Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's regal vampire Ragoczy, the Count Saint-Germain, crushes our perceptions of the stereotypical bloodsucking, murderous vampire. Unlike his undead brethren Dracula and Lestat, Saint-Germain values life, and he is the very paradigm of humanity and tenderness.

In his long and sometimes overwhelmingly lonely life, Ragoczy has lived through France's 14th-century Black Plague (Blood Roses), Ivan the Terrible's bloody reign (Darker Jewels), and the First World War (Writ in Blood). In Communion Blood, Count Saint-Germain travels from Transylvania to Rome to help out a distressed friend. It is the 17th century, a time when the pope had absolute power, and his "Little House," (The Inquisition), was a law unto itself. A vampire would be viewed as the ultimate heretic, but Saint-Germain puts his own fears aside as he offers legal advice and support to his good friend and fellow undead Niklos Aulirios, who is involved in a bitter legal dispute.

For over 1,300 years, Niklos was the faithful manservant of Olivia Clemens, until she died the True Death. Although she bequeathed everything to Niklos in her will, a young German, Ahrent Julius Rothofen, has challenged the will. He claims to be a relative of Olivia's late husband, but the vampires know this "husband" was purely fictitious. Rothofen also happens to be part of Archbishop Siegfried Walmund's entourage, a powerful allegiance of men who use the church to further their political ambitions and personal wealth. These are not men to vex, particularly if one happens to be a vampire.

As she has done so well throughout her series, Yarbro weaves Saint-Germain's personal dramas into a larger historical picture. We learn much about the complicated politics and religious divisions of 17th-century Europe, and we are treated to a fascinating snapshot of the music, arts, and fashions of the era. This is all laced with enough horror, supernatural intrigue, and erotic vampire sex to remind us that Saint-Germain, despite his humanity, is really not of the natural world. --Naomi Gesinger


From Publishers Weekly
The tyranny of the Inquisition in 17th-century Rome leaves no one safe, especially those unfortunate enough to possess property desired by powerful members of the Roman Catholic Church. When she died 30 years ago, Olivia Clemens, an old friend of Yarbro's gentleman-vampire hero the Count Saint-Germain (Writ in Blood, etc.), bequeathed her estate to her loyal servant, Niklos Aurilios. Now Niklos's ownership of the ample lands is threatened by Ahrent Julius Rothofen, a member of Archbishop Siegfried Walmund's entourage. Rothofen claims to be a long-lost son of Olivia's husband, though in fact Olivia had no husbandAbut to reveal that fact would open her life to deeper scrutiny than Niklos and Saint-Germain will allow. Saint-Germain agrees to plead Niklos's case in court. He earns even greater enmity from the clergy when he shelters Cardinal Cavaleria y Vacamonte's runaway sister, who is trying to escape an arranged marriage to the archbishop's pox-ridden brother. While sidestepping threats from his enemies, Saint-Germain finds time to take a lover, the beautiful soprano Giorgianna Ferrugia, and to write her an opera with baroque composer Alessandro Scarlatti. As usual, Saint-Germain's vampirism forms only a minor footnote to the story. Yarbro's painstaking researchAdetailed in author's notesAyields a finely wrought tapestry of lives in grim historical context. The author captures vividly the brutality and greed that powerful Romans hid behind a facade of elegance and piety. Those new to the count, as well as his loyal admirers, will enjoy this richly textured tale of political intrigue spiced with hot blood. (Oct.) Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Answering a plea from an old friend for legal assistance, Ferenc Ragoczy, Count Saint-Germain, leaves his native Transylvania and travels to Rome. There, amid the pomp and decadence of 17th-century politics and manners, the immortal Saint-Germain finds himself embroiled in the ambitions of cardinals and nobles. Yarbro's latest installment featuring her compassionate and sophisticated vampiric hero offers a rich, detailed look at a complex time in Europe's history. With its appeal to both series followers and fans of period fantasy, this belongs in most dark fantasy collections. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
The latest of Yarbro's popular tales about the vampire Count Saint-Germain has a plot not too unlike that of several of the others. Saint-Germain is in late-seventeenth-century Italy after the true death of his beloved Olivia Clemens. Trying to settle her affairs as she would have wished, he has to fight fraudulent efforts to settle her estate on an imposter instead of on her faithful servant. Meanwhile, he inevitably runs afoul of the church, this time in the person of a cardinal who is scheming to increase the power of the Papal States and, on the side, abusing his sister. All this makes for quite lively reading in its own right, but the romance's real strength--again, not unlike that of other Saint-Germains--lies in the meticulously researched and vividly written depiction of a long-ago and largely long-forgotten time and place. Yarbro's books continue to prove delectable to the history buffs among fantasy readers. Roland Green


From Kirkus Reviews
Another difficult venture for Yarbro's saintly vampire, the Count Saint-Germain (Blood Roses, 1998, etc.). The Count's greatest friend and fellow-vampire, the late Atta Olivia Clemens, left her considerable estates to Niklos Aurilios, a vampire who served her faithfully for over 1,300 years. But in the Rome of 1689, blood heirs are regarded as paramount by the courts, servants are despised, and Ahrent Julius Rothofen, claiming to be a relative of Olivia's entirely fictitious husband, aims to seize Niklos's legacy. Of course the Count must travel to Rome to assist Niklos. But this is a time of great tension between the Roman Church and the mostly Protestant Holy Roman Empire (Rothofen is part of Archbishop Siegfried Walmund's entourage), the Inquisition is a law unto itself, and the Count will need all his considerable skills to help Niklos while avoiding exposure. Another impeccably researched, fully engaging episode in the Count's lengthy undeath. -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Book Description
Olivia Atta Clemens, Saint-Germain's love from the days of Imperial Rome, has died the True Death and left her lavish estates to her servant, Niklos Aurilios, but they have been claimed by a young noble who says he is the long-lost son of Olivia's dead husband. Saint-Germain may not be able to convince a court of Niklos's rights without revealing Olivia's true nature, and therefore, his own.



About the Author
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's interests range from music--she composes and has studied seven different instruments as well as voice--to history, from horseback riding to needlepoint. Her writing is similarly wide-ranging; under her own name and pseudonyms, she has written everything from westerns to mysteries, from science fiction to nonfiction history.

Yarbro's critically-acclaimed historical horror novels featuring the Count Saint-Germain, including Hotel Transylvania, A Feast in Exile, Communion Blood, and Night Blooming, have a loyal readership. Chelsea Quinn Yarbro has always lived in California and currently makes her home in the Berkeley area.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Olivia Atta Clemens, Saint-Germain's love from the days of Imperial Rome, has died the True Death and left her lavish estates to her servant, Niklos Aurilios, but they have been claimed by a young noble who says he is the long-lost son of Olivia's dead husband. Saint-Germain may not be able to convince a court of Niklos's rights without revealing Olivia's true nature, and therefore, his own.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

The tyranny of the Inquisition in 17th-century Rome leaves no one safe, especially those unfortunate enough to possess property desired by powerful members of the Roman Catholic Church. When she died 30 years ago, Olivia Clemens, an old friend of Yarbro's gentleman-vampire hero the Count Saint-Germain (Writ in Blood, etc.), bequeathed her estate to her loyal servant, Niklos Aurilios. Now Niklos's ownership of the ample lands is threatened by Ahrent Julius Rothofen, a member of Archbishop Siegfried Walmund's entourage. Rothofen claims to be a long-lost son of Olivia's husband, though in fact Olivia had no husband--but to reveal that fact would open her life to deeper scrutiny than Niklos and Saint-Germain will allow. Saint-Germain agrees to plead Niklos's case in court. He earns even greater enmity from the clergy when he shelters Cardinal Cavaleria y Vacamonte's runaway sister, who is trying to escape an arranged marriage to the archbishop's pox-ridden brother. While sidestepping threats from his enemies, Saint-Germain finds time to take a lover, the beautiful soprano Giorgianna Ferrugia, and to write her an opera with baroque composer Alessandro Scarlatti. As usual, Saint-Germain's vampirism forms only a minor footnote to the story. Yarbro's painstaking research--detailed in author's notes--yields a finely wrought tapestry of lives in grim historical context. The author captures vividly the brutality and greed that powerful Romans hid behind a facade of elegance and piety. Those new to the count, as well as his loyal admirers, will enjoy this richly textured tale of political intrigue spiced with hot blood. (Oct.) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

VOYA

The immortal vampire Count SaintGermain is back as he is called to seventeenthcentury Rome to help Niklos Aurilios, the servant of an old friend and fellow vampire, Atta Olivia Clemens. Aurilios has inherited Clemens's estate, but a German who wishes Clemens's wealth for his own is contesting her will. SaintGermain, posing as Ferenc Ragoczy, Abbe of Sanct' Parascesa and Count SaintGermain, must find a way to help Aurilios without exposing his true nature to the powerful Catholic Church. Communion Blood is a heady, intoxicating blend of historical fiction and subtle horror. Yarbro expertly mixes historical figures with fictional characters, painting a vibrant picture of seventeenthcentury Rome in all of its power, grandeur, and decadence. The plot is as baroque as the era in which the book is set. The author does not gloss over the darker aspects of the period, including the terror the Church could inspire and the horrific private sins committed by those who supposedly served God. Yarbro's tortured vampire hero may appeal to some of Anne Rice's readers, and the love scenes between SaintGermain and his paramour display some of the same lush sensuality for which Rice's vampire fiction is known. If you have older teens who enjoyed other books in this series, you will want to add Communion Blood to your library's collection. VOYA CODES: 4Q 2P S A/YA (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12; Adult and Young Adult). 1999, Tor, Ages 16 to Adult, 477p, $26.95. Reviewer: John Charles

Library Journal

Answering a plea from an old friend for legal assistance, Ferenc Ragoczy, Count Saint-Germain, leaves his native Transylvania and travels to Rome. There, amid the pomp and decadence of 17th-century politics and manners, the immortal Saint-Germain finds himself embroiled in the ambitions of cardinals and nobles. Yarbro's latest installment featuring her compassionate and sophisticated vampiric hero offers a rich, detailed look at a complex time in Europe's history. With its appeal to both series followers and fans of period fantasy, this belongs in most dark fantasy collections. Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Another difficult venture for Yarbro's saintly vampire, the Count Saint-Germain (Blood Roses, 1998, etc.). The Count's greatest friend and fellow-vampire, the late Atta Olivia Clemens, left her considerable estates to Niklos Aurilios, a vampire who served her faithfully for over 1,300 years. But in the Rome of 1689, blood heirs are regarded as paramount by the courts, servants are despised, and Ahrent Julius Rothofen, claiming to be a relative of Olivia's entirely fictitious husband, aims to seize Niklos's legacy. Of course the Count must travel to Rome to assist Niklos. But this is a time of great tension between the Roman Church and the mostly Protestant Holy Roman Empire (Rothofen is part of Archbishop Siegfried Walmund's entourage), the Inquisition is a law unto itself, and the Count will need all his considerable skills to help Niklos while avoiding exposure. Another impeccably researched, fully engaging episode in the Count's lengthy undeath.