Blood Countess (Lady Slayers #1)

I was intrigued to find out that Lana Popovic was writing a book based on Elizabeth Bathory, AKA Countess Dracula. I knew I just had to read this story. And I was not disappointed. This fascinating fictional story is not for the faint of heart. It’s a story that illustrates just how far some people will go to maintain what they have and what they will do to take what they want. And it was a refreshing tale from most Young Adult books I tend to read, as it was darker and filled with eerie prose.

It is a story that starts out slow but gradually builds up pace. The story works toward a really unique plot with strong characters and wonderful world building. Popovic trickles in clues throughout the story that help lead the reader to a terrifyingly lovely ending; I loved how everything came together. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the Countess and her life and seeing Anna, our protagonist, interact with the Countess. Anna was the type of character who was good hearted and down to Earth and always wanted to see the good in people. She was the complete opposite of the Countess, and it really made their interactions interesting and added a compelling piece to the overall story.

The Countess was an interesting character. I enjoyed seeing that she was a character that went through some struggles; she was flawed and rightly so. However, she was possessive and manipulative and cruel, and that evidently led to her downfall. And Anna wanted to make sure that never happened, as she tried to see the good and humanity in the Countess. But, sometimes, we come across people that are filled with too much darkness, and the Countess was that person for Anna. Sometimes you can’t save those that are already lost.

Lana Popovic’s writing is beautiful and filled with such meaningful prose. Popovic is a vivid storyteller who can easily sweep readers off their feet with her gorgeous writing. I enjoyed how she brought the story to life and made the story itself more emotional for the readers. I was able to connect with the characters, and also understand and feel their emotions, especially the Countess’s.

Blood Countess was, overall, a gripping and enthralling story filled with good and bad, light and darkness. It’s a great story to start off the Lady Slayers series and I can’t wait to see what Lana Popovic has next in store for her readers. If you’re looking for a Young Adult historical story filled with sinister moments, strong characterization, and enchanting world building, I recommend reading Blood Countess.

Elizabeth Bathory, The Blood Countess, the female Dracula. That is what this story is about. A historical fiction that tells her story from the point of view of a young midwife in training. Anna is a small town girl who has learned midwifery from her mom, she is a good herbalist, and healer. She is brought to the Countesses attention because her son is sick and Anna is hired to heal him. The Countess wants Anna for herself as a healer, witch, conspirator, sage and lover. The story goes onto tell their relationship and shows how bloody, evil, and manipulative, Elizabeths crimes were. There is good character building and a good backstory of these characters. The story is a good retelling of The Blood Countess.

I wanted to like this book, but I just couldnt.
It was boring, the characters were all one dimensional, and the story line only progressed because the Protagonist would excuse Countess Bathorys sadistic behavior with the flimsiest of reasoning. It was frustrating to have a main character that has the will to be strong and intelligent at times, and then does a complete 180 when the storyline needs her to be to progress.
I would like to note I did not finish this book because it was entirely too frustrating, so maybe others who give it chance and finish the book will be satisfied with the conclusion.

(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)

Blood Countess is enigmatic. Beginning with the picture of a woman married to an abusive man, Blood Countess immediately sets the scene of the ways women are seen and abused by men. Not all men, but we are shown the power struggles of women, whether it be because they need their beauty to maintain their allure to men – and thus their financial stability – Blood Countess is a story about power, obsession, and freedom.

Popovi illustrates this choice clearly from the beginning as Anna is stuck between her father’s exploitation and the possibility of a marriage she doesn’t desire. Within Blood Countess we see not only a queer relationship in a picture of patriarchy (f/f relationship), but also the manipulation of toxic relationships. It’s a book that asks us about who we are as people, complex, flawed, and sometimes not deserving of forgiveness. A question throughout the book that never leaves our mind, or Anna’s, is from where does cruelty stem?

A spellbinding reimagining of the legendary murderess Elizabeth Bathory. Lush prose, sapphic sensibilities, vivid characters and a finely constructed story that is as beautiful as it is dark.

4.5 Stars

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