Book Review: Manga Classics Dracula by Bram Stoker

On November 14, 2025November 10, 2025 By AllieS.In Book Box, Manga, Manga ReviewLeave a comment

Manga Classics: Dracula is a manga retelling of Dracula by Bram Stoker. While it is a retelling due to changing the medium of the story it is using the original text of Dracula, though some has been left out to help condense the story, and is accurate to the novel.

I would recommend this as a way of getting in to Dracula if you have tried the novel and didn’t enjoy the experience. Much like other ways of reading Dracula, such as Dracula Daily, you get to understand the horror of Dracula and how different adaptations have changed the story over time.

For instance, in the original novel Mina is not Dracula’s reincarnated wife and Dracula while probably inspired by Vlad the Impaler he is not that historical figure. Unlike movies and other adaptations Dracula is a horror story and is not a love story at least not for Dracula.

In this manga adaptation the visuals are amazing and they take the time to give each character a slightly different writing style to help tell the story. I love Dracula and I love different adaptations so I figured I would enjoy this manga.

July 2024 Illumicrate

On October 7, 2024October 3, 2024 By AllieS.In Book Box, IllumicrateLeave a comment

Illumicrate is a UK based fantasy and science fiction book box that has monthly boxes or just a monthly book only subscription. Each box also includes a selection of bookish goodies some more practical, others more decorative set around a monthly theme. July’s theme is Magical Menagerie.

The items included in this box are a reading journal, a desk mat inspired by the months book, a set of magnetic bookmarks inspired by Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faires, and a lipstick holder.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is The Phoenix Keeper by S.A. Maclean. We follow Aila the head phoenix keeper at the world renowned zoo for magical creatures but she needs help to keep things going and asking for help is not something she is good at. This edition has full color on the hardback, digitally printed edges, and a bound in author letter.

July 2024 is the last full box that I’m planning on getting. I have switched to the book only option becuase while I like many of the items the full box comes with I have more than enough and its not bring me joy anymore. I plan to post the monthly book on my instagram. August’s theme is Look What You Made Me Do.

June 2024 Illumicrate

On September 13, 2024September 4, 2024 By AllieS.In Book Box, IllumicrateLeave a comment

The items included in this box are a print album, a metal bookmark inspired by The Bone Shard Daughter, a set of mechanical pencils, and an enamel pin inspired by The Water Outlaws.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen. Of Jade and Dragons is a fantasy novel that follows Aihui who dreams of becoming an engineer like her father but after his sudden murder her life changes. By disguising herself as her brother Aihui inflitrates the guild’s male only appreticeship to avenge her father but secrets might come out. This edition also has a full color hardback, digitally printed edges, and a bound in author letter.

July’s theme is Magical Menagerie.

April 2024 Illumicrate

On July 29, 2024July 24, 2024 By AllieS.In Book Box, IllumicrateLeave a comment

The items included in this box are a bookcase puzzle, a bookmark tin, a set of reusable makeup remover pads, and a pair of gardening gloves.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods by Molly X. Chang. The story follows Ruying who has been blessed by death but when the enemy prince offers her an impossible deal she must decide if she will betray her people to protect those she loves the most. This special edition has artwork on the hardback, digitally printed edgesm and is signed.

May’s theme is Magical Bonds.

March 2024 Illumicrate

On July 22, 2024July 16, 2024 By AllieS.In Book Box, IllumicrateLeave a comment

The items included in this box are a book pot, a plant pot, a book jacket inspired by The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi, and a set of sticky notes.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan. This is Chan’s debut novel and is inspired by East Asian mythology. We follow Mira who is a half-siren and has become the captian of the border guard. Howerver, when Nami a water dragon is exiled to the city they must decided if the cost of change is worth paying. This editon has an exclusive cover, art on the hardback, and digitally printed edges.

April’s theme is Magic vs Science.

February 2024 Illumicrate

On April 8, 2024April 8, 2024 By AllieS.In Book Box, Illumicrate1 Comment

The items included in this box are a Altan’s Trident replica from the Poppy War, a drinking glass inspired by The Serpent and the Wings of Night, a fairytale keyring, and pouch inspired by One Dark Window.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is To Cage a God by Elizabeth May which is a Russian inspired romantic fantasy. We follow sisters Galina and Sera who have had gods grafted onto them and have been raised to overthrow the empire. But when Galina infiltrates the place and becomes friends with the princess she you make a choice on if she will bring the empire down or work within it. This edition also has foiling on the hardback and digitally printed edges.

March’s theme is Fantasea.

January 2024 Illumicrate

On March 25, 2024March 20, 2024 By AllieS.In Book Box, IllumicrateLeave a comment

The items included in this box are a reusable sticker book, a set of Crescent City bookmarks, an apron, a phone grip inspired by A Master of Djinn, and a library stamp inspired by the Wayward Children series.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is Voyage of the Damned by Frances White which is a fantasy murder mystery set on a twelve day cruise. This edition also has foiling on the hardback, digitally printed edges, and bonus content.

February’s theme is Caged Hearts.

December 2023 Fairyloot

On March 1, 2024February 24, 2024 By AllieS.In Book Box, FairylootLeave a comment

Fairyloot is a Young Adult book subscription box focusing on fantasy based out of the UK. Each month you receive a new Young Adult hardback book and several bookish goodies. Like most book boxes the hardback are special editions and the items are a combination of both practical things and more decorative items. December’s theme is Artefacts of Power.

The bookish items included this month are a packing cube (which was delayed and mailed later), a set of bookends, a satin scarf, and a tealight candle holder. The monthly tarot cards features character art from Fourth Wing.

All Fairyloot books come with exclusive covers, generally signed by the author and include a letter from the author. This month the book is What the River Knows by Isabel Ibanez which is described as The Mummy meets Death on the Nile adventure with a rivals to lovers romance. This edition also stenciled sprayed edges, artwork on the reverse of the dust jacket, and artwork on the hardback.

Januarys’ theme is Regency & Scandal.

November 2023 Fairyloot

On February 12, 2024February 9, 2024 By AllieS.In Book Box, FairylootLeave a comment

Fairyloot is a Young Adult book subscription box focusing on fantasy based out of the UK. Each month you receive a new Young Adult hardback book and bookish goodies. Like most book boxes the hardback are special editions and the items are a combination of both practical things and more decorative items. November’s theme is Alchemy of Us.

The bookish items included this month are a id case and lanyard, one of the secret books, a SJM inspired desk calendar, and a set of hanging storage drawers. The monthly tarot cards feature character art from These Violent Delights.

All Fairyloot books come with exclusive covers, generally signed by the author and include a letter from the author. This month the book is The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker which is a Asian inspired high fantasy where the main character wants to become a royal alchemist to provide for her family. This edition also has digitally sprayed edges and foiling on the hardback.

December’s theme is Artefacts of Power.

November 2023 Illumicrate

On February 9, 2024February 3, 2024 By AllieS.In Book Box, IllumicrateLeave a comment

The items included in this box are a mug inspired my the Murderbot Diaries, a set of Locked Tomb book ends, an ornament and a foldable bag.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is Starling House by Alix E. Harrow which is a a gothic tale about a small town haunted by secrets. This edition has a full color hardback and digitally sprayed edges.