Kiran Millwood Hargrave’s novels never fail to disappoint – I eagerly snap up her books whenever I see them – and this dark gritty, tale about the two sisters destined to become the brides of Dracula is no different. The Deathless Girls will have you transported to ancient Romania, a dangerous land of castles, forests, and bears ruled by ruthless boyars.
Born under a blood moon, Lil and Kizzy know that their fate will be unusual, but on the eve of their divining day, when the seer of their Traveller community is due to read their fates, their camp is attacked by soldiers from the settled community and many of their people murdered. The girls are enslaved and brought to work in the kitchens of the cruel Boyar Valcar.
But even worse than the fate of a slave are whispers of the Dragon, a dark lord in the north – rumoured to take girls as gifts….
The brides of Dracula may only exist in the background of Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, but here Kiran Millwood Hargrave puts them full centre stage in a captivating tale of strength, love and sisterhood.
Fierce, feminist and brimming with gothic vibes… a darkly beautiful origin story of two of literature’s most mysterious women – make sure to add The Deathless Girls to your list!
Read my other book recommendations here.
Shoutout to Bellatrix: a new collection of Hachette books focusing on the stories of women, which so often go untold, mis-told or unheard. Find out more here.
Intrigued about Romania? Read my travel guides here.
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