Darker Jewels

Le Comte de Saint-Germain is many things: alchemist, ambassador, lover - and the most seductive vampire since Dracula himself. Throughout countless centuries, he has brought passion and adventure to many exotic historical eras, as well as to an ever-growing following of devoted fans and readers. Darker Jewels reveals for the first time a dramatic and powerful chapter in the immortal existence of Saint-Germain.In the sixteenth century, the mysterious and isolated empire of the Russias is ruled by Ivan IV, better known as Ivan the Terrible. In a violent fit of rage, he has just murdered his oldest son. Now driven nearly insane by guilt, Ivan is obsessed with the mystical properties of the jewels he prays can relieve his conscience. But while Ivan goes mad, the Russian court is in an uproar, and neighboring lands fear for their own security.Into this maelstrom of intrigue, treachery, fear, and superstition, King Stephan Bathory of Poland has sent as his personal envoy none other than the Count Saint-Germain. Only Saint-Germain's alchemical skills can provide Ivan with the unearthly jewels he craves, and only a being with Saint-Germain's infinite experience and wisdom can hope to negotiate the dangerous undercurrents running within Ivan's court. But the one thing this ageless vampire never expected to find in old Moscovy is love and passion with the beautiful Xenya Evgeneiva - the woman who would become his wife.

From Publishers Weekly

In her rich and complex tale of the further wanderings of the immortal vampire known as Ferenc Rakoczy, Hrabia (Count) Saint-Germain, Yarbro ( Ariosto ) brings to vivid life the dark and bloody 16th-century court of Ivan IV or, more commonly, Ivan the Terrible. In an attempt to gain Russian aid in the war against the Turks, the Polish king Istvan Bathory sends Rakoczy to Moscovy, hoping the count's alchemical skill will win over the half-crazed czar. Despite Russian xenophobia and almost hysterical efforts to discredit him by his fellow envoy, Jesuit Father Casimir Pogner, Rakoczy initially advances in his objective, even marrying a Russian noblewoman at the czar's behest. After Ivan's death, however, the count finds himself in the midst of fierce intrigues over control of the feeble-minded czarevitch Feodor due to his friendship with the half-Tartar regent Boris Godunov. Underlying this absorbing and historically accurate work is a deep melancholy, reflecting both the immortal vampire's lost past and the tortured workings of the Russian soul. Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Yarbro's protagonist, Ferenc Rakoczy--the Count Saint-Germain--is a sympathetic vampire, not a monster. He resembles other recent portrayals of vampires as urbane, cultured gentlemen persecuted by society because of their "blood." They also have a great deal of sex appeal, and their victimization of women is as much sexual as parasitic. Yarbro's newest book about the Count, part of a series that includes Out of the House of Life ( LJ 11/15/90), Blood Games ( LJ 2/1/80), and Hotel Transylvania ( LJ 11/15/78), is set in Russia during the reign of Ivan the Terrible. At this time, the country is extremely distrustful of strangers from the West, who arrive seeking trade opportunities. The czar dominates all aspects of daily life, even forcing the Count to marry a local girl. Throughout this adventure, the Count maintains his appearance as a civilized gentleman, despite the minor slights and great cruelties visited upon him. He is an endearing character, and this entertaining read is recommended for most public libraries.- Kathy Armendt Sorci, ITT Research Inst., Annapolis, Md.Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Another of Yarbro's historical fantasy novels about the immortal vampire Count Saint-Germain (Out of the House of Life, 1990, etc.). Here, in 1586, Istvan Bathory, the Transylvanian King of Poland, disturbed by the threat of the Ottoman Turks to the south, sends an embassy to Czar Ivan (the Terrible) of Russia, with a view to exploring a possible alliance. The embassy will be led by Istvan's fellow-countryman Ferenc Rakoczy (Count Saint-Germain) and will include eight Catholic priests headed by the grim, suspicious Father Pogner. Rakoczy, thousands of years old and with many acquired skills, practices alchemy to create the dark gemstones that please the Czar--the latter unfortunately has gone mad with grief and guilt after he killed his eldest son in a fit of rage. As the Russian nobles plot against the Czar and each other, and attempt to subvert the Polish embassy, Rakoczy finds it increasingly difficult to conceal his true nature; yet, forced by the Czar's order to wed Xenia, a disgraced and traumatized Russian noblewoman, he expends infinite care and tenderness upon her. Finally, after Ivan dies and is succeeded by his half-witted son Feodor, Rakoczy is unable to prevent the triumph of his enemies. Excellent on intrigue and period detail, far less convincing on consequences and action. Overall: dense, intermittently absorbing, less than fully satisfying. -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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