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REVIEW
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"Rakoczy in top form"
In 796 Gaul, Karl-lo-Magne (Charlemagne) has summoned
Europe's finest minds to attend him in an attempt to
resurrect the Roman Empire. Karl-lo-Magne discusses rare
maps with one of the scholars, Rakoczy, whose vast
knowledge and strange practices makes His Highness question
what the Count is, but he still bestows favors and property
on the "foreigner". Nearby at about the same time, albino Gynethe Mehaut visits
a convent seeking help with her constant bleeding palms.
The local church is divided between her representing divine
benediction and the Antichrist. Proving his leadership
ability by placing the monkey on someone else's shoulders,
Karl-lo-Magne dispatches Rakoczy to escort Gynethe to the
Vatican so Pope Leo III will have to deal with the
problem. As the duo travels south avoiding sunlight for
different reasons, they form a deep passion for one
another, but to save her life, Rakoczy must defy the two
most powerful mortals in the world: the monarch and the
pope. As expected with a Count Rakoczy novel, the astute
historical background provides a powerful opportunity for
the audience to luxuriate in a bygone era. The story line
is typical of the long running series yet grips the
audience with the feel of the battle for supremacy between
the monarch and the pope mostly through the perceptions of
the traveling couple. Fans of Chelsea Quinn Yarbro and
those newcomers who delight in a historical compassionate
vampire tale will want to read NIGHT BLOOMING, a robust end
of the Dark Ages tale that showcases Rakoczy in top form
because his companion brings out the best in him. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted October 15, 2002
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| SUMMARY |
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At the forced invitation of 8th century Germanic king
Karl-lo-Magne (Charlemagne), Hiermon Ragoczy de Santus
Germainius, a dark and strange man rumored to have traveled
to many far places, makes the dangerous journey to France.
He is called to validate the authenticity of the king's
newly purchased maps, but unbeknownst to Karl-lo-Magne,
Ragoczy's knowledge stems from centuries of being chased
from these countries, rather than traveling through them.
Despite his longing for peace, he yields to Karl-lo-Magne.
What he does not expect, though, is to meet the albino
woman, Gynethe Mehaut, who shares his curse of solitude.
Showing signs of stigmata, she seeks peace from the church.
But when she is taken to Rome, accusations of witchcraft
fly, and she is left with a difficult choice-one that even
Ragoczy cannot deny.
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