An interesting take on the story of Countess Erzsébet Báthory, accused of murdering hundreds of servant girls….or did she? Were there perfectly reasonable explanations for the deaths? Told from the perspective of her unknowing illegitimate daughter, The Nightingales Castle asks us whether Erzsebet Bathory if the Countess is indeed a murderer? Or a woman who cares deeply for those who rely on her, who is under siege by men who can’t handle the fact that a woman can be strong, independent, caring, and a great ruler, who’d like to steal her property and use the rumors to make a case against her.. I really enjoyed this perspective on the notorious Countess. The writing is great, the story compelling, the characters fascinating. I highly recommend this book!

Overall, it was interesting, but I'm not going to pick it up again. Gave this book 2.5 stars!

Synopsis:
1573, Countess Erzsébet Báthory gave birth to an illegitimate child. The infant, a girl, was swiftly bundled up and handed to a local peasant family to be brought up in one of the hamlets surrounding the castle. Many years later, 15-year-old Boróka reluctantly leaves the safety of the only home she has ever known in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. Trusted members of the countess's household have been sent out to gather new serving girls, and the kindly old man who has taken care of Boróka for almost all her life knows that it is dangerous to turn them away.

Boróka struggles to find her place at Cachtice Castle: she is frightened of the countess's reputation as an alleged murderer of young girls, and the women who run the castle are terrifyingly cruel. When plague comes into the heart of the castle, a tentative bond begins to form between Boróka and Countess Báthory. But powerful forces are moving against a woman whose wealth poses such a threat to the king: can the countess really trust the women who are so close to her? And when the show trial begins against the infamous 'Blood Countess', where will Boróka's loyalties lie?

This book is very character oriented. There's not much plot without the character motivation. It's usually my favorite kind of story. I love reading about human nature and motivations. For a book that's mostly about its characters, they felt very flat to me. There was no character growth. The book felt long and hard to get through in places.

Like a lot of people, I am fascinated by the story of Erzebet Bathory, the bloody countess! The legend is gripping and terrifying! This is a researched story about the real woman. A woman who had power and influence and the men in her life were afraid of her and got rid of her in the most bloodthirsty horrible way! But she never killed anyone! I truly believe this! The author did a great job making me believe this, even with the legend being so prominent!

I feel conflicted. I loved the history of the countess! But the story itself was written like a history book, not a fiction novel. It felt slow, meandering, like it couldn't figure out if it wanted to be a fiction story of a strong woman or a history book, and so I can't figure out its goal. Why was the author telling the story?

*Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

I believe this was yet another weird decision at a weird time - likely being spurred on by boredom and "read now" buttons.

As a lover of Elizabeth Bathory I was very excited to see novel coming out about her castle and the crazy events that surrounded her. Imagine being in 1600 Hungary and being employed by a beautiful and deadly countess. Imagine still having no other choice but to stay in the castle and navigate whatever darkness untangles itself around you.

This book takes a while to get into and I personally had to be in the right mood to read it. It demands a rainy and foggy night, a comfy blanket and the feeling of coziness that a truly gothic and spooky story deserves.

Thank you Netgalley, publisher, and author for the ARC!

This is a historical fiction based around the 1600’s. The Blood Countess is rising to her prime, hiring young girls who are never to be seen again.

If this sounds like something up your alley, definitely worth picking up!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for this ARC.

The book was a solid 3.25 for me.
The story itself was fascinating, it was a glimpse into what women went through and the lack of power that they had even if they had status, wealth, and legacy. I especially enjoyed the facts about the countess that the author included in their notes at the end. It was nice to be able to compare the historical evidence with what was written. This book was well researched and it shows, that was probably the thing I adored the most about this book.

I like historical fiction, the blend of fact and fiction is a beautiful dance that is spectacular if done right. Please do not get me wrong, I enjoyed this book and the concept was perfect. But the way that the chapters were written, it would take me out of the book and back to reality in almost every chapter because there were too many points of view. I started to get confused and lost on who was who. All this was intriguing, but it was too much to keep track of as the reader, it made me feel aimless. The book was well written and the author is clearly talented but the structure of the book is what I struggled with and why I rated it 3.25. The book did get better towards then and I immensely enjoyed the conclusion of the book.

Thank you to @Netgalley and @Harperperennial for the opportunity to read this ARC and give my honest review!

4 stars!

“It frightens me what lengths men will go to once a woman becomes . . . inconvenient.”

If you are a lover of gruesome history, whispers of strange rituals, and gothic atmosphere, you need to read this book ASAP! I love it when books that deal with historical topics read more like a fictional book than a history text, and The Nightingale’s Castle does not disappoint in this aspect. We follow a young girl named Boroka who is taken to be in service to Countess Erzebet Bathory, who Boroka soon finds out is the subject of many rumors and conjecture as to why young girls have gone missing and wound up dead in service to her. I don’t want to spoil the story (you can look up what history has said about the infamous Blood Countess easily enough), but I found myself both wanting to believe in the Countess’ innocence and questioning her true motives as the story progresses.

This little known historical figure and her mysterious life make for a gripping historical tale of just how far a woman can go in a man’s world. Prepare to be both intrigued and a little skeptical… but as they say, truth is often stranger than fiction, and sometimes you can’t help but wonder the truth of it all.

Title: The Nightingale's Castle: A Feminist Reimagining of Erzsébet Báthory

"The Nightingale's Castle" presents a captivating narrative that blends history, folklore, and feminist themes in a mesmerizing tale of power, betrayal, and redemption. Drawing inspiration from the infamous figure of Erzsébet Báthory, the "Blood Countess" of sixteenth-century Hungary, author [Insert Author's Name] delivers a propulsive story that will enthrall fans of historical fiction with its gripping portrayal of one woman's struggle for identity and agency.

Set against the backdrop of the Carpathian Mountains in 1573, the novel introduces us to Countess Erzsébet Báthory as she gives birth to an illegitimate child, setting in motion a chain of events that will shape the destiny of generations to come. The infant girl, Boróka, is secretly raised by a peasant family, ignorant of her true lineage until years later when she is summoned to join the Countess's household. As Boróka grapples with her newfound identity and the ominous reputation of her adoptive mother, she finds herself entangled in a web of intrigue and danger that threatens to consume them all.

What sets "The Nightingale's Castle" apart is its nuanced exploration of female relationships and agency in a patriarchal society. Through the perspectives of Boróka and the Countess, readers are invited into a world where women's lives are governed by the whims of men, and where survival often depends on forging unlikely alliances and challenging societal norms. As the threat of plague looms over the castle and political intrigue threatens to tear them apart, Boróka and the Countess must navigate treacherous waters where betrayal lurks at every turn.

The author's prose is rich and evocative, immersing readers in the sights, sounds, and smells of sixteenth-century Hungary. From the opulent halls of the castle to the rugged beauty of the Carpathian Mountains, the setting comes alive on the page, serving as a vivid backdrop to the unfolding drama. Likewise, the characters are skillfully drawn, with Boróka and the Countess emerging as complex, multifaceted figures whose motivations and actions drive the narrative forward with a relentless momentum.

In conclusion, "The Nightingale's Castle" is a mesmerizing blend of history, myth, and feminist storytelling that will captivate readers from beginning to end. With its compelling characters, richly detailed setting, and suspenseful plot, it offers a fresh perspective on the legend of Erzsébet Báthory while exploring timeless themes of power, identity, and the bonds that unite us all. Whether you're a fan of historical fiction or simply love a good tale of intrigue and suspense, this novel is not to be missed.

Hungary, 1610. A dark, gothic read based on true accounts of Countess Bathory who was accused of torturing young servant girls in her employ.
This was my second Sonia Velton novel after thoroughly enjoying Black Berry & Wild Rose, I was totally thrilled to read another one of her works and have also just purchased The Image of Her that I am looking forward to picking up soon.


Thank you to author Sonia Velton and NetGalley for a copy of this in exchange for my review.

First I love the cover! It really catches the eye! I enjoyed this book! I enjoyed getting to know the characters and the world! It's well written and entertaining! I will definitely be reading more by this author!

A mix of Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati, Weyward by Emilia Hart, and, oddly enough, a sprinkle of Nathaniel Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter; The Nightingale's Castle is an ambitious addition to the 'mythology retelling' genre. Most people probably know the story of the "Blood Countess" aka Elizabeth Báthory, but few take the time to research and understand the nuances of the tale. In The Nightingale's Castle, Sonia Velton proposes an alternative, albeit fictional, account that is entertaining, complex, and refreshing, especially considering this genre's redundant tendencies.

Stylistically, this book is very well executed. Velton tells the story through many different perspectives, including those of minor characters that provide clever insight into the actions and personality of the two main characters. These little inserts were the highlight of the book for me. My favorite was Marta, a "feeble-minded" woman who is tasked with caring for the bodies of the deceased. Her narrative voice is so distinct and pure, it is hard not to root for her despite her minimal "screen time." Having multiple POVs was a great decision by the author, especially since the main character's POV gets repetitive. For me, the choppy switches between POVs were often more enjoyable than not and made the book and its characters come alive.

An important disclaimer about this book is that it does not claim to be historically accurate, which is a relief---I've certainly been traumatized by "historical" retellings in the past. Most historians agree that Báthory and her accomplices did commit at least some of these crimes, a fact that should be kept in mind while reading. While I understand that these individuals are long deceased, we must not forget that Báthory's victims were real people with real lives. Nonetheless, as this book is a work of fiction, I'm not too troubled by the author's alterations, especially since she seems to genuinely respect the individuals upon whom these characters are based.

The plot was fine. The beginning is stronger than the end, which was disappointing, especially considering that the end was supposed to be the climax. Obviously, Velton is working with a pre-established plot, so it's hard to criticize the ending, and I think she makes the best of the material she was given. Because this is a work of fiction, Velton does take some artistic liberties with the plot, which at times amplified the story and at others muddled it. I truly feel Velton may have felt trapped by conflicting expectations of historical accuracy and the story that she wanted to tell. She walks a fine--sometimes wobbly--line between historical retelling and a new narrative. For example, there is a magical aspect in the book that is never explained and that should've been either removed or used more often. I would've loved if Velton leaned more into this fantasy aspect, as it is refreshing and unexpected. It is not Velton's fault that there is a disconnect between her creative additions and the historical narrative; instead, it is a limitation of the genre.

If you're curious about this book, don't let my borderline obsession with accuracy dissuade you. This is a fun read! The characters and their relationships with each other are interesting and, honestly, deserve to live outside of the strict framework that history has placed on them. Velton does Báthory's character justice, and although historians will continue to debate the countess' innocence, this story reminds us of female strength under persecution--a tale as old as time.

VERDICT: I would recommend this book to fans of Madeline Miller, people interested in true crime, and casual historians. It's an ambitious work that has considerable strengths despite its sometimes confusing plot. As long as you're not picky about historical accuracies and are in the mood for some female empowerment and a cool looking cover, this book is for you.

Rating: 3.5
Thank you NetGally and the publishers for this ARC!
Available July 30th, 2024.

This cover is stunning! The story is interesting and creepy. I only wish it was more about/more involved with the actual countess. I was excited to read it for the historical aspect and it ended up being more about other characters. But it's still a very enjoyable and intriguing story!

Title: The Nightingale's Castle
Genre: Historical Fiction
Expected Pub Date: July 30, 2024

I would like to preface this by saying I hadn't heard of the Blood Countess therefore I was definitely expecting something more along the lines of historical fantasy (possibly vampires 🩸) than historical fiction. That being said, I still quite enjoyed the story, once I figured out what was going on.
We read from the POV of basically all the main characters (like 7 characters) and it can become somewhat confusing at the beginning. I found the authors note at the end very interesting, I almost wish I'd read it first just so I'd have known better what the story was about. I appreciate the authors efforts to include facts from the actual story throughout, while still taking artistic liberties to make it unique.

This was a quick read for me, and I enjoyed her writing style. If I'm in the mood for a historical fiction again, I'll happily read her work.

⭐ 4/5

The book it itself is a page-turner. I loved the authors writing style and her play on words. "Beautiful things have always flinched form him, when all he wants to do is touch them, stroke them, love them."

I have heard of the infamous Elizabeth Bathory and was interested to see how this story could be twisted to feel "sympathy" for sure a cruel person. It was interesting to learn her servants were the main culprits in this perspective but I felt like it wasn't believable enough because I don't see how she couldn't notice the constant rotation of girls, the rumors, etc as well as the cruelty of Dorka and Ilona. Overall this book is perfect for readers that love a historical retelling and I would recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Perennial Paperbacks for the eARC.

For fans of historical fiction (especially from the 16th and 17th centuries) and fans of female centric retellings of famous tales, Sonia Velton's "The Nightingale's Castle" offers an exciting and intriguing premise . . . what if the famous tale of Elizabeth Bathory, the infamous "Blood Countess", we retold and explored from the viewpoint of the Countess herself and several of her servants? In "The Nightingale's Castle", Velton works to create a vivid tapestry of what daily castle life was like in Hungary in the early 17th century, and builds the background stories of several characters who surround Countess Bathory. As the tale unfolds, the author takes the reader through the history of the Countess, and slowly unveils the circumstances and plot that lead to the Countess being accused and punished for the murder and torture of hundreds of young girls from her estate. For years, history has falsely painted Bathory as one of history's first serial killers, based largely on "confessions" and false evidence given against her by parties with nefarious motivations, and as pawns by rivals who sought to discredit her and take her wealth. Velton offers up a well researched and executed historical narrative to explain what most probably actually happened, and offers a glimpse of the harsh times of that era, and how a strong and capable woman would have been seen as a threat by the spoiled nobility of that time.

Overall, I would rate this novel with three and a half stars, with Velton's gift for writing clearly evident with several engrossing passages and chapters. The characters are interesting and draw the reader in, and Velton's research allows her to paint a picture of the activities and realities of European castle life in the 1600's. Overall, the books strengthens as it progresses, with the last third some of the strongest narratively, and urging the reader to continue on to discover what happens next. The first third of the book works to set up the characters and introduce some of the roots of the plot, but at times some of the transitions are clumsy and may leave the reader a bit unmoored. But readers who stick with the novel are rewarded with a tragic tale based on this fascinating real life figure.

A definite for fans of Oliver Potzsch's "Hangman's Daughter" series, and for fans of historical reinvestigations of famous events from the point of view of the women involved. Definite recommend.

I mostly enjoyed this novel. It seemed well-researched and an interesting view. I think narrative from the characters was a bit weak at times but overall I thought the story was good

This was an interesting way to tell the story about a time of terror in the 16th century. The countess is an interesting woman, The unspeakable things that happened to these poor girls, and the legends that were born because of them… wow. I loved the characters, and thought the maternal relationship between the main girl was unique.

Thank you for the book! It was a slow start to the book, but I enjoyed it! The twists and turns were great! The pacing in the beginning was slow but got better after a third of the way through. Thanks again!

I was enthralled by the twist on this chilling account about Erzsébet Báthory, the so-called Blood Countess of Hungary, accused of heinous, murderous crimes against hundreds of innocent girls and women under her care.

In The Nightingale’s Castle, Sonia Velton fictitiously puts her spin on the mystery behind the horrifying accusations against Countess Báthory and her four accomplices that took place within the walls of Čachtice Castle.

A tale of intrigue unfolds as a young woman, Boróka, raised in obscurity, is thrust into Countess Erzsébet Báthory’s tumultuous world. Dark secrets surface and dangerous alliances are formed. Boróka is caught between loyalty to the Countess and survival as she navigates the workings behind the treacherous castle walls and the looming threat of the king's power.

This is a riveting account of power and betrayal; where loyalties are tested and alliances are formed as the fate of Boróka, the Countess, and other’s lives hang in the balance.

Be prepared to be captivated by this dark medieval tale that will send shivers down your spine.

I found the Author’s Note at the end intriguing as she shares further insight into her research.

Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers, for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Pub Date 30 Jul 2024

CONTENT⚠️
💋 Sexual content: Recounting of a baby out of wedlock, and an account of a closed door scene. No explicit detail.
🤬 Foul language: A handful of minor swear words.
💪🏻 Violence: Severe physical abuses against children, including starvation and threats of torture. Recounts graphic torture of women and children.