"I think the real world is boring," says Utah author Jessica Day George, explaining why all of her books have been — up to now — fantasies.
Romania is an exception.
Years ago, George watched an "awful" movie that took place there, made all the worse by the fact that the beautiful setting wasn't explored — characters simply walked past medieval churches and buildings, providing tantalizing glimpses of architecture and art but no more. Frustrated, she thought, "If I were going to set a book in Romania, I would use it."
Hence "Silver in the Blood," George's newest novel, a lush Victorian-era adventure with two proper high-society girls at its center. Both 17, Dacia and Lou are cousins and best friends, but they couldn't be more different — Dacia is brash and stylish with a tendency to get into trouble, while Lou is more reserved, playing second fiddle to her cousin during the balls and social calls that make up their lives in New York.
Their story begins in 1897, via a letter from Dacia to Lou, as the cousins are en route — separately — to Romania, where they'll meet their mothers' family, the mysterious Florescus. Dacia is being escorted by her aunt and at first ascribes her odd behavior to her displeasure with Dacia, who became the subject of scandal while they were in London. But things get stranger and stranger, and the girls soon realize that no amount of genteel gossip could have prepared them for the shocking secrets at the core of the Florescus — and their relationship with the royal Dracula family. Yes, that Dracula family.
(Hint as to that family secret: While there are no vampires here, Bram Stoker's paranormal classic was published the same year George's story takes place, and George re-read it to give "Silver in the Blood" a similar vibe.) A voracious reader, George knew the society her characters moved in, thanks to Edith Wharton, Georgette Heyer and the like, and she initially thought she could simply read a few books about Romania as well. But it wasn't quite cutting it — so she and her husband took a two-week guided tour through the country, walking through castles and churches that would have been in use at the time and absorbing their history.
The research paid off — Romania and the girls' fashions are nearly secondary characters in the novel, and even the disturbing aspects of the family secrets seem safe when they're playing out among parasols and Parisian gowns.
But it's definitely for older readers than the target demographic of George's middle-grade "Dragon Slippers" and Castle Glower series. Blood is shed, people die. And …
"There's lots of nudity," George says.
Not salacious nudity, or even descriptive nudity. But Dacia's and Lou's transformations — figurative and literal — involve a certain amount of nakedness. "They go from young ladies who wear French fashions, with many layers of clothes, to accepting the fact that 'If I throw all that away, I have this power,' " George says. "I wanted to look at it from that way — as a position of power."
It's the girls' growth into that power that provides the heart of the book, much more so than the romantic elements — there are two dashing men who become fairly involved in the plot, but their characters are sketched hastily and it would be hard to tell which suitor is falling for which cousin if it weren't spelled out from time to time. The restrained romance fits with the time period, though, and the characterizations of Dacia and Lou make up for lesser players — particularly Lou, who quickly blossoms as the story progresses and she finds that aspects of her family's dark secrets allow her to take control of her own life.
"Lou is faster to embrace her power because she's the one who's always felt powerless," says George, who admits that Lou is her favorite.
Readers looking for a charming, just-dark-enough paranormal story will find plenty to enjoy here, and its mostly wrapped-up ending means the final page won't leave them in despair. But George also leaves the door open for a sequel — though readers will have to be patient, as she has multiple other projects in the works. Her next Castle Glower book, "Fridays With the Wizards," will be released in February; after that comes a brand-new YA fantasy called "Stolen Crowns," a dark, edgy series about the children of fairy-tale heroines who find themselves at the center of the action.
Right now, George is most excited to introduce readers to Dacia and Lou and their story — which, though it takes place in the real world, still has plenty of magic.
rpiper@sltrib.com
Twitter: @racheltachel
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High-society secrets
Jessica Day George will read from and sign "Silver in the Blood" and show pictures from her research trip to Romania.
Where • The King's English Bookshop, 1511 S. 1500 East, Salt Lake City
When • Tuesday, July 7, 7 p.m.
Admission • Free, but spots in signing line are reserved for those who buy "Silver in the Blood" from the bookstore.
Info • www.kingsenglish.com or jessicadaygeorge.com
Also • George will be at the Provo City Library (550 N. University Ave.) for a free event July 29 at 7 p.m.
