Crimson Faded

by Caerys Callaghan

'Hazel Bridget is a firm believer in coincidences.

Having grown up in a small British town, where the only thing to ever happen was the odd shoplifting scandal, she’s used to living a quiet, uncomplicated life.

Until Lucas turns up.

Oddly familiar, and with a tendency to carry around small hunting daggers, Lucas thinks he’s being discreet. But as Hazel tries to figure him out, she realises he isn't the only one acting strangely. There's something off about her ex-best-friend, Ophelia Thorn, and it’s not just her snide comments. Something dark is lurking beneath her former friend’s exterior.

Caleb, Ophelia’s sweet older brother, seems to be the only one willing to give Hazel the answers she’s after.

Unfortunately, she's not the only one searching for the truth…'

Genres: Fantasy, Vampires

400 pages, Paperback

Published September 30, 2025

Reviews

[elizabeth rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has EVERYTHING I love 🦇✨ Vampires, vampire-hunters, a nerdy guy x black-cat girl romance, family drama, found family feels, AND a creepy-cool gothic manor (I want to move into Thorn Manor immediately).

The Thorn family?? I’m basically in love with every single one of them 😍 Caleb = ultimate book boyfriend, Ophelia = my queen, Lucas = GIVE ME MORE.

I’m desperate for a sequel — I need more Hazel & Caleb moments, I need the truth about Hazel’s parents, and I NEED Ophelia + Lucas to happen 🔥

If you love My Roommate Is a Vampire or The Addams Family, this book will own your heart. Spooky, swoony, and completely addictive 🖤

[Dayna Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Arc Review✨
Thank you to the author Caerys Callaghan for sending me this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

-All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"Fangs, Friendship, and Faded Memories: A Critical Look at Crimson Faded"

Crimson Faded is an atmospheric and emotionally layered entry into the YA urban fantasy genre. Set in a quiet British town shadowed by secrets, Caerys Callaghan’s debut leans into familiar tropes — vampires, hunters, forbidden romance, and long-buried secrets — but handles them with enough subtle twists and heartfelt writing to make it a compelling read. The world-building is immersive without being overwhelming, and there’s a careful balance between tension and vulnerability that keeps the reader engaged.

One of the strongest aspects of the novel is its mood and setting. Callaghan evokes a gothic, almost cinematic tone throughout, with vivid imagery and an air of creeping mystery. Thorn Manor, the enigmatic family estate, is particularly well drawn — it’s eerie, elegant, and just the right amount of unsettling. This ability to create atmosphere helps Crimson Faded stand out in a crowded genre.

The characters, too, are a highlight. Hazel Bridget, the protagonist, is refreshingly down-to-earth and easy to root for. Her complicated relationships — especially with her former best friend Ophelia and the mysterious hunter Lucas — are layered with emotional history, misunderstandings, and simmering tension. The novel avoids black-and-white characterizations, instead exploring the grey areas of loyalty, guilt, and love. The romantic tension is well-executed, building slowly and naturally, and never overwhelming the plot.

That said, the novel isn’t without flaws. The first few chapters feel slow, weighed down by exposition and a lack of immediate stakes. It takes time for the supernatural elements to fully emerge, which might test the patience of some readers. The pacing improves significantly in the second half, but a tighter opening would have made the book more gripping from the start.

There are also moments where the story leans a little too heavily on familiar genre beats. While Callaghan introduces some refreshing angles, a few plot twists are predictable, and some character dynamics feel overly familiar. Additionally, certain secondary characters could have been more developed — there’s a sense that not all narrative threads are fully explored by the end. While this may be intentional setup for a sequel, it leaves the final chapters feeling a little unresolved.

Despite these shortcomings, Crimson Faded is an enjoyable, emotionally engaging read with a lot of promise. It’s ideal for fans of The Vampire Diaries, The Mortal Instruments, or Buffy the Vampire Slayer — readers who like supernatural drama with a strong romantic thread and a touch of gothic flair. While it doesn’t completely reinvent the wheel, it spins it well.

In short: an impressive debut with clear voice, compelling relationships, and a haunting atmosphere — just a few steps away from being great. A solid four stars.


🧛‍♂️ Vampires – Classic undead with a twist

🏹 Hunter vs. Monster Dynamic – The brooding boy with a secret mission

🌕 Supernatural Small Town – Quiet village hiding dark secrets

💔 Ex-Best Friends – Once close, now estranged with unfinished business

😴 Prophetic Dreams – Visions that hint at danger and fate

💘 Slow Burn Romance – Tension builds before anything happens

🫶 Found Family – Unlikely alliances, trust built from scratch

🪞 Secrets & Hidden Pasts – Everyone's hiding something

🏰 Gothic Manor House – Thorn Manor = spooky elegance

🌫️ Dark Academia Vibes – Moody settings and intellectual undertones

⚔️ Enemies to Something More – Not quite enemies, but certainly conflicted

⏳ Destiny & Fate Themes – Are our lives already written?

🌹 Beautiful Monsters – The allure of danger and charm

[Mila_13 (11:11) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
This book is a great read if you’re a teenager (or an adult) who likes vampire stories. It’s also a clean read. I am not really a big fan of vampire stories but it was nicely done and can be read easily. The pov were a bit weird and confusing tho. I also didn’t really connected with the characters but that is my personnal opinion.
If you choose to pick up this book I hope you will enjoy it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Cranthorpe Millner Publishers for giving me a free copy pre-release in exchange for an honest review

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! Everything I look for in fantasy. The book offers a different approach on the typical vampire story which I really appreciated (I say this as an OG Twilight fan) really enjoyed all the main characters a lot. Hazel and Caleb were both lovely, and I loved seeing all the layers that made Ophelia her, good and bad, but authentically her. I loved the overall mood of the book, and I’d love to read more about all of our main characters here, either together or even solo pov, I enjoyed them all so much! Perfect read for the upcoming season l, I personally hope this is the start of a series!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

[midnightblue | Baraah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

“Hate infects, poisons, and spreads like wildfire. It manifests inside the very core of a soul and wraps it into something else entirely, into the very monsters they’re trained to hate.”

I absolutely adored the character drawings .

The story is about Hazel, a young girl who has been seeing the same dream for weeks—even months. Just when she starts to think she’s losing her mind, she reconnects with her old friends , and from there, her entire life begins to change.

I loved the main plot, I think this book had potential to be better with stronger characters development and smoother writing style. I honestly thought this was going to be a Twilight retelling, which left me a little uneasy… until I realized it wasn’t. The plot is completely different and stands on its own.

Thank you NetGalley and Carrys Callaghan for the opportunity to read this book, for an honest review.

[Cathryn Melani (cat.inspired) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find it so hard to resist a vampire or gothic vibes book! So I was excited to read this one. And it was an enjoyable read, with a spooky, new vampire / hunter plotline.

What to expect in this YA read:
Gothic vibes
Vampires and hunters
Golden retriever MC
Fractured best friends
Slow burn romance
Found family
Humour
English small town setting

This was such a good read. YA, but not TOO YA as to be annoying (IYKYK 🙄) Took me a few chapters to get into the swing of things but once the paranormal aspects and slow burn started this was definitely a good read.

Eerie supernatural vibes combined with atmosphere. Plus romance and Friendships. This was a great debut from author and absolutely perfect for spooky season 🍂🍁

Huge thank you to publishers Cranthorpe Millner for my adpr gifted book. All thoughts are my own.

[Jes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was able to read this as an ARC - thank you for sharing your book with me! I think I will continue this series if there is a second book. Caleb is probably my favorite character… vlah vlah vlah.

It was a little confusing at different parts - the pacing seemed to be a little all over the place.

Overall, it’s a cute quick read perfect for spooky season!

[Emily]

Dnf at 48%

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐ rounded up.

Thankyou, Netgalley and the Publisher for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this one, a fun and easy-to-read vampire story with some great standout characters and romance that is mostly hinted at but executed very well.

Let's start with the characters. I really enjoyed all the characters, but Ophelia and Caleb were the standouts for me. Ophelia has more depth to her than meets the eye, and I adore how much of a diva she is. Caleb is a nerdy Golden retriever rather than your typical brooding vampire boy, which was a welcome change. I also really like the relationship between the two siblings, it was a good mix of teasing and sibling banter and genuine care and affection.

I also will say I enjoyed our antagonists, Lucas is a flawed but sympathetic character, even though he's technically the antagonist to our main trio, you understand his motivations and you just wish he could snap out of it. Chris is a skeevy little...ahem... guy. Although I do wish we'd seen a bit more of the camp stuff before the final act, because I had a hard time keeping track of who was who out of the other hunters in the midst of the action.

Now the romance, I am so appreciative that Caleb and Hazel didn't have insta love at all, they were friendly first, then moving into hints of flirtation. I read far too many stories where people just fall in love within 2 or 3 interactions, or fmc's who spend the entire book thinking about how hot the love interests are every time they see them. But not here. Hazel has occasional thoughts later on about Caleb's smile or something, but when she does think about him (which isn't 24/7 thankfully) it's more about his personality or how he makes her feel at ease, so refreshing! I love these two!

I do have a couple of points of criticism, one was the lack of establishing Ophelia and Hazel's friendship before it's gone. I wish we'd gotten even just one more chapter of them being friends first before the time jump. We get the prologue where Ophelia only shows up at the end, and then a short flashback later on, but that's all. I think having more setting up of Hazel and Ophelia's friendship before they fell out would have made the impact of them not being friends and their subsequent interactions have so much more weight, because you can tell me they used to be friends, but seeing scenes of them together would have been way better.

I also wish we'd seen more of Hazel's mum; her absence felt odd when Hazel was away from home for multiple days, so it feels like we should have had a conversation between them about Hazel having to make up an excuse for her staying away. And when the question of Hazel's father became important, why no one thought to ask Hazel's mum, I'm not sure. Maybe I missed the explanation, entirely possible, so if I did, I'm sorry, cause it felt very odd that this wasn't addressed until right at the end of the book.

But overall, I had a great time with this one and definitely will be keeping an eye out for the sequel because there are mysteries I need answers to (and a pairing I need to see blossom).

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crimson Faded is a vampire novel featuring a gamer vampire, hunters, and very specific vampire lore. This was a complicated book to rate, since I don't think it will be for everyone, even those who love the genre. Three stars felt fair, since I am very much on the fence.

The story starts narrating the childhood friendship of Hazel Bridget and Ophelia Thorn, but it quickly flashes forward, and the girls are closer to school enemies. While a strange but weirdly familiar guy named Lucas shows up in town, Hazel finds herself plunged into the secrets of the Thorn family and others who are itching for answers.

While this is marketed as a Young Adult novel, I believe rating it as Teen would be more accurate. Something that initially put me off with the writing style is how childish the dialogue sounds. I had to constantly remind myself that everyone involved is a teenager. Another thing is their conflict resolution method (let's put it like that). Vampire stories, even at an YA level, are generally expected to have a level blood and death. This is not the book for those who prefer the darkest sides of vampires.

I still have not decided how I feel about the lore of this world. I generally enjoy the differences between born and bitten vampires, but the particulars within the born vampires is unique. I do like the hunters, and they feel like if the Shadowhunters were trained in Camp-Half Blood.

My favorite part by far, however, is the romance. I love Caleb so much. He really is a golden retriever energy nerdy gamer, and he is just so funny. I ship the two of them so hard. I kept squealing and wanting them to stop denying their feelings. I am a huge fan of when the pacifist gets very protective when someone they like is in danger.

Thank you to NetGalley, Caerys Callaghan, and Cranthorpe Millner Publishers for the advanced copy. This review is left voluntarily and honestly.

[Elisha Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot recommend this book enough!

The story follows Hazel, who finds herself becoming a vampire very early on in the book. Caleb and Ophelia (and their family) who are the born vampires in town and find themselves the babysitters of Hazel. Plus a group of vampire hunters - evil ones. And finally, Lucas - the secluded vampire hunter, who is a part of said group.

The suspense is well and truly present with this one as Hazel becoming a vampire seems quite straight forward doesn’t it? Only she wasn’t bitten, she doesn’t smell like a vampire and she is potentially putting the other family of vampires in town at risk with her newly found immortality. They’ve always found themselves untouchable because of their ‘born’ status, will Hazel end up changing that, even without meaning too?

Going into this I truly didn’t know what to expect but as I got further through the book, not only could I not put it down but I was genuinely blown away! This is the ultimate spooky season read and not only does it have its fun elements but it genuinely keeps you gripped throughout. I loved that it felt like quite a modern story, in the here and now. The language and some of the sayings were very modern and up to date with current times.

Some of the chapters are on the longer side which normally I don’t like, however with this one, it’s that fast paced once you get reading it that you don’t notice it!

Massive congratulations to Caerys, you have well and truly smashed it with your debut novel! I’d also like to say thank you to Cranthorpe Millner, who very kindly gifted me this copy and gave me the opportunity to take part in the book tour.

5/5⭐️

[Ariel K · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, thank you to NetGalley, Cranthorpe Millner Publishers and Caerys Callaghan for allowing me to read an ARC of Crimson Faded.

I have to say, I think that this book actual surprised me. When I began to read it, I had made a bunch of assumptions about the FMC Hazel (D V) and her relationship between her ex friend and brother, Ophelia and Caleb. The book picks up right away when the three are in High School (in the UK) where Hazel and her best friend Amber have an also Mean Girls experience with Ophelia, but most everyone is friends with her nicer, older brother Caleb… Except, strange things have been going on in the woods besides the High School and Hazel keeps having a reoccurring nightmare of a strange boy saying her name and killing her. The same boy, Lucas, who just happens to enroll in their school the day after Hazel and her ex friend Ophelia are attacked in the woods by a crazed man.

The book really picks up from there. There were some twists and turns I didn’t foresee that were interesting. Without revealing too much, I had a whole, “ah man, they pulled a Star Wars theme on me”, without me seeing it coming.

It was an enjoyable read, I could recommend it to younger readers since the teen romance is very light all the way to the end, but still just enough to keep older readers hooked. I’d give the book an overall 3.75, only because I had a lot of questions about ‘Where is Hazel’s mom?!?’ & ‘Does no one have a cellphone to call anyone?!’ Also, the ending of the story leaves us questioning a lot of things about the characters, that could lead into a new book. So I’m hopeful that there’s a sequel in the works.

[DarkTwistedReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley for allowing me access to this eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Two girls, Hazel & Ophelia, who were the best of friends, separated because of a secret. Years later, they are estranged, possibly even enemies. Until an accident happens that causes them to have to work together in order to survive. All the while, Hazel gets to know Ophelia's brother Caleb more and grows closer with him.
A group of people enter the town, intent on bringing Ophelia and Caleb's family down, using Hazel's existence as an excuse to attack them.

This was on the younger side of YA which is why I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would have. I thought Ophelia was extremely dislikeable, literally hated everything about her existence. I mean, I kind of get why she is the way she is but still...
I thought Caleb was sweet and Hazel was okay. I did think Hazel's other friend whom I can't even remember the name of was also annoying though.
The story was a bit predictable... Hazel's mom though? I wish she had a more impact on the story then just being mentioned 3 times lol
All n all, the story was okay but not for me.

[linds❣ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this YA vampire romance. It had a good premise and some interesting characters, but ultimately I DNF'd this at the 65% mark due to two things: pacing and writing style.
If you look through my favourite books you'll notice a lot of YA titles are rated 5-stars, so I'm not rating it low because it's YA. The way things were written was very dry and almost devoid of emotions, making me unengaged in the characters. In fact, it felt at times that the characters were unengaged themselves (even in some serious situations). Additionally, I felt the pacing was inconsistent, at times very slow and others very fast without really a reason why.

The character illustrations were a nice addition, though I wish they were sooner in the book.

I will say that while I don't personally recommend this book, I do think some people will really enjoy it for it's easy going romance and hunter vs vampire concept.

Thank you to Cranthorpe Millner Publishers and Netgalley for an ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Cheyenne Oleson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Cranthorpe Millner Publishers for giving me a free Arc copy, in exchange for my honest review.

Crimson Faded is a vivid and captivating story that pulled me in with its rich atmosphere and hauntingly beautiful writing. Caerys Callaghan creates a world that feels both dark and alluring, filled with secrets, tension, and emotional depth.

The characters are layered and complex—sometimes frustrating, often fascinating—and I found myself invested in their choices even when they weren’t easy to watch unfold. The romance is laced with angst and intensity, balanced by moments of tenderness that hit all the right notes.

What stood out the most for me was the immersive worldbuilding and lyrical prose. It has that moody, gothic edge that makes every scene feel cinematic. While there were a few slower sections that kept me from giving it a full five stars, overall this was an engrossing, emotional ride that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Perfect for readers who love dark romantic tension, gothic moods, and emotionally charged storytelling.

[Kez Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the gothic and spooky atmosphere, and all the mystery and secrets in this YA paranormal romance.
Hazel stumbles into the hidden world of vampires and hunters, and has to adapt to survive after an accident changes her fate.
It definitely gives off the teen vibe with touches of humour and drama, first loves, and the characters naivety and vulnerabilities.
There is a slow burn romance with plenty of tension, tests of friendship, navigating change, and uncovering family secrets.
Caleb has a great golden retriever energy and is very sweet and protective. Ophelia gives off the moody and arrogant energy, but it seems like a mask for her loneliness. Lucas is a complex character torn between loyalty, revenge, and a need to prove himself and not fail.
I enjoyed the twists and how it sets for the scene for more to come.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

🩷 Book Review 🩷
📚 Crimson Faded
✒️ Caerys Callaghan
💫💫💫💫

Thank you Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you are chasing a different take on the OG vampire story, then you need to read this book!

Hazel whole heartly believes in coincidences and is used to the quiet life of her little British town. Then Lucas arrives. He tries to hide the little hunting daggers but the mysteriousness of his arrival gets shadier when Hazels ex-best friend Ophelia seems to suddenly not be who she was...

I really enjoyed the character interactions in this book. Especially those between Hazel and Caleb, Ophelia's brother. It is such a good read for the spooky season and I highly recommend adding it to your shelves.

[L Powers (Bookish_Mum) · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, this wasn’t the most mind-blowing book I’ve ever read, but honestly? It was a fun ride. The world-building had some nice touches, and the cast of characters each brought their own flavour to the mix. Caleb was hands-down my favourite, he’s got that golden retriever energy that makes you want to pat him on the head and say, “Vlah. Vlah. Vlah. ”

The story itself was… fine. Nothing earth-shattering, but it kept me turning the pages. The pacing wobbled here and there, like it couldn’t quite decide if it wanted to stroll through a meadow or sprint down a hallway, but I didn’t mind too much.

Overall, I’d call it a decent, quick YA read. Not one I’ll be raving about to strangers in coffee shops, but it scratched the itch for something whimsical and mysterious and I appreciated that.

[Destiny Soden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest review is 4.25 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for the Arc copy.

This story is told through a third-person perspective mostly following our FMC, Hazel. At times, the character we are following changes to one of the others just so we see what is going on in a different location or timing with our story. This is a YA story so there is no spice. We do see some feelings start to bloom but flirting is mostly what we get.

The story felt a bit slow initially. We had the usual worldbuilding that comes into play for a new story, but it felt like this maybe went on too long without much action or throwing us into the plot. When our conflict does get introduced, the pacing picks up and it becomes quite an enjoyable read. One of the major plot twists between a couple of our characters was decently foreshadowed where that was a guess of what could happen but it wasn't an absolute given.

We are left with a few loose ends and potential threads for continuing the story. There is one big mystery that definitely needs exploring With Hazel and Lucas. If the story continues as YA, seeing some full relationships would be cute *cough* Hazel and Caleb *cough, cough*.

All in all, this was an enjoyable, fun read. I maybe could have been grabbed sooner by the story if the beginning picked up sooner but it still got to a point where I couldn't put it down!

[Bookworm From Finland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this YA paranormal romance books forest setting, vampires, and vampire hunters. The school setting didn't really grab me this time, maybe because it was just to support the age range of the characters and it was a normal school.

I also liked the reference to the politics between hunters and vampires because it could expand the story nicely in the future. I've had some reading challenges with vampire books lately, but this book improved towards the end so I'm giving it a 3,5 stars. I can recommend this book to YA and vampire story lovers.

Thanks to Cranthorpe Millner Publishers and NetGalley for the early review copy!

[Janna Felix · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crimson Faded had an intriguing premise with its small-town mystery and supernatural hints, but it never fully pulled me in. Hazel’s perspective had potential, yet the pacing and character dynamics felt a bit flat, making it hard to stay invested in the story. While the darker undercurrents between Lucas, Ophelia, and Caleb promised depth, the execution didn’t quite deliver the tension or atmosphere I was hoping for. Overall, it’s a decent read, but it didn’t grab my interest enough to make it memorable.

[Kristen McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me on my toes, the thorn family? Oh my goodnessssssss. Lucas has got my attention but Caleb is the textbook book boyfriend. And Ophelia is 🔥🔥🔥.

I need to know what happens next for hazel and calleb. Do we find out about hazels past? And please please please tell me Lucas and Ophelia tension Get eased 👀👀👀
If you love vampires this book is going to be hard to put down! Thank you so much for the opportunity to read before release to the author and to NetGalley!

[pixie.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an easy, one-sitting read, I finished it in a single day! The plot twists completely caught me off guard and took the story in a direction I didn’t expect (in the best way). The writing was fun and flowed so well, and the characters were easy to like and follow throughout.

I’ve read a few vampire books recently, and this one was the perfect way to kick off my October reads, dark, intriguing, and addictive. 🩸✨

[Becci Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a lot of heavy fantasy books so this was like a breath of fresh air.
I devoured this book in one sitting as it is a short paranormal romcom.
We have vampires, vampire hunters a creepy manor and humour what more could you want.
People moan when books don’t have Spice in them that that YA books are no good but I think this proves them wrong.
If you’re looking for a paranormal romance with humour that’s a good short read this would be perfect.

[Maia McPherson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you need to feed your Twilight thirst, then this is the book for you! I love the twists and turns from your typical vampire. I read this book in two days and could not get enough, this was a fun dark YA autumnal book perfect for the colder weather. Also can we talk about the stunning artwork throughout the book!

[Gemma Spittle · Rating 4 out of 5]

If, like me, you grew up completely obsessed with all things vampire, then you need to have a read of Crimson Faded. This will slake your thirst for Twilight, Vampire Diaries and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, especially during this spooky season!
This easy to read YA fantasy has relatable teenage characters and isn’t your typical vampire story with blood or gore, but instead relies on light romance and the hunting vs vampire trope.
Wonderful gothic vibes, in-depth characterisation and world building make this a book I couldn’t put down.
Thanks to Cranthorpe Miller for the copy of the book

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5-3 stars for me. I really wanted to like this book more than I did but something just didn’t hit right. I liked story idea and the characters but it all felt really rushed and all over the place in a way. Like it was just jumping from this to this nonstop. It definitely can be a fun YA vampire read but just be aware that it does feel a bit messy.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teenage vampires, vampire hunters and a battle as old as time. This book deals with change and overcoming unreasonable hate and indoctrination. This story had me hooked from the very first page and kept me thinking long past the last page.

[Chloe Rhoden · Rating 5 out of 5]

can’t wait for this book to come out!!

[Astrid Leah Lawler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of words so this book was a thrill from start to finish. Yummy