About This Book
Reach for this book if your teenager is struggling to navigate a friendship or mentorship that feels intense, exclusive, or increasingly controlling. This dark historical thriller explores how a powerful personality can use charm to isolate and manipulate someone of a lower social standing. It is a cautionary tale about the 'honeymoon phase' of a toxic relationship and the courage required to reclaim one's autonomy. Set in 16th-century Hungary, the story follows Anna, a maid who becomes the confidante of the infamous Elizabeth Bathory. While the book contains the gothic horror elements of a monster story, its emotional core is about the weight of guilt and the terror of being 'chosen' by someone dangerous. Due to graphic violence and intense psychological manipulation, it is best suited for mature teens aged 15 and up who are ready to discuss the boundaries of loyalty and the signs of emotional abuse.
