Gamebook Friday: Nosferatu and the Curse of the Vampire

At the weekend I went to see Robert Eggers' Nosferatu. I had been looking forward to this ever since I first saw the trailer and went to see it as soon as I could so as not to have the film ruined by spoilers on social media.

Now, be warned, this post contains a few spoilers about the film. So, if you have yet to see it but you want to see it, do not read on any further.

Still here? On your head be it, then.

For those who don't know, Eggers' Nosferatu was inspired by the original Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror, from 1922, as well as Bram Stoker's gothic horror novel Dracula*. Eggers' film looks stunning - the locations, sets, and cinematography are incredible - but it isn't actually scary. The jump scares are too obvious and well signposted. On top of that, the story is just too well known to terrify. There's some gross stuff but, knowing it's not real, means none of it will actually make you jump out of your skin.

I don't mind that, but I'm still not entirely sure what I think of the film. It's good, but not amazing. That said, I have found myself pondering it over and over this last week, so it has definitely made an impression on me. There are some fantastic images in the film, and probably the most disturbing elements involve what the mere mortals do when their minds cannot cope with the horror they have been subjected to.

It seems the most contentious things about the film involve Count Orlok's appearance, specifically his moustache and the fact that he is naked at pivotal moments in the film. I don't see what all the fuss is about. Dracula had a moustache in Stoker's novel and the undead Strigoi in my Dracula-inspired gamebook haven't bothered to get dressed either.

Count Dracula and an undead Strigoi by Hauke Kock, from Dracula: Curse of the Vampire.

But it is the look of the film that has really stuck with me, so much so that I am considering publishing a new edition of Dracula: Curse of the Vampire next year, with darker and grittier artwork, and a more gothic look altogether.

For now, if you have yet to check out my own take on Stoker's classic, you can order a copy of the sixth ACE Gamebook here.

* The original Nosferatu was effectively a rip-off of Dracula, and Stoker's widow won a copyright case against the filmmakers. All copies of the film were supposed to have been destroyed but, just like the vampiric Count Orlok, it rose again from the dead. 

ACE Gamebooks Winter Sale Now On!

The ACE Gamebooks Roleplay Winter Sale is on now, over at DriveThruRPG.

Beowulf Beastslayer flash sale!

Following the succes of the 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas flash sale, today I am offering you the 5th anniversary hardback of Beowulf Beastslayer at half price!

The price below includes post and packing within the UK. If you are based overseas and would like to buy a book, please email info@jonathangreenauthor.com rather than using the PayPal button.

Beowulf Beastslayer (£20)

5th anniversary hardback edition of the fourth ACE Gamebook, individually numbered and signed by the author.

Includes Midgard map endpapers, high quality paper, bonus chapter featuring designer's notes and artist Russ Nicholson's sketchbook, and an exclusive, collectible bookmark.

500 sections in length.

'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas flash sale!

As Christmas is over, and the New Year is approaching, I have some signed copies of the 5th anniversary collector's hardback edition of 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas for sale at half the usual price!

To make the most of this Dead Days offer and buy one, simply click on the PayPal button below.

The price below includes post and packing within the UK. If you are based overseas and would like to buy a book, please email info@jonathangreenauthor.com rather than using the PayPal button.

 

'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas (£20)

5th anniversary hardback edition of the fifth ACE Gamebook, individually numbered and signed by the author.

Includes red endpapers, high quality paper, 13 colour plates by artist Tony Hough, bonus chapter featuring designer's notes and artist's sketches, and an exclusive, collectible bookmark.

500 sections in length.

Moon Knight: Age of Anubis - signed copies available now!

I have some signed copies of Moon Knight: Age of Anubis for sale. To buy one, simply click on the PayPal button below.

The price below includes post and packing within the UK. If you are based overseas and would like to buy a book, please email info@jonathangreenauthor.com rather than using the PayPal button.

Moon Knight: Age of Anubis (£12)

Out of print paperback edition of the third Marvel Multiverse Missions gamebook, signed by the author.

300 sections in length.

When N’Kantu, the Living Mummy, escapes his sarcophagus and steals an artifact that turns swaths of mankind into zombies, Moon Knight steps in to save the day… But is hampered by an eager Egyptologist whose choices seem to influence his personalities and strengths. As Moon Knight and the Egyptologist chase N’Kantu from the streets of New York to navigating traps, tricks, and riddles within an ancient temple in Egypt, the two uncover an evil ritual that will begin a battle between gods over the power of life and death. Only the Egyptologist holds the key to unraveling the dark plot… everybody’s lives are in their hands!

“If you loved gamebooks, solo adventures, Moon Knight, ancient Egypt or just want to kill a bit of time in a fun and engaging way this is the book for you!”

A Reader Lives a Thousand Lives

“This was an absolute joy to read (over and over again) and I think even when you've perfected the route, you could easily come back to this one later on and do it all over again with the same enjoyment!”

Amazon.co.uk

“Jonathan Green's skillful storytelling, the interactive gameplay elements, and the incorporation of the Marvel universe make it a must-read for those seeking an immersive and interactive reading experience.”

Goodreads

Gamebook Friday: Review of the Year - 2024

I have been doing a review of my writing year since 2009. That year I had two books published, but wrote five. This year I have worked on seven different projects (not all of which are finished) and had five things published in the UK.

Two of those 'things' were Fighting Fantasy-related - YOU ARE THE HERO: An Interactive History of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks and MAGIC REALMS: The Art of Fighting Fantasy - and this year also saw Fighting Fantasy Fest 5 take place in September, featuring Guests of Honour Sir Ian Livingstone and Iain McCaig.

As well as FFF5, I also attended the Cannes Festival International des Jeux in February, the UK Games Expo at the end of May, and Dragonmeet at the end of November.

However, this year will go down as the Year of Arkham Horror, because two of my published projects were Arkham Horror gamebooks - The Darkness Over Arkham and The Magpie and the Bat - I wrote another one - The Tides of Innsmouth - and I've been plotting yet another to (hopefully) be published before the end of 2025.

One of the things I've been working on recently hasn't been announced yet while the final two were both ACE Gamebooks-related - Shakespeare Vs. Cthulhu: What Dreams May Come (which is still accepting Late Pledges) and the very recently released The Box of Delights - The Roleplaying Game.

I also published 5th anniversary collector's hardbacks of Beowulf Beastslayer and 'TWAS: The Krampus Night Before Christmas (which are both still available).

Foreign editions of my books have continued to come out this year, including Dracula: Curse of the Vampire, NEVERLAND: Here Be Monsters! and Secrets of Salamonis in Brazil, The Darkness Over Arkham in Spain, Howl of the Werewolf in Denmark, and, finally, RONIN 47 and Dracula: Curse of the Vampire in the Czech Republic.

Next year I have four gamebooks to write already, but I'm sure I will end up squeezing in some other projects as well. I will also be attending an event I've not been to before - Airecon at the Harrogate Convention Centre, from Friday 14th to Sunday 16th March 2025.

Conker the Cavapoo has continued to keep me company in my office this year, as well as forcing me to stretch my legs several times a day taking him for walks, so I'll end with the now obligatory dog photo.

Here's wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year! See you in 2025!

The Box of Delights - The Roleplaying Game

The Box of Delights - The Roleplaying Game is available at long last from ACE Gamebooks Roleplay via DriveThruRPG, just in time for the 40th anniversary of BBC TV's seminal dramatization of John Masefield's Christmas classic.

The book is in full colour and features Tony Hough's incredible illustrations throughout. At the moment, only the PDF is available, but print copies will be available in the New Year.

With the release of The Box of Delights - The Roleplaying Game, I now have just one Kickstarter outstanding - Shakespeare Vs. Cthulhu: What Dreams May Come - which will be released next year.

It was touch and go for a while whether I would actually be able to complete The Box of Delights RPG; it was originally going to be a supplement for the 'TWAS RPG, and when I decided it would be a self-contained RPG, I did not expect it to be as long as 'TWAS or Heorot. However, it has ended up being longer than either!

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“And now, Master Harker, of Seekings,” the old man said, “now that the Wolves are Running… perhaps you would do something to stop their Bite?” 

When Kay Harker returns home from boarding school for the Christmas holidays he meets a mysterious Punch and Judy Man, and finds himself mixed up in the battle to possess a magical Box. This curious artefact allows its owner to shrink, fly swiftly, travel into the past, and experience all the wonders that are contained within the Box itself.

Having been entrusted with the Box by the Punch and Judy Man, Kay finds himself being hunted by the wizard Abner Brown and his gang of clerics-cum-jewel thieves. But Abner does not only covet the Box – he also seeks to stop Tatchester Cathedral celebrating its 1,000th Christmas Midnight Mass.

It is up to Kay and his companions, the Jones children, along with various otherworldly allies, to thwart Abner Brown’s plans and stop him acquiring the Box of Delights and with it, power beyond imagining.

The Box of Delights - The Roleplaying Game is a rules-lite RPG for 2-6 Players, plus a Gamesmaster, inspired by John Masefield's Christmas classic, and licensed from the John Masefield Estate.

Designed to be picked up and played with minimal preparation, it nonetheless includes a well-developed character creation system, as well as rules for combat and magic. It is ideal for a festive gaming session with an established group, or as an alternative to the family games usually played at Christmastime.

But Time and Tide and Buttered Eggs wait for no man. So, grab your dice and playing cards, and prepare for adventure, for the Wolves are Running!

"As a lifelong roleplayer I was genuinely interested to read an RPG based on The Box of Delights… Jon Green has done an excellent job capturing the spirit of the piece in a tight, narrative framework that emphasizes storytelling and keeps the mechanics simple enough to be enjoyed by any age."

Devin Stanfield, Kay Harker in the 1984 BBC Television adaptation of The Box of Delights

Experience the Classics as you have never experienced them before!