This book is set up as a framed narrative, with the beginning and ending told from the POV of Doctor Seward’s great grandson who discusses how the current work came to be and includes a forward written by Dr. Seward. This was fun as it not only set up and closed the work in a satisfying way, but also played upon the way the original work was set up using journal entries and explained how this book only came into existence in the 21st century. Passages from Dracula are incorporated throughout this work, more heavily towards the end. The author left these bolded to differentiate between the two texts, but he otherwise seamlessly molded them into his own tale.

The author did an excellent job at harnessing the tone and feel of the original work, which made this companion book feel as if it were written contemporaneously with the original. I also liked how odd it got in places but that the author didn’t seek to explain every little thing. This left the reader wondering did these things actually happen, or was Renfield always somewhat “mad” from the beginning? I also appreciated the author’s explanation for a few of the scenes he included that I disliked due to their somewhat sexual, off-putting nature (nothing really graphic). These scenes at first felt out of place to me which is why I didn’t prefer them, but after reading the author’s note their context made sense.

If you enjoy Dracula, especially the original text, then I highly recommend checking out this work. I do think this book would work best if you’ve read Dracula, and I even reread it just before picking this one up which certainly elevated this experience. My thanks to NetGalley and Riverdale Avenue Books for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I did not finish this book but did appreciate the opportunity to read it. I was initially very excited about the book, as I’m a huge Dracula fan and particularly enjoy the character of Renfield. That said, I only got about 25% through the book and did not find myself very engaged. I think this was for two main reasons: first, I think that giving Renfield a tragic backstory felt almost too easy an explanation, and I also felt he was far more communicative and forward with Dr. Seward than makes sense for his character. Second, I think it’s very hard when you are essentially trying to add to the Dracula canon in the same format—it made it really hard to stop comparing the two, and it’s hard for this novel to win out when being compared with Dracula. Overall, this was a creative idea and I thought I would enjoy it, but I do think it ended up falling flat for the reasons listed above. That said, because I did not finish the book, I do not plan to review it publicly.

Excellent book, loved it! Looking forward to more from this author! Apologies for the lateness of my review

This is a very creative and fun extension to the Dracula story! I love Dracula, so I was a little nervous starting into this; but the author did an amazing job both honoring the original, and giving the reader something new. I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of Bram Stoker's Dracula!

i love the story of renfield and dracula so was very excited to read this!!! i loved learning the intricacies of renfield and dracula that you don’t see in the movies. this paired very well with the season

Update: Added TikTok link below. My personal rating: 4.5 stars

Tim Lucas captures the time and place of Dracula, and I was intrigued by the sessions between Renfield and Seward. Seward's notes and the transcripts of Renfield’s oral histories create a dynamic account.

My favorite parts of the book are the wondrous supernatural moments. I found the extensive grim material of Renfield's early years rough going for personal reasons. As the suspense intensified, the book captivated me completely. Lucas performed a masterful feat in integrating parts of the original text of Dracula with his own insightful exploration of Renfield. He has great talent, and the characterizations, dialogue, events, and brooding, disturbing atmosphere rang true throughout the book

The final chapters are brilliant. There’s a level of perception, an exquisite unity, and a finesse of orchestration that combine to render the novel uniquely satisfying. We’re in the realm of haunting deep truths and universal fantasies. I flashed on Robert Graves, Joseph Campbell, and Carl Jung.Lucas crafted an ultimately beautiful book out of disturbing and challenging subject matter–and made it feel organic to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, a triumph.

Thank you, Riverdale Avenue Books, for the ebook review copy via NetGalley. These are my unbiased opinions.

Not bad, wasn't sure what to expect going on.
I'm a decent Dracula fan, and I do enjoy Renfeld.
I wish this author had some input on the recent Renfeld movie, not that I didn't like it, but it needed something.
This would have been the something!

This was a solid read, and I look forward to see what else the author puts out.

I am a great fan of Dracula and I started reading this book a bit afraid of what I may find, for I had read quite a few negative reviews. After reading the book I must say I am amazed by both book and how well it complets the work of Bram Stocker.
I really liked the way Renfield went from a scared child to a curious preteen full of both hope and hatred, always unaware of the darkness that stalked him. Even as an adult, Renfield seems lost between his own morals and his desire not only to belong, but also to be known.

Dark and twisty! This backstory on Stoker’s Renfield is smart, twisted, and complementary in such a fun and creative way. This is a retelling of the classic horror Dracula from the perspective of the supporting character who, as the author states, has been shown in many lights since his inception - most recently in a more comedic light. This Renfield is true to the original, mad and deranged character. Bram Stoker’s Dracula does not provide much by way of Renfield’s backstory. Tim Lucas enlightens the reader with answers to the question - who is Renfield and how did he become the wretched servant to Dracula?

I thoroughly enjoyed the delivery method— a weaving of Dr Seward’s journal, the transcription of Renfield’s sessions with Dr Seward, and Renfield’s own journal, as the mystery of who this demented character is unraveled. If only the good Dr and his friends - Professor Van Helsing, Jonathan and Mina Harker, Arthur Holmwood, and Quincey Morris - had seen him for what he truly was sooner, perhaps Dracula’s assault on England could’ve been thwarted.

Now I need to reread Stoker’s Dracula to thoroughly enjoy the overlapping of the story!

Thank you to NetGalley and Riverdale Avenue Books for the ARC of this newly revised edition of the Book of Renfield in exchange for an honest review.

I got halfway through this book and DNF it. Although the style of writing was similar to Dracula I really didn’t like how the characters were portrayed.

I really like this book!
Although I know it wasn't written by Bram Stoker, it's incredible how very much like Bram Stoker that Tim Lucas writes this story.
The perspective of this life from Renfield's pov adds a little more depth to the character and allows the reader to see more of this character who was instrumental in the success of Dracula, the man, rather than being a second thought.
I haven't always thought much of Renfield because of the overshadowing by Dracula, but this shines a light on the character that was secondary to the story of the vampire.
Hats off to Mr Lucas!

If you're a fan of Dracula or vampires as a genre, this is a fabulous read! Spooky, creepy, and a great book that keeps you invested until the end!

The Book of Renfield is an interesting parallel novel to the Dracula story. Dr. Jack Seward, a Doctor overseeing the care of R.M. Renfield, recounts and records the former servant of Dracula. We delve deep into Renfield's sad history and better understand the madness that seeped into Renfield while in Dracula's thrall.
This was written in the same style as the early 1800s Bram Stoker’s Dracula classic gothic literature so it may not be suited for those who prefer more modern-day story writing.
I'm a big fan of Bram Stoker’s Dracula so reading this was an extra treat, adding more flavor and context to the characters from the classic novel. I was able better to understand Renfield and his near-blind devotion to Dracula. I would definitely recommend this to classic horror fans who enjoy gothic literature.

Although I found the book to be a slow start, the story line picked up in time and was well developing. The details in the character background as well written.

The Book of Renfield serves as a perfect companion to Dracula. I like how the writing feels extremely similar. While there is a bit of retelling through the eyes of John Seward, the focus is more on an oral history of Renfield's life. Through captivating storytelling, Renfield is beautifully portrayed as a tragic hero. The questions of how Dracula becomes Renfield's 'lord and master' are finally explained and if there was any benefit to Renfield from the association.
Would recommend to fans of Dracula and gothic literature in general.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for an advance ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Although I was intrigued at the beginning, the author's style didn't captivate me as I expected. It took me forever to read the first few chapters, and when I thought things got more interesting, learning more about Renfield's past, I found the pace too slow, bordering tedious. I'm sure other readers will enjoy it, but it wasn't for me.

Thank you to the Publishers Riverdale Avenue Books and to NetGalley for the read about Renfield and his tragic past.

This one is creepy crawly scary not overtly so. If you’re a big Dracula fan this is a book for you. Loved the backstory and the different dialogue

Did kind of feel long but I was in the midst of a novella phase so could just be me.

3/5 ⭐️

So I watched the movie Renfield the beginning of this year and I absolutely loved it and then I came across this book so I had to request it and I’m so glad I did this. This is a beautifully written, Suffolk Gothic and I’m just obsessed and you will be too.

I love Dracula, and this book not only evoked the same style and mood as the original, it also answered several questions I had and even some questions I didn't realize I had. I highly recommend this to others who enjoy traditional horror.
Thanks to NetGalley and to the author for letting me read this fantastic story

I'm a fan of Dracula the novel as well as the popular movie rendition of it staring Winona, Keanu, Anthony.
This book goes quite well with those two so if you enjoyed them you will definitely like this book of Renfield.
The book of Renfield is exactly that - the life of Renfield according to his own confessional account as told to Dr. Seward during his time in the asylum. It also contains the Doctors version of the story from his notes. I really enjoyed learning of Renfield's entire upbringing before his beginnings with the Count. It gives so much detail into the mind of this poor soul and what he was dealt with in life and his wants to just be loved. This is 75% about Renfield's life and Dr. Seward's relationship with his patient. The other 25 involves the other characters that are well known already and their interactions with Renfield and the Dr.
I fully recommend this book and plan to find a physical copy to put alongside my Dracula book. If you really like Dracula I suggest you give this one a read. It's worthy of the 5 stars.
I'd like to thank the Author for this fascinating tale. The publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a ebook arc.