Crimson Fall: A Vampire Romantic Thriller

by M.A. Glaude

Beneath the glittering surface of Prohibition-era Chicago, a secret war between vampires and hunters threatens to tear the city apart.

Thrust into the heart of the conflict is Rosalind Vale, a newly turned vampire who finds herself caught between her fading humanity and the predator she's become. While working to prove that she is worthy of a place in vampire society, Rosalind makes an unlikely alliance with Michael Avery, a conflicted hunter who believes that there has to be a better way forward than endless bloodshed. Together, they must unravel the threads of a conspiracy to purposefully ignite the fires of war.

Can Rosalind prove to Michael—and to herself—that she can be more than a monster?

Set amid the speakeasies, passion, and Art Deco opulence of the Roaring Twenties, Crimson Fall promises a thrilling journey through a Chicago where even the undead yearn for connection, and dawn always comes too soon.

Genres: Supernatural, Fantasy, Romance, Thriller

377 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 18, 2025

Reviews

[Johann Overbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author starts off trying a bit too hard and ends up sounding slightly pretentious but finds their rhythm quickly and delivers an impressive debut novel well worth a read.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A debut novel that quickly finds its voice and reels you into its plot. Excitedly awaiting more.

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very strong debut from M.A. Glaude which I really enjoyed. I like Rosalind Vale as a central character, and her development was good. Michael is a great sub character, and an anchor to Rosalind. Lily Strauss and Erik Augustus are also great characters, and I'd love to see their stories expanded on.

I hope there will be some more stories set in this world, as I'd like to see the consequences of certain story elements.

[Jamie Bull · Rating 4 out of 5]

The prose in this book pushed it to a 4 star for me. The lengthy and sometimes overwrought sentences, constant usage of multiple descriptors or verbs, niche but well applied vocabulary (extreme example: “feeling a mingling of nostalgia and liberation that was both poignant and uplifting) … all traits of my own writing style. I say that not necessarily as a dig or compliment, but in that I identified with the writing and the writer himself who I know as a video game Youtuber - specifically Civilization V back in the day. There were some questionable choices made that I felt lacked the necessary follow up or consequences (eh convenient plot is fine to an extent) and a bit of a lacking MMC (for some reason I imagined him as a short king blond paper boy type man and he just was like generally good with only the slightest bit of nuance to him). However, overall I enjoyed my time with this book and appreciated the pacing and various character arcs that started and ended well throughout the book - fun read and would recommend! shouts out Quill18 (aka Maude, the author) for being a part of my nerd journey growing up.

[Wander · Rating 3 out of 5]

Between a 3 and 4 star review I want to give it 3.5 stars.
Really liked the story, didn't mesh too well with the writing style but that is what it is.

Why I went for 3 stars, I loved the intrigue and the questions the story presented.
The answers were explained way too soon for my liking and I hope the author tries to keep the intrigues alive longer in the next book.

Still would recommend though

[Tuuli - Korpimaan lukija · Rating 2 out of 5]

The pacing was off in many places - would have benefitted from a professional read-through. Every time there was some tension building going on, the next chapter would reveal all or offer some other kind of information that would flatten the mood. I managed to skim it through til the end though, so that's a plus.