Darker Jewels: A Novel of the Count Saint-Germain (St. Germain)
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
4 journalers for this copy...
Picked this up at BookCloseouts.com.
From Amazon.com (Publisher's Weekly) -
In her rich and complex tale of the further wanderings of the immortal vampire known as Ferenc Rakoczy, Hrabia (Count) Saint-Germain, Yarbro brings to vivid life the dark and bloody 16th-century court of Ivan IV or, more commonly, Ivan the Terrible. In an attempt to gain Russian aid in the war against the Turks, the Polish king Istvan Bathory sends Rakoczy to Moscovy, hoping the count's alchemical skill will win over the half-crazed czar. Despite Russian xenophobia and almost hysterical efforts to discredit him by his fellow envoy, Jesuit Father Casimir Pogner, Rakoczy initially advances in his objective, even marrying a Russian noblewoman at the czar's behest. After Ivan's death, however, the count finds himself in the midst of fierce intrigues over control of the feeble-minded czarevitch Feodor due to his friendship with the half-Tartar regent Boris Godunov. Underlying this absorbing and historically accurate work is a deep melancholy, reflecting both the immortal vampire's lost past and the tortured workings of the Russian soul.
From Amazon.com (Publisher's Weekly) -
In her rich and complex tale of the further wanderings of the immortal vampire known as Ferenc Rakoczy, Hrabia (Count) Saint-Germain, Yarbro brings to vivid life the dark and bloody 16th-century court of Ivan IV or, more commonly, Ivan the Terrible. In an attempt to gain Russian aid in the war against the Turks, the Polish king Istvan Bathory sends Rakoczy to Moscovy, hoping the count's alchemical skill will win over the half-crazed czar. Despite Russian xenophobia and almost hysterical efforts to discredit him by his fellow envoy, Jesuit Father Casimir Pogner, Rakoczy initially advances in his objective, even marrying a Russian noblewoman at the czar's behest. After Ivan's death, however, the count finds himself in the midst of fierce intrigues over control of the feeble-minded czarevitch Feodor due to his friendship with the half-Tartar regent Boris Godunov. Underlying this absorbing and historically accurate work is a deep melancholy, reflecting both the immortal vampire's lost past and the tortured workings of the Russian soul.
Sadly, MaryZee passed suddenly in September 2012. MaryZee's daughter is now ready to rehome her mom's books and I was willing to collect and redistribute them to keep her literary legacy alive.
Journal Entry 4 by 
Spatial
at ~ RABCK ~, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Thursday, August 9, 2018
Spatial at ~ RABCK ~, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Thursday, August 9, 2018
Released 5 yrs ago (8/9/2018 UTC) at ~ RABCK ~, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Passing along to another BCer who will enjoy the book and knew MaryZee.
Enjoy!
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The books arrived safely on this rainy day; many thanks for the opportunity to move MaryZee's books along.
I've enjoyed the "Saint-Germain" series since the first book,Hotel Transylvania, set in 18th-century Paris; the mix of historical detail with perilous adventure and occasional steamy romance is an effective one. [The books jump around in time, so if you're devoted to reading a series in order you'll have to decide whether to read these in order of publication or in order by in-story timeframe. The author's web site includes a list of the books in either order. The books each stand alone quite well, though.] Some of my favorites include Blood Games, set in ancient Rome, and Out of the House of Life, set in ancient Egypt and, so far, the earliest look at the Count's history. I also love The Saint-Germain Chronicles, a collection of short stories ranging from the 17th century to modern times.
Later: Another enjoyable entry in the series, this one focuses on religious and political strife in 16th-century Russia, at the court of Ivan the Terrible. (I admit to some amusement in pitting a vampire against one of the more notorious tsars!) There are familiar elements: the many letters and documents in between the chapters, which provide detail about the difficulties of travel and trade in troubled times; the woman in trying circumstances whose plight intrigues the Count; and the hazards of those who are jealous of Saint-Germain's influence and/or wealth.
I've enjoyed the "Saint-Germain" series since the first book,Hotel Transylvania, set in 18th-century Paris; the mix of historical detail with perilous adventure and occasional steamy romance is an effective one. [The books jump around in time, so if you're devoted to reading a series in order you'll have to decide whether to read these in order of publication or in order by in-story timeframe. The author's web site includes a list of the books in either order. The books each stand alone quite well, though.] Some of my favorites include Blood Games, set in ancient Rome, and Out of the House of Life, set in ancient Egypt and, so far, the earliest look at the Count's history. I also love The Saint-Germain Chronicles, a collection of short stories ranging from the 17th century to modern times.
Later: Another enjoyable entry in the series, this one focuses on religious and political strife in 16th-century Russia, at the court of Ivan the Terrible. (I admit to some amusement in pitting a vampire against one of the more notorious tsars!) There are familiar elements: the many letters and documents in between the chapters, which provide detail about the difficulties of travel and trade in troubled times; the woman in trying circumstances whose plight intrigues the Count; and the hazards of those who are jealous of Saint-Germain's influence and/or wealth.
Journal Entry 6 by 
GoryDetails
at Little Free Library, Maurice Dr. and Millham St. in Marlborough, Massachusetts USA on Thursday, August 16, 2018
GoryDetails at Little Free Library, Maurice Dr. and Millham St. in Marlborough, Massachusetts USA on Thursday, August 16, 2018
Released 5 yrs ago (8/16/2018 UTC) at Little Free Library, Maurice Dr. and Millham St. in Marlborough, Massachusetts USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
I left this book in the Little Free Library on this warm day; hope the finder enjoys it![See other recent releases in MA here.]
*** Released for the 2018 Keep Them Moving release challenge. ***
