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Cursed in Crimson #2

Eternal Demise

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Leaving was only the beginning ...

Mina Murray believed distance could loosen the Count's hold, but the nightmare she left in the castle has found its way home with her.

As the consequences of Dracula's influence spread and old wounds refuse to heal, Mina is forced to confront a terrifying some evils cannot be escaped, they must be destroyed.

To end the Count's hold once and for all, Mina must face the darkness she thought she'd left behind. But victory may demand a sacrifice greater than she ever imagined.

ETERNAL DEMISE is the final book of the Cursed in Crimson duology, a gothic historical reimagining of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

321 pages, Paperback

Published October 21, 2026

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About the author

Amelie West

9 books97 followers
Amelie West is an author and fiction editor from Toronto, Canada, who crafts dark, atmospheric gothic mysteries featuring strong, complex heroines. She draws inspiration from authors like Simone St. James, Deanna Raybourn, and Ava Reid. When she isn’t lost in her latest manuscript, Amelie can be found wandering old bookstores or enjoying the company of her two loyal companions—a French bulldog and a pug mix.

Get updates on the Clara Dawson mystery series: subscribepage.io/claradawson

Get updates on the Cursed in Crimson duology:
subscribepage.io/midnight-covenant

Get updates on The Last Daughter of Usher Isle:
subscribepage.io/The-Last-Daughter

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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for DocMcStuffit.
175 reviews4 followers
November 2, 2026
This book is a retelling of Dracula and I’m here for it. I’m a huge Amelie West fan and I simply appreciate her writing. More over, I really enjoyed the retelling and knowing it wasn’t romanticized I still expected something to flip (too many Romantacies lately lol) and I was pleasantly surprised.

I enjoyed the retelling, the story was completed in this Duology and a well done rendition in my opinion! I appreciate the empowerment of the women in this book and that the count is not romanticized as a dark MMC

*Thank you to the author for this ARC read in exchange for my honest opinion *
Profile Image for Fawn Doyle.
Author 1 book22 followers
November 5, 2026
In book two of Cursed in Crimson, we get to see how Dracula became a vampire and how Mina, Jonathan, and Van Helsing plan to find Lucy and thwart him.

West is a master of Gothic slow-burn and suspense. I felt Mina's agony while they tried to locate Lucy after she'd been abducted.

I especially loved the POV of Dracula centuries earlier, when he was human, and how he became a vampire and instantly regretted it. The revelation of why Dracula kept Mina alive (not turned into another vampire bride) was a horrifying, great twist.

The ending moved very quickly. I had to re-read to feel done with it.

Thank you to Amelie West for an ARC of both books in this series! All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Jayme Ball.
422 reviews
October 30, 2026
This is book 2 in a duology, and this Dracula reimagining is completely different from the original.

Mina is gambled away into marriage to a man she's never met. She uproots her life in London and finds herself in a remote area of Transylvania, living in a castle where there seem to be very few other people.

I devoured my reread of Midnight Covenant (book 1) and dove right into book 2. I read both books in 48 hours!

I found myself spending time considering the characters. Mina, being the central character, is the one we get to know best. She is intelligent, loyal, curious, and brave. She is also impulsive at times, particularly with matters close to her heart. By the end, she really settles into herself. I also loved Jonathan's unwavering support of both Lucy and Mina. Van Helsing was another character I really enjoyed, though I would have liked more time with him.

The one sentiment that stands out to me is that the book really isn't about the monster. A story can be about the horrors of a monster without being about the monster himself. Although, in this story, we do get the history of how he came to be the monster that he is, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Without getting into spoilers, I believe this story is more about navigating fear, loss, and grief. It's about the people affected and how they respond. It's about using their wits to survive and finding a way to best the monster. I also loved that this reimagining gives Mina a more direct role in determining her own fate, especially as the story moves toward an ending that differs significantly from the original.

Dracula's demise does come about rather quickly, but boy, is the way it's written immensely satisfying.

The plot got its resolution, but I wanted more emotional resolution. That's why this is a 4.5-star read for me. We're led right to the doorstep of a hopeful future. After all the struggle and suffering Mina endured, I would have liked an epilogue that gave us more than just the idea of that future.
Profile Image for RedWineReading.
118 reviews2 followers
October 29, 2026
Eternal Demise by Amalie West is a Dracula retelling that twists the original tale and takes a deeper dive into Mina’s story. Being book two in a duology, we start in the second half of the story in Victorian London. We get more emotions from Mina than the original, where she barely reacts in the classic she is now overcome with grief and rage. She really gets to shine in this one when interacting with Van Helsing. She’s not just in the room as the men theorize and plot, she plays a key role in the scientific analysis of the vampire and takes the lead often. Dracula remains a constant threat in the background but we also get some insight to his life before the curse and early days of his change through a dual timeline. There’s no romanticizing him either, he’s the worst just as he should be. Where the book really shines for me is with Lucy and her relationship with Mina. Lucy has always represented the joy of life in the story to counter the Count. She’s the bright light in any room she enters but not untouchable by the evil that is Dracula. We get to see way more into her story and the effects it has on her and Mina. It is crushing in the original and is only elevated in this.

The research into vampire lore shows a true appreciation from West for the source material and some of the theories the characters come up with have me wanting to read a full dissection of vampirism through their eyes. This doesn’t take the original and change things for the sake of making changes or to shock the reader. Every change is to make a dull point shine brighter or elaborate confusion. It’s a retelling that breathes a new life into a classic for a modern audience which is all a true fan can hope for. If you love Dracula but feel it’s a bit stale this is the perfect book for you. It’s a book for Dracula fans by a Dracula fan and it shows with every page.
Profile Image for Lauren.
87 reviews1 follower
October 28, 2026
Eternal Demise is the conclusion to the Cursed in Crimson duology by Amelie West. I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to read a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. This review is a description of my own feelings and opinions of the story.

The story picks up right where book 1, Midnight Covenant, left off. This story is an eerie and gothic Dracula reimagining. Mina and Van Helsing continue their search for the Count and Mina’s dear friend, and uncover more history about Dracula. They begin to realize there is more to Dracula’s story than they truly believed.

I honestly thought I knew where this story was going and was certain I knew how it was going to end. But as I continued to read, I realized Amelie West did it again, and threw me for a loop. I have learnt that I will never truly know how her books will conclude, until I finish it. Thank you Amelie West for an advanced copy.
Profile Image for Kristine Caro.
94 reviews3 followers
October 28, 2026
A perfect ending to the Cursed in Crimson Duology. This one picks up right where book one ends, so it's perfect for those who automatically move on to the next book as soon as they finish the first. There is adventure, heartbreak, and mystery. Mina won't rest until she has found her best friend Lucy, even if it means putting herself back in the hands of Dracula. This time, she has more information about the man she married and the other women who live in the castle. We also learn much more about Dracula's past from his perspective.

Amelie West is great at writing strong female characters who can do anything without needing a man. Her books may be short and will leave you wanting more, but she gets her point across without having to drag out the story with unnecessary plotlines. I have read every book that Amelie West has released, and I can't wait to keep reading everything else she puts out.
Profile Image for Tracy Redden.
262 reviews10 followers
November 3, 2026
I recently finished Eternal Demise, the second and final book in this duology, and I loved seeing the fearless Mina take on the Count once again!

The story picks up right where we left off, keeping the mystery and suspense alive while introducing a dual timeline that I particularly enjoyed. The author weaves history and fiction together to explore the backstory of Count Dracula, giving us a deeper understanding of the character and adding another layer to the overall story. I really appreciated the historical research that went into this part of the book and how it blended with the fictional elements.

Beyond the mystery and suspense, there are also underlying themes of grief, determination, and the desire to right past wrongs. I enjoyed seeing how Mina and Van Helsing navigated the challenges before them and how Mina’s story ultimately unfolded.

Overall, this was a satisfying conclusion to the duology, and this retelling offered an interesting blend of historical elements, dark mystery, and a strong female character.
Profile Image for Jess Cullinan.
129 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
October 21, 2026
"If vampires and witches are real, must we accept every old superstition as truth?"

This was incredible. I love anything to do with Dracula and vampires and will just completely devour the stories. This is book 2 in a duology and leads straight on from the end of book 1. I just adore the characters, especially Mina and Van Helsing. There is some heartbreak in this which i wasn't expecting so that was a surprise! I really enjoyed the dual timelines between Dracula becoming a vampire in the 1400's and 1800's London; it really gave an insight into what he was like when he became a vampire and i feel like it just gave the story a little extra something. Amelies writing is so mysterious and eerie it truly kept me hooked and i read this in 2 sittings!

Thank you so much Amelie for the eARC! 🫶🏼
Profile Image for Red Book Review .
1,307 reviews45 followers
November 7, 2026
Thank you to the author for this free digital read in exchange for my honest review of Eternal Demise.
This second installment in the Cursed in Crimson series absolutely does not disappoint! Mina hoped distance would finally break the Count's terrifying hold on her, but this incredible page turner proves that nightmares always find their way home. The rich gothic atmosphere is thick and immersive, pulling you straight into the shadows from the very first chapter. The author does a brilliant job with the character development throughout, breathing fresh, compelling life into this clever Dracula reimagining. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. If you love dark, atmospheric gothic retellings, you definitely need to add this series to your TBR just be sure to start with book one.
Profile Image for Stasia Roze.
262 reviews10 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
October 21, 2026
Amelie West grows as an author with every book she releases. Eternal Demise is spectacular; the writing is evocative, and the characters are well thought out and executed. The nods to Vlad the Impaler and Bram's Dracula are gorgeously done. You can tell with ease that West is a font of knowledge and has used inspiration but also love and appreciation to spin her own version and land it so well.

I really didn't think that anyone would beat Clara as my favourite FMC written by West (from the Clara Dawson series), but Mina has well and truly stolen the top spot. Having the retelling focus on Mina and her relationships with different characters was a stroke of genius. Mina's responses to emotional developments in Stoker's original always felt a little lacklustre and underwritten, which makes West's take feel fresh and inspired. Book One, Mina felt more like she was a woman stuck in a bad situation, doing what's expected of her with little power; in Book Two, Mina? A powerhouse. The growth and development she went through were dynamic. I felt myself cheering her on, proud of her choices and what she said to those she felt wronged by. There was a tenacity to her that couldn't be contained.

West made me cry my own damn tears numerous times throughout the book. The emotion was dialled up to 11. And for you romance goblins, the slow burn BURNT.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and I hope more readers find West and her books, as she deserves the world!
Profile Image for Nicole Lewis.
27 reviews2 followers
October 23, 2026
Book 2 starts off directly where book 1 ends. After escaping Castle Dracula, Mina sets off in search of her friend Lucy, who has been taken into the clutches of the Count.

Eternal Demise also delves more into Dracula's past, and I love a villain origin story. We find out more about who he was before he was turned into a vampire, the events that led up to his change, and the efforts he made to try and break the less desirable attributes of said change.

I thought Mina showed so much courage and strength in Book 1, because after marrying the Count, she was firm on her boundaries for what she needed to be emotionally filled in her relationship with him, which wasn't usual for that time period.

In Eternal Demise, Mina shows even more fortitude in getting her revenge on Dracula. She takes the reigns in setting off back to Transylvania after discovering Lucy has chosen to end her life instead of living as a vampire.

This book is an incredible story of a woman taking back her power after a man has taken everything from her. She's a true powerhouse of an FMC.

I love absolutely everything from Amelie that I have read, and I am so grateful to have been an ARC reader for this beautiful piece of literature.
Profile Image for Marnie.
49 reviews1 follower
October 27, 2026
"I know you will forgive me, for that is what love does, even when the heart has been wounded beyond what it believes it can bear." 🥀⚰️

Wow wow wow... easiest 5 stars 🌟
I absolutely adored this book and did not want it to end 😭 I would have happily read 100 pages more, and then some.

Following on from the first book, the story in this goes into much more depth, and I really enjoyed Dracula's backstory of how he came to be 🦇🩸⚰️
The gothic, Victorian London atmosphere was stunning, and the writing was all-consuming, that I found myself not wanting to put this book down but also wishing it didn't have to end!

Thank you Amelie West for such an amazing story. Auto-buy author 🙌🏻🫡🖤
Profile Image for Josie Reiman.
272 reviews3 followers
November 1, 2026
A well executed end to this duology! This author’s writing just resonates with my brain so well. The gothic, atmospheric vibes continue in the second book and I truly had such a good time reading! It’s a perfect spooky season read, especially for those gloomy autumn days!

The ending really was quite satisfying and I loved it! This book really focuses on Mina and her struggles with figuring out how she’s going to deal with her unfortunate husband Count Dracula. We do get to see some of the Count’s origin story as well, which I found interesting!

Overall definitely recommend and I can’t wait to read more by this author!
Profile Image for Ginger Kat.
226 reviews22 followers
November 6, 2026
I enjoyed the first book in this duology and was excited for the second, and it did not disappoint. I'm personally not the hugest fan of the original Dracula book, and I really appreciated a lot of the changes in this reimagining. Lucy's character was more fleshed out, Dracula was in the story more, and I liked the character of Van Helsing much better in this one. The writing is beautiful, the story grim and dark, and I thought Mina was a great character. I recommend this book if you are a fan of Dracula or gothic stories in general. I received a free copy of this story and write this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Amber Rich.
3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
October 23, 2026
ARC Review: Eternal Demise (Cursed in Crimson Book 2) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book 2 picks up immediately where book 1 left off. We continue to follow Mina in her quest to figure out the weird going ons around her and save her loved ones. I will say, book 2 hit me in the feels so many times! I just wanted to hug Mina and tell her it would all be okay.

If you're looking for classic gothic vibes this fall, give this duology a try I didnt qant to put it down while reading.

Thank you again @ameliewestbooks for the ARC!
Profile Image for Katrina Sager.
71 reviews2 followers
November 2, 2026
I received an ARC of the second book in this duology and my goodness. I loved it. LOVED IT. I read it in 2 days because I couldn’t put it down. I am a huge Dracula fan and this retelling is just so amazing. I cried, I had feet kicking moments, I had rage filled moments. When you can fully immerse yourself in the characters, you know it’s a good read. The atmosphere is so perfectly gothic, the pacing perfectly timed. I could gush about this series forever if I had the words
Profile Image for Sadie Rose.
10 reviews5 followers
October 23, 2026
ARC Review: The perfect end to this enthralling Duology. I love a good vampire story and am absolutely thrilled the author went back to the roots of a classic monster tale. The women weren’t meek and timid. They took charge and were ready to fight for themselves and their friends. I believe I said in my first review that this is a refreshing take on Dracula and I stand by that statement.
Profile Image for Megan.
210 reviews5 followers
November 5, 2026
What a delightful conclusion!

After visiting Romania this year and reading Bram Stoker’s Dracula I had felt Lucy had been tossed aside.
I love that this series gave Lucy and Mina a better relationship and representation.

I also enjoyed the history of the real Dracula blending into the fictional.
Profile Image for Cat Treadwell.
Author 5 books140 followers
October 23, 2026
So on we charge into the second part of Amelie West's dramatic retelling of 'Dracula'! This is a truly original version of the classic tale, with Mina front and centre throughout as one of the Count's wives, yet still trying to get through the key points of Stoker's novel. By and large she succeeds, with only some minor missteps that held this back from being perfect - but it's certainly an epic ride, and one that I found myself racing through as much as I had the first part.

Mina is here again, stalwart, brave and clever (far more so than the men around her), this time seeking retribution for Lucy's death and then on to the castle to take on Dracula and his first three consorts. I really appreciated Lucy getting a little more time to shine here, and the enhancement of both women is immensely refreshing. Jonathan Harker (never her husband here) and Dr Seward are pretty hapless hangers-on, and Van Helsing is a younger, more gung-ho hero than I've ever seen.

I think that's where I felt the story changes to be a little much, alas. Mina forming a relationship with the Dutch Professor seemed odd, if not entirely unnecessary, and the almost complete writing out of the book's action hero Quincey Morris left me sad. Neither was a deal-breaker, but they were speed-bumps in an otherwise excellent conclusion to a fascinating duet that takes a much-trod tale down a new path.

I was kindly sent an early copy of this book by the author, but the above opinions are entirely my own.
8 reviews
November 1, 2026
very well written

I love the way this author writes. The second book of the series wraps up the story of dracula very well.
Profile Image for Rose.
37 reviews
November 2, 2026
Absolutely no romance between Dracula at all. I wish they had romance
Profile Image for Taylor.
33 reviews
October 29, 2026
I’m delighted to say this book was just as good as the first. I was skeptical, in all honesty, how this story was going to play out. A huge element to this conclusion that won me over was the character development of Mina. I won’t say more than that, but I just love to see an angry woman.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews