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The Stuart Vampire
Henry Stuart, Duke of Gloucester, is the youngest brother of King Charles II and James, Duke of York. A handsome, good man, his life ends in 1660 with smallpox...or does it? Obsessed with Henry, Contessa Griselda di Cuorenero - one of the Devil's concubines - turns him into a vampire and plunges him into the world of night. Pacts with the Devil, massacres, plague, fire, witch trials, and the love of a lonely outcast from the sleepy village of Coffin's Bishop have an irrevocable impact on the young vampire. Henry must choose between his humanity and his monstrous, insatiable desire for human blood. From the author of "His Last Mistress," The Stuart Vampire is a gothic tale incorporating the real horrors of mankind in the Early Modern period, natural disaster, and the supernatural world.
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First published October 30, 2013
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About the author
Andrea Zuvich
8 books241 followersAndrea Zuvich (b. 1985) is an independent seventeenth-century historian and anthropologist specialising in the House of Stuart (1603-1714). Zuvich obtained degrees in History and Anthropology at the University of Central Florida and hosts the popular blog, 'The Seventeenth Century Lady'. An active user of X (formerly Twitter) since 2009 (as @17thCenturyLady) she created the well-received #StuartsSaturday hashtag, which was turned into a once-monthly live-streamed show: https://www.youtube.com/@17thCenturyLady
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/17thcentury...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/17thCenturyLady
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@17thcenturylady
Zuvich is also a historical consultant for TV, film, and radio (NTR Netherlands, BBC productions, BBC Radio 4). She most recently appeared in BBC Four's 'Charles I: Downfall of a King'. She has been a frequent contributor to various history magazines and has written for The Huffington Post UK, History Scotland, BBC History Extra, All About History, Britannia Magazine, and History of Royals.
She was one of the original developers of and leaders on the award-winning Garden History Tours at Kensington Palace and has written six books about the Stuart period, including 'A Year in the Life of Stuart Britain' and 'The Stuarts in 100 Facts'.
Zuvich is also a trained actress and professional voice-over artist, narrating audiobooks in various genres, and providing voice work for several mobile apps. Please visit her ACX page for more information: https://www.acx.com/narrator?p=A1DL0F...
Please visit her site at www.17thcenturylady.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/17thcentury...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/17thCenturyLady
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@17thcenturylady
Zuvich is also a historical consultant for TV, film, and radio (NTR Netherlands, BBC productions, BBC Radio 4). She most recently appeared in BBC Four's 'Charles I: Downfall of a King'. She has been a frequent contributor to various history magazines and has written for The Huffington Post UK, History Scotland, BBC History Extra, All About History, Britannia Magazine, and History of Royals.
She was one of the original developers of and leaders on the award-winning Garden History Tours at Kensington Palace and has written six books about the Stuart period, including 'A Year in the Life of Stuart Britain' and 'The Stuarts in 100 Facts'.
Zuvich is also a trained actress and professional voice-over artist, narrating audiobooks in various genres, and providing voice work for several mobile apps. Please visit her ACX page for more information: https://www.acx.com/narrator?p=A1DL0F...
Please visit her site at www.17thcenturylady.com
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
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August 2, 2019I can't rate my own book, but it has: violence, vampire violence, rape, gore, sex, torture, murder, supernatural terror, and is written in the style of The Monk and other gothic novels. It has characteristics typically found in classic gothic romances and I wouldn't recommend it for children or for those easily offended. It is also written in UK spelling. Thank you.
August 10, 2014
Find this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....
Andrea Zuvich's The Stuart Vampire was one of those titles. When I first stumbled across it, I wasn't convinced it was something I'd enjoy, but the idea stuck with me. I'd circle back to the book from time to time, but it wasn't until last week that I finally threw caution to the wind and picked it up.
For those who aren't familiar with Zuvich, understand she is a professional historian who specializes in the Late Stuarts of the Seventeenth Century. Why is this important? Well, I hate to point fingers, but few paranormal writers put the same emphasis on historic detail when blending these genres and ultimately, I feel the balance Zuvich created is what sets The Stuart Vampire above similar crossovers.
Is the book perfect? No. I noted the odd typo here and there and I wont deny wanting more from the story in terms of character development, but neither proved a significant deterrent in my overall enjoyment of the story. In point of fact, there is only one aspect of the piece that truly bothered me and that is the artwork.
Readers really do judge books by their covers and I mean no offense in admitting this, but if I hadn't read this author before, I wouldn't have risked buying the book. The current imagery simply doesn't pique my interest and after finishing the story, I don't think it does justice to the content either. It sounds ridiculous, but I actually spent a lot of time thinking something akin to the promotional material for 2004's The Libertine would make a more accurate and striking impression on potential readers.
An intriguing historical with a darkly gothic twist, I enjoyed The Stuart Vampire and would recommend it to anyone with a taste for period horror.
Andrea Zuvich's The Stuart Vampire was one of those titles. When I first stumbled across it, I wasn't convinced it was something I'd enjoy, but the idea stuck with me. I'd circle back to the book from time to time, but it wasn't until last week that I finally threw caution to the wind and picked it up.
For those who aren't familiar with Zuvich, understand she is a professional historian who specializes in the Late Stuarts of the Seventeenth Century. Why is this important? Well, I hate to point fingers, but few paranormal writers put the same emphasis on historic detail when blending these genres and ultimately, I feel the balance Zuvich created is what sets The Stuart Vampire above similar crossovers.
Is the book perfect? No. I noted the odd typo here and there and I wont deny wanting more from the story in terms of character development, but neither proved a significant deterrent in my overall enjoyment of the story. In point of fact, there is only one aspect of the piece that truly bothered me and that is the artwork.
Readers really do judge books by their covers and I mean no offense in admitting this, but if I hadn't read this author before, I wouldn't have risked buying the book. The current imagery simply doesn't pique my interest and after finishing the story, I don't think it does justice to the content either. It sounds ridiculous, but I actually spent a lot of time thinking something akin to the promotional material for 2004's The Libertine would make a more accurate and striking impression on potential readers.
An intriguing historical with a darkly gothic twist, I enjoyed The Stuart Vampire and would recommend it to anyone with a taste for period horror.
December 13, 2021
As a fan of historical fiction, The Monk and Anne Rice's The Vampire Chronicles, I will not cease raving about this book - it hit all the right notes!
Told beautifully, in a language most suited to the 17th century, and by a historian who is intimate with the Stuart period, this book could be described as The Monk meets Cinderella with a touch of Charlotte Dacre's Zofloya.
The prince charming in this tale happens to be Henry Stuart the Duke of Gloucester, who bedridden with smallpox does not die as history tells us, but instead is transformed into a vampire by a ruthless, self-interested Venetian vampiress in league with the devil. Griselda is her name and she is as bone-chillingly wicked as they come, offering us some of the best dialogue in the novel. Her cruelty and scheming in her quest for adoration and love reminded me of Zofloya's female protagonist.
One of the best passages in the book is when Zuvich introduces us to the inbred village where a Cinderella-esque Susanna grows up ill-treated and brutalised. I loved the sinister atmosphere that Zuvich's almost stoic voice manages to stir in those moments. The author's keen insights into the social condition, backwardness and hypocrisy of the villagers and how these factors will eventually lead to witchhunts artfully merges the gothic with the historical realities of the period.
Throughout the novel, Zuvich takes her heroine through much suffering and one really needs to be a fan of the horror genre to withstand it, but the climatic ending brings much relief and satisfaction.
When all the ghastly macabre scenes have passed, a beauty emerges that is both spiritual and touching. Susanna is a wonderful character.
Evocative writing, a gripping plot unfolding within a vivid historical setting, and an ancient vampiric movement all work splendidly together in a novel that ultimately celebrates the most precious force of all - love.
Told beautifully, in a language most suited to the 17th century, and by a historian who is intimate with the Stuart period, this book could be described as The Monk meets Cinderella with a touch of Charlotte Dacre's Zofloya.
The prince charming in this tale happens to be Henry Stuart the Duke of Gloucester, who bedridden with smallpox does not die as history tells us, but instead is transformed into a vampire by a ruthless, self-interested Venetian vampiress in league with the devil. Griselda is her name and she is as bone-chillingly wicked as they come, offering us some of the best dialogue in the novel. Her cruelty and scheming in her quest for adoration and love reminded me of Zofloya's female protagonist.
One of the best passages in the book is when Zuvich introduces us to the inbred village where a Cinderella-esque Susanna grows up ill-treated and brutalised. I loved the sinister atmosphere that Zuvich's almost stoic voice manages to stir in those moments. The author's keen insights into the social condition, backwardness and hypocrisy of the villagers and how these factors will eventually lead to witchhunts artfully merges the gothic with the historical realities of the period.
Throughout the novel, Zuvich takes her heroine through much suffering and one really needs to be a fan of the horror genre to withstand it, but the climatic ending brings much relief and satisfaction.
When all the ghastly macabre scenes have passed, a beauty emerges that is both spiritual and touching. Susanna is a wonderful character.
Evocative writing, a gripping plot unfolding within a vivid historical setting, and an ancient vampiric movement all work splendidly together in a novel that ultimately celebrates the most precious force of all - love.
December 8, 2013
I enjoyed the story and loved the gothic style, but oh, how I wish it had been proofread properly. Spellchecked, yes. Proofread, not so much.
Nevertheless, it was rompy good historical fun and I would read another one like it.
Nevertheless, it was rompy good historical fun and I would read another one like it.
February 23, 2015
The book cover has an influence of H.P. Lovecraft, Dracula- Bram Stoker and Frankenstein- Mary Shelley. More importantly, it has a gothic horror and gothic fantasy art filled with horrifying vampires and creepy medieval castles. I give this book 5 stars.
June 18, 2016
Ms. Zuvich has artfully blended history and the supernatural to craft the story of Henry Stuart, Duke of Gloucester, who did not die of smallpox (as history has led us to believe), but was turned a vampire by an evil mistress of the Devil. As someone who avidly reads both historical fiction and non-fiction (and is much taken with anything vampire), I eagerly dove into this book and didn't want to put it down until I had read every last deliciously macabre morsel. A mix of both evil and charming supporting characters plus a new twist on an old horror theme, I really enjoyed this book.
August 12, 2014
A great mix of historical fiction and vampires-what's not to love about this book?!
I enjoyed this book and it kept me hooked until the end with some great descriptions of a plague riddled London in the 17th centuary-I could almost smell it!!
The author obviously knows her Stuart history and I liked how facts were woven in with the secret,darker side of vampires roaming the streets! Adding vampires into the Stuart line makes for a great read!
I enjoyed this book and it kept me hooked until the end with some great descriptions of a plague riddled London in the 17th centuary-I could almost smell it!!
The author obviously knows her Stuart history and I liked how facts were woven in with the secret,darker side of vampires roaming the streets! Adding vampires into the Stuart line makes for a great read!
January 12, 2015
I just had to give this book a 5 star rating. Not only did it include well reseached history it also combined it with the dark atmospheric supernatural, the creatures of the night, the Vampire! The story had me gripped from the start, a breathtaking journey and a real page turner. A throughly and undeniably, excellent read.
October 15, 2014
The Stuart Vampire is a nice blending of historical fiction and supernatural fiction. It is, also, a really good start to new series of books that I really look forward to reading. It is dark and full of vampire lore. However, the author, Andrea Zuvich, has put a unique twist to the traditional vampire story.
In Ms. Zuvich’s vampire world, vampires are initially begotten by the Devil himself. But the Heavens don’t give up and reclaim many who have been unjustly begotten. I really enjoyed the conflict between the two sides. It is a true good versus evil story. This sets up a really interesting battle that will evolve in future books.
Henry and Susanna are a wonderful hero and heroine. They represent all that is good; but human flaws as well. Henry was turned against his will and must try to overcome what he has become. Susanna reminds him is humanity and what he must do to reclaim his soul. Susanna is an incredibly strong character who has faced and survived some serious horrific acts. But her love for Henry keeps her alive and strong.
The true villain of this story is Griselda. She is a nasty piece of work. She is psychotic and perfect for this book. She’s obsessive and truly insane. She will do anything to keep Henry to herself.
If you like supernatural fiction, then this book is a must read. It is dark, brooding and romantic. It will keep you engaged until the very last page; which I might add is quite the cliffhanger. I can’t wait to get the second installment. Thank you Ms. Zuvich for giving us a new vampire series that we can really sink our teeth into.
In Ms. Zuvich’s vampire world, vampires are initially begotten by the Devil himself. But the Heavens don’t give up and reclaim many who have been unjustly begotten. I really enjoyed the conflict between the two sides. It is a true good versus evil story. This sets up a really interesting battle that will evolve in future books.
Henry and Susanna are a wonderful hero and heroine. They represent all that is good; but human flaws as well. Henry was turned against his will and must try to overcome what he has become. Susanna reminds him is humanity and what he must do to reclaim his soul. Susanna is an incredibly strong character who has faced and survived some serious horrific acts. But her love for Henry keeps her alive and strong.
The true villain of this story is Griselda. She is a nasty piece of work. She is psychotic and perfect for this book. She’s obsessive and truly insane. She will do anything to keep Henry to herself.
If you like supernatural fiction, then this book is a must read. It is dark, brooding and romantic. It will keep you engaged until the very last page; which I might add is quite the cliffhanger. I can’t wait to get the second installment. Thank you Ms. Zuvich for giving us a new vampire series that we can really sink our teeth into.
October 24, 2014
This book is a rare amalgamation of historical fiction and straight up horror. It's a fairly short novel so is easy to finish rather quickly, yet at times I almost put it aside. What kept me reading was the interesting premise and the meticulous historical detail.
I found Griselda to be an horrific and unredeemable character, which is what the author intended, I'm sure. Just when I thought I couldn't take anymore of her over the top evil, the story shifts to Susanna's story and this was the part of the book that I found more developed character-wise. Susanna had a hard life beyond anything we could imagine. Her story shows very poignantly how precarious a woman's life could be in the 17th century.
There were some slight grammatical and spelling errors in the book, but I do not usually take that into account in my reviews. I prefer to focus on the story and how it was told. Again, The Stuart Vampire is very well-researched and the horror elements are fantastic. However, the story seemed more a narration (except for Susanna's part) than the characters' experiences coming through as a story. That being said, it's well worth the read for anyone who appreciates historical detail and/or a great horror story.
I found Griselda to be an horrific and unredeemable character, which is what the author intended, I'm sure. Just when I thought I couldn't take anymore of her over the top evil, the story shifts to Susanna's story and this was the part of the book that I found more developed character-wise. Susanna had a hard life beyond anything we could imagine. Her story shows very poignantly how precarious a woman's life could be in the 17th century.
There were some slight grammatical and spelling errors in the book, but I do not usually take that into account in my reviews. I prefer to focus on the story and how it was told. Again, The Stuart Vampire is very well-researched and the horror elements are fantastic. However, the story seemed more a narration (except for Susanna's part) than the characters' experiences coming through as a story. That being said, it's well worth the read for anyone who appreciates historical detail and/or a great horror story.
October 21, 2014
If anyone could bring a member of the royal Stuarts into the world of the undead, it would be Andrea Zuvich. She wrote the wonderful His Last Mistress and is a 17th century historian.
This story works really well, and is a quick read. I did feel that Ms Zuvich might have been a bit out of her element here. I wanted to really get into the heads of the main characters, Henry, Griselda and Susanna, but that didn't happen, though their stories were completely fleshed out.
Andrea pays great attention to detail when it comes to the lives of the Stuarts. She keeps their timelines as they ought to be, which makes this a very interesting story, a bit of history as well as the paranormal.
I also liked her take on the vampire myth. (Henry and Co. don't sparkle! Thank gods!) I particularly liked that all vampires aren't evil some serve Satan while some serve The Other.
It was a quick read and I'm hoping that with the way the story ended, that there might be another installment in the works.
This story works really well, and is a quick read. I did feel that Ms Zuvich might have been a bit out of her element here. I wanted to really get into the heads of the main characters, Henry, Griselda and Susanna, but that didn't happen, though their stories were completely fleshed out.
Andrea pays great attention to detail when it comes to the lives of the Stuarts. She keeps their timelines as they ought to be, which makes this a very interesting story, a bit of history as well as the paranormal.
I also liked her take on the vampire myth. (Henry and Co. don't sparkle! Thank gods!) I particularly liked that all vampires aren't evil some serve Satan while some serve The Other.
It was a quick read and I'm hoping that with the way the story ended, that there might be another installment in the works.
April 10, 2014
An easy, quick read that's enjoyable. The author's knowledge and passion for the period really shines through. I don't read much fiction, but this is the second book I've read by the writer and enjoyed. There's a bit of fantasy, a bit of romance, and a good amount of history. Be advised it is a story about vampires, so there is a bit of blood and gore, but it is in no way gratuitous. Would recommend!! :)
January 10, 2014
I thought this was better written than Zuvich's first novel, and I thought that was good. It was a little violent in some places, but I enjoyed the end on this one.
December 16, 2014
I really enjoyed this gothic novel. It read like a narrative with minimal dialogue and yet it worked. Loved all the juicy vocabulary words: obfuscated, insalubrious...oooh!
March 29, 2025
The Stuart Vampire is a very written, gripping tale as I couldn't put this book down despite being the first gothic horror novel I've ever read.
This gothic tale includes the supernatural world and the real horrors of mankind such as violence, rape, gore, torture and murder, during 17th Century England along with plague, fire, superstition, witch trials and civil war.
Henry Stuart, Duke of Gloucester, King Charles II's youngest brother is a handsome young man with sound principles who dies from smallpox, aged 20. Or does he?
One of the Devil's concubines, the beautiful and heartless Contessa Griselda di Cuorenero, obsessed with Henry turns him into a vampire and plunges him into a world of darkness.
He must choose between goodness, compassion and gentleness or his insatiable desire for human blood.
Part of this novel reminded me of Beauty and the Beast as he falls in love with a lonely outcast, but will true love prevail?
A difficult choice between good and evil, but which one will win in the end?
Not recommended for anyone with weak stomachs or children.
This gothic tale includes the supernatural world and the real horrors of mankind such as violence, rape, gore, torture and murder, during 17th Century England along with plague, fire, superstition, witch trials and civil war.
Henry Stuart, Duke of Gloucester, King Charles II's youngest brother is a handsome young man with sound principles who dies from smallpox, aged 20. Or does he?
One of the Devil's concubines, the beautiful and heartless Contessa Griselda di Cuorenero, obsessed with Henry turns him into a vampire and plunges him into a world of darkness.
He must choose between goodness, compassion and gentleness or his insatiable desire for human blood.
Part of this novel reminded me of Beauty and the Beast as he falls in love with a lonely outcast, but will true love prevail?
A difficult choice between good and evil, but which one will win in the end?
Not recommended for anyone with weak stomachs or children.
February 17, 2020
Wonderful story! It's almost a mix of stories by Anne Rice, Beauty and the Beast, and a sort-off Grimms version of Cinderella with some historical fiction tossed in. Heed the trigger warnings on this book.
August 29, 2025
i liked how matter-of-fact the book read. the ending was a little corny so i think that knocks it down a little but overall i had a great time reading! 3.5
March 21, 2015
The Stuart Vampire by Andrea Zuvich is a Gothic vampire story with an historical background. It focuses on Henry Stuart—youngest brother of King Charles II. Henry died at the age of 20 of smallpox, and that is the starting point for Ms Zuvich’s story. She postulates that just before his death, he was made a vampire for Countess Griselda di Courerno—a vain and cruel vampire in search of a mate.
When the Vampire Council in Constantanople discovers this, Griselda is sent to Purgatory for seven years, leaving the young vampire to fend for himself.
Ms. Zuvich follows the legend of the vampire as established by Bram Stoker and mostly used by Anne Rice fairly closely. However, she adds a few touches of her own. She introduces the concept of vampires who are “good” and children of the light rather than of the darkness. While alone, Henry gravitates back to London which is in the throes of a plague. He discovers blue-eyed vampires there working among the plague doctors. Their goal is to drink the blood of those who are suffering and to try and contain the plague. Henry feels the same way, and that is what he has been doing.
At this point, she introduces a new strain of the plague that creates people who become cannibalistic – “zombies”. This is an interesting idea, but this is the weakest link in the book. The zombies are defeated within a single page of the book with very little detail. It would have been better to leave it out completely and focus more on the efforts to end the plague.
With Griselda still away, Henry falls in love with Susanna—a young peasant girl—but he is determined not to make her a vampire. Eventually they marry—with Susanna still human. But Griselda returns and starts a chain of events that leads Henry to the difficult choice regarding Susanna’s mortality.
This was a good story. The author clearly knows a lot about the period in which she writes. There are even scenes that take place in the Renaissance and in Victorian England. The detail makes the story more interesting to read. And the surprise twist at the end is a good one. I recommend this book to vampire story lovers. You will enjoy it.
I won this book on Goodreads.
When the Vampire Council in Constantanople discovers this, Griselda is sent to Purgatory for seven years, leaving the young vampire to fend for himself.
Ms. Zuvich follows the legend of the vampire as established by Bram Stoker and mostly used by Anne Rice fairly closely. However, she adds a few touches of her own. She introduces the concept of vampires who are “good” and children of the light rather than of the darkness. While alone, Henry gravitates back to London which is in the throes of a plague. He discovers blue-eyed vampires there working among the plague doctors. Their goal is to drink the blood of those who are suffering and to try and contain the plague. Henry feels the same way, and that is what he has been doing.
At this point, she introduces a new strain of the plague that creates people who become cannibalistic – “zombies”. This is an interesting idea, but this is the weakest link in the book. The zombies are defeated within a single page of the book with very little detail. It would have been better to leave it out completely and focus more on the efforts to end the plague.
With Griselda still away, Henry falls in love with Susanna—a young peasant girl—but he is determined not to make her a vampire. Eventually they marry—with Susanna still human. But Griselda returns and starts a chain of events that leads Henry to the difficult choice regarding Susanna’s mortality.
This was a good story. The author clearly knows a lot about the period in which she writes. There are even scenes that take place in the Renaissance and in Victorian England. The detail makes the story more interesting to read. And the surprise twist at the end is a good one. I recommend this book to vampire story lovers. You will enjoy it.
I won this book on Goodreads.
August 18, 2024
It was fun to read but it has some very violent and graphic parts
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