On the verge of Halloween, let’s dive into the shadowy, mysterious world of Carmilla, a novella by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, a 19th century author known for his works of gothic horror and mystery. Written as a newspaper serial between 1871 and 1872, Carmilla is one of the earliest known works of vampire literature, predating Bram Stoker's Dracula by a good 25 years. So, let's sink our fangs into this lesser-known yet profoundly influential novella.

Carmilla embodies the quintessential elements of Gothic fiction: supernatural figures, old castles, dark and rambling forests, and superstitious townsfolk. The story unfolds in an Austrian castle, where a young woman named Laura lives a lonely, isolated life with her wealthy and widowed father. But everything changes when a carriage accident outside their home introduces them to Carmilla, a girl of Laura's age. Mysteriously, Carmilla bears a striking resemblance to a girl Laura dreamt about in her childhood. From the get-go, there's a magnetic pull between the two, hinting at the exploration of sexuality that makes Carmilla so groundbreaking.

Carmilla isn't just any vampire—she's the prototypical example of the lesbian vampire. Her relationship with Laura is emotionally intense and, theoretically, sexually charged. (It was the Victorian era, so don’t expect any overt sexuality within the text!) Unlike the male vampires of the era, Carmilla is deeply involved with her victims, establishing a mutual connection that defies the negative stereotypes of lesbianism prevalent in the 19th century. Le Fanu's portrayal of women challenges the Victorian view of women as mere possessions.
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As the story unfolds, Laura begins to notice Carmilla's eccentricities. She never joins in household prayers, sleeps much of the day, and seems to sleepwalk outside at night. Meanwhile, young women in nearby towns begin dying from a mysterious malady. Laura herself suffers from nightmares featuring a large, cat-like creature leaping onto her bed, and her health starts to decline. 

In a quest for answers, Laura and her father journey to a nearby town to seek medical help. En route, they uncover an old tale of a girl who suffered in a similar way as Laura after a mysterious girl named Millarca came to stay with the family. The chilling revelation comes to light that Carmilla and Millarca are anagrams of the same name—and a vampire in disguise.

The tale reaches its climax with the intervention of a legendary vampire hunter who locates Carmilla's tomb and destroys her while she sleeps, immersed in blood. Laura's father takes her on a year-long Italian tour to help her recover, but the trauma lingers. Carmilla leaves an indelible mark on vampire lore, influencing countless adaptations over the years.

In 2023, Dark Horse Comics released Carmilla: The First Vampire, a fresh take set in 1990s New York City. Written by Amy Chu with artwork by Soo Lee, this graphic novel integrates snippets from the original story as the main character investigates a series of murders. The graphic novel went on to win the Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a Graphic Novel..

​So, if you haven't yet ventured into the eerie, seductive world of Carmilla, now's the time. It's a tale that not only entertains but also challenges societal norms and explores the complexities of human relationships. Happy reading!

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For three superlative novels, author Maggie Stiefvater has entranced us with the story of a group of high school students searching for the lost tomb of Owen Glendower (or Owain ap Gruffydd or Owain Glyndŵr), the Welsh “raven king” who lead an uprising against the British in the early 15th century. The Raven King concludes their search.

Glendower was a real historical figure, a capable military leader whose revolt was initially successful but ultimately doomed to fail before superior British technology and naval power. When his rebellion collapsed in 1409, Glendower when into hiding and was never found by his enemies. Likewise, his final resting spot remains unknown and from this mystery has sprung legend. Like King Arthur, Glendower’s myth promises that he can be “awakened” from death under certain conditions, and this is the starting point for Stiefvater’s books.

The teens in Steifvater’s Raven Cycle books are searching for Glendower’s bones in rural Virginia where they believe the ancient Welsh hid them from the British. Each of the characters has certain attributes which assist in this quest. Richard “Dick” Gansy is the group’s leader and a gifted historian. Ronan Lynch is a troubled classmate who can pull objects from dreams and make them manifest in the real world. Blue Sargent may not be a psychic like her mother, but she can amplify supernatural phenomenon at will. Adam Parrish is the magician who has a special relationship with the local ley line, a naturally occurring geological feature tied to the paranormal. And Noah Churney is the ghostly classmate who was murdered years earlier by a teacher who was also looking for Glendower. 

Purported to be the last book in the series, The Raven King, brings this long and complex adventure to an end by pitting Gansy and his friends against a ruthless collector of supernatural items who's systematically destroying the magical realm they seek to protect. Having been stymied from finding Glendower in all the previous books, Gansy and the others are now working against the clock. Finding Glendower may be the only way to save not only their world, but Gansy’s life as it has long been foretold that he would die before year’s end.

Stiefvater is a gifted storyteller. She’s able to effortlessly create realistic dialogue, paint stunning imagery and evoke deep emotion. But sadly, I think The Raven King is the weakest book in this series for several reasons. First, I found Stiefvater’s prose to be overly-mannered compared to the other novels, as though she abandoned her more conversational tone for repetition and hyperbole. These devices became increasingly distracting as I progressed through its pages. In respect to plot, The Raven King offered neither the intimate character study of The Dream Thieves nor the colorful personalities and interactions depicted in The Raven Boys and Blue Lily, Lily Blue. At times, it felt like loose threads were quickly tied off rather than thoughtfully resolved. This was certainly the case with how the protagonists find Glendower’s tomb and how they deal with Gansy’s forecasted death. Though I can’t say Stiefvater cheats the reader by failing to resolve these storylines, their resolutions felt rushed and insufficient.

​While The Raven King was a disappointment in many ways, the world Stiefvater’s created in these novels is a place I would love to visit again. Fortunately, the last scene in the book leaves the door to future novels noticeably ajar. I, for one, hope we see these characters again.

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The third installment in Maggie Stiefvater's popular Raven Cycle books, Blue Lily, Lily Blue, continues the story of a young woman named Blue Sargent, born to a family of psychics who befriends a group of privileged prep school boys as they search for a mythical king called Glendower. As unlikely as that premise may seem, these are consistently strong and believable young adult novels and this third installment does a great job of building on an ensemble of characters which may be some of the most engaging in young adult fiction. 

After dealing mostly with the character of Ronan Lynch in the preceding book The Dream Thieves, this outing reestablishes Blue Sargent as the main protagonist of a diverse group of people bound together by both friendship and curiosity. As the novel begins, Blue is suffering acutely from the loss of her mother Maura who disappeared at the end of the previous book. Maura, a powerful psychic, has presumably decided to search for Glendower on her own — leaving behind only a cryptic note which promises she can be found “underground.” According to legend, Glendower was a Welsh king who was spirited away from his homeland and laid to rest somewhere in an elaborate cave system near the fictional town of Henrietta, Virginia. Like the legend of King Arthur, Glendower is not dead in the physiological sense, but rather in some form of suspended animation, waiting for one worthy soul to wake him. For the man or woman who manages to find and rouse the king, there is the promise of magical favors.

Joining again with her unlikely friends from the prestigious Aglionby Academy (Gansy, Ronan, Adam and Noah), Blue spearheads the subterranean search for Glendower — logically assuming that if she finds the king, Marua will be nearby. This quest eventually leads them to a rural farm of Jesse Dittley. One of Stiefvater’s strengths is creating memorable, often eccentric characters like Dittley. A great hulk of a man, he’s plain spoken and surprisingly gentle. He takes reluctant shine to Blue, nicknaming her “Ant,” a reference to things which are small yet powerful. Through their unconventional friendship, Blue convinces Dittley to allow her and her friends through the gated cave entrance on his property. This is not an easy decision, as Ditty’s convinced the cave’s cursed and has already claimed the lives of several of his relatives. 

Upon entering the caverns, they find not the mythical king but his daughter, Gwenllian. Entombed alive for reasons unknown (yes, these things happen in The Raven Boys series), the woman is now utterly mad from centuries of isolation. Still, Blue and Gansy recognize that she’s a valuable source of information if they can ever sense of her constant riddles and taunts.

