Vlad Dragwlya by Timothy E. Rodrigue: A Review And Overall Thoughts

As an obsessive fan of Vlad Dracula, I find myself often buying books about his life, whether it is historical fiction or purely history. So, here’s my review of the book Vlad Dragwlya by Timothy E. Rodrigue.

Official Summary of Vlad Dragwlya

Here begins a very cruel frightening story about a wild bloodthirsty man Prince Dragwlya… The war-torn principality of Wallachia is a perilous fulcrum, one of the few geographical boundaries that hinders the Ottoman Empire’s march across Europe.

There are those who would gladly bow to the demands of the Turkish if it meant the procurement of their lands and wealth. There are others who would defy the sultans with every last breath. Prince Vlad III, Dragwlya, is of the latter ilk. Eastern Europe is decidedly Machiavellian, and Dragwlya is the epitome of the doctrine.

OCD VampireFebruary 12, 2024February 12, 20241 Comment

Experts, Middle Ages, OCD Vampire

Before Vlad The Impaler There Was His Brother Mircea II

As a medievalist enthusiast and a Vlad the Impaler fan, I learn daily about his life. One brother of his with a horror story is Mircea II of Wallachia.

Why Is Mircea Important To Vlad’s Story

When I hurt my back last week, I was glued to the bed with limited motion. I couldn’t do much, so I decided it was time to read. I was an avid reader from when I learned to read to my twenties. I can’t recall why I stopped.

I discovered Vlad when I was a tween but only started learning about his life as a teenager. My love for the paranormal and folklore won over me, and I wanted to know who the man behind Dracula from Bram Stoker was.

OCD VampireFebruary 7, 20241 Comment

Books, Experts, OCD Vampire, Reviews

Vlad, The Last Confession Is A Historical Fiction Retelling Of A Hero

There are many novels out there, but there is so little time. When I hurt my back and found myself glued to my bed, here is what I read, Vlad, The Last Confession, by C.C. Humphreys and here is my review.

Vlad, The Last Confession – The Official Summary

A superb gothic novel about the real Dracula, Vlad the Impaler – one of history’s greatest psychopaths or a hero of the West? Perhaps both…

‘A chilling masterpiece that weaves fact and fable. Bedtime reading? Only if you don’t need much sleep…’

BEST DRACULA. A name of horror, depravity and the darkest sensuality.

OCD VampireFebruary 5, 2024February 4, 20242 Comments

Experts, Haunted, Medicality, Paula Phillips

What Is The Most Haunted Place in New Zealand?

New Zealand is a country on Earth that is sometimes missing on our world maps and is home to the Hobbits. But they are wonderful people with much history to offer. Lucky us, we have our own kiwi, Paula, to talk to us about NZ’s most haunted place!

What Is It About New Zealand?

Growing up in New Zealand, a small country, many things started happening civilisation-wise in the late 1800s and early 1900s. We have a different history than other countries around the world.

In saying that, though, we have a few exciting spots around New Zealand worth visiting, including the former Seacliff Lunatic Asylum, considered the most haunted place in New Zealand.

NZGeekChicFebruary 1, 20242 Comments

Experts, Middle Ages, OCD Vampire, Paganism

The Strange And Magickal Origin Of Fays

When thinking about fairies, we often lean toward the little, tiny female entities with charming laughs and small dragonfly types of wings. But what is a fairy, really?

What does Fay Mean And Where Does It Come From?

The word fay saw the light of day in the early Dark Ages. Its spelling varies from fae, fay, fey, and fairy, which all mean the same. We can also see lesser-known variations such as faerie, fairie, fayrye, and feirie.

However, the spelling faerie, adopted in Middle English, later became the word fairy. The word means “enchanted” or anything related to charm. The word itself, borrowed from Old French faerie, came from the same meaning, “realm of the fays.”

