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Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
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Hotel Transylvania Paperback – September 1, 2002

by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 212 ratings
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The classic tale that introduced the legendary Le Comte de Saint-Germain, first published in 1978 and spawning 14 titles in the Saint-Germain epic, is now available in paperback. A fixture in 1740s Parisian society, Saint-Germain is a perfect gentleman--and a vampire. When the fiery young Madeline falls in love with him, a group of evil sorcerers targets her for their black mass--and only Saint-Germain can save her soul.
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Saint-Germain series
  2. Print length
    384 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Grand Central Publishing
  5. Publication date
    September 1, 2002
  6. Dimensions
    4 x 1 x 7 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    044661100X
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0446611008
  9. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Grand Central Publishing; Reprint edition (September 1, 2002)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 044661100X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0446611008
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4 x 1 x 7 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 212 ratings

About the author

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Chelsea Quinn Yarbro

Chelsea Quinn Yarbro

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A professional writer for more than forty years, Yarbro has sold over eighty books, more than seventy works of short fiction, and more than three dozen essays, introductions, and reviews. She also composes serious music. Her first professional writing – in 1961-2 – was as a playwright for a now long-defunct children’s theater company. By the mid-60s she had switched to writing stories and hasn’t stopped yet.

After leaving college in 1963 and until she became a full-time writer in 1970, she worked as a demographic cartographer, and still often drafts maps for her books, and occasionally for the books of other writers.

She has a large reference library with books on a wide range of subjects, everything from food and fashion to weapons and trade routes to religion and law. She is constantly adding to it as part of her on-going fascination with history and culture; she reads incessantly, searching for interesting people and places that might provide fodder for stories.

In 1997 the Transylvanian Society of Dracula bestowed a literary knighthood on Yarbro, and in 2003 the World Horror Association presented her with a Grand Master award. In 2006 the International Horror Guild enrolled her among their Living Legends, the first woman to be so honored; the Horror Writers Association gave her a Life Achievement Award in 2009.

A skeptical occultist for forty years, she has studied everything from alchemy to zoomancy, and in the late 1970s worked occasionally as a professional tarot card reader and palmist at the Magic Cellar in San Francisco.

She has two domestic accomplishments: she is a good cook and an experienced seamstress. The rest is catch-as-catch-can.

Divorced, she lives in the San Francisco Bay Area – with two cats: the irrepressible Butterscotch and Crumpet, the Gang of Two. When not busy writing, she enjoys the symphony or opera.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
212 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Bonnie Jacobson
5.0 out of 5 stars Hotel Transylvania - the "birth" of the Saint Germaine chronicles... Excellent read, great love story
Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2015
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Hotel Transylvania is the starter story for the Saint Germaine chronicles (if that is what they are, "officially".... it's the story of a vampire, yes, but no ordinary vampire. Franciscus Rogozy St. Germaine is a nobleman, a "Duke", but more than that, a Knight by choice and long training. A man of honor, with the ability to feel compassion, and affection, even love. Over the course of the first story, which isn't nearly as long as some of Yarbro's other Saint Germaine novels, he becomes involved with a girl whom he eventually comes to love, and has to rescue her from the most dire fate. She is eventually sentenced to die, and he stays with her in her cell, until he manages to find a way to rescue her. Unfortunately, through all of her ordeal, she suffers greatly, and to save her from the true death,Saint Germaine turns her at the end. But the manner in which he turns her is incredibly romantic, not really surprising, but then, he kisses her whole body, exchanging blood with her as he does so, and that ultimately turns her. I was young and not very informed about modern vampire mythology at the time I first read this book, years ago, but it made me an instant fan of Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's Saint Germaine books. Like all her Saint Germaine books, it's full of history and pageantry, and a really gribbing "read". I bought the book this year, once again, to build my Saint Germaine library collection. (Originally, I read the hard cover book in my uncle's library back at home. It was an eye opener for me then. The true origin of Saint Germaine's vampirism does not emerge until much later in the novel series, and I finally found and read that this year. What is most fascinating, for me, about this series is that Yarbro based her character development for Saint Germaine on a true historic figure, a Duke Rogozy Saint Germaine that she discovered in her research. I found the same man in my search for background on this character decades ago. LIke Yarbro, I was amazed to find such a person actually existed, and he was, apparently, in the bloodline of the Hungarian Princes, a "son" or a close relative to Vlad Tepis, the original Dracula. Yarbro researches her stories extensively before writing, and the Saint Germaine Chronicles are, frankly, daunting... enormous. While some might think it would be better to start of reading the series with "Out of the House of Life", which tells t he story of Saint Germaine's origin as a vampire, I believe this story, the original first story in the series, remains the best place to start. It provides an excellent introduction to two main characters, Rogozy and his lifetime true love. Both appear an many other Saint Germaine novels, although rarely together after the first one.
14 people found this helpful
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Jana L.Perskie
4.0 out of 5 stars Comte de Saint-Germain's debut novel - A terrific read!
Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2005
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I'm hooked on Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's Comte de Saint-Germain series. Saint-Germain is just one of the many names our protagonist has gone by over the millennia. He is a vampire, you see. However, if you envision a being like those who people Anne Rice's or Laurell Hamilton's novels you will have a surprise coming. Just an aside here...I love many of Ms Rice's and Ms. Hamilton's books and characters. Ms. Yarbro's hero is simply different. He IS a hero, not an anti-hero. You won't find fangs, gore, horror and supernatural violence in "Hotel Transylvania." Our vampire is an exceptionally nice guy, sophisticated - quite civilized really - who just happens to have walked the earth since the beginning of time, practically. He does not personify evil, and, unlike other vampiric creations, he is able to stroll about in daylight as long as he carries soil from his homeland in his shoes. He does need blood to survive - but the human donor must be willing to give a pint or two or he won't drink. And true emotional attachments nourish Saint-Germain as much as the blood he takes. So the concept of "love" and affection figure strongly here. He is also extremely smart with a good intellect and love of the arts. As a matter of fact, he personifies the Renaissance man - with the added attraction of various super-human qualities.

"Hotel Transylvania" is the first novel in the series, originally published in 1978. I believe there are 16 Saint-Germain novels with a 17th due out soon. I don't know how important it is to read the books in order of publication as the stories do not take place in chronological order historically. I began with "The Palace" which is set in Renaissance Florence. "Hotel Transylvania's" setting is Paris, 1743, where Saint-Germain is a relative newcomer to the City of Light. He presents himself at court and to King Louis XV and makes a most favorable impression in the highest social circles. The rich and famous look upon him as exotic, foreign, mysterious and worthy of wooing. Prinz Ragoczy of Transylvania, is another name he goes by. However, only the members of the secret guild of sorcerers and alchemists call him so. The Prinz, (or Saint-Germain), has promised these men the secret of making jewels if they assist him in purchasing the Hotel Transylvania without bringing his name or identity into the transaction. The hotel is to be turned into a swank gambling establishment, with secret rooms set aside for the practice of alchemy, and, of course, rooms containing the soil from Saint-Germain's native land which he needs to survive.

Among the brightest attractions Paris offers is Madelaine de Montalia, an intelligent, beautiful ingenue just presented to society. She is immediately drawn to Saint-Germain. The feeling is totally mutual. However, the young woman is in grave danger as a cult of brutally sadistic Satanists have targeted her for their solstice ritual - a virginal blood sacrifice which is guaranteed to debase her and ultimately end with her death.

The author has done an extraordinary job of vividly portraying life in 18th century Paris with its glitter, glamour and political and social intrigues. Ms. Quinn Yarbro is truly a master at writing historical fiction. Her research is impeccable and the narrative is filled with fascinating period details. The character of Saint-Germain is actually modeled after a real person with the same name. Rumor has it he possessed an elixir of life and even when he reached the venerable age of one hundred years he appeared to be a man of 40-something. The actual Comte de Saint-Germain claimed to have lived centuries. Like our hero, he was an alchemist, said to be capable of creating gold and jewels. He was the confident of kings and queens and visited all the European courts, loving and leaving women along the way. He was a also spy, frequently involved in secret adventures. Ms. Quinn Yarbro took this actual figure of mystery and molded him into her protagonist.

The novel is rich in characters and storyline. I highly recommend it. I liked it enough to order books three and four in the series. ENJOY!

JANA
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Michael A. Starsheen
5.0 out of 5 stars The original Count St. Germain novel
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2013
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This was the first, the original Count St. Germain novel by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, and still one of the best. I've re-read it a number of times, and got it on Kindle for convenience this time. Set in the decadent times of the Louis XVI, it depicts a Paris fraught with a number of vices and sins. But within all this comes a love affair for all times, as the Count falls for a young woman, Madelaine de Montalia, and she for him. There is plenty of suspense and terror for those who seek them in this novel, as well!
One person found this helpful
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In my opinion
3.0 out of 5 stars Digital version lacking in good editing
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2017
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I enjoy the period setting, but would enjoy it that much more of this digital version had been edited with care. There are so many scanning issues that it just drives me batty. This isn't the first book like this. Frankly, I miss the old books that were typed up by volunteers when Amazon first started doing digital books. The copy I have of Dracula is flawless. This...not so much. It makes the entire reading experience difficult.
10 people found this helpful
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Robert B MacLeod
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Author, great series.
Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2020
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I have always loved Saint-Germain and this is one novel I missed reading. It was a really great story.
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Top reviews from other countries

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dragonworks
5.0 out of 5 stars ANOTHER MASTERPIECE
Reviewed in Canada on September 16, 2017
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I have loved her books since the seventies; the exquisite combination of vampires and exciting periods of history are highly satisfying.
She is the master (or should I say mistress) of the genre and her work is non-pareil.
2 people found this helpful
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Humberto Aquino
5.0 out of 5 stars el primero de una gra serie
Reviewed in Spain on October 5, 2016
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desde tiempo, tratando deconseguir esta novela, excelente.....lleno' todas mis expectativas...a seguir con los demas ya que son varios de esta autora y el personaje de sint germain...
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5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant storyteller - more please!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 6, 2016
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I couldn't put this down and read this in one sitting. It's been a long time since a book has got me so excited.

The characters come to life and evolve through the novel; they are likeable, we sympathise with them. And my god, what a tour de force to make a vampire believable without having to resort to too many supernatural explanations and cliched tropes. In a sense, this is a subversion of the genre because St Germain, the vampire, is not the stereotype blood-thirsty fanged monster, but a lonely, world-weary man who has lived too many years and seen too many tragedies, yet still possesses his humanity and compassion and believes in love. The love scenes themselves occasionally sunk into purple prose and adolescent bodice-ripper, but is a refreshing sweetness about them, and they are (in this modern age where porn and crudity are prevalent) tasteful.

Fantastic, lush writing. Tight, seamless plot and action. The dialogue, the scene-setting reflect the period. The historical detail - well, what do I know about France under the reign of Louis XV? - is utterly convincing.

I've run out of superlatives. Let's just say I've ordered the next three in the series.

[there are a few problems with the Kindle version - I think these must be translation or editing problems. "Hom" instead of "Horn", and "die" used instead of "the", which make me wonder if it was translated from the German.
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CintiaS
5.0 out of 5 stars Density
Reviewed in Germany on April 23, 2010
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The narration is very dense, as well as the main character. I liked also the reconstruction of the XXVIIIth century, operated by Yarbro.
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ryoyamauchi
5.0 out of 5 stars give your blood and he will give you his life.
Reviewed in Japan on June 4, 2003
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訳本が出版されていないせいか、日本での知名度は低い。
歴史上実在したといわれるサン・ジェルマン伯爵がモデル。
洗練された物腰と流暢な言葉遣い。心を捕えて離さない瞳。
家系、出身地、年齢さえ謎。そして彼の謎めいた存在自体が
社交界の女性を魅了する。彼は一体何者なのか。１７世紀の
フランスを舞台に描くクラシック・ヴァンパイア・フィクション。
血を求め闇をさまよい死を運ぶ吸血鬼から一変して、
決して死ぬことができないヴァンパイアの苦悩と愛を描く。
読み進むに連れ、秘密が少しずつ明らかになっていく・・・。
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