Horror Aficionados discussion

This is the place to discuss Dracul by JD Barker. Author JD Barker has graciously offered to visit us here so please give JD Barker a warm welcome! Enjoy, everyone.

And, everyone, PLEASE disregard the broadcast email that I sent earlier. It contains old links. The correct one will go out tomorrow morning. My apologies for any confusion. I should never attempt a broadcast message on a Monday morning!

That’s awesome!! Welcome JD! I’m going to stalk as I’ve already read it. Don’t think I can squeeze in a reread 😕

one of my favorite books of last year, hope everyone else loves it too.

very cool that JD will be joining us!!!

Nice, this one has been on my (way too long) to-read list from last years horror choice awards. Very cool of JD to be here for the ride!

Wow, thanks so much for joining in, JD! Just purchased my copy and eager to get started on it.

Hoping to come across a copy and join this group read, sounds like it’s going to be a fun one!

I read Dracul last year & really enjoyed it. Saw this group mentioned in a Twitter post & wondered how I missed it. I think I’m going to like it here! Great news that JD Barker will visit.

Thanks for joining JD! I read the synopsis and I find it exciting because my 10 year old is always asking me about the origins of Dracula. I'll have some more information to share with him :)

I just finished this book and LOVED it! Can't wait to hear what others think about it :)

I read this recently. Readers, you are in for a treat! This is a five star read.

Well, this should be fun! I'll start you all off with a cool fun-fact - if you're in the US and happen to pick up the hardcover, take off the book jacket and check out the spine - Bram's sister (Matilda) drew the image we used there more than 100 years ago. She was a fascinating person.

David wrote: "Thanks for joining JD! I read the synopsis and I find it exciting because my 10 year old is always asking me about the origins of Dracula. I'll have some more information to share with him :)"

I'm so glad to hear that! One of the main reasons I signed on for this project was to help introduce DRACULA to a whole new generation. Knowing kids are checking out the classics makes me all warm and fuzzy. My publisher put out a special edition of DRACULA as a companion read to DRACUL. You may want to check it out. It's available for free on Kobo and my Patreon page, Amazon still has it at .99 but I'm hoping they'll come around.

I was almost hoping this didn't win because I have so many other books to read but I know I'm gonna run out and grab a copy of this asap lol

Krystal wrote: "I was almost hoping this didn't win because I have so many other books to read but I know I'm gonna run out and grab a copy of this asap lol"

You won't be sorry. It's a great read.

J.D. wrote: "Well, this should be fun! I'll start you all off with a cool fun-fact - if you're in the US and happen to pick up the hardcover, take off the book jacket and check out the spine - Bram's sister (Ma..."

Just checked under the book jacket of my copy....wow!

Welcome J.D.! I just ordered the hardcover version yesterday! :)

This was one of my favorite reads last year. Can't wait to discuss! I'm new to this group; I heard about it on Twitter and couldn't believe I wasn't aware of it.

Awesome! Looking very much forward to read Dracul!! I just bought a copy last week!
How great is it that the author will be dropping in as well?!

Count me in!

J.D. wrote: "I'm so glad to hear that! One of the main reasons I signed on for this project was to help introduce DRACULA to a whole new generation. Knowing kids are checking out the classics makes me all warm and fuzzy. My publisher put out a special edition of DRACULA as a companion read to DRACUL. You may want to check it out. It's available for free on Kobo and my Patreon page, Amazon still has it at .99 but I'm hoping they'll come around. ."

Thank you JD. It's exciting to get deeper into the story. I can't wait to dig in! The fact that you got to work with one of Bram's descendants is awesome!

Just bought my copy, this looks incredible.. what a find. Sorry I had a odd/meh march just caught up with the world,

Kasia wrote: "Just bought my copy, this looks incredible.. what a find. Sorry I had a odd/meh march just caught up with the world,"

You're here now! I'm just waiting for mine to arrive. :)

Cannot wait to read

Can't wait to read this!

The total page number's alarming..! but well I'd give it a shot...

J.D.
I did a reread of Dracula when I finished Dracul & it certainly changed the way I thought about Dracula!
Not sure if you are taking questions,but if yes,how did you collaborate on Dracul? Were you & Dacre each responsible for certain plot points or how did it work? Just curious about the creative process. TY & it was a terrific read.

I read this last month and absolutely loved it. Those of you who haven't read it yet are in for a real treat. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

I've just ordered it so excited to be reading this one with the group! :)

Yay, so happy this got selected. I got it on Audible and saved it just for this group

I won't be able to join you all, but after reading the synopsis just now, it's certainly one I'm interested in. I'm following the discussion.

I just bought the book and will be back within a few to join in. :)

I really really enjoyed this book and was kind of surprised. I am not a huge Dracula fan but haven’t read it in a few years. This book has actually made me want to revisit that one and see how I feel about it now.

I'm finally getting started!

Me too - going to start today!

I'm about halfway through and have no idea why, but was caught off guard by how genuinely scary this book is is. I suppose it started off fairly innocuously--some creepy/disturbing stuff, but mostly not out of the norm for historical fiction (leeches, ugh)--so my brain got too comfortable. But I am now reading this late at night and had to stop to take a breather and make sure nothing was looking at me from outside my window.

Have finally started!

I'm really curious as to how much of the story is based on actual events and how much is fiction??

Kari wrote: "I'm about halfway through and have no idea why, but was caught off guard by how genuinely scary this book is is. I suppose it started off fairly innocuously--some creepy/disturbing stuff, but mostl..."

I thought it was really scary too. So much dread and tension.

Kari wrote: "I'm about halfway through and have no idea why, but was caught off guard by how genuinely scary this book is is. I suppose it started off fairly innocuously--some creepy/disturbing stuff, but mostl..."

I thought the start was a bit slow and dull for me, but I'm just over 200 pages in now and it's definitely getting good!

I thought it started a little slow, but I'm around 30% now and having a good time.
I was wondering if Stoker's roommate that was (view spoiler)[ collecting the flies was the seed for Renfield? (hide spoiler)]

starting tonight. Better late than never!

hopefully starting mid-week!

This is one of the best audiobooks I've ever heard. It feels like the classic slow burn, so you have to get through some setup before the plot takes flight, but I'm halfway and the story is getting tense. The almost musical quality of the narration adds a vital component to the feeling of gothic dread. I've recommended this to a bunch of people already.

I agree, I am enjoying the slow burn of the audio so much. I'm already creeped out by Bram's nanny and can't wait to see where it goes from here.

Who all has finished the book? I'd love to read what other people thought about the author's note at the end.

Great read!

Kari wrote: "Who all has finished the book? I'd love to read what other people thought about the author's note at the end.

Great read!"

Read it a few months ago and found that section rather fascinating. Can't imagine how cool that must have been going over all those notes and history.

J.D. wrote: "Well, this should be fun! I'll start you all off with a cool fun-fact - if you're in the US and happen to pick up the hardcover, take off the book jacket and check out the spine - Bram's sister (Ma..."

Hello and welcome, JD! So awesome of you to join us.:) Interesting fun fact, too!

I'm about halfway through, and enjoying this a lot. I love the relationship between Bram and Matilda. Very creative story, and some vivid, creepy scenes.

Renee wrote: "J.D.
I did a reread of Dracula when I finished Dracul & it certainly changed the way I thought about Dracula!
Not sure if you are taking questions,but if yes,how did you collaborate on Dracul? Were..."

Great questions, Renee.:) I'd be interested in the creative process myself.

Ok look I just finished it and kinda wish I hadn't read the Author's Note because I'm just really confused haha.