The Night Library of Sternendach:
A Vampire Opera in Verse
by Jessica Lévai
Cover design and art by Kimberly Glyder
FICTION / Fantasy / Historical
Print: $16.00, EPUB $7.99
Print ISBN: 978-1-941360-51-4
Digital ISBN: 978-1-941360-52-1
Publication Date: April 13, 2021
Publicity Contact: Feliza Casano, publicity@lanternfishpress.com
“A lush, modern take on the trope of supernaturally star-crossed lovers.”
In starry Sternendach, as long as
The vampire Graf has ruled this land
The Heller clan, with weapons strong as
Their wills, have killed his kindred and
Been killed in turn. The two sides nearly
Destroyed themselves. The Graf saw clearly
The need to make the killing cease,
And forced a pact to keep the peace.
The youngest of the Heller faction
Is Kunigunde. Trained to fight
It never suited her aright.
She can’t deny her soul’s attraction
For books and poetry, and for
The Graf, who gave her these and more.
Kunigunde is destined to become the next in a long line of Heller clan vampire hunters—but her soul is drawn to books, poetry, and the vampire Graf. Set in 1960s Europe, The Night Library of Sternendach is an unabashedly melodramatic opera-in-sonnets that weaves a sweeping, suspenseful tale readers won't be able to put down.
Photo Credit: Matthew Stein Photography
About the Author
Jessica Lévai has loved stories and storytellers for as long as she can remember. After a PhD in Egyptology and eight years as a professor of Anthropology, she dedicated herself to writing full time. She lives near Boston with her husband and two kids.
Author Links
Comp Titles
Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
William Shakespeare's Star Wars by Ian Doescher
Talking Points for
Booksellers & Librarians
Told entirely in Pushkin sonnets, The Night Library of Sternendach is the unapologetically melodramatic, subtly hilarious vampire opera you didn't know you needed to add to your bookshelf
A tongue-in-cheek novella in verse filled with dry humor, old books, and an extremely put-upon human vassal
A supernatural coming-of-age story perfect for readers who love (or love to hate) human-vampire romances
Praise for The Night Library of Sternendach
“Revel in every turn of phrase in this lyrical, classical romance of Kunigunde Heller, trapped between her family and tradition, and her own desires kindled under the starry sky in The Night Library of Sternendach.”
—Margaret S. McGraw, co-editor of Lawless Lands and Predators in Petticoats
"Lévai debuts with a lush, modern take on the trope of supernaturally star-crossed lovers . . . This operatic love story caters to many beloved tropes while providing a fresh perspective and building toward an unusual, bittersweet ending that explores 'how love costs more than it seems.'"
—Publishers Weekly
"A stunning achievement in storytelling and the poetic form. . . . I can't wait to read more."
—Emily Leverett, co-editor of Predators in Petticoats
"Gorgeously romantic in both style and story. Lévai’s timeless tale will sweep you off your feet with immortal dealings and human emotion."
—Matthew Vesely, author of Elegy for the Undead