I actually enjoyed this book! The beginning hooked me in, and I was excited to read more about this different version of vampires. It was a new take on them from what I usually see in the media. I read Bram Stoker's Dracula years ago, but from what I can recall, we get to see little "easter eggs" in the characters, places, and events from the original in this version.

I thought it was great that the author included Dracul's perspective and the people he was controlling. It made the story very creepy and terrifying to see how it was thinking and trying to survive, especially towards the end!

Overall, I thought it was interesting. I will say that after the book's opening scene, it did slow down from there and felt like a blur till Dracul was set free and made his way through historic London. I wish there would have been more!

I plan on posting my review to my "Bookstagram" once it gets closer to the publishing date. Thank you, NetGalley and Deixis Press, for allowing me to read this book and share my thoughts!

Even bloodier than the original.

A gripping Dracula retelling that takes the original book and twists it on its head. Some aspects are the same such as the formatting of the original, that uses journal entries and newspaper articles, and the writing style itself which feels reminiscent of the classic novel.

If you enjoy the original but want something a bit grittier with more of a modern perspective you’ll probably enjoy this. I would however keep in mind that the content of this one is very different. This version of London and the characters themselves are much seedier. As the author points out “This is a story about greed.” All the characters are a bit morally grey here.

There were many new characters in this one as well as some of the originals who were the same in basically name alone. I did get lost a few times because the POV gets switched very quickly between them, sometimes from one sentence to the next without anything to break it up. Some of the characters POVs that were switched to also felt inconsequential and felt too far off from the plot. This made the storyline difficult to keep up with at times. I still liked reading most of the perspectives, especially the journal entries from one character.

One thing I like about this book is the twist to Dracula themselves. I say themselves instead of himself because this version of Dracula pulls from Chinese mythology, amongst others, and is a spirit like creature that infects different victims. Rather than an immortal being that keeps his own body. Dracula (dracul) ends up being much more parasitical than the gothically, romantic counterpart from the original. I do still have some questions left about their powers and those of the other vampires that appear. I’m not really sure about their strengths and weaknesses, as they differ from the original.

I think my favorite parts of the book were the prologue and the first couple chapters. The ending was fitting and tragic. The middle was delightfully grotesque. A great fall read.
3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and to the author for this ARC. This is my honest review.

I have decided to DNF this read, I got about 50% through, and have realised that now is simply not the time so in other words this is a soft DNF I think I will come back to this in the future when I think it will better suit my mood but for now I'll be stopping. I don't want to force myself to read this and end up not liking it for no good reason. In terms of rating I obviously can't properly rate it but from what I did read, this is a good and interesting if it continued to be at the same level through to the end I think this could easily have been a 3.5 or 3.75 however since I'm not finishing it now I will refrain from actually rating it anywhere other than here as I am required to do so before submitting my feedback.

Thank you NetGalley and Deixis Press for the e-ARC. The opinion is my own.

Four stars to me.

A retelling of Dracula with an overhaul in its mythology and characters! The first chapter is such a good chapter, unfortunately it did pepper out during the rest of the book and didn't stay at the same level. Still, I liked it.
This author brings a possession spirit as a vampire instead of the typical undead plaguing the streets and here our dear friend Harker was twisted into another character with only the name as its similarity (well, also still traumatized). This happened with a handfull of characters. You will never guess who is Van Hellsing here. He does exist! It's basically just for the cheeky reference but he's here and present in the action. Speaking of, this book has chapters that are third person and then we have the occasional journal entries, again as a nod to the original Dracula I'm assuming.

One thing of the plot I think could have been stretched on was with the bookseller The characters discovered both secrets too fast in my opinion, though Ruby's turn, I think, is very good. A bit confused on the vessel thing though and how the possession truly works.

Now, this is a much faster paced book, with a lot more blood and death happening, so if you expect it to be very similar to Dracula. It is not. It is however a book on its own even while borrowing certain assets and characters names.

Strong Dracula vibes with historical fiction. It has horror, it has thriller, it has suspense, and most importantly: vampires. As a vampire lover, this book was perfect and just scratched every itch. Really recommend if you love historical horror.

This is an entertaining take on Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Gadz maintains the feel of a 19th century novel with a third party omniscient POV, which was a bit confusing until I realised what was going on. This POV really works here as it gives an almost cinematic feel as the focus moves from character to character. The prose captures the frenetic, hunting ground feel of the crowded theatre district that Dracula stalks. Another nod to the original is that the author also tells the story through diary entries and letters.

After an engaging opening the story slows down a bit while Gadz sets the scene and introduces the characters, but once Dracula has been let loose the tension ratchets up. In this story Dracula is a spirit that inhabits peoples’ bodies, which just adds to the suspense as the characters realise it could be anyone. I enjoyed this book a lot and recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Deixis Press for this opportunity. This arc will be available 10/24/24.


This is a giant “okay but why?” for me. I highly suggest leaving your thoughts that this would be like Dracula and all the vampiric lore you know behind when reading this book. It is a horror-esque Victorian vampire read that focused on the humans and less on the parasite. I was let down heavily.

*The Eater of Flies* is a thrilling dive into Victorian Gothic horror, blending the eerie allure of traditional vampiric lore with a gripping tale of crime, corruption, and dark humor. Set against the bustling and morally ambiguous backdrop of London’s West End in the summer of 1868, this novel immerses readers in a world where the opulence of high society collides with the gritty underbelly of the city.

The story kicks off with a tantalizingly sinister premise: a mysterious box from Transylvania, sealed and enigmatic, falls into the hands of unscrupulous individuals. When the box is opened, it releases a vampyr—an unsettling wraith-like creature with a parasitic nature. Unlike traditional vampires, this vampyr hides inside its host, whether young or old, man or woman, and its thirst for blood spells disaster for those around it.

The narrative is set primarily around Holmwood’s music hall, situated just off The Strand. This locale serves as the novel’s heart, where the arrival of the vampyr triggers a nightmarish chain of events marked by betrayal, murder, and a desperate race to contain the malevolent force before it can wreak further havoc. The story explores the depths of human greed—whether for money, power, or blood—and examines how it fuels the chaos unleashed by the vampyr.

What sets *The Eater of Flies* apart is its departure from conventional vampiric lore. The vampyr’s unique characteristics and the way it infiltrates its victims offer a fresh take on Gothic horror. The novel’s atmosphere is richly crafted, evoking the dark, foggy streets and the glittering yet morally ambiguous world of Victorian London. The setting is as much a character as any of the individuals, contributing to the story’s menacing and immersive ambiance.

The author’s use of pitch-dark humor adds an intriguing layer to the narrative, balancing the horror with moments of sharp wit and irony. This humor is particularly effective in highlighting the rampant greed that drives the plot, making the characters’ vices as compelling as the supernatural threat they face.

The characters themselves are vividly drawn, each with their own motivations and flaws. Their interactions and the unraveling of their secrets add depth to the story, making the eventual confrontations and revelations all the more impactful. The tension builds steadily as the vampyr’s influence spreads, and the stakes rise with each page.

Overall, *The Eater of Flies* is a masterful Victorian Gothic tale that deftly combines horror, crime, and dark humor. Its innovative take on vampiric lore and its richly detailed setting make it a standout in the genre. Readers who enjoy a blend of suspense, supernatural intrigue, and biting commentary on human nature will find much to savor in this chilling and entertaining novel.

I’ve not read Dracula so I’m appreciating this on its own merits.

Pros:
Good mix of villainous humans and monsters.
I really like the possessed characters point of view chapters.
Fun cast of characters and Victorian slice of life.

Cons:
A 45 word sentence followed by a 77 word sentence, neither of which add to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this early!

It has taken me a little longer than expected to get this review out there, but here it is!

The Eater of Flies by Richard Gadz is a retelling of the well-known Bram Stoker classic, Dracula. This is a very well written story and Gadz is clearly a highly skilled author.

I first want to preface this review though with the following:
1) I've never read Dracula before, so I don't have a great point of reference for comparing this retelling and I have to view it completely as its own story.
and 2) I typically go more for modern literary fiction over classic literature, and this definitely read more like a classic to me.

So please do not let my 3 star rating keep you from this book, especially if you are a fan of classic literature!

This story evokes the voice of the time period and setting very well and Gadz really paints a picture with his detailed descriptions. I had no problem seeing the world building in my head and especially loved his ability to describe the spookier moments of the story.

But the thing I struggled with, which led to my 3 star rating, was that I had a hard time keeping up with the MANY characters and their roles and connections in the story. The scene would be set really well, but there would be so many characters involved that I'd start to lose track of what was happening. This could totally be a me thing, but I found it distracting and I think it's led to me retaining less of the story than I may have otherwise. It was after chapter 7 that I started to better be able to place and recognize the characters, which for me felt just a little too far into the story.

But please don't get me wrong, I truly did enjoy reading Eater of the Flies! I felt it was a nice challenge to read outside of my comfort zone. Thank you again to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book before publication!

A great take on Bram Stoker's Dracula that subverts expectations that come with the genre and offers a fresh perspective on vampire mythology.

Thanks to Netgalley and Deixis Press for this ARC eBook in exchange for my honest review. (October 24)

Ok, so...

If Bram Stoker wrote Dracula in a parallel dimension, it might read something like The Eater of Flies - a novel that puts a different spin on vampire lore. And I ate it up!

The story is set in the mid eighteen hundreds, but what I found so impressive is that it truly feels like it was written in the 1800's.

It felt like reading an unpublished (till now) tale by one of my favorite authors of olde. I was thoroughly entertained throughout, and I also feel it stuck the landing.

It's had horror. It had some gloriously gory greatness. And it had some biting humor as well.

I'll be highly recommending this Halloween to any fans of Dracula, or vampires in general. Also, certain elements brought to mind Guillermo del Toro's (& Chuck Hogan's??) The Strain, so I'd also recommend it to those who enjoy that series.

I'll certainly be reading more from Richard Gadz myself.

3.75 / 5

The mini synopsis and the prologue were gripping.
As a fan of the original Dracula and vampire stories, I thought I was the right audience for this book before starting it.
This is loosely based on the original Dracula - you will certainly recognise some names and incidents.
If you are not familiar with the vampyre lore, you can still enjoy this book.
I found the concept/idea interesting and compelling 5/5 for that.
The prose did not grip me - it is a matter of taste.
This is a quick read, though the pacing is a little imbalanced. Same for the characterisation, some are a bit fleshed out.
I wonder, if this were longer and differently edited (about the revelations and with more visual writing), if I would have enjoyed it more.
I appreaciate the book, but I expected more (layers, depth, plot).
I recommend this, and thank you #netgalley and #deixispress for the ARC.

This book is a retelling of Dracula set in Victorian London with epistolary elements. Readers who enjoy more historical horror or fantasy might enjoy this book. While I did enjoy the twist on vampires by Richard Gadz in this novel, I felt that the writing style was unfortunately not my cup of tea.

Thank you Deixis Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

The world of Dracula through a reduced lens

There are moments of brilliance in this Dracula Redux, with familiar characters - Harker, Van Helsing, Dracul - in a dirty, stinking version of Victorian London. The sparks of energy that attempt to bring global vampire myths into a singular focus are drowned in a mire of multiple viewpoints and swiftly changing third person narrators, as well as cinematic images of horror and transgression. I wanted one consistent approach to grab me, but instead it was inchoate, a moil of action that I felt tired by.

Two stars

This might be the best vampire novel of all time. The writing has left me totally starstruck. If you're looking for a vampire horror that strikes every chord, this is the one. Best to ever do it. I'd double the stars if I could.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC!

This book is quite faithful to the original Bram Stoker novel, however, does fall into a bit of a trap with the points of view in it. It gets a little tangled up in itself and loses the story thread on and off, which doesn't help in a novel that requires some pre-knowledge to begin with. The story is good, but does seem to lose a little of the punch that vampire stories have, faltering into a quasi-possession lore that just doesn't have the same punch as the undead.

That said, the writing is beautiful, and really does capture the original spirit of the source material. The style was well done, and I appreciated the journal entries done as a homage to the original. The descriptions of the city and the events (without revealing too much!) were very much in the essence of the original as well, and this book would not be out of place in the era the original was published.

I do think that the blood and gore was quite good, however, the absence of some noted characters was a bit disappointing too, and I unfortunately didn't connect quite as well with this one as I had hoped. All in all, this one was so worth it for the writing style, but just lost its way a little bit as it went.

The Eater of Flies was a mixed read for myself, the author has a good writing style but throughout the novel there were times of unoriginality that could have been improved upon. Then at other times there were genuine scares and moments where I applauded the ingenuity. The Eater of Flies is a fair read and could have benefited from some more polishing time with the author.

Thank you to Richard Gadz and Deixis Press for the e-arc of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

This novel is an atmospheric tale that offers a fresh take on the vampyre [sic] mythos. One of the most intriguing aspects is its unique portrayal of vampyres. Instead of the typical transformation of a person into a vampyre, these vampyres possess their hosts, adding a layer of psychological horror and depth to the narrative.

The book alternates between traditional prose and epistolary formats, reminiscent of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula.' This switch keeps the narrative dynamic and engaging. As I mentioned above, the vampyres are parasitic, so I appreciated the scenes where you see the hosts view of what is happening. However, I did find the underlined words in Flemming's diary entries a bit irritating, as they disrupted the reading flow.

While the novel's structure is enjoyable, I found that it suffered from too many point-of-view switches, especially at the beginning. This made it challenging to keep track of characters and fully engage with the story early on - I was around half way through the book before I really had a clear picture of who was who.

Despite these minor issues, this remains an interesting read with its unique concept, and I recommend "The Eater of Flies" to vampire and/or horror fans.

An adventurous and gruesome retelling of the story of Dracula, with carnage aplenty. Instead of victims becoming valleys themselves, Dracul is crafted to be a specter/parasite-choosing his victims based on what benefits him the most. He is still the blood-thirsty and brutal destroyer we know so well.

The duo who teams up to hunt him down, Valentine Harker and Alfred Flemming, embodied Holmes/Watson energy, and make a well-oiled machine. They are formidable and cunning, but wrestle with fear and shortcomings. Gadz’s shaping of the team makes them likable, relatable, and you find yourself rooting for them until the end.

One of the things I really liked about this version was the incorporation of different cultures and their take of Dracula-specifically how armies used vampires to their advantage, and left devastation in their wake. It illustrate how the desire for power can lead to ruthless choices.

Ultimately, the heart of this story is how greed can, in the end, destroy you. The desire for more-more money, more power, more prestige-will be your ultimate downfall, and maybe, the death of you.

I enjoyed this reimagining of such a well known story, and how the author gave it new life-bloody and all.