Fall of Two

Blood Brute #2

by Dixon Reuel

I'm captured by my worst enemies.

I'm zombie-bitten.

I'm held captive in a strange land, with all of my vampire powers gone.

If I don't find a way out of this prison, I'll die. If I don't save my human, Cypriot, he'll die. If we don't escape the cruel Warwolves, we'll both die.

If none of those things happen, we'll eventually lose the Owl Court coven forever and become puppets for the Warwolves, who're determined to use the zombie apocalypse to overthrow humanity.

So, yeah. We're screwed.

Blood Brute, and its prequel Finding Home, is a heart-wrenching journey in the tradition of Stephen King's The Stand and The Road by Cormac McCarthy. If you like LGBT romance, dark themes, and complex characters, then you'll love this paranormal post-apocalyptic tale.

Get your copy today!

Blood Brute combines urban & paranormal fantasy, along with the metaphysical and visionary, in this science fiction dystopian series! For lovers of mystery, thriller & suspense, with a huge dash of horror in this post-apocalyptic teen & young adult fiction. Ideal for fans of suspense and mystery authors and those who like their suspense with a dash of romance. Blood Brute are vampire novels set in an apocalyptic fantasy where romance and zombies collide. Suspense and romance combine against the backdrop of vampire cities out like nothing you've seen before in a vampire ya book. Enjoy English suspense / suspense horror books? Now they come with a dash of zombie wards, too! Vampire young adult books meets more dystopian fiction novels. Blood Brute comes as the perfect vampire books for adults in hardcover, if that's how you like your vampire fiction! Suitable for teens who enjoy vampire books all the way up to those you love suspense thrillers for men.

Genres: Fantasy, Zombies, Vampires, Horror

329 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 18, 2021

About the author

Author of The Blood Brute Series, a post-apocalyptic horror romance.

Writing from Dublin, Ireland, Dixon they explore the intersection of the paranormal with sci-fi, and fantasy. Their work has been a finalist in The Wishing List Indie Book Awards, The Page Turner Awards and has received strong reviews from NetGalley and Kirkus. They have also been recognized for poetry, including runner-up for a national Irish poetry award and a writing residency at the Tyrone Guthrie Center, awarded by The Arts Council of Ireland.

With a background in Early Irish language and mythology, Dixon brings layered storytelling to their work. Outside of writing, they enjoy cosplay and video gaming.

Reviews

[Dixon Reuel]

UPDATE: Feb 2022

Wow! It's crazy thinking back to when I wrote Fall of Two - obviously none of the events of Ebb of Three or Strain of Four (Blood Brute's 4th title publishing 1st June 2022) had happened!

So much of Fall of Two directly impacts Books 3 and 4: Rise and Cypriot's imprisonment in a foreign country, their torture at the hands of the Warwolves, learning about the vampire's past, to even how they try and escape -- everything in Fall of Two rears its head again in the subsequent Blood Brute books. Therefore, Fall of Two holds a very special place in my heart (I know, I know, authors shouldn't play favorites with their books!)

It is indeed a funny old world!
Amid the chaos,
-Dixon Reuel
__________

And that's Blood Brute's 2nd book all done!

The Vampire Rise's journey continues in FALL OF TWO, which pits him against the terrible Warwolves in a bid to save himself and Cypriot. Will he ever find the rest of the Owl Court coven and reclaim his home? Find out in FALL OF TWO!

Read now in Kindle Unlimited or order your ebook here: Blood Brute Book 2 - Fall of Two

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. Unusual and addictive reading.

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

The invigorating, exciting, poignant and insightful Blood Brute series is a favourite of mine, and if I could recommend any book of 2021 (or ever) it is this series. Fall of Two, a story of the outcast oddity vampire amongst a blunt, hardened and beautiful apocalyptic fantasy world is, somehow, even better than its predecessor.

Rise (protagonist) is challenged by his supposed foe (Warwolves) and held prisoner in a tower far from everything he loves (that may not all still be alive). Rise must challenge, bait, and fight the Warwolves if he wants his freedom.

The story is essentially entirely set within one room, with moments of escape that support the pace of the plot. The book didn't need more than what it gave as it explores the emotion and mental capacity of Rise, trapped inside a tall and isolated tower far from the only things he cares about. It succeeds in retaining our attention through the addition of new characters, a HUGE new chunk of world and character context and interesting interactions.

The book has many brief moments of beautifully written sentences that really reflect the atmosphere that Reuel is trying to evoke. The author also purposely but indirectly shares perspective and meaning through the events, interactions and thoughts of our characters, opposing the normal 'pointless' fantasies. A favourite concept of mine within this story is our characters acknowledgements of mistakes and misplaced actions; it brings out a very realistic sense of humanity (ironically) and survival.

If you enjoy themes of darkness, vampires, bitterness, brutality, fantasy, goth, queer romances and magic, then this should be number one on your tbr list.

An extra thanks to the author who so kindly gave me a copy on advance to read and review. :)

[Harry Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Rise of One, the first book of the Blood Brute series, we were introduced to Rise, leader of his coven, master of his domain and Invoker of Owl Court. At the beginning of Fall of Two, we find Rise imprisoned and distraught, physically tortured by his captors and emotionally tormented by his own failure to protect his coven and his lover, Cypriot.
As the story unfolds, Fall of Two reveals deeper layers to Rise’s character, and does so very cleverly through the gradual introduction of intriguing side characters. As the gravity of his circumstances worsens, Rise is further tested when he is forced to make choices that will decide not just his own fate, but that of many others, including his beloved Cypriot.
Escaping his prison will not only endanger the lives of himself and others but will leave Rise in a post-apocalyptic world terrorised by plague, zombies and blood brute hordes hell bent on destruction. His options are clouded even further by his captors, whose individual motives vary according to what they personally stand to gain. No matter which path he chooses, it seems he is destined to lose everything he has left.
Fall of Two has the best of Rise of One and so much more. Vampires, Blood Brutes, Warwolves and in Rise, a protagonist who reveals strengths only hinted at in Rise of One. I also really enjoyed some of the side characters, especially Tseng and Scorper, who themselves developed as the story unfolded. Fall of Two is a worthy sequel to Rise of One, and I can’t wait to discover what lies ahead for Rise in the next instalment, Ebb of Three.
Thanks to the author, Dixon Reuel, for an advance copy of Fall of Two. The above is an honest and voluntary review.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rise has been captured by the Warwolves after succumbing to a brute bite and awakens in chains, not knowing where he is or what has happened to Cypriot and the rest of his coven. The brute bite has taken his vampire hearing as well as his sense of himself in the world, leaving him alone with only his thoughts for company. Brief interruptions for questioning and "training" by the queen of the Warwolves reveal as much to rise as they do to his captors, leading him to start work on a plan to find Cypriot and escape.

I really enjoyed this book.

Like Rise of One, this is a quiet book, quiet amid the chaos. It's probably not the book you would expect when told it was about a vampire zombie apocalypse. The writing is beautiful. The characters are well-drawn and the relationships nuanced and complex. The tension between the Rise's brute's insistence on self-destruction and his need to find Cypriot and the rest of his coven drive the story forward. The symbiotic relationships between Tseng and Otrano and Rook and
Scorper, parallel and force Rise to reflect on his own relationship with Cypriot and the one he had begun with Iskabar.

This is book two in planned series of five. The ending is open, with Rise not hanging off a cliff but approaching the top of a hill, straining to see what's on the other side. I am looking forward to it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent second part to this dystopian dark vampire fantasy series! Another great adventure for Rise! Brilliant characters, plot line & story progression! I did really enjoy this & can't recommend it enough! An excellent read!

[Joanna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic new take on a familiar story plot. Zombie apocalypse arrives but what happens to Vampires needing human blood. This second story in the series takes this one step further... what if a vampire is bitten by a zombie? This author has given us a real page turner in The Fall of Two.

[Helen Whistberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another compelling entry in an intriguing series that attempts to answer the question "what are vampires to do when a virus is running wild, turning their remaining human blood banks into zombies?" After the devastating attack on his coven in book one, the vampire Rise finds himself a prisoner of the Warwolves, a ruthless society of vampires intent on world domination. Tortured and prodded as a kind of science experiment by the Warwolves, who hope to recruit him to their side, Rise must also deal with the agony of knowing his lover, Cypriot, is undergoing his own kind of unspeakably brutal hell elsewhere in the compound. The author takes a very original and unique approach to classic zombie and vampire lore with a quieter, more cerebral and emotional take on horror. Rise is a fascinatingly complex character, conflicted and imperfect, and much of this tale centers on his struggles to adjust to his evolving vampire powers while trying to understand and navigate the strange political machinations of his captors. Recommend this series for readers who appreciate a thoughtful and dark take on classic fantasy action and high-stakes tension coupled with strong writing and worldbuilding.

[Robin Ginther-Venneri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fall of Two: Blood Brute - By Dixon Reuel
This Book 2 in the Blood Brute Series

Fantastically fresh take on vampires and zombies as a coven of vampires attempts to survive a zombie plague that has turned humans into mindless brutes roaming the countryside in devastating hordes, capable of mowing down anything in their path. If that weren't enough trouble, the vampires also must worry about a mysterious group of vampire hunters known as the Warwolves who seek to destroy them.

In this post-apocalyptic society full of zombies, vampires and humans, who is the leading species? Humans are driven to almost near extinction with zombies infecting everything.
Rise, vampire and newly turned blood brute of Owl Court Vampire Coven member also known as Invoker is on the verge of a lifetime of servitude under the evil Warwolves. Rise hatches an escape plan and rescue of Cypriot, Rise's longtime love. When Rise fails to rescue his imprisoned lover, Cypriot, he must find a new way out before Cypriot succumbs to the Warwolves' torture.

Will the WarWolves, (vampire hunters, and the coven's sworn enemies) contribute to the vampire's demise? Who will emerge victorious???

Not so simple fresh and sophisticated take on vampire lore, zombies and Warwolves.

How will the vampires change when bitten? Can they drink from brute blood? Can they turn a brute into a vampire? I have so many questions unanswered. Amid The Chaos.
I really enjoyed this interesting perspective on vampires, zombies and post-apocalyptic story. The characters are complex and different.


Thanks so much for an advance review copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving a review of my opinion.

[M'lissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read on many levels. First, this book is quite different than Reuel's first book, Rise of One. It is more action packed and less focused on character building. This is not to say that the characters involved are superficial, just that there are many more of them and the plot tends to focus more on the situations they get into rather than understanding their personalities in depth. I do hope that Ms. Reuel does reach deeper into some of those characters in the future, such as Tseng or Ab. 


Another aspect of this story that was different was the almost complete lack of previously known characters. We see Cypriot and of course Rise, but I was surprised that no one else made an appearance given how each person in the first book played such an integral role in the story.


Finally, I really appreciated the return of Ms. Reuel's sensory descriptions. The detail she adds to all the experiences that Rise has really make you feel like you truly know what it is like. I look forward to the Ebb of Three and what occurs in Rise's next journey.

[A C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been looking forward to this book ever since I put down Rise of One (damn you, Dixon Reuel, and your agonising cliffhangers!) and Fall of Two doesn’t disappoint. This is a very different book from Rise - it’s a much darker book, as Reuel pulls apart everything her characters were trying to hold together in the first book. A lot lot of the narrative is centred around a single room, and it’s a book about the prisons we create for ourselves, as much as the physical one Rise finds himself in.

Despite being set mainly in one place, the book still manages to be action packed, and my heart was in my throat for a lot of the story. There are some clever reflections between this book and the last one, and Reuel really digs down deep into her characters. You’re entrenched in Rise’s head for every agonising moment!

Reuel remains a master of atmosphere and tension, which will keep you sucked in until the end. A fantastic sequel to Rise of One, and I look forward to the next one!

[MM Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is such an incredible series! Rise is my ultimate favorite hero! I want someone like that in my life! Heck we need more people like him every where. Actually everyone should strive to be like him! Cypriot is so lucky to have his love and loyalty.

In the Fall Of Two, we get more information on Warwolves and how vampires are created. We also witnessed a miracle. We still don't know much about Rise's backstory. So I hope we get more in the next book!

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Hayley Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very compelling book, I found it hard to put down. There are lots of tragic and heartbreaking scenes in this book but also lots of resilience and hope. Highly recommend.

I recieved an ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tracy Smyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this series. Looking forward to seeing where the author takes Rise & Cypriot in the next adventure

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super charged, I felt for the characters and willed them to survive. Loved the use of the vampire tools and powers - ordered the next one as soon as I was finished :)

[Monica Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got much better!

[Eve Hallows · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dixon Reuel’s world has me sucked in! I feel frustrated for Rise and because of him. I want to see Rise find his coven and be free of the Warwolves, but where will they go? We learn more about the Warwolves and their vampiric powers, but there are still questions to be answered. The characters are well rounded, but I would have liked to see more interaction between a few of the vampires.

This is a great example of vivid storytelling. There are a few slow moments when Rise is reflecting or dreaming, but the action moments aren’t lacking. Not all of my questions get answered, but maybe they will in the next book. I’m looking forward to the third installment of this series.

I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens and am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

I will be adding this review to my website EveHallows.com.

[W.A. Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of Fall of Two for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Much like Rise of One before it, Dixon Reuel's second Blood Brute also largely takes place in close quarters; moreso, when you compare the cell in this story to the Owl Court in the original. And yet, despite this, Fall of Two still manages to feel bigger.

Unlike Rise of One, however, Fall of Two feels like two distinct books. The opening act here is slow, and unlike the original, this slowness does not feel as deliberate, instead it almost feels like padding.

But once this novel moves into its second act, the pace increases considerably, and is all the more enjoyable for it. From this point, the story unravels beautifully, expanding the Blood Brute world; it's faster pace suiting the story nicely.

Through Fall of Two, the author introduces the reader to a host of new characters, who are largely more interesting than those introduced in the first (a strength of this book; not a weakness of the original). Characters introduced in the original are fleshed out further, particularly the series protagonist, Rise, who has a strong character arc.

The story in Fall of Two is one that I found to be more enjoyable than the first. However, I found the writing to be less atmospheric than the original, and as a whole, the prose doesn't resonate as strongly as it did in the original. There were some very long paragraphs, and a number of sentences were extraneous words were peppered through.

But despite those misgivings, Fall of Two is a thoroughly enjoyable story. It builds on the original brilliantly, and the various twists and turns, while not being obvious, all feel natural.

As with Rise of One, if you enjoy suspenseful takes, I truly recommend Fall of Two. While some parts didn't hit as strongly as I would have liked, I still found it to be, overall, a more enjoyable story. The Blood Brute series is building up nicely, and I'm looking forward to see where it goes from here.

My full review will be posted on my website on 9 February, in between reviews for Rise of One and Ebb of Three. For my full thoughts about the series (or the series so far), click here.

[Mc Chanster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my God, I freaking love this series! Reuel’s dark world of vampires and zombies is refreshing and in my opinion, beautifully written. The book is mostly set in just a handful of rooms, but I was completely engaged page after page. Reuel does an incredible job creating an atmosphere that is bloody, brutal, and yet still has glimmers of hope. More than anything though, I love Rise and Cypriot – their love is so damn deep that it actually kind of made my hurt a little. An absolutely incredible read!

Thank you Dixon Reuel for my ARC copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the verge of a lifetime of servitude under the evil Warwolves, The Vampire Rise hatches an escape plan.
But when Rise fails to rescue Cypriot things go horribly wrong.
Rise must find a new way out before Cypriot succumbs to the Warwolves' torture.
Book 2 tells more about the history of the vampires.
Great characters ,excellent plot many twists and turns.
read on to find out what happens next in this exciting dark fantasy.

[Stephen Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the ‘Rise’ series, Dixon Reuel delivers again with a sublime tale of vampires fighting to survive zombie hordes and fellow blood slurpers in post-apocalyptic Ireland. Mixing romance, action, and mystery she writes with a flair and eloquence that few in her genre field can match. I would highly recommend this book to all fantasy and paranormal fans. A superb sequel.

[Erica Pickard · Rating 4 out of 5]

* An ARC review*

Where to start? This book left me for a loop, I honestly did not see that ending. I'm actually biting my thumb wondering if the author will write a third book. The cover alone caught my attention, when I was trying to find that next series to support. I loved the characters plus the growth between both stories was actually pretty decent. Well done, I'm happy with this read.

[Luvwolves · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book two in the series and I must say it was good. Rise gets himself in situations and you have to keep reading to see what happens to him and his coven. Enjoyable read.


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spend an extremely long day (or break it into two) with this PF15 paranormal which finds the Vampire Rise imprisoned after what happened in Rise of One. I had an ARC from BookFunnel and this voluntary review is my own opinion.

[Oralee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great characters and fast paced story a great mix of apocalyptic and horror. Grab this series!

[Charlotte Bernhard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely ending

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

I seem to be the odd one out here as this was my least favourite of the series. Rise was nearly insufferable, and there were so many repeated almost-escapes that I started to feel like I might go mad myself from the repetition. Also, Rise fails to overcome his self-centred, arrogant egoist side, with him declaring himself a hero at the end of the novel. The final climax rushed out of nowhere (yet was somehow predictable) and was over in the blink of an eye. Suddenly, Rise could do the impossible, seemingly without struggle. The Warwolves' motivations felt inconsistent to me, and their characters were vague at best. I didn't love this book. Oh, and the way Rise made Cypriot's torture and suffering all about himself? And how he blamed Cypriot for not being stronger when they tried to escape while Cypriot was trying to survive a terrible situation? That did not sit well with me at all. I feel like Rise blames Cypriot for a lot that he can't control, and while neither of them are perfect characters, Rise seems far less inclined toward character growth. By the end of the book, I wanted to toss him out the window.

[James Geary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fall of Two was a great continuation of the series. I liked how it focused on Rise and Cypriot's relationship, even though they are kept physically separate for most of the book. It was good to see them coming back together after how fraught everything was in the first book, and how dire and dark things became in this one. It was great as well to be introduced to Tseng and to learn more about the Warwolves and vampires. Looking forward to book three.

[James Tracy Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving the series so far. Excellent story so far.