You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood
Minor: Sexual harassment
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
“For as long as my heart beats in my chest, I will wage my secret fight against the lords of the night. Liberty or death forever more”
The Court of Shadows, book one of the Vampyria Saga is a fantasy series set in beautiful Versailles under the rule of the Sun King, Louis XIV. When his life was coming to an end however in 1715, rather than accepting a natural death, King Louis chose to continue his reign for centuries becoming the first vampyre and the King of Shadows. The elite aristocratic upper class had exceptions and privileges of the court, but the commoners were forced to pay a tithing each month from everyone by means of fresh blood.
The protagonist Jeanne Froidelac and her family paid this tithing as long as she can remember until one horrific night that destroyed all she held dear. She had to think quickly to save herself and assumes the identity of the local barons daughter Diane de Gastefriche which throws her into a throng of noble young women and men in Versailles as a ward to the king himself.
As Diane, Jeanne is sent to a prestigious school for aspiring courtiers to learn the proper etiquette among other teenage aristocrats sent by their noble families clawing to the top to be honored at a place in court. Jeanne however has no interest in becoming a part of the court. Her mission is blood and vengeance on those who took everyone she held dear from her.
A quick read diving into what court life, and politics would be with a mix of fantasy. From what history has told us, many nobles were bloodthirsty, so throwing in vampires is fitting. I look forward to reading the next book The Court of Miracles and see how her future unfolds.
The Court of Shadows, book one of the Vampyria Saga is a fantasy series set in beautiful Versailles under the rule of the Sun King, Louis XIV. When his life was coming to an end however in 1715, rather than accepting a natural death, King Louis chose to continue his reign for centuries becoming the first vampyre and the King of Shadows. The elite aristocratic upper class had exceptions and privileges of the court, but the commoners were forced to pay a tithing each month from everyone by means of fresh blood.
The protagonist Jeanne Froidelac and her family paid this tithing as long as she can remember until one horrific night that destroyed all she held dear. She had to think quickly to save herself and assumes the identity of the local barons daughter Diane de Gastefriche which throws her into a throng of noble young women and men in Versailles as a ward to the king himself.
As Diane, Jeanne is sent to a prestigious school for aspiring courtiers to learn the proper etiquette among other teenage aristocrats sent by their noble families clawing to the top to be honored at a place in court. Jeanne however has no interest in becoming a part of the court. Her mission is blood and vengeance on those who took everyone she held dear from her.
A quick read diving into what court life, and politics would be with a mix of fantasy. From what history has told us, many nobles were bloodthirsty, so throwing in vampires is fitting. I look forward to reading the next book The Court of Miracles and see how her future unfolds.
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Strap in for a fast-paced ride that brings a fresh envisaging of vampires and humans with a historical feel. Stow your glittery ideas and brace for some gore.
The Court of Shadows had a gripping start and that sense of interest didn't wane for me. The protagonist Jeanne, found herself alone, traumatised and angry. She quickly had to don convincing acting skills and reverence to the Vampyria. She found herself being schooled amongst foes and some eventual allies. She feared the shadows and what they were.
This book caught me up and whisked me along with some interesting characters and great twists. I loved the dark feelings, academia setting and tension. I'm looking forward to reading more.
Thank you to Over the river PR & Amazon Publishing for the review copy.
The Court of Shadows had a gripping start and that sense of interest didn't wane for me. The protagonist Jeanne, found herself alone, traumatised and angry. She quickly had to don convincing acting skills and reverence to the Vampyria. She found herself being schooled amongst foes and some eventual allies. She feared the shadows and what they were.
This book caught me up and whisked me along with some interesting characters and great twists. I loved the dark feelings, academia setting and tension. I'm looking forward to reading more.
Thank you to Over the river PR & Amazon Publishing for the review copy.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Note: I received a free copy of The Court of Shadows from Victor Dixen in exchange for an honest review.
"A vague shame overtakes me for being so familiar with her, much in the way my worst enemy behaved with me in his vile carriage. But I sweep away all feelings of guilt. I'll do whatever it takes to avenge those I loved."
A commoner who witnesses her family's death by the deadly Vampires seeks revenge. Over the last three centuries, Versailles has been ruled by the King of Shadows. Follow Jean Froidelac’s journey in learning of her parent’s rebellion, impersonating in court with forbidden secrets and befriending the enemy.
I love a good vampire plotline. The Court of Shadows is a historical paranormal fantasy packed with blood, secrets, rebellion, friendship, enemies and, of course, vampires. While praying for our clumsy little heroine in Enemie’s territory, it gets your heart at your throat. I love the page-turner of the unpredictability of funny, stupid moments that make you adore Jean while you’re screaming at her to be careful.
Sometimes, I want to strangle Jean, but I understand from her POV. She is alone in enemy territory and trying to figure out how to make the court bleed.
She wants to make allies, but she can't trust anyone yet.
I love that she is not perfect. Sometimes in books, authors make the FMC perfect and a badass, but I love that Jean is just normal, trying to seek revenge hence she has her ups and downs and clumsiness, but that's her.
At this point, I trust no one, but at the same time, I want to see more vampire friendships (if we can trust one). Victor’s writing has always been an easy read that gets you reading his work in one sitting. The short chapters filled with depth and personality pull you into the world. What will I do now that I am done with the first book? I NEED THE NEXT ONE.
"And so I'm swept off into the unknown night, travelling farther than my steps ever took me, my body chilled and my mind numb, too shocked to mourn all those I've lost."
"A vague shame overtakes me for being so familiar with her, much in the way my worst enemy behaved with me in his vile carriage. But I sweep away all feelings of guilt. I'll do whatever it takes to avenge those I loved."
A commoner who witnesses her family's death by the deadly Vampires seeks revenge. Over the last three centuries, Versailles has been ruled by the King of Shadows. Follow Jean Froidelac’s journey in learning of her parent’s rebellion, impersonating in court with forbidden secrets and befriending the enemy.
I love a good vampire plotline. The Court of Shadows is a historical paranormal fantasy packed with blood, secrets, rebellion, friendship, enemies and, of course, vampires. While praying for our clumsy little heroine in Enemie’s territory, it gets your heart at your throat. I love the page-turner of the unpredictability of funny, stupid moments that make you adore Jean while you’re screaming at her to be careful.
Sometimes, I want to strangle Jean, but I understand from her POV. She is alone in enemy territory and trying to figure out how to make the court bleed.
She wants to make allies, but she can't trust anyone yet.
I love that she is not perfect. Sometimes in books, authors make the FMC perfect and a badass, but I love that Jean is just normal, trying to seek revenge hence she has her ups and downs and clumsiness, but that's her.
At this point, I trust no one, but at the same time, I want to see more vampire friendships (if we can trust one). Victor’s writing has always been an easy read that gets you reading his work in one sitting. The short chapters filled with depth and personality pull you into the world. What will I do now that I am done with the first book? I NEED THE NEXT ONE.
"And so I'm swept off into the unknown night, travelling farther than my steps ever took me, my body chilled and my mind numb, too shocked to mourn all those I've lost."
Unsure if a question of the translator or the original French but the depiction of female characters was off putting and the content of narration was not was I was looking for. Very basic and misogynistic.
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes