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The Carpathian Assignment: The True History of the Apprehension and Death of Dracula Vlad Tepes, Count and Voivode of the Principality of Transylvania by Chip Wagar
Kalvary Istvan, widower and former Hungarian cavalry colonel, hopes for a quiet life when he accepts the position of chief of police in the Carpathian city of Bistritz. It's no less than a man deserves after years of service to his Kaiser and king. Sadly, Istvan's going to be disappointed. Someone or something haunts the streets of Bistritz and the surrounding Transylvanian mountains. Ask Istvan's new colleague, Gabor Kasza of the Royal Hungarian Gendarmerie, and he'd say evidence points to a well-established serial killer, possibly hidden among the oppressed and reviled Roma, who call the nearby Borgo Pass home. Ask Freudian devotee Baron Krafft-Ebing and he'd agree, although his interest lies more in studying the psychopath's mind than bringing him to justice. Ask the mountain people of the Carpathians, however, and they'd disagree. They'd point to the long history of killings and disappearances in the region, which stretch back longer than any one man's lifetime. They'd speak in hushed voices of the Roma's supposed master, and an abandoned castle where he lives with his demonic wives. The bravest residents might even risk whispering a Dracula. Kalvary Istvan, like Kasza and Krafft-Ebing, considers himself a modern nineteenth-century man, with little time for legends and superstitions, but as he and Kasza pursue their investigation, reason and deduction begin to give way to dark, ancient truths and local belief. At once a thrilling detective yarn and intriguing backstory to Bram Stoker's Dracula, The Carpathian Assignment immerses readers in the rich setting of the Hungarian kingdom at the end of the nineteenth century, a nation in which science and logic clash with centuries of cultural conviction and superstition.
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First published May 28, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 11, 2014
Since I wrote the book, I don't know that I should comment here except to say that I hope it provides unique entertainment for those who enjoy the vampire myth and lore. This is the back-story to Bram Stoker's original, told from the perspective of the locals. Many themes are explored here, including religion, superstition, science, racial prejudice and the dawn of psychiatry. The story unfolds against a cultural, historical backdrop of the people and region of Transylvania at the turn of the last century. I will be interested in any comments from those of you who read the book and hope you will enjoy it as much as I did writing it ...
August 12, 2014
A well-written, patiently-researched, intriguingly convoluted historical novel, The Carpathian Assignment pits an individual, talented and skilled, yes-but still only human, against a legendary "monster," while hunting an elusive serial killer in late 19th century Hungary: an era and a region noted for efficiency and bureaucracy. I predict fans of historical fiction will devour this novel, especially those who, like me, fell in love with THE HISTORIAN and with VROLOK. This novel has the same way of drawing in the reader to the story, like sinking into a comfy, cosy, couch.
November 17, 2014
This is the best written, most researched book I have ever hated.
The writing is really superb. The flow and language evokes the original Stoker classic.
The effort that went into compiling the background information for this story must have been painstaking. The attention to detail really shows in the descriptions of the villages and cities.
Where this all goes wrong for me is in the story itself. This isn't even a reimagining of the original legend like so many other popular books are these days.
What drives this story are the lives of fringe characters that were never associated with the original. This comes across as pages that were too superfluous for the classic and were cut in editing the story down to its final size. There is no new information here. In fact, I'm not sure what this story really hopes to accomplish.
This is like an alternate camera angle that doesn't shine any new light on the outcome of the story.
It is a shame that there is so little to be had from the amount of effort that went into this work.
The writing is really superb. The flow and language evokes the original Stoker classic.
The effort that went into compiling the background information for this story must have been painstaking. The attention to detail really shows in the descriptions of the villages and cities.
Where this all goes wrong for me is in the story itself. This isn't even a reimagining of the original legend like so many other popular books are these days.
What drives this story are the lives of fringe characters that were never associated with the original. This comes across as pages that were too superfluous for the classic and were cut in editing the story down to its final size. There is no new information here. In fact, I'm not sure what this story really hopes to accomplish.
This is like an alternate camera angle that doesn't shine any new light on the outcome of the story.
It is a shame that there is so little to be had from the amount of effort that went into this work.
Want to read
February 1, 2015The NetGally version I received had many missing parts - had to stop until I can get another version.
September 9, 2019
I received this book as part of Goodreads First Reads.
Istvan (I can't even begin to type his surname) is a recently widowed, retired Colonel. He is given the post if chief of police in the Bistritz district in Transylvania. His predecessor had disappeared along with his young wife. Istvan was not informed of the ongoing manhunt directed by Kasza, a young police officer. It is suspected that there is a serial killer on the loose due to a startling number of disappearances that have happened in the area for many years. But the locals believe that these disappearances are caused by something else, something supernatural and everywhere Istvan searches for answers one man is named Dracula. This story is set as being told with all the details (even those withheld by Mr. Harker) by Istvan's grandson who was required to wait until both Istvan an Jonathan Harker were dead before releasing such a story.
Right so I have never actually read Dracula, I know, I know and I really should, I keep on meaning to but library systems keep getting in the way. After reading this retelling, maybe it would be advisable if I actually did get around to the original someday. Ah well the lack of knowledge didn't particularly hinder my understanding of this so we'll move on.
I like the characters Istvan, Radu and Kasza. I enjoy that these three rational men seek to understand how the mythology of a Vampire could possibly lead back to a serial killer until they are finally faced with the fact that there is no way of rationalizing it. These Hungarian (and Romanian in the case of Radu) characters give the local perspective, the unsolvable cases of people they are supposed to protect by a potentially normal serial killer (yes I realize that serial killers aren't normal but you get my drift) I like the scepticism they show towards the locals. I would undoubtably feel the same way in those sorts of situations. I also appreciate that Istvan has prejudices against those around him, it's a common habit for authors to make their main characters entirely accepting of everyone despite the time period they set the story in. So while I feel that there are points in the story where I judge the characters for their attitudes, I would be angry at the lack of reality if they didn't show them. And I a rambling which means that you've probably given up reading my review already. It is a good book, the investigative bits are exciting and I like the parts from other points of view which show the events from the perspectives of characters who unlike Istvan are completely certain that the killer is a monster and not a normal man. So it was great. Read it! Don't let my inability to write clearly about a book put you off.
Istvan (I can't even begin to type his surname) is a recently widowed, retired Colonel. He is given the post if chief of police in the Bistritz district in Transylvania. His predecessor had disappeared along with his young wife. Istvan was not informed of the ongoing manhunt directed by Kasza, a young police officer. It is suspected that there is a serial killer on the loose due to a startling number of disappearances that have happened in the area for many years. But the locals believe that these disappearances are caused by something else, something supernatural and everywhere Istvan searches for answers one man is named Dracula. This story is set as being told with all the details (even those withheld by Mr. Harker) by Istvan's grandson who was required to wait until both Istvan an Jonathan Harker were dead before releasing such a story.
Right so I have never actually read Dracula, I know, I know and I really should, I keep on meaning to but library systems keep getting in the way. After reading this retelling, maybe it would be advisable if I actually did get around to the original someday. Ah well the lack of knowledge didn't particularly hinder my understanding of this so we'll move on.
I like the characters Istvan, Radu and Kasza. I enjoy that these three rational men seek to understand how the mythology of a Vampire could possibly lead back to a serial killer until they are finally faced with the fact that there is no way of rationalizing it. These Hungarian (and Romanian in the case of Radu) characters give the local perspective, the unsolvable cases of people they are supposed to protect by a potentially normal serial killer (yes I realize that serial killers aren't normal but you get my drift) I like the scepticism they show towards the locals. I would undoubtably feel the same way in those sorts of situations. I also appreciate that Istvan has prejudices against those around him, it's a common habit for authors to make their main characters entirely accepting of everyone despite the time period they set the story in. So while I feel that there are points in the story where I judge the characters for their attitudes, I would be angry at the lack of reality if they didn't show them. And I a rambling which means that you've probably given up reading my review already. It is a good book, the investigative bits are exciting and I like the parts from other points of view which show the events from the perspectives of characters who unlike Istvan are completely certain that the killer is a monster and not a normal man. So it was great. Read it! Don't let my inability to write clearly about a book put you off.
December 28, 2014
You can feel the nineteenth century breath of original "Dracula" author Bram Stoker on every page of this book. Stoker's was a seminal, defining work. So what exactly is this? One answer is that what we are handed in THE CARPATHIAN ASSIGNMENT is a book that poses every chance of dividing readers.
In the one camp may be those who point out that the template Wagner uses to craft his story is so infused with legend, tradition and a set of ready made rules and motifs that any modern day writer not attempting to radically twist or reinvent the original work (as the great majority of writers and filmakers try now predictably to do)is merely piggybacking on the coattails of a master writer. On the other hand dissenting voices would likely instruct that to bravely swim against the tide of gimmicky reinvention is both a wise and bold way to set oneself and one's work apart.
In the end it doesn't really matter what camp you belong to it is how the work is experienced. This novel is a suspensfully told supernatural thriller that is extremely sharp in it's observation of historical detail. The emphasis is on a slowly building sense of dread and increasingly clastrophopic gothic atmosphere leading up to the dramatic conclusion. Written with skill and great attention to the period nitty gritty.
In the one camp may be those who point out that the template Wagner uses to craft his story is so infused with legend, tradition and a set of ready made rules and motifs that any modern day writer not attempting to radically twist or reinvent the original work (as the great majority of writers and filmakers try now predictably to do)is merely piggybacking on the coattails of a master writer. On the other hand dissenting voices would likely instruct that to bravely swim against the tide of gimmicky reinvention is both a wise and bold way to set oneself and one's work apart.
In the end it doesn't really matter what camp you belong to it is how the work is experienced. This novel is a suspensfully told supernatural thriller that is extremely sharp in it's observation of historical detail. The emphasis is on a slowly building sense of dread and increasingly clastrophopic gothic atmosphere leading up to the dramatic conclusion. Written with skill and great attention to the period nitty gritty.
October 26, 2014
Winner of Goodreads First Reads.Thank you.
Definitely a story to get ones 'teeth' into.
Not only great as a novel,also interesting from historic point of view.
Definitely a story to get ones 'teeth' into.
Not only great as a novel,also interesting from historic point of view.
November 18, 2020
This was weird, this book purports to be the backstory to the Dracula novel and to show what was going on in Transylvania during Dracula. It started out interesting with Kalvary Istvan going to his new post in Bistritz and getting involved in the local murder investigation but as the story got more intertwined with Dracula, it got weirder.
So, Dracula's told in an epistolary style and this book plays with the idea that Harker may have been lying about his time in Transylvania but what happened here didn't square with Dracula's plot. Spoiler for Dracula and Carpathian Assignment: . And it just didn't sit right considering how the two stories go together.
One thing I did like about this book was that it made the count more scary in Transylvania and showed how even with it being well know what the count was but people kept in line out of fear. Combine that with showing the count's planning and scheming through the centuries and I think that's a cool idea.
But overall this book felt very incidental, like the real story was happening in Dracula but this story was too intertwined with Dracula to really stand on its own either.
P.S. I appreciate that Stoker and Wagar show Catholicism as repelling vampires but the Church would never allow someone to use the Eucharist as vampire repellent. Which is especially baffling because a blessed crucifix works just as well.
So, Dracula's told in an epistolary style and this book plays with the idea that Harker may have been lying about his time in Transylvania but what happened here didn't square with Dracula's plot. Spoiler for Dracula and Carpathian Assignment: . And it just didn't sit right considering how the two stories go together.
One thing I did like about this book was that it made the count more scary in Transylvania and showed how even with it being well know what the count was but people kept in line out of fear. Combine that with showing the count's planning and scheming through the centuries and I think that's a cool idea.
But overall this book felt very incidental, like the real story was happening in Dracula but this story was too intertwined with Dracula to really stand on its own either.
P.S. I appreciate that Stoker and Wagar show Catholicism as repelling vampires but the Church would never allow someone to use the Eucharist as vampire repellent. Which is especially baffling because a blessed crucifix works just as well.
August 8, 2021
Kalvary Istvan heeft een militaire achtergrond en wordt als hoofd van de politie naar Bistritz in de Karpaten gestuurd. Hier krijgt hij te maken met verdwijningen waarvan er maar een hoofdverdachte is: graaf Dracula, die op een kasteel in de Borgopas woont. Hier staat ook een klooster en verder wonen er veel Roma en Sinti die zich afzijdig houden van de gewone dorpelingen en de graaf dienen. Istvan wordt gelijk ingeschakeld om de vermiste dochter van een barones te zoeken en bovendien heeft de graaf weer een Roma vrouw ontvoerd die hem moet helpen met zijn Engelse gast Jonathan Harker...
Inzichten: Wagar heeft zich goed ingelezen. Zo had ik me nooit eerder gerealiseerd dat de streek waar Dracula zich afspeelt in die tijd bij de Oostenrijks-Hongaarse dubbelmonarchie hoorde, met Franz Joseph als koning, vlak na de moord op zijn vrouw. Verder is het de tijd van Sigmund Freud die ook ter sprake komt (een plaatselijke baron is fan van hem) en dr Van Helsing zal de zaak in A'dam met Freud's mentor bespreken. Zo plaatst Wagar het verhaal mooi in plaats en tijd. Verder besteedt hij aandacht aan de Roma en Sinti. Zo komt het oorspronkelijke verhaal tot leven.
Spanning: het is niet spannend.
Personages: de personages hebben geen diepgang. Sommige zijn geloofwaardig (zoals Istvan) maar andere zijn vergezocht (zoals Natalia ?). Ook komen de verschillende perspectieven niet altijd goed samen.
Plot: slap.
Inzichten: Wagar heeft zich goed ingelezen. Zo had ik me nooit eerder gerealiseerd dat de streek waar Dracula zich afspeelt in die tijd bij de Oostenrijks-Hongaarse dubbelmonarchie hoorde, met Franz Joseph als koning, vlak na de moord op zijn vrouw. Verder is het de tijd van Sigmund Freud die ook ter sprake komt (een plaatselijke baron is fan van hem) en dr Van Helsing zal de zaak in A'dam met Freud's mentor bespreken. Zo plaatst Wagar het verhaal mooi in plaats en tijd. Verder besteedt hij aandacht aan de Roma en Sinti. Zo komt het oorspronkelijke verhaal tot leven.
Spanning: het is niet spannend.
Personages: de personages hebben geen diepgang. Sommige zijn geloofwaardig (zoals Istvan) maar andere zijn vergezocht (zoals Natalia ?). Ook komen de verschillende perspectieven niet altijd goed samen.
Plot: slap.
October 15, 2023
Discovered this book purely by accident on Kindle. Fun with some great set pieces, it added an interesting twist to the well known Dracula story, taking elements of the original and reworking them into a gripping reimagining. Started well and held the attention for the most part, though it felt a bit rushed at the end and that more could have been made of the finale. Taken all in all however it was a great read and worth sticking with.
March 3, 2017
Superb!!
A great addition to the lore and setting pertaining to the late, great "Dracula" novel, written by Bram Stocker. Its a must have, especially if, like me, you find it to be a bit of a stretch, to believe that one man accomplished all of these feats, escaped the clutches of Dracula where so many others before him had failed, and all this while in the midst of a traumatic, climatic battle between good and evil, by a supernatural being, all by his self! Well, it is a stretch. Now I'm not saying that Johnathan Harker isn't a bad dude, because he is, in the good sense, but it often did seem, during the story, that he might've had some help along the way. Anyway, I digress..... I personally encourage, recommend, and approve of anyone who enjoys, enjoyed, or is enjoying the "Dracula" novel, to please read this book, in addition to Dracula. I promise you will not be disappointed, furthermore, for me, personally, it was almost like a much needed sequel to that incredible story that Bram wrote so long ago, God Bless his soul! Now, get this book!
A great addition to the lore and setting pertaining to the late, great "Dracula" novel, written by Bram Stocker. Its a must have, especially if, like me, you find it to be a bit of a stretch, to believe that one man accomplished all of these feats, escaped the clutches of Dracula where so many others before him had failed, and all this while in the midst of a traumatic, climatic battle between good and evil, by a supernatural being, all by his self! Well, it is a stretch. Now I'm not saying that Johnathan Harker isn't a bad dude, because he is, in the good sense, but it often did seem, during the story, that he might've had some help along the way. Anyway, I digress..... I personally encourage, recommend, and approve of anyone who enjoys, enjoyed, or is enjoying the "Dracula" novel, to please read this book, in addition to Dracula. I promise you will not be disappointed, furthermore, for me, personally, it was almost like a much needed sequel to that incredible story that Bram wrote so long ago, God Bless his soul! Now, get this book!
September 27, 2014
So...this is possibly the best sort-of-Dracula-like-book I have ever read. It is also possibly the worst ARC copy that I have ever bloody seen. Through no fault of the author, there are large chunks of text missing and most of the beginnings of each paragraph. The Final copy, of course will not look like this, so it is of no real concern to the final book readers, but I would have felt bad if I didn't mention that there were parts of the book I did not get to read.
As far as the story goes, this is very well written and has the historical backing that most books of the sort completely lack. It is obvious that Chip Wagar is familiar with the geography of the places he writes about as well as the historical matter. This was a nice change from many books that simply have Dracula featured as a bloodthirsty vampire.
This story progressed nicely and at a good clip, with lots of mysteries to be solved and a villain that did not simply skulk off into hiding or get defeated at the drop of a....wooden stake. I liked that the historical angle was used to back up the story and flesh it out.
The only thing that irked me about this novel, were the sex scenes. It wasn't that they were poorly written, but they seemed misplaced, as though they were an afterthought. People have been dying for years due to this monster, we should have sex! Really, it just didn't work for me.
An entertaining romp into the remote Carpathian wilds, exciting for a girl from Romania. If you are interested in the historical Dracula, then you will likely enjoy this novel.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
As far as the story goes, this is very well written and has the historical backing that most books of the sort completely lack. It is obvious that Chip Wagar is familiar with the geography of the places he writes about as well as the historical matter. This was a nice change from many books that simply have Dracula featured as a bloodthirsty vampire.
This story progressed nicely and at a good clip, with lots of mysteries to be solved and a villain that did not simply skulk off into hiding or get defeated at the drop of a....wooden stake. I liked that the historical angle was used to back up the story and flesh it out.
The only thing that irked me about this novel, were the sex scenes. It wasn't that they were poorly written, but they seemed misplaced, as though they were an afterthought. People have been dying for years due to this monster, we should have sex! Really, it just didn't work for me.
An entertaining romp into the remote Carpathian wilds, exciting for a girl from Romania. If you are interested in the historical Dracula, then you will likely enjoy this novel.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
April 16, 2017
I received a free copy of this book.
First, let me say that I'm a huge fan of the original story by Bram Stoker and since I recently reread the book it was stuck in my head. My reading experience of this book was definitely influenced by this fact.
"The Carpathian Assignment" is basically the story of Dracula from the view of the people in Transylvania and those also involved in the story while being in Dracula's country.
I liked the synopsis of the book quite a lot and since I have a thing for retellings and historical fiction it seemed to be a great book for me. However, the thing with retellings is that sometimes they work for you while other time you can't just connect with them.
The first 100 pages in the book were great as I liked the new view on the story although I was kind of confused with the constant use of German and the fact that there was no translation offered. This was no problem for me as I'm from Germany but it might be a problem for other people.
However, when the story got closer to the original story it kind of lost me. I'm a big fan of Jonathan Harker and the way he was portrait in this story just didn't work for me. Actually, the whole part of the story concerning Natalia didn't work for me. Also, I kind of question the use of sex scenes in this book as they really added nothing to the story.
In the end, I finished the book and wasn't sure what to think about it. It offered some new insights to one of my favorite stories but it just confused me in other places.
First, let me say that I'm a huge fan of the original story by Bram Stoker and since I recently reread the book it was stuck in my head. My reading experience of this book was definitely influenced by this fact.
"The Carpathian Assignment" is basically the story of Dracula from the view of the people in Transylvania and those also involved in the story while being in Dracula's country.
I liked the synopsis of the book quite a lot and since I have a thing for retellings and historical fiction it seemed to be a great book for me. However, the thing with retellings is that sometimes they work for you while other time you can't just connect with them.
The first 100 pages in the book were great as I liked the new view on the story although I was kind of confused with the constant use of German and the fact that there was no translation offered. This was no problem for me as I'm from Germany but it might be a problem for other people.
However, when the story got closer to the original story it kind of lost me. I'm a big fan of Jonathan Harker and the way he was portrait in this story just didn't work for me. Actually, the whole part of the story concerning Natalia didn't work for me. Also, I kind of question the use of sex scenes in this book as they really added nothing to the story.
In the end, I finished the book and wasn't sure what to think about it. It offered some new insights to one of my favorite stories but it just confused me in other places.
November 9, 2014
I read this in September for the R.I.P. challenge, but then ended up going on vacation and letting this ARC get buried in a pile of books.
It was a great choice for the R.I.P. challenge and for folks who love Bram Stoker's Dracula and analogs of the original Dracula. The Carpathian Assignment is the story from a different perspective--that of Kálváry Istvan, a retired Hungarian calvary colonel, who accepts an assignment as chief of police in Bistritz, in the province of Transylvania.
Almost as soon as he arrives at his new assignment, Istvan learns that his predecessor disappeared. It isn't long before he realizes that he is involved in a complicated and frightening hunt for a serial killer.
The viewpoint is entirely different from the original. Instead of the very English pov provided by Jonathan Harker and his friends, The Carpathian Assignment examines the case from the Austrian-Hungarian perspective. The most important characters are part of the police force, the Royal Hungarian Gendarmerie, the Roma, or inhabitants of isolated villages in the region.
In many ways, the book follows the original, but there are specific and interesting differences in the way Jonathan Harker tells the tale and what transpires in Istvan's version.
A great book for those who enjoy Gothic novels written in nineteenth century style.
The e galley was too difficult to read, so Lynn Coppotelli of Smith Publicity kindly sent me a physical review copy, and I'm sorry it has taken me so long to review it.
Gothic Novel. 2014. 324 pages.
It was a great choice for the R.I.P. challenge and for folks who love Bram Stoker's Dracula and analogs of the original Dracula. The Carpathian Assignment is the story from a different perspective--that of Kálváry Istvan, a retired Hungarian calvary colonel, who accepts an assignment as chief of police in Bistritz, in the province of Transylvania.
Almost as soon as he arrives at his new assignment, Istvan learns that his predecessor disappeared. It isn't long before he realizes that he is involved in a complicated and frightening hunt for a serial killer.
The viewpoint is entirely different from the original. Instead of the very English pov provided by Jonathan Harker and his friends, The Carpathian Assignment examines the case from the Austrian-Hungarian perspective. The most important characters are part of the police force, the Royal Hungarian Gendarmerie, the Roma, or inhabitants of isolated villages in the region.
In many ways, the book follows the original, but there are specific and interesting differences in the way Jonathan Harker tells the tale and what transpires in Istvan's version.
A great book for those who enjoy Gothic novels written in nineteenth century style.
The e galley was too difficult to read, so Lynn Coppotelli of Smith Publicity kindly sent me a physical review copy, and I'm sorry it has taken me so long to review it.
Gothic Novel. 2014. 324 pages.
March 10, 2015
The Carpathian Assignment follows the story of Kalvary Istvan, who has been promoted to the Chief of Police in the "Carpathian city of Bistritz". Shortly after arriving, Istvan is informed of a potential serial killer that has been active in the area for a lengthy amount of time.
