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Anno Dracula: Dracula Cha Cha Cha (Book Review)

Anno Dracula: Dracula Cha Cha Cha is the third novel in the Anno Dracula series from award-winning writer Kim Newman. Newman is a British author who is well known for his horror fiction, and the author has even delved into the gaming industry with a series of novels based on the world of Warhammer. With Dracula Cha Cha Cha, also known as Judgment of Tears in the United States, Newman continued his fictional world that becomes a bizarre alternate reality of our own after the supernatural hunter Van Helsing falls in his infamous battle with Count Dracula. While Dracula Cha Cha Cha was originally published back in 1998, Titan Books Publishing has brought back the undead series and reinvigorated it with new life with the long awaited arrival of the fourth book in the series, Johnny Alucard, scheduled to release in June of next year. There's never been a better time to get into the Anno Dracula series, and Dracula Cha Cha Cha is vampire fiction well worth the time invested to get to know its carefully crafted world.

Dracula Cha Cha Cha takes us to Rome 1959 where a still living, or at least functioning, Dracula has just announced an upcoming marriage to Moldavian Princess Asa Vajda, and a skilled journalist named Kate Reed has found herself wrapped in a deadly investigation. Three vampire elders have been discovered dead, and Kate will need to use all of her journalistic prowess to discover who or what was powerful enough to lead this type of attack against the elders. Of course, such a high level investigation will draw plenty of attention including that of British secret agent Bond, pun intended, as the two will eventually cross paths on the hunt of the elusive Crimson Executioner. The exciting tale is a joyride from start to finish with the only real drawback appearing if you've not yet read the first two books in the series. The Anno Dracula series contains a rich history that greatly rewards readers for beginning the series from the beginning, and the great storyline of Dracula Cha Cha Cha provides more than enough reason to go back and experience all the series has to offer fans of horror fiction.

In Dracula Cha Cha Cha, we are introduced to plenty of new characters, and many loved characters from the series' past make their return here as well. Newman has crafted one of the most unique vampire filled worlds in horror fiction, and he proves his expert knowledge of vampires and similar monsters time and again throughout his works. Newman's vampires do portray hints of satire and have their own unique charm, but the storyline never feels too cliché or childish as you would find in so many other vampire works. One way Newman draws in readers and keeps then entertained throughout is the reference to other characters from popular culture history within his own world. You'll notice references to other works, several cameos from historic figures and even characters named for other famous characters, and it all works well to create a well written and creative world that keeps you feeling comfortable as a reader.

If you've never picked up the Anno Dracula series, you may feel a bit lost when first beginning the story of Dracula Cha Cha Cha, but it eventually fades, and you'll be able to easily enjoy the rest of the story. As with most any series, it's best to start at the beginning, and the Anno Dracula series is one that definitely rewards you for your time spent in each novel. In a world full of vampire rip-offs and terrible recreations, Dracula Cha Cha Cha manages to withstand the test of time and is ready to excite readers once again with its new release. You'll also receive the novella Aquarius just for picking up Dracula Cha Cha Cha to make a good deal even better. Newman is at his best when creating vampire works, and Dracula Cha Cha Cha is easily one of the best vampire stories ever told. Check it out today!

For more information on Anno Dracula: Dracula Cha Cha Cha, check out the official Titan Books website.
Score: 8 out of 10

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