Book Review: States of Grace

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

States of Grace     Amazon US TPB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada TPB Amazon Canada HC
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Fantasy   Historical   Vampire   Horror
Series: Ragoczy, the Count Saint-Germain # 18
Tor, Sep 2005, $25.95

In the early sixteenth century Conte Franzicco Ragoczy di Santo-Germano lives a comfortable lifestyle in Venezia, but as the owner of Eclipse Press knows the Church and others spy on him and his mistress, composer Pier-Ariana Salier. However since he has strong connections to the papacy and the aristocracy and the money for bribes he is for the most part left alone. Because of problems in the Spanish owned Netherlands, Saint-Germain as he is known on the continent travels there to protect his business interests when his publishing firm and writer Erneste van Amsteljaxter are accused of heresy.

To his surprise Ragoczy finds himself attracted to Erneste and vows to keep her safe just like he does for his lover back in Venezia. However, a clever person learns the vampiric secret of Saint-Germain and much more that enables this thief to embezzle the vampire’s fortune. Upon coming home, he is accused of murder so with his loyal servant Ruggier the Conte seeks to uncover the identity of the agent who stole his fortune and has set him up to take the fall.

STATES OF GRACE is as much a great historical novel as it is the usual fantastic Saint-Germain thriller as the insightful story line provides a vivid window on early sixteen century Europe during a time of religious upheaval. Thus the “prime” plot involving the vampire trying to regain all he lost takes a back seat to the vibrant look at the publishing industry, heresy proclamations, and religious assaults on the papacy. Still, this is a fine tale with more historical background than most of the author’s backlist.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner

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