I tried, really tried to absolutely love this book. As a mood reader, I feel like this was on me. I forced myself to finish this book and I wasn't in the mood for it. I will be revisiting this book in the fall to give it another shot. I LOVED the start and it had me, but I think this book was a victim of mood reader syndrome. I will be rating it on the beginning as I LOVED it! Its hauntingly beautiful.

I had a few issues with this book. The way the author shifted between POVs felt very jarring. It was difficult to get invested in the characters or story because I felt like I was being thrown around. This is the third book I've picked up from this author and they've all been disappointing. Maybe she's just not for me.

DNF early on which is such a disappointment. First, the cover is gorgeous. Second, I loved Kiersten White's previous books <i>Hide</i> and <i>Mister Magic</i>.

I had a lot of problems with this book and I didn't make it very far since I realized I wouldn't like it.

The book starts off with Dracula then Iris, THEN Lucy. If Lucy is supposed to be our main character, why are we getting her transcript/story third? Also, I was confused as to why Dracula's first chapter wasn't just a prologue.

After that, I immediately was confused. I understand that books take time to tell the reader what they need to know but there's a line between the author waiting as long as possible and the information coming too early. I think the information needed to be given because it turns into Iris' POV chapters turning into a lot of words and not saying anything.

From what I read in other reviews on how the book ends, I'm disappointed that this wasn't two different books. The first book would be about Lucy and how she survived life as a vampire with a perfectly normal (or normal-ish) girlfriend. The second book would be about Iris being the heir to a vampire MLM. Do you know how much I want to read about a vampire MLM now? Could I read this book instead? Yes, I could, but I have a feeling I would get annoyed by it if I was already getting annoyed.

I really wanted to read this book and the excitement sustained me until I started reading. There were things I did like such as the short chapters, but that wasn't enough for me to continue.

I really enjoy Kiersten White. I am a bit more use to her stories like Hide and Mister Magic but was really excited to pick up this Dracula Novela that was based around Lucy. Bring this story into modern day time and this was a pretty fun read. It’s sapphic, gothic horror, and vampires which I will never say no too. All in all I think the female characters were very strong. I am so happy to see Lucy get her own book. I really liked the journal entires and client transcripts. Iris character was also interesting escaping an American mlm cult. All in all I liked it and am very interested to see what Kiersten White writes next.

I can see the potential here, especially for Dracula superfans, but unfortunately, it didn't stick the landing for me. The POVs and the ways that these POVs are written out just caused more confusion and I feel like for a retelling this seemed to rely too much on the reader being very familiar with the original work.

Her name was written in the pages of someone else’s story: Lucy Westenra was one of Dracula’s first victims.

But her death was only the beginning. Lucy rose from the grave a vampire and has spent her immortal life trying to escape from Dracula’s clutches—and trying to discover who she really is and what she truly wants.

Her undead life takes an unexpected turn in twenty-first-century London, when she meets another woman, Iris, who is also yearning to break free from her past. Iris’s family has built a health empire based on a sinister secret, and they’ll do anything to stay in power.

Lucy has long believed she would never love again. Yet she finds herself compelled by the charming Iris while Iris is equally mesmerized by the confident and glamorous Lucy. But their intense connection and blossoming love is threatened by outside forces. Iris’s mother won’t let go of her without a fight, and Lucy’s past still has fangs: Dracula is on the prowl once more.

Lucy Westenra has been a tragically murdered teen, a lonesome adventurer, and a fearsome hunter, but happiness has always eluded her. Can she find the strength to destroy Dracula once and for all, or will her heart once again be her undoing?

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for allowing me to read this early! I absolutely LOVED this story! I will be the first to admit that I don’t know much about the original Dracula story other than the VERY brief segment I had in an English class many many years ago. I can understand how those who have studied the story deeply may not like this particular retelling. But for someone like me, this is an incredibly fun read. From the mysteries being solved, the sapphic story lines and the hilarious multi-level market vampire scheme set in Utah this is a book you can’t pass up!

Every so often, I stumble upon a book that genuinely shocks me with how much I love it. A book that feels like it was written specifically for me because of how thoroughly it resonates with me. This is one of those books.

Going into Lucy Undying, I was unfamiliar with this author and superficially familiar with the story of Dracula. Despite that, I was hooked from the very first chapter and I became so invested in these characters that I devoured this in about two days.

Lucy Undying is a Dracula retelling of sorts, but shifts the focus to a less-explored and often maligned character, Lucy Westenra. What follows is a story that encapsulates pretty much everything I love in a good book: a feminist spin on a classic tale; lush, romantic prose that doesn't get lost in the sauce; gothic, spooky vibes; love that is healing and empowering (and queer!); lots of twists and turns that to keep me guessing; and a bonus! Criticism of the vampiric nature of MLMs. Also! This book is funny! Like genuinely, really funny. I was not expecting that.

Specifically, one of my favorite aspects of this book is the exploration of Dracula's mindset as a predator. Even though we don't spend nearly as much time with him in comparison to the other POVs, I think it successfully captures the self-centered, delusional beliefs of men in power who firmly believe the female experience is defined by their relationship to men. There were moments of being in Dracula's head that made me laugh because of how self-important he is; but at the same time, his delusions of grandeur weren't far-fetched at all. Darkly, darkly funny stuff.

All in all, this is a story that will stick with me for a long time. I look forward to exploring more of this author's backlist and will definitely be looking out for her work in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book and me did not mesh. I found it slow and boring but got half way and felt committed to finish. The characters I found kind of meh and they didn't get better. The plot itself was interesting and the go about of explaining all the different layers of Lucy and other characters through transcripts and diary entrys and skipping dates is fun but I always have a hard time keeping up with dates when in the header. It is a good book but it is not a book for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the opportunity to read this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance reader's copy of the book. I absolutely loved this book. Could not put it down loved. This is the first book I've read by this author and it was fantastic. I requested this book because the premise was intriguing and the author delivered on the premise. I loved this Lucy, hated this Dracula, and everything involving the Goldamings was fascinating. I will definitely be recommending this to everyone I know who reads, and I will be buying this for myself when it releases in physical form.

Huge thanks to Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey for the digital galley copy

📚 ARC book review 📚

Lucy Undying is a reimagining of the tale of Dracula seen through the eyes of Lucy Westenra. This new tale is like a modern Carmilla. It mixes gothic romance and horror, part of what makes vampire tales hit just right.

I had always believed that Lucy deserved better. Better than being just a tragic victim to move along a story. Or a cautionary tale to girls to keep them quiet and safe and easily consumed. Here we get to read Lucy’s tale in her own words and how she moved from sacrificial victim to a strong person in her own right.

I knew where this story was going, until I didn’t. And I think that was the point. To enjoy the story I thought I was reading and then enjoy having the rug pulled out from under me, reading on in horror and curiosity. There were moments where I was tense, devouring chapters because I needed to know what happened next. These were mainly the Lucy chapters, especially in the beginning.

The book is told in multiple points of view, at different points in time. Each important, vital to getting the whole story. And then they converge, meld together. I really enjoyed the use of journal entries to tell the story of the past and therapist sessions to bring us to the present. Those were my favorite parts of the story.

I loved Lucy. Her characterization was lovely and multi-faceted. She was so desperate to love and be loved and that really resonated with me. I didn’t care too much for Iris. I appreciated her bravery, but she was obnoxious at times. And that’s okay. Perhaps that’s why I appreciated Lucy so much.

I also appreciated that reading Lucy’s point of view on the events of her past gives a different take on the events of Dracula. You can be a hero in your own story, but a villain in someone else’s story.

My favorite line probably has to be: “She’s a different person from one breath to the next. And I want to know all of them.”

★★★★★ - 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
Lucy Undying by Kiersten White
༘Spoiler free ༘
⭐️4.25/5
Classical Retelling, Gothic, Romantasy, Fantasy
Multi POV
➳ 🩸vampires
➳ 🧑‍🧑‍🧒 complicated family dynamics
➳ 📝 epistolary-esque novel
➳ 🕰️ multiple timelines
➳ 📖 dracula reimagined
➳ 🚺 feminist retelling
➳ 🦇 gothic aesthetic
➳ 🪢 plot twists

❧✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*❦*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧❧

Lucy Undying stands out in the gothic romantasy genre by seamlessly blending elements of classic vampire lore with modern feminist themes. Compared to other books like ‘An education in Malice’, ‘The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue’ and ‘A Dowry of Blood’ it offers a fresh perspective on familiar vampire tropes while maintaining an engaging and emotionally resonant narrative.

Overall, it met my expectations with its gothic atmosphere and vampire themes, though some aspects, specifically the characterisation of Iris, felt a bit forced and overly quirky.

The characters were compelling in their own ways. Lucy’s character arc was especially well-developed and engaging, showcasing her growth and struggle for self-discovery and purpose. While Iris’s portrayal was a bit quirky and snarky for my taste, this may appeal to other readers. The side characters could have been more fleshed out, but they still contributed to the story's progression.

The story had many gripping moments, especially with its unexpected twists and reveals. Although there were pacing issues, particularly towards the beginning and end, the middle part of the book was particularly engaging and kept me hooked. The intersection of Lucy’s and Iris’s storylines was powerful, and the reimagining of Lucy’s diary entries provided a captivating glimpse into her transformation and struggles.

The primary theme revolves around self-discovery, empowerment, and dealing with past traumas. These themes were effectively expressed throughout the narrative, creating an engaging and thought-provoking story.

The ending tied up most loose ends, providing a satisfying conclusion to Lucy’s and Iris’s arcs. While some pacing issues towards the end affected the overall impact, most questions were answered, leaving a few minor plot points and character motivations to the reader's imagination. There were no significant plot holes, though Iris’s quirks and snarky dialogue felt a bit inconsistent at times.

The story had a few slow points, particularly at the beginning and towards the end. However, it picked up significantly in the middle, where the narrative was most engaging. The writing style was solid and clear, serving the story well. While it didn't stand out as exceptionally beautiful or unique, it was compelling enough to keep me engaged.

Upon finishing the book, I felt a mix of satisfaction and appreciation for the fresh take on the Dracula mythos. The story was enjoyable, and I would absolutely recommend it to fans of gothic romantasy and those interested in feminist retellings of classic literature. Despite some minor flaws, it offers a fresh and engaging perspective on familiar vampire lore.

✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: :･ﾟ✧:･ﾟ✧

💖 LIKES:
⋆ Engaging plot with unexpected twists
⋆ Fresh take on classic vampire lore
⋆ Powerful intersection of Lucy’s and Iris’s storylines
⋆ Satisfying conclusion to Lucy’s arc

❤️‍🩹 DISLIKES:
⋆ Iris’s overly quirky characterisation

<b>Fantasy Scoring </b>
<b>Worldbuilding </b> ➷ ✅ 5/5
<b>Foreshadowing </b> ➷ ✅ 4/5
<b>Plot</b> ➷ ✅ 4/5
<b>Relationships</b> ➷ ✅ 4/5

Find me on: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cosykait">insta</a> | <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/cosykait">tiktok</a>

Thank you to the Kiersten White, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey and NetGalley for the opportunity to provide my honest opinion on the ARC of this book.

“Lucy Undying” is a reimagining of Lucy Westenra, one of Dracula’s first victims, follows her transformation into a powerful vampire in twenty-first-century London. Lucy’s encounter with Iris sparks a profound love story amidst dark secrets and looming threats.

Their relationship is beautifully crafted, with Lucy drawn to Iris’s strength and vulnerability, while Iris is mesmerized by Lucy’s confidence and allure. However, Iris’s family’s sinister empire and Dracula’s return add constant tension and conflict.

The book brilliantly balances action, romance, and suspense, with Lucy’s struggle against Dracula symbolizing her fight for a future filled with hope and happiness. “Lucy Undying” is a must-read for fans of supernatural fiction and romance, showcasing love, courage, and the relentless pursuit of one’s true self.

In the author’s note, Kiersten White references her similarities with Bram Stoker stating that she “relate[s] to an author who sets out with high ambitions [...] and then gets tired and gives up.” And that’s exactly what I felt White did with this book.

Lucy Undying had such high potential with so much going for it: a gothic fantasy reimagining of Dracula where Lucy Westenra escapes death, becoming a vampire and searching for her senses of Self over the next century. Meanwhile, in present day London, Iris is escaping her legacy of taking over her mother’s health/beauty cult (MLM) and happens upon the century-old journals of one Lucy Westenra.

[What I Disliked]:
The concept sounded great, but the execution really fell apart. Told through three different lenses (Lucy’s journals from 1890, Lucy’s conversation with her therapist in Sept 2024, and Iris’s perspective in Oct 2024), the first half of the book has the gothic fantasy feel I was expecting. Even though the pacing was a bit slow and I was really only interested in one of the timelines at this point, I was still overall interested. The 50%-60% mark were actually quite enjoyable as Bram Stoker’s original piece of Dracula is finally fully reworked into what becomes Lucy Undying. However, that enjoyment only lasted 10%. The last 40% of the book has an entirely different feel and pacing that made the entirety of the work feel like at least two completely different books mashed together into one (our chapter POVs are now a mixture of present-day letters, 1st person character POVs, and even a 2nd person POV). Where we started off with a gothic fantasy, we ended up in a bizarre modern-day sci fi referencing social media influencers and, I kid you not, Goop. It saddens me in the way that Orphan Black season 5a saddened me.

Some pieces of thread woven into the larger tapestry of the story were easy to pull apart and predictable. While we were treated to some luscious prose (“Dear, dear Mother, who loves like a knife, slicing me into ever smaller pieces until I’m exactly the shape that pleases her the most”), we were also assaulted with phrases such as “Blood bank’s closing, bitch.” Do these writing choices reflect the timelines in which they were written? Yes. But they are also jarring in the worst way possible.

[What I Liked]:
As much as it sounds like I disliked this book, I didn’t hate it. I thought there were great moments and great details. I loved the love story between Iris and Lucy. I loved discovering the secrets behind Lucy’s story and meeting members of Lucy’s life throughout the 20th century. And as I said, it had great potential. I just feel like it was such an ambitious story to tell and the cohesion suffered.

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for an advance copy of this book!

I've been into vampires since I was a little kid. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is my favorite show and I adore the web series, Carmilla. I've read a ton of vampire stuff including Carmilla and Dracula. Though vampires have taken a backseat for the last several years, I was excited to read this book. Kiersten White is a good storyteller--I enjoy her imagination and sense of humor (as well as all things gay). I've read a few reviews that slam Lucy Undying, especially for daring to retell Dracula, but I found it clever. The first part was entertaining (a bit long) and I loved the middle part (too short). Can't say the same for the last part of the book. I don't know why it went on that long and there didn't seem to be a real purpose for Iris and Lucy to have been separated in the first place. Plus, Dracula was such an unbearable character (not in a good gothic way either). Yeah, so that was sad for me, but I'm happy a sapphic Dracula novel from Lucy's viewpoint was written!
#NetGalley

I’m still kind of new to receiving arcs, but out of the ones I’ve gotten, never has one felt like so much of a rough draft. And I mean ROUGH. This was a million ideas with absolutely zero clear direction.

Sometimes when I start a writing a review there’s like five different ways I think about opening it. Well, this felt like the same thing. Three out of the four first chapters felt like they could have been a decent beginning. The first chapter is narrated in second person about Dracula, the second chapter is from Iris in modern day, the third chapter is a journal entry by Lucy in the 1800s, then onto the fourth which is a transcript where Lucy is speaking to someone.

Got it? If not, that’s okay — I didn’t either.

Anyways now that I’ve outlined the structure, I can explain why it was an issue. The whole Dracula part should have been a prologue instead of a first chapter, and the transcript should have been before the other two because that’s where Lucy introduces herself and says this is her story we’re reading. As it was hearing someone say it was their story when they were the last one we met just felt weird. After that, then the journals could have came in, then Iris’s chapter after the scene had been set since that is when she meets Lucy and she’s our second main character.

Or maybe scratch that — instead of trying to cool down that hot mess things should probably just be changed. Iris’s point have view should have been present less, because the story almost manages to achieve something when it focuses on Lucy. I also wasn’t a fan of the narration style the author chose to use when writing Iris, and in my opinion it felt out of touch with the gothic vibe the story was trying to achieve.

In terms of the transcriptions, they should just go to completely and be replaced with an actual Lucy perspective, whether it be in first or third. The only reason they exist is to recap us on what happened in the centuries since she turned and this could have been achieved just as easily had she been given a present point of view in what was supposed to be her story.

The way things are, being thrown around between this many perspectives, all of which are in different timelines, just gave me whiplash right off the bat. Even more so because the chapters were so short, which I normally like, but here it irked me because as soon as I felt like I was getting the hang of this scene, we were in another. Then once it would go back to that perspective it would pick up where it left off as if I could remember where that was with everything else I was trying to understand.

After that the plot proceeds to drag on at an unimaginably slow pace. Iris’s frequent chapters were largely to blame for this. Somewhere between all those pages on pages of inner monologue there seemed to be glimpses of potential but it got to the point where it had dragged on for so long that I had lost any interest in where those things could go. Even once it had gotten there, even though it should have been interesting I was just ready for the story to be done because the journey to get there was so unenjoyable.

In terms of romance I honestly could not of cared less. The most reaction I had to it was full body cringing from nicknames and insta-love. Iris begins calling her “the/my angel” immediately after their first meeting and if you think that’s bad just wait because after that we get…my little cabbage. Yes that’s right, no it’s not a joke.

And if you don’t like that one that’s ok, there’s always “my little buttered chicken too”.

Even the world building was kind of lackluster. Don’t get me wrong there were some cool ideas, like the vampires being able to turn into moonlight and other things. This book did a good job at describing the things that did happen in a pretty way. The problem was the why. The author seemed like she tried to address this in the story when the she has Lucy tell us — oops sorry I mean her therapist:

“I can see in your expression that you want some rational explanation for all of this. Why does the sun bind us? How can I change into moonlight? How can I move and think and feel without being alive? But I’ll ask, why do you dream? Why do you look at the ocean and feel awe? Where does love come from and why does it feel so much like fear?”

*Disclaimer: as the quote above is from the arc it is subject to change before the official release*

It’s safe to say from that she decided to dismiss logic and cover up the lack thereof with more pretty words. She knew what she was doing when she wrote that for sure and still glossed over it.

The only solid positive with this that goes beyond mere potential is the cover. At least something delivered. Once the book opened though it went rapidly down hill.

Overall, somehow this managed to be both overwhelming and underwhelming at every turn and that’s its only real achievement. Two stars in some ways feels like a stretch but since there were some redeeming ideas scattered throughout this mess I’m gonna go with it for now. Yet again, I was fooled by a gorgeous cover. Lucy may look great there but this book wasn’t a good look for her. Maybe this book will be able to find the right audience, but it definitely isn’t me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review — so sorry I didn’t enjoy it more because I was so excited for this!

I found this to be somewhat tedious. The concepts are interesting but I think the narrative jumps around too much in timelines/peoples’ heads for me to feel really connected to anyone. I didn’t like Lucy’s 1800s diary entries but the modern timeline stuff was more interesting in my opinion.

Kiersten White always has good writing, though, so I’m interested to see what she writes next. I really loved her And I Darken trilogy.

A standing ovation for this cover! I loved the concept of Lucy Undying and the three POVs had me so drawn in from the beginning. The trouble started when one POV started drawing me in so much that I dreaded reading the other two. I felt the modern day plot line was the most interesting, and if perhaps we had less of Lucy’s diary or a more concentrated version of the diary, my attention wouldn’t have wandered but as it stands, I felt myself skimming those parts in order to get to modern day. I really wanted to like this more but it was a struggle to get through the last 50% because I was not enjoying the pacing. I really, really enjoyed the modern plot line though and know that I will give this author another chance because I can see that she writes in a way that I love, I just wish we didn’t also have to read the two POVs that dragged the plot.

I wish I had not wasted my time slogging through this novel. I love retellings or reimagings of classic literature but this was not for me. It is a disorganized epistolary style story with none of the charm of the original Dracula.

I really wish that we only had one POV. I did not like how the author went back and forth. even between time periods. The author should have kept with Lucy and see how she went from human to vampire and how she actually survived throughout the years. The client transcripts from Lucy's therapist was completely unnecessary in my opinion. This story should of been all about Lucy's life as a vampire and how she coped with it.

The other POV is Iris, an american woman who is set to inherit her mother's evil company which she doesn't want. Instead of selling the company she runs away to London to sell furniture from a mansion she inherited. This story line feels pointless to me. As stated previously the story should focus on Lucy.

Do yourself a favor and read Bram Stoker's Dracula. Thank you to Netgalley and publishers for an eARC of Lucy Undying.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First things first can I just gush how freaking cool and stellar is this cover, the gaze of Lucy reminds me of the TikTok popular fallen angel gaze, so intense, so unnerving.

This author's books are either hit or miss for me, there is no in-between. I have absolutely adored And I Darken series from the author and it remains one of my favourites to this day, the Camelot Rising sounded absolutely fantastic in theory but was the biggest let down ever. And this one unfortunately leans towards the latter with not-inspiring character cast, a plethora of historical inaccuracies and a lacklustre mystery.

Honestly the stars are for the cover that is wasted on this book.