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Blood Rising
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Expected 25 Aug 26In a brilliantly terrifying blend of supernatural horror and alternate history for fans of Ryan Coogler's Sinners and readers of Victor LaValle, Tananarive Due, and Stephen Graham Jones, a vengeful vampire tribe formed of formerly enslaved Africans wages war across the Southern colonies in the ultimate battle of blood and betrayal.
Kwadzo Okoro never believed the bloody legend of Ramanga was real. Now, he stands as the leader of a new Ramanga Tribe, one that sieged the Barrow plantation in a storm of righteous carnage, liberating its formerly enslaved Africans. Reclaimed as the Crimson Plantation, it is now also home to the wronged Natives who fearlessly aligned with the Ramangans.
But Kwadzo knows that freedom is not secure. Bartholomew and Constance Crabtree, the most influential slaveholders in the region since the demise of Big Jim Barrow, are galvanizing the Lakeside community to strike back—violently. The threat they pose pales in comparison to the insidious menace of Penelope Knudsen. Her white-hot hatred, now fueled by Ramangan blood, and an ability to survive the sunlight—a power Kwadzo doesn’t have—threatens to upend Kwadzo’s advancement of Ramangan might throughout the colonies, especially as she builds a white vampire army of her own and wages an all-out war against him.
But the gravest threat comes from Rafazi. His blood fathered the rebellion, but he will not take orders from his own creation. And when Rafazi makes a deadly deal with the Crabtrees, Kwadzo is forced into a battle with his maker that he may not survive, while the everlasting freedom of every enslaved person in the colonies hangs in the balance.
Kwadzo Okoro never believed the bloody legend of Ramanga was real. Now, he stands as the leader of a new Ramanga Tribe, one that sieged the Barrow plantation in a storm of righteous carnage, liberating its formerly enslaved Africans. Reclaimed as the Crimson Plantation, it is now also home to the wronged Natives who fearlessly aligned with the Ramangans.
But Kwadzo knows that freedom is not secure. Bartholomew and Constance Crabtree, the most influential slaveholders in the region since the demise of Big Jim Barrow, are galvanizing the Lakeside community to strike back—violently. The threat they pose pales in comparison to the insidious menace of Penelope Knudsen. Her white-hot hatred, now fueled by Ramangan blood, and an ability to survive the sunlight—a power Kwadzo doesn’t have—threatens to upend Kwadzo’s advancement of Ramangan might throughout the colonies, especially as she builds a white vampire army of her own and wages an all-out war against him.
But the gravest threat comes from Rafazi. His blood fathered the rebellion, but he will not take orders from his own creation. And when Rafazi makes a deadly deal with the Crabtrees, Kwadzo is forced into a battle with his maker that he may not survive, while the everlasting freedom of every enslaved person in the colonies hangs in the balance.
- GenresHorror
400 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication August 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
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March 26, 2026OMG I cannot wait!
May 25, 2026
Markus Redmond has done it again! Blood Rising is the sequel to Blood Slaves and if you haven’t read or listened to Blood Slaves, what are you waiting for? Blood Rising picks up right where Blood Slaves left off…at Penelope (Barrow’s daughter). Her pain, her hurt, her revenge will set the tone for this entire book.
There isn’t as much action in this as book 1 but this goes deeper into what happened after the plantation takeover. This is like reading a historical version of The Matrix. What side are you on? The blue pill or the red pill? A lot of supporting characters are now having a chance to shine in this book. This also goes deeper into what happens when money, power and respect come into play. A few of the characters that were deemed heroes/saviors in the first book are now villains and the transition to this was perfect.
Kwadzo struggled throughout this book with his newfound power but his passion and heart leads him through this new journey. Gertie is back and just like my review of her in the last book, she again has made me mad with her thought process towards Kwadzo. Sometimes I just wish she would take the blood and shut up lol.
Irene in my eyes was most definitely the star of this book! For her to be so young, she truly has grown into her new life as a Ramangan!
Rafazi…I’m just at a loss for words with this one…you’ll have to read the book for you to understand.
Overall this was a great yet calmer sequel to Blood Slaves! I give this 4.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, Dafina and Markus Redmond for this amazing arc read!
Let the Bloody 🩸 Revolution continue…
There isn’t as much action in this as book 1 but this goes deeper into what happened after the plantation takeover. This is like reading a historical version of The Matrix. What side are you on? The blue pill or the red pill? A lot of supporting characters are now having a chance to shine in this book. This also goes deeper into what happens when money, power and respect come into play. A few of the characters that were deemed heroes/saviors in the first book are now villains and the transition to this was perfect.
Kwadzo struggled throughout this book with his newfound power but his passion and heart leads him through this new journey. Gertie is back and just like my review of her in the last book, she again has made me mad with her thought process towards Kwadzo. Sometimes I just wish she would take the blood and shut up lol.
Irene in my eyes was most definitely the star of this book! For her to be so young, she truly has grown into her new life as a Ramangan!
Rafazi…I’m just at a loss for words with this one…you’ll have to read the book for you to understand.
Overall this was a great yet calmer sequel to Blood Slaves! I give this 4.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, Dafina and Markus Redmond for this amazing arc read!
Let the Bloody 🩸 Revolution continue…
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating 4.5 Rounded up.
An alternate-history horror novel set in colonial America, Blood Rising follows a tribe of African vampires waging war against slavery and colonial oppression. Picking up in the aftermath of the brutal uprising at Barrow Plantation, Kwadzo Okoro steps into leadership of the Ramanga vampires and helps reshape the ruined estate into a sanctuary known as Crimson Plantation.
As someone who loves vampire mythology, I found the premise incredibly refreshing. Redmond blends African vampire folklore with slave-rebellion alternate history in a way that gives the series a truly distinct voice within horror fiction. These are not romanticized gothic vampires draped in elegance and melancholy. They feel ancient, spiritual, ravenous, and deeply unsettling. The mythology expands beautifully in this installment, especially through the introduction of Penelope Knudsen. Her immunity to sunlight shifts the entire balance of power in terrifying ways, and the concept of a white colonial vampire army is both inventive and chilling, turning the machinery of empire itself into horror.
At the same time, the sheer brutality of the novel can become emotionally exhausting. Redmond writes violence with relentless intensity, and eventually the suffering accumulates to the point where certain scenes lose impact rather than gain it. Nearly every interaction spirals toward torture, betrayal, or massacre, and at times the story seems to confuse escalation with emotional depth. I understood the intention behind that choice, but there were moments when the constant brutality threatened to overwhelm the larger narrative and thematic weight of the novel.
Even so, Blood Rising succeeds powerfully. This is horror fueled by rage and purpose. The novel has no interest in comforting its audience, and that uncompromising vision gives it a voice unlike most modern horror fantasy. More than just a vampire story, it interrogates power, survival, memory, and rebellion with remarkable force. Easily one of the boldest horror novels in recent years, it is confrontational, furious, emotionally draining, and ultimately unforgettable.
An alternate-history horror novel set in colonial America, Blood Rising follows a tribe of African vampires waging war against slavery and colonial oppression. Picking up in the aftermath of the brutal uprising at Barrow Plantation, Kwadzo Okoro steps into leadership of the Ramanga vampires and helps reshape the ruined estate into a sanctuary known as Crimson Plantation.
As someone who loves vampire mythology, I found the premise incredibly refreshing. Redmond blends African vampire folklore with slave-rebellion alternate history in a way that gives the series a truly distinct voice within horror fiction. These are not romanticized gothic vampires draped in elegance and melancholy. They feel ancient, spiritual, ravenous, and deeply unsettling. The mythology expands beautifully in this installment, especially through the introduction of Penelope Knudsen. Her immunity to sunlight shifts the entire balance of power in terrifying ways, and the concept of a white colonial vampire army is both inventive and chilling, turning the machinery of empire itself into horror.
At the same time, the sheer brutality of the novel can become emotionally exhausting. Redmond writes violence with relentless intensity, and eventually the suffering accumulates to the point where certain scenes lose impact rather than gain it. Nearly every interaction spirals toward torture, betrayal, or massacre, and at times the story seems to confuse escalation with emotional depth. I understood the intention behind that choice, but there were moments when the constant brutality threatened to overwhelm the larger narrative and thematic weight of the novel.
Even so, Blood Rising succeeds powerfully. This is horror fueled by rage and purpose. The novel has no interest in comforting its audience, and that uncompromising vision gives it a voice unlike most modern horror fantasy. More than just a vampire story, it interrogates power, survival, memory, and rebellion with remarkable force. Easily one of the boldest horror novels in recent years, it is confrontational, furious, emotionally draining, and ultimately unforgettable.
April 30, 2026
Thanks to Kensington Publishing and Net Galley for a Copy of this Arc
As a fan of the first book I have been on the edge of my seat waiting for the sequel and am happy to announce Blood Rising does not disappoint.
The lore we get is such an intriguing Vampire thread that begs to be pulled on explored.
Redmond is able to shift focus from the brutalities enacted against the formerly enslaved population of our protagonists while still acknowledging the cruelty done to those yet to be freed and even to other marginalized groups.
One of my favorite parts of this entry in the Blood Slaves saga was how much time was given to our large cast or women, even awful ones.
Im ever so pleased to see Irene coming into power and getting to affect the story in ways she didn’t in the first book.
Im also over the moon about the character of Jenue. Jenue is a selfish character, one of the themes in this entry but takes such an interesting path of self interest.
I’d still recommend checking out the trigger warnings on this one.
Great news for other Gerty apologists. She gets to chill put a bit and finds peace with her moral qualms.
Id recommend this one to fans of Johnny Comptons Devils Kill Devils, Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark, and fans of Ann Rice who thought she had some interesting ideas but wish she wasn’t sooooooo you know ann rice about a lot of things
Lastly fuck Penelope!!!!
As a fan of the first book I have been on the edge of my seat waiting for the sequel and am happy to announce Blood Rising does not disappoint.
The lore we get is such an intriguing Vampire thread that begs to be pulled on explored.
Redmond is able to shift focus from the brutalities enacted against the formerly enslaved population of our protagonists while still acknowledging the cruelty done to those yet to be freed and even to other marginalized groups.
One of my favorite parts of this entry in the Blood Slaves saga was how much time was given to our large cast or women, even awful ones.
Im ever so pleased to see Irene coming into power and getting to affect the story in ways she didn’t in the first book.
Im also over the moon about the character of Jenue. Jenue is a selfish character, one of the themes in this entry but takes such an interesting path of self interest.
I’d still recommend checking out the trigger warnings on this one.
Great news for other Gerty apologists. She gets to chill put a bit and finds peace with her moral qualms.
Id recommend this one to fans of Johnny Comptons Devils Kill Devils, Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark, and fans of Ann Rice who thought she had some interesting ideas but wish she wasn’t sooooooo you know ann rice about a lot of things
Lastly fuck Penelope!!!!
May 13, 2026
3.5⭐️
A rage-inducing read from start to finish!
I was very excited to read the next installment after enjoying the first book, Blood Slaves. My favorite aspect of this sequel is that we’re given more knowledge and lore surrounding the Ramangan people. It blends vampirism with colonial African culture in a way that feels highly unique and compelling. I also enjoyed learning about the specialized powers each individual obtains. Similar to the first book, this story is bloody, action-packed, and rage-inducing. The horrors the slaves endure are abhorrent, and I appreciate that the author does not sugarcoat them, as they reflect a stark reality that deserves to be understood. This book is brutal and graphic, but so is our history.
I struggled with the beginning of the book. Gertie, Kwazdo’s wife, takes up much of the focus, and I found her irritating at times. In the previous book, we saw immense growth in her character arc, but that progress seems to regress at the start of this installment. Her jealousy and constant squabbles detract from the story. However, her arc begins to develop again toward the middle of the book. Additionally, I found the ending abrupt and somewhat underwhelming. I expected more from a story that otherwise packs such a punch.
Overall, I preferred the first book, but I greatly enjoyed the expanded depth of the Ramangan lore. I’m intrigued to see how the story continues to evolve!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
A rage-inducing read from start to finish!
I was very excited to read the next installment after enjoying the first book, Blood Slaves. My favorite aspect of this sequel is that we’re given more knowledge and lore surrounding the Ramangan people. It blends vampirism with colonial African culture in a way that feels highly unique and compelling. I also enjoyed learning about the specialized powers each individual obtains. Similar to the first book, this story is bloody, action-packed, and rage-inducing. The horrors the slaves endure are abhorrent, and I appreciate that the author does not sugarcoat them, as they reflect a stark reality that deserves to be understood. This book is brutal and graphic, but so is our history.
I struggled with the beginning of the book. Gertie, Kwazdo’s wife, takes up much of the focus, and I found her irritating at times. In the previous book, we saw immense growth in her character arc, but that progress seems to regress at the start of this installment. Her jealousy and constant squabbles detract from the story. However, her arc begins to develop again toward the middle of the book. Additionally, I found the ending abrupt and somewhat underwhelming. I expected more from a story that otherwise packs such a punch.
Overall, I preferred the first book, but I greatly enjoyed the expanded depth of the Ramangan lore. I’m intrigued to see how the story continues to evolve!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My! My! My! Where do I even start?! I didn't think it was possible to enjoy a sequel just as much as I did the first book...but here we are.
Blood Rising picks up about a month after the bloodshed that happened at the Crimson Manor (formerly known as the Barrow Manor). With the help of his fellow Ramangan brothers/sisters, newly freed slaves and the Indigenous people of the land, Kwadzo continues his mission of freeing all slaves across the South with hopes of living a normal life amongst everyone, whites included. However, even with his newfound powers things don't unfold as easily as he'd hoped. With Penelope still on the loose, Kwadzo and the community work to find her, protect their land, free more slaves and make new allies along the way. However, not everyone agrees with this sense of community amongst those of the Blood, former slaves and the Indigenous. This leads to the group ultimately finding out that sometimes blood isn't thicker than water.
Thank you to Markus Redmond, Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for providing a copy of this arc.
If she could turn on her own kind so easily, how long would it take for her to turn against the Africans?
Blood Rising picks up about a month after the bloodshed that happened at the Crimson Manor (formerly known as the Barrow Manor). With the help of his fellow Ramangan brothers/sisters, newly freed slaves and the Indigenous people of the land, Kwadzo continues his mission of freeing all slaves across the South with hopes of living a normal life amongst everyone, whites included. However, even with his newfound powers things don't unfold as easily as he'd hoped. With Penelope still on the loose, Kwadzo and the community work to find her, protect their land, free more slaves and make new allies along the way. However, not everyone agrees with this sense of community amongst those of the Blood, former slaves and the Indigenous. This leads to the group ultimately finding out that sometimes blood isn't thicker than water.
Thank you to Markus Redmond, Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for providing a copy of this arc.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the advanced copy of Blood Rising, the heart-stopping sequel to Blood Slaves.
Blood Rising picks up where Blood Slaves ended--with Kwadzo leading an uprising of enslaved Africans, many of whom have been turned to vampires, against their ruthless slave owners. They have taken over the plantation and are now poised to spread throughout the land to free all slaves. And there WILL be blood.
Overthrowing these plantations will not be as easy as it seems. One white girl has been accidentally turned into a vampire. Her loathing of Africans and her ability to survive the sun could lead to a devastating blow to Kwazo and his tribe’s plans. Especially when plantation owners are aided by a former ally and begin turning. If everyone gains this strength, will the fighting ever end?
I loved the exploration of power in this novel, using reimagined history and a clever take on the vampire origin story. What happens when those once in power lose it? How will the newly freed slaves wield their power when confronting their old captors? I highly recommend this series for fans of Stephen Graham Jones, Richard Lange, and Philip Fracassi and, of course, if you loved Sinners!
Blood Rising picks up where Blood Slaves ended--with Kwadzo leading an uprising of enslaved Africans, many of whom have been turned to vampires, against their ruthless slave owners. They have taken over the plantation and are now poised to spread throughout the land to free all slaves. And there WILL be blood.
Overthrowing these plantations will not be as easy as it seems. One white girl has been accidentally turned into a vampire. Her loathing of Africans and her ability to survive the sun could lead to a devastating blow to Kwazo and his tribe’s plans. Especially when plantation owners are aided by a former ally and begin turning. If everyone gains this strength, will the fighting ever end?
I loved the exploration of power in this novel, using reimagined history and a clever take on the vampire origin story. What happens when those once in power lose it? How will the newly freed slaves wield their power when confronting their old captors? I highly recommend this series for fans of Stephen Graham Jones, Richard Lange, and Philip Fracassi and, of course, if you loved Sinners!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Blood Rising is a powerful sequel that builds perfectly off the momentum of Blood Slaves. Markus Redmond dives deeper into themes of power, revenge, freedom, and corruption while expanding the world and giving more supporting characters a chance to shine. While this installment is less action-heavy, the storytelling and character development are incredibly strong.
I loved how the book explored what happens after the uprising and how quickly power can shift people’s morals and motivations. Kwadzo’s internal struggle with leadership and power added emotional depth, while Irene completely stood out as one of the strongest characters in the story. The mix of historical fiction, vampire lore, and social commentary gave the novel a unique feel that reminded me of a darker, historical version of The Matrix.
Dark, thought-provoking, and immersive, Blood Rising is a great sequel that raises the stakes emotionally and politically while continuing this fresh take on vampire horror and reimagined history. Definitely recommended for fans of horror with depth and strong character-driven storytelling.
I loved how the book explored what happens after the uprising and how quickly power can shift people’s morals and motivations. Kwadzo’s internal struggle with leadership and power added emotional depth, while Irene completely stood out as one of the strongest characters in the story. The mix of historical fiction, vampire lore, and social commentary gave the novel a unique feel that reminded me of a darker, historical version of The Matrix.
Dark, thought-provoking, and immersive, Blood Rising is a great sequel that raises the stakes emotionally and politically while continuing this fresh take on vampire horror and reimagined history. Definitely recommended for fans of horror with depth and strong character-driven storytelling.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I'd give Blood Rising 3.5 stars. It has the same strengths and the same problems as book one: the premise is bold, the stakes are big, and the world still has a lot of potential, but the plot can feel uneven and a little repetitive at times. What kept me reading was the ambition of it all, the alternate-history setup, the brutal conflict, and the way the story keeps pushing its characters into morally messy territory. But the momentum didn't always land the way I wanted, and some of the same issues from the first book are still hanging around, which made it harder for the sequel to fully stand on its own. Even so, I'm still interested in where the series goes next because there's enough here to make the larger story worth following. I'm hoping book three is where everything really comes together.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Blood Rising is a gripping blend of horror, history, and suspense that offers a fresh take on vampire fiction. Markus Redmond crafts an immersive world filled with danger, intrigue, and compelling characters that keep the pages turning.
The atmosphere is one of the novel's greatest strengths. The tension builds steadily, creating a sense of unease that lingers throughout the story. The historical backdrop adds depth and richness while the supernatural elements provide plenty of excitement.
Fans of dark fantasy, horror, and historical fiction will appreciate the unique concept and engaging storytelling. Blood Rising delivers an entertaining and memorable reading experience that stands out within the genre.
Blood Rising is a gripping blend of horror, history, and suspense that offers a fresh take on vampire fiction. Markus Redmond crafts an immersive world filled with danger, intrigue, and compelling characters that keep the pages turning.
The atmosphere is one of the novel's greatest strengths. The tension builds steadily, creating a sense of unease that lingers throughout the story. The historical backdrop adds depth and richness while the supernatural elements provide plenty of excitement.
Fans of dark fantasy, horror, and historical fiction will appreciate the unique concept and engaging storytelling. Blood Rising delivers an entertaining and memorable reading experience that stands out within the genre.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Markus Redmond and Kensington for this ARC of Blood Rising.
The book takes place one month after the events of Blood Slaves. Kwadzo finds himself in the new position of leader, and as such, also finds himself at odds with Rafazi. This exploration with newly found power makes up a large portion of the book. But my favorite thing is how Redmond explores and develops the background and fringe characters. We see more of Irene, Fanna, and we’re introduced to Jenue, who is a fascinating case study. We’re also given some background on the etymology of the word vampire, which I loved.
I can’t wait for the final book in this trilogy. Welcome to the blood, indeed.
The book takes place one month after the events of Blood Slaves. Kwadzo finds himself in the new position of leader, and as such, also finds himself at odds with Rafazi. This exploration with newly found power makes up a large portion of the book. But my favorite thing is how Redmond explores and develops the background and fringe characters. We see more of Irene, Fanna, and we’re introduced to Jenue, who is a fascinating case study. We’re also given some background on the etymology of the word vampire, which I loved.
I can’t wait for the final book in this trilogy. Welcome to the blood, indeed.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Markus did it again!!! Absolutely amazing! I loved every minute. I definitely spoke to the crabs in a barrel within the community and it made my heartache but the unity and community of it all was beautiful
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book dealt with power struggle, and how to handle newfound power. It is about evil people still doing evil sthings. It gives so much history about Africa, which I love learning it made me question my book morals it made me think I really enjoyed this book.
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