Maria Dracula, Niece of Vlad Dracula the Impaler

Maria Dracula, the orphaned niece of Vlad Dracula, has lived with her uncle since her parents died. Her best friend and true love, Mihiel, is a Roma boy, a Gypsy. They have been inseparable since she rescued him when they both were children. All of society forbids them to marry, though, even though Vlad approves of Mihiel as a good man and a soldier.

The book traces Vlad's campaign to hold back the invasion of the Balkans by invaders from Turkey and the Middle East as seen through Maria's eyes.