Vampyre: The Terrifying Lost Journal of Dr. Cornelius Van Helsing is an older book but totally worth mentioning. While the intended age group is 9-12 year olds it is most definitely a book for kids, teens and even adults. Since most book love is directed at adult-intended, more serious books, I thought it was about time to give a fun one a shot.
This is an highly interactive book that revolves around the lost (now found) journal of Bram Stoker’s Dr. Van Helsing. The journal follows Dr. Van Helsing’s travels while he tries to learn about his brother’s mysterious illness, along for the ride is his assistant, Gustav de Wolff.
Every page is a new journal entry and is beautifully done. The pages are full of maps, authentic looking handwriting, photographs, sketches, newspaper clippings and a handful of inserts. The inserts include things like a pull out protection spell, letters for you to open and read, a mini booklet of vampire lore…etc. As I said above this is very much an interactive book, with all the inserts and pop ups and the likes. There are so many little things for you to play with and discover, from “real” wolf fur to touch to secret messages that you have to rub in order to view what is hidden underneath. Each page has something different and innovative for you to explore.
While this is a book of fiction there are many fascinating and very true facts in there. Every page is packed full of genuine research and information for you to learn. The author of this book (the real author being Mary-Jane Knight, who’s name is hidden in the publishing info) without doubt did their vampire lore research because the book covers what many non-fiction vampire encyclopedias cover.
As I mentioned, this book is a few years old now so finding it at a bookstore may be difficult. Luckily we have the internet where you can find new and used version of the book in an assortment of places, like here. Any Bram Stoker fans and anyone looking for a break from serious novels should pick up this fun book.
Vampyre: The Terrifying Lost Journal of Dr. Cornelius Van Helsing (Hardcover)
– Moonlight
