Dark of the Sun: A Novel of the Count Saint-Germain (St. Germain)

From Publishers Weekly Yarbro's 17th entry in her historical-horror series (_Path of the Eclipse_, etc.) adroitly uses the ever-metaphoric vampire to portray the human dimensions of a cataclysm that changed the course of history. Vampire Saint-Germain and his faithful companion, Roger, who go under the names Zangi-Ragozh and Ro-shei in this solid installment, are merchants in sixth-century A.D. Yang-Chau, as Shanghai was called during this period. Forced by political necessity to journey westward to Chang'an (aka Xian) during winter, the pair soon realize that this is a winter like no other. Never in his more than 3,500 years of existence has the well-traveled vampire experienced anything similar—a sun with "no warmth or strength," strange yellow snowfall and an "invisible cloud" distorting the sky. Unbeknownst to most of the world, an eruption of the volcano Krakatau (aka Krakatoa) is to blame. Agricultural and economic disruption result, illness spreads, social unrest and collapse follow. The Dark Ages begin. Faced with a multitude of hardships, Saint-Germain determines to travel across Asia to his native soil in the Carpathian Mountains. The romantic and supernatural play second fiddle to history in this well-told story that deals with the meaning of being human. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Review "Will entertain lovers of all genres. Fascinating."_--Midwest Book Review_ on M_idnight Harvest_

it Is The 6th Century Of The Common Era. The Vampire Saint-germain, Known In This Time As Sangi-ragozh, Is Peacefully Doing Business In Asia When, Unknown To Him-or Anyone Else In Most Of The World-krakatoa Explodes In A Massive Volcanic Eruption. The Island Is Nearly Completely Destroyed; Tidal Waves Swamp Harbors Hundreds Of Miles Away, Ravaging Trade Ships And Their Cargoes; Tons Of Ash And Dirt Are Flung Into The Air.

in The Months To Come, The World Grows Colder And Darker As The Massive Cloud Of Dust And Ash Spreads Across The Globe, Blocking Sunlight. Sea Trade Is Ravaged. Crops Fail. Livestock, And Then People, Begin To Starve. Disease Spreads. Panic Rises.

what Has Caused The Sun To Go Dark? With His Scientific Bent, Sangi-ragozh Suspects A Natural Cause, But Most People Assume A Supernatural Explanation-and Begin To Seek Supernatural Remedies.

as Always In Times Of Trouble, Foreigners-and The Vampire Is Always A Foreigner, Wherever He Travels-become Targets. Fleeing Toward The West, Where He Hopes To Find Safety And Sanity, The Vampire Travels With A Nomadic Tribe Led By Dukkai, A Female Shaman Who Soon Becomes Sangi-ragozh's Lover-and Main Source Of Sustenance.

but Sangi-ragozh's Problems Are Far From Over. His Vampire Nature Is Discovered By An Enemy; He Is Separated From Dukkai And Begins To Starve; He Has Lost Everything, Including His Last Sack Of His Native Soil.

with Death No Longer A Distant Possibility, Sangi-ragozh Desperately Tries To Reach Sanctuary In The One Place He Truly Belongs-his Homeland, The Country He First Left Centuries Earlier.

a Land We Now Call Transylvania.

publishers Weekly

yarbro's 17th Entry In Her Historical-horror Series (path Of The Eclipse, Etc.) Adroitly Uses The Ever-metaphoric Vampire To Portray The Human Dimensions Of A Cataclysm That Changed The Course Of History. Vampire Saint-germain And His Faithful Companion, Roger, Who Go Under The Names Zangi-ragozh And Ro-shei In This Solid Installment, Are Merchants In Sixth-century A.d. Yang-chau, As Shanghai Was Called During This Period. Forced By Political Necessity To Journey Westward To Chang'an (aka Xian) During Winter, The Pair Soon Realize That This Is A Winter Like No Other. Never In His More Than 3,500 Years Of Existence Has The Well-traveled Vampire Experienced Anything Similar-a Sun With No Warmth Or Strength, Strange Yellow Snowfall And An Invisible Cloud Distorting The Sky. Unbeknownst To Most Of The World, An Eruption Of The Volcano Krakatau (aka Krakatoa) Is To Blame. Agricultural And Economic Disruption Result, Illness Spreads, Social Unrest And Collapse Follow. The Dark Ages Begin. Faced With A Multitude Of Hardships, Saint-germain Determines To Travel Across Asia To His Native Soil In The Carpathian Mountains. The Romantic And Supernatural Play Second Fiddle To History In This Well-told Story That Deals With The Meaning Of Being Human. Agent, Irene Kraas. (nov. 1) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

It is the 6th century of the common era. The vampire Saint-Germain, known in this time as Zangi-Ragozh, is peacefully doing business in Asia when the island of Krakatoa explodes in a massive volcanic eruption. Tidal waves swamp harbors hundreds of miles away, destroying trade ships and their cargoes; tons of ash and dirt are flung into the air. In the months to come, the world grows colder and darker as the massive volcanic cloud spreads across the globe, blocking sunlight. Sea trade is ravaged. Crops fail. Livestock, and then people, begin to starve. Disease spreads. Panic rises. As always in times of trouble, foreigners-and the vampire is always a foreigner-become targets. Fleeing toward the West, where he hopes to find safety and sanity, the vampire travels with a nomadic tribe led by Dukkai, a female shaman who soon becomes Zangi-Ragozh's lover. But Zangi-Ragozh's problems are far from over. His vampire nature is discovered by an enemy; he begins to starve; he is betrayed by one he cared deeply for; he loses everything, even his last sack of his native soil. With the True Death looming, Zangi-Ragozh tries to reach sanctuary in his ancient homeland. Transylvania. At the publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management software (DRM) applied It is the 6th century of the common era. The vampire Saint-Germain, known in this time as Zangi-Ragozh, is peacefully doing business in Asia when the island of Krakatoa explodes in a massive volcanic eruption. Tidal waves swamp harbors hundreds of miles away, destroying trade ships and their cargoes; tons of ash and dirt are flung into the air. In the months to come, the world grows colder and darker as the massive volcanic cloud spreads across the globe, blocking sunlight. Sea trade is ravaged. Crops fail. Livestock, and then people, begin to starve. Disease spreads. Panic rises. As always in times of trouble, foreigners-and the vampire is always a foreigner-become targets. Fleeing toward the West, where he hopes to find safety and sanity, the vampire travels with a nomadic tribe led by Dukkai, a female shaman who befriends Zangi-Ragozh. But Zangi-Ragozh's problems are far from over. His vampire nature is discovered by an enemy; he begins to starve; he is betrayed by one he cared deeply for; he loses everything, even his last sack of his native soil. With the True Death looming, Zangi-Ragozh tries to reach sanctuary in his ancient homeland. Transylvania. The eruption of Krakatoa could be heard thousands of miles away. Throughout the world, people panicked, blaming gods or devils for their troubles. The vampire Saint-Germain, trading peacefully in Asia, is as threatened as anyone by the eruption. Starving humans cannot be tapped for their blood; women living in fear of the supernatural rarely welcome vampire lovers; and wealthy foreigners are easy targets The explosion triggers tsunamis that destroy ships and seaports. During the bleak, seemingly endless winter that follows, people blame gods and devils for their troubles. The vampire Saint-Germain is unwilling to feed on the starving and knows that women who fear the supernatural do not welcome vampire lovers. Can a vampire starve to death? Text of a report from Captain Tieh Wei-Djieh of the merchant ship Golden Moon, sent from the southern port city of Kuang-Chou to his employer, the foreigner Zangi-Ragozh, at Yang-Chau on the Yellow Sea; sent two weeks before the Winter Solstice.