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Carpathia
After spending years trying to locate and destroy Prince Radu Zeklos, the vampire that killed his fiancé, Daniel Jameson finds a solution to his problem when in the summer of 1882 the King of Romania decides to host an international race of “self-propelled ground machines” through the Carpathian Mountains, a story told in “Carpathia,” a Steampunk/Paranormal novel.
Four nations — Germany, England, France and the United States — are set to take part in the race, and Jameson finds allies in Major William “Stump” O’Brien, the American team’s military liaison, and Olivia Lowenby, the daughter of the man responsible for building the English vehicle and a woman who also desires revenge against the vampire for the death of her brother.
Initially opposed to the race because if successful it will destroy the “traditional way of life” for Romania’s vampires and werewolves, Prince Zeklos has changed his mind. He too seizes the contest as an opportunity to achieve something he has spent years dreaming of: the creation of a new nation of the undead, Carpathia.
With airships battling in the skies and humans fighting undead creatures on the ground, “Carpathia” is filled with action and plot twists as Jameson and Zeklos maneuver to achieve their very different goals.
Four nations — Germany, England, France and the United States — are set to take part in the race, and Jameson finds allies in Major William “Stump” O’Brien, the American team’s military liaison, and Olivia Lowenby, the daughter of the man responsible for building the English vehicle and a woman who also desires revenge against the vampire for the death of her brother.
Initially opposed to the race because if successful it will destroy the “traditional way of life” for Romania’s vampires and werewolves, Prince Zeklos has changed his mind. He too seizes the contest as an opportunity to achieve something he has spent years dreaming of: the creation of a new nation of the undead, Carpathia.
With airships battling in the skies and humans fighting undead creatures on the ground, “Carpathia” is filled with action and plot twists as Jameson and Zeklos maneuver to achieve their very different goals.
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2011
4 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Scott Whitmore
6 books35 followersBorn and raised in the American Midwest, Scott Whitmore enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1982 and was later commissioned as an officer. After retiring from military service he joined the sports staff at The Herald, a daily newspaper located in Everett, Wash. In 2009 his feature story about a young Everett sprint car racer was awarded third place in the annual writing contest held by the National Motorsports Press Association.
Scott left The Herald in 2009 to work as a freelance writer. In addition to novels and short stories, he has written for various sports magazines and blogs, and his article on NASCAR driver Danica Patrick was included in the August 2011 New York Yankees Magazine as part of a special issue celebrating women in sports.
Scott left The Herald in 2009 to work as a freelance writer. In addition to novels and short stories, he has written for various sports magazines and blogs, and his article on NASCAR driver Danica Patrick was included in the August 2011 New York Yankees Magazine as part of a special issue celebrating women in sports.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 7, 2012
“Carpathia” by Scott Whitmore is story of an 1800’s American making a journey to Romania, which evolves, quickly into intrigue and action with werewolves, vampires, and paranormal activity. I’ve never read anything like it. The characters are interesting, well developed, and the action picks up and moves at a pace with enough surprises to keep the reader’s attention with minimal confusion. For readers that like manly heroes, beautiful women, vampires, werewolves, steampunk backdrop with the added interesting element of dirigibles in the air! Though audience-specific, I recommend “Carpathia” for a fun read and if you’re like me, a late-comer to the steampunk culture. Four stars!
June 17, 2012
I don't think I've ever read anything quite like Carpathia before. The book is an intriguing blend of historical drama, military action, mythological fantasy and steampunk. Although these elements might sound somewhat disparate, they are woven into a smooth and living whole, and the effect is a blend that is both convincing and original. The author uses words with restrained minimalism, never getting bogged down in superfluous description, always keeping things moving. Although the story is dialogue- and action-heavy, which helps to maintain the pace and readability, the world in which it is set still comes to life, rich in atmosphere.
The story begins with a steam-car race in Victorian Romania, with teams from four different countries competing for a royal commission to manufacture their vehicle. But the sinister and powerful Prince Zeklos, a vampire with an ambitious political agenda, has different ideas. The racers find themselves drawn into an all-action struggle against a ruthless and megalomaniacal enemy. They find themselves pitted against vampires, werewolves and other enemies from the darker recesses of mythology. Without giving too much away, I can say that the climax of the story is a showdown of grand proportions!
The characters in Carpathia are a diverse and entertaining bunch: the ass-kicking Major ‘Stump’ O’Brien of the US military; Daniel Jameson, a desperate man driven by a tragic past; Olivia Lowenby, beautiful and headstrong English rose; the evil and scheming vampire Prince Zeklos. Real thought has gone into their characteristics and diversity. Also, I absolutely loved the cannon-armed airships. Personally, I’d love to hear more about these, and I think they’d actually warrant a book of their own. Think ironclad-era steamship battles with the added complexity of three dimensions of motion! I’m sure the author’s naval experience really helped to bring these creations to life.
All in all, I loved Carpathia: it’s something truly different; a tale of darkness, love, adventure and atmosphere set against a backdrop of steam-cars and vampire-infested Romanian mountains. It sounds nuts, but it really works. Find out for yourself!
The story begins with a steam-car race in Victorian Romania, with teams from four different countries competing for a royal commission to manufacture their vehicle. But the sinister and powerful Prince Zeklos, a vampire with an ambitious political agenda, has different ideas. The racers find themselves drawn into an all-action struggle against a ruthless and megalomaniacal enemy. They find themselves pitted against vampires, werewolves and other enemies from the darker recesses of mythology. Without giving too much away, I can say that the climax of the story is a showdown of grand proportions!
The characters in Carpathia are a diverse and entertaining bunch: the ass-kicking Major ‘Stump’ O’Brien of the US military; Daniel Jameson, a desperate man driven by a tragic past; Olivia Lowenby, beautiful and headstrong English rose; the evil and scheming vampire Prince Zeklos. Real thought has gone into their characteristics and diversity. Also, I absolutely loved the cannon-armed airships. Personally, I’d love to hear more about these, and I think they’d actually warrant a book of their own. Think ironclad-era steamship battles with the added complexity of three dimensions of motion! I’m sure the author’s naval experience really helped to bring these creations to life.
All in all, I loved Carpathia: it’s something truly different; a tale of darkness, love, adventure and atmosphere set against a backdrop of steam-cars and vampire-infested Romanian mountains. It sounds nuts, but it really works. Find out for yourself!
June 2, 2012
I don’t read many paranormal genre books, finding them sloppily written and plotted, so Carpathia was a happy surprise. Whitmore sets his tale in Victorian-era Romania, where several nations have sent their top inventors and crews to test out their (pre-auto) horseless contraptions in a race through the mountains of Carpathia. If there were no vampires or shapeshifters in them thar hills, this story would still be a lot of fun just for the race between these unwieldy Rube Goldberg machines, whose progress is monitored by zeppelin airships to boot. But there are creatures ahead, and only one man (Daniel Jameson) knows it, from his bitter firsthand experience. The action involves the race teams under attack by various species of undead. What makes Carpathia special is the amount of detailed knowledge the author brings to things like the interior construction of dirigibles and early driving machines (Whitmore has an extensive background in the Navy and motor sports). It’s not all testosterone for the reader; the story is filled out with a strong independent-minded heroine, and romantic elements are well handled. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed Carpathia, and had no trouble envisioning it as a movie starring Daniel Craig as the tense and haunted Daniel Jameson.
October 17, 2012
Great first book! The creativity displayed by the author in this unique premise, which admittedly is outside of my genre, is striking. I enjoyed the well crafted characters and the unique look inside the mind of the author, who I've "met" and conversed with many times on Twitter. A great guy and an equally great work.
October 21, 2012
I loved it ... but, then again ... I *wrote* it! :)
June 27, 2014
Carpathia has all the ingredients of a fantasy/horror novel, but takes the time to create a sense of time and place with an eye for period detail and language that fits. The colours and the atmosphere allow immersion in a world that you slowly begin to believe may well have existed. The steam-punk theme threads through the book until you believe that the machines are real and the race becomes one you’d like to witness.
It departs from the norm with the way the creatures interact and yet it had the traditional feel of how this genre should be written, and allows the development of characters that you come to care about. A thoroughly enjoyable read that means I’ve already downloaded the next story. Because who doesn’t want to know what zombies would have done to WW1?
It departs from the norm with the way the creatures interact and yet it had the traditional feel of how this genre should be written, and allows the development of characters that you come to care about. A thoroughly enjoyable read that means I’ve already downloaded the next story. Because who doesn’t want to know what zombies would have done to WW1?
February 4, 2021
Transylvania
This story is an alternative history Steam Punk adventure with supernatural elements including vampires and were beasts. As fantastical as that sounds, the primary motivation behind this tale is very realistic, revenge.
I find that the common themes found in Steam Punk usually make for an enjoyable experience. The vamps and weres lean more toward the classic frightening but sophisticated variety. While the historical setting adds a stereotypical charm, everything blends together nicely. I did find the ending to be a bit abrupt and mildly unfulfilling.
There is a follow up book, The Devil’s Harvest. It is not a direct sequel but rather another story set in the same world. It takes place during WWI and some characters from Carpathia make an appearance.
This story is an alternative history Steam Punk adventure with supernatural elements including vampires and were beasts. As fantastical as that sounds, the primary motivation behind this tale is very realistic, revenge.
I find that the common themes found in Steam Punk usually make for an enjoyable experience. The vamps and weres lean more toward the classic frightening but sophisticated variety. While the historical setting adds a stereotypical charm, everything blends together nicely. I did find the ending to be a bit abrupt and mildly unfulfilling.
There is a follow up book, The Devil’s Harvest. It is not a direct sequel but rather another story set in the same world. It takes place during WWI and some characters from Carpathia make an appearance.
February 26, 2020
Pulpy fun. Sometimes moves faster than is necessary, and feels slightly rushed. Nothing new added to the vampire genre, but a fun blending of the Titanic mythos and vampire lit.
July 1, 2023
Deadman walking
Interesting take on alternative history, vampires, werewolves, werecats maybe more creatures , taking place in Transylvania as it secretly does in our timeline.
Interesting take on alternative history, vampires, werewolves, werecats maybe more creatures , taking place in Transylvania as it secretly does in our timeline.
May 26, 2013
I'm not a great fan of vampire stories apart from Bram Stoker's `Dracula', which set the bar high. I see every character as either Christopher Lee or Peter Cushing from the 1960s Hammer Horror films - great stuff, but somewhat predictable. The recent batch of very popular vampire novels didn't impress me much, either.
But `Carpathia' is a wonderful book for vampire fans and even non-fans, like me! It's not just a vampire story, although it has many elements of the classic vampire tale. No, it is a terrific, horror/steampunk adventure story complete with wonderful dirigibles and steam driven automobiles set against the background of revenge, intrigue, political plotting and a decent but not overdone amount of vampiric bloodletting. It reminds me, in some aspects, of the novels of John Buchan and as a fan of `The Thirty Nine Steps' and other Buchan classics, I don't award this bouquet lightly.
The writing is crisp and vividly descriptive without unnecessary verbiage, although I would have liked a few more cliffhangers and a little more character development that was shown rather than told. This is in no way a criticism of the story, which is original and well written, but rather a personal preference when reading genre fiction. As a debut novel, Scott Whitmore has crafted a great story in a long tradition of European and American storytelling. That he is American speaks volumes for his understanding of both Europe and his genre.
The characters are realistic, credible and involving, which is difficult to achieve with the vampire thematic - it's been done to death over recent years - but the author has succeeded where so many have failed. I particularly liked the Native Americans and the relationship between an English character and an American one. I was rather unhappy about the death of a character I believe could have featured in other stories, but I suppose he could always come back as one of the undead, if necessary!
No spoilers from me; this was a solidly crafted piece of original work and I will be reading the author's second novel with keen anticipation. Recommended!
But `Carpathia' is a wonderful book for vampire fans and even non-fans, like me! It's not just a vampire story, although it has many elements of the classic vampire tale. No, it is a terrific, horror/steampunk adventure story complete with wonderful dirigibles and steam driven automobiles set against the background of revenge, intrigue, political plotting and a decent but not overdone amount of vampiric bloodletting. It reminds me, in some aspects, of the novels of John Buchan and as a fan of `The Thirty Nine Steps' and other Buchan classics, I don't award this bouquet lightly.
The writing is crisp and vividly descriptive without unnecessary verbiage, although I would have liked a few more cliffhangers and a little more character development that was shown rather than told. This is in no way a criticism of the story, which is original and well written, but rather a personal preference when reading genre fiction. As a debut novel, Scott Whitmore has crafted a great story in a long tradition of European and American storytelling. That he is American speaks volumes for his understanding of both Europe and his genre.
The characters are realistic, credible and involving, which is difficult to achieve with the vampire thematic - it's been done to death over recent years - but the author has succeeded where so many have failed. I particularly liked the Native Americans and the relationship between an English character and an American one. I was rather unhappy about the death of a character I believe could have featured in other stories, but I suppose he could always come back as one of the undead, if necessary!
No spoilers from me; this was a solidly crafted piece of original work and I will be reading the author's second novel with keen anticipation. Recommended!
June 20, 2015
Carpathia, written by Scott Whitmore, is a well-written tale of vampires, werewolves, and airships across Romania. What starts as an international airship competition devolves into a tale of mystery and monsters. While the story takes a little while to get going, the set-up is worth it. Once the airships are en route, the action picks up, questions are answered, and we slowly find out what binds our heroes together, aside from the race.
Each of the heroes are well-rounded characters whose individual motivations become clearer as the story unfolds, but my favorite was Olivia. Though the story takes place in a time in history in which women are most often seen and not heard, she asserts herself from the beginning, and she plays a key role in the events that lead to a fast-paced, thrilling conclusion.
Despite some pacing issues, which occur mostly in the early stages of the story, Carpathia remains a fun read and a solid debut novel for Whitmore. I recommend anyone with an interest in vampires or era-specific fiction to give Carpathia a read, and I look forward to reading Whitmore's second novel, The Devil's Harvest.
Each of the heroes are well-rounded characters whose individual motivations become clearer as the story unfolds, but my favorite was Olivia. Though the story takes place in a time in history in which women are most often seen and not heard, she asserts herself from the beginning, and she plays a key role in the events that lead to a fast-paced, thrilling conclusion.
Despite some pacing issues, which occur mostly in the early stages of the story, Carpathia remains a fun read and a solid debut novel for Whitmore. I recommend anyone with an interest in vampires or era-specific fiction to give Carpathia a read, and I look forward to reading Whitmore's second novel, The Devil's Harvest.
January 8, 2013
Well-written but Scott seems to be filling the pages and doesn't understand basic novel structure.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews