Dracula vs. Hitler Hardcover – October 25, 2016

.........Don't be put off by the farcical concept and title of this latest Dracula incarnation. This is a gripping and surprisingly addictive Supernatural tale from cover to cover in my opinion. I thoroughly enjoyed it. There are many things to like and appreciate about this novel if you are fond of imaginative or unique vampire tales. Let me first address a few minor quibbles before I relate the more impressive aspects of this inventive story. ***minor spoilers ahead****..........I do not agree with the assessment of The New York Journal of Books which claims Dracula vs. Hitler is a 'true' sequel to Bram Stokers original 1897 novel, Dracula. Why? Simply put, Dracula vs. Hitler is written with a subtle though palpable 21st century sensibility. In this supernatural-themed tome, Dracula himself is often depicted as a hypersexualized, brooding, and reluctant vampire in the finest 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' tradition. I didn't mind the author's injection of these modern sensibilities into the story, but I do believe it detracts from its authenticity. While I can sometimes appreciate strong/heroic female characters in books and movies, I personally found Lucille VanHelsing in this tale to be a tad amoral and agressive for my personal taste. She is the antithesis of Stoker's Victorian 'damsel in distress' and pursues Dracula romantically(and relentlessly) throughout this story. Lucille's amorous solicitation of Prince Vlad was to the chagrin of her father(Dr VanHelsing) and her infatuated, jealous admirer Jonathan Harker. I suppose the most difficult thing for me to accept in this novel was how quickly Prince Dracula had gone from the worlds foremost,formidable apex predator to Lucille Van Helsing's prey! Although the story Patrick Sheane Duncan weaves is a compelling and potent one, my honest opinion and final quibble is that Dracula vs Hitler is twice as long as it should be. Dracula goes on one mission too many against his Teutonic adversaries after sunset before we finally get to the climactic section of the story..........I commend this book for several reasons that distinguish it from its Dracula-themed competition in the marketplace. It was a pleasant surprise to read an entertaining book so well researched that my skepticism and doubts were suspended its entire duration. I was hooked from the very beginning of the novel and spellbound an entire weekend--just long enough to read it from cover to cover. Vampire stories and novels may be a dime a dozen these days, but what gave this story credibility was Patrick Sheane Duncan's utilization of Bram Stoker's original Victorian narrative style. Set in Romania at the dawn of the Second World War, the main action of this story unfolds chronologically through a series of diary, journal entries, and German military communiques. This is the same technique utilized in Bram Stoker's original 'Dracula' in 1897--minus the German military communiques of course . All three narrative elements added much to the potency of PSDs storytelling in my opinion. The many tales of our partisan heros--aided by none other than Dracula---are expertly described and astonishingly detailed in their planning and execution. It was easy to imagine myself witnessing all the pulse-pounding gunfights, swordplay, and action in the first person. The author Patrick Sheane Duncan is himself a war veteran with an impressive resume, and these incredibly detailed and convincing action sequences are undoubtedly his own creation. My favorite part of this story was in the beginning of this tale when Professor VanHelsing went to retrieve the body of Dracula in November of 1896 not long after their famous confrontation. VanHelsing's fear and trepidation were palpable---particularly when the body was not where it was supposed to be- but what impressed me the most from the beginning of this book was the sense of historical authenticity. The excitement from the first chapter spilled over into later events in the story and captured my imagination. I earnestly believe that PSD has created in Dracula vs Hitler a near-perfect mashup of: historical fiction, gothic horror, romance, and humor. There is plenty of suspense, intrigue, and a general lack of predictability that further distinguishes this story from the rest in an otherwise worn-out vampire genre. While this story may have been 'light' in the horror and terror departments for me, it compensated by being one of the most imaginative and memorable vampire tales I've read in many years. It was certainly worth the time and money invested, and I cannot recommend it highly enough for any fans of Supernatural fiction.

Good read, nice weaving of the original story in with this new one. Characters were very well done, even the Prince of Darkness was quite human. Pace of the story was good, the history with it was interesting. Just overall a very enjoyable read.

I don't read books as often as I would like. Perhaps one every six months. My attention too often wavers. But it wasn't so with this book.I randomly went into a bookstore with my friend as we were walking Pearl Street in Boulder, Colorado. We were on vacationing, both high, and picking up books like a kid picking up delicacies at a candy store.Then I saw this book, it's ludicrous title screaming out to me. I immediately looked up some reviews, bought it, and started reading that night.Despite the silly (but perfect!) title, this was a very serious book, not pulpy at all. And it delivers on it's title with aplomb.And the characters? Lucy was a total badass, and Dracula was depicted in a way I would have never imagined, to his character's and this book's benefit.Oh, how glad I am that I walked into that bookstore.

The whole time I was reading this book I was wondering whether or not I should recommend it, or just review it. I finished it last night. It has it's good points and it's bad points. When I read that the author is a screenplay writer, I realized why he did something that I didn't like. It's got a "comic relief" element in an otherwise intensely serious story. I didn't care for the comic relief. Overall, liked the book. It wasn't a waste of time. I've often wanted to see Dracula take on Hitler.The story begins at the end of the events described in the book DRACULA, where Van Helsing returns to the scene of the big confrontation at the wagon where they believe they've killed Dracula. He wants to find the body and make sure that he's really dead. He and some hired muscle find the body, transport it to a remote Dracula family crypt, chain the coffin closed and seals the crypt.Fast forward to Spring 1941. Romania is being invaded by the Nazis. Van Helsing, still alive, but very old, has been living in Romania for 50 years, has an adult daughter, and both belong to the underground resistance movement. The Nazis are killing innocent civilians to demonstrate their power and control, and the resistance movement is not strong enough to be effective. In an act of desperation, he goes to Dracula's crypt and pulls the stake out of his heart and tells him that his homeland is being invaded and needs his help.Van Helsing's daughter is Lucille. An English Lieutenant is the grandson of Jonathan Harker, and an English Sergeant who is an explosives expert is given the codename of Renfeld. Lt. Harker is a competent officer in the field, but acts like a lovesick teenager around Lucy Van Helsing. Sgt Renfield receives a brain injury and is prone to inappropriate songs at random occasions. Those are the comic relief elements that I found annoying.Bram Stoker has written the book DRACULA that we all know, so the real Dracula keeps encountering people who think they know him based on the book. The real Vlad does not turn into a bat or wolf, or mist himself through cracks in walls. A stake through the heart suspends life, but doesn't kill. Silver has serious effects. There are a few of Vlad's scenes that made me really miss the good writing of Fred Saberhagen. There are some annoying plot holes.Lots of violence, gore and brutality. Not for the faint of heart.