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Empire of Blood: A Sci-Fi Vampire Epic
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Expected 6 Oct 26Win a free kindle copy of this book!
11 days and 16:43:09
100 copies available
U.S. only
A gothic vampire epic where dark fantasy meets science fiction — descend into an empire where death is only the beginning…
Beneath the surface of the mortal world lies a domain of eternal night—an empire of vampires built on terror, brutality, and fear. Here, the Great Houses of the Underworld wield science as sorcery, keep humanity in chains, and turn death itself into pure spectacle.
From this labyrinth of shadows awakens Kane, a man with no memory and no past—only pain, a broken body, and a new life as a despised vampire Convert.
But he is not alone…
Watching from the darkness is Six, one of the empire's dreaded terror soldiers. Her interests in him are unknown, her motives even less so. Yet even in a world of monsters, the dread she inspires is palpable.
Hated on sight for what he is, Kane is thrown into the Blood Games—a brutal arena where Bloodletters fight to the death for the entertainment of all. With each fight, he claws back pieces of the life stolen from him.
But something else lurks in his past: nightmares of a red-eyed machine and distant, inhuman screams. Dragged ever deeper into the depths of this dark world, Kane begins to learn that some secrets are best left forgotten.
For down in the depths where the Vault doors keep…
Things lie waiting…
Things don't sleep…
From Hell Forged Books and Christopher Kilgore comes Empire of Blood, Book One of a dark sci-fi vampire trilogy for adult readers — a grimdark gothic epic of morally gray antiheroes, brutal arena combat, rival vampire Houses locked in political intrigue, cybernetic horror, dark humor, and a civilization of monsters built beneath the world.
Mature content: graphic violence, body horror, and dark themes.
Beneath the surface of the mortal world lies a domain of eternal night—an empire of vampires built on terror, brutality, and fear. Here, the Great Houses of the Underworld wield science as sorcery, keep humanity in chains, and turn death itself into pure spectacle.
From this labyrinth of shadows awakens Kane, a man with no memory and no past—only pain, a broken body, and a new life as a despised vampire Convert.
But he is not alone…
Watching from the darkness is Six, one of the empire's dreaded terror soldiers. Her interests in him are unknown, her motives even less so. Yet even in a world of monsters, the dread she inspires is palpable.
Hated on sight for what he is, Kane is thrown into the Blood Games—a brutal arena where Bloodletters fight to the death for the entertainment of all. With each fight, he claws back pieces of the life stolen from him.
But something else lurks in his past: nightmares of a red-eyed machine and distant, inhuman screams. Dragged ever deeper into the depths of this dark world, Kane begins to learn that some secrets are best left forgotten.
For down in the depths where the Vault doors keep…
Things lie waiting…
Things don't sleep…
From Hell Forged Books and Christopher Kilgore comes Empire of Blood, Book One of a dark sci-fi vampire trilogy for adult readers — a grimdark gothic epic of morally gray antiheroes, brutal arena combat, rival vampire Houses locked in political intrigue, cybernetic horror, dark humor, and a civilization of monsters built beneath the world.
Mature content: graphic violence, body horror, and dark themes.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 6, 2026
About the author
Christopher Kilgore
2 books8 followersChristopher Kilgore is the creator of Hell Forged Books, an independent imprint for dark fiction with sharp edges, immersive worlds, and no interest in softening the blade.
His fiction blends horror, science fiction, military action, and dark fantasy into violent, cinematic worlds built around flawed characters, moral conflict, and the high cost of survival. Rather than writing clean heroes and simple villains, he is drawn to stories where history is written by the powerful, loyalty is dangerous, and even monsters have reasons for what they become.
Christopher’s current flagship series, *Empire of Blood*, is a dark gothic science-fiction vampire epic set in a brutal underground empire where power, survival, and monstrosity are never simple things.
He is currently expanding the *Empire of Blood* universe, along with future works in horror, science fiction, and dark fantasy.
His fiction blends horror, science fiction, military action, and dark fantasy into violent, cinematic worlds built around flawed characters, moral conflict, and the high cost of survival. Rather than writing clean heroes and simple villains, he is drawn to stories where history is written by the powerful, loyalty is dangerous, and even monsters have reasons for what they become.
Christopher’s current flagship series, *Empire of Blood*, is a dark gothic science-fiction vampire epic set in a brutal underground empire where power, survival, and monstrosity are never simple things.
He is currently expanding the *Empire of Blood* universe, along with future works in horror, science fiction, and dark fantasy.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy
Wow, what a book! I had so much fun reading this and it’s honestly one of those books that is incredibly easy to read while somehow still being packed with so much detail. The writing is descriptive without feeling exhaustive and some of the horror imagery is genuinely gruesome but in the best way. There were so many scenes where I was picturing exactly what was happening and actually had chills. The world building was probably my favorite part. From the different types of cities and vampire societies to the futuristic vampire technology, gladiator style fights and some genuinely disturbing parts of this world… just when I thought I had a grasp on everything, the book would casually introduce something else that made me go “WAIT…. WHAT?!!!!”
I really loved the characters and how the story unfolded. It was fun figuring out the world alongside Kane, I loved fighting alongside the badass that is Six and the different POVs between Kane and Anna kept me interested because I was constantly trying to figure out how everything was connected. Oh and jack? MY FAVORITE. I finished this book feeling like I learned so much and somehow know absolutely nothing.
I do have a couple small complaints. Certain descriptions and phrases were reused enough that once I noticed the pattern, I couldn’t un-notice it. Apparently everything in this universe smells like burned flesh, smoke, metal, disinfectant, blood… and OZONE. After about the 5th OZONE, it became a running joke in my head on how often it would be used. Tightening up some of these repetitive descriptions would have made the writing feel more polished and less generated. I also really wish we would have gotten more time with some of the friendships Kane formed. Just when I was starting to get attached and loved seeing where certain relationships were heading, they were ripped away. I know the world is brutal and happiness isn’t allowed but I would have loved to see at least a few of those friendships survive and develop more.
Overall, this was dark, violent, mysterious, gruesome, funny and genuinely such a fun read. I finished with so many unanswered questions and need book 2 asap.
I really loved the characters and how the story unfolded. It was fun figuring out the world alongside Kane, I loved fighting alongside the badass that is Six and the different POVs between Kane and Anna kept me interested because I was constantly trying to figure out how everything was connected. Oh and jack? MY FAVORITE. I finished this book feeling like I learned so much and somehow know absolutely nothing.
I do have a couple small complaints. Certain descriptions and phrases were reused enough that once I noticed the pattern, I couldn’t un-notice it. Apparently everything in this universe smells like burned flesh, smoke, metal, disinfectant, blood… and OZONE. After about the 5th OZONE, it became a running joke in my head on how often it would be used. Tightening up some of these repetitive descriptions would have made the writing feel more polished and less generated. I also really wish we would have gotten more time with some of the friendships Kane formed. Just when I was starting to get attached and loved seeing where certain relationships were heading, they were ripped away. I know the world is brutal and happiness isn’t allowed but I would have loved to see at least a few of those friendships survive and develop more.
Overall, this was dark, violent, mysterious, gruesome, funny and genuinely such a fun read. I finished with so many unanswered questions and need book 2 asap.
Review of advance copy
Empire of Blood is unlike any vampire story I have read before, and I was hooked from the beginning.
This is definitely not a dark romantasy. It is a brutal gothic sci-fi epic that descends into an Underworld ruled by political schemes, futuristic technology, vicious arena combat, and the constant fight for survival. Imagine The Hunger Games meeting Dracula and Gladiator with cyberpunk elements woven throughout. That combination sounds ambitious, but it works incredibly well.
The world building was one of my favorite aspects. Every detail added depth without slowing the pace, and the vivid, cinematic prose made this civilization feel both fascinating and horrifying. The battle scenes are ruthless, the atmosphere is unapologetically dark, and the unexpected revelations kept me fully invested.
I also loved Kane and Six. They are individually compelling, but their dynamic added something special to the story. Although romance never becomes the focus, their attraction is clear from the start. The tension, subtle chemistry, and flirty banter gave me exactly enough that I never felt the absence of explicit romantic moments. There was simply too much happening around them for anything to feel missing.
This book takes familiar vampire lore and transforms it into something grotesque, imaginative, and entirely its own. The ending left me with questions, theories, and an immediate need for book two.
Thank you to the author and BookSirens for the ARC.
This is definitely not a dark romantasy. It is a brutal gothic sci-fi epic that descends into an Underworld ruled by political schemes, futuristic technology, vicious arena combat, and the constant fight for survival. Imagine The Hunger Games meeting Dracula and Gladiator with cyberpunk elements woven throughout. That combination sounds ambitious, but it works incredibly well.
The world building was one of my favorite aspects. Every detail added depth without slowing the pace, and the vivid, cinematic prose made this civilization feel both fascinating and horrifying. The battle scenes are ruthless, the atmosphere is unapologetically dark, and the unexpected revelations kept me fully invested.
I also loved Kane and Six. They are individually compelling, but their dynamic added something special to the story. Although romance never becomes the focus, their attraction is clear from the start. The tension, subtle chemistry, and flirty banter gave me exactly enough that I never felt the absence of explicit romantic moments. There was simply too much happening around them for anything to feel missing.
This book takes familiar vampire lore and transforms it into something grotesque, imaginative, and entirely its own. The ending left me with questions, theories, and an immediate need for book two.
Thank you to the author and BookSirens for the ARC.
Review of advance copy
This started out extremely intriguing, exciting, and cool. Unfortunately, I quickly started eye-rolling the overuse of descriptions of smells. Everywhere. People, environments, structures, clothing, meeting places, open air, anywhere- we are constantly told of the smells. Smells of ozone and sweat are the foundation of this tale.
The premise of this story is interesting. MC Kane awakes without memory, having been turned into a vampire and is uncertain of anything. Memories come randomly, he is assigned to the highest Vampire house, chaos ensues. Don't worry, we learn of the smells.
While this was promising, I started to feel like I was reading another Hunger Games fanfic x John Wick x HANNA x I,Robot. It felt, recycled? I guess I was expecting some epic worldview, but it was just fine. FMC Six started out as a foreboding character and ended up chaotic and annoying.
I received an advance copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.
The premise of this story is interesting. MC Kane awakes without memory, having been turned into a vampire and is uncertain of anything. Memories come randomly, he is assigned to the highest Vampire house, chaos ensues. Don't worry, we learn of the smells.
While this was promising, I started to feel like I was reading another Hunger Games fanfic x John Wick x HANNA x I,Robot. It felt, recycled? I guess I was expecting some epic worldview, but it was just fine. FMC Six started out as a foreboding character and ended up chaotic and annoying.
I received an advance copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The detail, politics, and world building of lets say of sir Martin or master kristoff and the blood and gore of your wildest dreams! And the perfectly original take on the layers of hell. GORGEOUS BOOK!!!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews