4 stars. I really liked this book. Jackson Stein has given readers a brand new take on the familiar Dracula legend with the continuing saga of young Prince Vlad. In Dracula Reigns, the King is gone and Vlad eagerly awaits the Council of Elders to appoint him to the throne. Of course nothing is ever that easy as Vlad begins a journey with his brother Radu to save the kingdom all the while hiding a powerful secret.
There are several familiar characters from the first book (Dracula Rising) and some really interesting new characters that add to the story in unexpected ways. This is not a gory/horror/bloody book with vampires leaping about biting people all the time. There is blood and violence but it’s more the kind of creepy scary that sneaks up on you so you leave the lights on all night! Stein wraps up a few plot points but has left some tantalizing loose ends dangling for the next book and I can’t wait to read more. I received a copy of the book-the review is my own.