Lucy Undying
Romantic Fantasy, Gothic Fantasy, LGBTQ Romance, Sapphic Fantasy
Del Rey
September 10, 2024
hardcover, ebook, audiobook
464
A vampire escapes the thrall of Dracula and embarks on her own search for self-discovery and true love in this epic and seductive gothic fantasy from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Hide.
“Fiercely empowering and gloriously vengeful.”—Heather Walter, award-winning author of Malice
Her name was written in the pages of someone else’s story: Lucy Westenra was one of Dracula’s first victims.
But her death was only the beginning. Lucy rose from the grave a vampire and has spent her immortal life trying to escape from Dracula’s clutches—and trying to discover who she really is and what she truly wants.
Her undead life takes an unexpected turn in twenty-first-century London, when she meets another woman, Iris, who is also yearning to break free from her past. Iris’s family has built a health empire based on a sinister secret, and they’ll do anything to stay in power.
Lucy has long believed she would never love again. Yet she finds herself compelled by the charming Iris while Iris is equally mesmerized by the confident and glamorous Lucy. But their intense connection and blossoming love is threatened by outside forces. Iris’s mother won’t let go of her without a fight, and Lucy’s past still has fangs: Dracula is on the prowl once more.
Lucy Westenra has been a tragically murdered teen, a lonesome adventurer, and a fearsome hunter, but happiness has always eluded her. Can she find the strength to destroy Dracula once and for all, or will her heart once again be her undoing?
“I’ll start at the beginning. The beginning is, as all beginnings are, soaked in blood and shrouded in darkness. The end will be, too, but we’ll get there together.”
Lucy Undying by Kiersten White is the first novel that I’ve read by this author, and I can assure you that it will not be the last. Not only was I totally consumed by the premise of Lucy Undying, but I also found myself wholly won over by the themes and the fierceness in the way Kiersten White has brough the tale of Lucy Westenra to life in both the past and modern timelines.
Dracula gif via giphy
I should start by telling all of you who might be nervous about starting Lucy Undying, that reading Dracula as a precursor is not necessary at all. Kiersten White’s storytelling is easy to follow and utterly enchanting. I found myself, more than once, unable to put my e-reader down. It’s fine. Stirring a pot only requires one hand and minimal focus, right?
“Dear, dear Mother, who loves like a knife, slicing me into ever smaller pieces until I’m exactly the shape that pleases her the most.”
Readers meet Iris Goldaming, new heir to her family’s megalithic fortune and business empire, as she’s running away to London in the hopes to find enough quick cash by divesting estate. She ultimately wants to disappear, wanting nothing to do with her mother’s nefarious legacy. Iris quickly enlists the help of her ride share driver, as well as the enigmatic blonde goddess who saves her on her first day in London.
female vampire gif via giphy
Lucy’s story is told in journal entries prior to her run-in with Dracula. These entries show a young woman who desperately wants to choose the love of her life, but is constrained by societal norms, a strict and overbearing mother, and a handful of suitors. Lucy’s descriptions of her suitors are both insightful and comical.
“Perhaps they will kill each other! Then I can prettily mourn them and be free. I do quite like the drama of black lace. I would look lovely, pretending to cry over their graves as my darling held me close.”
The other POV is Lucy as she gives an interview. Told in a deposition style, she’s giving her undead story in all the gory details. The strength and guile it takes Lucy to survive through such tumultuous times in history made me adore her even more.
The way the past culminates with the present is a twist that I thought I saw coming, but didn’t truly grasp fully until Kiersten White unveiled it all near the last third of the book. I love a great twist, and this one kept me up late into the night. Taking a gothic fantasy and making it modern is no easy feat, yet Kiersten White handles that challenge beautifully in Lucy Undying.
“Lying about the existence of monsters never saved anyone from falling victim to them.”
Easily one of the best stories of the year, Lucy Undying is an ode to sapphic love, feminine rage, and to the OG vampire story that has spawned countless others. If you need a story that is both unique and romantic, with plenty of action, and mystery to keep you hooked, then you absolutely need to read Lucy Undying! Available everywhere now, don’t want on your copy! Congrats on a brilliant new release, Kiersten White!