I absolutely love historical fiction and read a lot of it; I love to learn history this way. I also enjoy reading science fiction, fantasy, horror, thriller and non-fiction science.
I am so glad that I read this book, adventure, love, dragons, magic and outwitting death are all woven together in this fantastic tale.
Count Leopold has a strange locked chest that is calling to him...literally. He listens to the voice in the box and unlocks the first two locks, but hesitates on the third and decides to call upon the magician who locked the box in the first place, Hildigrim Blackbeard. Hildigrim must release Leopold's fate and risk his life, the life of his love, Lady Mary and Leopold's half brother, Ivan the terrible in order to outwit death itself.
My favorite part of The Count of the Living Death is Mary's character, she is an intelligent, quick-witted female character who is fighting for love but making sound decisions and fending for herself-even in front of a dragon. It's very refreshing to have a strong female lead in adventure story. I was also intrigued by the character of Death itself and enjoyed how Death functioned in the living world as well as the world Death had created for itself. Overall, the story is very well written and keeps the reader entertained through enough twists, turns and magic. While Leopold and Mary are 19 year old, this is a good book for Young Adult and Adult readers alike.