Casa Dracula, Book 1
Synopsis: Latina Ivy League grad Milagro de Los Santos can’t find her place in the world or a man to go with it. Then one night, at a book party for her pretentious ex-boyfriend, she meets an oddly attractive man. After she is bitten while kissing him, she falls ill and is squirreled away to his family’s estate to recover. Vampires don’t exist in this day and age — or do they? As Milagro falls for a fabulously inappropriate man, she finds herself caught between a family who has accepted her as one of their own and a shady organization that refuses to let the undead live and love in peace.
Review: I bought this novel a long time ago on the recommendation of the author Jess Haines. However, like many other books, it lived in my TBR pile for a whole all alone. But I finally decided to take the books that lie on my shelves to finally read them. I wanted something light and I think I found the perfect reading for that.
Milagro is a young woman who doesn’t manage to do something in her life. She doesn’t have any regular job and can not arise as she wants. Yet while she is present for the party of her ex -boyfriend, her life will totally change. And while she kisses a man she does not know, she is injured and falls completely sick. She does not quite understand what’s going on, and ends up with strange food cravings. And it seems that everyone is looking for her. Sebastian, her ex really seems eager to find her and it does seem like a good thing. But it’s not just him and a vampire family welcomes her in their home to help her and be there for her if necessary. A new world opens up to our heroine and although she does not really know how to act, she will manage to find a place among these characters that can only mark us. And when she begins to understand the consequences of the changes in her body, it seems that some are really eager to catch her.
I liked this novel, even if it is perhaps a little less than what I expected. Milagro is a young woman who doesn’t let her choice being dictated and even if this world is all new to her, she will not let herself fall apart. It’s really worth seeing her trying to build a new life, to have people around her who can accept her as she is and do not judge her. Yet she finds herself among strangers who eventually will become like family to her. I especially think of Edna, the grandmother, who despite her scathing replies and comments, likes our heroine more than anything. I loved seeing how Milagro had managed to coax throughout the novel and her arguments were always the funniest. And there is Ostwald, one of the grandsons, who turned the young woman. We see perfectly that there is something between them and at the same time it is very difficult to know how everything will end. There are of course many other characters, but I’ll let you discover them for yourself.
I’m sure you say that it is again a novel with vampires like the others, but you are mistaken. Yes because the author brings her own ideas and I can tell you that the characters do not really appreciate to be called like that. Yes, because for them it is only a virus, an infection, and they are far from the creatures that can be discovered in the novels. But one thing is for sure, the book is full of ideas and humor and I took great pleasure in discovering everything. Moreover, I am curious to see what we can find in the sequel.
blodeuedd
I liked it for the humour 🙂
Melliane
yes it was fun
Jennifer Bielman @ Bad Bird Reads
I like when an author takes the vampire concept and twists it a bit.
Melliane
yes it’s interesting
ShootingStarsMag
I know of this book, but I’ve never read it. I’m glad it was enjoyable for the most part.
Silvia
I like the fact that the author ‘vamped’ the concept up with her own ideas, and you definitely got me quite curious, Melliane!
Melliane
yes it’s always fun
Tracy Terry
Loving the cover.
There seem to be quite a few non-traditional supernatural books on the market at present in which the cause is a virus. I know I have recently read a ‘zombie’ novel like this.
A shame this wasn’t all you expected though I can understand why you felt this way.
Melliane
yes virus is the new thing, it’s true.
kindlemom1
This sounds like it was a fun read!
Kirsty-Marie
Sounds like a fun new twist with vampires (because really, I get a little bored with them lately when it’s all the same) obviously it wasn’t perfect for you, but at least you had fun with it. 🙂
Melliane
yeah me too…
Jenny @ Supernatural Snark
I never tire of vampires Melliane! It’s fun to see various authors different takes on vampire lore, and I love that this one is done with some humor. Looking forward to your thoughts on the sequel!
Melliane
thanks, I’m curious to see how the sequel is.
Carole Rae
Ugh! I have so many books on my TBR list and I keep getting more books, so my list keeps growing! I should dedicate a whole month (or couple weeks) to just reading things on my shelf.
Melliane
right? totally agree with that!
anna (herding cats & burning soup)
Oh that sounds fun! My tbr pile is…horrifying. I could go the next 5 years (or probably WAY more than that) and not buy a single new book and still have some left over. Doesn’t stop me from getting more though. ::snort::
Melliane
I totally know the proble, so why do I keep buying?
Stephanie Faris
Vampires aren’t really my thing, but this one sounds interesting.
Melissa (Books and Things)
Oh this one looks like something I would enjoy. I know it was recommended to me as well in the past. Might have to give it a go. Hopefully it gets even better as the series progresses.
Melliane
it was fun! I hope so too
Heidi
I struggle with vampire books these days because I read too many, however this is the type I reach for, ones that are light and funny. Thanks for the recommendation, this reminds me a bit of Molly Harper
Melliane
I understand, I’m ok with one from time to time. Yes it’s almost the same kind of books.
Joy (Joyousreads)
This sounds like fun! 🙂
LilyElement
I always like humor tossed into a book, great review!