Even though Bram Stoker’s Dracula now rests peacefully in the public domain, the fact that his estate would approve an official sequel should tell you something right away about the caliber of the story. Despite having Bram’s great-grandnephew, Dacre, as co-writer, there are so many ways this great idea could have gone wrong—given the extent to which the Dracula story has been used and abused. Nevertheless, Dracula: The Un-Dead is an outstanding work of pure imagination… and that has nothing to do with how you feel about the original.

Set in the year 1912 (”twenty-five years later”), Un-Dead focuses primarily on Mina Harker and her son Quincey (an aspiring actor), along with Lord Godalming (formerly Arthur Holmwood), Van Helsing, Bram Stoker himself, and a great Shakespearean actor named Basarab. When both Jack Seward and Jonathan Harker are savagely and suspiciously murdered, Scotland Yard calls on Inspector Cotford—the man who investigated Jack the Ripper. Meanwhile, having learned about his mother’s old affair with a vampire, Quincey Harker decides he wants nothing to do with his family and begins learn from the mysterious Basarab. (And that’s all I can tell you without getting into spoilers.)

Though the story is billed as the “official sequel,” the overview on the official website bills it as “deeply researched … and lovingly crafted as both an extension and celebration of one of the most classic popular novels in literature.” This is, perhaps, more to the point; given that the original Dracula book and its author play a significant role in this new story, an “extension” is far more appropriate. Co-writers Stoker and Dracula-scholar Ian Holt have obviously done an immense amount of research for this and, thus, the result is something much different from the original—which is, in my opinion, a good thing.

The story moves incredibly fast, though it’s easy to understand; generally the story is just intense, both thematically and in terms of pace, rather than complicated in details. The authors aren’t afraid to build your love and devotion to certain characters, only to then brutally snatch them away later on. Even though the plot is based in actual history, it’s never all that predictable and the very end is well worth the wait. My understanding is that Stoker and Holt wrote this, instead of a screenplay, as their first step toward a motion picture. That much is clear just by reading the book—the way they can create a visual image of the story in your head is almost terrifying sometimes.

Lastly, it should be noted that this is not a children’s story: very mature, modern themes are incorporated into this book, such as rape, drug-use, homosexuality, sadism, and what you might call “anti-family values.” Though it’s not necessarily a sad story, it will make you reconsider everything that you have come to know about the famous vampire.

As for my own satisfaction with this read… I would go so far as to say I enjoy it more than the original, though that may be largely due to it being a more contemporary style of literature. I love the nonfictional references, the way it retells the original story, and the new developments made to old characters. Though there are a million ways the film adaptation could truly fail, I am very optimistic as this is a novel fully prepared to become a motion picture. So, congratulations to Stoker and Holt on a job well done! Dracula: The Un-Dead is, by far, the best book I’ve read all year and has turned me back on to the horror genre in written form.

BY Carol Memmott, USA TODAY

Count Dracula, the grand-daddy of all vampires, is back, vengeance coursing through his veins, in a frighteningly good novel written by Bram Stoker’s great-grandnephew.

The timing couldn’t be better. Fans can’t stop gushing over vampires. Stephenie Meyer, Charlaine Harris and a host of other writers are making their fortunes slaking fans’ bloodlust for stories of the undead.

But writing sequels to classics whose authors are no longer among the living can send shivers of dread through fans and critics.

In the case of Dracula The Un-Dead, which continues the chilling tale begun in Stoker’s Dracula, written more than a century ago, the shivers are because this is a wonderfully scary sequel.

Dacre Stoker and Ian Holt, a Dracula documentarian, wrote this sequel based on the premise that Bram always intended to write one. Why? Dracula’s “death” at the end of the original novel has been subject to debate.

The Un-Dead continues the story, 25 years later, of the team of fearless vampire hunters who still believe they rid the world of Dracula. Among them: Mina and Jonathan Harker, Dr. John Seward and Dr. Abraham Van Helsing.

Now, it seems, someone is stalking these players and trying to kill them. It could be Dracula, but there’s someone new on the scene: the beautiful and undead Countess Bathory, whose thirsts for cruelty and sexual encounters are unquenchable.

The hunters unite once again to battle evil, but things are more complicated. The Harkers’ son Quincey, ignorant of his parents’ past, is proving a hindrance, and a dogged London detective is convinced that the city’s recent vampire-committed killings are actually the work of Jack the Ripper.

This daring sequel captures the essence and gothic glory of the original.

Newcomers to Stoker’s Dracula as well as diehard fans will be stoked by this sequel, which happily plants the seed for a follow-up.

Today was a VERY AMAZING DAY! Dacre and I did a book signing at Virgin Atlantic Megastore and saw an at least 4 story billboard of the book there — it had our names on it in lights on Le Champs Elise!!!! WOW! Our sincere thanks to all our fans and supporters — this is your triumph too, since DRACULA THE UN-DEAD was written for all of you! Stay tuned to this “bat channel”– tons pics to come!!!

Library Journal Reviews
September 1, 2009

Dracula the Un-Dead

BYLINE: Patricia Altner

SECTION: REVIEWS; Fiction; Pg. 109

LENGTH: 223 words

Stoker, Dacre & Ian Holt. Dracula the Un-Dead. Dutton. Oct. 2009. c.416p. ISBN 978-0-525-95129-2 . $26.95. F
This sequel to Bram Stroker’s Dracula (1897) takes place in 1912, 25 years after the events of the first novel. The survivors of the encounter with Dracula are still haunted by the horror. Mina and Jonathan Harker’s marriage is strained. Their adult son Quincy knows nothing of Dracula, and his parents hope-in vain, as it turns out-to keep him ignorant of past events. Jack Seward barely sustains his sanity with heroin. Arthur Holmwood hides in his manor, while an aged Dr. Van Helsing impatiently awaits the vampire’s return. A demonic force begins insinuating itself into their lives. Death stalks them and those close to them. Meanwhile, Bram Stoker remains a bitter author who has had little success with his fictional version of Dracula. How he knew anything about the events of years ago is one of many mysteries explored here. VERDICT The authors (Stoker is a descendant of Bram, and Holt is a noted Dracula historian) skillfully explore the nature of evil while weaving together several complex plotlines throughout this mesmerizing story. Readers who enjoy dark fantasy with fast-paced action will plow through this book, not wanting to stop. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 6/1/09.]-Patricia Altner, BiblioInfo.com, Columbia, MD

Twenty-five years has passed since the horrific events of 1897 ended with Dracula turning into dust; none involved have moved on as each remains haunted by the encounter with the Count. Mina and Jonathon married, but neither obtained closure when the vampire was killed; stressed and estrnaged, they conceal from their son Quincey what happened. Seward survives with heroin while Holmwood became a hermit. Their mentor Van Helsing obsessively lives for the return of Dracula as the vampire’s death was his life’s goal so he has nothing else. Scotland Yard believes Van Helsing was involved in the unsolved Ripper murders.

In 1912, Stoker is frustrated as he struggles to convert his horror thriller Dracula to the London stage. However, although the author knows the full truth, he and the others except perhaps the ever vigilant Van Helsing are unprepared for a gruesome serial killer horrifying London. Scotland yard once again believes a fanatic Van Helsing is deeply connected to the killings, but too old to perform them. Those involved with what happened back then find themsleves and their loved ones under siege as if Van Helsing’s belief the Count will return from the dust has occurred. The survivors of the previous encounter regroup to battle evil again although they are unsure who stalks them.

This is a super vampire thriller that brings forward the stars of Dracula into the Edwardian Era with a where are they now tale. The clever story line is fast-paced while introducing the audience to the survivors of the previous horrific encounter to include Bram Stoker. Dacre Stoker and Ian Holt explore the essence of evil and good through a cast of humans who have used psychological defense mechanisms to barely survive and a vampire who may or may not be Dracula, but has the same attitude re the food chain as well as a thirst for the blood of vengeance. Filled with terrific twists fans of Dracula and those who appreciate a strong historical urban fantasy will relish the THE UN-DEAD.

Harriet Klausner

I’m looking for a few Vampires. Singles, covens, families, houses for a new reality show. I give my word if you contact me and you are interested in this, it will NOT be in anyway to make fun of you or to make you look bad. The show I have been asked to be part of wants me to insure that this will be an honest documentary type of show that will treat the lifestyle with the utmost respect and respect the veil and all cultural rituals. If interested please leave a comment here with your e-mail address and I will contact you with further info.

Thank you.

Dracula: The Un-Dead
Dacre Stoker and Ian Holt.Dutton, $26.95
(416p) ISBN 978-0- 525-95129-2
In this sequel to Bram Stoker’s Dracu-
la, his great-grandnephew offers one of
the rowdiest revisionist treatments of the
most influential vampire novel ever
written. In 1912, as Stoker labors to
adapt Dracula for the stage, its “charac-
ters” are dying gruesomely all over Lon-
don. It turns out they are as real as Stok-
er himself, who learned their secret story
on the sly and took creative liberties
when turning it into his popular penny
dreadful. Dracula’s true story involves
the passing of his blood line through
Mina Harker to her son; a malignant Dr.
Van Helsing, who Scotland Yard sus-
pects had a hand in the murders attrib-
uted to Jack the Ripper; and the exploits
of a 16th-century vampire countess,
Dracula’s former lover, who cuts a bloody
swath through London seeking the sur-
vivors of Dracula’s last stand in Transyl-
vania. Energetically paced and packed
with outrageously entertaining action,
this supernatural thriller is a well-need-
ed shot of fresh blood for the Dracula
mythos. (Oct.)