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Dracula Chronicles: Empire of the Crescent Moon
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 naïve 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 Two of the series, "Empire of the Crescent Moon", follows young Prince Vlad, a.k.a. Dracula, on his journey into the heart of the Ottoman Empire. Soon he comes to regret his impulsive decision to cross the Danube into the world ruled with absolute power by Sultan Murad of the House Osman. It is a world in which nothing is what it seems, and where mortal danger lurks around every corner. Away from his native land of Wallachia, where he could rely on martial skills and friends, now Dracula has only his wit to sustain him. As things go from bad to worse, help comes to Dracula from a most unexpected quarter.
396 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2014
25 people are currently reading
99 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 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 18, 2014
So well done! Wanted more. Historically felt right, very rare to see a lot of this story from the viewpoint of the Turks. Vlad is believable as a child/teen. Hope to continue with the next.
January 25, 2023
Continuing where the first book left off, the young Vlad Dracula is in the Ottoman Empire with his good friend Gruya. They are both well hidden in his father’s supplies. Of course events transpire and Vlad Dracul the father of Vlad the III and ruler of Wallachia find out about the stowaways. And so the adventures begin.
Young Vlad and his friend Gruya wander in Edirne at a caravanserai and experience life under the Ottomans. Vlad frees a young pretty blond girl from being sold off as a slave. The poor girl never makes it to freedom she is caught by the slavers and decapitated. A lesson learned in Turkish brutality. Slave that try to escape face mutilation and death. Once a slave you must have your freedom purchased or you will never be free.
Intrigues were commonplace among the ruling class and politics are a shifty game. Vlad the II is caught in an intrigue by a sly Zaganos pasha. He frames Vlad the II and sets him up to be imprisoned, tortured and killed. Young Vlad can only think of one thing and that is to become a hostage in the Ottoman court and prove his father’s loyalty. Meanwhile back in Wallachia, Hungary is backing a pretender to the Wallachian throne but intrigues get the ruler locked in a dungeon.
Young Vlad’s attempt to become a hostage go sideways and he ends up in a prison. The rest of the story details his life as a slave and a prisoner. There are attempts to escape to freedom but we all know the story, Dracula remained a hostage.
This is a work of historical fiction. These adventures per se did not happen but they are a possibility. It reveals Dracula’s love for his country along with his bravery and daring. Better yet this gives a picture of what life was really like living in the Ottoman Empire. The empire and the Sultan could be very cruel and at the same time the Sultan could show himself to be very generous and kind. The Turks were master manipulators. Great book for young adults.
Young Vlad and his friend Gruya wander in Edirne at a caravanserai and experience life under the Ottomans. Vlad frees a young pretty blond girl from being sold off as a slave. The poor girl never makes it to freedom she is caught by the slavers and decapitated. A lesson learned in Turkish brutality. Slave that try to escape face mutilation and death. Once a slave you must have your freedom purchased or you will never be free.
Intrigues were commonplace among the ruling class and politics are a shifty game. Vlad the II is caught in an intrigue by a sly Zaganos pasha. He frames Vlad the II and sets him up to be imprisoned, tortured and killed. Young Vlad can only think of one thing and that is to become a hostage in the Ottoman court and prove his father’s loyalty. Meanwhile back in Wallachia, Hungary is backing a pretender to the Wallachian throne but intrigues get the ruler locked in a dungeon.
Young Vlad’s attempt to become a hostage go sideways and he ends up in a prison. The rest of the story details his life as a slave and a prisoner. There are attempts to escape to freedom but we all know the story, Dracula remained a hostage.
This is a work of historical fiction. These adventures per se did not happen but they are a possibility. It reveals Dracula’s love for his country along with his bravery and daring. Better yet this gives a picture of what life was really like living in the Ottoman Empire. The empire and the Sultan could be very cruel and at the same time the Sultan could show himself to be very generous and kind. The Turks were master manipulators. Great book for young adults.
December 4, 2023
It's been awhile since I read the first book and I totally forgot everybody and everything. But anyway, Vlad is an impulsive teenager with the luck of the Irish. Everytime he gets into a scrape, someone else miraculously appears and saves him. I can take this once but this happens several times.
October 19, 2018
Series continues with Vlad's youth, adventures and captivity.
November 2, 2014
As riveting as the first installment and a cliff-hanger ending that has me impatient for book 3 already despite the fact I just closed volume 2!
Empire of the Crescent Moon follows the young Dragon as he continues to learn more about his world and it's workings. In this book Vlad's ideas of nobility and duty are challenged and we see him grow as a person as well as being witness to some of the earliest encounters with the Ottomans and their Empire which would soon come to play a greater part in his life.
As always historical accuracy is this authors trademark, I felt as if I was walking the market in Adrianople and running through the streets of Constantinople with our hero. Vivid descriptions of sights, sounds and smells really bring the reader into the story.
I heartily recommend this series for fans of historical literature, adventure and Dracula. You may just learn something about this popular character that may surprise you!
Empire of the Crescent Moon follows the young Dragon as he continues to learn more about his world and it's workings. In this book Vlad's ideas of nobility and duty are challenged and we see him grow as a person as well as being witness to some of the earliest encounters with the Ottomans and their Empire which would soon come to play a greater part in his life.
As always historical accuracy is this authors trademark, I felt as if I was walking the market in Adrianople and running through the streets of Constantinople with our hero. Vivid descriptions of sights, sounds and smells really bring the reader into the story.
I heartily recommend this series for fans of historical literature, adventure and Dracula. You may just learn something about this popular character that may surprise you!
June 25, 2016
2nd installment in a series that I am now addicted to. Follow the adventures of Prince Vlad and his daring do. He is still a teenager by today's view, but what an exciting life he leads and the scrapes he has to get himself out of. I invite you to come along for the ride. Have fun!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews