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Dracula #6
A Matter of Taste
He was once called Dracula, but in Chicago in our day he is known as Matthew Maule. John Southerland, like the rest of the Southerland family, calls him Uncle Matthew. After all he's an Old Friend of the Family and he has risked his un-life more than once to protect the Southerlands. But with Matthew rendered comatose by a feindish plot from beyond time, the Southerlands must rise to his defense - and battle five hundred years worth of Dracula's enemies.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
9 people are currently reading
379 people want to read
About the author
Fred Saberhagen
335 books496 followersFred Saberhagen was an American science fiction and fantasy author most famous for his ''Beserker'' and Dracula stories.
Saberhagen also wrote a series of a series of post-apocalyptic mytho-magical novels beginning with his popular ''Empire of the East'' and continuing through a long series of ''Swords'' and ''Lost Swords'' novels. Saberhagen died of cancer, in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Saberhagen was born in and grew up in the area of Chicago, Illinois. Saberhagen served in the [[U.S. Air Force]] during the Korean War while he was in his early twenties. Back in civilian life, Saberhagen worked as an It was while he was working for Motorola (after his military service) that Saberhagen started writing fiction seriously at the age of about 30. "Fortress Ship", his first "Berserker" short shory, was published in 1963. Then, in 1964, Saberhagen saw the publication of his first novel, ''The Golden People''.
From 1967 to 1973, he worked as an editor for the Chemistry articles in the ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' as well as writing its article on science fiction. He then quit and took up writing full-time. In 1975, he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico.
He married fellow writer Joan Spicci in 1968. They had two sons and a daughter.
Saberhagen also wrote a series of a series of post-apocalyptic mytho-magical novels beginning with his popular ''Empire of the East'' and continuing through a long series of ''Swords'' and ''Lost Swords'' novels. Saberhagen died of cancer, in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Saberhagen was born in and grew up in the area of Chicago, Illinois. Saberhagen served in the [[U.S. Air Force]] during the Korean War while he was in his early twenties. Back in civilian life, Saberhagen worked as an It was while he was working for Motorola (after his military service) that Saberhagen started writing fiction seriously at the age of about 30. "Fortress Ship", his first "Berserker" short shory, was published in 1963. Then, in 1964, Saberhagen saw the publication of his first novel, ''The Golden People''.
From 1967 to 1973, he worked as an editor for the Chemistry articles in the ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' as well as writing its article on science fiction. He then quit and took up writing full-time. In 1975, he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico.
He married fellow writer Joan Spicci in 1968. They had two sons and a daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 12, 2025
Simply put this was a bloody good time.
July 29, 2021
More entertaining adventure, from Mr. Saberhagen.
Dracula, in another modern guise, must deal with a threat from his earliest days as nosferatu, returned in an attempt to kill him, today. Joe Keogh is back, as a private detective, to assist, along with a couple other breathers.
As usual, the story is split between the past and present, with the past starting with Dracula's conversion (first time covered in the series) to time he spent in Italy, serving the Borgia's.
This is a 3-star story (I enjoyed the fun of it), elevated to 4-stars because of how much I enjoy Saberhagen's writing style.
Dracula, in another modern guise, must deal with a threat from his earliest days as nosferatu, returned in an attempt to kill him, today. Joe Keogh is back, as a private detective, to assist, along with a couple other breathers.
As usual, the story is split between the past and present, with the past starting with Dracula's conversion (first time covered in the series) to time he spent in Italy, serving the Borgia's.
This is a 3-star story (I enjoyed the fun of it), elevated to 4-stars because of how much I enjoy Saberhagen's writing style.
October 23, 2014
In this book, we learn how Vlad became a vampire & get an interesting look at Italy around 1500 & meet the Borgia's. Again, it is set in the 1970's & flips back & forth to the past, melding the past into the present. I found the historical part more interesting than the present story. There really wasn't much to the latter - an attack on Vlad from the past that takes a day or two to play out.
Well written, certainly worth reading, especially if you want to read the series.
Well written, certainly worth reading, especially if you want to read the series.
February 14, 2021
When Vlad Drakulya's existence is threatened in twentieth century Chicago, he reflects on the beginning of his undeath as one of the nosferatu.
Whilst Saberhagen's concept is good, it fails to deliver to readers by not not capturing the horror it is clearly striving towards. Drakulya's character is worthy of better plot devices.
Whilst Saberhagen's concept is good, it fails to deliver to readers by not not capturing the horror it is clearly striving towards. Drakulya's character is worthy of better plot devices.
