Lucy Undying by Kiersten White

This early review copy was provided to me by Del Rey Books through NetGalley. This in no way impacts the rating of the book. All of my reviews contain my honest opinions.

Title: Lucy Undying

Author: Kiersten White

Release Date: September 10, 2024

Publisher: Del Rey

Genre: Horror

Source: digital, NetGalley

TW: violence, blood, murder, sexual assault, self harm, suicidal thoughts, child death, emotional abuse, homophobia

Synopsis

In this epic and seductive gothic fantasy, a vampire escapes the thrall of Dracula and embarks on her own search for self-discovery and true love.

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 when, in twenty-first-century London, she meets another woman 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. But she finds herself compelled by the charming Iris, while Iris is mesmerized by the confident and glamorous Lucy. But their intense connection and blossoming love is threatened by forces from without. Iris's mother won't let go of her without a fight, and Lucy's past still has fangs: Dracula is on the prowl again.

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

Thoughts

As soon as I saw the gorgeous cover of Lucy Undying, I was hooked. The premise of exploring Lucy Westenra's life after Dracula intrigued me, and I couldn't wait to dive in. However, as I made my way through the book, I found myself with mixed feelings.

On one hand, there were moments of brilliance. The prose was often beautiful, and I loved uncovering the secrets behind Lucy's story. The author's take on this classic tale was undeniably intriguing, especially when delving into Lucy's life in the 1890s. This part, building upon the original Dracula story, was by far the most captivating for me.

On the other hand, I struggled with a few aspects of the book. The length felt a bit excessive, and the multiple POVs sometimes left me feeling disconnected. I often found myself more invested in one storyline while less engaged with the others. While I appreciate the author's effort to create a sapphic-positive narrative, I felt the anti-male sentiment was a bit heavy-handed at times, overshadowing the positive sapphic representation.

Despite these critiques, Lucy Undying offers an innovative spin on a beloved classic. It's a book that will likely resonate differently with each reader, and I'm glad I gave it a chance. If you're a fan of gothic fantasy with a modern twist, it's definitely worth picking up – just be prepared for a complex, sometimes challenging read.