The Secret History of Elizabeth Tudor, Vampire Slayer

A highly palatable fusion of dark fantasy, historical fiction, and Arthurian legend, this first installment of an audacious new mashup series features Queen Elizabeth as Britain's only hope to defeat an "ancient foe" threatening to overwhelm the land. The narrative, presented as a recently unearthed secret diary, begins when an encounter with Anne Boleyn's ghost awakens Elizabeth's latent supernatural powers. With powerful enemies watching her every move, the young queen is informed of an even more pressing concern: Mordred, a thousand-year-old vampire—who happens to be the bastard son of King Arthur—wants to turn Elizabeth into one of the undead and rule England by her side. Powered by exceptional character development, a meticulously detailed portrayal of 1559 London, and brisk pacing, this utterly readable novel will more than satisfy fans of fantasy and historical fiction alike. (Jan.)