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Gothic Horror Mash-up #1
Dracula Ascending
This is a tale of two great monsters of literature co-existing in the same story. How would the story have gone if Frankenstein’s monster and Count Dracula were one and the same? Find out in this exciting new retelling of Mary Shelly and Bram Stoker’s two masterful gothic novels.
Victor Frankenstein, a young college student, has left home for the first time, his mind full of adventure, aspirations, and hopeful wonder. A lover of science, he is eager to start making discoveries worthy of the history books. His newfound knowledge of Galvanism gives him just the spark of inspiration he needs for a project that he deems remarkable and that will change the course of human history and our understanding of death. In an attempt to feel close to his mother—who is a descendant of Vlad The Impaler—and to escape persecution in England, Victor travels to Romania to complete his work.
His discovery is remarkable alright, but not the sort that he is willing and enthusiastic to share with others. When his creation begins wreaking havoc on his loved ones, and drinking the blood of innocent bystanders, Victor realizes that he has unwittingly unleashed an undead monster upon the unsuspecting world. It is up to Victor, along with his new friends, Johnathan Harker and Jack Seward, to destroy him before he can create a race of beings like unto himself.
Victor Frankenstein, a young college student, has left home for the first time, his mind full of adventure, aspirations, and hopeful wonder. A lover of science, he is eager to start making discoveries worthy of the history books. His newfound knowledge of Galvanism gives him just the spark of inspiration he needs for a project that he deems remarkable and that will change the course of human history and our understanding of death. In an attempt to feel close to his mother—who is a descendant of Vlad The Impaler—and to escape persecution in England, Victor travels to Romania to complete his work.
His discovery is remarkable alright, but not the sort that he is willing and enthusiastic to share with others. When his creation begins wreaking havoc on his loved ones, and drinking the blood of innocent bystanders, Victor realizes that he has unwittingly unleashed an undead monster upon the unsuspecting world. It is up to Victor, along with his new friends, Johnathan Harker and Jack Seward, to destroy him before he can create a race of beings like unto himself.
395 pages, Paperback
Published April 10, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 6, 2022
4.0 Stars
What if Dracula was Frankenstein's Monster? This is the idea explored in this creative Gothic Horror Mash-up.
I typically don't enjoy Gothic fiction or retellings, but I'm happy to report that this one worked really well for me. I think it worked because the narrative felt a bit modern, while still keeping the feel of the time period. The prose was really nice without being flowery or dense.
Given a premise like this, the story could have easily felt cheesy. Yet I was pleased to find that the author maintained a serious Gothic tone throughout the course of the novel. I really enjoyed all the "cameos" of the familiar characters. Likewise, it was fun to see how the story reinterpreted otherbaspects of the classics. Readers familiar with the originals will likely get the most out of the story, but I was still able to completely enjoy it without having read Frankenstein (I have read Dracula).
Overall, I really enjoyed this one and would certainly recommend this one to readers looking for a fresh take on these classic stories.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author for review.
What if Dracula was Frankenstein's Monster? This is the idea explored in this creative Gothic Horror Mash-up.
I typically don't enjoy Gothic fiction or retellings, but I'm happy to report that this one worked really well for me. I think it worked because the narrative felt a bit modern, while still keeping the feel of the time period. The prose was really nice without being flowery or dense.
Given a premise like this, the story could have easily felt cheesy. Yet I was pleased to find that the author maintained a serious Gothic tone throughout the course of the novel. I really enjoyed all the "cameos" of the familiar characters. Likewise, it was fun to see how the story reinterpreted otherbaspects of the classics. Readers familiar with the originals will likely get the most out of the story, but I was still able to completely enjoy it without having read Frankenstein (I have read Dracula).
Overall, I really enjoyed this one and would certainly recommend this one to readers looking for a fresh take on these classic stories.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author for review.
April 17, 2025
An incredibly well-written, fun and immersive mashup of Frankenstein and Dracula. If you are a lover of one or both of these two classics, prepare to have a good time!
The beginning of the book immediately hooked me and the story is both unique and yet dutiful to the classics it bears the likeness to. Highly recommend!
The beginning of the book immediately hooked me and the story is both unique and yet dutiful to the classics it bears the likeness to. Highly recommend!
September 11, 2022
This was definitely a lot of fun for the about the first half or more of the book. I've read both Dracula and Frankenstein a couple times so it was a lot of fun to see how the author melded the two together. I think having read the classics makes this more enjoyable but it also made the later parts a bit predictable, some parts almost made me feel like I was just reding Dracula but with more modern writing. This wasn't bad exactly, it just added a bit of predictability and therefore boredom for me. I still had a lot of fun and I hope this author keeps this idea going with other classics. I have read her other gothic mash up, The Fall of the House of Crain, and had plenty of fun with that one as well.
September 27, 2022
As a fan of both Frankenstein and Dracula, I was super excited to read this book, but I was also apprehensive, since I wasn’t sure how the author was going to combine the two stories.
Thankfully, the author blended these stories seamlessly! Her rationale made perfect sense and worked beautifully.
This book follows both original works very closely and if you’ve read either, you will see how perfectly this story flows.
It is a bit long winded, and reminiscent of that classically overwritten style, which I didn’t love, but overall, this was very enjoyable and an easy read.
Thankfully, the author blended these stories seamlessly! Her rationale made perfect sense and worked beautifully.
This book follows both original works very closely and if you’ve read either, you will see how perfectly this story flows.
It is a bit long winded, and reminiscent of that classically overwritten style, which I didn’t love, but overall, this was very enjoyable and an easy read.
May 21, 2023
As someone who absolutely loves classic horror novels such as Dracula and Frankenstein (especially Frankenstein as it’s one of my favorite books) I can honestly say that I was extremely excited to read this one.
Cindy mashed these two classic tales together so seamlessly, the outcome is pure creative brilliance. Taking aspects from Frankenstein and Dracula, along with a completely unique twist, this story had me so entranced I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend!
Cindy mashed these two classic tales together so seamlessly, the outcome is pure creative brilliance. Taking aspects from Frankenstein and Dracula, along with a completely unique twist, this story had me so entranced I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend!
April 3, 2020
This was a really great book. This is a well written story that definitely grabs your interest. I loved how the author brought two stories together into one. I’m definitely looking forward to more by this author!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 28, 2022
Cindy Winget is amazing
I am a huge horror fan, with Frankenstein being one of my all time favorite books. I love the way she brought together 2 of the most outstanding stories into one very enjoyable read. I am so glad I found this book and I look forward to reading all of her books.
I am a huge horror fan, with Frankenstein being one of my all time favorite books. I love the way she brought together 2 of the most outstanding stories into one very enjoyable read. I am so glad I found this book and I look forward to reading all of her books.
September 18, 2023
I found this story to have a great premise, very creative use of scenes from both the books it draws from and to have writting in much the same theme as both books. Unfortunatly for me it didnt work. I wished for a little more atmosphere, a little more conection with the characters and just a little more.
But I did respect the scenes from the original books woven in. I thought they were done in such a clever way and with such clever new perspectives.
But I did respect the scenes from the original books woven in. I thought they were done in such a clever way and with such clever new perspectives.
March 11, 2026
This was such a fun idea, I went in with high hopes! Sadly I had to DNF pretty early on. There's so many errors ('ringing' his hands) and incongruities, with modern Americanisms ('wait up!') thrown into Victorian England that I just found myself frustrated.
If this had another pass from an editor with historic knowledge, it could be great. For now, I just couldn't, sorry.
If this had another pass from an editor with historic knowledge, it could be great. For now, I just couldn't, sorry.
May 8, 2020
I was very excited to see this monster mashup and even more thrilled to read it. I thought the mix of Frankenstein’s monster and Dracula as one and the same well handled. It was very interesting to see how the challenges were taken on and I greatly enjoyed the historical tidbits.
January 16, 2024
Great Read
I have never read a horror book. I think this was a very light one. I really enjoyed it. It makes me want to read the two original books that it was taken from. It is worth the read.
I have never read a horror book. I think this was a very light one. I really enjoyed it. It makes me want to read the two original books that it was taken from. It is worth the read.
October 23, 2024
I really enjoyed this book 2 of my favorite books, Frankenstein & Dracula, combined into 1 great book.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews