, I didn't find myself laughing. I couldn't stop cringing but the laughter never came. There is a sense of desperation to get as many references in there and it all comes down to references. It's The Big Bang Theory of books where the humour comes from someone thinking "I've also heard of that thing". There's no inwit here and the story just can't sustain itself for too long.
There are some very weird and interesting choices within the story. It is set in the same period as the original novel but the narrator continually breaks the fourth wall by mentioning modern pop culture. It's a conceit that never quite works and, frankly, gets quite irritating. I feel that this would have been a stronger story had it at least kept up the period of the original. Although, overall, this book promised more than it could actually deliver. It was all just a bit too much and trying too hard to be funny. I had such high hopes for this and it just ended up being disappointing.
January 25, 2019
This was... eh. a 2.5
I only finished it because it was so short, if I'm being honest. Of course it's a crazy parody and it's not meant to be serious or deep, but I still felt like most of the jokes fell flat, and it's about drag only if you sum up drag to Rupaul's drag race and nothing else.
it also didn't make any sense, because one second the English are ruled by Queen Victoria, the next Jonathan is looking for cell phone signal, and I guess it would have been better if it went fully one way or the other, 19th century drag queens or a fully modern retelling of Dracula.
Maybe I just wasn't the intended audience.
I only finished it because it was so short, if I'm being honest. Of course it's a crazy parody and it's not meant to be serious or deep, but I still felt like most of the jokes fell flat, and it's about drag only if you sum up drag to Rupaul's drag race and nothing else.
it also didn't make any sense, because one second the English are ruled by Queen Victoria, the next Jonathan is looking for cell phone signal, and I guess it would have been better if it went fully one way or the other, 19th century drag queens or a fully modern retelling of Dracula.
Maybe I just wasn't the intended audience.
January 9, 2023
It was a nice idea but very poorly executed. The writing was confusing half of the time and the plot was very bland. It’s set up in the 1800s yet somehow the protagonist was taking selfies with his phone to post on instagram, a lot of pop culture references are added which took me out of the story. Overall it was all over the place, I liked the concept, I just wish it would’ve been written better.
August 28, 2023
Ma'am Stoker (2018) DRAGULA
London. Trapeze
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 out of 5 stars
The sleeve reads, "In a land where the wolves howl 'yassss kween' and Bloody Marys are the only cocktail on offer, Jonathan Harker (a most basic b*tch) makes a series of horrifying discoveries at the House of Dragula. A battle between old queens draws fresh blood as the VAMPageant grudge match looms closer. Will Dragula defeat the infamous Van High Heelsing? Will a new protege werk the cape? Will the old bat ever learn to contour? It's all to play for as these classic characters step out of the shadows and into the shade for a tale of unflinching death drops and the ultimate lip sync for your (after) life."
=====
Genius. I did try to read Bram Stoker's Dracula but I found it very difficult - way too highbrow for me - so I'm positive that I'll have missed many of the references made of the original by and in the spoof. Still, I really did love it.
=====
#MaamStoker #Dragula #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads
London. Trapeze
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 out of 5 stars
The sleeve reads, "In a land where the wolves howl 'yassss kween' and Bloody Marys are the only cocktail on offer, Jonathan Harker (a most basic b*tch) makes a series of horrifying discoveries at the House of Dragula. A battle between old queens draws fresh blood as the VAMPageant grudge match looms closer. Will Dragula defeat the infamous Van High Heelsing? Will a new protege werk the cape? Will the old bat ever learn to contour? It's all to play for as these classic characters step out of the shadows and into the shade for a tale of unflinching death drops and the ultimate lip sync for your (after) life."
=====
Genius. I did try to read Bram Stoker's Dracula but I found it very difficult - way too highbrow for me - so I'm positive that I'll have missed many of the references made of the original by and in the spoof. Still, I really did love it.
=====
#MaamStoker #Dragula #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads
June 27, 2023
Wooow, this was bad. A wide umbrella of awfulness, from the Dutch character who speaks German all the time to the nonsensical Drag Race references to the rhyme-or-die poetry that will make your eyes pop out. Don't believe me?
