🩸 Horror Fiction

gefallen.

✍️ Frank J Idlewild
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$24.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A dragoon encounters a vampire during the retreat from Russia in 1812.

The narrative follows a weakened dragoon who finds refuge in an abandoned estate during the harsh winter of 1812. This setting becomes the stage for a confrontation with a vampire, altering the soldier's understanding of danger. The story explores the intersection of historical military retreat and supernatural horror. Idlewild uses the backdrop of the Grande Armee's failure to create a claustrophobic atmosphere. The protagonist must face both physical exhaustion and metaphysical dread. The text examines how war trauma persists even when the immediate threat of battle fades. Readers interested in the psychological impact of conflict will find this perspective distinct.

Key Themes
vampire encounters military retreat supernatural horror
Literary Context

The book is set in 1812 during the failed Russian campaign of the Grande Armee. It draws on historical events involving French dragoons retreating through snowy landscapes. The narrative blends this military history with gothic fiction traditions, creating a specific atmosphere of despair and supernatural fear.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
Bram Stoker · Shirley Jackson · H.P. Lovecraft · Anne Rice
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 📅 2016 📖 674 pages 🌐 non-English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781537630830

📝 Description: gefallen.

Frank J Idlewild presents a narrative set during the winter of 1812, focusing on the remnants of the Grande Armee after their failed invasion of Russia. The story follows a scattered squadron of dragoons struggling through snowy wastelands toward France while battling hunger, fever, and constant fear of pursuit by enemy forces. Their journey leads them to an abandoned estate where they encounter a vampire, shifting the nature of their survival from human conflict to supernatural horror. The plot centers on the soldier’s realization that his true ordeal has only just begun alongside this undead companion. Together, they hunt a creature that threatens everything they hold dear. The narrative forces the protagonist to relive the terrors of war while uncovering a deeper, more terrifying reality. Idlewild draws upon gothic traditions and historical military history to construct a tale where the battlefield merges with the dark unknown. This work suits readers who appreciate atmospheric horror rooted in specific historical contexts. It may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action without psychological depth or those uninterested in supernatural elements intertwined with military history.

💎 Our verdict on gefallen.

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Idlewild successfully constructs a claustrophobic atmosphere by merging the historical reality of the 1812 retreat with gothic horror conventions. The narrative effectively uses the backdrop of military failure to heighten metaphysical dread, forcing the protagonist to confront dangers beyond human comprehension. This approach suits readers who value atmospheric storytelling and psychological nuance over conventional action sequences. The text examines war trauma through a supernatural lens, offering a fresh take on vampire lore by grounding it in historical misery. While not for those seeking quick thrills, it rewards patience with a deep exploration of fear. The integration of military history with dark fantasy creates a cohesive and unsettling experience for enthusiasts of literary horror.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate the intersection of historical trauma and supernatural horror will find this narrative compelling. The book offers a unique perspective on the psychological impact of conflict, exploring how war's terrors persist long after battle ends. It appeals to those interested in gothic atmospheres rooted in specific historical contexts rather than generic scares. By intertwining the failure of the Grande Armee with metaphysical dread, it provides a distinct reading experience for fans of psychological depth over fast-paced action. Those seeking to understand how claustrophobic settings can amplify existential fear will gain significant value from this exploration of human endurance against both physical exhaustion and undead threats.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Idlewild successfully constructs a claustrophobic atmosphere by merging the historical reality of the 1812 retreat with gothic horror conventions. The narrative effectively uses the backdrop of military failure to heighten metaphysical dread, forcing the protagonist to confront dangers beyond human comprehension. This approach suits readers who value atmospheric storytelling and psychological nuance over conventional action sequences. The text examines war trauma through a supernatural lens, offering a fresh take on vampire lore by grounding it in historical misery. While not for those seeking quick thrills, it rewards patience with a deep exploration of fear. The integration of military history with dark fantasy creates a cohesive and unsettling experience for enthusiasts of literary horror.

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