OCD VampireJanuary 31, 2024January 30, 20241 Comment

Books, Indie Community, Interviews

GBM Interviews Author Ariel Dawn

At Gothic Bite Magazine we love welcoming new patients to become part of our asylum. We question them and learn about them. It doesn’t matter what creative field they are part of because they’re our patient now. This week, we welcome Ariel Dawn.

Patient Name: Ariel Dawn

Hi! I’m Ariel Dawn! I’m a real-life mermaid. Seriously, ask me about my mermaid tail, cosplayer, fangirl, PA and author!

I grew up as an avid reader and a creative soul. I write primarily plot-driven paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and reverse harem, but I also write in many other genres, including contemporary romance and sci-fi romance.

OCD VampireJanuary 30, 2024January 29, 20241 Comment

Cartomancy, Experts, OCD Vampire

What Is The History Of Cartomancy, And Is Tarot French?

There are many reasons why someone could get enthusiastic about fortune-telling, but what if the reader is the one who finds an obsession with the process? This little OCD Vampire is intrigued by cartomancy and what it means!

What Is Cartomancy And What Does It Really Do?

Cartomancy refers to the divination method of fortune-telling. When the deck of cards started appearing in Europe in the fourteenth century, the practice of cartomancy appeared as it required a deck of cards to proceed. This type of divination is called cartomancers, card readers or readers.

When cartomancy started, the reading would occur with a deck of regular cards called a French-suited playing card deck. It was the most popular way of reading through cards from the Victorian era to the Belle Époque.

OCD VampireJanuary 29, 2024January 28, 20243 Comments

Books, Experts, Paula Phillips, Reviews

Horror Unmasked: A History of Terror from Nosferatu to Nope by Brad Weismann Reviewed

Gothic Bite Magazine is home to the Phantom Paragrapher book reviewer also known as Paula Phillips from New Zealand and here is her Gothic review of the Horror Unmasked novel by Brad Weismann.

Official Summary Of Horror Unmasked

From the silent-film era to the blockbusters of today, Horror Unmasked is a fun-filled, highly illustrated dive into the past influences and present popularity of the horror film genre.

The horror film’s pop-culture importance is undeniable, from its early influences to today’s most significant and exciting developments in the genre.

NZGeekChicJanuary 26, 2024January 25, 20241 Comment

Experts, Kasey Hill

What Is Wicca And What Does It Mean To Be A Wiccan

We often hear the word Wicca and directly associate it with witchcraft. But what is Wicca aside from that? Wicca is the only religion found to be witchcraft, and that sets it apart. Kasey Hill is here to explain more about Wicca!

Paganism Versus Wicca

Paganism is a nature worship-based religion offset from the traditional worldly religions rooted in patriarchal fundamentals.

One of the significant precepts for this religion is the belief in not just a single God but in a multitude of gods and goddesses depicted in history through mythological texts and oral stories.

Kasey HillJanuary 24, 2024January 24, 20241 Comment

England - Stonehenge - Paganism - Celtic - Druidism

Experts, Middle Ages, OCD Vampire, Paganism, Witch History

The Secret Knowledge Of The Age Of Druidism

In the writing world, we often use folklore and legends. But Druids are not part of the usual characters in novels. Their secrecy might be to blame.

Why Did I Fall Into The Rabbit Hole Of Druidism

Upon research as a medievalist enthusiast, looking for various types of witches, the word Druid popped into my head. Many associate druids with fantasy or games such as Magic The Gathering or Dungeons & Dragons. But there is much more to them.

Druids are not as known as other Celtic folkloric people, such as Leprechauns, Faeries, Elves, and Trolls, to only name a few. The influence of the Celtic culture in fantasy literature is significant and provides solid roots. But druids are different.

OCD VampireJanuary 22, 2024January 21, 20241 Comment

Experts, Indie Community, James Vaughan, Musicians, YouTube

First To Eleven Is A Band Worth Listening To

At Gothic Bite Magazine we love music and we love introducing awesome musicians found online. This week James Vaughan is introducing First To Eleven to us.

Who Is First To Eleven?

Biters, it is time, as promised, for me to return to our Bohemian Rhapsody Ladies from a while ago.

So, may I present Audra Miller of First to Eleven and First to Eleven. This is where I tell you a little about them. But who better to tell you about the band than the band themselves?

James VaughanJanuary 20, 2024January 20, 20241 Comment

Dora Esquivel, Experts, Medicality

What The History Of Trepanation Tells Us

There are scientific procedures in human history that can be quite macabre and paved the way to our medical system today. But what is trepanation?

But What Is Trepanation?

What kind of ancient surgery deliberately cut or scraped away parts of people’s skulls? Trepanning.

To explain this better, let’s take a journey back in time. It might sound bizarre now, but this practice has a long history, going back thousands of years and spanning different cultures.

Dora EsquivelJanuary 19, 20241 Comment

Books, Experts, Paula Phillips, Reviews

A Classic Revamped As Dracula Daily Reviewed By Paula Phillips

Gothic Bite Magazine is home to the Phantom Paragrapher book reviewer also known as Paula Phillips from New Zealand and here is her Gothic review of the classic tale of Dracula but known as Dracula Daily.

Official Summary Of Dracula Daily

Dracula Daily: Reading Bram Stoker’s Dracula in Real Time With Commentary by the Internet

The wildly popular email newsletter that has been described as an “internet sensation” (The New York Times) and “the coolest book club on the internet” (Fast Company) is breathing new life into Bram Stoker’s classic vampire novel.

Now, the internet phenomenon can be experienced in this deluxe hardcover book that includes hilarious commentary and artwork from Dracula Daily readers.

NZGeekChicJanuary 18, 2024January 17, 20241 Comment

Experts, Indie Community, Interviews, OCD Vampire

GBM Interviews Author Jason O’Hara

At Gothic Bite Magazine we love welcoming new patients to become part of our asylum. We question them and learn about them. It doesn’t matter what creative field they are part of because they’re our patient now. This week, we welcome Jason O’Hara

Patient Name: Jason O’Hara

My name is Jason O’Hara. I write under the name Jaysen True Blood. I have been writing for over thirty years – closer to forty, if you count the first story I wrote for a third-grade class project.

I write every genre possible, but I have an affinity for paranormal and horror. I work a day job but spend my days off writing. My adventure began with publishing my first book, The Price Of Lust, in 2007.

OCD VampireJanuary 17, 2024January 16, 20241 Comment

Apothecary - Books - Magick - Witchcraft

Experts, OCD Vampire, Paganism, Witch History

Witchphobia Is Happening, Leading To Dangerous Hatred Toward Witches

The hate for witches goes back millennia and is still present in our time now, worse than it has been in centuries. Why are people so afraid of witches? Read to find out!

Is It The Fear Of The Unknown Or Something Else?

While I would like to believe it is only the fear of the unknown that drives people to hate witches, it’s more complicated than that. People who hate witches often are also religious.

It’s part of those people’s education growing up to fear and hate witches. Some religious people find witches silly because they don’t know what it is to be a witch. However, others believe they know what a witch is and hate us for it.

OCD VampireJanuary 16, 2024January 17, 20242 Comments

Experts, OCD Vampire, Witch History

A Witch’s Path In The New Year 2024

Being a witch today is more challenging because of all the false information surrounded it. Conspiracy theories and ‘normal’ people are giving birth to a second age of witch hunt.

So Many Different Witch Paths

* This article will not mention or discuss Wicca as a religion. *
* This article does not mention astrologer, psychic, or medium as a path. Not all witches are fortune-tellers or astrologers, which are their own paths. *

Witchcraft comes in many forms and is unique to the witch’s heart. There are main paths such as but not limited to: green, hedge, hereditary, folk, kitchen, house, pagan, Norse, seer, necromancy, druid, solitary, eclectic, academia, and so many more.

Those paths mentioned above can have similarities but also uniqueness to their practice. Many genres submerge as years go by and new skills and specialties grow.

OCD VampireJanuary 15, 2024January 17, 20241 Comment

Experts, James Vaughan, Musicians, YouTube

All I Want For Christmas Is The Beautiful People

We all know the song from the artist who thawed and haunts our radio anywhere we go for the duration of the holiday season. But what if the Goth King came and saved us all? James talks about it!

My Marilyn Manson Redemption Must Happen!

Biters, I must confess I dropped the ball back around Halloween. I was given a special request to look at a Marilyn Manson song. While I turned an article in for you all, it was merely fair in execution.

It’s not worthy of you or a gothic magazine for a Halloween article. Biters, I now seek redemption this December with Bill McClintock‘s All I Want for Christmas is the Beautiful People.

James VaughanDecember 12, 2023December 11, 20232 Comments

Paganism

The Celebration Of Yuletide Is More Than A Decorated Tree

Many people love Christmas and for excellent reasons. However, we know it was stolen from pagans who celebrated the winter solstice. Was it? So, what is Yuletide?

An Overall Look Of Yuletide

Jól is the old Norse word for Yule; in Old English, they called it géohol. It signified the hunting season after the harvest time was over. It would happen in December. But Yule itself is an ancient tradition and celebration of the winter solstice going back thousands of years among the Norse and Germanic people.

Yule was stolen during the Christianisation of the Germanic and Norse people. Christmas happens at the heart of Yuletide to ensure that people observe the religious holiday celebrating the birth of their saviour. Christianisation was quite strict back in those times, and appropriating Pagan holidays would solidify a conversion.

OCD VampireDecember 9, 2023December 8, 20231 Comment

Experts, Reviews

Black Christmas: A Ho-Ho-Horror Retrospective Review

Danny Micheal Vaillancourt stopped by Gothic Bite Magazine to give his reviews on the Black Christmas movie and its remakes. What better than a good horror movie to start the holidays?

The Originals Are Always Better Aren’t They?

Bob Clark’s Black Christmas from 1974 is arguably one of the best of its kind within the sub-genre of holiday horror films. It remains undoubtedly influential in laying the groundwork for slasher films.

It has even inspired some of the genre classics that we know and love today, such as John Carpenter’s Halloween from 1978, and would go on to establish the formula and genre rules to come.

Danny Micheal VaillancourtDecember 6, 2023December 5, 2023Leave a comment

Experts, Medicality, OCD Vampire, Vampires

An Introduction To What Does It Mean To Me To Be A Vampire

Most people know little about vampires beyond what Hollywood has portrayed them. But what if I told you that, in many ways, I am a vampire? Come read my story.

Come Peek Into My Vampirish Diary

This article is the first of many I planned to explain and dive into the world of vampires. There are so many fields, categories, genres, and lifestyles related to millennia-old and worldwide known creatures that one article wouldn’t cover it.

However, there is also more to know as to why I wanted to be the one exploring the subject. My passion for vampires goes back to my toddler years, but there is more to it. Not only do I relate to the vampire creature, but I am also a certified vampirologist.

OCD VampireNovember 16, 20231 Comment

As an obsessive fan of Vlad Dracula, I find myself often buying books about his life, whether it is historical fiction or purely history. So, here’s my review of the book Vlad Dragwlya by Timothy E. Rodrigue.

Official Summary of Vlad Dragwlya

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As a medievalist enthusiast and a Vlad the Impaler fan, I learn daily about his life. One brother of his with a horror story is Mircea II of Wallachia.

Why Is Mircea Important To Vlad’s Story

Share this:

There are many novels out there, but there is so little time. When I hurt my back and found myself glued to my bed, here is what I read, Vlad, The Last Confession, by C.C. Humphreys and here is my review.

Vlad, The Last Confession – The Official Summary

Share this:

New Zealand is a country on Earth that is sometimes missing on our world maps and is home to the Hobbits. But they are wonderful people with much history to offer. Lucky us, we have our own kiwi, Paula, to talk to us about NZ’s most haunted place!

What Is It About New Zealand?

Share this:

When thinking about fairies, we often lean toward the little, tiny female entities with charming laughs and small dragonfly types of wings. But what is a fairy, really?

What does Fay Mean And Where Does It Come From?

Share this:

At Gothic Bite Magazine we love welcoming new patients to become part of our asylum. We question them and learn about them. It doesn’t matter what creative field they are part of because they’re our patient now. This week, we welcome Ariel Dawn.

Patient Name: Ariel Dawn

Share this:

There are many reasons why someone could get enthusiastic about fortune-telling, but what if the reader is the one who finds an obsession with the process? This little OCD Vampire is intrigued by cartomancy and what it means!

What Is Cartomancy And What Does It Really Do?

Share this:

Gothic Bite Magazine is home to the Phantom Paragrapher book reviewer also known as Paula Phillips from New Zealand and here is her Gothic review of the Horror Unmasked novel by Brad Weismann.

Official Summary Of Horror Unmasked

Share this:

We often hear the word Wicca and directly associate it with witchcraft. But what is Wicca aside from that? Wicca is the only religion found to be witchcraft, and that sets it apart. Kasey Hill is here to explain more about Wicca!

Paganism Versus Wicca

Share this:

In the writing world, we often use folklore and legends. But Druids are not part of the usual characters in novels. Their secrecy might be to blame.

Why Did I Fall Into The Rabbit Hole Of Druidism

Share this:

At Gothic Bite Magazine we love music and we love introducing awesome musicians found online. This week James Vaughan is introducing First To Eleven to us.

Who Is First To Eleven?

Share this:

There are scientific procedures in human history that can be quite macabre and paved the way to our medical system today. But what is trepanation?

But What Is Trepanation?

Share this:

Gothic Bite Magazine is home to the Phantom Paragrapher book reviewer also known as Paula Phillips from New Zealand and here is her Gothic review of the classic tale of Dracula but known as Dracula Daily.

Official Summary Of Dracula Daily

Share this:

At Gothic Bite Magazine we love welcoming new patients to become part of our asylum. We question them and learn about them. It doesn’t matter what creative field they are part of because they’re our patient now. This week, we welcome Jason O’Hara

Patient Name: Jason O’Hara

Share this:

The hate for witches goes back millennia and is still present in our time now, worse than it has been in centuries. Why are people so afraid of witches? Read to find out!

Is It The Fear Of The Unknown Or Something Else?

Share this:

Being a witch today is more challenging because of all the false information surrounded it. Conspiracy theories and ‘normal’ people are giving birth to a second age of witch hunt.

So Many Different Witch Paths

*** This article will not mention or discuss Wicca as a religion. ****** This article does not mention astrologer, psychic, or medium as a path. Not all witches are fortune-tellers or astrologers, which are their own paths. ***

Share this:

We all know the song from the artist who thawed and haunts our radio anywhere we go for the duration of the holiday season. But what if the Goth King came and saved us all? James talks about it!

My Marilyn Manson Redemption Must Happen!

Share this:

Many people love Christmas and for excellent reasons. However, we know it was stolen from pagans who celebrated the winter solstice. Was it? So, what is Yuletide?

An Overall Look Of Yuletide

Share this:

Danny Micheal Vaillancourt stopped by Gothic Bite Magazine to give his reviews on the Black Christmas movie and its remakes. What better than a good horror movie to start the holidays?

The Originals Are Always Better Aren’t They?

Share this:

Most people know little about vampires beyond what Hollywood has portrayed them. But what if I told you that, in many ways, I am a vampire? Come read my story.

Come Peek Into My Vampirish Diary

Share this:

* This article will not mention or discuss Wicca as a religion. *
* This article does not mention astrologer, psychic, or medium as a path. Not all witches are fortune-tellers or astrologers, which are their own paths. *