American edition (Amazon Crossing) - cover by Colin Verdi.

THE COURT OF SHADOWS

Vampyria BOOK 1

“Victor Dixen excels at concocting unexpected detours and jaw-dropping cliffhangers. Anne Rice fans will be especially enthralled.”

—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

A fiery heroine seeks vengeance against a royal court of deadly vampires in this epic alternate history set in lavish Versailles.

Louis XIV transformed from the Sun King into the King of Shadows when he embraced immortality and became the world’s first vampire. For the last three centuries, he has been ruling the kingdom from the decadent Court of Shadows in Versailles, demanding the blood of his subjects to sate his nobles’ thirst and maintain their loyalty.

In the heart of rural France, commoner Jeanne Froidelac witnesses the king’s soldiers murder her family and learns of her parents’ role in a brewing rebellion involving the forbidden secrets of alchemy. To seek her revenge, Jeanne disguises herself as an aristocrat and enrolls in a prestigious school for aspiring courtiers. She soon finds herself at the doors of the palace of Versailles.

But Jeanne, of course, is no aristocrat. She dreams not of court but of blood.

The blood of a king.

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PRAISE FOR THE COURT OF SHADOWS

“Supernatural alternate histories don’t come much more suspenseful or fully realized than this impressive series debut from Dixen (the Phobos Trilogy). Dixen excels at concocting unexpected detours and jaw-dropping cliffhangers. Anne Rice fans will be especially enthralled.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"With all of the intricacies of Castlevania, fantasy fans who like their speculative fiction filled with vampyre aristocrats and plenty of twists along the way will enjoy taking a bite out of this series starter." ―Library Journal

"Author Dixen has masterfully crafted a gothic tale that leaves you on the edge of your seat with its evocative descriptions and razor-sharp tension as each scene unfolds." ―Historical Novel Society

“I loved it! The tension, the intrigue, the undercurrents of revolution, and above all else, a warrior girl who still wants to love and be loved. This will be an immediate classic. Bravo!” ―Amy Harmon, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and New York Times bestselling author

“Seductive, thrilling, and deliciously dark, The Court of Shadows brings the glamour and danger of eighteenth-century Versailles to life. This is historical fantasy at its finest!” ―Kass Morgan, bestselling author of The 100

“Victor Dixen's THE COURT OF SHADOWS is an entirely original version of a world ruled by vampires. His protagonist, Jeanne, makes choices that are genuinely unpredictable as she seeks vengeance for the deaths of her family. I could not put this book down.” ―Charlaine Harris, author of All the Dead Shall Weep and The Southern Vampire Mysteries/True Blood

“Victor Dixen has crafted a decadent literary feast that makes vampire lore fresh again. The Court of Shadows deserves a place on your bookshelf with all the bloodsucking classics.” ―Megan Shepherd, New York Times bestselling author of Grim Lovelies

“The Court of Shadows has intriguing world-building and a protagonist with true, merciless grit. You’re rooted in the familiar, yet there are enough twists to break your expectations. Jeanne is vicious in her determination, and the king is utterly fascinating. I NEED TO SEE HIM WITHOUT THAT MASK!” ―Charlie N. Holmberg, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Paper Magician

“A brilliant and brave young heroine who is still realistically vulnerable, in a world of vampires who really do want to kill people―and yet retain their creepy fascination. Read this to find out why Victor Dixen’s thrilling series is a huge bestseller in France. I can’t wait to read the next one!” ―Ellen Kushner, World Fantasy Award and Locus Award winner, author of Swordspoint

“Gory, twisty, heart-stopping fun of the best kind—I couldn’t stop reading!” —Shelley Parker-Chan, #1 bestselling author of She Who Became the Sun

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