Blood Brute: Myth of Five (Book 5): A Queer Dark Fantasy of Vampires & Blood Magic

Blood Brute #5

by Dixon Reuel

After the zombie apocalypse, I gave up.

The Warwolves still struggle to conquer humanity? I don't care.

He returns to my walls, begging for my company? I don't care.

If I don't let in outsiders, I remain living in peace. If I don't entertain others, I remain in solitude. If the world forgets about me, good.

If any of those things happen, then the tale of the world's only living blood brute can finally end.

So, yeah. Why do I feel like I'm still screwed?



Blood Brute 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, LGBT, Fiction, Vampires

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2022

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

[Aimora · Rating 5 out of 5]

The start of this book is filled with such melancholy and loneliness. Rise is still as stubborn as ever. Rise grows and gains quite a bit of emotional intelligence as the book progresses, despite his instinct to dig his heels in against any change. 20 years have passed since the previous book and so much changes in this one. The ending made me smile.

If this book was the last book in the series, I would be satisfied with the ending and resolution. However book 6 will be out mid 2023! Dixon, if you are reading this, your readers would be thrilled if this series continued indefinitely. Thank you so much for the ARC.

[Jim Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well written post-apocalyptic adventure with a good storyline and outstanding complex characters. Part of the Blood Brute Series with plenty of suspense, horror, and romance. This mystery thriller with Rise the main character has zombies, vampires, war wolves, and humans battling for control of the world. A dark themed tale that was very enjoyable and highly recommended. Will be looking for the next book in this terrific series.

[W.A. Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

I'm a fan of Dixon Reuel’s Blood Brute series, and have loved my time with all the preceding books, as well as the omnibus collection of the first three. After writing so much about this series, part of me wonders if there’s anything new to say: thankfully, once again, the author has written another story that takes the vampire Rise in a new direction, providing the reader plenty to chew on.

I seem to always say the latest entry is “the best one yet,” so I’ll get it out of the way quickly: Myth of Five is the best one yet. Whether it’s the story , its characters, its introspective nature, or even the prose, this book takes everything that's worked well for the series and dials it up a notch. Its parts all come together beautifully, resulting in a heartfelt story that's truly affecting.

As we catch up with Rise, twenty years have passed since the events of the previous novels, and he’s petting his cat, Tom. From here, the reader is treated to a meditation on loneliness, with Rise so shaken by the events of his past that he would rather wallow in his misery and loneliness, rather than deal with anyone. The Blood Brute series has often dealt with themes of isolation, and those themes continue here, however Rise’s isolation is a prison of his own making. As the story progresses, Rise faces the need to change, and evolves in interesting ways. After so long, the growth he continues to undergo is brilliant.

The book quickly sets the scene and unveils the story slowly, striking a careful pace as it delves into Rise’s loneliness, and the events that transpire. While it doesn’t take the time to catch readers up on previous events, it stands well enough alone that anyone coming into the book without having read the rest of the story won’t be lost (but if you don’t read those first four books beforehand, you’ll be missing out).

The pace moves gradually, focusing on Rise’s humanity above all else. It’s still a story about a zombie-bitten vampire, or “blood brute,” and it’s still an urban fantasy with horror trappings. It works beautifully on these genre fronts, but the magic comes from how the author blends these with the personal narrative. While in many ways, Myth of Five would work as a great conclusion to the series, there's still one more book to come, and I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes.

Throughout this series, the author has continued to refine her prose. Myth of Five feels like an evolution of what came before. Throughout this novel, I was struck by the author’s words. Often beautiful, often haunting, and often both at once, it presents the world, characters and emotion beautifully. Through her words, the author paints a vivid picture of the events in the reader’s mind, absorbing them in the world.

Likewise, the dialogue is resonant, going above and beyond: it doesn’t just feel natural, it sings. The characters all have their unique voices and play off each other incredibly well. But more than that, it serves as a compliment to the prose, with both aspects fitting together perfectly to form a wonderful whole.

