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Saint-Germain #3
Blood Games
Blood Games is a tale of love and horror set during the last chaotic days of Nero's Rome - a time marked by excesses of high living, cruel violence, and intricate political intrigue. One of the city's few successful foreign businessmen, Sanct' Germain Ragoozy hs so far avoided the treacherous maze of Roman society. But his first mistake will be to fall in love with Olivia, the brutalised wife of a powerful senator. His second will be to help Rogerian, a craftsman mortally wounded by a greedy employer. Here, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro introduces the two people that will follow Saint Germain throughout the centuries: Rogerian and Olivia. For them, he will give them is most precious gift and his worse curse: immortality. Now as punishment for his interference, Ragoczy must face the Circus Maximum - as entertainment.
458 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
30 people are currently reading
613 people want to read
About the author
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
259 books477 followersA professional writer for more than forty years, Yarbro has sold over eighty books, more than seventy works of short fiction, and more than three dozen essays, introductions, and reviews. She also composes serious music. Her first professional writing - in 1961-1962 - was as a playwright for a now long-defunct children's theater company. By the mid-60s she had switched to writing stories and hasn't stopped yet.
After leaving college in 1963 and until she became a full-time writer in 1970, she worked as a demographic cartographer, and still often drafts maps for her books, and occasionally for the books of other writers.
She has a large reference library with books on a wide range of subjects, everything from food and fashion to weapons and trade routes to religion and law. She is constantly adding to it as part of her on-going fascination with history and culture; she reads incessantly, searching for interesting people and places that might provide fodder for stories.
In 1997 the Transylvanian Society of Dracula bestowed a literary knighthood on Yarbro, and in 2003 the World Horror Association presented her with a Grand Master award. In 2006 the International Horror Guild enrolled her among their Living Legends, the first woman to be so honored; the Horror Writers Association gave her a Life Achievement Award in 2009. In 2014 she won a Life Achievement Award from the World Fantasy Convention.
A skeptical occultist for forty years, she has studied everything from alchemy to zoomancy, and in the late 1970s worked occasionally as a professional tarot card reader and palmist at the Magic Cellar in San Francisco.
She has two domestic accomplishments: she is a good cook and an experienced seamstress. The rest is catch-as-catch-can.
Divorced, she lives in the San Francisco Bay Area - with two cats: the irrepressible Butterscotch and Crumpet, the Gang of Two. When not busy writing, she enjoys the symphony or opera.
Her Saint-Germain series is now the longest vampire series ever. The books range widely over time and place, and were not published in historical order. They are numbered in published order.
Known pseudonyms include Vanessa Pryor, Quinn Fawcett, T.C.F. Hopkins, Trystam Kith, Camille Gabor.
After leaving college in 1963 and until she became a full-time writer in 1970, she worked as a demographic cartographer, and still often drafts maps for her books, and occasionally for the books of other writers.
She has a large reference library with books on a wide range of subjects, everything from food and fashion to weapons and trade routes to religion and law. She is constantly adding to it as part of her on-going fascination with history and culture; she reads incessantly, searching for interesting people and places that might provide fodder for stories.
In 1997 the Transylvanian Society of Dracula bestowed a literary knighthood on Yarbro, and in 2003 the World Horror Association presented her with a Grand Master award. In 2006 the International Horror Guild enrolled her among their Living Legends, the first woman to be so honored; the Horror Writers Association gave her a Life Achievement Award in 2009. In 2014 she won a Life Achievement Award from the World Fantasy Convention.
A skeptical occultist for forty years, she has studied everything from alchemy to zoomancy, and in the late 1970s worked occasionally as a professional tarot card reader and palmist at the Magic Cellar in San Francisco.
She has two domestic accomplishments: she is a good cook and an experienced seamstress. The rest is catch-as-catch-can.
Divorced, she lives in the San Francisco Bay Area - with two cats: the irrepressible Butterscotch and Crumpet, the Gang of Two. When not busy writing, she enjoys the symphony or opera.
Her Saint-Germain series is now the longest vampire series ever. The books range widely over time and place, and were not published in historical order. They are numbered in published order.
Known pseudonyms include Vanessa Pryor, Quinn Fawcett, T.C.F. Hopkins, Trystam Kith, Camille Gabor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
May 27, 2017
Everyone seems to love this one, but I'll volunteer an unpopular verdict. (Surprise, right? :P) IMO, this isn't as good as Hotel Transylvania. The flaws of HT -- molasses-paced first half, excessive historical conversations, too many faces without distinctive roles, villains that run unchecked until the last possible minute -- are all present here, but magnified due to this book's length. What is tolerable in a shorter novel becomes annoying in a longer one.
This has a decent storyline, but everything is mired behind political dissections & talking heads. A lot of stuff happens offscreen. Most people seem to dislike the letters opening each chapter, but I don't mind them, per se -- what I DO mind is when action centered around the MCs happens when the reader isn't with them (ie., Time Gaps(tm)). It's especially irksome because CQY can write good action scenes -- the Games & the final confrontation with Saint Germain & the crocodiles are all great. Very visual & cinematic. Likewise, Olivia's horrible marriage was gripping in a WTF cringey way. But there aren't enough scenes like those -- the MC plot tended to stagnate under lengthy convos re: Roman politics.
These books are very light on vampirism & heavy on history. Anne Rice, they are not. But I'm willing to try Saint Germain again -- the caveat being an era I'm more comfortable with, background-wise.
This has a decent storyline, but everything is mired behind political dissections & talking heads. A lot of stuff happens offscreen. Most people seem to dislike the letters opening each chapter, but I don't mind them, per se -- what I DO mind is when action centered around the MCs happens when the reader isn't with them (ie., Time Gaps(tm)). It's especially irksome because CQY can write good action scenes -- the Games & the final confrontation with Saint Germain & the crocodiles are all great. Very visual & cinematic. Likewise, Olivia's horrible marriage was gripping in a WTF cringey way. But there aren't enough scenes like those -- the MC plot tended to stagnate under lengthy convos re: Roman politics.
These books are very light on vampirism & heavy on history. Anne Rice, they are not. But I'm willing to try Saint Germain again -- the caveat being an era I'm more comfortable with, background-wise.
July 14, 2017
***2017 Summer Lovin’ Reading List***
Finally, I met the enigmatic Olivia who corresponded with Saint-Germain during the first two books! She is an excellent character and the Ancient Roman setting was an inspired choice. I can’t imagine all the historical research that Yarbro must do for each novel—so far, she has skipped through three entirely different time periods and seems to maintain the accuracy of each one reasonably well.
Also long awaited was Saint-Germain actually using his vampire powers a bit more. What is the point of giving your main character exceptional abilities if you aren’t going to utilize them? It was also good to see him lose his temper and make errors. Up to this point, he has been the uber-rational, uber-calm master mind who never screws up!
I seem to be on a vampire kick this summer and I’m enjoying the variety of perspectives as I switch authors. Yarbro’s fiction is from a time before the paranormal craze that we find ourselves in today and is interesting just for that.
Finally, I met the enigmatic Olivia who corresponded with Saint-Germain during the first two books! She is an excellent character and the Ancient Roman setting was an inspired choice. I can’t imagine all the historical research that Yarbro must do for each novel—so far, she has skipped through three entirely different time periods and seems to maintain the accuracy of each one reasonably well.
Also long awaited was Saint-Germain actually using his vampire powers a bit more. What is the point of giving your main character exceptional abilities if you aren’t going to utilize them? It was also good to see him lose his temper and make errors. Up to this point, he has been the uber-rational, uber-calm master mind who never screws up!
I seem to be on a vampire kick this summer and I’m enjoying the variety of perspectives as I switch authors. Yarbro’s fiction is from a time before the paranormal craze that we find ourselves in today and is interesting just for that.
March 27, 2007
Repeatedly, I vow never again to read a book that:
A) Describes a main (male) character's clothing in minute, obsessive, effeminate detail. Every other page.
B) Uses words such as "anealing" and "esuriance" with regularity.
C) In every single sex scene, inevitably uses the phrase "brought her to her fullness."
D) Has a main character who is so cloyingly perfect that, if I knew him in real life, I would kill him, even if he is a 3000 year old vampire.
And yet, repeatedly, I go back to this terrible series and read yet another book hoping that none of these things occur, and inevitably, I am disappointed.
On the other hand, this entry in the series is less annoying than most. Plus, Nero was an asshole and that's always fun.
Let this stand in as a placeholder for all St Germain books, I haven't the enrgy to add all of them, and I've read most of them.
A) Describes a main (male) character's clothing in minute, obsessive, effeminate detail. Every other page.
B) Uses words such as "anealing" and "esuriance" with regularity.
C) In every single sex scene, inevitably uses the phrase "brought her to her fullness."
D) Has a main character who is so cloyingly perfect that, if I knew him in real life, I would kill him, even if he is a 3000 year old vampire.
And yet, repeatedly, I go back to this terrible series and read yet another book hoping that none of these things occur, and inevitably, I am disappointed.
On the other hand, this entry in the series is less annoying than most. Plus, Nero was an asshole and that's always fun.
Let this stand in as a placeholder for all St Germain books, I haven't the enrgy to add all of them, and I've read most of them.
November 1, 2021
Dear Vampire Affecianados,
When you've tired of sparkly emo disco-balls with fangs or hip-hop slinging, Escalade-driving posers with supposedly "edgy" names or utterly defanged lust objects, bring your weary self to Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's delightfully historical Comte Saint Germain series.
There are over twenty books but thankfully, they are all stand-alone novels and can be read in any order. The Count Saint Germain is actually based on a real life historical figure (though not a vampire, he was a scientist/alchemist) and is so famous that even his character is featured prominently in the critically acclaimed anime series Le Chevalier d'Eon. Full of rich historical detail one would think Ms. Yarbro is the one with the eternal life.
Blood Games finds Saint Germain (called Ragoczy Saint-Germain Franciscus) in Nero's Rome amongst the decadent denizens of a slowly crumbling empire ruled by a series of weak, ineffectual emperors who ironically turn out to be the monsters. Yarbro's descriptions of the brutality of the arena are almost stomach-churning in their detail. Nero himself is far more blood-thirsty than the honorable Saint Germain.
This is also the first appearance of Atta Olivia Clemens, one of my all-time favorite female vampires in a genre that is overwhelmingly male-dominated. She has her own series within the Saint Germain chronicles, but in this book she's the fearless and resilient wife of a cruel and ambitious Roman senator. Saint Germain becomes her lover and ally and thus begins a friendship that spans the centuries.
I promise, once you've read one of the Saint Germain series, you'll want to read all of them. Yarbro's imaginative prose and her characters will leap off the page and you will never forget them. Other vampires will pale in comparison.
Sincerely, The Fountain Pen Diva
When you've tired of sparkly emo disco-balls with fangs or hip-hop slinging, Escalade-driving posers with supposedly "edgy" names or utterly defanged lust objects, bring your weary self to Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's delightfully historical Comte Saint Germain series.
There are over twenty books but thankfully, they are all stand-alone novels and can be read in any order. The Count Saint Germain is actually based on a real life historical figure (though not a vampire, he was a scientist/alchemist) and is so famous that even his character is featured prominently in the critically acclaimed anime series Le Chevalier d'Eon. Full of rich historical detail one would think Ms. Yarbro is the one with the eternal life.
Blood Games finds Saint Germain (called Ragoczy Saint-Germain Franciscus) in Nero's Rome amongst the decadent denizens of a slowly crumbling empire ruled by a series of weak, ineffectual emperors who ironically turn out to be the monsters. Yarbro's descriptions of the brutality of the arena are almost stomach-churning in their detail. Nero himself is far more blood-thirsty than the honorable Saint Germain.
This is also the first appearance of Atta Olivia Clemens, one of my all-time favorite female vampires in a genre that is overwhelmingly male-dominated. She has her own series within the Saint Germain chronicles, but in this book she's the fearless and resilient wife of a cruel and ambitious Roman senator. Saint Germain becomes her lover and ally and thus begins a friendship that spans the centuries.
I promise, once you've read one of the Saint Germain series, you'll want to read all of them. Yarbro's imaginative prose and her characters will leap off the page and you will never forget them. Other vampires will pale in comparison.
Sincerely, The Fountain Pen Diva
February 26, 2009
I enjoyed this well enough, but then I'm a sucker for an Ancient Rome setting and I like vampires. (Also the author gets points because like P.N. Elrod, she never actually uses the word "vampire".) If you're not very partial to these two elements then I don't recommend the book.
This is the third of many novels about the very long-lived Saint-Germain, a good-guy vampire. The story spans the period from the middle of Nero's reign, through the Year of the Four Emperors, and a few years into Vespasian's reign. There are some nice historical details included, although I'm not familiar enough with the author to feel confident in their accuracy. I liked the world-weary character of Saint-Germain well enough that I will try another one of these books.
However, the story is melodramatic and the writing isn't great. The characterization is weak. The author uses the device of printing letters between or concerning various characters to advance the plot or show the passage of time, which is fine except a lot of the letters are boring. I found myself skimming or skipping some of them entirely. There is a lot of sadism, violence and death but it's kept at a bit of a distance so it isn't too graphic or disturbing.
This is the third of many novels about the very long-lived Saint-Germain, a good-guy vampire. The story spans the period from the middle of Nero's reign, through the Year of the Four Emperors, and a few years into Vespasian's reign. There are some nice historical details included, although I'm not familiar enough with the author to feel confident in their accuracy. I liked the world-weary character of Saint-Germain well enough that I will try another one of these books.
However, the story is melodramatic and the writing isn't great. The characterization is weak. The author uses the device of printing letters between or concerning various characters to advance the plot or show the passage of time, which is fine except a lot of the letters are boring. I found myself skimming or skipping some of them entirely. There is a lot of sadism, violence and death but it's kept at a bit of a distance so it isn't too graphic or disturbing.
November 6, 2017
The third in the Saint-Germain series, this book is set in Nero's Rome and explains the origins of several characters previously introduced in the first two books. Of the 3 I have read, this one is definitely my favorite, but I do have a soft spot for Roman history. That said, it's also the first time I've noticed some historical inaccuracies, which really irked me. As usual the letters at the beginning of the chapters are useless; anything learned from them will be repeated in the main body of the story. And since many of these letters were written by and to people unlikely to be literate, it was especially annoying.
Read
November 22, 2021Masterfully written, though exhaustingly dense. But here I am looking for another... I feel I very much can relate to the Count and his sensibilities, and that bothers me; I'm no old soul. As the sun sets, I feel like stepping into the light.
March 2, 2012
I have to start out by saying that I am in no way shape or form a fan of vampire novels. Twilight etc. etc. leave me absolutely cold. However, I was recommended this book by a member of staff in my local bookshop (where I couldn't get it) and he's the same chap who told me about the superlative Roman novel The Boat of Fate by Keith Roberts, so I took his recommendation at face value.
Yarbro has been writing vampire novels about the same character, Saint Germain, for 30 years now, and she has apparently taken him through much of the history of the world. She is to be applauded for this, because if the other books are anything like this one, she sure does her research. The historical detail of first century AD Rome is wonderful, and well-written. It's not dumped on the reader either. So we have great depictions of households, ordinary life, the emperor's palaces, the intrigue that surrounded all those who wanted power, and the terrible punishments dealt out to those who fell foul of the emperor. There are also particularly good scenes set at the games. I lapped all these up, and for a good part of the book, I enjoyed the story too, which is all about Olivia, an unfortunate noblewoman who is horribly mistreated by her cruel husband. She falls in love with Saint Germain, and he becomes her saviour of sorts. The vampire stuff is dealt with very lightly. In fact, it's barely mentioned in many places, which I appreciated.
So why didn't I like this book more? Well, I think it comes down to the 'love' story between Olivia and Saint Germain. It just didn't ring true to me. It felt false from the word 'go', and it stayed that way. If it had been more convincing, I might just have said that I had enjoyed a vampire novel. As it is, I can't.
A minor point to mention was the over use of the phrase 'small hands' when referring to Saint Germain's physical appearance. Being told it once or twice is fine. But every few pages! I wanted to scream about it by the end. One more small gripe: this book is clearly a digital imprint. Given its hefty price tag, it's a shame that the many typos in it weren't removed before it was printed again.
Yarbro has been writing vampire novels about the same character, Saint Germain, for 30 years now, and she has apparently taken him through much of the history of the world. She is to be applauded for this, because if the other books are anything like this one, she sure does her research. The historical detail of first century AD Rome is wonderful, and well-written. It's not dumped on the reader either. So we have great depictions of households, ordinary life, the emperor's palaces, the intrigue that surrounded all those who wanted power, and the terrible punishments dealt out to those who fell foul of the emperor. There are also particularly good scenes set at the games. I lapped all these up, and for a good part of the book, I enjoyed the story too, which is all about Olivia, an unfortunate noblewoman who is horribly mistreated by her cruel husband. She falls in love with Saint Germain, and he becomes her saviour of sorts. The vampire stuff is dealt with very lightly. In fact, it's barely mentioned in many places, which I appreciated.
So why didn't I like this book more? Well, I think it comes down to the 'love' story between Olivia and Saint Germain. It just didn't ring true to me. It felt false from the word 'go', and it stayed that way. If it had been more convincing, I might just have said that I had enjoyed a vampire novel. As it is, I can't.
A minor point to mention was the over use of the phrase 'small hands' when referring to Saint Germain's physical appearance. Being told it once or twice is fine. But every few pages! I wanted to scream about it by the end. One more small gripe: this book is clearly a digital imprint. Given its hefty price tag, it's a shame that the many typos in it weren't removed before it was printed again.
December 8, 2020
Once again, as we delve into the story of Saint-German, we advance by going backward; in time that is. This novel is set in the Rome of Nero, the year of the four Caesars, and the short Flavian dynasty, and once again historical and fictional characters mingle on every page. We have gone far enough into the past that Saint-Germain is considered tall, and describes himself as "from Dacia [modern Romania], but not a Daci". We will also encounter for the "first" time, Saint-Germain's beloved Olivia and loyal Roger. Like many wealthy Romans, Ragoczy Sanct' Germain Franciscus keeps slaves, including those who perform in the Circus Maximus. Because owning slaves who are skilled at arms would be a suspicious thing for a foreigner, Saint-Germain owns no gladiators. His houseman is an Egyptian named Aumtehoutep, who Saint-Germain encountered while working in the houses of death in Egypt. Aumtehoutep was fortunate enough to be a successful conversion to a ghoul, although Saint-Germain implies that he had several failures during his stay there. He also has a young female charioteer named Tishtry*, from Armenia, who is highly skilled at both racing and equestrian stunts (such as handstands on a running horse - it is the Circus after all) and who occasionally shares her master's bed.
Nero's excesses lead to numerous plots against him, and a trip to Greece to compete in the Olympic Games. His trip lasts for nearly two years, and he returns to a Rome that has descended to civil war. Paramount among the concerns of the populace is the frequent reduction of the grain ration, due to undependable shipments of grain from Egypt. Various generals declare themselves Caesar, and as mentioned earlier, three men besides Nero manage to rule the Empire from Rome itself, but none can restore the grain shipments due to the manipulations of the Governor of Egypt, Titus Flavius Vespasianus. Finally said grain shipments are restored by, naturally, Vespasian who in short order becomes Emperor.
Meanwhile, Saint-Germain is in an unusual situation, being outmaneuvered by the Master of Bests of the Circus Maximus, Necredes, and a venal calculating Senator, Cornelius Justus Silius, husband of Olivia. Somehow, Silius manages to ingratiate himself to each Emperor in turn, while plotting against Saint-Germain. He manages to get first Aumtehotep, Tishtry, and several other slaves of Saint-Germain, and then Saint-Germain himself condemned to die in the arena. He also manages to get Olivia condemned to be walled up in one of his lesser tombs - alive.
This book is hard to read because time after time the "bad guys (chiefly Silius) prevail and Saint-Germain is in greater and greater danger, but will not abandon those of his blood, including Olivia.
*In a children's book, Four Horses for Tishtry (not usually considered part of this series) Chelsea Quinn Yarbro describes the first encounter of Saint-Germain and Tishtry. No mention is made of Saint-Germain's, um, medical condition, nor is there any hint of romance. To Tishtry, Saint-Germain is simply a wealthy sophisticated foreigner who wishes to bring Tishtry to Rome where her talents with horses will allow her to earn enough money to support her impoverished family.
This book takes place in the city of Rome and environs from March, 817* - October 4, 824**
*The 817th year of the city, ie AD 64.
**The 824th year of the city, ie AD 71
Nero's excesses lead to numerous plots against him, and a trip to Greece to compete in the Olympic Games. His trip lasts for nearly two years, and he returns to a Rome that has descended to civil war. Paramount among the concerns of the populace is the frequent reduction of the grain ration, due to undependable shipments of grain from Egypt. Various generals declare themselves Caesar, and as mentioned earlier, three men besides Nero manage to rule the Empire from Rome itself, but none can restore the grain shipments due to the manipulations of the Governor of Egypt, Titus Flavius Vespasianus. Finally said grain shipments are restored by, naturally, Vespasian who in short order becomes Emperor.
Meanwhile, Saint-Germain is in an unusual situation, being outmaneuvered by the Master of Bests of the Circus Maximus, Necredes, and a venal calculating Senator, Cornelius Justus Silius, husband of Olivia. Somehow, Silius manages to ingratiate himself to each Emperor in turn, while plotting against Saint-Germain. He manages to get first Aumtehotep, Tishtry, and several other slaves of Saint-Germain, and then Saint-Germain himself condemned to die in the arena. He also manages to get Olivia condemned to be walled up in one of his lesser tombs - alive.
This book is hard to read because time after time the "bad guys (chiefly Silius) prevail and Saint-Germain is in greater and greater danger, but will not abandon those of his blood, including Olivia.
*In a children's book, Four Horses for Tishtry (not usually considered part of this series) Chelsea Quinn Yarbro describes the first encounter of Saint-Germain and Tishtry. No mention is made of Saint-Germain's, um, medical condition, nor is there any hint of romance. To Tishtry, Saint-Germain is simply a wealthy sophisticated foreigner who wishes to bring Tishtry to Rome where her talents with horses will allow her to earn enough money to support her impoverished family.
This book takes place in the city of Rome and environs from March, 817* - October 4, 824**
*The 817th year of the city, ie AD 64.
**The 824th year of the city, ie AD 71
July 5, 2017
A long time ago (decades) I was perusing the shelves in The Forbidden Planet on a weekend trip to London and notice a book written by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro. I’d read a couple of small paper books by the author but not been aware of her larger work – the tales of the vampire Saint-Germain. This was one of those books and I enjoyed it. Over the years I got two more, but her works were hard to come by in this country.
Going through the process of rebuilding my book collection I remembered her novels and found them a lot easier to track down in this modern internet age. Blood Games is the first one that I have read with older eyes, and I have to say I rather enjoyed it. There is something to be said about having a near immortal character that has lived for millennia, giving the writer the chance to tell stories set in countless points of human history.
In this instance, the tale starts during the reign of Nero, the stability of the early Roman emperors is failing and it seems as though anyone with half a claim to the purple is prepared to for it. A lot of backstabbing ensues. Saint Germain is living as a foreigner in Rome and is caught up in events, viewed with respect for his wealth and ability to live within Roman society, and suspicion too for being a foreigner with a few strange customs.
Although the story has a backdrop of upheaval and change as emperors come and go over the course of a relatively few years, there is a much more personal story being told, the relationship between Olivia and her abusive husband Cornelius Justus Silius and her subsequent relationship with Saint Germain.
As far as the characters go the main three are superb, Olivia comes across as a victim, albeit one with an inner strength that is incredible, while Justus is suitably despicable, Saint Germain himself is perfectly realised, a near otherworld presence, grounded in the earth of his forbearers with a feeling or great age and wisdom ensconced upon his shoulders. To me it seems as though he is more at ease being compliant to the world and society around him, something that he has learned over the passage of years.
There are other characters to, some of which are important to the main characters, many of which are genuine historical entities. It is an educational process in reading, I certainly learned a lot about imperial Rome, and the story too is well paced, for all it is spanning years. There is a world weariness and perhaps even pessimism on the part of the main character. As the story winds to a close he reflects on Justus getting away with his perfidy, saying that in time you get to learn that there are many such people, and despite the fact they do the most evil of things and deserve punishment, more often than not they get away with it. That is the way society works.
In some ways the novel reminded me of an inverted Guy Gavriel Kay novel. Kay has a tendency to take a genuine historical period and twist it slightly to make it fantasy, with recognisable features, events and characters under a thin veneer of difference; Yarbro does the opposite, giving us a real historical period, events and characters and inserting a slight element of fantasy into them.
In all a very enjoyable read and I will look forward to reading more of Saint Germain.
Going through the process of rebuilding my book collection I remembered her novels and found them a lot easier to track down in this modern internet age. Blood Games is the first one that I have read with older eyes, and I have to say I rather enjoyed it. There is something to be said about having a near immortal character that has lived for millennia, giving the writer the chance to tell stories set in countless points of human history.
In this instance, the tale starts during the reign of Nero, the stability of the early Roman emperors is failing and it seems as though anyone with half a claim to the purple is prepared to for it. A lot of backstabbing ensues. Saint Germain is living as a foreigner in Rome and is caught up in events, viewed with respect for his wealth and ability to live within Roman society, and suspicion too for being a foreigner with a few strange customs.
Although the story has a backdrop of upheaval and change as emperors come and go over the course of a relatively few years, there is a much more personal story being told, the relationship between Olivia and her abusive husband Cornelius Justus Silius and her subsequent relationship with Saint Germain.
As far as the characters go the main three are superb, Olivia comes across as a victim, albeit one with an inner strength that is incredible, while Justus is suitably despicable, Saint Germain himself is perfectly realised, a near otherworld presence, grounded in the earth of his forbearers with a feeling or great age and wisdom ensconced upon his shoulders. To me it seems as though he is more at ease being compliant to the world and society around him, something that he has learned over the passage of years.
There are other characters to, some of which are important to the main characters, many of which are genuine historical entities. It is an educational process in reading, I certainly learned a lot about imperial Rome, and the story too is well paced, for all it is spanning years. There is a world weariness and perhaps even pessimism on the part of the main character. As the story winds to a close he reflects on Justus getting away with his perfidy, saying that in time you get to learn that there are many such people, and despite the fact they do the most evil of things and deserve punishment, more often than not they get away with it. That is the way society works.
In some ways the novel reminded me of an inverted Guy Gavriel Kay novel. Kay has a tendency to take a genuine historical period and twist it slightly to make it fantasy, with recognisable features, events and characters under a thin veneer of difference; Yarbro does the opposite, giving us a real historical period, events and characters and inserting a slight element of fantasy into them.
In all a very enjoyable read and I will look forward to reading more of Saint Germain.
March 8, 2019
This is the 3rd book in the Saint-Germain vampire series by Yarbro. While it was published originally in 1979, I just recently read a republication of it through Open Road Integrated Media. Prior to this book, I had only read one other in the series so I was very pleased that the rules of vampires in Yarbros universe were revealed through both telling and showing throughout the story.
Rules for vampires in Yarbro's world include: Sunlight is difficult, native soil is needed and can migated some of the other problems, there is no reflection in mirrors, blood and emotional intensity is necessary to feed, and vampires cannot eat or drink anything other than blood. Vampires can make others of their kind by using magic and blood (though that can also produce a being like a ghoul) or by taking blood numerous times from the same source who after death will rise a vampire.
The setting for "Blood Games" is the late 1st century in Rome and covers the end of Nero's reign and into the reign of Vespasian. Yarbro does a decent job of showing us ancient Rome but she also buys into the most salacious stories and expands on some evidence in ways that I don't think are historically accurate (slave collars for example) yet these may only annoy the ancient historian and not the average alternative history or vampire fiction lover.
Beyond Saint-Germain, this novel includes several other important characters to the series. The enslaved "Armenian" horsewoman Tishtry who had her own YA book in 1985. The Egyptian bodyslave Aumtehoutep who appears in three other books in the series, is a ghoul, not fully vampire, no longer just human. The enslaved former "Persian" Prince now charioteer Kosrozd who appears only in this book but is the means by which most of the vampiric rules are laid out as Saint-Germain teaches him what they both are. Finally, the Spanish bondsman who becomes Saint-Germain's valet and bodyguard in 17 other novels, Rogerian, who becomes a ghoul.
If you haven't figured it out, Saint-Germain has a white knight complex. This is the main problem with him in every book -- as careful as he is to protect his secrets, he is drawn to save some woman from an abusive situation. In "Blood Games" it is Atta Olivia Clemens who becomes the star in her own trilogy from Yarbro. Her plight felt real if you take the most salacious tales of the Roman elite and ignore a chunk of the legal and social rules.
The sex in this book is mild by 2019 standards, more romantic and suggestive. The violence, however, may be a bit graphic for some readers and there is a lot of it because of the story investigates the inequalities of Roman society and the love of organized violence as entertainment.
I enjoyed it as both a vampire lover and an ancient historian.
Rules for vampires in Yarbro's world include: Sunlight is difficult, native soil is needed and can migated some of the other problems, there is no reflection in mirrors, blood and emotional intensity is necessary to feed, and vampires cannot eat or drink anything other than blood. Vampires can make others of their kind by using magic and blood (though that can also produce a being like a ghoul) or by taking blood numerous times from the same source who after death will rise a vampire.
The setting for "Blood Games" is the late 1st century in Rome and covers the end of Nero's reign and into the reign of Vespasian. Yarbro does a decent job of showing us ancient Rome but she also buys into the most salacious stories and expands on some evidence in ways that I don't think are historically accurate (slave collars for example) yet these may only annoy the ancient historian and not the average alternative history or vampire fiction lover.
Beyond Saint-Germain, this novel includes several other important characters to the series. The enslaved "Armenian" horsewoman Tishtry who had her own YA book in 1985. The Egyptian bodyslave Aumtehoutep who appears in three other books in the series, is a ghoul, not fully vampire, no longer just human. The enslaved former "Persian" Prince now charioteer Kosrozd who appears only in this book but is the means by which most of the vampiric rules are laid out as Saint-Germain teaches him what they both are. Finally, the Spanish bondsman who becomes Saint-Germain's valet and bodyguard in 17 other novels, Rogerian, who becomes a ghoul.
If you haven't figured it out, Saint-Germain has a white knight complex. This is the main problem with him in every book -- as careful as he is to protect his secrets, he is drawn to save some woman from an abusive situation. In "Blood Games" it is Atta Olivia Clemens who becomes the star in her own trilogy from Yarbro. Her plight felt real if you take the most salacious tales of the Roman elite and ignore a chunk of the legal and social rules.
The sex in this book is mild by 2019 standards, more romantic and suggestive. The violence, however, may be a bit graphic for some readers and there is a lot of it because of the story investigates the inequalities of Roman society and the love of organized violence as entertainment.
I enjoyed it as both a vampire lover and an ancient historian.
September 29, 2025
I thought Blood Games was really slow overall, it picks up in the final third but it’s too little too late for me. I wanted it to be a little smuttier and a little more violent, explicitly. Characters were pretty well defined but felt a little lacking as well.
Where this book really excels is making the reader feel like they are smack dab in the middle of an aristocratic Roman estate. A fly on the wall in a room of malicious, conniving, and corrupt men who squander opportunity and fumble for power, vying to wear the purple. There’s so much dialogue, and it’s really good, but at 450 pages I felt cheated every time the author skimmed over a sex scene or jumped to the end of a fight between gladiators and beasts (just as it began), just to end up back in a room with two men talking, and talking, and talking. Also strange that every chapter is almost exactly 10 pages, I wonder why.
I don’t see myself coming back to this series but maybe there’s more exciting iterations of what appears to be dozens of volumes on vampire historical fiction she has written. Vampires continue to elude my interest but I did connect with Ragoczy at points. I really wanna give Chelsea Quinn Yarbro credit, the historical aspects are so well researched, the sense of place is incredibly well crafted and detailed. It’s an amazing feat and the author is obviously brilliant, and written in 1979 maybe 3 stars is a bit harsh.
Besides the history my favorite parts were the themes of political and societal rot including the slave/master relationship, accusations that cannot be proved true or false, and the distraction of citizens with entertainment while people beg in the streets. All totally relevant today. But Rome alone did not save this story for me.
Where this book really excels is making the reader feel like they are smack dab in the middle of an aristocratic Roman estate. A fly on the wall in a room of malicious, conniving, and corrupt men who squander opportunity and fumble for power, vying to wear the purple. There’s so much dialogue, and it’s really good, but at 450 pages I felt cheated every time the author skimmed over a sex scene or jumped to the end of a fight between gladiators and beasts (just as it began), just to end up back in a room with two men talking, and talking, and talking. Also strange that every chapter is almost exactly 10 pages, I wonder why.
I don’t see myself coming back to this series but maybe there’s more exciting iterations of what appears to be dozens of volumes on vampire historical fiction she has written. Vampires continue to elude my interest but I did connect with Ragoczy at points. I really wanna give Chelsea Quinn Yarbro credit, the historical aspects are so well researched, the sense of place is incredibly well crafted and detailed. It’s an amazing feat and the author is obviously brilliant, and written in 1979 maybe 3 stars is a bit harsh.
Besides the history my favorite parts were the themes of political and societal rot including the slave/master relationship, accusations that cannot be proved true or false, and the distraction of citizens with entertainment while people beg in the streets. All totally relevant today. But Rome alone did not save this story for me.
February 28, 2025
The story of Roman Senator Cornelius Justus Silius, with a vampire thrown in. Justus has been vying for power since a relative fell afoul of Emperor Claudius. Justus ingratiates himself with Nero, and does the same with Otho, Galba, Vitellius, and Vespasian. Justus is forever getting deeply involved with plots against the current Emperor only to have the plot betrayed by someone on the inside. Each time Justus comes out in good favor with the Emperor. Strange.
Justus is also a sexual sadist who mistreats his wife Olivia and that's where Saint-Germain comes in. Saint-Germain is a rich foreigner who supplies beasts to the games and mules to the Legions and is always available to provide service to Rome no matter who is the Emperor. He begins a years long affair with Olivia and would take her away but she fears what Justus would do to her family. She is proven correct.
The story is full of rich historical detail about Rome. Both Saint-Germain and Justus have to maneuver the dangerous politics of the Year of the Four Emperors, Saint-Germain hoping to stay out of is and Justus trying to remain in the middle of it all. There is a lot of beast fighting, some gladiatorial combat, and chariot races. Also, pygmies battle ostriches while the Emperor dines on peacock tongues and pastries stuffed with dormice.
Well researched and enlightening story about Rome with Saint-Germain getting in some serious trouble. We get to meet two important characters to the series, Olivia and Roger. The plot around Saint-Germain and Olivia is reminiscent of the first book, but the constant suspense that comes with the turbulent time period keeps the interest up.
Justus is also a sexual sadist who mistreats his wife Olivia and that's where Saint-Germain comes in. Saint-Germain is a rich foreigner who supplies beasts to the games and mules to the Legions and is always available to provide service to Rome no matter who is the Emperor. He begins a years long affair with Olivia and would take her away but she fears what Justus would do to her family. She is proven correct.
The story is full of rich historical detail about Rome. Both Saint-Germain and Justus have to maneuver the dangerous politics of the Year of the Four Emperors, Saint-Germain hoping to stay out of is and Justus trying to remain in the middle of it all. There is a lot of beast fighting, some gladiatorial combat, and chariot races. Also, pygmies battle ostriches while the Emperor dines on peacock tongues and pastries stuffed with dormice.
Well researched and enlightening story about Rome with Saint-Germain getting in some serious trouble. We get to meet two important characters to the series, Olivia and Roger. The plot around Saint-Germain and Olivia is reminiscent of the first book, but the constant suspense that comes with the turbulent time period keeps the interest up.
February 15, 2019
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro pozostaje moją ulubioną autorką powieści o wampirach, tuż obok Anne Rice.
Czytając "Krwawe igrzyska" miałam wiele skojarzeń z "Quo vadis" Sienkiewicza, jednak ta powieść jest o niebo lepsza. Hrabia Saint-Germain jak zwykle będzie musiał zmierzyć się z wieloma przeciwnościami losu zanim spokojnie położy się na swojej skrzyni z ojczystą ziemią, aby odpocząć.
Autorka osadziła fabułę w jednym z moich ulubionych okresów historycznych - starożytności, co jest dla mnie kolejnym wielkim plusem obok świetnych kreacji bohaterów. Rakoczy nawiązuje znajomość nie tylko z cesarzem, Neronem, lecz także m.in. z tak znaną postacią, jak Petroniusz (i tu skojarzyło mi się z "Quo vadis"). W tym tomie przygód hrabiego dowiemy się wreszcie, jak doszło do spotkania głównego bohatera z jego sługą - Rogerem (jego imię uległo tutaj zmianie, ale dla mnie zawsze pozostanie tym Rogerem z "Hotelu Transylvania") i jak poznał Ację Oliwię Klemens, jego wieloletnią przyjaciółkę.
W serii powieści o hrabim Saint-Germain podoba mi się jeszcze fakt, iż Chelsea Quinn Yarbro bardziej skupia się na wątkach historycznych czy ludzkich bohaterach, a nie na wampiryzmie Franciszka Rakoczego. Dzięki temu pozostaje on niezwykle ludzki, jak na istotę pożywiającą się krwią.
Polecam całą serię, jest genialna!
Czytając "Krwawe igrzyska" miałam wiele skojarzeń z "Quo vadis" Sienkiewicza, jednak ta powieść jest o niebo lepsza. Hrabia Saint-Germain jak zwykle będzie musiał zmierzyć się z wieloma przeciwnościami losu zanim spokojnie położy się na swojej skrzyni z ojczystą ziemią, aby odpocząć.
Autorka osadziła fabułę w jednym z moich ulubionych okresów historycznych - starożytności, co jest dla mnie kolejnym wielkim plusem obok świetnych kreacji bohaterów. Rakoczy nawiązuje znajomość nie tylko z cesarzem, Neronem, lecz także m.in. z tak znaną postacią, jak Petroniusz (i tu skojarzyło mi się z "Quo vadis"). W tym tomie przygód hrabiego dowiemy się wreszcie, jak doszło do spotkania głównego bohatera z jego sługą - Rogerem (jego imię uległo tutaj zmianie, ale dla mnie zawsze pozostanie tym Rogerem z "Hotelu Transylvania") i jak poznał Ację Oliwię Klemens, jego wieloletnią przyjaciółkę.
W serii powieści o hrabim Saint-Germain podoba mi się jeszcze fakt, iż Chelsea Quinn Yarbro bardziej skupia się na wątkach historycznych czy ludzkich bohaterach, a nie na wampiryzmie Franciszka Rakoczego. Dzięki temu pozostaje on niezwykle ludzki, jak na istotę pożywiającą się krwią.
Polecam całą serię, jest genialna!
May 31, 2020
An interesting story. I come to it a bit late, (the book was actually published in 1979....). A different story on vampires, much different from the more popular ones from Anne Rice or L.K. Hamilton, to name a few.
Here the Count of Saint-Germain, is shown in Rome, in the age of early empire, with Nero emperor. The turbulent years of Nero and his successors till Vespasianus are the background of the story, with Sanct Germain living as a foreigner in Rome, (nice touch, from Dacia but not a Daci, because he predates them) wealthy, but still a foreigner.
Plenty of other reviews have already published a resume of the story, so I will not repeat them.
There is very mild sex, which is a bit boring today, no physical sex as vampire are not any more able to do it, but a kind of pleasant closeness with a little bloodshed.
The historical setting is interesting, well played out, Romans come out as vicious and cruel (which is probably very true!) and the book is still interesting. It might bear a slight revision, but it still very enjoyable. 4 stars, because of those scenes which have not aged well. The rest is very good.
Here the Count of Saint-Germain, is shown in Rome, in the age of early empire, with Nero emperor. The turbulent years of Nero and his successors till Vespasianus are the background of the story, with Sanct Germain living as a foreigner in Rome, (nice touch, from Dacia but not a Daci, because he predates them) wealthy, but still a foreigner.
Plenty of other reviews have already published a resume of the story, so I will not repeat them.
There is very mild sex, which is a bit boring today, no physical sex as vampire are not any more able to do it, but a kind of pleasant closeness with a little bloodshed.
The historical setting is interesting, well played out, Romans come out as vicious and cruel (which is probably very true!) and the book is still interesting. It might bear a slight revision, but it still very enjoyable. 4 stars, because of those scenes which have not aged well. The rest is very good.
October 30, 2014
Blood Games
Author: Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Published In: New York City, NY
Date: 1979
Pgs: 458
REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
Summary:
The Games in the Circus Maximus are afoot. A mad emperor sits upon the throne. Political infighting is the rule of the day. Sadists, perverts, and the cream of Roman society flow through this book. Sometimes, all three are the same people. A foreign noble walks the streets taking in Rome, living her life. Ragoczy Sanct Germain, vampire, Dacian, he only seeks to live, to see life. He finds himself caught between a deviant Senator and his wife, who is more the object of his perversions than a lover. Nero’s Rome is falling. Chaos reigns. Darkness is falling. Vampires love the dark.
Genre:
Fiction
Historical fiction
Vampires
Why this book:
I originally read this book while in high school. They didn’t realize what they had in that staid, little, prim, conservative library. What they thought was historical fiction about Rome was a vampire story in the Rome of Nero with a sexually deviant Senator at odds with the vampire Ragoczy Sanct Germain Franciscus of Dacia, at war with one another with Roman beauty Atta Olivia Clemens caught between them. When I originally read it, the story left a mark on my soul. I loved it. And when I saw it in the Irving Public Library, I had to get it and reread it.
It is easy to submerge in this book and lose all track of time.
______________________________________________________________________________
Favorite Character:
Ragoczy Sanct Germain Franciscus of Dacia
Least Favorite Character:
Roman Senator Cornelius Justus Silius. He is so slimy from the way he treats his wife vis-a-vis his perversion to his bearing false witness and trying to get others declared traitor in Nero’s Rome which invariably lead to death.
Nero’s Rome. The city and empire...though mostly just the city, is every bit as much a character in this story as the “flesh and blood” characters are.
After Nero, the reigns of INSERT SHORT TERM EMPEROR’s NAME HERE were all characterized by a failure to reform Rome. Effectively, they got rid of Nero and then continued aspects of his reign over the next three or four short timers.
All the fools who listened to Justus as if he were their friend and trusted him both with their secrets and to advise them.
Character I Most Identified With:
Sanct Germain. He spoke to me in these pages.
The Feel:
There are powerful scenes throughout this story. I’m savoring this book. Some scenes, I’ll read and then set the book aside and consider the scene before coming back to the book at a later time and going on to the next.
Favorite Scene:
When Sanct Germain steps in between the Necredes, the master of the bestiari at the Games, who was about to have Germain’s horsewoman, Tishtry, flogged because she refused to drive her prize horses into the Coliseum to be killed by lions. Germain makes an enemy here. Necredes doesn’t realize how lucky he is to have survived the encounter after having lashed Tishtry.
Sanct Germain, Koroszd, and Aumtehoutep discussing the intrigues of Rome in the year that Nero spent in Greece playing in the Games.
Germain’s intimate moments with Tishtry and Olivia are extremely well done. Very hot. Woof!
Sanct Germain versus the crocodiles during an aquatic venation in the Circus Maximus.
Pacing:
The flow of this story is great. The pace drags a bit when we get into the second half of the book, when the story becomes more about the threats that are gathered against Sanct Germain and the plots of Justus.
Plot Holes/Out of Character:
Sanct Germain is a great character. But, in this book, he’s a damned fool. Having lived as long as he has, he should have known the whims of Imperial Roman character. He saw the onrushing storm and chose to ignore it and believe that his preparations were sufficient.
Hmm Moments:
The scenes where Senator Justus Silius is using other men to brutalize his wife as a way for him to attain arousal so that he can “be” with his wife. He uses his perversion as a way to subjugate his wife and provide him with a Roman Empire version of Viagra.
Why isn’t there a screenplay?
There could be. If there were going to be, it seems like the Twilight furor would have been the perfect time. Looks like Lestat and Germain both missed their big chance at a hot vampire movie market.
Casting call:
I would love to see either Sammy Shiek or Mido Hamada as Ragoczy Sanct Germain. Both have the look that I think would be perfect for Germain and the acting chops to do the character justice. Branko Tomovic could fit the role as well.
It’s a shame the Kenneth McMillan isn’t still alive. I think of his Baron Harkonnen, from the movie Dune (1984), and Senator Cornelius Justus Silius sharing a skin. Kevin Spacey could fill the role with enough menace, but I’m not sure he could do slimy to the degree that he would need to.
I would love to see Alexandra Daddario take on the role of Atta Olivia Clemens.
I would love to see Stephen Rea as Nero.
John Malkovich as Galba or Vespasianus.
______________________________________________________________________________
Last Page Sound:
Justice was served to everyone except Necredes. Really wish he would have gotten his. Still, a truly lovely book and I would love to re-read it again someday. It’s a wonderful immersive book that draws you into its world.
Author Assessment:
Ragoczy Sanct Germain was Lestat before Lestat was Lestat. Yarbro writes with great feeling. You can feel what her characters feel.
Editorial Assessment:
This story is very well put together.
Knee Jerk Reaction:
real classic
Disposition of Book:
Irving Public Library
Would recommend to:
everyone
Author: Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Published In: New York City, NY
Date: 1979
Pgs: 458
REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
Summary:
The Games in the Circus Maximus are afoot. A mad emperor sits upon the throne. Political infighting is the rule of the day. Sadists, perverts, and the cream of Roman society flow through this book. Sometimes, all three are the same people. A foreign noble walks the streets taking in Rome, living her life. Ragoczy Sanct Germain, vampire, Dacian, he only seeks to live, to see life. He finds himself caught between a deviant Senator and his wife, who is more the object of his perversions than a lover. Nero’s Rome is falling. Chaos reigns. Darkness is falling. Vampires love the dark.
Genre:
Fiction
Historical fiction
Vampires
Why this book:
I originally read this book while in high school. They didn’t realize what they had in that staid, little, prim, conservative library. What they thought was historical fiction about Rome was a vampire story in the Rome of Nero with a sexually deviant Senator at odds with the vampire Ragoczy Sanct Germain Franciscus of Dacia, at war with one another with Roman beauty Atta Olivia Clemens caught between them. When I originally read it, the story left a mark on my soul. I loved it. And when I saw it in the Irving Public Library, I had to get it and reread it.
It is easy to submerge in this book and lose all track of time.
______________________________________________________________________________
Favorite Character:
Ragoczy Sanct Germain Franciscus of Dacia
Least Favorite Character:
Roman Senator Cornelius Justus Silius. He is so slimy from the way he treats his wife vis-a-vis his perversion to his bearing false witness and trying to get others declared traitor in Nero’s Rome which invariably lead to death.
Nero’s Rome. The city and empire...though mostly just the city, is every bit as much a character in this story as the “flesh and blood” characters are.
After Nero, the reigns of INSERT SHORT TERM EMPEROR’s NAME HERE were all characterized by a failure to reform Rome. Effectively, they got rid of Nero and then continued aspects of his reign over the next three or four short timers.
All the fools who listened to Justus as if he were their friend and trusted him both with their secrets and to advise them.
Character I Most Identified With:
Sanct Germain. He spoke to me in these pages.
The Feel:
There are powerful scenes throughout this story. I’m savoring this book. Some scenes, I’ll read and then set the book aside and consider the scene before coming back to the book at a later time and going on to the next.
Favorite Scene:
When Sanct Germain steps in between the Necredes, the master of the bestiari at the Games, who was about to have Germain’s horsewoman, Tishtry, flogged because she refused to drive her prize horses into the Coliseum to be killed by lions. Germain makes an enemy here. Necredes doesn’t realize how lucky he is to have survived the encounter after having lashed Tishtry.
Sanct Germain, Koroszd, and Aumtehoutep discussing the intrigues of Rome in the year that Nero spent in Greece playing in the Games.
Germain’s intimate moments with Tishtry and Olivia are extremely well done. Very hot. Woof!
Sanct Germain versus the crocodiles during an aquatic venation in the Circus Maximus.
Pacing:
The flow of this story is great. The pace drags a bit when we get into the second half of the book, when the story becomes more about the threats that are gathered against Sanct Germain and the plots of Justus.
Plot Holes/Out of Character:
Sanct Germain is a great character. But, in this book, he’s a damned fool. Having lived as long as he has, he should have known the whims of Imperial Roman character. He saw the onrushing storm and chose to ignore it and believe that his preparations were sufficient.
Hmm Moments:
The scenes where Senator Justus Silius is using other men to brutalize his wife as a way for him to attain arousal so that he can “be” with his wife. He uses his perversion as a way to subjugate his wife and provide him with a Roman Empire version of Viagra.
Why isn’t there a screenplay?
There could be. If there were going to be, it seems like the Twilight furor would have been the perfect time. Looks like Lestat and Germain both missed their big chance at a hot vampire movie market.
Casting call:
I would love to see either Sammy Shiek or Mido Hamada as Ragoczy Sanct Germain. Both have the look that I think would be perfect for Germain and the acting chops to do the character justice. Branko Tomovic could fit the role as well.
It’s a shame the Kenneth McMillan isn’t still alive. I think of his Baron Harkonnen, from the movie Dune (1984), and Senator Cornelius Justus Silius sharing a skin. Kevin Spacey could fill the role with enough menace, but I’m not sure he could do slimy to the degree that he would need to.
I would love to see Alexandra Daddario take on the role of Atta Olivia Clemens.
I would love to see Stephen Rea as Nero.
John Malkovich as Galba or Vespasianus.
______________________________________________________________________________
Last Page Sound:
Justice was served to everyone except Necredes. Really wish he would have gotten his. Still, a truly lovely book and I would love to re-read it again someday. It’s a wonderful immersive book that draws you into its world.
Author Assessment:
Ragoczy Sanct Germain was Lestat before Lestat was Lestat. Yarbro writes with great feeling. You can feel what her characters feel.
Editorial Assessment:
This story is very well put together.
Knee Jerk Reaction:
real classic
Disposition of Book:
Irving Public Library
Would recommend to:
everyone
November 4, 2018
Very Bloody Games !
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro certainly thew the rule book out of the window when she presented a good and noble vampire as the leading personality of this series.
Be sure that bad things will happen to bad people , as should be , but bad , very bad things will happen to nice people so there is a creepy tension throughout .
Animals are slaughtered by the dozen , many after having killed off dozens of humans .Yes indeed Bloody Games
As is her norm , Ms Yarbro embedded her fiction in very well studied historical fact . A secondary advantage for anyone quite frustrated by today's political scene. In comparison with the cruelty and murder of the Roman struggle for power today's politicians are mere kindly beginners !
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro certainly thew the rule book out of the window when she presented a good and noble vampire as the leading personality of this series.
Be sure that bad things will happen to bad people , as should be , but bad , very bad things will happen to nice people so there is a creepy tension throughout .
Animals are slaughtered by the dozen , many after having killed off dozens of humans .Yes indeed Bloody Games
As is her norm , Ms Yarbro embedded her fiction in very well studied historical fact . A secondary advantage for anyone quite frustrated by today's political scene. In comparison with the cruelty and murder of the Roman struggle for power today's politicians are mere kindly beginners !
August 1, 2021
Another St. Germain Book, and this one lives up to its title.
It is going to be far too brutal and bloody for many of my friends involved in animal rescue, but so would ancient Rome be. You can skip this one and still be fine with reading the books.
I took 3 years of Latin in high school, on top of studying history, so some of the suspense was taken out of the book in that way.
Nonetheless, excellent and informative details. Great vocabulary. More vampire fun.
One plot point had what I thought might have been an obvious solution that was overlooked, but I pushed through it, and you can, too.
It is going to be far too brutal and bloody for many of my friends involved in animal rescue, but so would ancient Rome be. You can skip this one and still be fine with reading the books.
I took 3 years of Latin in high school, on top of studying history, so some of the suspense was taken out of the book in that way.
Nonetheless, excellent and informative details. Great vocabulary. More vampire fun.
One plot point had what I thought might have been an obvious solution that was overlooked, but I pushed through it, and you can, too.
August 10, 2020
Written before the "Interview with a Vampire" and the "Twilight Saga," the Saint Germain Chronicles intertwine layers of rich, well researched history with Yarbro's intelligent, enigmatic, and charming vampire hero. Yarbro challenges the reader to see the darker side of humanity through history against the often compassionate, but monsterous vampire St. Germain as he constantly rebuilds his identity over the years and around the globe. These books do contain sexual situations, violence, and horror and are not recommended for adolescent readers.
April 19, 2020
This third book about the vampire, Count Saint-Germain, brings us to the excesses of Rome, back in the days of Nero. Saint-Germain is already old - he was made a vampire by a prince he followed, back in Mesopotamian days, and is visiting another major city before he has to move on. Well written, without the freak aspect many later vampire books include.
October 21, 2017
I love this series. It's a shame they are not more readily available.
July 28, 2019
Good story, good attention to historic detail. St. Germain rocks. I got a chronological list of this series - this is a great start!
November 12, 2011
I'm not a fan of vampire books in general. This book did nothing to change my mind.
I understand this is not the first book in the series and I have not read the previous books, so I expected to be missing some of the references to the past. Still, I found the backstory to be almost nonexistent, which means I was even more confused than I had expected to be. Adding to my sense of confusion was the lack of a map of the Roman Empire at the time of the story and a list of the Caesars and key Senators. Both would have helped a lot.
The author uses various types of correspondence at the start of each chapter. This method of telling, or sometimes just hinting at plot developments, takes the place of actually showing us what's going on. While at times it serves the purpose of condensing the time frame and action, most of the time it defuses the tension of the story. The author also will use a chapter to set up some intriguing situation, only the start the next chapter at some time later, so we never get to watch the situation unfold.
There are some scenes that are very effectively written--usually the action at the Games in the Circus Maximus and some of the love scenes.
I didn't find myself drawn to any of the main characters, but Tishtry, the charioteer, the Egyptian body servant and his replacement were my favorites.
I will not be seeking out any other books in this series.
I understand this is not the first book in the series and I have not read the previous books, so I expected to be missing some of the references to the past. Still, I found the backstory to be almost nonexistent, which means I was even more confused than I had expected to be. Adding to my sense of confusion was the lack of a map of the Roman Empire at the time of the story and a list of the Caesars and key Senators. Both would have helped a lot.
The author uses various types of correspondence at the start of each chapter. This method of telling, or sometimes just hinting at plot developments, takes the place of actually showing us what's going on. While at times it serves the purpose of condensing the time frame and action, most of the time it defuses the tension of the story. The author also will use a chapter to set up some intriguing situation, only the start the next chapter at some time later, so we never get to watch the situation unfold.
There are some scenes that are very effectively written--usually the action at the Games in the Circus Maximus and some of the love scenes.
I didn't find myself drawn to any of the main characters, but Tishtry, the charioteer, the Egyptian body servant and his replacement were my favorites.
I will not be seeking out any other books in this series.
August 1, 2009
Maybe I liked this book because I was so disappointed in Anne Rice's Lestat books. (I never got more than 1/3 of the way through the first book and have never gone back to Rice since then.) I'm not a huge horror reader. I usually indulge in one or tow because I need to review a couple for my annual Halloween book reviews. (The paper I write for is a monthly.)
The things I liked about this book were Yarbro's historical research into ancient Rome, bringing it vividly to life; her inventiveness at overcoming the problems vampires face--being out in the day, walking over moving water, etc, and I admit I liked Saint-Germain.
Some of her weaknesses are that she always tries to show the worst side of the humans by making Saint-Germain so civilized and above the fray--and she does this in almost everyone of her Saint-Germain books--that it gets tedious, and you want to see the nasty, angry and viscious side of him just once in a while. Sometimes the history does get a little tiresome.
I do like these books. She does have a way of making the unbelievable seem normal and natural--try out another of her horror books A Mortal Glamour.
The things I liked about this book were Yarbro's historical research into ancient Rome, bringing it vividly to life; her inventiveness at overcoming the problems vampires face--being out in the day, walking over moving water, etc, and I admit I liked Saint-Germain.
Some of her weaknesses are that she always tries to show the worst side of the humans by making Saint-Germain so civilized and above the fray--and she does this in almost everyone of her Saint-Germain books--that it gets tedious, and you want to see the nasty, angry and viscious side of him just once in a while. Sometimes the history does get a little tiresome.
I do like these books. She does have a way of making the unbelievable seem normal and natural--try out another of her horror books A Mortal Glamour.
February 27, 2024
The third in the Saint Germain series, going back to the first century A.D., over 1000 years before the events of the previous book. Herein we discover the origins of both Roger and Olivia and learn some more about Saint Germain himself.
I actually think Quinn cheated with this book. At one point, Saint Germain is deprived of his boots and forced not only to withstand sunlight but also fight in water, two things he really shouldn’t be able to do. It makes him a bit too superhuman; it’s like establishing that Superman has a weakness to kryptonite, but then still is able to fight through it.
As we move back in time with Saint Germain, the world and he becomes much more violent, and that is certainly the case here with its fixations on the Circus Maximus and the Roman games. The villain is extremely villainous, although he does get his comeuppance, but what he puts Olivia through is pretty much content note worthy, if such a thing had existed in the 70s when this was first published.
I actually think Quinn cheated with this book. At one point, Saint Germain is deprived of his boots and forced not only to withstand sunlight but also fight in water, two things he really shouldn’t be able to do. It makes him a bit too superhuman; it’s like establishing that Superman has a weakness to kryptonite, but then still is able to fight through it.
As we move back in time with Saint Germain, the world and he becomes much more violent, and that is certainly the case here with its fixations on the Circus Maximus and the Roman games. The villain is extremely villainous, although he does get his comeuppance, but what he puts Olivia through is pretty much content note worthy, if such a thing had existed in the 70s when this was first published.
February 23, 2016
Pros: This is a great history read, especially if you love ancient Rome. The attention to period detail is unparalleled here - Yarbro is right next to period writers such as Elizabeth Chadwick (early medieval royalty) or Philippa Gregory (late medieval-Renaissance ibid). The carnage was the style of the time, and the scenes of the Blood Games so-called really brought it home for me. Olivia's husband is the most loathsome animal in the arena, and you'll soon see why.
Cons: Yarbro is a lot lighter on the vampire settings. Although world-weary, Saint-Germain has a lot less personality than the vampires of another writers' world (Anne Rice is my big one). He lacks the human flaws that would help me relate to him, and only uses his supernatural capabilities to interfere with plot events one time. He never completely drains anyone of blood, and I believe he only kills one person out of anger. This is the reason I only gave this novel two stars.
Cons: Yarbro is a lot lighter on the vampire settings. Although world-weary, Saint-Germain has a lot less personality than the vampires of another writers' world (Anne Rice is my big one). He lacks the human flaws that would help me relate to him, and only uses his supernatural capabilities to interfere with plot events one time. He never completely drains anyone of blood, and I believe he only kills one person out of anger. This is the reason I only gave this novel two stars.
January 22, 2014
Roma è un crogiolo di vizi e intrighi, dove è normale che perfino un imperatore venga assassinato. L'unica realtà immutabile è quella del Circo Massimo, l'arena dove coloro che non godono più dei favori di Nerone, siano essi gladiatori o ex senatori, vengono sbranati da leoni e coccodrilli. Uno dei pochissimi uomini d'affari di successo benché non romano, Saint Germain Ragoczy, è stato fino ad ora capace di tenersi fuori dalle pericolose sabbie mobili dell'alta società romana, ma il suo primo errore sarà quello d'innamorarsi di Olivia, la moglie malmaritata di un potente senatore. E il secondo sarà quello di prestare aiuto a Rogerius, un uomo ferito a morte da un padrone avido e spietato. Adesso, come punizione per essersi intromesso, Ragoczy dovrà affrontare il Circo Massimo come attrazione per il pubblico assetato di sangue...
(source: bol_it.com)
October 31, 2012
The problem with beginning your adventures in reading historical fiction with Anya Seton and Dorothy Dunnett is that they spoil you; everything else seems pallid in comparison. That's why I was delighted to realize that I don't remember reading the second book in Yarbro's long-running Count Saint-Germaine series. I've recommended this series to friends who haven't liked any of the vampire-themed titles in the pop fiction of the last decade. The Saint-Germaine series and its spinoffs should really be classified as historical fiction with some vampire lore thrown in. Yarbro does excellent research and her writing, which doesn't spare the grim details of life during previous centuries, breathes life into her time periods.
April 22, 2007
I read this book long before this edition came out. I wore the paperback out with re-reading it, and finally got a hardback copy when it was re-issued.
Yarbro's florid prose seems like the right way to describe the excesses of Imperial Rome, and the heroine's misfortune of being married to man with deviant sexual tastes makes this truly a horror novel. Add the dangers faced by Saint-Germain's slaves and then Saint-Germain himself in the arena, and you have an exciting as well as disturbing examination of the dark possibilities within the human psyche. The battered wife and her vampire lover are the most normal people in the book.
Yarbro's florid prose seems like the right way to describe the excesses of Imperial Rome, and the heroine's misfortune of being married to man with deviant sexual tastes makes this truly a horror novel. Add the dangers faced by Saint-Germain's slaves and then Saint-Germain himself in the arena, and you have an exciting as well as disturbing examination of the dark possibilities within the human psyche. The battered wife and her vampire lover are the most normal people in the book.
September 3, 2008
The Saint-Germain series melds historical fiction, romance and horror into something quite unique. SG is an intriguing character. He’s kind, but in Blood Games, he’s living in Nero’s Rome—why? It’s sickening to know that atrocities happen—why would anyone want a front-row seat? Is he trying to lead by example? Is he inflicting some sort of penance on himself? If so, for what? How long has he been around anyway? I’m curious enough that I’m planning to check out the rest of the series. For a quick glimpse of his personality, check out this link for Yarbro’s ”Interview With A Vampire” http://www.chelseaquinnyarbro.net/s-g...
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