Count Saint-Germain, known in this time period as Rakoczy, Sidi Sandjer'min, has been utilizing his medical skills to aid a Coptic monastery. Unfortunately, the rising tensions between the Christian Crusaders and the warriors led by Jenghiz Khan have made the monastery a place of uneasiness rather than sanctuary for the vampire, Rakoczy, and his ghoul, Ruthier. Rakozcy offers to accompany a group of pilgrims in their spiritual journey. What dangers will Rakoczy and Ruthier encounter as they make the difficult pilgrimage?

NIGHT PILGRIMS is the 26th book in Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's longstanding series about the Count Saint-Germain. However, it is easily read as a standalone story. There are a few references to characters and past tales but it is not necessary to have knowledge of them to appreciate NIGHT PILGRIMS.

NIGHT PILGRIMS is billed as historical horror but reads more like straight historical fiction with only a few vampire/ghoul references thrown in. In fact, the Count's very nature is almost incidental to the story as it is the lushness of the time period that is explored instead. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the dangers the pilgrims encountered as they made the somewhat treacherous journey deemed necessary by their faith. Of particular interest to me were the roles of the women in the pilgrimage, as we see very different women with Margrethe, Lalagia, and Sorer Imogen.

NIGHT PILGRIMS is a carefully crafted historical tale that takes readers on a journey through the tensions of the Middle East in the year 1225. Chelsea Quinn Yarbro does a marvelous job at bringing this time period to vivid life, as every moment is fraught with danger for the pilgrims.