Dearest Reader, are you still with me?
Because now we're heading to the town of Whitby,
Where we'll meet Mina and her fair cousin,
Upon whose cheekbones Dragula is crushing.
Lukie's unaware of the transformation that awaits,
Involving curling tongs, padding and swaying gaits,
There's much to learn when it comes to nipping and tucking,
Plus he'll need those eyebrows plucking.
Thankfully Dragula is a dab hand with the tweezers,
Long-practised upon Transylvania's rural geezers.
I can't think of any more rhymes now,
So let's crack on.
January 19, 2020
Hilariously full of innuendo and cheek. This book is cross between Dracula and RuPaul's Drag Race. Dragula and her nemesis Baberham Van High Heelsing are about to have a show down. The play on names and pop culture references are fun. It's a very short book of 105 pages and very fast entertaining read.
Some funny parts that don't ruin the story:
I couldn't help but read Van High Heelsing's voice in the same voice of Edna Mode's from The Incredibles after the line "NO CAPES!" She was Edna Mode after that and there was no going back.
Also, the new lyrics to popular Elton John song had me humming that song for the rest of the day.
Some funny parts that don't ruin the story:
I couldn't help but read Van High Heelsing's voice in the same voice of Edna Mode's from The Incredibles after the line "NO CAPES!" She was Edna Mode after that and there was no going back.
Also, the new lyrics to popular Elton John song had me humming that song for the rest of the day.
October 1, 2018
What a delightfully waspish take on the Dracula story this is. Told by a very biting (pun intended) narrator, Dragula is an ageing drag queen who is lured back to the runway to take on her arch nemesis, Van High Heelsing. Yes, it's inordinately silly and yes, not all of the jokes land, but it is very good fun and I read the whole book with a smile on my face and a snap in my fingers. All in all, this is great for anyone who likes a bit of glamour...and lampooning of a horror icon, of course!
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
February 18, 2024
I very much enjoyed this tale. It was camp, silly and funny, whilst sticking (very loosely) to its name sake book. If you’re into drag, this is a great quick read, which will leave you with a smile on your face. I now need stories from Hairy Shelly and Nosferatutu please. I think this would be brilliant if made into a film!
Read
June 11, 2019Hammer maison d’horreur: Nosferatutu, Van High Heelsing, Hairy Shelley and the Sisters Grimm “who insisted on speaking in perfect unison and weren’t very good at making eye contact with anyone apart from each other.” (Impossible to grade)
July 9, 2020
Drag Queen parody of Dracula in which Van High Heelsing humiliated Dragula on the runway and now she's making a comeback.
We have a bit of Romeo & Juliet in there with the rhyming couplet prologues to give added drama.
This is rather daft but if you like things like Drag Race worth a look.
We have a bit of Romeo & Juliet in there with the rhyming couplet prologues to give added drama.
This is rather daft but if you like things like Drag Race worth a look.
August 24, 2020
A nice and fresh take on a classic. I loved how self aware it was and how quick of a read it was. I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a light, funny read. Also, because I really like puns, read to see if Count Dragula slays the competition ;)
June 28, 2025
A very short read and rather cheesy, but I thought it was a really fun twist on the Dracula story. Definitely not something anyone should go into with a serious manner. I would definitely recommend it for anyone looking for something quick and to put a smile on your face.
December 24, 2018
So funny, made me laugh. Perfect gift for drag race fans and certainly one of the most spot-on gifts I’ve ever got.
December 12, 2019
Not bad. Amusing read if you enjoy drag race. Mina is a total fag hag
December 16, 2019
The right amount of camp. Very fab!
January 13, 2020
*3.5*
All T no shade; Ma'am Stoker unites a classic tale with a drag queen spin. This is a great little read for all who respect the drag art form.
All T no shade; Ma'am Stoker unites a classic tale with a drag queen spin. This is a great little read for all who respect the drag art form.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews