Nastassja's Reviews > Hunting Prince Dracula

Monsters were in the eye of the beholder. And no one wanted to discover their hero was the true villain of the story.

Wadsworth and Cresswell are back and this time they are hunting Dracula himself! Before starting this review I should probably mention that Stalking Jack the Ripper was one of my favorite books last year. I had an absolutely illogical crush on Thomas Cresswell, which was pretty obvious from my review (note: fangirling rumblings without stop is a better way to describe that review), and I cannot express with words how excited I was to read Hunting Prince Dracula. Of course, I preordered the book as soon as possible and the waiting began. Months of anticipation and teasers from the author and finally the book was in my hands! But than something unexplainable happened: I absolutely loved the gothic atmosphere of book two, I loved the mystery, which I didn't guess as soon as i did in book 1, but my dear Cresswell didn't make my heart jump out of my chest and didn't turn my breathing erratic as it was before. What happened, I asked myself? Was it due to the stress I am having at the moment in real life that everything feels less bright to me? But no, the answer was buried much deeper than the influence of the outside factors. Simply, Cresswell stopped to intrigue me as a character, because he lost the spark he had in book 1. What I mean is we have the same problem as many YA books before: a hero turns into obedient, character-less puppy in the presence of a strong independent feminist heroine. Sigh. I get that Audrey Rose is all modern and amazing, but why Cresswell's character must suffer because of it? What about strong male characters that could be equals to strong female characters? Everyone remember Rhett Butler. Huh? I don't remember him turning into a goo in the presence of a very strong Scarlett. Moreover, it seems that Cresswell lost his genius mind along with his temper. It literally explained to us because of his love for the heroine he couldn't deduct simplest of things. Well, if things has turn this way than I demand this couple to break up! If Cresswell was with me he wouldn't've lost a ounce of his geniality, that's it! Sorry for my rumble, but I was extremely disappointed with Cresswell in this book. I still hope book 3 will bring me back my snarky dashing hero with his geniality intact.

Apart from some out-of-character behavior I enjoyed the story a lot. I mean: Europe, Dracula's castle, secret passages, monstrous creatures and everything dashed with mystery and romance - a perfect mix to take one's mind from everyday problems. I felt myself fully engaged by the storytelling and couldn't wait to find out who the main culprit was. And in the case of Hunting Prince Dracula I didn't guess the murderer as soon as I did in book 1, and it added to the level of enjoyment I received from this story.

I am extremely curious as how the story will evolve in book 3, what will be the main theme; what legend or real life murder case the author will choose for the story. Plus, you know, the story takes place in America and it's interesting to see our beloved characters in new surroundings testing their minds and relationship.

The writing was as perfect as in book one: the words were coming alive and flying from the pages in a cadence of perfect symmetry, and images were born before my eyes with a perfect clarity and a dash of morbid anticipation tickling my nerves in the best way possible (I love to test my nerves like that). I noticed more than once that I was reading some lines aloud, enjoying the way words were built into sentences and pictures in my head. Kerri Maniscalco once again proved to be a queen of storytelling. Bravo!

If you haven't read the book yet, I don't want to give extra details about the plot. Better dive into the story without knowing much about the storyline and enjoy every revelation waiting for you on book's pages. As for me, I am mostly satisfied with everything, but still waiting for some improvement for my dearest Cresswell. So hopefully my fangirling over his awesomeness will be back in book 3. And for those who haven't started this series yet: just give it a chance and maybe you will find the world of Thomas Cresswell and Audrey Rose Wadsworth to your liking, and, who knows, maybe even to you adoration *wink*.

"If you were guilty and wanted to hide, where might you go first?"
"Depends on what I'm guilty of. Dirty thoughts or wanton follies, I'd send myself straight to your quarters to be punished."