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elvatikan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
anactoroflife's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
greyalder's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
paulamgil's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
labunnywtf's review against another edition
3.0
This is not the LGBT rep you're looking for.
When I was 14, I read [b: [book:The Blood Countess|64068|The Blood Countess|Andrei Codrescu|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388339448l/64068._SY75_.jpg|1162745]. I do not know how I got my hands on this book. My grandfather used to give me books after he finished reading them, but I....really hope this wasn't one of them, because that book was...weeeeeeeeell. Let's not talk about it, this is a different book of the same name about the same person written by a different person 24 years after the fact.
Our main character, Anna, is the daughter of the village midwife. When we open, she's just rescued a scared kitten from horrible boys trying to set it on fire. In the meantime, a procession is rolling through town with the new Countess, Báthory Erzsébet. Young, beautiful, and Anna's attention is caught. And vice versa.
Through a series of most unfortunate events, Anna and Elizabeth cross paths, and Anna does her best to endear herself to the countess. She plots, schemes, and ends up as her most trusted advisor, friend, and lover.
YAY LGBT REP RIGHT?
Wait, did I mention Elizabeth Bathory sort of murdered a whole bunch of people, including her chambermaids, scullery maids, cooks, servants, whom so ever she damn well pleased?
You know this going in. Even if you don't know the story of Elizabeth Bathory, the author gives you a brief understanding in the introduction, so you know what you're getting into.
The question becomes, how is the author going to spin this? Is Elizabeth the monster history has told us she is? Was she done wrong by powerful men in a time where women held power only when it was given to them by their husband? Was something else entirely going on that history never saw?
I think the author had plans for several different scenarios, and couldn't quite decide which one she was going to pick until the very end. Which means that for the majority of this book, Anna's blind naivete is absolutely excruciating.
I am all about historical LGBT rep. But this is not. it. This is an abusive relationship taken to new heights, and the number of people excited for it shows that we need more. But we need good rep. Not....
This was painful. And I'm sad about it.
Received via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review
When I was 14, I read [b: [book:The Blood Countess|64068|The Blood Countess|Andrei Codrescu|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388339448l/64068._SY75_.jpg|1162745]. I do not know how I got my hands on this book. My grandfather used to give me books after he finished reading them, but I....really hope this wasn't one of them, because that book was...weeeeeeeeell. Let's not talk about it, this is a different book of the same name about the same person written by a different person 24 years after the fact.
Our main character, Anna, is the daughter of the village midwife. When we open, she's just rescued a scared kitten from horrible boys trying to set it on fire. In the meantime, a procession is rolling through town with the new Countess, Báthory Erzsébet. Young, beautiful, and Anna's attention is caught. And vice versa.
Through a series of most unfortunate events, Anna and Elizabeth cross paths, and Anna does her best to endear herself to the countess. She plots, schemes, and ends up as her most trusted advisor, friend, and lover.
YAY LGBT REP RIGHT?
Wait, did I mention Elizabeth Bathory sort of murdered a whole bunch of people, including her chambermaids, scullery maids, cooks, servants, whom so ever she damn well pleased?
You know this going in. Even if you don't know the story of Elizabeth Bathory, the author gives you a brief understanding in the introduction, so you know what you're getting into.
The question becomes, how is the author going to spin this? Is Elizabeth the monster history has told us she is? Was she done wrong by powerful men in a time where women held power only when it was given to them by their husband? Was something else entirely going on that history never saw?
I think the author had plans for several different scenarios, and couldn't quite decide which one she was going to pick until the very end. Which means that for the majority of this book, Anna's blind naivete is absolutely excruciating.
I am all about historical LGBT rep. But this is not. it. This is an abusive relationship taken to new heights, and the number of people excited for it shows that we need more. But we need good rep. Not....
This was painful. And I'm sad about it.
Received via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review
ensleyx's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
itputsthebookupontheshelf's review against another edition
4.0
I gave this book a sold 4 stars. It was everything I needed it to be but not quite a top read.
I loved the characterization of both Anna and Elizabeth. Both were such strong women, and they shared a very special connection the whole way through. It was interesting to see the highs and the lows between them and how they regarded each other through each new aspect thrown at them.
As Elizabeth becomes more and more devious and blood thirsty, Anna, bless her heart, tries everything in her power to bring Elizabeth back from the dark side. Only Anna sees that very small bit of good in Elizabeth, but sometimes love really isn't enough.
There was only a time or two that I found the story to be “cut short”. Some things that happened I felt needed to be just a little more drawn out for effect, but all in all, it was a pretty solid read.
There were some interesting twists and turns and no skimp on the gruesome torture, so if you can’t handle bloody scenes, I’d suggest you skip this book. Though by the title and the history behind the Countess Bathory, I’d hope you kind of know what you are getting yourself into before you dive in.
There is so much I want to say, but I feel like with this specific book, the less that is said, the better. If this is the kind of story that interests you and you have that hankering for a dark tale, I would recommend this book and just go along for the ride.
This is the first book I have read by Lana, but I’m intrigued to read any other books by her.
I was kindly given a chance to read this ARC by Netgalley and the Publishers.
I loved the characterization of both Anna and Elizabeth. Both were such strong women, and they shared a very special connection the whole way through. It was interesting to see the highs and the lows between them and how they regarded each other through each new aspect thrown at them.
As Elizabeth becomes more and more devious and blood thirsty, Anna, bless her heart, tries everything in her power to bring Elizabeth back from the dark side. Only Anna sees that very small bit of good in Elizabeth, but sometimes love really isn't enough.
There was only a time or two that I found the story to be “cut short”. Some things that happened I felt needed to be just a little more drawn out for effect, but all in all, it was a pretty solid read.
There were some interesting twists and turns and no skimp on the gruesome torture, so if you can’t handle bloody scenes, I’d suggest you skip this book. Though by the title and the history behind the Countess Bathory, I’d hope you kind of know what you are getting yourself into before you dive in.
There is so much I want to say, but I feel like with this specific book, the less that is said, the better. If this is the kind of story that interests you and you have that hankering for a dark tale, I would recommend this book and just go along for the ride.
This is the first book I have read by Lana, but I’m intrigued to read any other books by her.
I was kindly given a chance to read this ARC by Netgalley and the Publishers.
bethhaywood's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
c_haas's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.75
kleonard's review against another edition
1.0
This is a brief telling of the crimes committed by Elisabeth, Countess Bathory, in Hungary, as narrated by a young and naive woman who falls in love with the Countess and is manipulated by her. I don't understand why this book was written or who the intended audience is. Bathory is a notorious figure in history, and it's not as if there are any justifications for her actions and there is obviously no way a fictional narrator could change history. As it is, the history presented in the book is wildly erroneous and counterfactual. Are readers supposed to understand how Bathory manipulated people? Or are we supposed to identify with the narrator, who is utterly without any redeeming qualities? What is this book trying to be, and why on earth would someone publish it as it is?