About Vampires: From the Family Chronicle of the Counts Dracula-Kardi
It’s like first love—a dream among the stars, one you never wish to wake from©
A lost Gothic masterpiece, first published in 1912, now available in English for the first time.
Haunting legends veil an ancient, abandoned castle deep in the Carpathian Mountains. Whispers speak of the Witch Valley, where men vanish beneath the full moon; mist-covered lakes, where ethereal maidens rise with lifeless water lilies tangled in their hair; the ghost of a bride, forever wandering at the sealed Hunting Lodge; and strigoi who prowl the night, insatiable and unchallenged.
For young American millionaire Harry Kardi, who unexpectedly inherits Count Dracula’s ancestral estate, these tales seem like mere superstition. But what if they are true? As Harry and his friends uncover fragments of letters and diaries, they must piece together a chilling truth and confront an ancient evil that has awakened once more.
The novel’s immersive atmosphere pulls you into a dreamlike state—like sitting by a crackling fire, wrapped in a warm blanket, with a cat purring on your lap. But beware: danger lurks, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Within these pages, vintage Gothic classics emerge in full scope: grand balls, haunting beauties, terrifying monsters, ancient temples, moonlit nights—interwoven with a meticulously crafted intrigue. This novel is layered with secrets—a tale of the Indian goddess of death, Kali; a village teacher enchanted by an apparition; a beautiful countess tragically perished from an ominous pearl snake with emerald eyes.
With four intertwined timelines, past and present merge into an intricate tapestry of eerie beauty. The setting reveals fog drifting over the lake, a grim castle nestled in the mountains, and ghostly blossoms floating on dark waters. You can smell the sharp scent of hawthorn and lavender, feel the damp chill of ancient crypts, and hear the distant toll of a funeral bell. It’s an out-of-body experience—lost in the Carpathians, surrounded by endless forests and treacherous marshes, where delicate, otherworldly women—love incarnate—are revealed to be lamias, undead, cursed with eternal life and an insatiable thirst for blood.
A perfect mix of Gothic horror, supernatural suspense, sensuality, eerie elegance, and dark humor, this novel is a mesmerizing journey. Its poetic prose, gripping narrative, and masterful fusion of mysticism and intrigue make it an unforgettable read for lovers of classic vampire literature, supernatural thrillers, and haunted castle mysteries. Suitable for all ages (originally written to entertain the author’s daughters), this beautifully illustrated edition brings the story’s entrancing world to life.
Available now on Kindle Unlimited.
