1884. When Mafalda journeys to Budapest to care for her grieving aunt, her secret love, Lucy, hurries from London to comfort her, with chaperone and lady's maid in tow.

But lady's maid Alice, blessed and cursed with the Sight, is tormented by terrifying visions. When chaperone Eliza falls prey to a disturbing wasting illness, the women hope to seek the healing waters of Transylvania. At a nobleman's invitation, they set out for Castle Dracula.

In the depths of the forest, miles from civilization, their host reveals his true intentions; a monstrous ambition which will tear the women apart.

And not all of them will survive.

The Brides by Charlotte Cross is feminist Gothic horror, atmospheric, gripping and creepy. The writing intricately weaves the use of letters for the past with the current time as the narrative expands the connections between the past and current. I love the female point of view, the love shining in the letters. The story is truly a blend of female strength with the horror of Dracula. And in the end do any of the women survive? 

What is most intriguing is how the story slowly reveals which of the women are called to Dracula. In the beginning, all the readers know is that the women will be touched by his dark horror but by the end, you learn which of the women survive and why. The narrative will keep readers on the edge of their seats as they wait to see who survives and who falls to Dracula's darkness.

If you like gothic horror, Dracula but with a feminist spin, this novel is well worth reading. The lgbtq overtones make for a heartbreaking ending but also a beautiful story. The characters are full of depth and the story engaging. I was absorbed by the tale and loved the ending.

Rating: 5 out of 5 letters ~~ Andrea Rittschoff