Book: Midnight Covenant by Amelie West
Reviewed by Weird | weird.reads.books
Rating: 4/5
Rating: 4.25/5
I want to immediately preface this review by saying this is not a romance. Midnight Covenant is a gothic fantasy that recenters the Dracula story around Mina, delivering an atmospheric, almost claustrophobic castle setting that leans hard into dread, longing, and old secrets. The dynamic between Mina and Dracula gave me strong Jane Eyre and Crimson Peak vibes, which works perfectly here. Mina is smart and resilient, navigating the mysteries of the castle while being thoroughly gaslit by nearly every resident within its walls.
The pacing may feel slow to some readers, but I loved it. The gradual unraveling of the castle’s secrets through Mina’s perspective was exactly the kind of creeping tension this story needed. The writing and prose were especially effective—it always felt grounded in its period setting, with subtle details that constantly reminded me I was reading a historical gothic fantasy rather than a modern retelling.
I don’t want to say too much about the rest of the book to avoid spoilers. I haven’t read Dracula (I know, for shame), but I have seen the new Nosferatu , and I could clearly spot the parallels in the storytelling. You’ll recognize familiar characters from the source material, though often with unexpected twists. I read this in a single afternoon because it was just that enjoyable. If you’re looking for an eerie Dracula retelling with a feminist lens, I highly recommend Midnight Covenant . It’s the first installment in a duology. 🦇 🕯️
Thank you to Amelie West for the eARC. All opinions are my own.