Dante’s Inferno meets The Count of Monte Cristo in Lilitu: Bloody Caleb—a Gothic dark fantasy of murder, revenge, and the horrors of Hell.
Caleb Schwartzenfeld, a 22-year-old vagrant violinist in the grim streets of Victorian England, is struggling to survive. But when his search for a patron leads him into the clutches of a sinister cult, he’s brutally sacrificed—and awakens in Hell, a nightmarish realm where death is impossible, and demons delight in torturing the living.
Refusing to let eternal agony break him, Caleb vows to escape, reunite with the woman he loves, and exact revenge on those who murdered him. Yet the only way back to Earth may require becoming one of the very monsters who torment the damned.
Under the dark tutelage of the depraved incubus Salem Sotirios, Caleb is seduced into the twisted pleasures and deadly politics of Hell’s elite. As he navigates a macabre underworld of power, lust, and vengeance, Caleb must decide whether reclaiming his life is worth risking his soul.
Perfect for fans of Gothic horror, supernatural revenge thrillers, and dark romantic fantasy, Lilitu: Bloody Caleb delivers a chilling, seductive, and unforgettable journey through Hell and back. It is the newcomer-friendly second volume in the Lilitu saga, and can be read either before or after the first volume, Lilitu: The Memoirs Of A Succubus.
Proudly represented by Crystal Lake Publishing—Where Stories Come Alive!
“From its haunting gothic vistas straight out of Victorian London to scenes of gruesome gore that would turn Jason Voorhees’ stomach, Bloody Caleb casts a dark spell over the imagination. Caleb’s story is macabre yet touching, a blood-soaked, tormented descent that explores the substance and meaning of manhood, and the way hope and desperation can live side by side in one heart. Fans of complex, layered characters need look no further: Caleb is a protagonist you can sink your teeth into, and who is eager to return the favor.”
- Owen B. Greenwald, author of Weapons of the Mind and Midsummer Night
Praise for Bloody Caleb
FAQ
Do I need to read THE MEMOIRS OF A SUCCUBUS first?
Nope! BLOODY CALEB is totally newcomer-friendly. Both CALEB and MEMOIRS are relatively self-contained stories, so you can read either (or both) and get a complete story. That said, CALEB answers some lingering questions posed by MEMOIRS and vice versa. Characters from both books converge in the forthcoming third proper volume in the series, LILITU: ACROSS THE RIVER STYX.
​
How does CALEB compare to MEMOIRS?
BLOODY CALEB is both a mirror and an inversion of MEMOIRS OF A SUCCUBUS. While MEMOIRS explores the horrors of misogyny and tells the story of a woman who finds empowerment in demonhood, CALEB explores the horrors of toxic masculinity with a story of corruption and revenge. Both explore themes like body dysmorphia and PTSD in the Victorian era, but they go in very different directions. CALEB introduces us to a lot of important aspects of LILITU's world, while giving us the backstory of a character who will become very important in future volumes.
Do Maraina Blackwood or any of her friends appear in BLOODY CALEB?
There will be some familiar faces, but the majority of BLOODY CALEB takes place prior to MEMOIRS OF A SUCCUBUS. But if you miss Maraina, don't worry! Not only will she return in STYX, she is also a major character in a FREE short "side novel" we put out called SAINTKILLER! SAINTKILLER is also a possible starting point if you prefer shorter works.
Do I NEED to read SAINTKILLER?
It's optional, but sets up an important character for ACROSS THE RIVER STYX and reveals the fate of a character introduced in BLOODY CALEB. It's also basically a novella, which means it can be very fast paced.
Will there be an audiobook for BLOODY CALEB?
I hope so! From what my publisher tells me it depends on how well the book sells.
Will there be a paperback for SAINTKILLER? How about an audiobook?
Again, I think it depends how well the series does in general. I really hope so! I worked hard on it and want people to be able to experience it in any format they please.
Are there trigger warnings?
Yes, you can find them right here, though HEAVY SPOILER WARNING. Suffice to say this is a VERY dark book that's written only for adults.
​​
When does ACROSS THE RIVER STYX come out?
Not sure yet. As of this writing I'm revising it. Once it's done I'll send it to my publisher, and then they'll figure out a release window that works for them.
​
How many LILITU books will there be?
4 "main" novels + 1 short "side" novel (SAINTKILLER). STYX will be the saga's EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.​