For anyone interested in the actual, historical Vlad Tepes, this series is some of the best fiction ever written about Dracula. The main story takes place in modern-day Seattle, where the undead Vlad lives a secluded existence and subversively operates as a monster-hunter for a shadow branch of the US government; however, each book starts with a prologue depicting a pivotal event in Vlad's life in the 1400s. This one starts with his death - hence the title - and his awakening as one of the undead. 

One of the unanswered mysteries of the series is how Vlad became a vampire. He certainly fits one of the traditional requirements: murdered, and dying while wishing for vengeance more than for grace. Dracula himself wonders if God has a purpose for him; even as one of the undead he is still a man of deep faith. That proves especially relevant because the Big Bad of this story is also a man of deep faith, but the god he serves demands blood sacrifices, in very, very large quantities.  He also likes to eat the heart of his honorable victims, and he regards Dracula as either a potential ally or a most honorable enemy. 

Dracula's companion, a college student-barista named Cammy, is good at taking the supernatural in stride, as long as the supernaturals aren't cruel, and there are plenty of supernaturals who simply wish to live and let live. Unfortunately, some of them are malevolent predators, or their natures inherently pose a danger to humans. Dracula has to keep warning Cammy to think before she goes rushing in to a situation, to take precautions and learn to defend herself.  And yet, it is Cammy's hopeful innocence and willingness to listen to others that makes it possible for her to see options and consequences that are being overlooked.  

Other recurring characters include Malcolm, a werewolf with a very dark history, who loves fast cars and nightlife; Brian, a young cop who has been Cammy's friend since childhood, who knows that Dracula is THAT Dracula and feels obligated to try to kill him; a co-worker of Brian's who is a supernatural creature; Elisabeth Bathory, another historical personage who is now undead and, unlike Vlad, has no qualms whatsoever about preying on mortals; and Boise, the director of the government shadow agency.  Boise is a lead-handed SOB with an unerring talent for making situations worse, who feels perfectly justified in all his decisions, whose modus operandi is to manipulate and bully people. The confrontations between Boise and Dracula are rich with acerbic insults.

This is a complex, well plotted story, with fascinating supernatural creatures, like the various magical cats who populate Seattle, including hearth-loving trivet cats, energy-vampire shape-changing nekos, and were-tigers. Supernatural beings are variously adorable, exotic, sinister, dangerous, enigmatic - one of the Greek Furies makes a cameo appearance - conflicted, or tragic, like the ghosts of drowned girls who now try to protect living girls from danger.  It's remarkable how quickly one comes to care for some of the supernaturals who live on Dracula's sanctuary estate, or in the city, or Underground in the network of caves and subway tunnels that underlie that city.

Perhaps the most poignant character in this novel is a dhampir who longs for his father's recognition and approval.  But Dracula refuses to regard him as a son.  Dracula had been Boise's prisoner for decades, forced to breed in order to produce super-powered agents for Boise's department, and experimented upon by scientists who took Mengele as their role model.  

This series is very well-written. There is lots of action, but there is also humor, foreshadowing, parallel structure, foil characterizations, and character development that is a bracing alternative to the welter of Mary Sue fiction out there. And, since this is a series, not all our questions get answered, not all the story threads get resolved; some of them are still shaping future stories. For example, the resentment Cammy's co-worker feels is clearly going to lead to trouble. Meanwhile, several of Cammy's friends and classmates are evolving from bit players to consequential participants.

If you are just discovering this series, it's best to start at the beginning with Dracula's Guest and then read Dracula's Match, but it's not necessary. The author gives enough cues for this to be read as a stand-alone adventure if you like to jump into the deep end. - Chris R. Wozney

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