Crimson Reign

by Victor S. Deane

The Light Can't Save You...The abduction was the first sign. He didn't believe. Now he has the gods' attention. Humans were always in control... no longer. What evil will awaken when the boundaries of fate and nature are tested? The lands of Aethum will soon find out.

In a world hanging in the balance between light and dark, two societies on the brink of conflict struggle to contain a growing evil. Callowmane, home to a community of affluent humans. Right beside her sits Minnar, a mining town populated by the blood class; a sect of civilization looked down upon by the other social hierarchies.

When a missing persons case leads Dr. Cro Myrus into the fray, he finds himself embroiled in a dark mystery leaving a trail of bodies in its wake. Someone is hunting the blood class in the name of their god. As an outsider, Cro quickly learns that Callowmane is not the utopia it's been made to seem. Surrounded by forces he doesn’t understand, he finds solace in Amora, lady of the infamous Velmir Manor.

During his search for answers he learns more about the grisly histories of Callowmane and Minnar, ultimately questioning Amora’s own dark past and her true end game. With each person of interest hiding their own agendas and secrets, it will take every bit of intellect and strength for Cro to unearth the darkness spreading throughout the land as the Crimson Moon draws near.

Stakes rise as does the body count, forcing Cro to fight for his life. But when his faith is tested and truths are laid bare, will he fall victim to the growing shadow? His mind won't be enough to stop the reckoning that awaits... one that threatens not just the region, but the entire world as he knows it.

265 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2024

About the author

Victor is the author of God Struck and Crimson Reign, both available on Amazon. After earning his bachelor’s degree in Corporate Finance from the University of Pittsburgh, he now lives in the suburbs of Philadelphia with his wife, son and their double-doodle enjoying the Eagles and cheesesteaks. When he isn't writing, Victor enjoys watching his favorite shows and movies, reading, playing chess, physical fitness and traveling.

Reviews

[Ellie Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

~About

Crimson Reign is a story of enduring prejudice and discrimination. The Callow Folk (regular human beings) have been at odds with the Minnarians (Homo-Sanguians) for decades. Now, mystery looms as Minnarians turn up dead, with no clue as to who or what is behind the attacks.

For years, relations between the Callowfolk and Minnarian communities have been tense, with the Callowfolk treating the Minnarians unjustly on the basis of their biological difference. A fusion pact, which would unite the two peoples, is due to go ahead, however, these mysterious deaths are only the beginning and someone needs to unravel the mystery before it’s too late.


~Characters

There were plenty of characters throughout the story and I’d like to discuss three that dominated the overall plotline.

Firstly, I’d like to discuss Amora, dissatisfied wife to the Preacher Vitannion. Throughout the story, Amora is portrayed as a caring woman, who teaches Minnarian children in secret. While most Callowfolk refused to hide the prejudice they felt toward the Minnarians, Amora was one of the few that rose above such petty feelings of difference. Learning about her tragic past endeared her to me over time and I desperately wanted her to find some happiness within her life.

Next, we come to Dr Myrus Cro, an Investigative assistant in the Minnarian murder cases. His goal was to ensure that the grieving families of the departed received the justice they were rightfully owed. He was a persistent and determined man, two qualities that gained my admiration from the start. Dr Cro seemed to me a cautious individual, who was curious but fair in how he went about his investigation. His entire waking time appeared to be dedicated to the murder cases, however, he found brief joyful respites in Amora’s caring company.

Finally, allow me to introduce you to the Preacher, Vitannion, Amora’s grotesque husband. As soon as I met him, I immediately disliked him. He seemed untrustworthy from the beginning, possessing a shadiness about him that could not be ignored, like he was keeping a dark secret from those around him. His stance against the Minnarians was twisted into a religious belief, which he preached to his followers, spreading prejudice throughout the lands. Furthermore, his treatment of others, particularly his wife Amora, did nothing to earn my admiration or support of his goals. He was simply a cruel, callous, and awful individual, which made it easy to hate him throughout.


~Likes

As I read Crimson Reign, several positive elements stood out to me:

-The author had a lyrical way with words: his writing style made reading this all the more enjoyable.
-There was a masterful exploration of a poignant social topic which relates to modern times (prejudice.)

-The two main perspectives used (Dr Cro’s and Amora’s) helped to shed a different light on the issue of prejudice. Additionally, their shared relationship later on in the story was sweet and innocent, showing a better side to human nature, which contrasted the overall theme.

-The worldbuilding, including the biology and lore behind the Minnarians (The ‘Blood Class’) was fascinating and well developed, drawing me further into the story.


~Dislikes

There were also some things that I did not enjoy whilst reading. Below is a short bulleted list.

-Seeing into several character’s minds within the same scene at times made it hard to feel connected or close to any one character in particular.

-At first, I wasn’t sure what was going on in the story. There was a discussion between a few people, then it jumped into a school lesson of some sort and talk of Gods and faith, which I feel weren’t as crucial to the story as the theme of prejudice was.

-Chapter Ten in particular felt disjointed. Things turned so suddenly that I had to go back a few pages, to see if I had missed something. I won’t spoil the story, except to say that there was a unexpected and dramatic change and that it’s suddenness made no sense and therefore left me feeling frustrated.


~Memorable Quotes

As always, while reading, I kept alert for any interesting quotes I could share with you all. On this occasion, I happened across four that made me think deeply about the core theme.

1) ‘Look closer and you may see that what is on the surface does not reflect what is beneath.’
2) ‘Never be ashamed of where you’ve come from. Never hide who you truly are.’

3) ‘Action is always necessary for good to triumph.’

4) ‘Have you ever been persecuted for a condition you were born with? – You’ve never had to worry about barriers or pitfalls because of your genetics.’

I felt the pain and relatability in this final quote in particular. Being both Autistic and having Adhd, it has always felt like invisible barriers have cropped up in my life, be they through communication, social ability, or indeed cognitive ability, when compared to others. I’m aware that this story discusses prejudice related more to the concept of how someone looks, however, feel that this quote will still be relatable for many who struggle with genetic differences of any kind.


~Overview

Overall, I found Crimson Reign to be an imaginative and topically important story, with striking characters and plenty of drama. It was a story of prejudice against biological difference, religion, and the darkness within us.

My Rating: 5 stars.
Recommended to: Lovers of dramatic dark fantasy novels, with socially relevant themes.

[Stephanie O · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to the author for an ARC!

Overall, I enjoyed the book and found the general premise/storyline and themes very interesting. I also found the characters and world building to be unlike anything I’ve read so far before which was really great and unique.

However, I felt that the execution of the story fell a bit flat. Without a clear point of view and so much flip flopping within chapters, I found myself rereading to figure out whose pov I was in. This also made it so that I never developed a connection or investment in any characters. Additionally, I found there were a lot of gaps in information and so many jumps in the story to truly captivate me. It almost read like a screenplay more than a novel for that reason.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He missed the first sign and now it is coming to take over. The darkness is coming up fast and he will need to find the light to try to save the world he lives in. What will he need to get? Will he get help? Can he stop the evil and darkness from taking over? See how it will go
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review

[Blagica · Rating 3 out of 5]

In embarking upon "Crimson Reign" by Victor S. Deane, I found myself initially grappling with a reading slump, which prolonged my engagement with the book. Yet, as the narrative unfolded, it gripped me with an eerie resonance reminiscent of the Slender Man mythos, ultimately proving to be a captivating journey well worth the time invested. While I typically gravitate towards the thriller genre, "Crimson Reign" offered a refreshing departure into the realm of dark fantasy.
At its core, "Crimson Reign" delves into the enduring themes of prejudice and discrimination. Set against the backdrop of a longstanding rift between the Callow Folk and the Minnarians, tensions escalate as mysterious deaths plague the Minnarian community, casting a shadow of uncertainty over their fragile coexistence. The impending fusion pact, intended to bridge the gap between the two factions, teeters on the brink of collapse as the sinister truth behind the killings remains shrouded in mystery.
Central to the narrative is the character of Amora, whose poignant portrayal as a compassionate soul navigating the tumultuous waters of prejudice struck a chord with me. Despite the pervasive bigotry of her peers, Amora's altruistic endeavors, particularly her clandestine education of Minnarian children, illuminate a beacon of hope amidst the darkness. Her poignant backstory evoked a sense of empathy, compelling me to root for her pursuit of happiness amidst adversity.
Deane's prose boasts a lyrical quality that enriches the reading experience, infusing the narrative with depth and allure. Through the dual perspectives of Dr. Cro and Amora, the narrative offers multifaceted insights into the complex dynamics of prejudice, culminating in a tender relationship that transcends societal divides. The meticulous worldbuilding, replete with intricate biological and cultural lore surrounding the Minnarians, further immerses readers in the rich tapestry of the story.
While "Crimson Reign" may not ascend to the heights of a literary masterpiece, it undeniably succeeds in delivering a compelling tale that resonates on both a thematic and narrative level. With its solid execution and tantalizing hints of future installments, it beckons readers to delve deeper into its enigmatic world. In sum, "Crimson Reign" earns a respectable three-star rating, leaving me intrigued and eager to explore what the series has in store.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good fantasy “who done it” story. In this world full of conflict because of the two types of people, regular humans and the blood class who need animal blood as their main source of food, we find ourselves trying to bridge the differences when the two groups come together to find a missing a child.

The story starts with a missing child from the blood class and is quickly followed by two murders in the same community. But this story quickly turns to something much more sinister. There are so many good twists and turns, complimented with good banter between the characters.

Favorite excerpt: “Today, all I can do is think about you.  I know your smell out of thousands, your voice comforts me when I hear it in my head.  I shiver at your touch because your sympathy is unfamiliar to me.  You’ve proven to me that good men still do exist.  You’ve given me renewed confidence and more importantly, hope.”

The MMC and FMC are not 17-25, thank you! This was a very quick read and if you like a good detective type story, this is for you.

Also, the epilogue was awesome and very scary, but in the best kind of way. I hope another installment comes out soon.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but the review is my own.

[Alexis Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crimson Reign by Victor S. Deane has a strong, immersive atmosphere with a story that leans into danger, intrigue, and a world touched by violence and power. The pacing stays tight, and there’s a constant sense of movement that keeps the story from ever feeling flat. The stakes feel real, and the author does a great job building tension through both the plot and the character dynamics.

It’s not exactly the kind of dark romance or morally twisted tension I usually crave, but it still held my interest with its intensity and the way it leans into its darker themes. There’s a richness to the world and a steady rhythm to the storytelling that makes it easy to fall into.

Overall, it’s a gripping, well-crafted read that fans of dark fantasy or blood-stained adventure will definitely appreciate — even if it didn’t hit every one of my personal story cravings.

[Elizabeth Bohanan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is interesting and well-executed, but for some reason felt a little flat. The copy I read came with quite a warning so I guess I was expecting a lot more gore and death and gross stuff. Basically, it was good vs. evil with an overall depressing feel. There was a somewhat happy ending though and enough room for more books to follow. Thanks for the copy, Hidden Gems Books.

[Carla Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love horror, my favorite genre. Battle against good and evil with twists and turns to a surprise ending. Loved the teacher her compassion for her species especially the children and her lying wicked evil husband who got his come uppance in the end

[Momma T's Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just don't know. The plot and world were there. But so was everything else. For me, there was so much going on that, at times, I was having a hard time following along.

It did start out great if you like politics as part of your world building. The. It went off kilter. I had such high hopes.

[Lacey rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crimson Reign is a very well written book, though confusing at times. I really like how the characters thoughts were in italics. If I could describe this book, I would say its a short, fantasy, who done it.

[Jennifer Loschiavo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could imagine everything i was reading. Beautifully written fantasy. I loved this book.

[Eva Overbeek · Rating 4 out of 5]

A original fantasy story about humans and a mutation of humans. Never read something like this before, I like'd it!!

[Crystal Wrongerahippie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad at all. It follows a detective (and others) as they try to solve a missing person case and murder cases.

[Nuclerjon · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright but still good.

[Audra Catterall]

Really good read, entertaining and draws you in to the plot and story, great characters and keeps you hooked throughout the book

[Gloria Ferris]

Great story. Like the whole idea. Easy to follow characters. Could not put it down. Honestly enjoyed it will be looking for more books from the author. Glad I found them

[Caroline Browne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given this book by the author for an honest review. Found storyline interesting. Took awhile for me to get into but enjoyed.

[Neige · Rating 4 out of 5]

The balance between the light and the dark are fragile and two worlds are fighting to keep the evil around them from growing.