The characterisation has long been a hallmark of Blood Brute, and Myth of Five continues this trend. Rise continues to grow, and his character arc in this latest entry is beautiful, and readers will relate to the loss he has experienced and the effect everything has had on him. The other characters also work beautifully; they’re fully formed and add depth to the world.

Myth of Five continues the author’s tradition of exceeding all that came before. It’s a stunning achievement that continues Rise’s journey, and finds new things to say about him. The plot works wonderfully, and its themes and characterisation are beautiful.

My full review will be published on my website from 23 November 2022. To read it, and a host of other reviews (including the rest of the Blood Brute series, as well as the omnibus collecting the first three volumes), click here.

[Miss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this in exchange for an honest review. With the holidays coming, I had intended to do a quick skim, looking for any glaring issues and give a preliminary review that I'd re-evaluate when I had had the chance to thoroughly read this installment. I got sucked in, though. I keep things vague, I hope, in this review so I'm not going to mark it as having spoilers.

The opening chapters with Iskar's years, DECADES, of anguished separation and Rise's maddening self isolation was heartbreaking. I didn't know if I was in the mood for that depressing level of dark in this dystopian realm, but fortunately it shifts focus. Rise doesn't seem to appreciate Condren and Rook's arrival, but they saved the story for me. While it was painful to have Rise in such a state that he could not instantly recognize the love between Condren and Rook, it was also interesting to read through him processing the realization of their relationship. The similarities and differences between Rise and Condren were compelling. It was a great dynamic to introduce and worked well for me as a reader to drive the story forward with some hope and optimism. And, thankfully, it worked to eventually bring Rise back out into the world. That world and everyone's circumstances are still harrowing, but I'm sensing light at the end of the tunnel. The optimism at the end of this was a much needed balance for how the book began and it was well worth the journey to get there.

And I don't remember any grammatical issues that distracted me from this story.

[Evelyn Dotson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderfully crafted book in the story of Rise twenty years after the last book. He has always been introspective though always evolving. Still a loner, he will be alone with his prized cats thinking on things that happened before, what could possibly be coming, and living in the now. The characters in the story each take on a meaning of his or her own that will add to the spell weaving the author has managed to create once again through the complexity and layering of her characters. In true Anne Rice similarity, Rise is Lestat, come to life in his own captivating morosely way in a world filled with zombies, vamps, war wolves, and humans battling for top apex control. Rise’s story is one that will grip at your heartstrings and sing to the soul; the siren song will make the reader feel complex emotions as he or she relates to Rise. You cannot help but fall in love with him and his alluring charisma. So, do yourself a favor, pick up the latest book in the Blood Brute series…first, ensure you have read all the previous books so you can gain a deeper more insightful look into Rise and his stories…

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really been enjoying this series and this story is another great read.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

[MM Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rise is such a well-written, complicated and likable character. He must be one of my top favorite main characters. and of course there's the well-developed and unique and captivating plot. The story is quite a page turner. Myth of Five is a perfect addition to the series.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wild and bumpy ride! This was yet another of Dixon Reuel's masterpieces commanding you to read "just one more page" before you go to sleep (as you tell yourself this 127 times!) For an interesting story line with lots of action and cool characters please check it out! I received an advanced reader copy and am leaving a voluntary review.

[Helen Whistberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another stellar outing in this unique series. I think Rise, the vampire turned blood brute (a kind of vampire/zombie hybrid) is one of my favorite characters I've ever followed over the course of a series. He is completely maddening, selfish and self-absorbed, frequently has caused complete havoc with devastating consequences to those in his orbit, always seems to make the wrong choice when there is a choice to be made, and yet... and yet... somehow, I can never help rooting for him, perhaps because he seems so very human despite his supernatural powers.

As always, there are very heavy themes at play in this installment, including depression, grief, and suicidal ideation. This is not a series for readers looking for light-hearted or thrill-a-minute fantasy (though it has moments of both). The author specializes in a kind of quiet and very emotional horror that sets this well-written series apart.

In book five, we reunite with some returning characters while meeting some very surprising new ones. I thought the ending was a perfect farewell for the series as the story comes literally back around to where it all began, but the evolution of Rise's character along the way gives new hope that the future will be different this time. Interested to see what the sixth book in the series has to offer but this was a lovely wrap-up of many of the themes and character arcs that have played out over the course of the series. Recommended for fans of thoughtful horror who are prepared for dark themes and morally complex characters.

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rise has always been driven to care for his own. Home, coven, these things are of most importance to him. When they are gone and crumbling, what is left? Rise is at his lowest point yet - twice dead with no will to continue existing yet no way to move on. Embarrassed by what he has become and unable to change. 20 years of barely existing, something needs to change - and it does, in the most unexpected way. The allies who find him and the adventure they set him on is not one I anticipated but it works oh so well.

I felt like there was finally hope for Rise, both in the situation he finds himself in and the decisions he is making. Caught in the past, but finally, finally open to a new future, a different future. He learns much about himself as we learn more about the world he lives in.

Book 5 in the Blood Brute series, each book is its own chapter, but this series really needs to be read in order. A very different type of post-apocalyptic zombie/vampire book. There are the mindless hordes, but the focus of the story is a very different type of survival and inner battle and I think it's the first time I have ever found myself empathizing with a zombie (or blood brute). This does end on a bit of a cliff hanger but more the set up for the next book type - some huge issues were resolved in this book. Very satisfying story arc.

[Amirah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this is the best book so far!!!!! I cannot think of one thing this story is missing!!!! In this installment Rise comes full circle with his past and present. Which this reader found wonderful and humanizing!!! In the beginning Rise sought information regarding his life, funny thing about knowledge once you gain it...you must act on it. Throughout all the disastrous situations Rise has lived through he finally has time to think and reflect on himself.

Rise is learning that self acceptance is worth its weight in gold!!! Also, once a leader always a leader whether you lead one or one hundred individuals!!!!
I do not want to give away any spoilers, but I will say that you should Run not Walk to grab this story!!! This story will have you cheering for Rise with each word you read!!!! And, most importantly, the more you read the more you see Rise as a human and less of a Vampire!!!

If you are a fan of this series, then this installment is a must have and read!!! Thank you author for my free copy of this story.

[A C · Rating 5 out of 5]

MYTH OF FIVE is absolutely what every Blood Brute fan has been waiting for. We join Rise twenty years after the end of STRAIN OF FOUR, and our boy is alone and in a bad way. Iskar won't turn his back on Rise, but Rise refuses to see him (even though, really, we're all like, BRO JUST LOOK AT HIM. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?). He needs something to drag him out of his isolation and who better to do that than some old friends and a new upstart vampire princeling?

I really don't want to spoil anything about the book, but it really does have everything you could wish for in this (almost) final instalment for our Brute boy. There's growth, there's revelation, there's coming face to face with all the choices you've made. Something I really love about Reuel's series is that no wound is brushed off, no loss is forgotten. Rise is carrying four books of mistakes and loss on his shoulders and he still feels every one of them. But there's so much healing and growth to be had, and even after five books, Rise still manages to surprise us.

[Mc Chanster · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMFG MY HEART.

I just cannot with this series. Each book seems to get better and this was definitely no exception. This final instalment though... oh man, it hurt. Rise is such an incredible character and I loved being able to go through this emotional, traumatic, heart-wrenching journey with him. From beginning to now, I am continually reminded of the author's mastery of her craft. Yes, it's a series about vampires and zombies, but there is just so much more and it is clear that Reuel took incredible care planning out her novels. Love the world she created, love the overarching plot, love the characters, just love, love, love. Honestly, I'm not sure what else to say other than this is a must-read series.

Thank you Dixon Reuel for my copy! I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twenty years in the wilderness

Twenty years after his return to Owl Court, Rise has mostly come to turns with his life alone. He's not happy but at least, he's safe, physically and emotionally. Everything changes when an unexpected visitor comes riding through the gates of Owl Court, literally and metaphorically breaking Rise's defenses.

