This Gothic horror genre is not my normal cup of tea. But I am in love with this particular series! Audrey Rose and Thomas are such a fantastic team, their mutual skills in deductive reasoning and forensic science captivating and engaging. The content/language is clean (though there is a subplot involving two minor characters of the same gender that I could have done without in Hunting Prince Dracula), the characters are compelling, the writing is both smart and witty, and the mix of history and mystery and science is right up my alley. Yes, it’s a little gorier than I normally read but it’s not over the top at all. Think CSI but in word form. And set in the late 1880s. In Bran Castle. In Romania. With Vlad the Impaler’s heir.

As with its predecessor, Hunting Prince Dracula draws you in from word one. And, while it’s not necessary to have read Stalking Jack the Ripper before you read this one, you’ll appreciate it more if you do. I love the added touches the author provides as to the time period and setting by including historical photographs and sketches of forensic science and folklore from the era. The graphic design of the notes and letters written throughout the narrative gives even more dimension to the novel.

Bottom Line: Maniscalco uses a perfect blend of wit, history, folklore, and science to create a story you can’t put down until you’ve savored every scene. She has a great talent for setting a scene and creating an atmosphere that fits seamlessly into the narrative, without being too wordy or too ‘telling’. One word flows right into the next, until suddenly you’ve devoured over 400 pages and still wish there were more pages to read. The way this particular story ends has me nearly giddy with excitement and intrigue over the next book, and I am counting down the days until I can devour it too.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book

Reader beware: there will be gushing.

I am just going to put it out there that I have a crush on Audrey Rose Wadsworth. She is everything I ever hope to be even if she is set in the 1880's and is twenty years younger than me. She is intelligent, curious, courageous, fiercely independent, and not hampered in the least by society's expectations of her. She questions the status quo, wholeheartedly supports and loves her friends and family, and remains devoted to the pursuit of truth and of making the world a better place. I adore her femininity combined with her determination. She is one of my favorite literary heroines.

I will also admit to having a crush on Thomas Cresswell. He is the perfect foil for Audrey Rose, and I love their dynamic. His ideas of support may be a bit antiquated, but Audrey Rose is quick to make him see the light. He is willing to learn from her. Even better, he not only freely admits to her being every part his equal, he treats her as one. For any boy, modern era or Victorian, this is a prize-worthy notion. Then there are his quips and innuendos. Given his social awkwardness, that he is so forward with her is delightful, with her reactions to him even more entertaining. Together, they are a match made in heaven and just this side of swoon-worthy.

Then there is the setting of Hunting Prince Dracula. While Vlad the Impaler never lived at Bran Castle (history shows he was imprisoned there for a few months), its association as Bram Stoker's Dracula's castle was enough to have me salivating to read it. What happens inside the walls of that castle is enough to put me over the edge into ecstasy. We have a serial killer murder mystery, science, hidden passages, mysterious medieval orders, a bloody legacy, creepy teachers, and blood. Lots and lots of blood. All with a hint of the rise of Vlad himself. For me, it doesn't get much better.

All gushing aside, like all novels, Hunting Prince Dracula is not perfect. It can be a bit cheesy and predictable at times. Ominous things seem to happen around Audrey Rose that all but force her to take action. At the same time, there are a few scenes that strain credulity as well as characters are that are mere caricatures used to enhance the spooky vibe. Yet, one can acknowledge these things and still enjoy the hell out of the story.

Enjoy it I did. I enjoyed it so much I want to go back and read it again just because Audrey Rose is such a delightful heroine. Given everything that happened in the first novel, I even like how emotionally vulnerable she is. She is a woman who feels too much and still has to deal with the fallout from the last book's tragic revelation. This does not weaken her character in any way in my opinion but rather strengthens it. Her struggles to deal with her grief while remaining composed and clinical during her classes pierce your heart because we all know one does not preclude the other just as we all have examples of times we ourselves had to bury our emotions for fear of not being taken seriously. In many ways, even though Audrey Rose inhabits the Victorian era, her struggles to gain approval in the field of forensic science are all too modern.

I absolutely LOVE Dracula stories (which is weird, since I’ve never read Dracula…) and creepy historical fiction, so I was really excited when I learned what the second installment of the Stalking Jack the Ripper series was going to be about. I really, really enjoyed Stalking Jack the Ripper, but I LOVED Hunting Prince Dracula like a million times more.

1. Ok, so DRACULA. I love how Kerri tackles old, old mysteries in a way that makes them feel very real instead of over-the-top and silly. The story of Dracula, of course, is fictional. But the character was named after a real man who did enjoy the taste of blood: Vlad the Impaler. So there’s some truth mixed with a ton of fiction, and it was so wonderful seeing how Kerri would spin that. Dracula felt so real to me.

2. The setting of Hunting Prince Dracula is amazing. The story takes place in Vlad’s actual castle in Romania, which is now the home of an elite forensics school that Audrey Rose and Thomas are attending. This castle has secret alcoves hidden by tapestries, secret trap doors and rooms, and a labyrinth of creepy tunnels that you access through the floor in the morgue. It is surrounded by a creepy wood that is rumored to be filled with all manner of scary animals and people. It’s December at the castle, so it’s bitterly cold outside, it gets dark very early, and the entire world is blanketed in snow. Audrey’s rooms are away from the other rooms since she is the only female attending the school, and she hears creepy things outside her door. And on the roof. It’s just so perfectly creepy without keeping me up at night!

“Winding our way through the narrow path, we finally pulled to a blessed stop outside the castle. Fingers of moonlight reached over the spires and slid down the roof, casting our shadows in sinister shapes. This castle was eerie and I haven’t even stepped inside.”
3. Things were so much swoonier (lol. Totally not a word.) between Audrey and Thomas in this novel and I loved it. There’s all this scandalous tension and innuendo between these two! And chemistry! Their banter is amazing, and so perfect. They sneak around through the castle and night to meet up and discuss or explore the castle and its grounds. There are stolen glances and warm thoughts during class and before bed. It’s just so romantic, yet not heavy on romance if that makes sense. You can feel it there, but there’s so much going on that it’s rarely talked about.

4. I just adore Thomas so much. He’s snarky and flirty and tender and romantic. He’s also dapper and intelligent and forward thinking. And he’s so sweet and silly and loyal and has the driest humor. And he’s so protective of Audrey Rose, it just makes me melt. He was my favorite part of this book. I love seeing more and more of who he is.

“I have a feeling you haven’t invited me here for kissing. Though it never hurts to ask. You’re dressed for sneaking about Dracula’s castle. Be still my thawing, dark heart. You certainly know how to make a young man feel alive, Wadsworth.”
“For there are no limits to the stars, their numbers infinite. Which is precisely why I measure my love for you by the stars. An amount too boundless to count.”
5. I liked reading about our flawed Audrey Rose. It’s only been about 2 weeks since the events of Stalking Jack the Ripper, and she’s still processing and coming to terms with how that mystery unfolded. She’s scarred and a little damaged, and I enjoyed watching her find her new normal. I’ve always admired her bravery and desire to push the norm, and she continued that in Hunting Prince Dracula even though her scars tried to prevent it.

6. There were a few scenes that had me ready to run for the hills because they were so scary! Like… spiders… and trees made of bones. The tunnels under the castle are filled with terrifying things that you gradually learn about as the story progresses. Audrey and Thomas spend a fair amount of time exploring, and I could never ever do that. I couldn’t stop reading, but also wanted to cover my eyes at the same time. It was amazing!

7. With all the twists and turns and spooky moments and ominous characters, I really had no idea how they were going to solve the mystery. I had no idea how things were going to wrap up. The ending was super climactic and totally blindsided me.

8. Kerri’s writing and prose is beautiful perfection. I could swim in her words. I could wrap them around me like a silk scarf.

Bottom line, Hunting Prince Dracula is a new favorite that I kind of want to read every fall now because it’s so perfect for this season. It’s just the kind of book I want to curl up with under a blanket and read while it storms outside. I loved everything about it… the heat between Audrey and Thomas, the setting, the mystery, and Kerri’s beautiful writing style. I will forever recommend this wonderful story!

Part of the reason I love these books so much is that I haven't read anything like them. The premise of solving crimes based on these well-known characters and figures is really distinctive.

The voice of this book is incredibly strong, evoking the feel of something written at the time period as well as exposing Audrey Rose's frustrations with the way women are treated.

Audrey Rose is an amazing character - she's strong willed, intelligent and curious, a perfect combination for a main character in the midst of a series of murders. She went through traumatic events in Stalking Jack the Ripper, and her reaction felt very authentic in the sequel.

I'm also a huge fan of the relationship between Audrey Rose and Thomas! I absolutely love that she didn't just go all aflutter at the sight of him and that was it; she was very clear that having feelings for him didn't diminish her as a person. This book could easily have fallen into this trope because of the time period and it's so great that it didn't!

I'm really into the Gothic genre and this book captures my favourite aspects perfectly. The setting, delightfully gruesome descriptions and plot development all create a spooky and sometimes terrifying atmosphere!

The plot of Hunting Prince Dracula builds in intrigue and tension until the very end. It's crafted so well, in terms of feeding in details and leaving questions unanswered that kept me reading.

This is my favourite historical YA series and I can't wait for the next book.

First off, I love the events in history that Kerri’s chosen to write her books around. I loved the setting of Hunting Prince Dracula and how it is a historical take on Vlad the Impaler. I recently read Now I Rise by the wonderful Kiersten White so this book was even more fun to read for me since all of that was so fresh!

Kerri did a wonderful job of building the academy of Forensics within the walls of Bran Castle in Romania. I enjoyed her use of folklore and superstitions throughout the book because it really amplified the mystery.

I love Audrey Rose. I love how independent, intelligent, and no nonsense she is. She doesn’t let anyone push her around and is not afraid to tell you off if need be. I think that is the best part of her personality in the time in which these books take place. She doesn’t let societal expectations define who she is and I think that is important in YA novels. Young readers need to know that they can have their own minds and can be successful at anything they put their minds to.

Thomas Creswell. Oh Thomas. He is so adorable. I love how loyal he is to Audrey Rose and isn’t afraid to admit that he is wrong. He apologizes for the times he has offended Audrey Rose and only wants what is best for her. He is mischievous and I find that made for a great balance to the seriousness of some parts of this book. He really will go to the depths of Hades with Audrey Rose.

Kerri also did a fabulous job with the other characters in this book. She also isn’t afraid to depict all the gory details of what goes on in a setting filled with forensics, dead bodies, and mysterious goings on. Some people may struggle with how descriptive she is in some of the details but I think it makes the story really come to life. It is a realistic depiction of what it is like in the scenarios throughout the book. I think that is the top reason why I love these books so much! I’m a sucker for all the gory details!

I can’t wait to see where Audrey Rose and Thomas’s journey takes them next…although I have an idea of what case they may be chasing next! Do you?

Oh my god y'all, this book was so good! I really enjoyed Stalking Jack the Ripper, but this one was BETTER! I could not put this book down!

Hunting Prince Dracula picks up a few weeks after the first book ends, with Audrey Rose and Thomas on the train to Romania. They're on their way to a forensic program at Vlad the Impaler's castle, and have to compete to get a place in the program.

“Curiosity was a disease that plagued me and I’d yet to find a cure.”

One aspect I thought was extremely realistic is the fact that Audrey Rose is not immediately over her brother's death. Ever since his death she's been more skittish, keeps thinking she sees him, starts imagining things/seeing things that aren't really there, she's become more paranoid, and is affected by dead bodies.

Unlike the first book, I really don't know what to expect. I have no idea where the story is going, or who the killer is. Some of the mystery comes from Audrey Rose because she's confused and is grappling with what's going on around her. She has started getting nervous around dead bodies, and occasionally thinks she's seen them move, but doesn't know if it's real or if her imagination is getting the best of her since she's not over the Ripper case.

Because she is a female in this time period, Audrey Rose has to prove herself more than her male peers. She's struggling with PTSD because of the Ripper case and her brother's death, but everyone worries about her "delicate constitution" and continuously asks if she wants to leave because she's being affected, even though the same is not asked of her male peers going through a similar situation. She doesn't have to just be good, she has to be great to be taken seriously by her peers and instructors.

"I'm finally making my own choices. Which is both terrifying and thrilling, but I need to know I'm capable of fighting some battles alone."

This book is also pretty feminist. Audrey Rose is grappling with her feelings for Thomas, and her feelings on marriage. She likes Thomas, but is scared that she'll lose her autonomy if she marries him, or if she marries in general. She knows Thomas cares about her and wants to help her, but she doesn't want him to think he knows what is best for her just because he is a male.

"Unlike my mother, I believe all women should stand on their own without needing anyone to hold them up. Surely a wife worth having is one who is secure in who she is?"

I really enjoyed this book, I was even reading while waiting in line in the Starbucks drive thru! I don't want to wait for the next one, I want to know what the next case they are going to work on, and I want more Audrey Rose and Thomas!

Hunting Prince Dracula begins with a train journey that, of course, is anything but peaceful. There is the tension between Audrey Rose and Thomas; even with her chaperone Mrs. Harvey right beside them, albeit napping, there's some flirtation that makes the compartment a bit full: of emotion, of romance even? Escaping for a brief walk, Audrey Rose mistakes a fellow passenger for her brother and later on stumbles upon the body of this man just outside her compartment.

What a way to open the book! There is, as I said, flirtatious tension and then that gets smacked aside for a murder. Right there on the Orient Express!

The first few chapters of the book aboard the train deal with Audrey Rose's state of mind, her traveling to Romania, and then dealing with the murder of this man in a suspicious manner, reminiscent of the method used by Vlad the Impaler. Not a moment's piece for this heroine. Attempting to assist in the collection of clues, Audrey Rose is confronted yet again by the expectations of male authority figures, who usher those in the corridor away from the body before anything useful can be ascertained.

That doesn't mean that the situation is out of Audrey Rose's head. Far from it, in fact, as she considers again the facts and the mistake she made in thinking this man was familiar to her. What sort of frame of mind is she in? Will she be able to make something of herself at the famed forensics school she's on her way to?

I liked that the societal limitations of the time were included in Audrey Rose's story. They weren't hidden in order to make a more palatable story for the reader. We go along with our main character as she deals with pressures and expectations and prejudices. As a woman in the 19th century, she has a lot to contend with. Being more than capable mentally, she has to dodge the insipidness of those around her that doubt her abilities because of her gender.

Thomas was a bit of a challenge to like. I remember his character from the first book, but even so, he has a bit of grating personality, what with the constant teasing and making fun of Audrey Rose. She likes him quite a lot and I assume he reciprocates, but his manner of showing it was not really palatable.

There were many side characters that were introduced, though only a few that we got to know with an degree of familiarity. Anastasia, the ward of the headmaster of the academy, was a good friend for Audrey Rose in place of her dear cousin Liza, as was Daciana, Thomas's sister. Anastasia could be more than a little "energetic" at times, pulling Audrey Rose into headstrong adventures that might not be 100% wise, but she tried her best to work with what she had in terms of allowances and freedom.

Moldoveanu, the headmaster, was such a pill and quite horrid towards Audrey Rose because of both a somewhat sexist attitude and, as Anastasia explains, a tragic loss that changed his view of the world at large. Radu, a teacher of folklore at the academy, was something of a funny character. He had moments when it felt like watching a train wreck, such as when he told Audrey Rose that she had a delicate constitution and hysteria was common for girls like her. I was mentally screaming at him the whole time he dug himself that particular grave.

The revelation of the person behind the "reanimation" of Dracula was a delightful surprise and the person's connection not only to Dracula, but to another famous historical figure, was exciting. Their character was not one I would have guessed at being involved in such bloody things and that the author was able to keep that a secret until the very end was good writing. So often I find myself being able to pick up on easy clues and I don't think I failed here, rather Kerri Maniscalco was just that good.

The aesthetics of the book were an attractive asset to the book. Throughout there are pictures of the places where the book takes place, such as a vista view of Bucharest, a castle like the one in which the forensics academy is located; there are also pictures of excerpts from antiquarian books that offer details about Vlad the Impaler and his legend, as well as a post-mortem room that adds a creepiness factor to the time that Audrey Rose is spending in the academy.

The chapter headers are not left out of the embellishments within the book. Each chapter is topped with a frightening looking scalpel, driving home that Audrey Rose has tools with which to work, but also emphasizing that these tools can be deadly and that this is not a happy-go-lucky novel.

I will admit that the writing style might be a bit sluggish in the middle. The events of the books happen at a relatively good pace, but it felt somewhat difficult to keep my attention during longer passages, such as the evening meals/meetings with Daciana, Thomas, and Audrey Rose or prolonged teasing/romantic interludes with Thomas and Audrey Rose. The intimate moments were alright, I'll say, but I did feel like there were rather more that felt repetitive and thus affected the flow I had while reading.

Hunting Prince Dracula continued in much the same vein as the previous book in the series, with a brilliant main character who is not perfect. There are plenty of things haunting Audrey Rose from her previous foray into mystery solving, not to mention her attempting to move on from the familial tragedy and discovery in the previous novel. The romance aspect was pleasing and funny, lots of flirtation going on, though seriously frustrating at times due to Thomas's behavior. The events of the book, the intelligence, the mystery, the adventure, all within the confines of a mountain retreat, made for a great read that will appeal not only to fans of Stalking Jack the Ripper, but fans of period "ghost"/mystery books as well.

*Actual rating: 4.5 stars

I’ll keep this brief, because I don’t want to give spoilers for either of the books in this series. That being said, I adored this sequel even more than I enjoyed Stalking Jack the Ripper! The Romanian, creepy castle setting was so atmospheric, and I love how it played on some of the tropes often found in Gothic novels written during the time period in which this book is set. I also enjoyed the mystery plot and couldn’t predict it as easily as I did the one in the first book. By far my favorite part of Hunting Prince Dracula, though, was Audrey Rose’s character development. She deals with a lot of trauma and PTSD from the events of the first book, and I thought the author handled this so realistically. Like in Stalking Jack the Ripper, there are feminist themes throughout this story, which I so appreciated. Plus, we are introduced to two new queer female characters in this installment– YAY! And, of course, we have to talk about the romance. It’s beyond swoonworthy. I usually don’t particularly care for allocishet m/f couples in fiction, but I WILL GO DOWN WITH THIS SHIP. Thomas and Audrey are perfectly matched, and their witty banter makes me smile every time. (Sidenote: I love the humor in this book. Both of the main characters have an incredibly macabre sense of humor, which is fitting considering the subject matter.) Anyway, Cressworth 4ever. If you enjoyed Stalking Jack the Ripper, you HAVE to pick up this sequel!

I must start out by recognizing Kerri Mansicalco’s mad writing skills…SHE CAN WRITE. Stalking Jack was no fluke. Because this one just blew book one out of the water!

Hunting Prince Dracula is ten times more gory, bloody, dark…I loved every page. The fiction mixed with the real bits of history are once again perfection. I appreciate a good horror story, and typically find it a struggle in YA to enjoy them. Most are watered down. But this one, NOPE.

Then there’s the setting. Medieval castle complete with secret passages. Like, the real Dracula’s castle, y’all. Goals. For real.

Audrey and Thomas make quite the dynamic duo. And the tension, flirting…they are so perfect. Add in their banter and I struggle to name a couple more suited for each other than these two. The “romance” is one of my favorite parts of this series.

But the best thing? Thomas Cresswell. I mean, I loved him back in Jack. But lawd…he’s just serious goals here. There’s something we find out in this one that makes him even swoonier than the first time around. He is easily one of my all-time favorite book boys.

The plot sped along (for me). There was a slight lag/drag in the middle, but for the most part, I couldn’t put it down. Also, I’m usually really good at spotting a plot twist, but not this time around! So yay for tricking me! And the new characters are utterly brilliant; and a wonderful addition. Audrey is as snarky as ever. But, she’s also going through some things. I thought that was well-handled, too.

A stunning, brilliant sequel, Hunting Prince Dracula will thrill fans of Stalking Jack the Ripper and Stephen King fans alike. It’s probably going to remain in my top 5 for 2017!

Hunting Prince Dracula continues a short time after the end of Stalking Jack the Ripper with Audrey Rose Wadsworth and Thomas Cresswell making their way to the best forensic medicine school in Europe. I loved everything about this book! The mystery, the gothic horrorness of the location, the adventure, the characters, Audrey Rose and Thomas working together, the banter, and of course, flirty Thomas. Let's be honest. We all needed more flirty Thomas in our lives. It was just so perfect! The wait for book three is going to drive me crazy!

I sat down and inhaled most of this book in one day around work and my other responsibilities. The plot starts off with a bang and just keeps going! I had so much fun reading it! I loved how Kerri Maniscalco weaved together the pieces of true history and gothic horror elements to make such a compelling mystery! Also, the banter between Audrey Rose and Thomas is even better in this book than the first! Their relationship is absolutely fantastic in every possible way. I'm even more on board with the CressWorth ship after I read this than I was before and that's saying something.

This book is full of suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat to find out what's going to happen next. I know I said it earlier, but the mystery was seriously very well done. I kept making guesses and I kept being proved wrong. Let's just say there were a lot of surprises when the reveals happened. Thinking about it now, I probably should have picked up on a few things but I’m actually glad that I wasn’t even thinking in that direction because all the reveals were AMAZING! I totally flipped my lid at one reveal in particular! If you've read it, you know which one it is. OMG! I had to reread it like five times till it sunk in.

Kerri Maniscalco’s writing is so detailed and atmospheric that I found myself easily imagining the castles and forests of Romania even though I don't know much about the time period or the place. What I loved the most is that the light tone from the delicious banter brought a much needed levity to a horror story that broke up some of the more serious moments and made it easier to stay on top of what was happening. To quote the book, “I am wholly bewitched” with this series. It is perfect! And I just need more Audrey Rose and Thomas adventures in my hands now!

The author mentioned that she seeded clues to what the next book is going to be about in this one but I still have no clue. It doesn't matter. I'll still be counting down the days cannot wait for the third book when I can read more of Audrey Rose and Thomas's adventures! I seriously can't wait to see what mysteries they'll encounter next!

I was not able to read the book because the file was not compatible with my e-reader. (I only read on my Kindle, not my laptop.) I emailed the publicist ASAP but never heard back. PLEASE NOTE: I'm only giving it a 1 star rating because I am unable to leave this screen without starring it. I don't normally rate books I have not read.