The Nosferatu Conspiracy

Book Two, The Sommelier

Fiction - Horror
558 Pages
Reviewed on 02/10/2022
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Nosferatu Conspiracy: Book Two, The Sommelier is a work of fiction in the horror, action, and supernatural subgenres, and was penned by author Brian James Gage. The work is intended for the mature adult reading audience owing to the presence of graphic violence and explicit combat situations throughout and it follows on from the first book in the series, The Sleepwalker. In this gory alternate history filled with secret pacts and dangerous new figures, the author explores the ‘real’ reasons for the onset of the First World War by introducing us to the murderous and bloodthirsty Elizabeth Báthory, whose immortality tempts Kaiser Wilhelm to ally with her as he seeks to conquer the world.

After really enjoying the exploits of Rasputin in the first book, I was fascinated to see this series move into new territory with the First World War, and even more excited by the presence of Elizabeth Báthory as such a central figure to the narrative. Chilling and terrifying in equal measure, author Brian James Gage creates the kind of intelligent and convincing historical horror novel that makes you feel like the history you know really is a lie, and this is the terrifying truth that will keep you awake at night. The plot is clever and never feels contrived to ‘fit’ with known history, such is the intricacy of the research and structure involved. The dialogue too is a standout feature, giving all the trademarks of classic, sinister horror and wartime action, without ever becoming laughable or clichéd. Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend The Nosferatu Conspiracy: Book Two, The Sommelier for fans of espionage fiction, war stories, supernatural tales, and horror. This novel delivers it all, and then some: a truly unmissable read.

Teresa Syms

The Nosferatu Conspiracy, Book Two, The Sommelier by Brian James Gage focuses on the latter half of World War I after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. Wrapped tightly in the intrigue, deception, and secret dealings around Kaiser Wilhelm II, General Hindenburg, and their factions of war, the trapped Elizabeth Báthory, a Hungarian baroness looks to her brother to release her from her mystical prison. Prince Felix Yusupov, Rurik, and their companions, Mary, Radu, and Sebastian battle against the evil of the undead and the demons trapped within the magical swords. As the battle for life and freedom moves on towards France, Prince Felix and his group must find a way to defeat the horror about to rain down on an unsuspecting Europe and its people, while keeping the veil intact. Will the unlikely band of heroes keep the Sommelier from coming back and releasing Elizabeth from her prison, or will Kaiser Wilhelm’s quest for immortality be realized?

Brian James Gage has done it again! Gage’s second book resumes the story of Prince Felix Yusupov and his group dedicated to freeing the world from the evil of the undead, Kaiser Wilhelm, and Elizabeth Báthory. Many characters are called into play throughout this book, but with the exceptional talent of Gage’s character development, the reader is transported into the mystical, magical, and demonic world of World War I Russia, Slovakia, and France. I felt the wins of Felix’s group while hanging on white-knuckled, hoping and praying that our heroes will emerge triumphant when evil threatens the future. This story flowed incredibly well. The Nosferatu Conspiracy is an engaging book you will not regret picking up. I applaud Gage and his work and I look forward to reading more from this author. You truly transported me to Europe in 1917.

Tiffany Ferrell

In this second book of The Nosferatu Conspiracy, we are taken from the events in Russia to Germany where Kaiser Wilhelm is seeking the blood of Vlad Dragula to father a child who will be able to control the Nosferatu and therefore give him the power to not only overthrow Europe but have dominion throughout the world. There is one person that Wilhelm is interested in, wondering about his involvement in the Russian murder of Empress Alexandra, Emperor Nicholas, and their son Czarevich Alexey. That man is none other than Felix Yusupov. Meanwhile, Felix and Rurik have made their way to Romania to try to stop the unthinkable from happening.

Once again Brian James Gage has blown me away with the creativity of his storytelling in the fact that he can take a major historical event like World War I and give it a supernaturally dark twist. Once again I love how the author gives Felix Yusupov a great storyline and places him in such a different light than history does. In this book, we are introduced to Kaiser Wilhelm; the role that he played was very believable. The Kaiser did want to control Europe and very possibly the world. The idea that he’d use the blood of Dragula and his mistress to bring a child into the world that would be able to control the vampiric Nosferatu and, in turn, the world is a very creative yet believable plot. Also that the Kaiser had Franz Ferdinand killed for the simple reason that the Archduke was after the vial of blood as well for the same reasons. The character development is amazing and if you love history and otherworldly things, this book will definitely call to you.