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Demon Hunter in Scarlet #1
Sanguine Academy: Volume 1
At Sanguine Academy, blood is the only thing that matters. Too bad Michael's is trying to kill him.
As a child, I was nearly killed by a demon, and ever since, the only thing I've cared about is becoming a blood knight. Using the mana inside my blood to protect others from the monsters that plague the world.
Eight years I devoted to training, and finally, I was ready to be tested. My blood was measured and assessed, laid bare for all to see.
And it was found wanting.
I was given the lowest rank possible, just barely meeting the requirements to take the prestigious Sanguine Academy entrance exam.
But I aim to prove them wrong.
Pure determination can only see me so far, and all of my training will be put to the test as I find more than a few obstacles in my way. I've got new friends, rivals, and lovers surrounding me, but blood is the only thing that matters in this academy.
I'm going to show them all that mine is stronger than they could've possibly imagined.
Warning: (Contains unconventional relationships and adult situations.)
As a child, I was nearly killed by a demon, and ever since, the only thing I've cared about is becoming a blood knight. Using the mana inside my blood to protect others from the monsters that plague the world.
Eight years I devoted to training, and finally, I was ready to be tested. My blood was measured and assessed, laid bare for all to see.
And it was found wanting.
I was given the lowest rank possible, just barely meeting the requirements to take the prestigious Sanguine Academy entrance exam.
But I aim to prove them wrong.
Pure determination can only see me so far, and all of my training will be put to the test as I find more than a few obstacles in my way. I've got new friends, rivals, and lovers surrounding me, but blood is the only thing that matters in this academy.
I'm going to show them all that mine is stronger than they could've possibly imagined.
Warning: (Contains unconventional relationships and adult situations.)
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 13, 2021
About the author
Lowe Keye
6 books13 followersI go by Lowe Keye, but my real name is [REDACTED] and I live in the small sleepy city of [REDACTED]. My passion for writing finally took over after too many years of reading. I hope you can have at least as much fun reading my books as I had in writing them!
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 22, 2022
Cringe Fest
I couldn’t get more than halfway through. It’s a story that’s been told a million times. Doesn’t mean it not enjoyable just blasé if it weren’t for the dialog. I don’t know how people can rate this so highly. It’s like reading a children’s book with gore. I tried to go a couple pages without reading some of the cringiest dialogue I’ve ever read. Things happen for no reason and the story sometimes continues on like they never even happened so why include it? Overall it’s a retread of a common good story with absolutely awful dialogue.
I couldn’t get more than halfway through. It’s a story that’s been told a million times. Doesn’t mean it not enjoyable just blasé if it weren’t for the dialog. I don’t know how people can rate this so highly. It’s like reading a children’s book with gore. I tried to go a couple pages without reading some of the cringiest dialogue I’ve ever read. Things happen for no reason and the story sometimes continues on like they never even happened so why include it? Overall it’s a retread of a common good story with absolutely awful dialogue.
September 26, 2021
I have said this before, I will say it again. You CAN NOT put trope after trope and call it a story!
You need a narrative. The characters are all flat, one dimensional caricatures. The setting is pointless, this could have been in a frontier town and kept the exact same story without any mention of a school. The details of the big twist do not coincide with the background we are given. It is obviously just dredged up to advance the story without any nod to believability.
You need a narrative. The characters are all flat, one dimensional caricatures. The setting is pointless, this could have been in a frontier town and kept the exact same story without any mention of a school. The details of the big twist do not coincide with the background we are given. It is obviously just dredged up to advance the story without any nod to believability.
August 27, 2022
The world building and plot are initially very interesting and if you read a few light novels you will find no surprises here. It's better then most of those but suffers from two major problems. The main character likes to act super angsty and oppressed when we are given almost zero build up to justify said angst. You will get a scene that goes "Oh noes this world mechanic means I am bad and get bullied." Then he beats someone up immediately afterwards and the problem goes away. By no means am I besmirching the use of violence to solve problems, I just wish the book made those moments feel worth while. The other major issue has to do with with the harem aspects which again I have no issue with but this becomes much more tedious later on. I rated this higher then I normally would because a lot of my generally unhappiness comes from the focus of kung Fu in a European magic school, and the cultivator elements. Snap kicks for days. Not something I enjoy but I think this novel covers it well for people who do dig it.
July 31, 2022
not your generic academy novel
Fast paced with good characterization and great dynamics. Looking for the next book. With such quality it went to the top of my to read pile
Fast paced with good characterization and great dynamics. Looking for the next book. With such quality it went to the top of my to read pile
July 28, 2023
I liked this story more than most of the fantasy novel series like this one. This one includes a lot of the usual fantasy novel tropes. The main character, Michael Cromwell, has a physical flaw that makes him unable to channel his Mana into his Mana well and use his blood in magic, like Blood mages do in this world. The thing is blood is water, iron, oxygen/carbon dioxide, plasma, etc. etc. it really has no other special traits, no real reason to use blood as a conduit to Mana and magic. Blood is sticky, runny, messy and a definite bio-hazard (attraction toward Monsters from the smell). That and the fact that a human loses just a little bit and they faint, loses a little more and they stop living. So, blood is definitely not something that can be used to create weapons, familiars and spells with. I know some stories use it, but they are not as graphic with the blood splatter as this one has and it is not the TV Series CSI, for "forensic" purposes. People have repeatedly described humans as fragile blood containers. If the author drains the blood from the main characters and they do not faint, they do not die, then something is nonsensical, irrational and illogical about this point (and it is a main point of this fantasy novel series), so much so, it's included in the title of the story series. (several times).
If only the author would have used something else (Mana crystals), wizard staves, etc. to channel the Mana and be able to create/cast the spells in his fantasy other world, the story would have been better and cleaner and more credible.
There is also an unprotected teen sex scene close to the end, which was not necessarily out of place in this story, but could have been left out and the story would not have missed it. I feel that this author is forcing a Harem-like-story with intense erotica, without there being a need for it. There are no warnings about the graphic sexual scene on the cover or the front of this fantasy novel series, either. Most of the main characters are 18, but it's still unprotected teen sex. That and the messy blood and it makes me say no to these aspects of the story.
While the main character was kind of bullied because of his inability (low E ability) to manage blood and Mana, this contrasts the chick-magnet-persona that the author has created for the main character.
Other than that, the story is well told, organized, it has character summaries, maps, inside illustrations. I consider it of a decent size (in pages and content). While this story series has three volumes, I only recommend this first one. The fantasy novel series goes sharply downhill from here. 3 :'(
Some of the fantasy tropes used in this Fantasy novel series are: (Defective main character, bullied main character, sibling rivalry, magic academy, academy duels, academy competitions, main character starts out last and becomes Over-Powered, chick-magnet, harem-retinue, etc. etc. etc. )
If only the author would have used something else (Mana crystals), wizard staves, etc. to channel the Mana and be able to create/cast the spells in his fantasy other world, the story would have been better and cleaner and more credible.
There is also an unprotected teen sex scene close to the end, which was not necessarily out of place in this story, but could have been left out and the story would not have missed it. I feel that this author is forcing a Harem-like-story with intense erotica, without there being a need for it. There are no warnings about the graphic sexual scene on the cover or the front of this fantasy novel series, either. Most of the main characters are 18, but it's still unprotected teen sex. That and the messy blood and it makes me say no to these aspects of the story.
While the main character was kind of bullied because of his inability (low E ability) to manage blood and Mana, this contrasts the chick-magnet-persona that the author has created for the main character.
Other than that, the story is well told, organized, it has character summaries, maps, inside illustrations. I consider it of a decent size (in pages and content). While this story series has three volumes, I only recommend this first one. The fantasy novel series goes sharply downhill from here. 3 :'(
Some of the fantasy tropes used in this Fantasy novel series are: (Defective main character, bullied main character, sibling rivalry, magic academy, academy duels, academy competitions, main character starts out last and becomes Over-Powered, chick-magnet, harem-retinue, etc. etc. etc. )
December 16, 2022
DNF at 43%
I couldn't tell at first if this was a talented writer writing a clever parody of a bad book, or just a bad book. So it can't be that bad right? Well, sort of. yes and no.
This is a light novel (That means a series of Anime tropes cobbled together with little regard to story or plot) A magic academy, and allegedly harem past the point I quit at.
I resolved a wile back to skip any and all 'light novels' unless specifically recommended by a friend, So know going into this review that I'm not a fan of them. This is not a bad example of the genre so if you are a big fan of them do not take my negative review here to mean that as a light novel this is a bad one. If you are also not a fan of light novels but would make an exception for an outstanding book that breaks out, sorry -keep looking elsewhere.
This book is disappointingly predictable if you project ahead what the dumbest thing the main character could do in any situation would be. The main character then does that thing, loudly and dramatically.
Of special note is the authors inexplicable habit of describing something as limitless, or endless, or countless, for that thing described to then have a limit, an end, or to be counted at the start of the very next sentence. (That's why I thought this had to be a parody)
I was pretty disillusioned with this book from the start but going through the motions right up to the point where the MC promises his sister to a bully if the MC loses a duel against him.
-NOPE! done.-
I couldn't tell at first if this was a talented writer writing a clever parody of a bad book, or just a bad book. So it can't be that bad right? Well, sort of. yes and no.
This is a light novel (That means a series of Anime tropes cobbled together with little regard to story or plot) A magic academy, and allegedly harem past the point I quit at.
I resolved a wile back to skip any and all 'light novels' unless specifically recommended by a friend, So know going into this review that I'm not a fan of them. This is not a bad example of the genre so if you are a big fan of them do not take my negative review here to mean that as a light novel this is a bad one. If you are also not a fan of light novels but would make an exception for an outstanding book that breaks out, sorry -keep looking elsewhere.
This book is disappointingly predictable if you project ahead what the dumbest thing the main character could do in any situation would be. The main character then does that thing, loudly and dramatically.
Of special note is the authors inexplicable habit of describing something as limitless, or endless, or countless, for that thing described to then have a limit, an end, or to be counted at the start of the very next sentence. (That's why I thought this had to be a parody)
I was pretty disillusioned with this book from the start but going through the motions right up to the point where the MC promises his sister to a bully if the MC loses a duel against him.
-NOPE! done.-
December 5, 2021
A cultivation novel written with a western flair
The characters are well written and well-rounded they each have distinct personalities and the each have things to add to the story. The story has a dark mystery to it as well as a budding relationship between one and maybe two different girls. Only time will tell about the mystery of the main characters blood and what it entails for him as well as those around him. Also enjoyed the romance that was portrayed in the story and not fade to Black so be forewarned. All in all it was an enjoyable story had action and adventure and I for one can't wait to find out what happens next.
The characters are well written and well-rounded they each have distinct personalities and the each have things to add to the story. The story has a dark mystery to it as well as a budding relationship between one and maybe two different girls. Only time will tell about the mystery of the main characters blood and what it entails for him as well as those around him. Also enjoyed the romance that was portrayed in the story and not fade to Black so be forewarned. All in all it was an enjoyable story had action and adventure and I for one can't wait to find out what happens next.
July 18, 2022
Fun little cultivation story with an interesting magic/cultivation system. I really appreciate how the author does a much slower burn with the romance than is common in Western fiction (though it would be considered very fast in the Japanese works the author is clearly trying to ape in some respects). Could go even slower for both first and second love interests in my opinion and be improved. Would also prefer FTB over the explicit scenes, but that's a general preference of mine not specific to this book/series.
January 12, 2026
This started out fast and there was a sex scene pretty early on, then nothing really the year of the book. I liked the 2 main characters. I really love Gwen and can't wait to follow more of her story. The magic system and the school/ academy aspect is fun and indiginous intriguing. I wish there was more world building, but maybe that will happen in the next part of the series. This is a very predictable book, but still engaging.
January 16, 2022
An excellent storyline, I enjoyed every page!
When the story began I kept thinking I had read it. I quickly figured out it merely started similar to another story, I was quickly caught of in what was happening! Looking forward to the next book, after all, the possibilities are endless!
When the story began I kept thinking I had read it. I quickly figured out it merely started similar to another story, I was quickly caught of in what was happening! Looking forward to the next book, after all, the possibilities are endless!
March 19, 2022
Surprisingly good!
This is a very good book. The story and world are well written, the pace is good, and the characters have depth. Something about the cover and/or blurb caused me to not expect much. But I was happily surprised. This is a fun read that is worth giving a shot.
This is a very good book. The story and world are well written, the pace is good, and the characters have depth. Something about the cover and/or blurb caused me to not expect much. But I was happily surprised. This is a fun read that is worth giving a shot.
June 13, 2023
Different but great
Low relationship development really let's the characters develop. The magic system is unique and not totally solved, considering the mc is a bit of an enigma. A few classic academy tropes: noble that is a bully and gets beat down by the mc, teachers that look down on the mc for having weak mana, etc.
Low relationship development really let's the characters develop. The magic system is unique and not totally solved, considering the mc is a bit of an enigma. A few classic academy tropes: noble that is a bully and gets beat down by the mc, teachers that look down on the mc for having weak mana, etc.
October 6, 2021
A very good beginning !
A very well written d enjoyable cultivation story! Good world building, interesting characters and slow burn adult fantasy action! I can't wait to see what comes next
A very well written d enjoyable cultivation story! Good world building, interesting characters and slow burn adult fantasy action! I can't wait to see what comes next
November 2, 2021
Great Character Development
OK...great character development, stand Academy development concerning training, novel mana problem which, I hope will lead to novel power development. Will my the next installment.
OK...great character development, stand Academy development concerning training, novel mana problem which, I hope will lead to novel power development. Will my the next installment.
September 20, 2021
Great First Edition
Good story, quick pace (but not frantic). Well written. No glaring errors. I enjoyed it quite a bit, and am looking forward to the second one.
Good story, quick pace (but not frantic). Well written. No glaring errors. I enjoyed it quite a bit, and am looking forward to the second one.
September 22, 2021
Quite a bit of fun
This book was a lot of fun to read. Nice action, fun characters, great lot. I'm looking forward to the next one.
This book was a lot of fun to read. Nice action, fun characters, great lot. I'm looking forward to the next one.
September 26, 2021
good book
Interesting magic system and application. I found the mc relatable and the interplay between the respective characters was well done.
Interesting magic system and application. I found the mc relatable and the interplay between the respective characters was well done.
October 8, 2021
Great book
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
October 12, 2021
Okay story...
But the instance of the MC to be stupid on asking for help for months is just annoying especially when they end up doing it anyway.
But the instance of the MC to be stupid on asking for help for months is just annoying especially when they end up doing it anyway.
November 14, 2021
A strange mix of juvenile YA Harry Potter look-alike mixed with a bit of adult content... It felt like an introduction without a main plot line. It was still enough that I will try the next one.
December 10, 2021
Not what I expected
As title says, but actually a nice break from genre I have been diving into and a very well-written book
As title says, but actually a nice break from genre I have been diving into and a very well-written book
June 16, 2022
Heard this on audible and I absolutely loved it. Can't wait until the next one to find out what happens.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews