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Lilitu: The Memoirs of a Succubus
England, 1876. Twenty-year-old Maraina Blackwood has always struggled to adhere to the restrictive standards of Victorian society, denying the courage and desire that burn within her soul. But after a terrifying supernatural encounter, Maraina's instincts compel her to action.Maraina soon discovers a plot to unleash a new world—one of demonic aristocrats, bloody rituals, and nightmarish monsters. Putting her upbringing aside, Maraina vows to fight the dark forces assuming control of England. But as her world transforms, Maraina finds that she too must transform...and what she becomes will bring out all that she once The Memoirs of a Succubus is the first chapter in an epic dark fantasy saga, proudly represented by Crystal Lake Publishing—Tales from the Darkest Depths.
Interview with the makes this Dark Fantasy novel so special?
Lilitu intends to do for succubi and incubi what Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles did for exploring the emotional implications of their folklore with unprecedented depth to tell an epic Gothic Horror story that spans years. Furthermore, it uses them to explore issues of class and gender in Victorian England, satirizing the hypocrisies of the elite and exploring how nightmares are normalized in oppressive societies.Tell us more about Lilitu's protagonist, Maraina Blackwood?
Maraina is a rebellious young woman who becomes a succubus in the wake of a demonic uprising, leaving her torn between the teachings of her youth and her desire to survive. Determined to make things right, Maraina seeks to end the demonic rule over England, but learns that doing so will mean seducing one of Hell's most wicked demons—and embracing a side of herself she was always forced to repress. Lilitu chronicles Maraina’s emotional transformation from a frightened Victorian girl into a powerful succubus warrior, hell-bent on overthrowing an empire. Through her, Lilitu fashions a heroine from an archetype long that of the seductress who takes control of her own sexuality.Who are some of Lilitu's other characters?
Lilitu's dynamic cast includes Salem, a ruthless (but inhumanly sexy) incubus lord; Loretta, a masochistic demon burlesque dancer; Alkin, a cunning musician with a secret; Sven, a tortured vampire assassin; and Queen Isabelle, England’s deranged new monarch. Why should readers give this book or your work a try?
A macabre tale of monsters and magic, Lilitu reads like the unholy union of Charles Dickens and Clive Barker, with dashes of H.P. Lovecraft and Jules Verne for good measure. Lilitu has something for everyone—mysteries, epic action sequences, kinky eroticism, and blood-curdling terror. There are also elements of grimdark, steampunk, paranormal romance, and bildungsroman, all converging together to create an emotionally complex, female-fronted dark fantasy tale about how our desires, fears, and traumas can transform us forever.
Interview with the makes this Dark Fantasy novel so special?
Lilitu intends to do for succubi and incubi what Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles did for exploring the emotional implications of their folklore with unprecedented depth to tell an epic Gothic Horror story that spans years. Furthermore, it uses them to explore issues of class and gender in Victorian England, satirizing the hypocrisies of the elite and exploring how nightmares are normalized in oppressive societies.Tell us more about Lilitu's protagonist, Maraina Blackwood?
Maraina is a rebellious young woman who becomes a succubus in the wake of a demonic uprising, leaving her torn between the teachings of her youth and her desire to survive. Determined to make things right, Maraina seeks to end the demonic rule over England, but learns that doing so will mean seducing one of Hell's most wicked demons—and embracing a side of herself she was always forced to repress. Lilitu chronicles Maraina’s emotional transformation from a frightened Victorian girl into a powerful succubus warrior, hell-bent on overthrowing an empire. Through her, Lilitu fashions a heroine from an archetype long that of the seductress who takes control of her own sexuality.Who are some of Lilitu's other characters?
Lilitu's dynamic cast includes Salem, a ruthless (but inhumanly sexy) incubus lord; Loretta, a masochistic demon burlesque dancer; Alkin, a cunning musician with a secret; Sven, a tortured vampire assassin; and Queen Isabelle, England’s deranged new monarch. Why should readers give this book or your work a try?
A macabre tale of monsters and magic, Lilitu reads like the unholy union of Charles Dickens and Clive Barker, with dashes of H.P. Lovecraft and Jules Verne for good measure. Lilitu has something for everyone—mysteries, epic action sequences, kinky eroticism, and blood-curdling terror. There are also elements of grimdark, steampunk, paranormal romance, and bildungsroman, all converging together to create an emotionally complex, female-fronted dark fantasy tale about how our desires, fears, and traumas can transform us forever.
422 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 27, 2020
15 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 5, 2020
Fortin has created a dark and forbidding world where creatures have thrown off their shackles and brought on eternal night. This book is a brilliant look at what happens when the things that go bump in the night take control. And Maraina is stuck between revenge and survival. A must read for urban fantasy and horror fans!
