In Dracula, Lucy Westerna is more of a prop than a character. Much like the first girl in a horror movie who dies because she's had sex or was otherwise naughty, Lucy is the foil against which Mina's purity is compared, and of course since she's the "bad" one she dies. In Lucy Undying, we get Lucy's story of what happened as well as the aftermath in her undead life.

I stayed up until midnight to finish Lucy Undying. That's one of the highest compliments I can give a novel. The story progresses through three different points of view: Lucy's secret diary from 1890 detailing the original tale of her death from her perspective, Lucy now telling a therapist what happened to her after dying, and Iris, the scion of an MLM empire on the run from the inheritance she doesn't want. I thought all three were intriguing and, while the pacing was a bit slow in some areas, I felt like the story was engaging and consistently moving forward.

White's writing is as vivid and evocative as the incredible cover art for this book. She's brutal when necessary, languid and sexy without being lurid, and she does a great end-of-chapter cliffhanger. I laughed at a few of the witticisms and enjoyed that even the side characters had some sort of background or motivation: no one was sidelined the way Lucy was in the original story. Lucy Undying is told from a decidedly protective-feminist slant, which resolved some of the massive issues I've always had reading Dracula. I also appreciated the character development and growth Lucy experienced, interestingly long after she was killed.

I saw the big twist coming, but I wasn't upset about that at all and the last 25% of the book (after the big twist, which I would've expected closer to the end) was full of interesting surprises. I enjoyed Lucy Undying and highly recommend it, but not for the folk who hate fanfiction or can't get past the "that's not cannon in the original" mindset. It was a fun and interesting read with plenty of twists, a bit of sapphic romance, and smidge of gothic-style horror.

This book was good. I liked that it reminded me of Castlenova. I adore gothic fantasy novels so this one was right up my alley.

I won't be reading this. I've tried multiple times and haven't gotten into it. Thank you though for the opportunity. If I read it in the future I will come back and change this review.

DNF at about 33%. I LOVE Kiersten White, and thought Lucy's stories were fascinating, but Ivy was suuuuuper annoying and there was instalove and I just couldn't finish it. The pit falls of a dual POV - loved one, hated the other.

I normally really like Kiersten White, but I couldn't finish this one. While instalove isn't a trope I like, I can usually tolerate it. The instalove combined with the instafriend just really did not make this seem believable at all, I realize it sounds odd to say a vampire book isn't believable, but I am prepared to believe in the supernatural as long as the human behavior makes sense. That was not the case here.

I'm going to give it 4 stars because the storyline was intriguing and I think people with less of an aversion to the aforementioned trope will enjoy it. It was a DNF for me, which was disappointing because I was prepared to love it based on the beautiful cover alone.

This is a perfect book for people who enjoy taking classis stories and reimagining or extending the plot of the story. Lucy Undying imagines if Lucy was more of a main character and queer. The reflection backwards are some of the best plot points in the story, especially as it expands out potential brides through out the year. The modern day story, while interesting, doesn't mesh as well as I would have desired. It might have worked better as a seperate storyline, or a secondary book, rather than trying to mesh it all together in one. However, I did enjoy the romance element of it.

Thank NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey, for the chance to read this book in exchange of an honest review.

Lucy Westenra was one of Dracula’s first victims, but resurrecting as a vampire and escaping Dracula's thrall changes everything for her. Now a brilliant, brave and seductive new vampire, Lucy embarks into a journey to find her true love, freedom and herself. When in the twenty-first London she meets Iris, everything changes. Iris' family built an health empire, based on a terrible secret. Lucy and Iris are slowly drawn to each other, but nothing is easy for them. Iris' mother won't let her go and Lucy is still threatened by Dracula. Will Lucy be able to be free once and for all?

Brilliant, original and so empowering, Lucy Undying: a Dracula Novel is a wonderful story and I loved every single moment of it. Lucy is a brilliant main character, willing to do what it takes to be free, to discover herself, to find love and queer love! I was really impressed by the writing, Kiersten White didn't disappoint at all, and by the storytelling.
I also love Lucy's growth into becoming more and more strong and confident as young woman and vampire and to be able to fight for what she desires.
Loved it.

"Lucy Undying: A Dracula Novel" by Kiersten White is a new and exciting version of the famous Dracula story. This book gives us a different look at one of the most well-known characters in literature. The author, Kiersten White, makes the story both exciting and interesting, bringing new ideas to the spooky horror genre. She explores themes like making choices, understanding who you are, and the complicated nature of love.

