I received this book as an advanced reader copy through Net Galley. 
 I enjoyed the first part of the book - the story of a brother and sister growing up without parents in Victorian England - very much. Once the brother grows up he goes off to school, which is glossed over, and then meets and (view spoiler)[ falls in love with another man (hide spoiler)]. This story intrigued me and I was hoping to watch it develop. Instead (view spoiler)[ it turned into a vampire story, with the entire middle section consisting of pages from a diary of a scientist performing studies on vampires (hide spoiler)]. 
 I tried to keep reading but just could not get into the new story line. Too bad, the beginning had some promise and the writing is mostly lovely and descriptive.