In the shadowed halls of Ravensgate manor, one tenet shines like a beacon: uphold the legacy.
Like his brother and sister, Caledon Cullraven was raised to act as custodian to his great-grandfather’s many dark secrets. Now, over a century later, those same secrets are threatening to bleed out of the papered walls and up from the flowering hellebore, to consume the town of Argentum, and the entire Cullraven family, in its sinister black rot.
When he meets his younger sister-in-law, Cal finds himself a captive to the same sinister desires that have blighted his family line for generations. Because every time he's alone with Nadine, he can feel his control fraying: despite her gentle nature, she seems to crave the same vicious passions that could be her own undoing. And his.
But his family does not approve of this match, and they will do anything in their power to drive them apart. With their ancestral festival drawing closer, Cal must decide between duty, family, and love, lest he lose himself—and his heart—to the Cullraven curse.
The decent thing to do would be to send her away but no one had ever accused him of being a decent man.
Nenia Campbell is a dark romance author who lives in San Francisco, California. When she's not writing, or reading, she can be found roaming the city or curled up with her void cat. She collects romance novels older than she is and loves a villain with flair.
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Audiobook comes out October 27th with Podium! It's single masc narration since the book is male POV only! Jameson Adams killed it, and if you want to see a feral man clawing at the bars of his enclosure from the literal prologue, you'll love this book. I genuinely think it showcases some of my best writing!
I had the pleasure of beta reading this book and I loved every moment! This is a companion novel, so the plot is the same as Raise the Blood, but the perspective has shifted to the hero. And if you've met Caledon Cullraven or any of his insane family members, you will understand how exciting that is!
Raise the Blood was my first read from Nenia Campbell and it was honestly love at first read. Revisiting this story from Cal’s POV was both nostalgic for the rush I felt that first time, and also so satisfying to get a glimpse behind the curtain during those moments when Nadine was left in the dark. There is a lot of the same dialogue and scenes, but I still found myself totally enthralled and invested.
I definitely recommend reading this after Raise the Blood, otherwise you will spoil the mystery.
This review, if you can call it that, is based on a drafted version of this story. I will update and provide a star rating if I read the published version.
I loooove a brutal villainous man with a little soft side to him. When I read Raise the Blood I was immediately smitten with Cal Cullraven. Raise the Blood did leave me with a lot of questions and I felt Cal was still so mysterious to me.
My Blood is Risen takes us back to the story but with Cals POV and it was so good getting more of the scenes we didn’t get in the first book. It was definitely needed so we could see into Cals mind a bit more.
My only critique is that it might not have needed to be quite as long since we already knew the story and outcome but I really, really enjoyed this different POV and Cal will continue to stay on my shelf of fav book boyfriends 🤤
I absolutely loved Raise the blood, so when I heard that the author was working on this book of course I jumped right into it! Before entering this book, you should be aware that this book follows the same series of event as the first one but from the male character's perspective this time. I highly recommend reading Raise the blood before this one, or you will spoil everything for yourself and will probably not experience it as it was intended.
I enjoyed getting Cal's perspective on things in this book. Even if the events are the same as in Raise the blood and we know what will happen, getting his POV showed us a lot of behind the scene schemes that we did not see in the first book. His view of things often clashes with Nadine's - which was to be expected - and make you understand some of his decision better (not to say I agree with every one of them lol). Honestly, everything that worked in the first book worked perfectly in this one too! I was loving Nenia's work before, and this book only confirmed this!!
I’d read one or the other. I personally liked Nadine’s pov better. While having Cal’s shed light into the family dynamic it wasn’t enough to justify the sequel being in his pov and following the first book so closely. Could’ve been a few key chapters as bonus content imo.
This is a companion book to Campbell's excellent dark gothic romance, Raise the Blood and it is worth every minute reading it. If you haven't read Raise the Blood, go IMMEDIATELY and read it (it's on KU, no excuses) because it's absolutely phenomenal. There's so much tension (spicy and otherwise) as the mystery of what happened to Nadine's sister winds more and more tightly around her until it threatens to be her undoing. Raise The Blood is told only from Nadine's perspective, which is perfect. It's very gratifying to not know anything about what Cal is thinking or what is going on with the Cullraven family as the mystery is unfolding.
THIS book, however, is the same story that takes place in Raise The Blood, but told from Cal's perspective. It adds an absolutely delicious layer of intrigue to the story. I kept gasping and cringing and raging while I read this. To know what was going on behind the scenes!! I will go no spoilers away, but you definitely need to give both of these books a read. I must mention emphatically that I LOVE Cal, so having a book from his POV is an absolute treat.
Campbell is a cut above the rest when it comes to romance authors writing right now. Her writing is sophisticated but entertaining and her characters are always well-rounded and completely believable while still embodying the fantasy of dark, over the top romance. She stays committed to her vision and always delivers a compelling and delicious story. I hang on every word when I read her books. Cannot recommend her enough!
The author was kind enough of to gift me a copy of her gorgeous book. I have written this review without any expectations imposed on me by the author.
I will start this review by admitting I was 80% of the way through this book before realizing it is a companion to Campbell’s Raise The Blood. This in no way dimmed or diminished my reading experience of My Blood is Risen, this book stands solidly on its own.
I will do my best not to give spoilers or blur them out if I do. I read broadly, dark romance included, and I encourage readers to check the content warnings, which Campbell places clearly at the beginning of the book.
Campbell writes with an alluring grasp of atmosphere, environment, and foreboding. The rooms feel both empty and breathless, the colors rich and yet muted. The reader can almost smell the rot under the metallic wallpaper in the Cullraven manor.
The story is told from the POV of Cal Cullraven, second son of the Cullraven line and his interludes with Nadine after her sister vanishes following her wedding to the heir of the Cullraven house. Set in the breathtaking Sierras and against the ticking clock of an impending festival (that feels more like an evil ritual), the book hooked me in and carried me through the harrowing plot.
This book is challenging and thought provoking, and it is the writing itself that won me over. At times I had to remind myself this book *just* came out and isn’t a classic—Campbell writes with such a command and respect for prose. If you’re comfortable reading a dark, and often demented, book that will leave you both questioning everything, perhaps a little appalled, and wanting more, this is absolutely the book for you.
A fascinating POV switch from Raise Thy Blood. Getting to see the villain’s side of a story we’d already read was amazing, and as usual for this author the writing was top shelf. She’s incredibly talented when it comes to building characters that burn brightly for their loves. I’d say textbook definition of “yearning” but she does it better than that.
My only complaint is that the POV switch means that this book is a little heavy on the spicy scenes and a little lacking on stuff for our villain to do in between scenes that were originally written from the heroine’s POV. The “why” explanation for several moments in the first book are great, but that’s about it.
Weirdly, I think some parts that worked so great in Raise Thy Blood fall a bit flat here. The heroine’s decision to give into the villain feels like it comes from almost nowhere b/c all the build up to that decision is from her POV, and he never sees it.
Still, I’d highly recommend everyone check out these two books. They form a unique paring that makes for a refreshing take on the genre.
"My Blood Is Risen" is the second part of the Cullraven Duology and is told from Caledon's perspective. Objectively speaking, it is not necessary to read the first part (Raise the Blood), as this book stands perfectly well on its own. However, for those who value the subtle nuances in between, I would recommend to read both books in the correct order.
I liked Caledon's perspective on his "family tradition." And although he rebels against it, in the end—albeit in his own way—he does indeed fulfill his legacy. ("Now you see," he told her, panting... "Now you see what we really are.") His relationship with Nadine—and its significance to him—is also explored in greater depth here.( "A raven needs a sparrow"..."They thrive on them.") The only thing I missed here was his "confession" to his mother at the end of the book. That would have interested me. All in all I liked the dark lurking tension that runs through the whole book.
I'll be honest; I have never even considered reading a book that was a companion book written from another character's point of view! I always thought it was silly, because why would I want to basically read the same thing back to back. Well, let me tell you how wrong I've been.
My Blood Is Risen is the companion to Raise The Blood, and told from the MMC's POV. I was pleasantly surprised to find how much nuance, explanation, additional information and "behind the scenes" info that shift of perspective can provide!
I really enjoy Campbell's writing style, prose, and fluidity throughout the story (both books). I can also safely say that either book can be read as a standalone, but wow, they really compliment each other so well. Even knowing the story from the first book, I was equally riveted through the second, and it didn't feel repetitive (like I was expecting) because it answered questions I hadn't even considered.
Okay, this one did bring the copy editing issues back to the forefront. They were present in *Raise the Blood* too, but I didn't mention them in my original review. They're not enough to ruin the experience, but they were noticeable.
Sorry, Cal, but you were always going to get the less flattering portrait.
This is *Raise the Blood* told entirely from Cal's point of view, and it gives us a fascinating look inside his head. We get his desperation to keep Nadine alive, his constant push and pull between loyalty to his family and the horrific traditions they've built their lives around, and the troubled faith he has in those beliefs.
The added perspective doesn't redeem him and I don't think it's trying to. If anything, it reinforces just how twisted, unhealthy, manipulative, and frankly irresistible he is. Understanding *why* he is the way he is doesn't make his actions any less disturbing. It just makes him a far more compelling character.
I have yet to find a book by Nenia that I don't love. This one is just a amazing as the rest!
I absolutely love that we got to experience this book from Cal's perspective. It truly felt like an entirely new book, and many times left me wondering what would happen next. The level of devotion, obsession and passion he displays throughout the book is just phenomenal. I would 100% read any and everything else that ever came about regarding the Cullravens as long as we got it from Cal's pov. That's a lie, actually, I would 100% read any and everything about the Cullravens no matter whom the story came from. As long as Nenia is writing it, I'm reading it!
This was an easy five stars for me. Nenia brilliantly retells the events of “Raise The Blood” in a way that makes it feel fresh and new. I enjoyed Cal’s perspective and the opportunity to learn all the hidden secrets that Nadine never has the chance to learn. I loved it seeing Cal’s infatuation with Nadine and you can really see how beautiful and interesting she is in his eyes. I appreciated her character’s tenacity which is way more apparent in Cal’s perspective. This was great! I loved it! And I’m sad that I devoured this book in one day.
I believe Nenia Campbell has a gift in writing this genre. with the ways she described Cal's thoughts. God, she did total justice with it. I have read many villains who loved their wives so much, but this book hit home with the concept of obsession. It sated my curiosity about what a wife is to her husband. & To what limit husband's wishes are to be obliged in dark gothic romance I truly understand it is a dark gothic romance, but I think it did what it had to do to me. And I am beyond happy with this read
Bringing Powerful Prose from Page One, Cullravens #2 returns us to the start of Nadine's story from Raise the Blood from Caledon's POV But this is not a toothless re-tread. Cal has lived and breathed Ravensgate from birth, providing colour to the gloomy, blood soaked halls of the mansion. I was never bored; A Stalking Raven hunts his prey through every page. Best read after Book 1 to grasp the horror of seeing this story through the eyes on someone who comes from a different world.
I knew I wanted to read the story from Cal's pov but I didn't know how much I needed this. Cal is such a complicated character. He is the villain, have no doubt, but he's not the worst and maybe that's what elevates him in my eyes. This story also helped me understand Nadine better. The first book, Raise the Blood, always left me wondering why she gave up the search for her sister but I have a fuller picture now. God this was good! Let me go back and reread Raise the Blood, again.
“I said I was a patient hunter. Don’t hide from me now, my exquisite darling. The capture is what I crave the most.”
“You’re going to love it, Nadine,” he told her roughly. “You’re going to be begging me to have you every possible way, and I’m going to punish you by obliging.”
I fear I am deeply obsessed with Cal Cullraven and I would let him sink me to the deepest pits of depravity.
I started out having a difficult time getting through this book mostly because I prefer more simplified language than verbose/flowery. I got over it and I'm glad I did. I ended up really enjoying how immersive and thought provoking this book is, came to really feel for the characters, enjoyed the thoroughness of the plot, and while I wish the spicy scenes were just a bit longer, I still enjoyed them. The emotional twists and turns were very engaging. May read this one again. :)
I guess there’s something truly pathetic in seeing Cal’s side: a man partially responsible for and involved in covering up the murder of his love interest’s sister. Let’s all be honest, if he was still around his parents after the murder of one of his earliest love interests, he was complicit enough for us to have no pity. We really ought to ask more of the writers before gobbling up any dark, twisted romance. They might just think any rubbish works.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I have been beside myself waiting for the release of this book. And I was NOT disappointed. I absolutely loved Raise the Blood. And My Blood is Risen accompanies it perfectly. Seeing things from Cal’s perspective brings more to the first book. A greater understanding of why he did things the way he did. Love it.
I knew I wanted to read My Blood is Risen, the story from Cal's pov, but I didn't know how much I needed this. Cal is such a complicated character. He is the villain, have no doubt, but he's not the worst and maybe that's what elevates him in my eyes. This story also helped me understand Nadine better. God this was good! Let me go back and reread Raise the Blood, again.
It was a twisted, dark journey in Cal's mind, and I did enjoy that we didn't get all the details at once, even stuff we learned from the last book. It was all slowly revealed.
Cal is a dark character. It's hard to call him a hero, but what else do you call someone who saves the lost?
This was a masterful presentation of a villainous inner monologue. Caledon Cullraven and his Nadine jump off the page in this woeful tale retold from Cal’s POV. He literally salivates in the most delicious and depraved way that leaves a reader wondering why exactly they’re so into it.
Absolutely gorgeous. I was absolutely enthralled and so pleased I chose to read it straight after Raise The Blood because it rounds out the story so perfectly. It is so beautifully written; I was captivated by Nenia’s prose. I will carry this chilling, gothic, darkly-heated story in my mind for a long time to come. It’s not hyperbole to say it stands up against Rebecca, Tess and Jane for me!
Wowwww! Getting this story from Cal’s pov 🤭 made me even more obsessed with him!! This was still so intense even though it follows the same plot as raise the blood. Even knowing how it ends…I was still on the edge of my seat reading 😭
Loved it nearly as much as the first! So fun to read from Cals POV. The magic of the plot was exciting to read all over again. I wish I could erase my brain to start from the beginning. I’d love a pre-quel so we can experience the full back story!
I always wanted to know what cal was thinking when he was with the Nadine. And guess what this book delivered exactly that. And I am so happy how his POV came out. And what happened to Noelle and the entire story and later after what happened and how the cal and Nadine are living. So good
I thought the first Blood is Risen was great, but this was even better!! I loved Cal’s POV, how his mind works, and how deeply rooted his afflictions were. 10/10 would read again.