The story focuses on Lucy Westenra, a character who usually doesn't get much attention in other versions of the Dracula story. In "Lucy Undying," Lucy becomes the main character, and we get to hear her story, which is both fascinating and empowering. After facing a life-changing event, Lucy goes through a transformation that changes her life and challenges the rules and expectations of women in the Victorian era.

White's writing is rich and creates a spooky atmosphere, capturing the feel of the original Dracula story while adding modern ideas. The story moves at a good pace, mixing scary and tense moments with thoughtful parts that help readers connect with Lucy. As Lucy deals with her new life, her fight for independence becomes a key theme, making her journey relatable to today's readers.

The book also looks at the relationships between Lucy and other characters, including the mysterious Count Dracula. White explores their complex relationship, adding elements of attraction, control, and the search for power. This detailed portrayal makes both Lucy and Dracula more interesting, encouraging readers to think about what is good and evil in their interactions.

Some readers might find the beginning of the book a bit slow, but it's worth it as the story builds up to an exciting ending. White's ability to mix horror with themes of self-discovery and empowerment makes "Lucy Undying" stand out in the horror genre.

"Lucy Undying" is a great read that reimagines a classic story with a strong female lead. Kiersten White has created a book that is both fun and thought-provoking, making it a must-read for fans of spooky stories and those looking for a new take on the Dracula legend. This book is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys rich storytelling, complex characters, and exploring timeless themes in a modern way.

I loved this queer retelling of Stoker’s Dracula from the perspective of Lucy, Mina Murray’s governess. I’ve read White’s books before and this one is my favorite. The storytelling is epic and the twists in the narrative kept me on my toes. I also loved the switched points-of-view throughout the narrative. I was recommending this to my friends before I even finished it!

I’ve loved so many books by this author, but I think this one is one. I’m going to set down for now. I might try to pick this up again in the future.

Thank you to DelRey and Netgalley for the arc.

Unfortunately this was a no for me. The storyline was flat, the characters were boring, and having three timelines in three too many.

<i>First, a thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an eARC of this book.</i>

Normally I am a huge Kiersten White stan. I absolutely adored [book:And I Darken|27190613] and that entire trilogy, and I also really enjoyed [book:Hide|58890948]. So when I heard there was a new book, it was sapphic, and we had vampires… I was sold.

What I actually got though was a mess of a story, told from several POVs, with characters I just absolutely could not connect with. And the plot! I was completely checked out by about 49% of the way through when Iris is explaining what her mother did to her. Seriously. Did that part make any sense or have any sort of sense of being real? No.

I think the bare-bones idea of this book had merit. I don’t think the execution lived up to the expectation at all.

I’ll still read the next Kiersten White book, but.. woof. I regret this one.

This book dragged on so slowly, it was like nothing important actually happened. If you write a book with little plot, you have to have STRONG characters and that just wasn’t the case. Lucy and Mina were sad, pathetic and boring. I could not get through this book fast enough. I had to DNF eventually because it was far too painful.

As a fan of Dracula retellings and gothic horror, I was eager to dive into Lucy Undying. Kiersten White’s take on Lucy Westenra is atmospheric, bold, and undeniably unique. The novel weaves through multiple timelines—Lucy’s past, her present as a vampire, and a modern-day perspective through Iris—creating an intricate narrative structure that mostly works but at times feels disjointed.

I loved the gothic ambiance and the fresh, feminist perspective on Lucy’s story. The critique of beauty standards, power, and MLM culture was an interesting and unexpected twist, adding depth beyond the usual vampire lore. However, the pacing was uneven. The first half felt slow, bogged down by exposition, while the latter half ramped up too quickly, leaving little room for emotional payoff.

Lucy herself was a fascinating character, but the fragmented storytelling made it hard to fully connect with her. Some POV shifts, especially the therapy transcripts, felt out of sync with the rest of the novel. The romance also lacked emotional weight—it developed too quickly to feel believable.

While I appreciated the themes and White’s sharp writing, Lucy Undying didn’t quite deliver the gothic, romantic horror I expected. If you go in anticipating more of a social commentary than a dark, sweeping vampire tale, you might enjoy it more than I did.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a dark, atmospheric, and captivating twist on a classic tale. The writing was immersive, the gothic vibes were perfectly executed, and the protagonist’s journey was both haunting and compelling. A beautifully crafted story with intrigue, emotion, and just the right amount of tension!

The story follows 3 different timelines: Iris in the present-day, Lucy as a vampire, and Lucy pre-vampirism. I enjoyed each in their own way, found all of them interesting. But most importantly, I thought all three were vital to the story, no fluff or extra. The timeline jumps don't take you out of the story and they all add to the plot and introduce important side characters to the story. I did find reading Lucy as a naive teenager and a clueless vampire a bit frustrating at times, but that's a me problem and kind of the point of the story. I think it's fun, engaging and an easy to recommend read.

Lucy Westerna getting the recognition she deserves in this fun, gothic retelling.

I liked the multiple timelines and the character work but the plot fell a little flat

Lucy Undying by Kiersten White is a gripping, emotional, and haunting story that completely captivated me from the very first page. As someone who loves unique takes on supernatural elements, this book was an absolute gem. White’s writing is both beautiful and eerie, and it perfectly matches the darker, more emotional undertones of the story.

The plot centers around Lucy, a young woman who finds herself in a complex and heartbreaking situation involving death, love, and the supernatural. What really stood out to me about this book was how it blended fantasy with raw, human emotions. Lucy’s journey is filled with heartbreak, self-discovery, and a lot of difficult choices, and I found myself completely invested in her character.

White’s ability to balance dark themes with moments of tenderness was impressive. The emotional depth of the characters, especially Lucy, made the story feel incredibly real, even as it explored the supernatural. I loved how the book delves into themes of identity, grief, and what it means to truly live, even when faced with circumstances that would seem impossible to overcome.

The world-building was another highlight. White created a unique, atmospheric setting that kept me on the edge of my seat, unsure of where the story would go next. The twists and turns in the plot kept me guessing, and there were moments that completely took me by surprise.

Overall, Lucy Undying is a beautifully crafted, darkly emotional story that I highly recommend for anyone who loves supernatural stories with real heart. It’s a book that stays with you long after you’ve finished it, and I’m sure it will be one I’ll keep thinking about for a long time.

DNF @ p.134/454

This pained me to DNF. Sapphic vampires are everything to me. And yet… this book is way too long and jumps between POVs way too often to feel 100% cohesive for me. I think if it were 200 pages shorter and only focused on Lucy’s story, I might be more inclined to finish it. Unfortunately, I couldn't bring myself to care about the characters nor their trajectories through the muddling plot.

I am usually all in for retellings, especially classics such as Dracula so I was extremely excited to dive into this one (and I loved the cover!) since I had heard great things about the author's previous works even though this was a first from her for me, personally.

Told in a epistolary fashion with chapters ranging from snippets of Lucy's journal and case notes from her meetings with her therapist, alongside chapters highlighting Dracula and Iris, an MLM heiress who is looking to escape her family's controlling empire. I loved the layout of the book and the storyline, however I think that the story would have worked better as NOT a retelling - the originality of a vampire run MLM and an heiress trying to escape their clutches whilst falling in love and connecting with someone whose journal was left behind in her family's old estate hundreds of years prior was what I enjoyed the most while reading this book. The chapters on Dracula were out of place and the whole Lucy/Mina storyline just seemed unbelievable.

My other two issues with the book were the length (I would have trimmed it down by about a hundred pages) because the first 67% of the book was a slog with absolutely no action occurring and then it ramped up to warp speed for the last 30%. Also, not sure if it was intentional or a seriously overlooked type, but the name in Dracula is Godalming and not Goldaming. I can get behind changing the name to insinuate "gold" and money, but every single time I read the name, I was pronouncing it "Gud-alming" and not "gold-aming" and then I would stop and try to repronounce it in my head, question myself again, and ultimately take time away from book immersion to figure out how I'm supposed to pronounce the last name as it features prominently throughout. In short, it was annoying..

Overall, I did enjoy the storyline and the unique take on a generational MLM scheme as I personally find MLMs to be evil and preying on unsuspecting housewives who are looking to make some extra money whilst feeling like girlbosses. So vampires, MLMs and evil were not a hard stretch for me. .

Recommended for fans of sapphic vampiric romances, although this one is pretty much a fade to black level of spice. If you are looking for a solid Dracula retelling and hold a degree in English, you are probably not going to be satisfied with this one.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kiersten White, and Del Rey for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.