I did come into this book with some opinions, because I knew a little about Elizabeth Bathory, mostly from this site: https://www.rejectedprincesses.com/princesses/elisabeth-bathory . This book plays into the traditional view of Bathory, which the link I list above contests somewhat (but it does describe gore, so read those parts at your own risk.) So I have mixed feelings about that.

Anna is the daughter of a midwife, skilled at herbs and medicines for her time. Of course, that also means people call her a witch. She runs into Bathory at her wedding procession, and circumstances bring them together twice more, until eventually Anna becomes a scullery maid at Nasdady Castle. Since the money Anna makes will support her family, she looks for ways to rise in the ranks. And although she loves Elizabeth, something is deeply wrong at Nasdady Castle.

So, again, I don't believe all these things are truth about the real Countess Bathory. However, it wouldn't be as much of a gory, horrific story without it. It is gory. I do like the ways it reflects on what power women could have at that time, and how they were viewed. I also could see how a teen would get wrapped up in all of it, doing the best she can and realizing when she fails. I did like the ending for Anna, which was a little bittersweet but felt right.