Sonia Velton’s The Nightingale's Castle treats us to a fictional look at the woman who was thought to be The Blood Countess, a serial killer in 16th century Hungary.

Erzsébet Báthory was the topic of many rumors, chief among them that she tortured and murdered as many as 650 young peasant girls from the area. She was also rumored to have bathed in their blood to maintain her youthful appearance.

Erzsébet was a young widow who inherited a great deal of land following the death of her husband. She didn’t want to remarry, to no longer be in charge of her own estates.

Did she really kill 650 girls, or any at all? Were any deaths that did occur explainable, but maybe not by 16th century medicine? Was there any truth at all in the rumors or was she a victim herself of the patriarchal society who wanted her lands?

This is an interesting look at a notable woman who was in no position then or now to fully defend herself. The Nightingale’s Castle gives us a glimpse into what life may have been like in the days, weeks, and months surrounding some of the deaths that supposedly occurred.

Historical fiction (feminist retelling) set in 1573-1600s Hungary. 🇭🇺 Velton questions whether the countess was truly to blame for the mysterious deaths of young girls or was it part of a bigger political plot.

The main character, Boroka is a lovable young girl, who exhibits strength of character and loyalty throughout the book. The story gives us a small glimpse into the life of a handmaid in the countesses presence. Overall, the cast of characters is actually quite large, consisting of heroes, villains and something in between. It lends for a realistic portrayal of people, but is frustrating and tragic.

I would recommend this book, however, it is slow and the description of torture is graphic.

“Think of it, Boroka, an aging widow managing her castles and estates as well as any man! A woman, past her usefulness bearing children, refusing to disappear! They consider me an affront to the natural order! "sometimes I think about that English queen Anne Boleyn. One minute she was the king's sweetheart, the next she was a witch, a whore who fornicated with her own brother." She turns back to Boroka and gives her a tremulous look. "It frightens me what lengths men will go to once a woman becomes ... inconvenient." — Quote from Chapter 15 “Melancholia”

Pub Date Jul 30 2024 | Archive Date Sep 24 2024
Harper Perennial and Paperbacks | Harper Perennial
General Fiction (Adult) | Historical Fiction | Women's Fiction

I remember the first time I stumbled upon the story of Erzsébet Báthory as a teenager. I was watching a horror movie about a video game where she was the primary antagonist, and it genuinely terrified me. After finishing the movie, I would occasionally return to researching the stories of the woman behind the legend. They were – and are- truly appalling!  

The Nightingale’s Castle seeks to change the narrative. It follows the stories of several people in and around Báthory’s circle, and it portrays her as a much less murderous individual. While we will probably never know the full truth of just who Báthory was, Sonia Velton did an excellent job at providing what appears to be a thoroughly researched, intriguing story that is perhaps not as tainted by the biases and moods of the men of Bathory’s time.

My only “meh” feeling about this book was that I could’ve done without the magical element that was introduced. It didn’t add much for me, and it honestly kind of took me out of the story whenever it was mentioned.  It didn’t ruin the read for me, but I just feel that the book would’ve been just as good without it. I know that some people will love it though!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I will be reading more by Sonia Velton when I'm able to.

Bathory!!!! 🩸🩸🩸The setting was so vividly portrayed that I felt like I was stepping into a different era with every page. The characters were fascinating and their journeys kept me hooked, even if the pacing had a few slow spots. Velton’s writing is both elegant and engaging, making the whole experience enjoyable. If you’re into historical fiction with rich details and captivating characters, this one’s a fun 4-star read!

Erzsebet Bathory, the Blood Countess, is a historical figure reviled for (allegedly) murdering hundreds of peasant girls and bathing in their blood.

But did she do it?

In THE NIGHTINGALE’S CASTLE, we’re introduced to an alternate version of Bathory, as a woman in power persecuted by the men who resent her.

I loved the premise of this story. The writing was good and held my interest. Ultimately, though, the execution fell a little short for me.

First, we have a lot of POV characters. I lost track of how many. I listened to the audiobook, which made it harder for me to keep up with the quick procession of characters. Bathory’s character remains in the background through much of the story, with the focus instead on the young women in her home.

Then we have a magical element that’s introduced late and not really explored. And that makes this book fantasy-adjacent, not really fantasy but also not plausible in reality. I needed to go deeper into that magic for the fantasy aspect to work, or to remove it altogether for a more realistic exploration.

I loved this book! The story of Elizabeth Bathóry has always captivated me and this retelling of the story from the main characters POV was so well done and kept me on the edge of my seat. This was a quick read with Interesting prose and a unique storyline.

Mixed Bag

I’m not sure how to even begin this review, as my feelings about The Nightingale’s Castle are decidedly mixed. I went into the book with high expectations, drawn by its intriguing premise and the promise of a feminist reimagining of history. While the novel delivers a richly atmospheric and thought-provoking narrative, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it fell short of its potential.
Sonia Velton’s story dives into the legend of Countess Elizabeth Bathory, reframing her infamous history with an alternative lens. This isn’t strictly a retelling; instead, Velton acknowledges her use of historical research to craft a narrative that interrogates the biases and power dynamics of the time. The result is a novel that challenges the reader to question how much of Bathory’s infamy was shaped by the lies men tell when powerful women threaten their positions.

Told in the third person from multiple perspectives, the story revolves around Boroka, a young servant girl whose complicated relationship with the Countess serves as the novel’s emotional core. Through Boroka’s eyes, we navigate a castle fraught with danger, whispers of magic, and buried truths. Themes of loyalty, family, and the destructive power of patriarchal fear thread through the narrative as Boroka seeks answers that ultimately reshape her understanding of herself and the world around her.
Velton’s research adds depth to the portrayal of Bathory, shedding new light on the trials of her alleged accomplices and casting the Countess in a more sympathetic, complex light. However, while the book is brimming with atmosphere and rich ideas, it doesn’t fully capitalize on them. The emotional depth and clarity I had hoped for felt elusive, leaving some threads unresolved and some moments less impactful than they could have been.

Still, for readers who enjoy alternative viewpoints on maligned historical figures or stories that blend feminist critique with elements of mystery and magic, The Nightingale’s Castle is a compelling choice. It offers a fresh perspective on the infamous Countess Bathory, even if it doesn’t entirely satisfy its ambitious premise. Ultimately, I enjoyed the book but wanted more from it. A solid 3 out of 5 stars.

I loved the cover of this book, it is just gorgeous. I absolutely loved the story was based on real events. The author also incorporated gothic fiction and murder mystery into the book and I think that was genuinely incredible. I would love to read more of this author. It was just truly amazing.

Admittedly, I don't read a lot of Historical Fiction. When I do, I prefer it to be of the Gothic variety, and luckily, that's exactly what I found here. I saw friends enjoying this, so of course, FOMO hit me like a ton of bricks and I wanted to read it ASAP. It wasn't a hard sell considering I'll read anything even remotely related to the legend of Erzsébet Báthory!

Legend names Erzsébet Báthory, a Hungarian noblewoman, as the most prolific female serial killer of all time. Her likeness and story have been reimagined countless times in fictional media, seemingly getting more bloody and brutal with each retelling. Sonia Velton put a much different spin on the story of the reputed Blood Countess. I've gotta say, I will never think of Báthory the same way again. This was so well done. Incredibly creative and if the Author's Note is any tell, extremely well researched.

I feel like Velton took great care with this story. I loved how it was developed and all pieced together. The characters were fascinating and the bits at the end containing portions of the trial were uber-compelling.

When Erzsébet was charged with her alleged crimes, four of her servants were accused alongside her as accomplices. In this novel, we meet those people closest to Erzsébet, her inner circle, and find out what life may have been like for them inside the castle walls. Our main focus is a young girl, Boróka, who is one of the most recent additions to the household. She quickly rises to be one of the Countess's most trusted companions.

This story builds with us learning about all these key players, as well as the Countess herself. There are some nasty people there. It's not surprising, once you get to know them, how this ultimately played out. It's rife with deceit, backstabbing and lies.

Even though this is a bit out of my comfort zone, I did truly appreciate what the author did here. I'm so glad I made time for this story and would absolutely be interested in picking up more from Sonia Velton.

Thank you to the publisher, Harper Perennial, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I would definitely recommend this to Historical Fiction and Gothic Fiction Readers, as well as anyone interested in the legend of Erzsébet Báthory.

Actual Rating 4.5

This book is advertised as being a “feminist reimagining” of the Bathory story – it’s been popular lately to advertise books as “feminist retellings” and they generally leave me disappointed and questioning if folks know what feminism actually is. But finally, truly, this is a book that feels worthy of making that claim. I’m a little ashamed to admit I never questioned the horrible tales and lore surrounding Bathory and instead accepted it at face value. But reading this work was like a “duh” moment for me – once again, I remembered that all recorded history is biased, especially true for older history that is less documented.

But on to the book itself. The author did an amazing job with the characters. The book is told in the third-person present, so we get to see the feelings and thoughts of several characters, though the work is focused on Boroka, a maidservant at the castle. Every character was well fleshed out and felt realistic, adding much to the story.

The setting was also excellently written. The time and setting came to life through all the little details incorporated, ranging from the food, to witchcraft, to cleaning linens. The amount of research the author did was quite evident and elevated the entire experience. I loved that there was a little magical realism woven through, just enough to add to the atmosphere. This book being based on the Bathory story, there are some dark moments and details incorporated throughout the book. They never felt overdone or gratuitous, but just keep it in mind that this isn’t a light or feel-good read.

If you enjoy slower historical fiction, actual feminist retellings, and the Bathory story, then this is a must read. My thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I have long thought of Elizabeth Bathory as this ruthless psychopath. But this author’s reimagining of Elizabeth Bathory’s life through a different lens (including some historically accurate information) has me rethinking her whole narrative. We are typically fed history through the eyes of men and rarely do we question it. It takes books like The Nightingale's Castle that allows us to consider an alternative point of view that is entirely feasible and historically sound. I would recommend this novel to anyone who is a fan of historical fiction, and I’m interested in reading Sonia Velton’s works in the future.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for access to an eARC in exchange for my honest review!!

what's it about? ⬇️

When Boróka and her adoptive father are approached one day by a man and woman who claim to work for the Countess Erzsébet Báthory and say that the Countess is in need of young girls from the outlying villages to come and work in her castle, Boróka hesitantly agrees to go along with them in order to better herself and her father for the future. What she doesn't expect, soon after arriving, is to discover that the women in charge of running the house for the Countess are incredibly cruel with the girls under their care. Between their violent care of their charges and the whisperings of the other girls and her own roommate about the Countess's murdering of so many of the girls who come to work for her, Boróka is understandably shaken and tries to keep her head down.

But when certain events bring her to the Countess's attention, Boróka is given the chance to get to know the woman in some small ways for herself. But as time drags on and Boróka grows closer with the Countess and the cruelty of her staff only worsens, what are Boróka and the other girls meant to believe of their own fates? And what is she meant to make of the beautiful box in the Countess's chambers that seems to show something different to each person who opens it, including a journal that seems to speak of a woman who may be Boróka's own mother and the events that led to their separation when she was still an infant.

When a sickness plagues the castle and takes the life of a noble girl and enemies and traitors line up to take the Countess down, what will become of Erzsébet Báthory and her staff? And will Boróka ever have the answers to all of her questions about her past and her future?

History has told us one version of events where the Countess is concerned, and many might be expecting those events in this text, but what we're given instead is a (thoroughly researched) look at a possible different version of these events and a different side to the Blood Countess made famous as the world's first female serial killer. Is this another case of male-driven narratives spinning the story against a strong woman in power? Unfortunately, we may never know for sure, but The Nightingale's Castle does provide a fresh and fascinating new perspective.

my thoughts? ⬇️

The structure of this book was a struggle for me at first with the way the point of view shifted consistently between different characters, but I have always been fascinated by the tale of Countess Erzsébet Báthory and I wanted to see the new perspective this book could give me. And while I did go in expecting to see more of the same violence I've grown used to in stories about the Blood Countess and was a little disappointed at first by the lack of it, I really loved this new look at the Countess's life and how things were twisted and taken out of context by a group of power hungry men who could not handle allowing her to have her own power.

The book read a bit slow sometimes, but all in all is was such an interesting spin on a story we've all been told in a completely different way, and it made so much sense. And I loved seeing the story from so many different points of view of the people surrounding the Countess, especially Marta because her perspective was so different from anyone else. For some, we got to see justice served, for others we saw mercy where it should have been given, and for some, lives were tragically lost and my heart broke, and all in all, it was such a fun, enlightening ride.

This is the kind of beautifully written and researched feminist take on a story I love to see, and it only makes me more and more curious to learn more about the Countess and what really happened in those final days, even if we probably never will.

based on you other likes? ⬇️

🩸 Fair Rosaline by Natasha Solomons - beautifully researched feminist shakespeare retelling.
🩸 The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Rein - a different side of the story of an misunderstood woman. fully fictional.

trigger warnings ⬇️

torture, murder, death, death of a child, child abuse, violence, injury/injury detail, blood, body horror, gore, epidemic, war, pregnancy, emotional abuse, physical abuse, confinement, mental illness, misogyny, sexism, religious bigotry, unjust trials.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks in exchange for an honest review.

I had never heard of the "Blood Countess" before this fascinating historical fiction take on her, but this book definitely made me want to know more. I left with the impression that she may have been somewhat cruel, but not likely the sadistic monster she has been made out to be.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Perennial for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Countess Bathory has always fascinated me and so this was a really intriguing book for me. How did a woman who likely just had too much power and money for the men around her to bear become the blood countess of serial killer fame we know today? This was a beautiful look at how that possibly could have happened and I loved that aspect of it. The writing was delightful and I really enjoyed my time in the book. However, a few of the individual’s backstories felt a little tacked on- extraneous and without much merit or need compared to the overall story.

The Nightingale's Castle is a great gothic fiction, mystery, historical fiction, fantsay. I loved reading about Bathory and how strong she is.

A castle looms in the distance and the owner, a glamourous countess, has asked for fair maidens from the surrounding areas to work for her. But this is not an ordinary castle and this was not a benevolent countess. The rumors say if you enter the castle, you will never return as the infamous Blood Countess Erzsebet Bathory will kill you and bathe in your blood. A rather gruesome tale that has been told for centuries, but how true is this story? What truly happened in the Countess’s castle and what was the countess like? Sonia Velton hopes to answer these questions in her novel about Erzsebet Bathory's life, entitled “The Nightingale’s Castle.”

I want to thank Harper Perennial and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I have heard about Elizabeth Bathory the Blood Countess, but just the dark tales about how she killed virgins and bathed in their blood to keep her youth. Sadly, I don’t know much about the woman herself and the circumstances around her life that made the charges around her so extreme.

We begin with a scene in the future from a court case where we see a mysterious girl listing the names of the accomplices who helped the countess, namely Janos Ficzko Ujvary, Ilona jo Nagy, Dorottya (Dorka) Szentes, and Katalin Beneczky. The mysterious figure also reveals that there is a ledger that she claims lists the names of every victim of the countess, which totals hundreds of young ladies. Then, we jump to the main story with two servants of the countess, Dorka, and Fickzo, looking for a new woman to work at Cachtric Castle, which they find in Boroka Libalany, the adopted daughter of the town doctor Jozsef. It is at the castle where Boroka meets another girl named Suzanna and the two girls form a sort of friendship as they work in the laundry.

Things seem to be going well for Boroka and Suzanna until they realize that there is something off about this castle. While Boroka meets Countess Erszebet Bathory and gets to interact with her court of young noble ladies, Suzanna sees the darker side of the castle. I do appreciate that each one of the accomplices of the countess gets their unique backstories on how they met Erszebet Bathory. As Boroka gets closer to the countess and earns her trust as a stand-in for her portrait by Valentino, she discovers an intricately craved box and a journal inside that tells the story of Boroka’s birth mother, however the context of the box changes for those who open it. While I do enjoy learning more about Boroka’s familial connection to the countess, the magical box element almost felt unnecessary as she could have easily found the diary in the countess’s library and it would have had the same effect for Boroka.

Finally, we get to see how the case against Erszebet Bathory and her accomplices occurred. Gyorgy Thurzo Count Palatine of Hungary joins with King Matthias of Hungary to create a case against the countess. We get to see the arrest of the countess and her accomplices, the trial, and the aftermath of this case on the entire cast of characters, but especially Boroka.

As this was the first novel that I have read set in late 16th/ early 17th century Hungary and that was about Erszebet Bathory “the Blood Countess,” I found this novel extremely engrossing. It was a haunting yet stunning story filled with so many twists and turns that I did not want it to end. If you want a riveting retake on the life of the infamous Blood Countess, I highly recommend you read, “The Nightingale’s Castle” by Sonia Velton.

The Nightingale’s Castle
Genre: historical fiction
Rating: 3/5 ⭐️

My deepest thanks to Harper Perennial for the Netagalley ARC!

The Nightingale’s Castle gives readers an insight into daily life in the court of Elizabeth Bathory, the infamous woman who was said to inspire Bram Stoker’s Dracula. According to legend, she murdered hundreds of young girls to use their blood for her beauty regimen. In reality, she was most likely the victim of being a woman in power surrounded by men who wanted her land and money and used slander to get it.

The story has a handful of POVs including the countess herself, three servants that were accused with her in historical records, and an original character who is brought to the castle as a new serving girl.

To be entirely honest, I was hoping for a spookier story given the subject matter, but instead we got a generous retelling to defend the countess to history and instead focus on the horrors committed by her servants of their own accord. [Relevant content warning: infanticide, sexual violence and cruelty]

Pros:
- Love a good historical fiction based on real female characters in history.
- I appreciated the interest shown to how precarious Elizabeth’s role in society was as a female land holder, surrounded by men who don’t believe women should hold power.
- This was clearly a passion project for the author, you can tell how much care went into weaving the historical record and research into the narrative and I can respect it.
- When the cruelty is described, it is done effectively without being gruesome just to be gruesome. You get a true feeling of dread because it doesn’t veer into cartoonishly villainous.

Cons:
- The POV characters were not quite fleshed out enough — once character in particular was implied to have multiple personalities but we never really saw that play a role in the story.
- It could have benefitted from either eliminating one of the POVs or making the story longer so we could get more page time out of each character.
- There’s a magicy storyline that I was not a fan of, but it technically served its purpose of finding a spot in the story for our original character.

What a well written book. I didn't know I needed to know more about the blood countess until I read this book.

The Nightingale's Castle: A Novel of Erzsébet Báthory by Sonia Velton is a gripping and thought-provoking dive into the chilling legend of the Blood Countess. Velton takes a unique feminist perspective on the infamous Hungarian noblewoman, blending gothic tragedy with a compelling argument about the historical narrative shaped by male power and prejudice. The novel excels in its atmospheric tension and character development, offering a fresh lens on the myths surrounding Báthory. The combination of a deeply immersive story and thought-provoking themes makes this a standout read, challenging preconceived notions and inspiring further exploration into the dark corners of history. A highly recommended read for fans of historical fiction and the darker side of human nature.

What a stunning historical fiction novel, about the very real Elizabeth Bathory, known as the “Blood Countess.” Sonia Velton’s take on the dubious circumstances of the Countess’s downfall is exquisite. Instead of a sensationalized account of a vampire, Velton explores the treatment of powerful, independent, intelligent, rich women, throughout history.

While this is a work of fiction, Velton incorporates and weaves known facts and players from the time into the story. Her carrying character, Boroka, is used to tie together the world of “upstairs” and “downstairs.” Again, Boroka’s existence is extrapolated from a supposedly real illegitimate child. However, the surrounding characters were very real people.

Velton highlights how hysteria, corruption, and the witch-hunt-mindset crucify women, historically. Bathory, a wealthy widow, who managed estates and a vast fortune, was an easy target for the men around her to manipulate a story about, and from which to profit. This is a much more likely explanation for the Countess’s downfall than the death of 600+ young girls.

The complicated female relationships throughout this novel were also expertly crafted. Whether it’s with other women, children, status, etc., Velton paints the complicated relationships women of the time faced with a masterful touch.

I would absolutely recommend this book to fans of historical fiction!