The Progeny by Tosca Lee

Release Date: May 24, 2016
Publisher: Howard Books
Age Group: Adult
Source: Publisher
Series: Descendants of the House of Bathory #1
Pages: 336
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble |
IndieBound | Book Depository
Description: Goodreads
Emily Jacobs is the descendant of a serial killer. Now, she’s become the hunted.

She’s on a quest that will take her to the secret underground of Europe and the inner circles of three ancient orders—one determined to kill her, one devoted to keeping her alive, and one she must ultimately save.

Filled with adrenaline, romance, and reversals, The Progeny is the present-day saga of a 400-year-old war between the uncanny descendants of “Blood Countess” Elizabeth Bathory, the most prolific female serial killer of all time, and a secret society dedicated to erasing every one of her descendants. A story about the search for self filled with centuries-old intrigues against the backdrop of atrocity and hope. 

Imagine waking up with no memory of your life before, knowing that this is a choice you made, even though the reason why has been erased. That’s the choice that Emily Jacobs made. For some reason. But now, a past that she can’t remember is catching up with her and she has no idea who she can trust.

As part of an ancient bloodline that has been hunted for centuries, Emily must navigate underground societies while running from an order determined to exterminate them. By following bread crumbs she left for herself, she starts to unravel some secrets that have been hidden for centuries and others she gave up everything to keep hidden.




Opening the story with Emily not knowing who she is was a clever device for introducing the reader to the world of the Descendants of the House of Bathory. As our heroine discovers this secret society, Tosca Lee is able to avoid clunky exposition while she reveals these strange new worlds. The secretive underground nightlife is full of rich parties and hedonistic characters that are fun places in which to get lost. I would love to attend an all-night secret masquerade ball. Or would have 10 years ago.

The search to unravel her past is full of twists and turns, which I thought were often predictable, but still very fun. When Emily can’t remember anyone she knew before, she has to trust her instinct about who and what is safe, and it doesn’t always serve her well. As her path takes direction and her true friends become clear, Emily finally starts to understand for what she was willing to sacrifice herself.

An exciting romance, chases around the world, secret societies, forgotten pasts, and all night parties: this is a strong start to a new series that will have readers turning pages.