Title: Hôtel Transylvania
Author: Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
First published January 1, 1978
375 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780446611008 (ISBN10: 044661100X)
Rating: 3.76
Overview
The timeless story of Le Comte de Saint-Germain, created by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, is now back in print. The captivating novel introduces us to Saint-Germain, a charming gentleman and a vampire, who has been a prominent figure in Parisian society since the 1740s.
In this tale, Saint-Germain’s love for the young and passionate Madeline becomes the target of a group of wicked sorcerers who plan to sacrifice her soul. Will Saint-Germain be able to save Madeline from their clutches?
Read on to find out.
About the Author
Yarbro has been a professional writer for over forty years and has sold over eighty books, seventy works of short fiction, and dozens of essays, introductions, and reviews. She is also a composer of serious music.
Her writing career began in 1961-1962 as a playwright for a children’s theater company. By the mid-60s, she switched to writing stories and has been doing so ever since.
Before becoming a full-time writer in 1970, she worked as a demographic cartographer and still draws maps for her books and for other writers. She has an extensive reference library on various subjects, from food and fashion to weapons and trade routes to religion and law.
She constantly adds to her collection as part of her ongoing fascination with history and culture. She loves to read and is always searching for interesting people and places that could inspire her stories.
Yarbro has received numerous awards for her work. In 1997, the Transylvanian Society of Dracula knighted her, and in 2003, the World Horror Association awarded her the Grand Master award.
In 2006, the International Horror Guild enrolled her among their Living Legends, making her the first woman to receive this honor. In 2009, the Horror Writers Association gave her a Life Achievement Award, and in 2014, she won a Life Achievement Award from the World Fantasy Convention.
For forty years, Yarbro has been a skeptical occultist, studying everything from alchemy to zoomancy. In the late 1970s, she occasionally worked as a professional tarot card reader and palmist at the Magic Cellar in San Francisco.
She is also a skilled cook and seamstress.
Yarbro lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her two cats, Butterscotch and Crumpet. When she’s not busy writing, she enjoys attending the symphony or opera.
Her Saint-Germain series is the longest vampire series ever and covers a wide range of time and place. The books were not published in historical order but are numbered in published order.
Yarbro has used several pseudonyms, including Vanessa Pryor, Quinn Fawcett, T.C.F. Hopkins, Trystam Kith, and Camille Gabor.
Editoral Review
Htel Transylvania by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro is a classic horror novel that was first published in 1978. Yarbro is a highly acclaimed American author, most famous for her historical horror novels.
Htel Transylvania is the first book in a series of novels featuring the character of Saint-Germain, who is a vampire. The book is set in France in the late 18th century and follows the story of Saint-Germain, who owns the grand Htel Transylvania.
The novel explores the life of Saint-Germain and his interactions with the guests of the hotel, including a widow and her young son. As the story progresses, readers are drawn into the dark secrets that lie within the walls of the hotel.
One of the strengths of the novel is its historical accuracy. Yarbro draws on her extensive knowledge of the period to create a vivid, detailed setting that transports readers back in time.
The characters are also well-developed, with complex motivations and personalities. The pacing is perfectly balanced, with just the right mix of exposition and action to keep readers engaged.
However, the novel does have some flaws. The writing style is at times overly ornate, which can make it difficult to read.
The plot is somewhat predictable, with few surprises or twists. Overall, Htel Transylvania is a classic horror novel that is well worth reading.
Those who enjoy historical fiction or horror novels will find plenty to love in this book. It provides an interesting look at the world of vampires and is a great introduction to the Saint-Germain series.
While it may not be perfect, it is still an excellent example of the genre, and is highly recommended. I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars rating.