Yesterday, Crimson Peak, the latest gothic tale of horror from acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth, The Devil’s Backbone, Pacific Rim) made its box-office debut in the U.S. Starring Tom Hiddleston (Loki of Marvel’s Avengers and Thor), Jessica Chastain (Interstellar), and Mia Wasikowska, this thriller is populated with ghosts, haunted houses, and a creepy brother-sister relationship. Here at ’Warp Central, we’re all fans of del Toro’s work, and can’t wait to see his latest masterpiece!
Speaking of gothic horror, are you familiar with the tale of Carmilla? Written by J. Sheridan Le Fanu (Uncle Silas, In a Glass Darkly), this 19th-century vampiric romance has influenced generations of writers from Bram Stoker to Laurel K. Hamilton, and has been adapted for the screen many times, including Hammer’s The Vampire Lovers and Roger Vadim’s Blood and Roses. The StarWarp Concepts edition features exclusive illustrations by Eliseu Gouveia (The Saga of Pandora Zwieback Annual #1, Lorelei: Sects and the City). Here’s what it’s about:
Before Edward and Bella, before Lestat and Louis, even before Dracula and Mina, there was the tale of Carmilla and Laura.
Living with her widowed father in a dreary old castle in the woods of Styria, Laura has longed to have a friend with whom she can confide; a friend to bring some excitement to her pastoral lifestyle. And then Carmilla enters her life.
Left by her mother in the care of Laura’s father, Carmilla is young, beautiful, playful—everything Laura had hoped to find in a companion. In fact, the lonely girl is so thrilled to have a new friend that she is willing to overlook the dark-haired beauty’s strange actions…which include a disturbing, growing obsession for her lovely hostess.
Carmilla, it seems, desires more than just friendship from Laura….
Fans of gothic literature have certainly enjoyed it:
“The way Le Fanu blends together desire and predation is spellbinding. A true Gothic story, Carmilla is great fun.”—Gothic Beauty Magazine
“Carmilla is a must-read for any true fan of vampire fiction.”—LoveVampires.com
“Like many vampire romances, Carmilla and Laura’s love is doomed and unhealthy, but glorious.”—io9
“Carmilla is an enthralling wonderland ripe with blood and death. Curl up with this little sleeper if you like your creatures of the night with just a little dash of pixie dust and wolfsbane.”—ClassicHorror.com
Carmilla is available in print and digital formats, so visit its product page for ordering information.
