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I’m an ordinary girl ... but a brooding vampire is about to turn my world upside down

Christopher Deverell is caretaker of the Red Claw Family, a brood of vampires so blood-thirsty that they were forced into slumber for a century by the Council of Elders.

Nell Cartwright’s life has been torn apart after the tragic deaths of her parents. Desperate, she turns to her reclusive aunt in Angel Falls.

Not all is as it seems in the small town … and now an ancient evil is awakening ... as well as her feelings for an enigmatic vampire.

Christopher and Nell are plunged into a dangerous world where Old Magick and supernatural creatures make for heart-stopping adventure.

Note for readers: Rise of the Red Claws is a three-part fantasy romance and suspense series with no cheating. Book one ends with an unresolved plot element, which is completely resolved in book two. All three books have been released.

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 28, 2024

1446 people are currently reading
602 people want to read

About the author

Anya Kelner

10 books24 followers
Librarian, indie writer and mum of two who loves cats, cakes and paranormal fiction. And yes, Amara is based on me. But I’m not nearly so smart or brave!

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5 stars
435 (42%)
4 stars
293 (28%)
3 stars
185 (17%)
2 stars
73 (7%)
1 star
45 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
Profile Image for Bookishgames.
197 reviews86 followers
March 2, 2024
Surely, this was an AI generated Twilight parody.

Nothing made sense. The romance wasn't even insta-love at that point, it was more nosense-love. I know it's supposed to be a fated mate couple, but that's not an excuse to write absolutely no build up. The first kiss was so random I reread the last paragraph to make sure I didn't miss anything. You can't have a first kiss and only write "he kissed me sweetly on the lips, then pulled away".

Also, it should be illegal how fast Christopher fell in love. I mean, he says it himself "I know we just met". Well yeah dude, you had 3 grand interactions behind a bar that lasted 2 pages in total. That's a bit much to know she's the "love of your life".

We had more buildup and details about Nell's waitressing job than the romance, and that's a big ick.

Also the story was okayish at first, but then there was so many wtf scenes. Nell's aunt, her last living relative, dies right im front of her. That should be tragic, yes ? But nooooo, we get 2 pages of her being "sad" but then she's having sex with her new vampire husbandos.

I sense a theme here.

It may be the author's first book, and there's a lot of ways to get better in her career. But I really hope she gets alpha and beta readers for her next series. I really feel like nobody read this book before it was published. The concept was good and there was a lot of potential, and with good advices this could have been better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for 1000_books_1000_lives.
516 reviews43 followers
February 29, 2024
This was so much info dumping and the pacing was really implausible. The story lacked depth and development but had enough to stop me DNFing but I won’t be carrying on the series. The insta love was just so not believable, the MFC has zero emotional depth- the story held a lot of promise but it needed another couple hundred pages to really develop into something meaningful and it was just lacking.
Profile Image for Joanna Owens.
236 reviews8 followers
October 8, 2024
A generous two star rating for a story I have already read many times before under a different title and by a different author.
Profile Image for Lorna.
1,788 reviews110 followers
October 28, 2024
31/2 stars rounded up to 4. This will be short as I’ve already done a very long review that disappeared while trying to add it to Amazon which would have put it here as well. Frustrating!

This is the story of a young woman that moves in with her aunt after the death of her parents. The new town is strange with everyone telling her to not go outside after dark. No explanation. She meets an incredibly handsome young guy at her work. Before long they are both smitten with each other. The problem? He’s a vampire. These are not teenagers. He allows her into the estate that belongs to the ruling vampires. It’s also where the bloodthirsty family that resides in a hundred year slumber due to killing indiscriminately all humans they come in contact with. It’s time for them to wake up.

This was a lot darker than I thought it would be. Certainly darker than the Twilight books. I didn’t like how fast he falls for her AND tells her what he is. At that point, most people would run away screaming. Very short courtship. She does some things that were particularly stupid while trying to figure him out. I didn’t think that was realistic. I know it’s fantasy but something’s need to make sense to me. It ends on the dreaded cliffhanger which I absolutely abhor. There are ways to get around leaving things undone, I’ve seen it done. I did like the characters mostly and the book definitely kept my attention. Recommended to adult paranormal romance/urban fantasy readers.
Profile Image for Nicole.
142 reviews
July 7, 2024
I've tried really hard, but the author just clichéd Anne Rice....oh, I'm sorry, she's called Annette Redmon in this book....nope I can't. Referring to a Stephen King as Stephen Kline was bad enough.

The story is all over the place. Nell is so whiney, I just want to smack her and Christopher is supposed to be the Vampire but from what little we've been told, mind you I'm almost 50% done, it's not looking good.

I'm also really confused by the 5 ☆ reviews did we not read the same thing? What am I missing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Traceys.
1,484 reviews72 followers
March 31, 2024
To be honest I feel like I've just read another version of Twilight (which I liked), but this was just a more adult version. There's was so much info thrown at you and the instant (trusting) friendship with Amara was a little silly, let alone how Christopher is trusted.

It was entertaining to a certain degree, but when the werewolf turned up I was like really... That's me done!
Profile Image for Lozz’s Random Reads  McKenzie - Lee.
944 reviews18 followers
September 8, 2024
For the Twilight/ Buffy the Vampire Girlies

As we know Vampires are very “ hot right now”

And they are a huge feature in the paranormal romance genre.

The issue in writing such stories, is to not borrow too heavily from some of the more recent popular interpretations.

The issue with “Awake” is that it does.

There a very strong leaning towards a Twilight scenario in this first book in The Red Claw series.


Nell Cartwright arrives in the sleepy town of
Angel Falls, to live with her Aunt Laura , after the sudden deaths of her parents.

Concerned about her lack of funds and wanting to contribute with the finances, Nell takes a job waitressing at The Tiger Diner.

It’s while working, that Nell runs into the cute guy who organises “Open Mike “ Nights, Devan.

As Nell allows herself to indulge in a little light flirting with Devan, it’s actually the dark brooding guy in the leather jacket sitting in the corner with his guitar that has garnered her most of her attention.

And!

When he stands to perform…

The whole Diner stops what they are doing to listen.

After crossing paths later that night after Nell leaves work, the hot guy introduces himself to Nell.

His name?

Christopher Deverell

After meeting up for guitar lessons, it’s not long before Christopher has Nell joining him on stage.

But, something is puzzling …
Christopher never eats, or drinks anything at the Diner

And, Nell discovers he appears to wear heavy makeup-up.




After a visit to his rather austere home, followed by a bit of stalking, Nell witnesses exactly what Christopher is

He is a vampire.

Turned twenty years earlier, at the human age of twenty-two.

Now, Christopher’s main purpose, appointed by the Higher council, is to be caretaker to the vicious Red Claw family who have been left in stasis due to their violent tendencies.


I this point, I think we all know where this story is heading.


Complete with a Twilight-esque Love triangle between Human ( Nell ) - Vampire ( Christopher ) - Werewolf ( Devan )

It’s not all drama though, with the author attempting to injecting some humorous banter between the main characters.

Particularly, between Devan and Nell’s bestie, Librarian, Amara.

By the end of this first book we have been left with the obligatory…Cliffhanger.

For what it is, and the audience it is aimed at, it’s not bad.
The plot is reasonable entertaining, if not ground breaking, the characters are pleasant enough.

But, there is just something I feel that is missing.

At times, the story, especially when it comes to Nell and Christopher, becomes a little rushed.
Like the author was in a hurry to establish their love for each other to push the narrative along.

It went from Zero - to a Hundred.

One minute, they are all stolen looks, and chased touching, then they are blurting out their love for each other.

There was also elements of the group banter that was very reminiscent of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Some of Devon’s one liners could have come straight from the mouth of Xander.

So, as the Human and the Vampire are holed up at the vamp safe house with the Werewolf and the Librarian, The Red Claw family awaits at the door.

They want Nell.
If they have her, an ancient prophecy will not be able to come to fruition.

A prophecy that could see their families demise.
Profile Image for Claire Robinson.
Author 1 book52 followers
May 18, 2024
I DNFd at 10% , it was so info dumpy and wordy , I couldn't get into it, which is a shame as I love Vampires.
Profile Image for Debbie Shawver.
356 reviews16 followers
July 17, 2024
Loved it!

I really enjoyed Awake. Its was a gripping tale I couldn’t put down. Looking forward to the next two books.
Profile Image for Jennel Alexander.
1 review1 follower
February 3, 2024
I’ve read a lot of vampire books. I enjoyed this unique story, and can’t wait to read the next book in this series. It kept me interested, and wasn’t predictable like many vampire reads. I felt it could have been longer with a little bit more context and detail for each of the main few characters (including Amara and Davan), but still enjoyed it nonetheless.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Ilia.
404 reviews3 followers
August 10, 2024
This is definitely not "the new vampire sensation" but an unsuccessful attempt to copy Twilight with the main characters in college age. The writing is clunky, the world building inadequate, the jokes immature and not funny, and oh the one thing that may have attracted readers, i.e. the relationship and chemistry between Nell and Christopher is non-existent. There is basically no build-up to their relationship and one day we find out that he loves her and they are part of a prophecy. Throw in some other creatures like hunters, werewolves and possibly fae to come and hope to make it more attractive and complex. Nope, not for me. This was so disappointing.
Profile Image for Crystal Waller.
66 reviews11 followers
August 12, 2024
Dnf'd halfway through

This book was boring and felt like it was dragging on. I finally couldn't take it anymore, and stopped reading it. I also felt like the author didn't know how to write a 20 year old. I kept having to remind myself that the fmc was only 20 because she seemed much older.
22 reviews
June 29, 2024
interesting idea but poorly written

While the story resembles a cheap knockoff of twilight, I am quite surprised this book was able to be published. The writing is a pacing nightmare and is riddled with simple writing with odd fancy words inserted at random. Example the author will use a word such as excessful instead of excessive. There is absolutely no flow. The protagonists have zero character development. Page one they meet then by page two, they are madly in love. What a written mess.
43 reviews
April 10, 2024
Really just didn’t get this book at all. And I’m shocked at the 5 star reviews. I don’t understand how the characters were suddenly ‘in love’. From zero to 1000, in a few pages….i thought I must have skipped pages, but no.

To be honest I just didn’t care. About the story, the characters, and won’t bother reading the rest of this series.
Profile Image for RNDK.
721 reviews12 followers
April 15, 2024
The only thing interesting about this book was the cover. Touted as the next Twilight, which it is far from. In need of a good editor to cut a lot of the boring, meaningless stuff. It was tough forcing myself to continue as far as I did. 41%.
I feel no guilt in not finishing this book. Life is too short to bother.
Profile Image for Allison Ripley-Duggan.
1,807 reviews14 followers
June 9, 2025
I loved it!

It was so enticing that I couldn’t put it down, this book grabbed my interest from the very first page. I couldn’t put it down, I had to know what happened next. The story is well written with a very good storyline. This is Book One of the Rise of the Red Claws series. This series had me on the edge of my seat. The author creates a world with fully-formed, vivid characters that you take to heart very easily. Love is found in the most unexpected of places. The twists and turns are unexpected and at times astonishing. Prepare to fall in love with reading again.

A thrilling, unpredictable and emotional saga that weaves vampires, shifters, deception, magic and an ancient prophecy that will determine the fate of humanity. If you love books featuring a strong female protagonist, supernatural thrills, small towns, intrigue and a spellbinding plot, then this will definitely become a new favourite. Experience the magic that has captivated so many readers

Christopher is caretaker of the Red Claw Family, a brood of vampires so blood-thirsty they were forced into slumber for a century by the Council of Elders. Nell’s world has been torn apart, desperate, she turns to her reclusive aunt in Angel Falls. Not all is at it seems in the small town, and now an ancient evil is awakening. Christopher and Nell are plunged into a dangerous world where supernatural action and strange creatures make for heart-stopping adventure. So with all that and more this story pulls you in and holds you tight. It’s a must read. I highly recommend to everyone.
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.8k reviews361 followers
February 9, 2024
Is the Countdown Over ? . . .

This is the beginning of Christopher Deverell and Nell Cartwright’s story, so hold on to your seat as we get some hints about what is changing in their world…

At the death of her parents, Nell goes to Angel Falls to connect with her aunt. But something odd is going on in the town as an ancient evil is preparing to come back. Long ago, the Red Claw Family vampires had been out of control, blood-thirsty, vicious and savage. So the Council of Elders put them into a deep sleep for a century of time. It has been Christopher’s job to keep the inactive Red Claw Family just barely alive during this time, drip-feeding blood slowly, giving them just a trickle to keep them alive. Anything more could break the enchantment that held them and allow them to arise prematurely! Is that time up so soon? And how will Nell be involved as she is just arriving in town? Does her Aunt Laura have insight into the nightmare that is about to be set free? And even more important, is there a way to stop it?
Profile Image for Jaime.
1,804 reviews310 followers
March 1, 2024
Series review

Overall a good series with a few unexpected twists and pretty awesome characters.

I would be remiss if I didn’t say how much I enjoyed the following series when I first read it. Twilight (The Twilight Saga, #1) by Stephenie Meyer New Moon (The Twilight Saga, #2) by Stephenie Meyer Eclipse (The Twilight Saga, #3) by Stephenie Meyer Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, #4) by Stephenie Meyer Midnight Sun (The Twilight Saga, #5) by Stephenie Meyer
While this “Rise of the Red Claws” wasn’t exactly the same as “Twilight” it was very, very similar.

3 Star Series ⭐️⭐️⭐️
17 reviews
February 23, 2025
It could have had potential but ....

1) Insta love - there was no built up and I do mean none zero, a few random encounters and then bam love of my life. If there was more built up, something that showed us chemistry as opposed to telling us about it, it could have been much better

2) Sigh - the translations in Romanian don't actually mean anything in Romanian. For example, when the authors means "rise of the red claws" it's translated to "ridicarea ghearelor rosii". Yes rise is ridicarea in this case, but that expression in Romanian means gibberish, having no meaning at all. There were other words to use to give it a similar meaning so I do hope at some point this gets revised and the Romanian gets corrected by an actual Romanian who can give it nuance and make it make sense.

It did have potential, but it didn't quite land for me
1,040 reviews3 followers
April 19, 2024
Nice beginning!

Nell and Christopher…the condensed version
Nell moves to Angel Falls after the untimely death of her parents. Moving in with her Aunt Laura, she is determined to pull her own weight and finds employment at the local diner. Something is odd though…everyone warns her not to be out after dark. Strange things can happen after dark in Angel Falls.
Christopher is the caretaker of a nest of vampires that were forced into a 100 year sleep when they would not follow the directions of the ruling vampire council. He meets Nell when he comes to the diner to play guitar. Mesmerized by him, Nell eventually follows him and discovers his secret.
This is a good start to a series that takes on an ancient prophecy that just so happens to stat Nell and Christopher.
Profile Image for Katie.
458 reviews21 followers
September 13, 2024
Okay, I hated it. I gave it 2 stars because I feel bad giving it just one star. This is very obviously a first book. And while the story may not be bad, it was just... not good. There was no interaction whatsoever between Nell and Christopher for them to fall in love. Literally, a couple of 2 minute interactions between them at a diner. That's it. And then they just suddenly love each other. wtf. There was nothing that made me care about any of the characters. And it honestly read very much like a different version of Twilight. Like I said... the bones of the story might have promise, but the execution isn't good. I've written myself, though I've never published. This very much reads like a first draft. I won't be reading the rest of the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Nereid.
1,466 reviews21 followers
February 25, 2024
A different vampire story

I picked up this book after reading all the reviews, and I enjoyed the first book. There was a prophecy, a love triangle of sorts, supernatural creatures, but the focus of the story is about Nell and Christopher finding each other. The vampires do not sparkle in the sun, and the Red Claws are brutal and see humans as prey. Nell seems to take the revelations about Angel Falls and Christopher in her stride, but her world falls apart when tragedy strikes again. Nell is impulsive and makes rash decisions, protecting people she cares about, but those decisions may be her downfall this time. I'm looking forward to the next book to get those answers.
10 reviews
August 27, 2024
Ehhh, it was OK..

It definitely had a Twilight feel to it. I read all these reviews, and others said they were "enthralled" or the story was "captivating." I didn't get any of the unfortunately. I felt some of it was a bit rushed (Nell/Christopher's undying love for each other), but the stuff that was actually interesting was barely touched. I assume The Redclaw clan will have a bigger part in book 2, but I honestly don't have any real desire to read it yet. I usually race towards the next in a series, but I don't know. It just didn't do it for me. I'm sure I'll get to it at some point, though. Fingers crossed, it's better.
Profile Image for Lana Bernice.
174 reviews
July 26, 2024
When I first started reading this book, it gave me total vampire diaries vibes. Then , as I started reading more and got about three quarters into it , then it gave me total twilight vibes. But also a bit different.This wasn't really spicy. The little sexine that was in it didn't really have much detail. And I would say that this was a slow brown, and I honestly love slowburn romance. But overall, I did enjoy the book.It was a pretty quick read. I will be continuing to read the rest of the series at some point. So I give this a 4 star.
Profile Image for Breen.
1,554 reviews
February 3, 2024
“The story seemed promising, like a modern version of certain shinny vamp so I was pretty interested, however, the story didn’t reach out my expectations. There was way too much background description that had me bored, add that chapters were long, I couldn’t fully enjoy the story. At some point, it was easier to skip all the description and inner thoughts pages and just go straight to the dialogues. Couldn’t connect with the story.”
Profile Image for Marina Seabourne.
11 reviews
April 27, 2024
I feel this book has a lot of potential. I love the story line but there needs to be more Suspense and more lead up. I’ve read all 3 of these books and I did like them but they got a little boring after a while and found myself struggling to finish the series.
But in saying that I am intrigued with the ending and interested if there will be a spin off and if so I think it could have a lot of potential if improvements are made.
Profile Image for Carlsbury Gutterhorn.
18 reviews
October 2, 2024
I was enjoying the first half of the book but I couldn’t get past the fact that after only hanging out essentially one time they were already in love and Christopher calls her “the love of my life” and she was also feeling the same way?? And the prophecy??? And the fact that he showed her the bodies hanging in the basement and she didn’t at least gag or smth 😮‍💨 It was too much too fast and became entirely unbelievable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1 review
April 24, 2025
good book

Well it is a good book it has a bit of sookie stackhouse series and twilight in my opinion mixed into it. I enjoyed the story line however it kept me interested. Some parts were repetitive and I found myself skipping a paragraph or two here or there. (I do that a lot when it comes to explaining the building the street etc.) I will be looking for the second book however so that says something too. It has a good twist that keeps you wanting more.
Profile Image for Marie.
22 reviews
February 15, 2024
Good beginning

I saw this book on FB, I was interested because it waz a vampire book. This is my 1st book by this Author , good story line , keep me interested so I am going to read book 2 because now I have to find out what happens with Nell, I recommend this book and you can get it on KU for free
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