To complicate matters further, the maniacal and sinister Colin Greenmantle continues his own search for Glendower. Introduced in the previous book, Greenmantle is a professional collector of unusual things, a sociopath and a murderer. In The Dream Thieves, he dispatched a hired assassin (the enigmatic “Gray Man”) to locate a magical object called the Greywaren which could manifest items out of the dream world and into the real one. When the “Gray Man” discovered that this “object” was actually Ronan, he couldn’t bring himself to turn the boy over to his employer. Fuming from this betrayal, Greenmantle has come to Henrietta to finish the job himself. What follows is an increasingly dangerous game of cat-and-mouse as Blue, Gansy and the others try to outwit or at least out-race Greenmantle to the king’s final resting place. The story culminates with the opposing teams of supernatural treasure hunters entering the caverns for a deadly showdown.

​Like the other books in this series, I continue to be impressed with both Stiefvater’s world building, authentic characters and intriguing subplots. If I have one major criticism of Blue Lily, Lily Blue, it’s that it doesn’t do enough to advance the overall mythology of the series. The one major resolution of the novel is that Blue does find her mother. But after three books, the protagonists still aren’t that much closer to solving the mystery of Glendower. With lesser authors, this lack of resolution would have me annoyed or worried. But I trust Stiefvater will get us there in the end and, honestly, I’d be okay if these books went on forever. While I wished for more a little more in this one, Blue Lily, Lily Blue is another enjoyable installment to The Raven Cycle and well worth your time!

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The Dream Thieves is the second book in the Raven Boys Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater. It’s rare for me to launch into reading all the books in a series back-to-back, but I was so taken with the first, The Raven Boys, that I knew I had to continue on immediately. (See my review of The Raven Boys.)

​Done correctly, the second part of anything — a movie, a play, a book — can be the best part. The introduction’s over, the conclusion awaits, and everything in between is where the heart of the story resides and some of the best drama unfolds. This was certainly true of The Dream Thieves which builds on the compelling but largely secondary character of Ronan Lynch. We learned some important things about Ronan in the first book, particularly how his promising future was upended when he found his father’s mangled body in the barns near the family home. Following this unsolved murder, Ronan’s mother lapsed into an inexplicable coma and the bizarre provisions of his father’s will have kept Ronan and his brothers away from both her and their home. This means poor Ronan has become the proverbial man without a country, receiving a monthly stipend from the vast family fortune so he can continue to attend the Aglionby prep school yet denying him what he wants most — answers.

As if Ronan's life wasn’t difficult enough, a corrupt and dislikable classmate named Joseph Kavinsky has taken a sudden interest in him, presenting him with a series of gifts which are both weirdly personal and slightly threatening. But Kavinsky also has the answers to many of Ronan’s questions, including how to extract items from one’s dream life and manifest them in the waking world. This ability, which Ronan shared his late father, allowed the elder Lynch to build their immense wealth and ultimately lead to his assassination by a mysterious individual known as “The Gray Man.” While Ronan approaches “dream theft” warily, Kavinsky is an unapologetic burglar, caring little for the long-term consequences of his actions if they fulfill his immediate needs and desires. The more Kavinsky and Ronan pull from the supernatural world, the more they deplete the ley line which powers Cabeswater, Ronan’s ghostly friend Noah, and may lead to the mythical king, Glendower.

It was risky for Stiefvater to dedicate so much of The Dream Thieves to Kavinsky and Ronan, especially since it meant less attention for the cycle’s presumptive protagonists, Gansey and Blue. Yet it worked for the most part. We never doubt that the boys’ strange teacher-student relationship is built on a foundation of mutual antagonism and selfish need, yet we revel to discover that Ronan, for all his faults, simply isn’t the hedonistic scoundrel Kavinsky and many others expect him to be. Their differences become irreconcilable when Kavinsky reveals a sexual price for his mentorship, reducing Ronan to just another possession to be toyed with and then discarded. The topic of Ronan’s sexuality and his reaction to Kavinsky’s demands are skillfully handled and also let Stiefvater address his equally complicated relationship with Gansey, a boy he describes as a brother but who clearly fulfills multiple roles. 

While I didn’t enjoy The Dream Thieves quite as much as the first book, finding the conclusion too melodramatic for my taste, I was impressed by the author’s world building and her willingness to take her characters down uncharted paths. There’s a lot of new material and characters introduced in this book, but Stiefvater doesn’t cheat us (or Ronan) by withholding answers while simultaneously laying the foundation for greater things to come. 

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MY ORIGINAL REVIEW OF THE NOVEL:

Within the first paragraph of Maggie Stiefvater's The Raven Boys, I was worried I had made a mistake. After all, the first things Maggie tells us about her female protagonist, Blue Sargent, is that she comes from a long line of psychics and that it's been foretold by said psychics that she'll eventually kill her true love with a kiss. Poor Blue has grown up with this grim specter and it's become even more frightful now that she's 18 and seriously interested in boys. At this point, I admit that my cynicism for young adult fiction took over. 

Ah shit, I thought, I just spent money for another tedious YA paranormal romance. There will be nothing for me in this novel but a rising sense of irritation.

Fortunately, I was dead wrong. 

The Raven Boys turned out to be a highly engaging novel which both surprised and pleased me by not indulging in the usual YA paranormal tropes about a demure girl with special powers who's loved by a contingent of dangerous, damaged bastards but is afraid to love them back. In fact, props to Stiefvater for not only providing authentic male characters, but also presenting young male culture as being both supportive and welcoming (because it can be, you know). 

The meat of the novel revolves around Blue's family gift and its connection to a mysterious energy corridor called a ley line which runs near her hometown of Henrietta, Virginia. Blue's not overtly clairvoyant  but when she visits the ley line on with her aunt on St. Mark's Eve — a night when the spirits of those who will die in the next year march by — she has a ghostly vision of a young man who identifies himself as "Gansey." As it turns out, "Gansey" is Richard "Dick" Campbell Gansey, III, a wealthy student at the prestigious Aglionby Academy. The students at the all-male prep school are cumulatively known as "raven boys" by the Henrietta natives who view them with a mixture of intolerance and envy. Blue would normally eschew "raven boys," partly because of their reputation, partly because of that whole I-will-kill-you-with-a-kiss thing. Instead, she's drawn into Gansey's circle and his obsessive quest for a legendary Welsh king called Gwendower he swears is buried someone along the ley line. According to myth, anyone who awakens the sleeping king will be granted a supernatural favor. Gansey's Gwendower fixation and Blue's ominous vision of the boy eventually culminate in an uneasy partnership shared by three other Aglionby students and — unbeknownst to all of them — their unscrupulous Latin professor.

Stiefvater's prose is rich and highly atmospheric, sometimes straying close to poetry in a way reminiscent of Neil Gaiman. Her vision of the fictional Henrietta, a southern town curiously populated by powerful psychics and affluent schoolboys, becomes a fascinating backdrop for a variety of subplots. Stiefvater should also be complemented for tying up enough loose threads to make The Raven Boys a satisfying novel on its own while simultaneously leaving enough unresolved so the reader is craving the next book in the cycle.

​Check this one out!

RELATED: Review of The Dream Thieves: The Raven Cycle Book 2

REVIEW OF THE RAVEN BOYS: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL

The Raven Boys Graphic Novel, adapted by Stephanie Williams and illustrated by Sas Milledge, breathes visual life into Maggie Stiefvater's bestselling YA supernatural fantasy, The Raven Boys. Originally published in 2012, the novel embarked readers on a mesmerizing journey through The Raven Cycle, a four-book saga steeped in myth and mystery. This graphic novel adaptation, released in August 2025, seeks to capture the enchantment and suspense that endeared the original to countless fans.

Williams's adaptation is a testament to the power of storytelling through visuals. The necessity of condensing Stiefvater's intricate plot into a graphic format inevitably simplifies certain elements, akin to a book being translated into a film. As a result, some of rich complexities, especially the nuanced relationships between the Aglionby Academy students—Gansey, Noah, Ronan, and Adam—and Blue, the girl entwined in their quest, are somewhat diminished. Despite this, the core narrative remains intact: a slowburn quest to find the legendary Welsh King Glendower and the looming prophecy over Gansey's tragic fate.

Sas Milledge's artwork employs heavy ink work and a limited color palette, perfectly complementing the novel's dark supernatural plot mixed with subplots about abuse, grief, trauma and murder. While Milledge's artistic interpretations may diverge from what readers of the original novel might have imagined, this divergence adds a unique dimension to the story, offering fresh perspectives on beloved characters.

Notably, the graphic novel retains the suspense and surprising twists that captivated readers in Stiefvater's original work. Whether you're a first-time reader or a long-time fan, this adaptation promises an engaging experience, allowing you to rediscover the magic and mystery of The Raven Boys through a new lens.
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Cozy novels (or “cozies” as they are often referred) generally feature a small cast of characters and are centered on familiar and comforting places — like a small town, a suburb, a book store, a pub or a library. You won’t necessarily find complex plots, intricate character development or lofty themes in a cozy novel. Take them as advertised — they are the book equivalent to a cardamom latte served with a freshly baked scone or the perfect cup of chamomile tea on a rainy day. They are intended to sooth and delight rather than challenge and provoke. 

​Mysteries were the first genre to popularize the “cozy,” but this has expanded in recent years to include romance, fantasy and history. (But essentially any genre can become a “cozy” if it includes some of the aforementioned elements.) 

For my purposes, I’m featuring cozy fantasies which combine slice-of-life ambiance with stories that are healing, comforting and uplifting. But because they’re also fantasy novels, they include elements like magic and magical beings, creatures drawn from myth and legend and exotic realms. 

Since, a lot of cozy fantasies feature food and drink in some way, I’m pairing my book recs with a few drink recipes that compliment the fantasy themes.

​Tuck in and enjoy. 

If you're in search of an enthralling graphic novel that seamlessly blends mystery, romance, and the supernatural, look no further than Summer Shadows, published by Dark Horse Comics. The story revolves around Nick Landry, a young gay man from the UK, who embarks on a journey to the fictional Greek island of Avraxos in search of his ex-boyfriend, Anthony. Their unexpected breakup has left Nick in a whirlwind of emotions, unable to move on. Driven by a cryptic letter from Anthony, Nick is convinced that his ex is in dire trouble, setting the stage for a gripping adventure on the sun-drenched beaches of the Mediterranean. 

As the plot thickens, we meet Alekos Kourkoulos, a Greek coast guard officer with his own agenda—finding a missing vacationer. When their paths intersect, Nick and Alekos realize that both missing person cases are linked to a mysterious black yacht anchored offshore. Rumored to belong to someone with immense wealth, the yacht holds a status akin to diplomatic immunity, leaving Alekos's law enforcement contacts puzzled and unable to act. This twist of fate pulls Nick further into a web of intrigue and danger.

The island locals add another layer to the narrative, warning Nick to leave before it’s too late, hinting at an unnamed terror. Meanwhile, others seem to be in the thrall of the yacht's enigmatic owner, Hylas—a impossibly handsome and strangely charismatic figure. Hylas's minions procure young men for extravagant parties aboard the yacht, filled with drugs, alcohol, and hedonistic pleasures. Despite forming a physical relationship with Alekos, Nick remains emotionally tethered to Anthony. Things take a darker turn when Nick becomes convinced he spots Anthony at one of these infamous parties, adding urgency to his quest.

The story reaches its crescendo when Nick receives an invitation to Hylas's infamous "Festival of the Blood Moon" on a secluded, private island. Veronica, Hylas's personal assistant, reveals to Nick the unimaginable truth: they are vampires, Anthony is one of them, and the festival is a trap. Despite her allegiance to Hylas, Veronica shows compassion for Nick’s heartbreak, urging him to leave. Undeterred, Nick devises a plan with Alekos and supportive locals to escape the island with Anthony. The Festival of the Blood Moon turns into a nightmare, with human guests falling victim to the vampires. Thanks to Veronica's aid, Nick escapes, but not before a chilling confrontation with the undead Anthony. 

Summer Shadows is a well-crafted comic book series with rich characterizations and engaging dialogue that draw readers into its world. The interconnected subplots and backstories add depth and intrigue, while the readers' sympathy for Nick’s broken heart is palpable, even as they wish he’d see the truth sooner. Set against the enchanting backdrop of the Greek Isles, the novel weaves together the romance of ancient myth with the stark realities of the super-rich and powerful. Ricardo Cabral's pen and ink drawings, coupled with bold color schemes, provide a stylish aesthetic perfect for a vampire tale. While the book concludes with a satisfying ending, future encounters with Hylas and his coven are upcoming as Summer Shadows is part of an ongoing series.

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I read Brahms Stoker‘s Dracula when I was in college, but only recently found out that this 1903 novel was the basis for Boris Karloff’s The Mummy (1932). Because I love that movie so much, I had to sit down and read this novel right away. 

Like Dracula (1897), The Jewel of the Seven Stars is a horror novel which combines mythology, history, science, and the Victorian belief in spiritualism. The main character is a barrister (lawyer) named Malcolm Ross who is summoned to the estate of a rich nobleman fascinated with ancient Egypt. The nobleman, Abel Trelawny, has been overcome by a seemingly magical sleep. While in this impenetrable slumber, he’s attacked several times by forces unknown which seem intent on procuring a key fastened to his wrist by an unbreakable steel bracelet. Despite the horrific nature of the assaults, no suspect can be identified despite concurrent investigations from Malcolm, the local doctor, and Scotland Yard. Mr. Trelawny’s daughter, Margaret, with whom Malcolm is smitten, can shed no light on the experiences even though she’s the first to arrive on the scene after each attack. As Malcolm continues his investigation, it becomes clear that Mr. Trelawny’s interest in the Egyptian occult, and in particular a female pharaoh called Tera, may have something to do with his troubles. 

Like so many people of the Victorian era, Stoker was fascinated with ancient Egypt and clearly did a tremendous amount of research in preparation for this story. While his attention to detail is amazing, the overly mannered writing style, which often strays into minutia, can make for a difficult read. Told in first person, the reader sees very little of the actual events leading up to the book. Instead, secondary characters provide endless exposition to create the backstory. In this sense, Stoker violates a cardinal rule of a modern author: show, don’t tell. In fact, you might have to drink some coffee or go for a walk if you’re trying to get through some of the ponderous foreshadowing and long monologues.

Stoker was very much a man of his time, and his characters certainly embody his Victorian sensibilities. All the gentlemen are exceedingly proper, honorable and intelligent. They are all keenly interested in understanding the ancient Egyptian mysteries laid before them, while simultaneously considering such things the works of heathens dabbling in realms better left untouched. The central female character of Margaret (who’s almost the only female character), is everything a young Victorian gentleman would want. She’s intelligent (but not more intelligent than the men), exceedingly kind, inquisitive, and in constant and persistent need of rescue. Later in the book, when her mood changes for reasons I won’t go into, and she becomes more withdrawn and haughty, Malcolm acknowledges that he doesn’t find her as attractive as before. To the reader, there’s a clear message here: the woman’s more valuable and relevant when she’s appealing to men.

If you’re reading The Jewel of the Seven Stars as an example of Victorian horror fiction, then you will probably find it interesting, even at times fascinating. If not, you’re going to find it a slog.  In the end, I don’t know that the payoff is worth it. I found the conclusion very anti-climactic. It had a much darker ending when it was originally published, but Stoker went back and changed it a few years later. Perhaps a happy ending was more in keeping with Victorian sensibilities where “civilized” men triumph and “civilized” women get married?

In the end, Dracula's still a better book.

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Sebastian Harlow is the Black Flamingo, a flamboyant and narcissistic thief who gets his kicks stealing mystic artifacts from the wealthy and corrupt of Miami's occult underground. When his latest job leads him to his biggest score so far, the hedonistic outlaw discovers something he wasn't looking for something to believe in.

​How can you go wrong with a slick graphic novel about a gay nihilist/cat burglar who, assisted by a witch, a fallen angel, and a golem who, when not in mud form is a sweet-natured twunk, battle American neo-Nazis for supernatural relics in modern day Florida? Answer, you can't. This book is absolutely ridiculous yet somehow it works beautifully. I hope there's a sequel.

PURCHASE >>

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The graphic novel adaptation of the exciting final adventure of the New York Times best-selling Kane Chronicles trilogy!

He's b-a-a-ack! Despite their best efforts, Carter and Sadie Kane can't seem to keep Apophis, the chaos snake, down. Now, Apophis is threatening to plunge the world into eternal darkness, and the Kanes are faced with the impossible task of destroying him once and for all.

Unfortunately, the House of Life magicians are on the brink of civil war, the gods are divided, and the young initiates of Brooklyn House stand almost alone against the forces of chaos. The Kanes' only hope is an ancient spell that might turn the serpent's shadow into a weapon, but the magic has been lost for millennia.
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PURCHASE

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