1984: Dragon Waiting

The novel follows the escapades of four diverse characters – an exiled Prince, an exiled emperor, an Italian doctor and a German vampire -- in a very alternate fifteenth century Europe. Mingling historical and recognizable characters from our past with fascinating fictional heroes, this is a book that is both captivating and entertaining. Ford is a much-underrated author, who successfully combines in-depth, detailed investigation with a brilliant imagination and twists history to produce a version of Europe in which plots hide behind shady intentions, magic is an unbearable load to the magician and vampirism is an infectious disease Why it's on the list The Dragon Waiting is a terrific blend of fantasy and history. A truly marvelous book. The narrative unfolds in a re-working of our history, with the added twist of vampires and magic. It is superbly well-written and intelligent and is imagined with complexity and great humor. Read if you like Historical Novels, Alternate History