The Court of Shadows

Vampyria Saga, Book 1

By: Victor Dixen, Françoise Bui - translator

Narrated by: Carlotta Brentan

“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

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

weird..

I cant stand how weak and stupid the MFC is and how the narrator makes it sound like everyone is about to cry. Good thing it was free

Interesting but painful narration

I really hated the voice actress, but the story was awesome. I also wish that the story hasn’t jumped so quickly with the love triangles

Story, world building

Very nice story, not traditional vampire lore, nice political intrigue. Hope the action increases on the second book, and love that is not overly sexual

great book

a must go to read!!!!!!! would be a great movie!!!!! please do this book a justice.

A Bloody good book

An interesting spin on 18th century court making nobles even more powerful. Like most blood thirsty aristocrats, this story makes it quite literal making many vampires ruled by a powerful King who has ruled for centuries as the first vampire. Mix in disgruntled commoners who want justice, you see how they try to manipulate the courts. Some work I their favor, others… not so much. Great read for spooky season.