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Saint-Germain #1
Hôtel Transylvania
France 1743 (Sun King era). Le Comte de Saint-Germain - cultured, well-traveled, articulate, elegant, learned, honorable, an alchemist, and a man of many secrets - he is a mystery to the court of Louis XV. For Madelaine de Montalia, making her debut in society, he is as fascinating as he is enigmatic, an admiration he returns. But others are interested in her as well. The dark folly of her father's youth exposes her to danger that only someone of Saint-Germain's vast experience can comprehend or repulse.
In this first book of the Saint-Germain cycle, Saint-Germain establishes himself as the compassionate hero whose adventures span continents and millennia.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1978
102 people are currently reading
5133 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 217 reviews
December 5, 2022
all the sweet spots were hit, including one I didn't know I even had: sardonic and (relatively) independent heroine yearning to explore the world; well-developed setting; lavish detail porn featuring décor, couture, and food; arch dialogue; vivid swordfights; and especially, surprisingly, a Gary Stu Vampire versus decadent, sadistic Satanists. I'd add in an admirably frank attitude towards describing sex, but the sex described in this one was basically satanic gang rape, so I'll leave that out as far as sweet spots go.
speaking of sex, one of the most interesting/amusing things about Gary Stu-Germain the heartbreaker protagonist is that the book makes it clear that vampires can't have sex (at least of the penetrative variety). when you combine that with his disinterest in killing people, his sweet supportiveness and gentle demeanor, his style, his frequent and generous compliments, his kindness to servants... he's the safest and most pleasant vampire one could ever have the pleasure of meeting. I'd probably let him chaperone my daughter (as long as he promised not to turn her).
Yarbro's prose is polished and sophisticated but never pretentious. despite the amount of historical detail on display, the narrative never felt heavy. this was such a pleasure to read, so droll and amusing. and sometimes very moving.
something that really stood out to me - besides the utter goodness of the vampire hero - was how Yarbro rather subtly illustrated her feminism via the letters written by certain characters to each other. instead of creating an artificial situation or unrealistic characters, Yarbro instead shows her disdain for repressive value systems by having such values extolled by a couple embarrassingly foolish supporting characters. namely, a father and an abbot, both of whom spend a lot of time talking about how beautiful and Christian it is for a woman to completely submit to their husband/master's will.
I'm excited to check in with saintly Saint-Germain in future novels to see how different iterations of him throughout history think and act, especially in comparison with the warmth and compassion displayed here.
†
much gratitude to Saffron Moon for sending me this awesome book! really enjoyed it.
†
also, I love that this was the review's first like:
thanks, dracula!
speaking of sex, one of the most interesting/amusing things about Gary Stu-Germain the heartbreaker protagonist is that the book makes it clear that vampires can't have sex (at least of the penetrative variety). when you combine that with his disinterest in killing people, his sweet supportiveness and gentle demeanor, his style, his frequent and generous compliments, his kindness to servants... he's the safest and most pleasant vampire one could ever have the pleasure of meeting. I'd probably let him chaperone my daughter (as long as he promised not to turn her).
Yarbro's prose is polished and sophisticated but never pretentious. despite the amount of historical detail on display, the narrative never felt heavy. this was such a pleasure to read, so droll and amusing. and sometimes very moving.
something that really stood out to me - besides the utter goodness of the vampire hero - was how Yarbro rather subtly illustrated her feminism via the letters written by certain characters to each other. instead of creating an artificial situation or unrealistic characters, Yarbro instead shows her disdain for repressive value systems by having such values extolled by a couple embarrassingly foolish supporting characters. namely, a father and an abbot, both of whom spend a lot of time talking about how beautiful and Christian it is for a woman to completely submit to their husband/master's will.
I'm excited to check in with saintly Saint-Germain in future novels to see how different iterations of him throughout history think and act, especially in comparison with the warmth and compassion displayed here.
†
much gratitude to Saffron Moon for sending me this awesome book! really enjoyed it.
†
also, I love that this was the review's first like:
thanks, dracula!
April 19, 2017
Hôtel Transylvania was probably a cutting edge book of its time (the late 1970s), but today it feels a little old fashioned. However, I can certainly see its place in the process of getting to the abundant vampire fiction that we have today.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula merely hinted at the sexual nature of vampires. The vampire snuck in at night like a clandestine lover and had to get up close and personal to bite his victim. Blood transfer is pretty intimate after all.
A couple of years before Hôtel Transylvania was published, Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire appeared and updated the vampire legend for the times. These were vampires who could interact with humans, who could live for many centuries, and who felt strong emotions. The eroticism of the vampire-human interaction became more explicit. This was a way-station along the path that has led us to the completely sexual vampire of current urban fantasy.
Enter Le Comte de Saint-Germain. Although he does drink blood, he also provides pleasurable sexual experiences during the process. There is some hint that he obtains energy from the sex as well as the blood meal. He is apparently over a thousand years old, is able to handle religious symbols such as crucifixes, and can endure sunlight and running water if properly grounded with his home earth in the soles of his boots.
An aspect of this book that marks it as a product of its time—it is set in the France of Louis XV and revolves around a Satanic cult in the French court (supposedly linked with La Voisin, an alleged sorceress in the court of Louis XIV). Published in 1978, Hôtel Transylvania appears just before the Satanic cult panics of the 1980s. The physical & sexual abuse ascribed to the bad guys here is very similar to that attributeded to the cults of the 1980s. Rather like the Salem witch trials, it turned out that panic-stricken people have very active imaginations.
This was my first time reading the first book in the series—I vaguely remember several volumes in the late 1980s, which I enjoyed more at the time.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula merely hinted at the sexual nature of vampires. The vampire snuck in at night like a clandestine lover and had to get up close and personal to bite his victim. Blood transfer is pretty intimate after all.
A couple of years before Hôtel Transylvania was published, Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire appeared and updated the vampire legend for the times. These were vampires who could interact with humans, who could live for many centuries, and who felt strong emotions. The eroticism of the vampire-human interaction became more explicit. This was a way-station along the path that has led us to the completely sexual vampire of current urban fantasy.
Enter Le Comte de Saint-Germain. Although he does drink blood, he also provides pleasurable sexual experiences during the process. There is some hint that he obtains energy from the sex as well as the blood meal. He is apparently over a thousand years old, is able to handle religious symbols such as crucifixes, and can endure sunlight and running water if properly grounded with his home earth in the soles of his boots.
An aspect of this book that marks it as a product of its time—it is set in the France of Louis XV and revolves around a Satanic cult in the French court (supposedly linked with La Voisin, an alleged sorceress in the court of Louis XIV). Published in 1978, Hôtel Transylvania appears just before the Satanic cult panics of the 1980s. The physical & sexual abuse ascribed to the bad guys here is very similar to that attributeded to the cults of the 1980s. Rather like the Salem witch trials, it turned out that panic-stricken people have very active imaginations.
This was my first time reading the first book in the series—I vaguely remember several volumes in the late 1980s, which I enjoyed more at the time.
June 13, 2018
Forget date stated here this came out in 1980s before True Blood & long before Twilight was the erotic Count this evening that Dracula isn't yet it's blood pressure high a quality Weathering Heights With Gone with the Vampire instead of Wind.
Historical kiss of blood red death .I read number of these books not all many because been unavailable in the UK the early American editions have much better cover with gold embossed covers in paperback.
If enjoy horror but don't want a Saw style feast of blood that make you vomit then these are what you love a Romantic Historical erotic Not over the top horror
Historical kiss of blood red death .I read number of these books not all many because been unavailable in the UK the early American editions have much better cover with gold embossed covers in paperback.
If enjoy horror but don't want a Saw style feast of blood that make you vomit then these are what you love a Romantic Historical erotic Not over the top horror
August 19, 2023
I love Yarbro's version of vampires. No sparkles, but not demonically evil vampire either. We don't have a creepy vampire pottering around in a dilapidated castle in Transylvania (despite the title!). What Yarbro has given us is a very mysterious stranger in Paris, who takes on a Satanic cult that was silly enough to kidnap the young woman he has grown more than fond of. The writing is delightful, and the historical costumes and customs are fairly accurate from my poor knowledge of these things. However, I found the pacing a bit slow and there were (important and relevant) elements of the plot I didn't particularly care for. But, I liked it enough to read another Saint-Germain novel.
September 23, 2021
Imagineaza-ti ca intr-o seara cu luna plina esti invitata la Hotel Transylvania de catre un enigmatic gentleman. Odata ajunsa esti condusa intr-un salon majestuos, cu mobila antica si cu misterioase umbre care se furiseaza in cotloane intunecate. Peretii sunt intesati cu minunatele tablouri ale lui Velasquez, un pian imens troneaza in centrul incaperii si ti se pare ca auzi o arie spectrala... Te grabesti spre ferestrele arcuite care sunt impodobite cu perdele de damasc ce danseaza salbatic sub atingerea vantului, ca niste spirite malefice. Peisajul de afara este sordid, lupii urla undeva in departare si orologiul se grabeste sa bata ora 12. Simti un fior rece, o soapta matasoasa si o rasuflare pe umar, apoi iti dai seama ca amfitrionul tau a sosit pe nesimtite. Si cat te intrebi de ce nu ii poti vedea reflexia in geam intuitia iti spune ca ceva este in neregula. Dar este prea tarziu sa iti dai seama ce, pentru ca simti o durere ascutita in zona gatului si ii lesini in brate...
"In lumea mea, a umbrelor,
Neatins de-ale soarelui raze, furia
M-a cuprins fara sa stiu de ce.
Rasul tau din cranguri
M-a-nnebunit cand plutea
Grabit spre cer, din ce in ce.
Vai, Persephona, sunt distrus de iubire
Si de asteptata clipa de fericire!"
Asadar, Hotel Transylvania - such a lovely place - unde sa-ti pierzi sufletul.
Pentru rezervari sunati la receptie. Program: in special noaptea, pentru vecie.
Semnat: Contele Saint-German
Nota: Scena prezentata este rodul imaginatiei mele folosindu-ma de elementele din roman si nu face parte din carte. Este maniera mea de a prezenta si de a reproduce atmosfera cartii.
"In lumea mea, a umbrelor,
Neatins de-ale soarelui raze, furia
M-a cuprins fara sa stiu de ce.
Rasul tau din cranguri
M-a-nnebunit cand plutea
Grabit spre cer, din ce in ce.
Vai, Persephona, sunt distrus de iubire
Si de asteptata clipa de fericire!"
Asadar, Hotel Transylvania - such a lovely place - unde sa-ti pierzi sufletul.
Pentru rezervari sunati la receptie. Program: in special noaptea, pentru vecie.
Semnat: Contele Saint-German
Nota: Scena prezentata este rodul imaginatiei mele folosindu-ma de elementele din roman si nu face parte din carte. Este maniera mea de a prezenta si de a reproduce atmosfera cartii.
March 15, 2009
This is the first book about the ancient, noble, lonely vampire Saint-Germain, but I'm glad it wasn't the first one I read because I might not have have continued with the series. It's not terrible, but the two later books I've already read were better than this one.
For one thing, the plot is Saint-Germain vs. Satan worshippers in 18th century France, and I just don't buy the motivation of Satan worshippers. Why would a bunch of French nobleman spend their time horrifically sacrificing virgins? Don't they have parties to go to? Deer to hunt? Boxes at the opera? The sacrificing is nasty stuff, with some scenes of explicit sexual violence. In each book the author has placed her vampire in the midst of great human evil, as if to emphasize his relative "humanity".
Saint-Germain falls in love in this book (he fell in love in the other two books I read, too) but the romance is not very convincing. He's apparently very good in bed despite having non-functional plumbing, and the sex scenes are rather vague and unsatisfying, with a lot of phrases like "wakening her inmost harmony".
The author spends a lot of time describing clothes, particularly Saint-Germain's clothes. I enjoy it, especially in a historical setting, but I know this irritates a lot of people.
And I can't help but wonder about Roger, who his a minor role in this book as Saint-Germain's valet. Saint-Germain saved Roger's life during the reign of Nero and made him immortal (but not exactly a vampire - the details are vague). Roger becomes his grateful servant, and here he is, still a servant seventeen hundred years later, even though Saint-Germain speaks of him as an old friend. Talk about eternal gratitude.
For one thing, the plot is Saint-Germain vs. Satan worshippers in 18th century France, and I just don't buy the motivation of Satan worshippers. Why would a bunch of French nobleman spend their time horrifically sacrificing virgins? Don't they have parties to go to? Deer to hunt? Boxes at the opera? The sacrificing is nasty stuff, with some scenes of explicit sexual violence. In each book the author has placed her vampire in the midst of great human evil, as if to emphasize his relative "humanity".
Saint-Germain falls in love in this book (he fell in love in the other two books I read, too) but the romance is not very convincing. He's apparently very good in bed despite having non-functional plumbing, and the sex scenes are rather vague and unsatisfying, with a lot of phrases like "wakening her inmost harmony".
The author spends a lot of time describing clothes, particularly Saint-Germain's clothes. I enjoy it, especially in a historical setting, but I know this irritates a lot of people.
And I can't help but wonder about Roger, who his a minor role in this book as Saint-Germain's valet. Saint-Germain saved Roger's life during the reign of Nero and made him immortal (but not exactly a vampire - the details are vague). Roger becomes his grateful servant, and here he is, still a servant seventeen hundred years later, even though Saint-Germain speaks of him as an old friend. Talk about eternal gratitude.
December 23, 2015
I wanted to like this, but no. For a book with a sympathetic vampire,character (which I generally find lame), the idea wasn't bad: a vampire who could use a crucifix against his enemies.
The pacing I found too slow and the characters too similar--everyone melodramatic and vain, in complete denial of the Satanists among them, who themselves were ignorant of vampirism. I had trouble caring about various characters who were too stupid to live, and it seemed as though many elements of the plot were never in question, which drained the suspense.
I've heard that later books in the series are much better. This one wasn't horrible, just not smooth enough to overcome my dislike of the melodrama and pacing, which others may find the cat's pajamas. If you're looking for a supernatural bodice ripper, you definitely could do worse.
The pacing I found too slow and the characters too similar--everyone melodramatic and vain, in complete denial of the Satanists among them, who themselves were ignorant of vampirism. I had trouble caring about various characters who were too stupid to live, and it seemed as though many elements of the plot were never in question, which drained the suspense.
I've heard that later books in the series are much better. This one wasn't horrible, just not smooth enough to overcome my dislike of the melodrama and pacing, which others may find the cat's pajamas. If you're looking for a supernatural bodice ripper, you definitely could do worse.
April 14, 2020
Madelaine travels to Paris to stay with her aunt and uncle in order to make her debut in society. She meets the charming and mysterious Saint-Germain and they begin a secret affair. Meanwhile, a Satanic cult prepares for a long-awaited ritual.
I loved the historical setting of this novel, the gossip and melodrama, the decadence and romance. There is a lot of detail such as the descriptions of clothing, which I personally enjoyed as I felt it really helped set the scene and the time period. So while there are some frilly (in more ways than one) moments in the story there are also some brutal and quite graphic moments too, including violence and sexual violence. Yarbro writes excellently across the board.
Each chapter ends with a letter from and to various characters within the book. I thought this format worked really well to get necessary information across without feeling info-dumpy. The vampire element is actually somewhat secondary to the story. It is a part of the story but is not the main focus. So we have some romance, plenty of adventure, throw in a bit of alchemy, a little sauciness, plus a Satanic cult and you have a really enjoyable novel. This was my first time reading Chelsea Quinn Yarbro and I would definitely pick up more of her work.
I loved the historical setting of this novel, the gossip and melodrama, the decadence and romance. There is a lot of detail such as the descriptions of clothing, which I personally enjoyed as I felt it really helped set the scene and the time period. So while there are some frilly (in more ways than one) moments in the story there are also some brutal and quite graphic moments too, including violence and sexual violence. Yarbro writes excellently across the board.
Each chapter ends with a letter from and to various characters within the book. I thought this format worked really well to get necessary information across without feeling info-dumpy. The vampire element is actually somewhat secondary to the story. It is a part of the story but is not the main focus. So we have some romance, plenty of adventure, throw in a bit of alchemy, a little sauciness, plus a Satanic cult and you have a really enjoyable novel. This was my first time reading Chelsea Quinn Yarbro and I would definitely pick up more of her work.
June 16, 2011
Si no estoy mal informada, este es el primer libro de Chelsea Quinn Yarbro que llega a España. Le ha costado, puesto que está escrito en 1978, aunque tengo que reconocer que el paso del tiempo no le ha afectado. Alucinada me quedé cuando buscando información sobre la novela y sus continuaciones vi que la serie constaba de nada menos que de 23 libros, más otros dedicados a algunos de los personajes que van apareciendo, por ejemplo, Madelaine es protagonista de dos títulos de una serie anexa a la del vampiro protagonista. En siguientes entregas, Saint Germain nos hace ser público de diferentes épocas y acontecimientos históricos: la caída de Nerón, la primera guerra mundial, la reforma italiana... etc.. Así que aparte de novela de terror hay que añadirle la etiqueta de histórica.
Respecto al libro leído, deciros que está separado en tres partes: La primera lleva el título del protagonista: Le comte de Saint Germain, donde escena tras escena iremos conociendo a este singular personaje mientras la trama satánica se va desarrollando poco a poco. La segunda parte, titulada Madelaine Roxanne Bertrande de Montalia, nos acerca más a la historia de amor entre los protagonistas, así como la aceptación de ser el centro de atención de la trama de terror. Y la tercera y última parte está dedicada a Le Baron Clotaire Odon Jules Valince Pieux de Sant Sebastien, donde se erige como el típico malvado en busca del poder supremo y donde se revelan los planes que tiene para la protagonista femenina.
El estilo del libro es divino. La autora maneja el arte de la sutileza con destreza y es un libro con el que he disfrutado una barbaridad. Cada capítulo nos regala como introducción una carta o nota al estilo del Drácula de Stoker o Las amistades peligrosas de Choderlos de Laclos (imprescindibles de la literatura) . Y me dejo en el tintero las escenas con el gremio de alquimistas, la cantidad de detalles sobre la figura del vampiro (el no tener reflejo, el no poder cruzar un puente, etc...)
Supongo que después de tanta cháchara os preguntareis el porqué ha obtenido cuatro gatitos y no cinco. Bien, os lo diré. La sutileza constante durante todo el libro, se va de golpe y porrazo en las últimas páginas cuando en una carta al padre de Madelaine, cuentan con pelos y señales lo que le va a ocurrir a su amada hija. Entiendo que la ocasión merece algo escabroso, pero es que me dejó de piedra. Ese detalle unido a las escasas páginas dedicadas a la batalla final donde os puedo asegurar que no me enteré en ningún momento como se las arregló el vampiro para deshacerse de sus enemigos. He leído escenas de lucha que parecían coreografías de Fama o una partida de twister (leeros cualquier libro de Salvatore y su elfo Drizzt) pero lo de esta novela es para alucinar. Sin sacar los colmillos, sin armas ni nada, acaban todos por los suelos o arrinconados. No me pregunteis como..
No me queda mas que recomedar esta novela a todos, sobre todo a los fanaticos de los vampiros ya que es una visión totalmente diferente a la que nos han acostumbrado. Y para todos aquellos que están cansados de tanto vampiro adolescente puede ser un soplo de aire fresco.
Atreveros a descubrir a este misterioso personaje porque no os vais a arrepentir.
Respecto al libro leído, deciros que está separado en tres partes: La primera lleva el título del protagonista: Le comte de Saint Germain, donde escena tras escena iremos conociendo a este singular personaje mientras la trama satánica se va desarrollando poco a poco. La segunda parte, titulada Madelaine Roxanne Bertrande de Montalia, nos acerca más a la historia de amor entre los protagonistas, así como la aceptación de ser el centro de atención de la trama de terror. Y la tercera y última parte está dedicada a Le Baron Clotaire Odon Jules Valince Pieux de Sant Sebastien, donde se erige como el típico malvado en busca del poder supremo y donde se revelan los planes que tiene para la protagonista femenina.
El estilo del libro es divino. La autora maneja el arte de la sutileza con destreza y es un libro con el que he disfrutado una barbaridad. Cada capítulo nos regala como introducción una carta o nota al estilo del Drácula de Stoker o Las amistades peligrosas de Choderlos de Laclos (imprescindibles de la literatura) . Y me dejo en el tintero las escenas con el gremio de alquimistas, la cantidad de detalles sobre la figura del vampiro (el no tener reflejo, el no poder cruzar un puente, etc...)
Supongo que después de tanta cháchara os preguntareis el porqué ha obtenido cuatro gatitos y no cinco. Bien, os lo diré. La sutileza constante durante todo el libro, se va de golpe y porrazo en las últimas páginas cuando en una carta al padre de Madelaine, cuentan con pelos y señales lo que le va a ocurrir a su amada hija. Entiendo que la ocasión merece algo escabroso, pero es que me dejó de piedra. Ese detalle unido a las escasas páginas dedicadas a la batalla final donde os puedo asegurar que no me enteré en ningún momento como se las arregló el vampiro para deshacerse de sus enemigos. He leído escenas de lucha que parecían coreografías de Fama o una partida de twister (leeros cualquier libro de Salvatore y su elfo Drizzt) pero lo de esta novela es para alucinar. Sin sacar los colmillos, sin armas ni nada, acaban todos por los suelos o arrinconados. No me pregunteis como..
No me queda mas que recomedar esta novela a todos, sobre todo a los fanaticos de los vampiros ya que es una visión totalmente diferente a la que nos han acostumbrado. Y para todos aquellos que están cansados de tanto vampiro adolescente puede ser un soplo de aire fresco.
Atreveros a descubrir a este misterioso personaje porque no os vais a arrepentir.
February 9, 2025
3 Stars
This was well written and the characters were interesting, but it was ruined for me by horrific sexual assault and murder. Yeah, we don't need that level of detail. This was written in 1978, so of it's time, sadly.
This was well written and the characters were interesting, but it was ruined for me by horrific sexual assault and murder. Yeah, we don't need that level of detail. This was written in 1978, so of it's time, sadly.
December 10, 2008
Actual Publication Date: 1978
#1 Count St. Germain Historical Vampire series
A truly memorable read from 2000 - one of my favorite books.
Count St. Germain is a very old vampire, a good vampire. Hotel Transylvania was a stunning eye opener for me in terms of how truly & deeply satisfying a detailed historical book can be.
I've read several more since HT (MUST find Path of the Eclipse in my TBR!). CQY is a master at meticulously detailing the history of the various time periods. In each book, St. Germain travels to a different country and time period.
The fact that St. Germain is a vampire is actually a minor part of these books - the history and adventure is what these books (so far) concentrate on.
CQY opened the doors to non-fiction history for me - many of her books & characters made me curious to read lots of non-fiction through the years.
#1 Count St. Germain Historical Vampire series
A truly memorable read from 2000 - one of my favorite books.
Count St. Germain is a very old vampire, a good vampire. Hotel Transylvania was a stunning eye opener for me in terms of how truly & deeply satisfying a detailed historical book can be.
I've read several more since HT (MUST find Path of the Eclipse in my TBR!). CQY is a master at meticulously detailing the history of the various time periods. In each book, St. Germain travels to a different country and time period.
The fact that St. Germain is a vampire is actually a minor part of these books - the history and adventure is what these books (so far) concentrate on.
CQY opened the doors to non-fiction history for me - many of her books & characters made me curious to read lots of non-fiction through the years.
November 2, 2016
This is the first Count book and here, the Count seems happier than in the other novels. While I find this in some ways the weakest of the books, it foreshadows Yarbro's style in the later books. The attention to historical detail is here (love the debate between the alchemists and Satanists), well drawn minor characters abound (Hercule is one of my favorite characters), and good characterization of the leads. There are some drawbacks, the bad guys never seem convincing, for instance. For me, the biggest problem is the heroine, Madeleine, whom I never have really liked. I find her too self-centered at the end of the novel to make her likable. She could have spared a thought for her mother and aunt.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2020
I've heard two contradictory opinions on this book- that it's a Lestat knock-off and that it's the best vampire series out there. So naturally I wanted to investigate.
Since it's set in the 18th century, the author tried to make the book similar to the genuine stories from that era- there are letters involved in each chapter, there is melodrama and damsels in distress. But to make it more reader-friendly the language it's written in is very modern and quite easy to read. The story drags sometimes but the beginning and ending are quite fast-paced and enjoyable. There are also very descriptive passages telling what people are wearing- I didn't mind that as I find it important to make the picture in my head complete but I know there are people who would hate it.
Of course, for me the most important thing is to see the vampire lore which was not really explained here as Saint-Germain tried avoiding the subject and didn't really talk about it much. That's a bummer. We know how lonely his existence is, we know his native soil is in the soles of his shoes, we know his hidey hole, we know how he can make his beloved like him. That's pretty much it. I want to know more!
Yes, there is also romance which is subtle and I guess appropriate for the 18th century? I don't know, I'm not that into history so I can't tell if what happened between the two was accurate for Paris. But Saint-Germain's beloved is sometimes so bold and strong and sometimes so downright stupid in her behaviour, I can't decide whether she's an interesting character.
Anyway, the story is also a horror and if you are triggered by violence toward women, look elsewhere because the whole story revolves around a Satanic cult sacrificing virgins to keep their power. The scenes are quite long and the girls suffer a lot under their hands so brace yourselves.
I'm quite intrigued to pick up another book from the series to see if Saint-Germain picks up more character or not, because so far everybody in the book seemed only outlined but not complete.
I'm torn and very undecided whether I'm a fan or not.
Since it's set in the 18th century, the author tried to make the book similar to the genuine stories from that era- there are letters involved in each chapter, there is melodrama and damsels in distress. But to make it more reader-friendly the language it's written in is very modern and quite easy to read. The story drags sometimes but the beginning and ending are quite fast-paced and enjoyable. There are also very descriptive passages telling what people are wearing- I didn't mind that as I find it important to make the picture in my head complete but I know there are people who would hate it.
Of course, for me the most important thing is to see the vampire lore which was not really explained here as Saint-Germain tried avoiding the subject and didn't really talk about it much. That's a bummer. We know how lonely his existence is, we know his native soil is in the soles of his shoes, we know his hidey hole, we know how he can make his beloved like him. That's pretty much it. I want to know more!
Yes, there is also romance which is subtle and I guess appropriate for the 18th century? I don't know, I'm not that into history so I can't tell if what happened between the two was accurate for Paris. But Saint-Germain's beloved is sometimes so bold and strong and sometimes so downright stupid in her behaviour, I can't decide whether she's an interesting character.
Anyway, the story is also a horror and if you are triggered by violence toward women, look elsewhere because the whole story revolves around a Satanic cult sacrificing virgins to keep their power. The scenes are quite long and the girls suffer a lot under their hands so brace yourselves.
I'm quite intrigued to pick up another book from the series to see if Saint-Germain picks up more character or not, because so far everybody in the book seemed only outlined but not complete.
I'm torn and very undecided whether I'm a fan or not.
July 3, 2020
Hotel Transylvania and, assuming from reviews and summaries, the first third of the Saint-Germain series is about the contrasts between the overly formal, traditional society and the coarse passions and hedonism hiding underneath the cufflinked pageantry. Nothing is what it appears and someone you might consider to be a folklore monster might actually be a hero among selfish men. It's not a new theme and it gets all but spelled out to you at the end of Madelaine's final letter: "[...] One would think that all humanity had nothing better to do than feed on its own carrion. Think of all the destruction you have seen, and the endless foolishness. Whole peoples have perished for a few men's greed, or desire, or sport. I have thought as I read these [history] books, how many much worse things there are in this world than vampires."
It's the humanity-is-the-real-monster philosophy and I love it, but I don't still don't know why this book was written other than, like many reviews have pointed out, to describe a what every dandy in town was wearing and what color his stockings were at the poker table. St. Germain is barely a blip in the book and his rare pov isn't especially revelatory. Actually, you could have removed any reference to him being a vampire and nothing would have changed. The conflict of dandy Satanists wanting to sacrifice Madelaine because somehow that will make them even richer dandies takes until the very last few chapters. The letters...my god the letters! They broke up every chapter and didn't really elaborate on anything you didn't already know.
It's the humanity-is-the-real-monster philosophy and I love it, but I don't still don't know why this book was written other than, like many reviews have pointed out, to describe a what every dandy in town was wearing and what color his stockings were at the poker table. St. Germain is barely a blip in the book and his rare pov isn't especially revelatory. Actually, you could have removed any reference to him being a vampire and nothing would have changed. The conflict of dandy Satanists wanting to sacrifice Madelaine because somehow that will make them even richer dandies takes until the very last few chapters. The letters...my god the letters! They broke up every chapter and didn't really elaborate on anything you didn't already know.
May 8, 2014
Before there was Anne Rice... before there was Stephanie Meyer... there was Chelsea Quinn Yarbro and her Saint-Germain series. She is a grand master of horror. Read the entire series and you will marvel at the scope of her imagination. I can't praise her enough. I had a chance to meet her once at a Mystery Writers meeting out in San Francisco back in the 1970s. She was our guest speaker and displayed a wealth of knowledge that makes her books so enjoyable. To be brutally honest, no one comes close to her use of vampire lore and limitations.
June 16, 2016
well...I had heard about Chelsea Quinn Yarbo for many, many moons. I found this one (and the next) at a used book store and jumped on it. it had been spoken of very highly. sorry everyone, but I'll stick with the beloved Mrs. Rice. St. Germain sure makes a big fuss about his clothes! I know this was published a long time ago and it probably was new then but I felt like I'd read/seen this all before. i'll read the next one then we'll see...
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June 2, 2016We discussed Hotel Transylvania on our podcast Bloodsucking Feminists, your number one stop for all things fangs, feminism and fangirling.
http://bloodsuckingfeminists.com/epis...
http://bloodsuckingfeminists.com/epis...
November 5, 2011
The first book in a historical fantasy series about the very old vampire who is currently called the Comte de Saint-Germaine. The first book is set in the year 1745 and in Paris.
Comte de Saint-Germaine is a mysterious man who has recently taken his place among the Parisian nobles. Some think that he’s a fraud but others, particularly the women, are charmed. He seems to be interested in them as people, and not just to get (sexual) favors, and he keeps the confidences he’s told.
In a sense, those that call him a fraud are correct; he’s not a Count. He’s a vampire who remembers Ancient Rome because he lived there. He also has a double life in Paris as Prinz Ragocy who employs sorcerers and opposes the Satan worshiping clique of men lead by Saint Sebastien. Saint Sebastien is looking to sacrifice a couple of women in his rituals to Satan in order to get more power to himself. Unfortunately, one of the women is the young and vibrant Madelene de Montalia whom Saint-Germaine has fallen in love with.
The plot is about equal parts about Saint-Germaine fighting the Satan worshipers and romancing Madelaine. Still, the plot moves along quickly. The book has several point-of-view characters. In addition to Saint-Germaine, there’s Madelaine, her aunt Claudia, and a few others. The book starts and ends with a letter, and every chapter ends with a letter or a note. The letters are important. In fact, one subplot is resolved in the letters and the structure worked well for me.
Most of the characters are Parisian nobles and their servants and many of the chapters are set in parties or dinners. However, to balance them, there are the sorcerers who work in gloomy cellars.
The cast is pretty large In addition to the thoughtful Saint-Germaine, there’s Madelaine who’s intelligent and wants to study. However, she’s spent most of her life in a convent, so some things are a shock to her. Her aunt the countess Claudia is trapped in an unhappy marriage; her husband is a drunkard and a gambler, and resents it when Claudia tries to help him. Claudia advices her niece that she can’t expect a happy marriage, either. In fact, many of nobles are unhappy. One of the women is married to a gay man and her priest just tells her to pray for children. Saint-Germaine also rescues an injured coach man who becomes loyal to Saint-Germaine. The group of sorcerers includes a Spanish man who escaped the Inquisition and an Englishman who is the group’s leader. They can do actual magic.
Near the start, Madelaine finds out that Saint-Germine is a vampire but she isn’t disturbed by it. Instead, she wants him to suck her blood and later she wants to become a vampire so that she’ll have a longer life. I found this to be a bit strange, to say the least, especially for a woman raised by nuns. The vampire doesn’t have to kill anyone; he seems to need very little blood. Like Dracula, he can walk in daylight but is strongest during the night. He ages very slowly.
There are a lot of historical detail in the book. In fact, I was quickly bored with the clothing descriptions but religious talk about how women have to submit to even abusive husbands but those were a big part of the life of the nobles. However, otherwise I enjoyed the glimpse to a fantastical 1743 France.
There are two Satanistic ritual descriptions in the book and both are cruel. In both cases, a woman is the victim and in the first ritual she’s gang raped. The rituals have also homosexual acts. The book doesn’t have any non-Satanistic gays which, on the one hand fits the time period but is also a bit disappointing.
Saint-Germaine himself is based on real-life figure who was a mystery to his contemporaries.
All in all, I did enjoy the book and intend to read a few sequels, especially if they don’t have any Satan worshipers!
Comte de Saint-Germaine is a mysterious man who has recently taken his place among the Parisian nobles. Some think that he’s a fraud but others, particularly the women, are charmed. He seems to be interested in them as people, and not just to get (sexual) favors, and he keeps the confidences he’s told.
In a sense, those that call him a fraud are correct; he’s not a Count. He’s a vampire who remembers Ancient Rome because he lived there. He also has a double life in Paris as Prinz Ragocy who employs sorcerers and opposes the Satan worshiping clique of men lead by Saint Sebastien. Saint Sebastien is looking to sacrifice a couple of women in his rituals to Satan in order to get more power to himself. Unfortunately, one of the women is the young and vibrant Madelene de Montalia whom Saint-Germaine has fallen in love with.
The plot is about equal parts about Saint-Germaine fighting the Satan worshipers and romancing Madelaine. Still, the plot moves along quickly. The book has several point-of-view characters. In addition to Saint-Germaine, there’s Madelaine, her aunt Claudia, and a few others. The book starts and ends with a letter, and every chapter ends with a letter or a note. The letters are important. In fact, one subplot is resolved in the letters and the structure worked well for me.
Most of the characters are Parisian nobles and their servants and many of the chapters are set in parties or dinners. However, to balance them, there are the sorcerers who work in gloomy cellars.
The cast is pretty large In addition to the thoughtful Saint-Germaine, there’s Madelaine who’s intelligent and wants to study. However, she’s spent most of her life in a convent, so some things are a shock to her. Her aunt the countess Claudia is trapped in an unhappy marriage; her husband is a drunkard and a gambler, and resents it when Claudia tries to help him. Claudia advices her niece that she can’t expect a happy marriage, either. In fact, many of nobles are unhappy. One of the women is married to a gay man and her priest just tells her to pray for children. Saint-Germaine also rescues an injured coach man who becomes loyal to Saint-Germaine. The group of sorcerers includes a Spanish man who escaped the Inquisition and an Englishman who is the group’s leader. They can do actual magic.
Near the start, Madelaine finds out that Saint-Germine is a vampire but she isn’t disturbed by it. Instead, she wants him to suck her blood and later she wants to become a vampire so that she’ll have a longer life. I found this to be a bit strange, to say the least, especially for a woman raised by nuns. The vampire doesn’t have to kill anyone; he seems to need very little blood. Like Dracula, he can walk in daylight but is strongest during the night. He ages very slowly.
There are a lot of historical detail in the book. In fact, I was quickly bored with the clothing descriptions but religious talk about how women have to submit to even abusive husbands but those were a big part of the life of the nobles. However, otherwise I enjoyed the glimpse to a fantastical 1743 France.
There are two Satanistic ritual descriptions in the book and both are cruel. In both cases, a woman is the victim and in the first ritual she’s gang raped. The rituals have also homosexual acts. The book doesn’t have any non-Satanistic gays which, on the one hand fits the time period but is also a bit disappointing.
Saint-Germaine himself is based on real-life figure who was a mystery to his contemporaries.
All in all, I did enjoy the book and intend to read a few sequels, especially if they don’t have any Satan worshipers!
June 15, 2022
This book is oundoubly exelent
January 6, 2019
Although I’m not the audience for this classic book from 1978 (I’m no horror nor suspense lover), and the plot was old fashioned, reminding me of those silly B movies from the 60s and 70s with virgin sacrifices in half-naked satanic rituals; it was so well written, I had to rate it 3 stars.
In many ways it’s far more feminist than some historicals of its time and later, because the younger of the heroines genuinely isn’t interested in marriage to any of the men at court. And her aunt in her mid-30s is treated as a near-equal heroine with many scenes from her perspective, which is rare in romances today. (I was annoyed at the ageism shown by everyone being so fascinated by the 18 year old vs older women though. Why should the centuries old vampire love the girl instead of her aunt?) Plus there are gay people as a regular occurrence (men only sadly) and the hero is short with small hands.
I also like the structure - It’s a combination of epistolary and live action. And lots of historic detail, especially regarding clothing. I don’t think I’ve read so many expert and delicious descriptions of period clothing practically ever. In part this is because as the author’s note explains, the hero is based as faithfully as possible on a real person from the 18th century who was known for his wardrobe.
On the other hand, the story is told from too many points of view for me to sink in and really get caught up in one character as I prefer. Plus rape and near rape will never be entertaining for me to read. Lastly, it was annoying that the two main male characters who are battling for most of the book had fairly similar names — Saint-Germaine vs Saint Sebastian — which made skimming as I did a bit more difficult.
In many ways it’s far more feminist than some historicals of its time and later, because the younger of the heroines genuinely isn’t interested in marriage to any of the men at court. And her aunt in her mid-30s is treated as a near-equal heroine with many scenes from her perspective, which is rare in romances today. (I was annoyed at the ageism shown by everyone being so fascinated by the 18 year old vs older women though. Why should the centuries old vampire love the girl instead of her aunt?) Plus there are gay people as a regular occurrence (men only sadly) and the hero is short with small hands.
I also like the structure - It’s a combination of epistolary and live action. And lots of historic detail, especially regarding clothing. I don’t think I’ve read so many expert and delicious descriptions of period clothing practically ever. In part this is because as the author’s note explains, the hero is based as faithfully as possible on a real person from the 18th century who was known for his wardrobe.
On the other hand, the story is told from too many points of view for me to sink in and really get caught up in one character as I prefer. Plus rape and near rape will never be entertaining for me to read. Lastly, it was annoying that the two main male characters who are battling for most of the book had fairly similar names — Saint-Germaine vs Saint Sebastian — which made skimming as I did a bit more difficult.
May 1, 2012
I thought this one was pretty good. Saint Germain manages to teeter the line between being a fleshed out character and an emo Ann Rice vampire. I liked that the enemies were Satanists--it contrasted nicely with the perception of vampires as evil. If you don't go into this expecting high art, you'll be pleased by a fun story. The writing is choppy at times, POV leaps from one character to the next, but nothing that compromises the fun of the book.
I have to say, though, and this doesn't impact my review, I want to stab "E-reads", the publisher of the Kindle version of this book, in the throat. They obviously used some text recognition software to digitize it, and never bothered with a proofreader. Or spellcheck. So many typos, it was disgusting. The book was published in 1978...there's no reason for there to be errors in any edition. It's just bullshit laziness by the publisher, and if I were Ms. Yarboro, I'd be embarrassed. Most of the time the mistakes were simple, "1" instead of "I", or "rn" instead of "m", but a few times it took me out of the book to pause and figure what the word was supposed to be. I will be writing an angry letter, believe you me.
Book=good. Kindle version=bullshit.
I have to say, though, and this doesn't impact my review, I want to stab "E-reads", the publisher of the Kindle version of this book, in the throat. They obviously used some text recognition software to digitize it, and never bothered with a proofreader. Or spellcheck. So many typos, it was disgusting. The book was published in 1978...there's no reason for there to be errors in any edition. It's just bullshit laziness by the publisher, and if I were Ms. Yarboro, I'd be embarrassed. Most of the time the mistakes were simple, "1" instead of "I", or "rn" instead of "m", but a few times it took me out of the book to pause and figure what the word was supposed to be. I will be writing an angry letter, believe you me.
Book=good. Kindle version=bullshit.
November 11, 2011
At the beginning I did not like it at all; the writing-skills were indifferent, the story itself was not intriguing nor interesting, the characters were quite vain. The reason why I read a lot of vampire books is that besides being a fascinating myth; I really enjoy reading the different kinds of perspectives on vampire-ism. The book by Yarbro, actually, contains a separate segment at the end of the book about the different aspects of vampire-ism depending on culture and religion, which is exactly what I'm interested in. It came as a surprise that Yarbro put so much effort behind the book; reading it, I was not stunned by any significant part or chapter, that being said: after reading I'm quite impressed. And even though I did not see myself continuing the series (because I didn't like the book that much) I might do it regardless.
February 11, 2013
The Comte St Germain novels by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro are ranked as some of the best vampire/horror/historical fiction in the world. There's a good reason for that. The biggest reason is the the Comte himself has become an iconic hero of sorts. His mysterious life has even figured prominently in the Japanese animated series Le Chevalier d'Eon (a series I highly recommend by the way). Yes, he is a vampire, but he tends to behave in a far more civilized fashion than many of the humans surrounding him.
Hotel Transylvania takes the reader to 18th century France. Nobles in expensive frocks, alchemists, devil-worship--it's all here and excellently detailed. I've said before that Yarbro is that author who isn't scared of research, but she knows how to entwine that research with narrative which flows and characters who breathe.
Hotel Transylvania takes the reader to 18th century France. Nobles in expensive frocks, alchemists, devil-worship--it's all here and excellently detailed. I've said before that Yarbro is that author who isn't scared of research, but she knows how to entwine that research with narrative which flows and characters who breathe.
June 26, 2009
Out of all the current rage in "vampire" books, This is truly leagues above the crowd. Ms. Yarbro's books are always meticulously researched. The Comte St. Germain WAS an actual historical personage. She takes this person, around whom many, many stories circulated, and turns him into a vampire (albeit an extremely courteous one!)
Her books started out as epistolary novels, but have over time come to evolve into more. The Comte and his faithful ghoul, Roger, travel extensively throughout the world and throughout time. St. Germain is an incredible character, and the whole series is miles above ANYTHING Anne Rice ever wrote. I recommend this book - the entire St. Germain series - without reservation
Her books started out as epistolary novels, but have over time come to evolve into more. The Comte and his faithful ghoul, Roger, travel extensively throughout the world and throughout time. St. Germain is an incredible character, and the whole series is miles above ANYTHING Anne Rice ever wrote. I recommend this book - the entire St. Germain series - without reservation
March 15, 2023
Rereading this, I'd forgotten how much closer this one is to straight Horror than many of the other Saint-Germain books. Another of my all-time favourite books. I'm not hugely into the whole vampire genre, but Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's Saint-Germain books are a lot more than just vampire books, rooted as they are in various different and interesting periods of history. This was actually the first one she wrote (1978).
As a side note, it's a shame that when Gateway SF scanned this to put it into kindle form, no-one bothered to proofread the scan. It was riddled with typos.
As a side note, it's a shame that when Gateway SF scanned this to put it into kindle form, no-one bothered to proofread the scan. It was riddled with typos.
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March 25, 2021This book was off the rails LOL. Not going to do too critical of a reading to the fact that all the villains were gay satanists, but you see where I’m going with that one... this was written in the 70s I suppose, so there is that.
Also, biggest thing for me, I cannot get over this, Saint Germain is this strong sexy vampire, great, awesome, but she calls attention to his beautiful SMALL HANDS like two dozen times?!? How small are we talking?!?!?
Also, biggest thing for me, I cannot get over this, Saint Germain is this strong sexy vampire, great, awesome, but she calls attention to his beautiful SMALL HANDS like two dozen times?!? How small are we talking?!?!?
July 4, 2024
Heartbreakingly, I must put this one down only 2/3 done. A somewhat enjoyable, but overall terrible gothic romance. I'm so dissapointed—It's garbage, but it's not even fun garbage! If you're looking for a stiff bodice ripper with every character getting a paragraph explaining what they're wearing each time they enter a room, this one's for you...
October 16, 2019
I read this book because Steven Brust said this book does everything he wanted a vampire book to do. Apparently, he wanted a vampire book to suck.
October 13, 2022
I didn't particularly like this book, but I also didn't dislike it strongly enough to want to structure a review for it, so these are my assorted critiques:
-there's not enough development of the lead characters or their relationship; we're not shown much about them beyond being told that the vampire is old and . . . short, I guess? That gets weirdly mentioned more than a couple of times. And we're told that the girl is young and pretty and precocious because of course she is.
-the bad guys are the evil-for-the-sake-of-it, Saturday morning cartoon, one dimensional kind of villains.
-the main character needs some flaws and to face some challenges; he's perfect and everything is way too easy for him. It's super boring.
-there are so, SO many descriptions of what everybody's wearing. To the extent that there are really three main characters in this book: the vampire, the girl, and the clothing.
-there's not enough development of the lead characters or their relationship; we're not shown much about them beyond being told that the vampire is old and . . . short, I guess? That gets weirdly mentioned more than a couple of times. And we're told that the girl is young and pretty and precocious because of course she is.
-the bad guys are the evil-for-the-sake-of-it, Saturday morning cartoon, one dimensional kind of villains.
-the main character needs some flaws and to face some challenges; he's perfect and everything is way too easy for him. It's super boring.
-there are so, SO many descriptions of what everybody's wearing. To the extent that there are really three main characters in this book: the vampire, the girl, and the clothing.
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