December 9, 2022
Nearly as good as the first three novels in the series. I adore Saberhagen's erudite, gentlemanly Vlad Drakulya/Matthew Maule, and I'm convinced that Amazon or HBO could have a terrific and bloody hit adaptation of these novels if they wanted. Claes Bang would be perfect to reprise the role of Dracula, which he's already nailed once before. A Matter of Taste would have garnered a full five 🌟s from me if the climax and resolution weren't such a mess. Still, a return to form for Mr. Saberhagen and this delightfully compelling series after a couple of lesser entries.
Want to read
April 6, 2010Read several books in this series when my older son (who was born in 1993) was in NICU immediately after birth. I read the books out loud to him, and it was fun hearing the nurses tell each other at shift change what had happened in the story :)
Anyway, I've read all the books in the series and want to go back and re-read them.
Anyway, I've read all the books in the series and want to go back and re-read them.
September 11, 2012
Though a fascinating book, especially recounting the early years of Dracula, it fails to live up to its promise. Saberhagen gives short shrift to the plot line of the modern part of the story - it feels like he just threw his notes together. The conclusion is wholly unsatisfactory and subplots dangle in the breeze, waiting to be tied in.
December 29, 2021
all reviews in one place:
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: Vengeance driven past darkens Vlad Dracula’s door, in a form of a once slighted Borgias, and their poisons. He has survived them once. Will he be able to survive them again, all while protecting his guests, and neighbors?…
My Opinion: Okay, so at least the story wasn’t a complete random mix of events. We got some more of Vlad Dracula’s past, specifically how he died, what he did after, and how he ended up before the Borgias. It’s not the best, so the greatest praise I can give it – not as bad as the previous two or three books in the series. Some motives keep maddeningly repeating, other times it’s so dull it gets hard to read.
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: Vengeance driven past darkens Vlad Dracula’s door, in a form of a once slighted Borgias, and their poisons. He has survived them once. Will he be able to survive them again, all while protecting his guests, and neighbors?…
My Opinion: Okay, so at least the story wasn’t a complete random mix of events. We got some more of Vlad Dracula’s past, specifically how he died, what he did after, and how he ended up before the Borgias. It’s not the best, so the greatest praise I can give it – not as bad as the previous two or three books in the series. Some motives keep maddeningly repeating, other times it’s so dull it gets hard to read.
July 3, 2018
A friend of the Southerland family,Matthew Maule, is really Draculya and he has enemies from 500 years ago. John Southerland is engaged to Angie Hoban and brings her to meet “Uncle Matthew”. During the course of this meeting, an assault begins upon the apartment by Draculya’s enemies. Exciting.
March 13, 2025
This one teeters between 3 and 4 stars for me. It's really backstory of Dracula as much or more than a modern story. The backstory necessary to explain the current events, who the enemy Dracula is facing is, etc. But that being said, I enjoyed it for what it is. None of these books were large, complicated plots. Just shorter, enjoyable reads.
July 4, 2020
These books are fine~ they might even be good~ this just isn’t my genre. Yet, they’re all I’ve got in this strange chapter of my gaijin life.
“Doubtless, no doubt and doubtlessly doubtless with no doubt he did not doubt....”
“Doubtless, no doubt and doubtlessly doubtless with no doubt he did not doubt....”
March 23, 2021
When Count Dracula is poisoned by the Borgias (also vampires) with tainted blood, the Southerland family (Mina Harker's great-grandchildren) rally to defend him thru a blizzard and a series of Chicago high-rises.
August 18, 2023
One of the better late Dracula novels
Dracula is introduced to his descendant's fiance at the same time that an old enemy comes calling. One of the better of the late Dracula novels by Saberhagen.
Dracula is introduced to his descendant's fiance at the same time that an old enemy comes calling. One of the better of the late Dracula novels by Saberhagen.
November 22, 2018
Would've given a higher review but it just enddad abruptly in the middle of story line. Great until the end.
December 1, 2022
Odd book, a story and a much larger back story, too large.
June 23, 2025
Unfortunately he kinda phoned in the ending.
July 11, 2015
A much better effort than the last. Once again switching story telling styles, this one is written in a similar style as Thorn.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
February 7, 2008
A continuation of the Dracula series, with a unique viewpoint.
February 3, 2015
Book 5 of Fred Saberhagen's Dracula series. It's an entertaining, fast read, but IMHO, none of the rest of the series is as good as Book #1, "The Dracula Tape."
June 30, 2011
Any Fred Saberhagen book is always worth reading but I would recommend starting with #1 and reading this series in order.
November 1, 2013
Enjoyed this when it came out, another one will have to read again soon.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews