Blanka and Elke Must Die

Abstract

My novel, Blanka and Elke Must Die is a historical fiction piece which incorporates elements of horror, fantasy, thriller, and coming of age. It is a about the dark underbelly and throes of court life in a (place similar to) 17th century Prussia, and is also inspired by the dramatized tales of Hungarian “Blood Countess,” Elizabeth Bathory. This novel follows the lives of two friends, Blanka and Elke, who are selected to leave their poor village for a life of luxury and royalty. However, Elke soon learns that their future is not as bright as it seems, and is likely to end in their own bloodshed. Blanka, swept up in the glamour of their new life, ignores the warnings of her oldest friend, possibly leading to both her and Elke’s demise. Through new allies, hidden foes, and a Countess with seemingly supernatural powers, Blanka and Elke Must Die at its core is a tale of persistence, the power of female friendship, and the sacrifices needed to not only stay true to oneself, but to stay alive.