While I've begun to take the beauty of her writing for granted, I am continually struck by the originality of the world Ms. Reuel has created, fleshing it out as the series has gone on. The pacing is also excellent, starting slowly, building to a page turning climax. I've loved each of the previous books in the series, but this best so far.

[M'lissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Myth of Five reunites the reader with Rise after decades of solitude at Owl Court. As usual though, a simple life is not a reality for Rise quite yet. This tale continues to show the importance of connection between creatures, human and otherwise, and how the bonds that are formed can prove crucial during times of strife. It also touches on how change may be hard, but still feasible if done for the right reasons. I was so very to happy to see the return of Tseng and pleasantly surprised to find that I liked Condren by the end. His character really showed that you can rise above (no pun intended) who you thought you have to be and instead be true to yourself alone.

Thank you to Dixon Reuel for the chance to enjoy another one of her books.

[Joanna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 5 in Dixon Reuel's series doesn't disappoint. Rise has shut himself away from the world for the last 20 years with only the animals for company. His blood match torments him with visits to the barrier that hides his abode from the world, which is unbearable to both, but stubborn Rise will not let himself be seen. Then, out of the blue, comes one who can move through the barrier and shake Rise out of his denial of the present.
Rise grows and learns about himself once more in this book, turning full circle. Will he be able to lead once more? Will he be strong enough to help others to live?

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book and am leaving this unbiased review.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twenty years has passed since the last book. Rise lives alone in Owl Court, that he tries to rebuild, but doesn’t has the means to do it by himself and he refuses to leave the place or accept visitors. He sincerely believes that living alone is all right and for the best, until an unexpected visitor comes and brings an old friend who he thinks in long gone. This change brings new development to his life, that initially is unwelcome, but after a while he sees that is what he was needing for so long.

I just discovered this series recently and read all the books one after another. I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read the next book.
I’m loving this series.
Recommend reading.

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a stunning entry in this series. It makes you stop and think about what you'd do in a world filled with danger and death if you'd managed to hide yourself away in safety, lonely sure, but safe, and then suddenly someone shows up asking you to give that up, do things again and interact with others. What would you do? What list could you possibly make to weigh the pros and cons in such a situation? While I'll be sad to see this series end with book six, it has been a totally satisfying journey into a completely realized world.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful addition to this thrilling series!
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 that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.

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

[Dixon Reuel]

Delighted to announce that the 5th book in the Blood Brute series is now available to read on all platforms: Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, Kobo, and Apple Books!

It took a lot of hard work in writing and publishing TWO books this year, all on top of getting married and holding down a full-time job!

A huge thank you to everyone who made this launch possible. I hope you all enjoy Myth of Five!

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really brilliant continuation of this well written, dystopian vampire & zombie series! What more could lovers of fantasy & sci fi want! Interesting ideas & good development o characters as well as plot. I have really enjoyed all of these stories! A really brilliant series!

[Gwendoline · Rating 3 out of 5]

enjoyable but not the best one in the series

I liked this book not loved the book. Books 1-3 really drew me in and it was the love for the characters that remained rather than this story. If anything it’s set up book 5 to be a really epic end.

[Joey · Rating 5 out of 5]

soo good! the writing! the words! the romance!

Such a beautiful book. The relationships thick with complication and heart. Ugh! The world would be a better place if every author tried to write this well. Truly enjoying! On into six!

[Rose]

I love reading about Vampires and such. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes reading about Vampires.

[S I · Rating 4 out of 5]

Myth of Five by Dixon Reuel
Interesting, imagination, very powerful and a page turner for sure. This has it all and a cliffhanger. Can’t wait to see the next book.

[Brian Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, well written.

[Lisa Reyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it and I enjoyed myself.

[Sammie Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely enjoyed reading this, I’m not going to give anything away I promise! But it definitely kept me interested & wanting to keep reading till the end ☺️ Keep up the great work ☺️

[Kira · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's ok I give it a 5 star because it is well written this is the 5th in the book I have not read the first one but this one was ok

[MRS OLGA · Rating 5 out of 5]

myth of five

A great read, it follows the story of Rise as he hesitantly reconnects with with the strangers who enter into his secluded world.