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April 19, 2020This was so much outside the usual genres I read that I feel unable to review it - having no idea of the genre traditions. Personally, I prefer my supernatural beings living in the shadows of human civilisation, rather than vice versa. However, to an outsider like myself, this was a wild, imaginative ride with sights and visions that verge on the unpleasant side of fantastical (as intended).
May 11, 2020
A rip-roaring journey which takes the reader all the way from a graceful country estate to the horror of a life which has been shattered.
The main character has to find her feet in a world set on fire by betrayals, supernatural creatures and an unquenchable passion which her supernatural lover has gifted her with.
Nothing is ever as it seems in this world and she must learn to flow with the tide or else be drowned and lost forever.
I loved this novel, the characters, the writing, the way the plot flowed over you and it is different from others out there. A genre breaker. A fantastic read.
The main character has to find her feet in a world set on fire by betrayals, supernatural creatures and an unquenchable passion which her supernatural lover has gifted her with.
Nothing is ever as it seems in this world and she must learn to flow with the tide or else be drowned and lost forever.
I loved this novel, the characters, the writing, the way the plot flowed over you and it is different from others out there. A genre breaker. A fantastic read.
April 29, 2021
Amazing! Completely worth the read.
April 22, 2020
Psst. You can learn more about the book, see the animated cover, or listen to the soundtrack, here: https://www.jonathanfortin.com/lilitu
LILITU is the story of Maraina Blackwood, a woman in Victorian England struggling to navigate its rigid gender norms. Which, let's be real, is stressful enough.
But then demons take over!
Maraina is given a choice: join their wicked ranks by becoming a succubus, or be enslaved with the other mortals. Seems pretty clear-cut, right?
Especially since the person offering her this deal is a sexy, but probably evil, incubus aristocrat...
But what are succubi and incubi, you ask?
Well, they're basically hot, badass winged demons...
...Who can enter dreams....
And feed, um, this way:
So Maraina decides to use her new powers to fight the hellish monsters that have taken over England...
...In the process realizing that maybe some of the ideas she grew up with about gender and sexuality might be worth calling into question.
It's basically really gothic...
Full of nightmarish action...
And quite a bit of naughtiness, too.
It's perfect for people who dig things like Vampire Chronicles, Penny Dreadful, Crimson Peak, Underworld, Tim Burton's older movies, or any other Dark Fantasy/Horror that's Goth For Goth's Sake.
Come and be enthralled.
LILITU is the story of Maraina Blackwood, a woman in Victorian England struggling to navigate its rigid gender norms. Which, let's be real, is stressful enough.
But then demons take over!
Maraina is given a choice: join their wicked ranks by becoming a succubus, or be enslaved with the other mortals. Seems pretty clear-cut, right?
Especially since the person offering her this deal is a sexy, but probably evil, incubus aristocrat...
But what are succubi and incubi, you ask?
Well, they're basically hot, badass winged demons...
...Who can enter dreams....
And feed, um, this way:
So Maraina decides to use her new powers to fight the hellish monsters that have taken over England...
...In the process realizing that maybe some of the ideas she grew up with about gender and sexuality might be worth calling into question.
It's basically really gothic...
Full of nightmarish action...
And quite a bit of naughtiness, too.
It's perfect for people who dig things like Vampire Chronicles, Penny Dreadful, Crimson Peak, Underworld, Tim Burton's older movies, or any other Dark Fantasy/Horror that's Goth For Goth's Sake.
Come and be enthralled.
July 4, 2021
I cannot recommend this book enough, the world building is amazing as is the growth of the main character. I absolutely adore the amount of imagination and thought that obviously went into this book. There were parts of this book especially towards the end that had me bawling.
June 13, 2021
This is an excellent specimen of the dark fantasy genre. There are deeper issues around class consciousness, civil rights, relationship abuse, sexual oppression/liberation, and body image woven into an enrapturing plot (with really good pacing) in a way that feels natural and impactful. It's a great take on some classic dark fantasy tropes that feels fresh and interesting. The character development avoided predictability while being very satisfying. I recommend this to anyone who is a fan of dark fantasy books.
February 26, 2021
Captivating tale that keeps you turning pages. Descriptions of worlds and creatures were evocative and creative. I’m not much a fan of a “Victorian” style of prose and speech, so that worked less well for me.
February 19, 2025
a thrilling ride!
Awesome story, sends you a thrilling steampunk adventure full of succubi, vampires and other creatures of the night.
Highly recommended
Awesome story, sends you a thrilling steampunk adventure full of succubi, vampires and other creatures of the night.
Highly recommended
December 21, 2024
DNF. Not for me.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews