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Dracula Chronicles: Son of the Dragon
Dracula is certainly among the best-known men in the world, yet arguably the least understood. While many stories have been told about both the real and the fictional Dracula, Foia's account benefits from four decades of research and the unique perspective of a Transylvanian native. Under Foia's pen, the "Dracula Chronicles" finally pierces the veil of mystery that has shrouded the Wallachian king for over 500 years. The multivolume historical novel unfolds in vivid detail Dracula's epic metamorphosis from a naive and trusting prince to the ruthless law-and-order king whose deeds have spawned the most enduring vampire legend. Taking place on the backdrop of the dying Middle Ages and the blossoming of the Renaissance the "Dracula Chronicles" is replete with towering passions, unbridled ambitions, vile betrayals, and righteous revenge. And, as one would expect, blood. Book One of the series, "Son of the Dragon," provides a first ever origin story of the man whose fame has survived for over 500 years and has reached even the most remote places of the planet. It begins Dracula's epic journey that will see the young prince become in future volumes the famed strongman, warrior, and object of women's interest who has conquered the imagination of millions. Inquisitive, skilled at arms, and often reckless, young Dracula seeks out danger to prove his readiness to be a man. An avid reader of history and lover of languages, Dracula uses his knowledge and wits to overcome impossible odds facing him. Then, in a single impulsive step he propels himself into a hostile world capable of devouring even the strongest men.
368 pages, Paperback
First published December 21, 2012
71 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
Victor T. Foia
4 books25 followersVictor T. Foia was born in Transylvania where he studied theoretical physics at Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj. At the age of 22 Victor escaped from behind the Iron Curtain and defected to Italy. After a waiting period of months spent in UN refugee camps, he emigrated to the United States. There Victor graduated from the University of Illinois and University of Dallas. He then embarked upon a career as an international corporate executive. Presently he is engaged full time in writing historical fiction.
Victor’s interest in Dracula dates from the age of six, when he first visited his compatriot’s birthplace only a hundred miles from his own. Soon this interest became a lasting passion for research into Dracula’s life. Exploring castles, fortresses, and monasteries throughout Eastern Europe and the Middle East, Victor went beyond the iconic Dracula literature to ferret out the essence of the man behind the Legend. The four-decade long quest has taken Victor to virtually all the places where Dracula lived, loved, fought, and was imprisoned. In the end, by the empty tomb from where the prince disappeared without a trace 535 years ago, Victor felt his journey of discovery was complete and now the story of the real Dracula could be told.
Victor’s interest in Dracula dates from the age of six, when he first visited his compatriot’s birthplace only a hundred miles from his own. Soon this interest became a lasting passion for research into Dracula’s life. Exploring castles, fortresses, and monasteries throughout Eastern Europe and the Middle East, Victor went beyond the iconic Dracula literature to ferret out the essence of the man behind the Legend. The four-decade long quest has taken Victor to virtually all the places where Dracula lived, loved, fought, and was imprisoned. In the end, by the empty tomb from where the prince disappeared without a trace 535 years ago, Victor felt his journey of discovery was complete and now the story of the real Dracula could be told.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 19, 2014
Too much swearing and sex
I got grossed out by the graphic way sexual perverts acted in this book. the old man that fingered the little girl. the man that got turned on by strangulating the boy. plus the f word is all over the place. the story was good, just had too much filth.
I got grossed out by the graphic way sexual perverts acted in this book. the old man that fingered the little girl. the man that got turned on by strangulating the boy. plus the f word is all over the place. the story was good, just had too much filth.
November 22, 2017
Dracula is a name we generally associate with vampires. With pale faced, black cloak wearing, fanged, blood-suckers. Bram Stoker introduced us to that version of Vlad Dracul and the image has become a part of our history.
Vlad Dracul however was a very real person and the Dracula Chronicles by Victor T. Foia looks to tell his story.
You could say the book is biography as Vlad Dracul was definitely a real individual. The people in the story; his father, brothers, tutors, etc.; were real people. However this book could also be categorized as fiction, which is where I actually came across this book in my local library.
Dracula Chronicles (the website for the book series) says the author spent nearly 40 years researching for these books. Of this I don’t doubt as the first book is chock full of references to actual persons and events. However using even the most basic of internet research tools – ie. Wikipedia – one can tell that the truth was stretched ever so slightly. That is beside the point though as I do not care to discuss the historical accuracy of this book.
I prefer instead to concentrate on the dramatic elements of Son of the Dragon, and that is where this novel in my opinion shines. The talk of a prophecy given nearly 100 years before weaves its way through the story. It touches nearly every character and whether it will indeed become truth will hopefully be seen in future books. The very reality of war also weaves itself through the book and at time it can be easy to side with young Vlad with his headstrong ideals while at other times one prefers to side with his father and practice constraint.
Foia does not skimp on the harsh realities of life in 15th Century Europe. Survival was harsh, rulers were often cruel, those who had did as they liked and those who did not were often the ones to suffer. The few battles and subsequent deaths are given decent description and don’t descend in to gore as some novels tend to do. The same goes for the two incredibly brief sex scenes. A few brief paragraphs and fade to black.
All in all Son of the Dragon was a book I rather enjoyed. I read through it in five days and I’m fairly sure if it weren’t for work and other Real Life commitments I would have read it in half that time.
For a realistic historical novelization, this is one I would recommend and I’ll be on the lookout for the second novel.
Vlad Dracul however was a very real person and the Dracula Chronicles by Victor T. Foia looks to tell his story.
You could say the book is biography as Vlad Dracul was definitely a real individual. The people in the story; his father, brothers, tutors, etc.; were real people. However this book could also be categorized as fiction, which is where I actually came across this book in my local library.
Dracula Chronicles (the website for the book series) says the author spent nearly 40 years researching for these books. Of this I don’t doubt as the first book is chock full of references to actual persons and events. However using even the most basic of internet research tools – ie. Wikipedia – one can tell that the truth was stretched ever so slightly. That is beside the point though as I do not care to discuss the historical accuracy of this book.
I prefer instead to concentrate on the dramatic elements of Son of the Dragon, and that is where this novel in my opinion shines. The talk of a prophecy given nearly 100 years before weaves its way through the story. It touches nearly every character and whether it will indeed become truth will hopefully be seen in future books. The very reality of war also weaves itself through the book and at time it can be easy to side with young Vlad with his headstrong ideals while at other times one prefers to side with his father and practice constraint.
Foia does not skimp on the harsh realities of life in 15th Century Europe. Survival was harsh, rulers were often cruel, those who had did as they liked and those who did not were often the ones to suffer. The few battles and subsequent deaths are given decent description and don’t descend in to gore as some novels tend to do. The same goes for the two incredibly brief sex scenes. A few brief paragraphs and fade to black.
All in all Son of the Dragon was a book I rather enjoyed. I read through it in five days and I’m fairly sure if it weren’t for work and other Real Life commitments I would have read it in half that time.
For a realistic historical novelization, this is one I would recommend and I’ll be on the lookout for the second novel.
April 19, 2014
A must read for any Dracula junkie and history enthusiast! The diligent research takes you into the time of Dracula and you live it with him. This is the story of Dracula’s journey to become what he is famous for being and really represents an accurate yet engaging narrative of the young Prince’s life. This novel is an opportunity for the English speaking world to hear the story of Dracula from a native perspective. In writing the ‘case for the defense’ as he puts it Foia draws on his knowledge and experience of his native country to present Dracula’s history as he would perhaps have wanted it to be read and understood. This is an exceptional literary feat and if you have not yet read this book, where have you been? Read it now!
January 27, 2022
This is historical fiction about the childhood of Vlad Dracula .
The story starts off with a young boy named Theodore who has dreams of the Dragons son taking over and redeeming Wallachia. He is presented to church officials and no utility but his prophecies do not bring them much pleasure. He gets royally bad treatment.
Fast forward several years and you have Vlad and his brother Marcus coming of age. Boys turn to men following a ritual hunting where they are supposed to bring down a boar. Marcus kills his boar but Vlad has to get his own to kill. Him and his father go out hunting and they come across a ruined burned out town and church . It is something Dracul, Vlads father failed to mention. There is also i an accursed forest where bandits hide and maraud merchant.
While Vlad is out hunting a Bison with Dracul his father he finds out a horrible truth about his grandmother who became a nun at a monastery after something horrible had happened to her. It is also here that Vlad learns the truth about a prophecy involving him.
After the hunting trip Dracul takes Marcus and Vlad to Hungary in order to participate in a tournament. Hungary is not to be trusted. Hunyadi is a military governor and ruler of Transylvania . A real power broker. He is setting up for a crusade against the Turks. But he has designs on Wallachia.
Vlad wants to join the crusade but has to prove his worth by killing a Turk. Just so happens that 4 Akincis are doing a slave raid. Vlad is daring and takes on the Turks. His next visit is to the Sultan. While the book may not be factual it is historical fiction that may have happened.
The story starts off with a young boy named Theodore who has dreams of the Dragons son taking over and redeeming Wallachia. He is presented to church officials and no utility but his prophecies do not bring them much pleasure. He gets royally bad treatment.
Fast forward several years and you have Vlad and his brother Marcus coming of age. Boys turn to men following a ritual hunting where they are supposed to bring down a boar. Marcus kills his boar but Vlad has to get his own to kill. Him and his father go out hunting and they come across a ruined burned out town and church . It is something Dracul, Vlads father failed to mention. There is also i an accursed forest where bandits hide and maraud merchant.
While Vlad is out hunting a Bison with Dracul his father he finds out a horrible truth about his grandmother who became a nun at a monastery after something horrible had happened to her. It is also here that Vlad learns the truth about a prophecy involving him.
After the hunting trip Dracul takes Marcus and Vlad to Hungary in order to participate in a tournament. Hungary is not to be trusted. Hunyadi is a military governor and ruler of Transylvania . A real power broker. He is setting up for a crusade against the Turks. But he has designs on Wallachia.
Vlad wants to join the crusade but has to prove his worth by killing a Turk. Just so happens that 4 Akincis are doing a slave raid. Vlad is daring and takes on the Turks. His next visit is to the Sultan. While the book may not be factual it is historical fiction that may have happened.
November 8, 2020
It feels like I have been reading this book forever and looking at the calendar it’s been a few weeks. I can read a book I love in a matter of days, even hours! I can’t really explain why this one didn’t go faster. I am interested in the subject matter and I purposely chose it in October to coincide with a trip I took to Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria last year over Halloween. I think I was looking for “The Historian” and what I got was a boy’s coming of age tale. Even though the setting satisfied, I think my expectations were left unfulfilled. Truly can’t decide whether I will read the next book in the series. I’ll have to think about it. The writing style was pleasing to read and there was plenty of action. There was some satisfaction knowing I’ve been to the city where the author studied, Cluj in Romania. I don’t have any complaints, I just didn’t love it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️▫️▫️
May 27, 2021
The life and bloody, brutal reign of Vlad Dracula of Wallachia is an immensely fascinating subject and the author has clearly done his research, but this first book in a trilogy based on his life sure took its sweet time getting anywhere. The pace dragged and I had trouble staying engaged. However, the source material only really gets interesting past the point where this series opener left off, so perhaps the next installment might prove more gripping.
July 28, 2018
This book is exactly as described. It is very slow and has a lot of detail. I love reading, but this book was not particularly my forte. I'm sure their are others who like this book, but I wasn't able to get into it.
October 1, 2018
This is an interesting and enjoyable fiction novel, based on very thorough historical research. It is book one of a series and ends like that of a chapter, leading you on to read the following books (chronicles).
August 17, 2017
Excellent
Although I don't have a good understanding of history, this was was absolutely amazing and was so very well written
Although I don't have a good understanding of history, this was was absolutely amazing and was so very well written
March 7, 2018
Historical fiction of Prince Dracula not Count Dracula. Same medieval period as The Tudors and The Borgias. Quite interesting and absorbing.
February 3, 2023
I can't say nearly enough wonderful things about this story - so vividly written I am pulled straight into another world, living vicariously through these characters. The feeling even bleeds over into reality long afterwards and I dream of the events and people as if it were really happening. Currently almost finished with Book 2, and I've caught myself laughing out loud at times, seething with anger, and even unashamedly crying as though I were the one who had suffered. I felt such a feeling of despair at times that I felt like I could never recover. But rather than turning away from such sorrow, I feel even more compelled to stand side by side, hand in hand with these characters. I am also the only one in my entire family with green eyes....
I have done my own fair share of Dracula research and written several theses on both the man and the myth, and I have to say this is the best book/series I have ever come across thus far. I will never stop reading and learning more about Dracula until I learn all there is to know, until I know more about him than he knew himself.
Thank you Victor, for bringing to light such a bright perspective on such a sadly misunderstood, forsaken yet monumental figure of history. You should feel proud of your roots and of all you've accomplished. ❤️
I have done my own fair share of Dracula research and written several theses on both the man and the myth, and I have to say this is the best book/series I have ever come across thus far. I will never stop reading and learning more about Dracula until I learn all there is to know, until I know more about him than he knew himself.
Thank you Victor, for bringing to light such a bright perspective on such a sadly misunderstood, forsaken yet monumental figure of history. You should feel proud of your roots and of all you've accomplished. ❤️
June 3, 2016
Dracula Chronicles: Son of the Dragon
It has been some time since I have read a book that has drawn me into its story line and captivated my attention and curiosity in ways that made it difficult to do anything else without my mind continuing to wonder and wrestle with the issues and tensions within the circumstances and characters and times these events took place.
I “WISH” I could adequately put into words … words that could be understood; all that was awakened and stirred and triggered inside of me as I felt the heart beat and breath … the pulse, of the characters, during a portion of history that feels so barbaric to all that I have the privilege of appreciating, and also the choice to avoid.
Having escaped communist Hungary in 1969 at the age of 5, I have a sense of the struggles … tensions … brutalities … fears … anxieties … desperations … the struggle for survival … while, also, feeling so far removed in some ways.
It is a strange and surreal thing to feel connected both faintly and also foundationally in ways that affect how you feel, what you see and what you think… and to know that you, as well as your ancestors have been conditioned by history… this history.
Theodore mother, only 12 years older than her son… The love and fear … the pride and terror that spills out of her as she helps prepare him to leave, while, at the same time, fretting, “I will not let them take you away, Theo, not in this cold” for what she fears and reveres is God’s will, and must not be questioned.
Theo’s sincerity, clarity and awakening, to the good and the bad that surrounds him; his powerlessness in some aspects, and also his inner strength, weaves and stirs through all that he observes and endures within a culture that is set and held in place by powers greater than himself. My heart soared at times and also crashed at other times as his character surfaced throughout the story.
The tensions and twists within the Kingdom of King Dracul… Often, when evil seemingly has the upper hand, the content is difficult, vulgar, abusive, traumatic… On one or two occasions I could not even read the details because it was too upsetting. Not wanting the images to play back on auto repeat, I skipped ahead a page or two when I knew what was going to happen, I felt the impact, but chose to not expose myself directly to the details. At times, a part of me wanted to recoil and reject the violence and the bad characters. Another part of me knows that these very things still happen in parts of our world today…. People, right now suffer in similar ways… Not everyone has the ability to remove themselves from horrific circumstances and not everyone has the ability or space to live in a bubble; unaware and oblivious, or worse, turning a blind eye to the horrible reality that exists and fills some people’s every waking and sleeping hour.
All that to say, even though, at times, the language and behavior of some of the characters are deeply upsetting, triggering all kinds of reactions within me, this is a historical fiction… some of it historical, some of it fiction… but peel back the cover and face of any society, and sadly, the characteristics that fuel the worst of mankind, often, also, are beneath the surface of much… even that which is considered and accepted as “the good” … “the acceptable” … “the noble” … “the virtuous” … “the celebrated” … while all along, fear, selfishness, pride, shame, and much more is what fuels it all…
Back to the story… ;-)
This is my first exposure to the historical Dracula. I am blown away to realize that at 51 years old, this is my first exposure to the fact that a man actually lived … A KING and a Kingdom, behind the myth and imaginations and legend of Dracula.
The author does an amazing job weaving and hinting and exposing how stories and accounts of events, passed from mouth to mouth, used as boasts, or covers, by eager, afraid or ambitious characters, evolve into accounts altogether different and altered from the original events. And so grow the myths and legends that gain momentum and live long after the events that birthed them have been forgotten.
Quite honestly, I never thought I would be drawn to a series about Dracula, but surprisingly, I am and I absolutely loved this author’s first book in this series.
I feel like the long forgotten and lost past is speaking through Victor Foia’s pen as he breaths life into these characters and events…
Great writer… Great historical fiction… Grateful reader… thank you…
It has been some time since I have read a book that has drawn me into its story line and captivated my attention and curiosity in ways that made it difficult to do anything else without my mind continuing to wonder and wrestle with the issues and tensions within the circumstances and characters and times these events took place.
I “WISH” I could adequately put into words … words that could be understood; all that was awakened and stirred and triggered inside of me as I felt the heart beat and breath … the pulse, of the characters, during a portion of history that feels so barbaric to all that I have the privilege of appreciating, and also the choice to avoid.
Having escaped communist Hungary in 1969 at the age of 5, I have a sense of the struggles … tensions … brutalities … fears … anxieties … desperations … the struggle for survival … while, also, feeling so far removed in some ways.
It is a strange and surreal thing to feel connected both faintly and also foundationally in ways that affect how you feel, what you see and what you think… and to know that you, as well as your ancestors have been conditioned by history… this history.
Theodore mother, only 12 years older than her son… The love and fear … the pride and terror that spills out of her as she helps prepare him to leave, while, at the same time, fretting, “I will not let them take you away, Theo, not in this cold” for what she fears and reveres is God’s will, and must not be questioned.
Theo’s sincerity, clarity and awakening, to the good and the bad that surrounds him; his powerlessness in some aspects, and also his inner strength, weaves and stirs through all that he observes and endures within a culture that is set and held in place by powers greater than himself. My heart soared at times and also crashed at other times as his character surfaced throughout the story.
The tensions and twists within the Kingdom of King Dracul… Often, when evil seemingly has the upper hand, the content is difficult, vulgar, abusive, traumatic… On one or two occasions I could not even read the details because it was too upsetting. Not wanting the images to play back on auto repeat, I skipped ahead a page or two when I knew what was going to happen, I felt the impact, but chose to not expose myself directly to the details. At times, a part of me wanted to recoil and reject the violence and the bad characters. Another part of me knows that these very things still happen in parts of our world today…. People, right now suffer in similar ways… Not everyone has the ability to remove themselves from horrific circumstances and not everyone has the ability or space to live in a bubble; unaware and oblivious, or worse, turning a blind eye to the horrible reality that exists and fills some people’s every waking and sleeping hour.
All that to say, even though, at times, the language and behavior of some of the characters are deeply upsetting, triggering all kinds of reactions within me, this is a historical fiction… some of it historical, some of it fiction… but peel back the cover and face of any society, and sadly, the characteristics that fuel the worst of mankind, often, also, are beneath the surface of much… even that which is considered and accepted as “the good” … “the acceptable” … “the noble” … “the virtuous” … “the celebrated” … while all along, fear, selfishness, pride, shame, and much more is what fuels it all…
Back to the story… ;-)
This is my first exposure to the historical Dracula. I am blown away to realize that at 51 years old, this is my first exposure to the fact that a man actually lived … A KING and a Kingdom, behind the myth and imaginations and legend of Dracula.
The author does an amazing job weaving and hinting and exposing how stories and accounts of events, passed from mouth to mouth, used as boasts, or covers, by eager, afraid or ambitious characters, evolve into accounts altogether different and altered from the original events. And so grow the myths and legends that gain momentum and live long after the events that birthed them have been forgotten.
Quite honestly, I never thought I would be drawn to a series about Dracula, but surprisingly, I am and I absolutely loved this author’s first book in this series.
I feel like the long forgotten and lost past is speaking through Victor Foia’s pen as he breaths life into these characters and events…
Great writer… Great historical fiction… Grateful reader… thank you…
August 14, 2016
This the first installment of the Dracula Chronicles and it is a story about the origin of Dracula. Great history of the Middle Ages and the renaissance with a helpful glossary, cast of characters, and historical note section in the back. This series will unveil Vlad's rise from very young, naïve prince to the horribly ruthless king he becomes. In this first volume, Vlad is a young prince who still is under his father's thumb. He is very eager to prove his skills at fighting and showing his father he is ready for battle. Vlad and his brother Marcus are shown with human passion, ambition, humor, and the fight to find their place in the kingdom. This volume ends with Vlad and Dracula's squire Gruya sneaking into the king's caravan which is on it's way to answer a summons from Murad, the Ottoman Sultan.
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June 25, 2016Number one in a series of historical fiction about the REAL Dracula, a 15th century Romanian prince. Known as Vlad the Impaler for his method of punishment, Vlad Dracula has been vilified for centuries. But as you know, history is told by the winner. If you want to know more about a maligned and misunderstood figure in history, these are a good place to start. Yes, it is fiction based on historical facts. The author has done his research and it shows. Vlad is a hero in Romania. I can't help but admire the stubborn grit of a man that held off the Ottoman Empire in his brief reign using brilliant military tactics to ruthlessly defend his country. others in the series:
book 2: Empire of the Crescent Moon
book 3: House of War
Read them, you won't regret it.
Enjoy the journey!
book 2: Empire of the Crescent Moon
book 3: House of War
Read them, you won't regret it.
Enjoy the journey!
May 21, 2017
This is the third time I've read this book, and I fall in love with it each time. The writing is crisp and clear, transporting the reader back into time without bogging them down with unnecessary detail. Victor Foia flawlessly paints a picture of tumultuous Wallachia, and there are moments you'll literally hold your breath. You'll feel pain, joy, disgust, sadness...all to your very core. If you are looking for a no-nonsense book about historical Dracula, this is the series to read. Bonus: No fangs, and certainly no sparkles.
February 1, 2015
The first couple of chapters are kind of slow but then the story finally kicks into gear. Young Vlad (not yet the Impaler) learns he is the subject of a hidden prophecy and sets out to learn just what his fate is supposed to be. The first book in a series, Son of the Dragon sets up the political machinations Vlad's ruling family is facing, when the enemy was more their fellow Christians than the Ottoman Empire.
No vampires were harmed in the making of this book.
No vampires were harmed in the making of this book.
March 20, 2013
I really cannot wait for the next book in the series. The author does an outstanding job of combining history with action and adventure. The prose was clear and precise and totally gave some flavor of the period without immersing the reader in stilted archaic idiom. I would readily recommend this to a friend, again.
April 30, 2013
In the book, Dracula Chronicles: Son of the Dragon, Mr. Foia has brilliantly captured the story behind the fictional blood thirsty villain of all time with his immense research and attention to detail. The character development is outstanding and the story easy to follow. The book was both entertaining and informative. My only disappointment is that I have to wait for the second book.
August 18, 2013
Excellent, looking forward to the next installment already. Extremely well researched, the author clearly has a vast knowledge of the history of Wallachia and it's politics.
Being someone who reads alot of history books about this family I was initially thrown by name changes but it's a tiny grievance that I got over pretty quickly once the book really grabbed me.
Being someone who reads alot of history books about this family I was initially thrown by name changes but it's a tiny grievance that I got over pretty quickly once the book really grabbed me.
April 1, 2014
This is not my usual thing, but it was a good read, and I will read the other two in the trilogy. This first book tells the history go the family of Dracul.
June 6, 2014
This book is really good and I like the twist on things but it was such a long read. I can usually read pretty fast but this one seemed to take longer to read.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews