This is one of the best if not the best animes out there. The storyline has colossal stakes - my kind of stress, there is loss and rampant lawlessness and it's all very grimdark if you ask me. Gothic Grimdark. Throughout the story you're not sure who you're rooting for more: Alucard-Belmont-Sypha / Dracula-Lisa-Isaac / The Sister Vampires / Hector poor poor naïve Hector or the Night Creatures. The tv series led me to the game which led me back to the tv series and round we go.

When I received this book, I was in vampire heaven or sweet-hell (take your pick) and decided to do a re-watch of the series and of course I ended up binge-watching each season twice this week. The artwork and seeing how the game was brought to life for a different screen and wider audience has been a treat.

Let's talk turkey shall we

1. The Whispering Death and The Vampire Killer - bringing Trevor to life was just amazing from the hair right down to his boots. My favorite Trevor Belmont is Season 3 finale Trevor when he whips out both of these two after going toe to toe with a sentient and sapient night creature. That scene alone eclipsed all Trevor scenes.

2. Well, Hot damn Alucard - Yeah I can die peacefully having sampled all the Alucard artwork. The man is art. And talk about gothic etherealism. Season 4 Alucard is a shot to the heart.

3. Big Daddy Bad Vlad Dracula. This Dracula is by far the most alluring, magnetic and downright frightening.

4. The Forgemasters: Necromancy has never looked this sleek.

If you have a shred of love for the gothic world of Castlevania - this book is the holy grail. ( )