The Curse of Monte Cristo - by David Dabel & Carlton Holder (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Journey to the beginnings of the bloody days of the Haitian Revolution, with a classic tale of revenge and reclamation, reimagined with a horror twist, in The Curse of Monte Cristo.

France, 1788. Edmond Dantès, a Haitian of African descent and Parisian citizen has been sentenced to a life of hell at Château d'If for treason against the Ancien Régime. Once a man of faith, Edmond believes he's been abandoned by God, and the only thing that keeps him going is his deep hatred of those who he believes have framed him. Faria, an older prisoner who becomes a mentor to Edmond, confesses, "I am not flesh of this realm. Your lust for revenge drew me here."

Together, they escape the prison and return to Saint Domingue, where the smell of rebellion is thick in the air. Edmond, once an enslaved man himself, thought he had escaped the colonized land and his past life for good, only to return as the wealthy and mysterious Count of Monte Cristo. In pursuit of his enemies - including Mercedes, once his fiancée - he finds his careful rage growing only more reckless and ravenous. Haydee, a young revolutionist, tries to use his fury for good, while Faria, drunk off the misery Edmond has caused, hungers for the fresh taste of innocent blood. As Edmond's enemies begin to catch on to the count's true identity, and the fight for liberation from the French colonists swells to a pop, Edmond must reckon with the deal he's made with Faria. Is it any more sinister - or any different - than the pact he's made with his own inner demons?

Review Quotes

"This reimagined version of a classic is such a clever and entertaining mash-up of genres that I suspect Dabel and Holder are from an alternate universe where Alexandre Dumas wrote it this way. Kudos as well to the letterist and illustrator, Lentz and Catraca, who were obviously inspired." (Dean Koontz, #1 New York Times bestselling author)

About the Author

David Dabel's journey is a testament to the power of imagination, resilience, and cultural heritage. Born in the vibrant city of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, David's early years were steeped in the rich tapestry of his Haitian roots. Immigrating to the United States at a young age, David brought with him a deep appreciation for his heritage and a bilingual fluency in French Creole and English.

From an early age, David found himself drawn to the spine-tingling tales of the horror genre, with R.L. Stine's Goosebumps series serving as a gateway to his fascination. However, it was the timeless classic The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas that truly captured David's heart. Little did he know at the time that this beloved story would become a guiding light in his own creative journey. As David delved deeper into the story of The Count of Monte Cristo, he discovered a profound connection to its author, Alexandre Dumas, who shared Haitian heritage. This revelation sparked a transformative realization for David, igniting his passion for reimagining narratives through the lens of his own cultural identity.

Inspired by the determination of his Haitian ancestors, who fought bravely for freedom and independence, David embarked on a personal odyssey of storytelling. Channeling the spirit of Edmond Dantes, David began to craft his own narrative, weaving elements of Haitian history, culture, and folklore into the fabric of his imagination. Today, David Dabel stands as a visionary storyteller, blending his love for literature with a profound reverence for his Haitian heritage. Through his creative endeavors, he strives to honor the legacy of those who came before him while paving a path of inspiration and empowerment for future generations.

Carlton Holder grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and attended East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania as a literature major before moving to Los Angeles, where he worked as a Hollywood stuntman for ten years before transitioning to writing screenplays for independent films. He is currently developing film and print projects through his new media entertainment company, Exile Circus.