Vlad: The Last Confession

A superb gothic novel about the real Dracula, Vlad the Impaler - one of history's greatest psychopaths or a hero of the West? Perhaps both...
'A chilling masterpiece that weaves fact and fable. Bedtime reading? Only if you don't need much sleep...' BEST

DRACULA. A name of horror, depravity and the darkest sensuality.

Yet the real Dracula was just as alluring, just as terrifying, his story not of a monster but of a man - and a contradiction. For the one they called 'The Devil's Son' was both tyrant and lawgiver, crusader and mass slaughterer, torturer and hero, lover and murderer.

His tale is told by those who knew him best. The only woman he ever loved, who he must sacrifice. His closest comrade and traitor. And his priest, betraying the secrets of the confessional to reveal the mind of the man history would forever remember as Tepes - 'The Impaler'.

But Vlad's actions defy such labels. His extraordinary life burns with passion, taking him from his years as hostage to the Turk, through torture, battle, triumph and betrayal, ultimately to a last crusade - there perhaps, beneath the twin banners of the Dragon and the Cross, to find redemption for his innumerable sins.©2020 Chris Humphreys (P)2020 Orion Publishing Group

Fascinating Narrative

C. C. Humphreys has written a compelling story of a warrior leader we mostly know of from his enemies and exaggerated hearsay accounts created as myths and tales to frighten children.

Undoubtedly Vlad was a cruel determined leader in an age where a leader had to be if he were to survive. Although the author doesn’t dive too deep into motivations, Vlad’s actions are understandable (although his ruthless methods are horrifying) and the story rarely slows when he’s around.

C. C. Humphrey’s story of the fall of Constantinople (A Place Called Armageddon) is still my favorite - look for it! - but this is a close second.

Weird twist

It was fine until the author made Vlad gay. Or I guess you could say bisexual. I probably won’t be picking up any more of the authors books now.