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! 👻

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this incredible middle grade.

- Dracula re-telling with a twist (Middle grade friendly)
- Mystery death
- Cute friendships
- Found family
- Adventure and twists on every page.

The artwork in the chapters was a nice touch.
I know I’m not the targeted age for this book, however, it’s a new MG favourite and I will be recommending this at my bookshop to younger readers!

Without doubt this is a brilliant piece of story telling by Emma Carroll. Hooked from the opening line
"It’s November, midnight: the perfect time to steal a corpse.”
Dracula and Daughters is an absolutely unputdownable gothic adventure.
We join Mina, Buffy and Bella as they try to not only save their town, but also vampires!
Temstown is about to welcome its very first vampire healing company, Dracula & Daughters, and their first case is certainly close to the heart!
Emma knows how to engage the reader, with vivid characterisation and masterful eerie suspense, and this is no exception. Its the first in a new series and I simply cannot wait for the next installment. A vampiric 5 out of 5 read.
Huge thanks to the publishers Faber & Faber and NetGalley for an early read.

This book was such a cute read!
In this we follow Bella, Buffy and Mina as following a vampire on the loose starting to spread contagion, not only team up to save their town, but find out they’re cousins and the descendants of Dracula. Will they be able to find a cure? And will they be able to make the rest of the town believe in three young girls?
I personally thought this story was super cute and fun to read. The three MCs were witty, funny and super smart. I really liked seeing their relationship blossom as well as their confidence. The atmosphere was quite gothic which I personally loved and the plot itself was fun! Overall it was a really good and solid read.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

Emma Carroll has done it again with an stunning gothic adventure for middle grade readers. The first in a new historical fantasy series, Dracula and Daughters is equal parts frightening, inspiring and intriguing. You will never look at vampires the same way again!

Who can resist a story that begins with the sentence:

“It’s November, midnight: the perfect time to steal a corpse.”

This is a masterclass in story-telling, characterisation and atmospheric setting. Every eerie gothic detail lifts the story off the page and into readers’ imaginations.

The story begins with Mina creeping around the cemetery in Temstown. She dreams of becoming the town’s first female doctor and is willing to do just about anything to take part in Dr Polidori’s anatomy lectures – including digging up a body for him. She’s taken all the precautions but there is still the risk that she could dig up a vampire, reigniting the “contagion” that plagued the town 20 years earlier. Although no vampires have been seen since, everyone still worries they will return.

Mina’s evening in the graveyard doesn’t go as planned. Her friend, Varney, doesn’t show up with the doctor’s cart; she meets Bella, an unusual girl and the daughter of the local undertaker, who has a knack for charming the Night Watchmen; and then, when they reach the grave, it appears someone has beat them to it. The grave is empty and the body of Temtown’s famous theatre star, Elsie Irving, is gone!

Signs of vampires flood Temstown. Garlic and silver are in high demand while curfews are put in place and vampire hunters search for anyone suspicious. Meanwhile Mina and her sister Buffy make a startling discovery about ancient family secrets, a mysterious book and connections to Dracula himself. There are powers to unleash, truths to reveal and dreams to follow. Teaming up with Bella, the girls come to understand that they are stronger together and healing is much better than harm. These are exceptional girls with exceptional powers, determined to discover the real monsters in their town.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Mina, Buffy & Bella and the setting of Temstown. As a keen reader of vampire fiction I appreciated the many references to past works of vampire/the Gothic and their authors with the character and place names woven throughout. Good plot, plenty of action, interesting worldbuilding with the 4 guilds which confer people's status & jobs and the 4 quarters of the town where they live. Looking forward to seeing how it develops as the series progresses. Thank you

I enjoyed this book’s very different take on vampires. It’s a unique slant, mixed in with a whole load of well known vampire lore. There are some classic elements and a host of familiar names. I love that there is a Buffy!

This wasn’t as historically accurate as a lot of Emma Carroll’s books are, it is more of a fast paced adventure with supernatural elements. I did feel that the main characters were a little lacking as they very quickly banded together and acted nobly and heroically throughout. I know it wasn’t exactly real life, but I feel that a little internal strife and more doubt would have helped give the characters more depth

A new middle grade, historical fiction title written by Emma Carroll will always excite my interest, I have been a huge fan since meeting her in 2013 when she launched her debut novel, Frost Hollow Hall, and I expect her many fans will be as thrilled as I at the prospect of a vampire trilogy from the queen of historical fiction! I was fortunate to be given access to an advance e-copy of Dracula & Daughters on NetGalley, and I am happy to report that it was everything I expected.

The foreword announces the unexpected death of Miss Elsie Irving during a stage performance in Temstown’s Lyceum Theatre and from here we plunge immediately into the first person narrative of Mina, who is embarking on a spot of late-evening graverobbing in an attempt to impress her boss Dr Polidori. She desperately wants to become a doctor herself, but in an age when women are not admitted to many of the professions, she thinks that her only hope of being allowed to attend one of his training demonstrations is by supplying the cadaver. She has therefore ventured to the Northside Necropolis with her spade, and arranged for her friend Varney to meet her with the doctor’s horse and cart so that they can transport her prize back into town. Mina gets more and less than she bargained for in the graveyard; an unexpected encounter with Bella Drake,daughter of Beatrix Drake who is Temstown’s most successful undertaker and only woman in a position of power…and the realisation that despite all of the anti-vampire precautions that were taken at the burial, Elsie Irving has clawed her way out of her coffin and the Contagion has reappeared 20 years after the last vampire was killed in Temstown!

From here the action moves thicker and faster than blood through an artery! Mina and Bella turn out to be cousins, and along with Mina’s younger sister Buffy, they form a fearsome trio of vampire healers once they discover their special powers as half-vampires or dhampirs. They will need all of their supernatural skills to outwit the corrupt men who rule and manipulate the town, and to prove that healing of a vampire is an effective and more humane treatment than the usual prescription of hawthorn stake through the heart. For Mina this is personal, she feels immense guilt at putting her dear friend Varney into a position where he became Elsie Irving’s first victim, and she is determined to rectify this mistake.

The countdown to the next full-moon gives a huge sense of urgency to the narrative, which will keep readers gripped, wondering whether the cousins can fulfill their mission. There is an interesting layer of feminism woven into the plot, Mina is constantly irritated at the lack of opportunities open to her as a female, and the attitude of Dr Polidori toward her is perfectly illustrated by the fact that he cannot be bothered to even remember her name. The inspiration that she gains from finding a medical text on the treatment of vampires written by Professor Lucy Westenra is almost palpable. The cousins soon realise that they gain strength by working together, their combined individual skills being greater than the sum of their parts, which is a great message to be passing on to all children about the power of collaboration. I also enjoyed the author’s use of names associated with classic works of vampire fiction, making this an excellent introduction to vampire lore. Although necessarily a bit spooky and developing a truly gothic atmosphere, the plot is not too gory and I think that it will appeal to fans of Jennifer Killick’s horror novels, as well as historical fiction devotees aged 10 years and above.

Dracula & Daughters will be published by Faber & Faber in September 2026 and I will look forward to adding a finished edition to the Emma Caroll collection on the bookshelves, I would recommend that primary and secondary school libraries do the same. Meanwhile, I'm off to stock-up on garlic!

I literally devoured this book in a few days. It has a great rhythm and the development really gets you tightened to the page. I appreciated the themes touched by the book, like the women's power issue, but imho it is too much highlighted. I prefer when the reader can arrive on their own to the conclusion that women are undervalued and victims of injustice, and not to be reminded constantly about that.
I think it's beautiful that the protagonist gets to become a doctor like she dreamt, only a different kind of doctor: meaning that we can expect unforeseenable things from life. That's a beautiful lesson.
Also the fact that the protagonist acknowledges she's an expert, it is something most women professionals are struggling with (me too, at times).
I'm doubtful about the target reader age. I think Mina and Bella are too old for any reader of 9 years old to put themselves in their shoes. Buffy might be closer, but while she's one of the main characters, she's clearly not the protagonist.

Although stories of vampires existed long before it was written, Bram Stoker’s Dracula is undoubtedly the book that most people would immediately associate with the undead. One of those classics that I felt I should read, I have to admit to being disappointed when I read it a few years ago after seeing the BBC miniseries based on it but when author Emma Carroll announced this new spin off for a middle grade audience, I knew I would love it and immediately added it to my ever-increasing list of must-read titles.

Action packed, with a fabulous cast of female characters and wonderfully spooky, but not so spooky as to terrify more sensitive children, this is a brilliant start to the series – one that although a slight departure for the author, who is best known for her historical novels, will delight her existing fans and win her lots of new ones.

It’s midnight when our story opens, with protagonist Mina poised to steal the corpse of recently deceased actress Elsie Irving from her final resting place in order to further her efforts to train as a doctor. Heading to Temstown’s cemetery, Mina has prepared carefully for this by taking all the necessary precautions against vampires – not that she believes it to be necessary as there have been none found in the previous 20 years – but on reaching the grave, discovers its occupant has gone missing and Varney – the friend she had arranged to meet there – is nowhere to be seen.

With her friend still missing the following morning, Mina starts to worry that not only is Miss Irving now a vampire but that she is responsible for Varney’s disappearance. As the Contagion starts to spread in Temstown, Mina, sister Buffy and undertaker’s daughter Bella discover the secrets of how to cure vampires within the pages of an old book and set out to put them into practice, but with those in charge of the town intent on slaying the wave of vampires now appearing, can the members of new company Dracula & Daughters prevent the lives of those affected being irreparably changed forever?

Mina, Buffy and Bella are a trio of strong girls, who are living in a town ruled by men and often corrupt men at that. As the three of them uncover their connection to legendary vampire Dracula, each will discover strengths and powers that they never knew existed but which in combination make them a formidable force as they not only stand up for themselves but also those who are about to join the undead permanently if they do not receive the benefits of the cures the book prescribes.

As well as the usual anti-vampire tactics with which many young readers will be familiar that make an appearance within the book, the author has clearly had enormous fun in including lots of references to both Dracula and other vampire stories here, from more obvious ones like Buffy to those which are more obscure, like the name of the street on which Mina lives, making this a great title for older readers too. Perfect for those in Year 4 upwards, I thoroughly enjoyed it and cannot wait to see what Mina and the others encounter in their next adventure.

My enormous thanks go to publisher Faber & Faber and to NetGalley for my advance virtual read. Dracula & Daughters publishes 25th September.

I was glad to receive an ARC of Dracula and Daughters in exchange for my honest opinion—and honestly, I really liked it. This book is a clever and heartwarming nod to vampire lore, packed with references. Many characters share names with figures from popular vampire literature, which was such a cute and fun touch for readers in the know.

At its core, this was a story about the strength of family and the bonds that tie us together. It had a clear feminist streak as well, with empowering themes woven throughout. It was refreshing to see a vampire book that leaned more into emotional depth and connection, rather than just spooky vibes (though there were a few of those too!).

That said, while it's being positioned as a middle-grade read, I would caution that some scenes didn’t feel entirely appropriate for the 9–11 age group. It leans more into early YA territory and would probably be better suited for teens. Just something to keep in mind for parents, teachers, or librarians. Oh—and I have to mention my favorite character: Poe, the raven. Such a delightful little addition.

Overall, Dracula and Daughters is a thoughtful, clever take on vampire stories with a strong heart at its center. Just maybe hand it to the older kids on your shelf.

Thank you, thank you, thank you Emma Caroll for giving middle-grade readers a marvellous new spin on vampires, legacies, and the world in which they can live! As someone rasied far too young on Buffy, Angel, and Charmed, they’ve been in my head as some of my earliest memories. As a result, anything vampiric will strike a euphoric match inside me when done correctly and Dracula and Daughters does just that!
 
Mina is a superb protagonist to see the book through. Her quiet confidence, sometimes drown out by hesitation but always met with purpose makes her the perfect character to see this world through. For the introductory novel, I don’t think it would’ve worked as well had sceptic Bella or animal-loving Buffy taken the helm. That being said, as a trio they truly shine and the familial relationship between them is a wonderfully explored plot within the novel.

I’ve said it in a few reviews now, but there’s nothing I love more than when the pacing is exquisitely delivered. Dracula and Daughters didn’t go from beat to beat to beat, it danced between them jovially with such ease. By around page 10, I knew full well this would be a book with no filler chapters, and I was correct. The adventure kept on coming, with one action after the next page after page. By the time we reach the climax of the novel, I can guarantee you will be sad it’s over so soon!
 
For many adults, parents, guardians and everyone in between who care for children, there may be a slight hesitation as most vampire books do come across more mature than needed, just even with what the vampires eat. However, Dracula and Daughters is the ideal gateway in vampires and creatures of the night, as it’s such a terrific new take on the concept. If you’re one of those concerned adult readers to children, please don’t be, Emma Carroll has you in safe hands!
 
Without saying too much as I want to avoid any spoilers, the stakes in this novel are HIGH (in more ways than one!) and I think this is a BRILLIANT introduction to a new middle grade series. Set flawlessly in a light horror circumstance for readers 9+, Dracula and Daughters is going to be one of this year’s big Halloween reads, I can tell already! In the meantime, I’m off to stock up on garlic (just in case) and you should get preordering… Mina can hear you if you don’t so you best had…

When Buffy, Mina and Bella discover that they may be descendants of Dracula, they decide to use their powers for healing instead of harm. But is the world ready for them - let alone their suspicious home of Ternstown? Well, ready or not, here comes Dracula and Daughters!

This is a charming Gothic tale of mischief and mayhem readers will love. It gets 3.5 stars, and is well worth checking out!

Dracula & Daughters is the start of a superb, spellbinding new series by the queen of historical fiction, but this one has a supernatural bite!

It’s midnight on a starless night and Mina is on a mission that she doesn’t relish, but it’s one she hopes will help her on the path to becoming Temstown’s first female doctor. When she gets to her destination, she is discovered by a girl who accuses her of an illegal activity, but Mina has not had the chance to complete her mission as the person she has come to collect has already broken out of her coffin …

It’s been twenty years since the contagion struck, but its effects have resonated throughout Temsworth ever since with strict protection rituals being followed including eating garlic, spreading salt and carrying silver. But will these protections be enough to stop a vampire who has come to hunt?

So begins an absolutely gripping gothic adventure as Mina, her younger sister, Buffy and their cousin, Bella, discover a family secret that will change their lives and lead them on a hunt, not to cull, but to heal vampires with the help of a special book – and their own incredible powers. This is an edge-of-your-seat, high-stakes adventure brimming with danger, revelations and deliciously dark twists and turns that will bring gasps … Are the vampires the villains or the victims? Could those with their own agenda have brought danger back to Temsworth?

This is a brilliantly atmospheric read with the increasing air of icy coldness permeating the city, the pervading hold of ever-increasing peril, the stifling control exercised by the Watchmen and the uncertainty of the fate of friends.

I absolutely adored the three cousins who each have their own strengths which they combine brilliantly when solving the mystery behind a famous death, and stopping the contagion spreading through the city. They are a strong, courageous and tenacious team who support and give strength to each other. Underestimate these girls at your peril!

As well as being a superb supernatural adventure, this story feels like it is set in an alternative 19th century with references to grave robbing, anatomy lectures and stalwarts of gothic literature – with a twist! There is also reference to gender inequality within society, something that is particularly evident as Mina wants to have the same rights as male students to have access to medical training, and as female scientists have not had their work valued. It is so wonderful that this story celebrates strong female characters who are intelligent, gutsy and who are determined to forge their own path in life.

A compelling, dark gothic adventure, with family and friendship at its heart, a story that pulsates with danger, secrets and hope.