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The Court of Shadows

Vampyria Saga, Book 1

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The Court of Shadows

By: Victor Dixen, Françoise Bui - translator
Narrated by: Carlotta Brentan
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About this listen

“Dixen excels at concocting unexpected detours and jaw-dropping cliffhangers. Anne Rice fans will be especially enthralled.”―Publishers Weekly (starred review)

A fiery heroine seeks vengeance against a royal court of deadly vampires in this epic alternate history set in lavish Versailles.

Louis XIV transformed from the Sun King into the King of Shadows when he embraced immortality and became the world’s first vampire. For the last three centuries, he has been ruling the kingdom from the decadent Court of Shadows in Versailles, demanding the blood of his subjects to sate his nobles’ thirst and maintain their loyalty.

In the heart of rural France, commoner Jeanne Froidelac witnesses the king’s soldiers murder her family and learns of her parents’ role in a brewing rebellion involving the forbidden secrets of alchemy. To seek her revenge, Jeanne disguises herself as an aristocrat and enrolls in a prestigious school for aspiring courtiers. She soon finds herself at the doors of the palace of Versailles.

But Jeanne, of course, is no aristocrat. She dreams not of court but of blood.

The blood of a king.

©2020 Éditions Robert Laffont, S. A. S., Paris. (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Translation © 2023 by Françoise Bui Dark Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Gothic Historical Horror Royalty Scary Paranormal

Continue the series
The Court of Miracles cover art
The Court of Miracles By: Victor Dixen, and others

Critic reviews

“Carlotta Brentan gives a spirited narration of this novel featuring Jeanne, a young commoner who is masquerading as an aristocrat to seek vengeance for the deaths of her family members.… Brentan portrays Jeanne as initially naïve but passionate and determined. The precariousness of her situation permeates Brentan's performance as Jeanne transforms from a frightened and subservient girl to a haughty, ruthless aristocrat. Brentan makes the moments when Jeanne's secret is almost exposed especially exciting.”—AudioFile Magazine

“Dixen excels at concocting unexpected detours and jaw-dropping cliffhangers. Anne Rice fans will be especially enthralled.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Fantasy fans who like their speculative fiction filled with vampyre aristocrats and plenty of twists along the way will enjoy taking a bite out of this series starter.”—Library Journal
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Very entertaining paranormal vampire saga that starts with a bang and keeps moving at a pace with many twists and turns right up until the end. Recommended

A good story and exceptional narration

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The story is not unusual, but very, very enjoyable. It has twists and turns that are unexpected, and the accidental body count is definitely higher then I expected!
None of the more modern Vampire lore, it is true to the original Stokes style Vampire legends, and truly well thought out.
The narrator is excellent, no melodrama, good accents and a lovely voice to listen to.

excellent story with a really good narrator

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This book is amazing the music before the next chapter is beautiful music in my opinion. Victor is am an amazing author. There is detail especially when you know when visualizing the scene you can see it for yourself. Thank you also to the narrator who is so perfect with the voices she is pure genius. I have bought the 2nd book Court of Miracles. Thank you.

jan

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