The Vampire King has come to Victorian Boston…and has his sights on an empath. Caught in a war between the living and the dead, Maxine must choose.Boston, 1897.Death comes to the city heralded by a crimson moon and screams in the night. The Vampire King has come to claim the city, unless he can be stopped… she wishes to, but because she has no choice. Her empathic ability has rendered it impossible for her to touch anyone without killing them.
But as she is thrust into the middle of a war between the enigmatic and alluring Vampire King and three stalwart hunters, she learns she cannot kill what is already dead.
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I enjoyed this one a lot.
It was an old classic reimagined with a new spin and a fresh voice that shone brightly throughout.
I’ve always loved the gothic atmosphere that Dracula imparts and I felt that this author managed to capture the whole flavour of that era brilliantly.
The prose and language were just so lyrical and old-worldly.
I also loved how this focused on the developing feelings and relationship dynamic of Vlad and Maxine while at the same time showing the hunters intentions but not making that the focus here.
Instead, allowing this to belong to Vlad and Maxine and their burgeoning affections.
It brought something so unique to this instead of just traversing old familiar paths.
There were also familiar names woven into the narrative that I again recognised but even with that inclusion of covered ground this still felt so fresh and original.
I loved Maxine her strength and inner resilience was very apparent.
She was strong-willed and also very pragmatic and Maxine hadn’t allowed the many dark experiences in her short life to taint her soul.
Her calmness of spirit and empathetic acceptance was like a balm almost and when Vlad and Maxine’s souls danced they were like true counter opposites that both attract and repel opposing magnets even.
I adored Vlad in all his unapologetic sinister wickedness and darkness.
I found him just so fascinating and refreshing in the way he owned his darkness completely.
He was ancient and his longevity definitely played a part in who he was.
I liked that he showed himself in all his entirety to Maxine.
absolutely no illusions of what he was capable of and that she fell hard for him anyway despite his sins.
Maxine accepted him and his many transgressions as a whole which in a way made her regard more impressive.
The finale here was also great and I’m looking forward to reading the final part of this story.
Thankfully I don’t have to wait long as it is out very soon.
This one gets a thumbs up from me.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of Heart Of Dracula.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
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I really enjoyed this very different take on Dracula. It was inventive and different. I was super glad I snatched up a copy.
Once again Kat Kingsley has pulled me into a world of horror and intrigue. The characters are very well plotted out and the developement of each one pulls you further into the story line. Maybe your heart ache for the main character’s, will they reach what they desire. This is not a ordinary Dracula story. Will the villian get his heart desire or will good once again destory what it views as evil.
A Warning, this book ends on a cliff hangerz however Kat always been good about not making her readers wait months for the next book. Usually only month. Everyone should read hwr works. She got me hooked with Masks of Under. A goodnread while waiting for part 2
Fall under Count Dracula’s spell in this wickedly fabulous revision of a classic favorite
Fantasy is and always has been of my favorite genres and Count Dracula was one of my first true villain crushes.
There is something fascinating and enticing about a man who sold his soul for revenge. Who traded his humanity to seek justice on those who killed his one true love because of their misplaced zealot beliefs.
And Kingsleys Vlad?
He is the poster child for “misunderstood” villains
“Light the torches, bring your weapons, and stop me if you can. You will fail. And when you do – when you kneel – it will be at my feet. ”
Where to start
As in true Kingsley fashion, she has taken a classic and warped it – just a touch mind you – offering her readers a labyrinth of possibilities that push the boundaries on what is plausible.
An offering of dark carnal delights that tempt the most stoic of readers to take a taste from the darker side
Props to our heroine Maxine! She is level headed (thank the darkness) and takes the steps to see the whole picture before jumping to hysterics.
Why cry over spilled milk?
Maxine is touched (not like that ) She is an empath, and a strong one. Her gift also comes with a darker aspect one which prevents her from engaging in skin to skin contact.
She has accepted that this is her lot in life. Truly, what’s a gal to do?
Vlad …
What can I say…. licked him he’s mine
Seriously though he has far exceeded my previous Vlad crushes.
I could recap the blurb for you but I’m not I will tell you that this was an amazing read. I was easily sucked in and found myself resurfacing a few hours later. It was one of those reads that I could clearly see the events as they unfolded. I could hear the characters’ voices. The cheeky playboy. The stout second in command. The older soldier who looked upon you as though you were his child. The dreamer. The female warrior filled with hope. The warlord who resonated death.
And the empath who saw behind the veils.
I heard every sound
Experienced every touch
Bent to every blow
Need to collect my thoughts and chillax – book hangover in progress
Oh, and this ends on a cliffy
I read an ARC and I bought the paperback
Who never watched Dracula and cheered for the villain to be with the young lady? In this book we finally have the dreamed desire come true!
Our young lady is a very special girl, she is an empath, with a simple look she knows what a person feels and can see memories of them, what makes her more lonely is knowing that she cannot touch other people because her touch steals their soul. That’s right, her touch is deadly and lonely. After the visit of vampire hunters at her home, she receives a proposal to identify the owner of a certain amulet, which she does not expect when touching the object is to invade the mind of the King of Vampires, Count Dracula.
A romantic book, full of breathtaking dialogues, a villain who does not hide being a monster and a lonely girl who falls in love with a nightmare. A beautiful duology of vampires, monsters, balls and breathtaking moments! Dracula in this book is the perfect villain with ideas and goals that are certainly evil but who want and cry out for the young lady. The scenes of the two together, touching and kissing make you smile like a fool.
Heart of Dracula is beautifully written – with rich, indulgent prose you expect from a late nineteenth century novel, which is when the events of this book are set – and the characters feel incredibly complex and vibrant, as if they want to reach out from inside the book. I can tell this is a labour of love, not just from reading the heartwarming foreword, but also from the gradual and deliberate nurturing of the story. It is also testament to Kingsley’s evolution as a writer, with her only getting more skilful with time. The prolific but soft world-building and Maxine’s place in it was an absolute joy to experience. The characters were fascinating and heartbreaking. Overall, I found Heart of Dracula an excellent read that I shall be re-reading several times in the future.
This is a good story, but definitely needs an editor…it has far too many errors in spelling, punctuation and missing/misused words. I did like the characters, and it had some amusing, interesting dialog. You’ll need to read book 2, as this is not a complete storyline.
An interview twist on Dracula!
Initially, I thought the book’s main characters were similar to another book I’ve read. However, the author added dimensions to them that was unexpected. Then, I found myself interested and wondering what would happen next. If you enjoy books featuring Dracula, you will enjoy this one, too.