A group of Roma citizens have been residing in the Carpathian forests for a long time away from the influence of the citizens of Bistritz. They have an uneven relationship with outsiders and so the disappearance of Roma people has not been thoroughly investigated until now.
Potentially hundreds of individuals have gone missing and there is only one suspect, the mysterious Count Dracula that has control of the Roma people. Now Istvan and his colleague, Gabor Kasza, must work together to uncover the whereabouts of Dracula and his followers in order to bring him to justice. Not as easy as it sounds when Dracula has an unknown amount of followers and any number of potential homes throughout the world.
I originally received this book from Netgalley for review and was then approached to see if I wanted to take part in the blog tour for this book. I quickly agreed and could not be more satisfied with my first experience taking part in a blog tour. The Carpathian Assignment was a fantastic new additional Dracula lore that has inspired so many novels and movies over the years. A perfect Halloween read for this month and one that I definitely recommend picking up.
A group of Roma citizens have been residing in the Carpathian forests for a long time away from the influence of the citizens of Bistritz. They have an uneven relationship with outsiders and so the disappearance of Roma people has not been thoroughly investigated until now.
Potentially hundreds of individuals have gone missing and there is only one suspect, the mysterious Count Dracula that has control of the Roma people. Now Istvan and his colleague, Gabor Kasza, must work together to uncover the whereabouts of Dracula and his followers in order to bring him to justice. Not as easy as it sounds when Dracula has an unknown amount of followers and any number of potential homes throughout the world.
I originally received this book from Netgalley for review and was then approached to see if I wanted to take part in the blog tour for this book. I quickly agreed and could not be more satisfied with my first experience taking part in a blog tour. The Carpathian Assignment was a fantastic new additional Dracula lore that has inspired so many novels and movies over the years. A perfect Halloween read for this month and one that I definitely recommend picking up.
August 1, 2014
The Carpathian Assignment focuses on Dracula and his hold over the people of Transylvania. Whoever dared to cross him was targeted and vanished, never to be seen again. Over the years hundreds of people have disappeared without a trace but now the mystery is set to end and the reign of Dracula brought to an end. This is not a straightforward process and Dracula does not go down without a fight.
The Carpathian assignment was interesting but the formatting of the ebook really let it down for me. Large chunks of each paragraph were missing and sometimes they randomly appeared in in random slots throughout making it very difficult to follow the story. I didn't get a real feel for the people and their motives. You didn't get a sense of the fear/anger felt by the police or indeed the inhabitants on the town.At times it fell a little flat. I felt that the sex scenes were completely out of place. They served no purpose in the telling of the story and simply added unnecessary waffle.
Overall it was ok. I would have given it a 3 out of 5 had I actually been able to read the entire story. The missing sentence really affected my overall enjoyment of the book. It you were to get The Carpathian Assignment I would suggest getting a hard copy in order to avoid this.
Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy through NetGalley.
The Carpathian assignment was interesting but the formatting of the ebook really let it down for me. Large chunks of each paragraph were missing and sometimes they randomly appeared in in random slots throughout making it very difficult to follow the story. I didn't get a real feel for the people and their motives. You didn't get a sense of the fear/anger felt by the police or indeed the inhabitants on the town.At times it fell a little flat. I felt that the sex scenes were completely out of place. They served no purpose in the telling of the story and simply added unnecessary waffle.
Overall it was ok. I would have given it a 3 out of 5 had I actually been able to read the entire story. The missing sentence really affected my overall enjoyment of the book. It you were to get The Carpathian Assignment I would suggest getting a hard copy in order to avoid this.
Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy through NetGalley.
December 30, 2014
This book is good. I received it in the giveaway. It is just hard to compare to the original when it comes to iconic stories like Dracula. I was pleased by it however. It was fun to hear the story from a different perspective, Good job!
May 9, 2015
A good historical fiction book, with lots of historical detail to really fill out the time/place. It was in some ways similar to Dracula but more cohesive and much better researched. A fun and interesting read!
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