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Count Zarka: Intrigue, Romance, and Betrayal in 19th Century Europe
In 'Count Zarka', William Sir Magnay weaves a gripping tale of political intrigue, romance, and betrayal set in 19th century Europe. The book is written in a captivating literary style that effortlessly transports readers to a tumultuous era of power struggles and clandestine operations. The narrative is rich in historical detail, offering a nuanced portrayal of the characters and their complex motivations. Magnay skillfully balances suspense and character development, creating a truly immersive reading experience. William Sir Magnay, a renowned historian and author with a deep fascination for European history, brings his expertise to 'Count Zarka'. His meticulous research and keen understanding of the time period shine through in the vivid descriptions and intricate plot twists. It is evident that Magnay's passion for storytelling and commitment to historical accuracy have culminated in this compelling novel. I highly recommend 'Count Zarka' to readers who appreciate a well-crafted historical fiction novel that combines captivating storytelling with rich historical detail. William Sir Magnay's masterful blend of suspense, romance, and political intrigue makes this book a must-read for fans of the genre.
177 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 21, 2022
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March 14, 2024
Apparently this “ok, but the villain is hot” trope has been around for many, many years. The knowledge of this has me both amused and concerned for humanity. Count Zarka’s whole vibe reminds me of Loki from the Marvel movies. He’s specifically described as “tall, dark and handsome,” debonair and loves horses. He’s rich and mysterious to boot! (It’s rather a real shame he’s a total creep.)
Gratuitous hot villain aside, these were plot points which had me squealing like a schoolgirl:
-Count Zarka lives in a spooky-yet-beautiful Gothic Castle deep in a forest (of course), part of which is carved out of the side of a mountain and is full of secret passageways.
-He tries to manipulate this baddie named Philippa into marrying him, but she shuts him down every time because she’s mature and reasonable and awesome.
-Philippa’s boyfriend gets involved in spying on the Count for political as well as personal reasons, and notices that a section of the castle wall has a window which disappears at times. (Secret room, or something supernatural? I’m not one to give spoilers!)
-Philippa’s boyfriend proceeds to climb the ivy growing on the stone wall (á la Errol Flynn) in order to reach the stained-glass skylight in order to spy further on the count, of course, because CASTLE ivy always conveniently supports the weight of a grown man!
THE AESTHETIC! It’s just… *chef’s kiss.* Many modern readers might find the whole vibe of the book to be very much on the melodramatic side, but if you, like me, at times enjoy outrageous period romance heavily seasoned with adventure and intrigue, you may very well enjoy “Count Zarka.”
I un-ironically really liked Philippa, the main female character in “Count Zarka.” She’s a refreshing change from most of the insipid “damsels in distress” which tend to plague literature of this era.
-At the beginning of the story, her hand is grazed by a bullet, and she nonchalantly wraps her wound with a handkerchief.
-She very calmly and maturely shuts down all of Count Zarka’s attempts to manipulate her into accepting his proposal. (That was my favorite aspect of her character.)
-She picks her own gosh-darn boyfriend who’s a wonderful person and a total stud.
-Another woman forces her to a fencing duel, and Philippa beats her! Who doesn’t love a woman who’s handy with a sword?
The only thing which had me scratching my head was why Philippa was so reluctant to ask for help when Count Zarka was harassing her. I suppose I can understand that people make poor choices when they’re anxious and stressed. Plus, Philippa has a definite independent streak, so I suppose she felt she could take care of herself.
As for the ending, it was abrupt and breathtakingly melodramatic. Things ended happily for Philippa, however, which was all that mattered to me. If there had been a sequel, I’d read it.
Gratuitous hot villain aside, these were plot points which had me squealing like a schoolgirl:
-Count Zarka lives in a spooky-yet-beautiful Gothic Castle deep in a forest (of course), part of which is carved out of the side of a mountain and is full of secret passageways.
-He tries to manipulate this baddie named Philippa into marrying him, but she shuts him down every time because she’s mature and reasonable and awesome.
-Philippa’s boyfriend gets involved in spying on the Count for political as well as personal reasons, and notices that a section of the castle wall has a window which disappears at times. (Secret room, or something supernatural? I’m not one to give spoilers!)
-Philippa’s boyfriend proceeds to climb the ivy growing on the stone wall (á la Errol Flynn) in order to reach the stained-glass skylight in order to spy further on the count, of course, because CASTLE ivy always conveniently supports the weight of a grown man!
THE AESTHETIC! It’s just… *chef’s kiss.* Many modern readers might find the whole vibe of the book to be very much on the melodramatic side, but if you, like me, at times enjoy outrageous period romance heavily seasoned with adventure and intrigue, you may very well enjoy “Count Zarka.”
I un-ironically really liked Philippa, the main female character in “Count Zarka.” She’s a refreshing change from most of the insipid “damsels in distress” which tend to plague literature of this era.
-At the beginning of the story, her hand is grazed by a bullet, and she nonchalantly wraps her wound with a handkerchief.
-She very calmly and maturely shuts down all of Count Zarka’s attempts to manipulate her into accepting his proposal. (That was my favorite aspect of her character.)
-She picks her own gosh-darn boyfriend who’s a wonderful person and a total stud.
-Another woman forces her to a fencing duel, and Philippa beats her! Who doesn’t love a woman who’s handy with a sword?
The only thing which had me scratching my head was why Philippa was so reluctant to ask for help when Count Zarka was harassing her. I suppose I can understand that people make poor choices when they’re anxious and stressed. Plus, Philippa has a definite independent streak, so I suppose she felt she could take care of herself.
As for the ending, it was abrupt and breathtakingly melodramatic. Things ended happily for Philippa, however, which was all that mattered to me. If there had been a sequel, I’d read it.
Displaying 1 of 1 review