There's plenty to like in this book and actually I think the target audience will enjoy the spookyish mystery that the book explores. And the main characters of Mina, Buffy and Bella are incredibly likeable.

Unfortunately the writing felt a little clunky and needing a tighter edit. I wonder if it went under any more editing after this went out. There were episodes of needless repetition; like Mina told us why Helsing might want a vampire on the scene and then she can't imagine why he would want to a couple of pages later, before realising why all over again.

However, I would still recommend it to my Primary 5/4 children, because it's definitely a fun, fresh take on the vampire story.

I always enjoy Carroll's books and this was no exception. However, it had a different feeling to it than a lot of her previous work. usually her writing is a little spooky, but not too much, it's like reading a fairytale or older fashioned children's tale.
this one was a little less like that, but still a fantastic story with all of the skill Carroll possesses.
I love the concept of being able to heal vampires from their curses and the whole tale works brilliantly, using character names from throughout the history of vampire lore as well.
really enjoyable and a must read for fans of Carroll!

I loved this book, please tell me it's the 1st of a series??

This is an absolute delight, middle grade kids will love it, and if parents are reading it then there's many many in-jokes and references to vampire stories and lore of the past

I've been recommending it to all my (grown up!) friends, and I'll be crossing my fingers for a series!

I received an advance copy for free from NetGalley, on the expectation that I would provide an honest review.

I have loved Emma Carroll’s books for so long now that I jumped at the chance to read and review Dracula’s Daughters the first in a long, I hope, series.
It is great to see a book with strong female characters and combined with just the right amount of spookiness it sets off at a gallop. The three main protagonists Mina, her sister Buffy and their friend Bella set out on adventures that only vampires can truly appreciate.
So we have unexpected death, attempted grave robbery, Mina who wants to be a doctor, a corpse that has escaped its coffin and the return of vampires to the town of Temsworth and that is only the beginning.
The book is fast paced, lively and a delightful romp for middle graders. There are call outs galore to other fictional vampires but over and above it is a story of friendship and family bonds. An absolute joy from beginning to end.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Dracula and Daughters is a gothic fiction story about a vampire outbreak in Temstown, and as three young girls find themselves in the midst of the chaos, secrets are unearthed and family is formed.
This is a descriptive, fun, and intriguing story with mystery and adventure in every chapter. I loved the characters and loved seeing them find their strengths and voices over the course of the story.
This is a great book for children aged 9 upwards and I really hope we get to read more of the three main characters; Mina, Buffy and Bella as this has the potential to become a favoured exciting new series.

4.5 stars

I'm relatively new to Emma's books, with The Houdini Inheritance, but I enjoyed it so much that I'm thrilled to read this new one.

It's a vampire book unlike the other vampire books I've read. It still has everything we want from vampiric lore, but she's put her own spin on it.

I do enjoy reading children's books, but there is always a risk that with children as main characters, I won't relate to them or feel a part of their journey. But I liked Mira from the off. No I can't relate to her, but that's not important really in this book, I still loved her. There's lots of other characters, children and adults, goodies and baddies, and they were all fab.

It's full of mystery and intrigue and scares It's so layered and exciting.

I managed to read it very quickly, as I do with children's books but even if it wasn't a kids book I think I would still have read it quickly. It's fast paced and exciting and I struggled to put it down because I was so into it.

I don't know if there will be illustrations in the final copy, but I do hope so, as they'll really bring this imagery Emma has created to life.

Yes it's a vampire book, a fantasy, a thrilling adventure. But for me, this was more about friendship and family and community and togetherness. It's deeper than other vampire books I've read before, not that there's anything wrong with those books, they all have their place, but books I've read before tend to just focus on the scare factor, whereas this definitely has more heart, and it just so happens to involve vampires.

I don't know if this is a one off or not but it definitely has the potential to be the start of a series, or at least a duology/trilogy.

A great vampire book for Year 4 and above. I loved all the references to Bram Stoker's Dracula including lots of lore and character names such as Mina. I also enjoyed the more modern references, including a character called Buffy! Emma Carroll has cleverly written a modern, non-religious and not too spooky take on classic vampire stories that's a perfect introduction. I loved the characters, particularly the sister relationship, and I wanted to know what was going to happen. Beautifully written as always with a great sense of place, in a sort of alternate Victorian historical London/Edinburgh, with body snatchers, guilds and carriages!

I am 10 and I really loved reading Dracula & Daughters. It’s spooky, thrilling and full of twists. I especially liked the part when Mina sneaks into the graveyard at night. I once visited Père Lachaise Cemetery, a famous cemetery in Paris. Even in the middle of the day, being in that beautiful cemetery felt really spooky. Imagining going there for grave robbing and that too in the middle of the night gives me chills! The way Emma Carroll created the vampires is really different and clever. This book is perfect for kids who like adventure, spooky stories and characters who never give up. I can’t wait to read the next one in the series!

Dracula & Daughters brings all the thrills of vampire literature to middle grade readers, with none of the gore.

And it’s packed with girl power. This time, the damsel-in-distress is a stable boy, the menacing blood-sucker is a young woman, and the only heroes brave and smart enough to resolve the chaos are three overlooked red-haired girls who find their true strengths when they work together.

Their names? Mina, Buffy, and Bella. Ha ha.

It all begins with Mina. Determined to become Temstown’s first female doctor, she sneaks into the cemetery one night to steal a corpse - in the name of science and study, of course. But she doesn’t get far. The grave she has her eye on has been forced open from the inside.

A vampire is on the loose. And things only get more complicated when Mina discovers vampire blood running through her own veins.

As a bookworm, I loved all the gothic literary references. There’s a Helsing, a Renfield, an Otranto, a Northanger, a Stoker. There’s a Lucy Westenra, a talking raven called Poe, and a room numbered 1897. Can you spot others?

The scenes with Carmilla Blakelock were unexpectedly sweet and I was moved by the graveyard flowers at the end. I thought the male baddies capitulated quite easily, but the constantly evolving mission keeps the plot pacy. My children were wide-eyed throughout the finale and asked at the end whether vampire healers are real. Of course I said yes…

Will appeal to fans of Alex Foulkes’ Rules for Vampires and Polly Ho-Yen’s How I Saved the World in a Week.

This was great fun! It's a really good premise and the main characters are brave, resourceful and engaging. I loved the world Carroll has created here!

Drawn to gothic tales, I couldn't wait to read this and it certainly disappoint. There will be scores of middle grade children who will love to read this and will eagerly devour it in one sitting - such an original take on the lore of vampires and the clever way feminism shines through. The message that the daughters were stronger together is a powerful one and one that all girls should take to heart who read this book. Bravo Emma Carroll! Will definitely be buying and recommending this!!

**Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own **

This is so much fun! I loved it!

Temstown is terrified of vampires coming back, and the people in charge are happy to keep them scared…Then all of a sudden, is one?!! And what is the family history of Mina, Bella and Buffy? And how do their mums know each other anyway?

Brilliant!

My thanks to Netgalley and Faber and Faber Ltd for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Grab some garlic bread and hunker down for a thrill ride of a book.

All Mina really wants from her life in Temstown is to be the first female doctor. Unfortunately, she's stuck running errands for the condescending Dr. Polidori, the riskiest of which being to rob the grave of the town's tragically deceased starlet. What happens next will shake Temstown to its vampire fearing core.

Dracula & Daughters caught my attention immediately when it mentioned being for fans of Wednesday; and it was true to its word!

This middle grade novel is a fun tale that takes readers on a journey through a beautifully built town and fascinating vampire lore. Mina, Buffy, and Bella are three cousins who instantly endear themselves to the reader, with each of their own unique personalities.

I loved the entire feel of the book, and will most likely revisit it again each Halloween season.

Thank you to NetGalley and Faber and Faber Ltd. for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

Full of gothic atmosphere and mystery, Emma Carroll has created a modern vampire tale for a younger audience. She has reimagined traditional vampire lore for the younger generation. This is a winner for both vampire and mystery fans with a strong female cast that are immediately likeable and charismatic. With the promise of more to come, Dracula and Daughters will surely grace many bookshelves in the coming years.
Suitable for KS2 and KS3 children as well as older readers who are kept alert through the many allusions to traditional vampire literature and plot twists. Also ideal for any school library or class bookshelf.

Dracula & Daughters is an atmospheric and compelling vampire story I couldn’t stop reading.

This is the story of three children fighting against a system and adult authority and will appeal to young readers.

I enjoyed the description and worldbuilding that created clear pictures of Temstown. There is lovely detail including history, buildings, weather and language that doesn’t overwhelm the readers.

The story is told from Mina’s point of view and she makes an observant and interesting guide to events. The mystery surrounding singer Elsie Irving kept me turning the pages reading to find out the solution.

Bella, Mina and Buffy are three memorable heroines I’d like to meet again. They grow in confidence and competence. They make mistakes and rush into dangerous situations ill-prepared. However, they learn and adapt as the situation worsens.

The plot builds effectively and each new revelation learned by the girls adds a sense of urgency to the story.
The book is scary in places and the tension is well-handled. Due to the first person narrative you have a clear idea of what it’s like being in the presence of dangerous vampires.

I appreciated the message skilfully woven through the book that’s expressly stated towards the end— ask questions and be the best at what you do. I liked that all three girls learn that competence and compassion are not mutually exclusive.

I thought it showed – in a realistic manner – how difficult it is to challenge authority and what an uphill struggle it is to overturn established practice, especially for women and girls.

Any fan of vampires and their lore will enjoy this story which has a satisfying conclusion. The book will leave children hungry for more.

[For Publishers not part of review]
I noticed a strange formatting error on p178/79 the types of vampire are missing headings. I do like this level of detail, reminds me of Cressida Cowell’s dragons.

Firstly thankyou for the digital arc, I was so excited to receive it. I adore Emma Carroll’s work and this book did not let me down. It centres around 3 girls who live in a town where after 20 years of peace, a contagion breaks loose and they are the only ones who can help. Beautifully written and fast paced, this was a rollercoaster ride and a must for those whose children love fantasy and adventure. I am looking forward to the next in this series.
#DraculaDaughters #NetGalley

I absolutely loved this book. It has everything a children’s book would want: drama, fun, twists, and that eerie darkness that kids love. The attention to detail is impeccable. Each character’s name is a reference to a vampire book, film or series. Even the place names are pulling on vampire history, and the lore is there too. Emma Carroll really, really had fun with the research on this one.
The plot is fun and nicely paced, and I enjoyed the twists and drama. Even as an adult, I was gripped. I also loved the feminist aspect. One male character says to another, ‘we can’t have the women in this town getting too powerful can we?’
And yet they do.

I really enjoyed this story of Mina, younger sister Buffy, and their cousin Bella. Mina's friend Varney is attacked by a vampire and is in the process of turning into one, which means he will be 'culled' by the night of the new moon according to the rituals of the Old Lore, Mina, her sister Buffy and new-found cousin Bella must unite to save him before he is killed.. While the Old Lore says this must be done to avoid widespread contagion, the three girls have discovered that it is possible to cure a vampire. But they have only three days to discover how to do so…

Dracula & Daughters is an entertaining read for young horror fans. I particularly enjoyed this take, which crosses zombie outbreaks with vampirism. Twenty years earlier in Temstown there was an outbreak, or contagion as they call it, and the mothers of our three heroines were the only ones with the skills to cull the vampires. Now it’s up to their daughters to stop the spread, although the girls are opting to cure rather than cull.

I like how there were different types of vampires: the Corpse-Crosser (takes the form of an animal), the Shroud-Eater (extremely hungry), the Blueblood (well-dressed, often aristocratic), the Upir (most aggressive towards humans), and the Elemental (most dangerous of all). It’s all set up for a fun series.

Buffy, the protagonist’s younger sister, is my favourite character. She is both sweet and feisty and has an affinity with animals that I can only envy! Bella is really good too, strong, confident and determined. Together the three bring out and enhance each other’s gifts, making them all stronger. Mina tells the story in first person present tense, and it’s easy to empathise with her love for her family and friend, and her determination to be the town’s first female doctor. I like how the three girls were determined to cure rather than kill vampires.

I also enjoyed the setting and the gothic vibe, the river dividing the town of the living from the dead (the graveyard), the lanterns and the carriages, the night watch and the grave robbers, and all the paraphernalia the townsfolk use to protect themselves (the traditional garlic, Holy Water, silver bullets etc).

Overall an enjoyable first book in a series that promises to entertain. I’m sure young readers will love it.

This is a brilliant little book. Tells the story of Mina, her best friend Varney, sister Buffy, her pet Raven Poe and their friend Bella who is the daughter of the local undertaker.

They live in a place called Temstown where Vampires caused havoc and so now taking daily garlic and having vampire tins at home is a standard way of life. When a famous actress dies, Mina decides she is going to steal her body and disect it in front of her professor to prove she would be a good doctor, however when she and Varney arrange to go and take it Mina meets Bella there and when they approach the grave they see the actress crawl out in vampire form. Knowing that chaos is about to ensue they race home to their parents only to be told that not only are MIna, Buffy, and Bella related, but they are descendants of Count Dracula himself.

This is a really fantastic book for younger people. I am in my 50's and i loved it. Its crying out to be a series so do not know if the author intends to write more, but she should and whilst this could be scary, i didnt find it to be overly so, and the vampire was rather humanised in fact so made it less terrifying.

A cracking 5 star read!

In a world where vampires threaten to return and wreak havoc, three girls uncover their remarkable talents, as well as their remarkable heritage, in order to band together and put an end to a new vampire on the loose. 🦇

🩸Review:
What a wholesome comfort read this was! ❤️ I loved all the references to vampire lore, and the nod to the iconic Dracula himself. The girls are delightful to read, and you can feel their warmth and connection to each other off the first page. This is a story with a whole lot of heart, and lots of adventure! ✨

Each of the girls have their own strengths and talents, and all of them are smart, cunning, and proud of who they are, and what they can achieve by working together. Alongside these girls, there is also Poe (great name) the raven. 🐦‍⬛

Underlying it all is a clear fight against the historic sexism of women in science fields, and it was wonderful to see the fight against this in the novel. 💪 The idea that girls couldn’t continue their education, whereas boys could, paints an unfair world, and I look forward to seeing this resolved in sequels, as I’m sure the girls will work together to fix many injustices in the future. 🙌

I wish this publication every success, and I look forward to more from this author! 👻