In the dark recesses of historical lore, the name Erzsébet Báthory casts a long shadow, synonymous with tales of horror and bloodshed. Sonia Velton’s "The Nightingale's Castle" offers a fresh, feminist reimagining of this infamous figure, blending elements of suspense and fantasy to craft a gripping narrative set against the backdrop of 16th-century Hungary. The novel introduces Boróka, a young woman thrust into the orbit of the enigmatic Countess, whose reputation for cruelty and violence precedes her. As Boróka navigates the treacherous corridors of power and intrigue within the Countess’s household, she grapples with questions of loyalty, morality, and the true nature of justice.

Velton’s portrayal of the characters, particularly the complex dynamics between Boróka and the Countess, is a masterstroke of storytelling. Through vivid prose and meticulous attention to historical detail, she brings to life a world steeped in superstition and fear, where women wield both power and vulnerability in equal measure. The exploration of trauma and abuse resonates deeply, offering readers a thought-provoking examination of the human condition and the lengths to which individuals will go in the pursuit of power and self-preservation.

At its core, "The Nightingale's Castle" is a tale of resilience and redemption, woven with threads of darkness and hope. Velton’s deft narrative hand guides the reader through a labyrinth of secrets and betrayals, culminating in a climax that is as thrilling as it is poignant. Despite its grim subject matter, the novel ultimately leaves a lasting impression of courage and compassion, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there is light to be found in the unlikeliest of places.

Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for e-ARC of this book!
Available July 30th, 2024.

Brilliantly written historical fiction. I know that this is a retelling of actual historical events but the way the characters are portrayed is excellent. All the characters are very compelling. The story writing is really engaging, and very immersive. I loved Boroka. She is such a beautiful character amidst the darkness of death and torture. I didn’t know anything about this historical character before so I really enjoyed learning about her from this retelling of her story.

This was a great Gothic read! I've read a little about the real Elizabeth Bathory but I really love what Sonia Velton did with her character. I did get a bit lost with following all the different characters in the beginning but that got easier as the plot went on. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and all the historical details. It really felt grounded in that time period. I'll definitely pick up more books from her in the future.

The story tells the early seventeenth century tale of Hungarian Countess Erzsébet Báthory, the infamous "Blood Countess" who according to legend killed hundreds of her young female servants.

The story is retold and explored from the viewpoint of the Countess herself and several of her servants, and offers a different explanation of the myths that have been told for hundreds of years.

Velton spins several threads of the story to start with, the transitions of which could be a little confusing - I found myself wondering what was going on a few times, but it was satisfying when those threads were all brought together.

I enjoyed the omniscient narration and the ability to hear the thoughts and feelings of so many of the women involved, especially exploring the complexities and actions of broken people who had suffered trauma and pain in their pasts. I especially enjoyed the explorations of power in a patriarchal society and how women were used and abused by this imbalance across society and across generations.

A content warning - I didn’t know about the Blood Countess beforehand so went into the story blind - it is gruesome! There is death, torture and cruelty. I am squeamish and easily scared so keep that in mind if you are too. If you love horror and dark, gothic themes I am sure you’ll love the growing tension and macabre scenes. It will certainly keep you turning the pages to find out what happens!

I will publish the review on Instagram on the 28th April.

This was a true historical novel! Before starting this book I never knew this story existed so I wasn't that prepared for a retelling but I enjoyed it! The writing style itself was good but I struggled with the amount of different characters. It was hard to keep track of them. But I loved the world building and how the story was structured.

"The Nightingale's Castle" by Sonia Velton is an excellent "true telling" of the Blood Countess' story. Having grown up watching Hammer Horror films, I was well aware of the legendary story of the Blood Countess who allegedly kept her youth by bathing in the blood of virgins. The scene setting at the beginning of the story did remind me of some of the Hammer Horror scenes (not in a bad way) but as we got to know Boroka and the other characters those memories of the film faded into the background as the powerful plot took over. What an injustice to Erzebet Bathory - the hearsay, rumours and false accounts of those around her made the legend stick but we can see it from her side and how lies can stick. Another excellent story from Sonia Velton. I will continue to be a fan of her varied work.

An in depth novel based on true historical facts- my favourite genre! This is a book to read slowly and savour, as there are many characters and the writing is detailed. I had never heard of this ‘blood countess’ before which made this book even more interesting. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to review.

The Nightingales Castle by Sonia Velton
Out 02 May 2024

This story is about the Countess Erzebet Bathory: a prolific serial killer. She was a Hungarian who was alleged to have murdered hundreds of young girls in the 16th/17th century.

Before starting this book, I had never heard of Bathory. Halfway through, I googled her so I could know more about her history. I found this historical fiction an interesting take on what possibly could have happened. Bathory comes across as a formidable force in an era when men ruled. She seemed caring and looked after those who were loyal to her. Bit of an evil streak to those who needed discipline.
Boroka is the other character in this story that we learn about. She is kind, gentle, and caring towards people and dedicated to her duties towards Bathory.

There are a lot of characters to keep up with, which I struggled with a little. As did I with the pronunciations of names and places. It didn't take anything away from the story it is beautifully descriptive in places and easy to read with its short chapters.

I would recommend this to lovers of historical fiction or who have an interest in Bathory herself. It has a touch of magic and witchcraft, too.

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4.5
You know I love a 'retelling' and this was no exception. This tells the story of Elizabeth Báthory, a real life figure, often referred to as the Blood Countess. Its a case of do you believe she really was a blood thirsty Countess who bathed in the blood of young virgin girls for eternal youth, or was she a rich, powerful, independent woman who history villainised. Based on this book, I personally believe the latter.
I really enjoyed how the POV flowed between the various people within the castle as it gave more perspective. I think the twist at the end was so well done and we got teasers of it all throughout.

Thank you Netgalley and Little, Brown for the arc!

This was an incredibly good novel, I was fascinated from the start by the story of the Countess Bathory. I found it a brilliant read and would recommend it highly.

I picked this up without reading the blurb, the author alone was enough to attract me.
I was very excited to then find it's a story about Erzsébet Báthory, who is famous for having killed and tortured hundreds of virgins, and bathed in their blood.
This book goes back to the facts snd gives a slightly different account.
With a touch of witchcraft and magic thrown in, it was a fascinating read.
The afterword puts everything into place, so definitely don't skip that.
An incredibly good read.