Lana Popovic

A historical YA horror novel based on the infamous real-life inspiration for Countess Dracula In 17th century Hungary, Anna Darvulia has just begun working as a scullery maid for the young and glamorous Countess Elizabeth BaÌ?thory. When Elizabeth takes a liking to Anna, she’s vaulted to the dream role of chambermaid, a far cry from the filthy servants’ quarters below. She receives wages generous enough to provide for her family, and the Countess begins to groom Anna as her friend and confidante. It’s not long before Anna falls completely under the Countess’s spell—and the Countess takes full advantage. Isolated from her former friends, family, and fiancé, Anna realizes she’s not a friend but a prisoner of the increasingly cruel Elizabeth. Then come the murders, and Anna knows it’s only a matter of time before the Blood Countess turns on her, too.

Blood Countess (Lady Slayers)

In 1578 Hungary, sixteen-year-old Anna is elevated from scullery maid to chambermaid by the young and glamorous Countess Elizabeth Báthory, falling completely under the Countess's spell until Anna realizes that she is not a friend but a prisoner of the increasingly cruel and murderous Elizabeth.

Blood Countess

Karla

Laura

“For who could know a woman’s deepest heart, her sacred secrets, better than another woman?”
#1 Blood Countess: ★☆☆☆☆
So....this was not it.

Heather Harrington

Anna is a young girl who has just started working as a scullery maid for the glamorous Countess Elizabeth Bathory. After gaining some notice as a skilled healer, the Countess takes a liking to Anna, and insists she becomes her chambermaid. Anna is quick to jump at the opportunity for the increased wages she can then send back to her family, and soon she becomes a beloved friend and confidant to the Countess. It doesn't take long for Anna to fall completely under the thrall of the Countess, and Elizabeth takes full advantage. Isolated from her family, spurned from her friends, Anna realizes everything isn't as it seems-- she's not a friend but rather a prisoner of the increasingly cruel and violent Countess. Soon, the simmering rage turns into murder, and Anna knows it's only a matter of time before she's next.

I think the premise of surrounding a story around the infamous real-life female Dracula sounded really cool, but this fell flat for me. The plot and pacing felt very clunky. I didn't care for the characters much either. Anna was okay but eye-rollingly naive, and while I enjoyed watching Elizabeth's decent into madness, it all bored me. I also didn't care for their romance because it didn't feel real at all. All in all, this just didn't meet any of my expectations.

Emily C Peterson

Samantha Bass

Laura Springall

I'm not really sure what I was expecting, but I don't think it was this? But at the same time, this is exactly what I was expecting. Confusing but whatever

So what’s going on here?
Anna Durvalia's life takes an unexpected turn when, after the sudden death of her father, she is summoned to work as a chambermaid for the Countess. Anna couldn't be happier, as she had accepted her fate to be married to a man and spend her life bearing him children, as was expected of women in 16th Hungary but was the last thing she ever wanted. Anna quickly finds herself falling for Countess Elizabeth and winds up in her bed, despite warnings from other staff that Elizabeth is not what she seems. By the time Anna finally sees what they have been talking about, it is far too late for her to escape. Anna's only option is to go along with whatever the Countess wishes, and hope she doesn't turn her insatiable bloodlust on her next.

What I loved
That writing style though!! Ugh Lana Popovic is a master at gorgeous writing. I've only read the first book in her Hibiscus Daughter duology, but reading this book makes me want to read the second one right now. With Blood Countess, I especially loved the atmosphere; it felt so creepy and I could really picture it in my head while reading. I also liked the pacing, I didn't find it to drag too much or anything, which I was a little worried about going into it but was pleasantly surprised! But probably my favourite part of this book was the Blood Countess herself, my god what a wicked woman! I had never heard of her before reading this but I'll definitely be doing some research to learn about her. I don't know how accurate Popovic made her character, but I found her to be fascinating and really well written. I listened to this as an audiobook and the way some of her lines were delivered, and the way her character was written in general, sent chills down my spine multiple times. She was terrifying and I was thoroughly impressed with her character!

What I didn’t love
Unfortunately there was a lot about Blood Countess that I didn't like, predominantly Anna. I found her to be kind of annoying and pretty dumb if I'm being honest. I had a hard time feeling sorry for her, and I really don't mean to victim blame, but she kind of got herself into that mess. Anna gives the argument that she was so infatuated with Elizabeth that she couldn't see what everyone else was saying about her, but people were warning her about the Countess while she still had plenty of opportunity to turn back. I almost always hate insta-love, but especially in this case where the main character fell in love with someone knowing she was a monster. And even if she hadn't truly seen what Elizabeth was capable of before she was in love, she had gotten a taste and still loved her anyways. I just really didn't care for that aspect of it and it took away from the story for me. I think I would have actually liked it better if Anna had been just as evil as Elizabeth and the two of them lived a life of tormenting together. But instead Anna spent the entire novel trying to convince herself that she was still a good person and that she was the biggest victim here. I just don't buy it. Yes she was a victim as well near the end, but she literally chose to stay there at the beginnging even after she started realizing what a horrible person Elizabeth was, AND she did technically have another option, even if it wasn't one she wanted. I feel like being married to a man who loves you and treats you well is better than sleeping with and aiding a serial killer, but alright, do you Anna.

Overall thoughts
I liked this, but I hope the next story in this series will be better (and also gay, I really hope all of these books will be queer!!).

Dana Musser

Becca Futrell

Anyaconda

I thoroughly enjoyed this dark grim tale about Anna and Elizabeth. It reads almost like a fairytale. I read this in two sittings only. Good pacing, interesting main characters with their own motives and great plot!
I can highly recommend this to anybody who likes Dracula and dark fairytale re-tellings. You won't regret picking this one up.

Thanks Netgalley for providing me with an eARC.

Manon van Heumen

Jess Ostrander

Thank you to NetGalley and Amulet Books for the e-arc to review!

Blood Countess is a historical horror novel set in 17th century Hungary. It is based on the real story of Elizabeth Bathory, the most prolific female serial killer in history. Our story starts with young Anna Darvulia, the daughter of a midwife and a gifted healer herself. She is a poor peasant girl, but catches the eye of the striking and beautiful Countess Bathory one day as she rides through Anna's village. Soon, Elizabeth sends for Anna, and Anna is whisked into her world. Rising from scullery maid to chambermaid, Anna finds herself closer to the Countess than anyone else. Swept up in her awe and fascination for the Countess, Anna refuses to believe the horror stories she's heard about the monstrous things Elizabeth has done. Anna's generous wages are saving her poor family from starvation, and Anna is loving her life as favored companion to the Countess. But as time goes by, Anna starts to realize the darkness lurking in Elizabeth can't be ignored, and the true horror of who Elizabeth is can no longer be excused. Anna begins to realize she's not a friend or even a servant to Elizabeth- she's a prisoner. Anna knows it's only a matter of time before the Blood Countess turns on her too.

This book was pretty good! I wouldn't really call it a horror novel though. It's definitely dark, and there's certainly a lot of murder. But it won't give you nightmares or stop you from sleeping. At least in my opinion. I liked it. It drew me in quickly, and I found myself trying to predict what would happen next. There's some f/f romance, but no sex scenes or anything more than some PG kisses and the like. It also wraps up well and leaves no loose ends. I think this could have been a 5 star if there was more action. It was good, but I was left wanting a bit more from it. It starts a bit slow, but that gets us knowing Anna and her life. I think there could have been a little less of that and more about the Countess and Anna's time in her service, and maybe more exploration into the stories Anna hears about what Elizabeth has done before Anna meets her. Things really pick up in the middle and stay fast almost until the end. But the ending falls a little flat too. It would be a spoiler to really say why, but I felt like justice came a bit too easily. I wanted more drama and maybe have it drag out a bit more. But overall, if you're interested in the story of Elizabeth Bathory and want an interesting YA take on it, I'd say pick this one up! I feel like it would be really good on audiobook too!

Blood Countess (Lady Slayers)

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