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Lilitu: The Memoirs of a Succubus Kindle Edition
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 buried.
Lilitu: 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
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateMarch 27, 2020
- File size1.6 MB
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From the Publisher

Where Stories Come Alive
Since its founding in August 2012, Crystal Lake has quickly become one of the world’s leading publishers of Dark Fiction and Horror books. In 2023, Crystal Lake officially transitioned into an entertainment company, launching several other divisions, genres, and imprints, including Torrid Waters, Sinister Smile Press, Crystal Lake Comics, Crystal Lake Games, Crystal Lake Kids, Crystal Cove Press, and many more.
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Category | Novel | Novel | Novella Anthology | Novel | Novella | Novel |
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Hauntingly seductive and beautifully terrifying."--Emerian Rich, author of Night's Knights Vampire Series
"An engaging and disturbing alternate history/reality tale spun from the clever mind of a talented new voice in horror."--R.L. Merrill
"This Steampunk Gothic, in the spirit of Anno Dracula, was so much fun!"--Loren Rhoads, co-author of Lost Angels
"Lilitu blends together alternate history, fantasy, and blasphemy in a delight fully dark tale."--E.M. Markoff, author of The Deadbringer
From the Author
What makes this Dark Fantasy novel so special?
Lilitu intends to do for succubi and incubi what Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles did for vampires: 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 demonized: 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.
From the Back Cover
Maraina soon discovers a plot to unleash anew 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 buried.
About the Author
Product details
- ASIN : B085BQWFJJ
- Publisher : Crystal Lake Publishing
- Accessibility : Learn more
- Publication date : March 27, 2020
- Language : English
- File size : 1.6 MB
- Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 343 pages
- Page Flip : Enabled
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,723,087 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #1,431 in British & Irish Horror
- #1,813 in British Horror Fiction
- #13,509 in Dark Fantasy Horror
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors
Jonathan Fortin is the author of "Lilitu: The Memoirs of a Succubus" (Crystal Lake Publishing), "Requiem In Frost" (Horroraddicts.net), and "Nightmarescape" (Mocha Memoirs Press). An unashamed lover of spooky Gothic stories, Jonathan was named the Next Great Horror Writer in 2017 by HorrorAddicts.net. He attended the Clarion Writing Program in 2012, one year after graduating summa cum laude from San Francisco State University's Creative Writing program. When not writing, Jonathan enjoys voice acting, dressing like a Victorian gentleman, and indulging in all things odd and macabre in the San Francisco Bay Area. You can follow him online at www.jonathanfortin.com or on Twitter @Jonathan_Fortin.
Since its founding in August 2012, Crystal Lake Publishing has quickly become one of the world’s leading publishers of Dark Fiction and Horror books in print, eBook, and audio formats.
While we strive to present only the highest quality fiction and entertainment, we also endeavour to support authors along their writing journey. We offer our time and experience in non-fiction projects, as well as author mentoring and services, at competitive prices.
With several Bram Stoker Award wins and many other wins and nominations, Crystal Lake Publishing puts integrity, honor, and respect at the forefront of our publishing operations.
We strive for each book and outreach program we spearhead to not only entertain and touch or comment on issues that affect our readers, but also to strengthen and support the Dark Fiction field and its authors.
Not only do we find and publish authors we believe are destined for greatness, but we strive to work with men and woman who endeavour to be decent human beings who care more for others than themselves, while still being hard working, driven, and passionate artists and storytellers.
Crystal Lake Publishing is and will always be a beacon of what passion and dedication, combined with overwhelming teamwork and respect, can accomplish. We endeavour to know each and every one of our readers, while building personal relationships with our authors, reviewers, bloggers, podcasters, bookstores, and libraries.
We will be as trustworthy, forthright, and transparent as any business can be, while also keeping most of the headaches away from our authors, since it’s our job to solve the problems so they can stay in a creative mind. Which of course also means paying our authors.
We do not just publish books, we present to you worlds within your world, doors within your mind, from talented authors who sacrifice so much for a moment of your time.
There are some amazing small presses out there, and through collaboration and open forums we will continue to support other presses in the goal of helping authors and showing the world what quality small presses are capable of accomplishing. No one wins when a small press goes down, so we will always be there to support hardworking, legitimate presses and their authors. We don’t see Crystal Lake as the best press out there, but we will always strive to be the best, strive to be the most interactive and grateful, and even blessed press around. No matter what happens over time, we will also take our mission very seriously while appreciating where we are and enjoying the journey.
What do we offer our authors that they can’t do for themselves through self-publishing?
We are big supporters of self-publishing (especially hybrid publishing), if done with care, patience, and planning. However, not every author has the time or inclination to do market research, advertise, and set up book launch strategies. Although a lot of authors are successful in doing it all, strong small presses will always be there for the authors who just want to do what they do best: write.
What we offer is experience, industry knowledge, contacts and trust built up over years. And due to our strong brand and trusting fanbase, every Crystal Lake Publishing book comes with weight of respect. In time our fans begin to trust our judgment and will try a new author purely based on our support of said author.
To date we’ve published around 100 books, and with each launch we strive to fine-tune our approach, learn from our mistakes, and increase our reach. We continue to assure our authors that we’re here for them and that we’ll carry the weight of the launch and dealing with third parties while they focus on their strengths—be it writing, interviews, blogs, signings, etc.
We also offer several mentoring packages to authors that include knowledge and skills they can use in both traditional and self-publishing endeavours.
We look forward to launching many new careers.
This is what we believe in. What we stand for. This will be our legacy.
Welcome to Crystal Lake Publishing—Tales from the Darkest Depths.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find this book to be a wild good read with great take on classic dark fantasy tropes. They appreciate the compelling characters, and one customer specifically mentions the strong female character Maraina Blackwood. Customers describe the story as easily imagined visually, with one review noting how the body image is woven into an enrapturing plot.
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Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a wild and entertaining read that draws readers to the end, with one customer noting it's a must-read for urban fantasy and horror fans.
"Awesome story, sends you a thrilling steampunk adventure full of succubi, vampires and other creatures of the night. Highly recommended" Read more
"...The character development avoided predictability while being very satisfying. I recommend this to anyone who is a fan of dark fantasy books." Read more
"...at times deeply grave and heart wrenching, but also downright nuts and bordering on hilarious here and there...." Read more
"...His characters are real, entertaining, and thought provoking. I look forward to the continuation of this series." Read more
Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, particularly its great take on classic dark fantasy tropes and enchanting story, with one customer noting its detailed dark fantasy elements and another describing it as a thrilling steampunk adventure.
"Awesome story, sends you a thrilling steampunk adventure full of succubi, vampires and other creatures of the night. Highly recommended" Read more
"...It's a great take on some classic dark fantasy tropes that feels fresh and interesting...." Read more
"...It is drenched in both the duality of finery and tragedy of Victorian England, and the same duality of the depravity and seduction of demons...." Read more
"I am a big fan of horror and gothic writing...." Read more
Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one highlighting the strong female character Maraina Blackwood.
"...The character development avoided predictability while being very satisfying. I recommend this to anyone who is a fan of dark fantasy books." Read more
"...Salem is insanely sexy. I love that there is such a strong female character Maraina Blackwood. Do yourself a favor and get this book." Read more
"...His characters are real, entertaining, and thought provoking. I look forward to the continuation of this series." Read more
"The story and characters were good. It felt a little like something from a Hellraiser story...." Read more
Customers appreciate the visual quality of the book, with one mentioning how the body image is woven into an enrapturing plot.
"...abuse, sexual oppression/liberation, and body image woven into an enrapturing plot (with really good pacing) in a way that feels natural and..." Read more
"Outrageously imaginative, graphic in the best way (hellooooo body horror!),..." Read more
"...The horror parts were very well defined. It was easily imagined visually what was happening in those terrifying scenes...." Read more
"A book filled with vivid details and compelling characters" Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2025Format: KindleVerified PurchaseAwesome story, sends you a thrilling steampunk adventure full of succubi, vampires and other creatures of the night.
Highly recommended
- Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2021Format: KindleVerified PurchaseThis 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.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2020Format: KindleVerified PurchaseOutrageously imaginative, graphic in the best way (hellooooo body horror!), at times deeply grave and heart wrenching, but also downright nuts and bordering on hilarious here and there. I had some concerns about the themes in the beginning, but all was resolved in the end. My takeaway is really that this is a book about self-acceptance. It is drenched in both the duality of finery and tragedy of Victorian England, and the same duality of the depravity and seduction of demons. Lots to unravel and think about!
- Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2022Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseI am a big fan of horror and gothic writing. I loved how easy it was for me to fall into this world and the more I learned about how it worked, the more invested I became. Our protagonist is a timid young woman with passions of her own(stifled by society) and is forced to start making her own decisions when her world as she knows it ends. And she stumbles, makes poor choices based on what she has. But she also learns from those choices and uses that to her advantage. I'm excited for the second book to come out. I want to see where these characters and this world goes!
- Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2020Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseI just finished this last night. I'm a huge fan of dark, sexy horror types book and movies. Vampires were always my thing but I'm a pretty big fan of succubi now. I love the way it was written, beautiful language, very poetic at times. The horror parts were very well defined. It was easily imagined visually what was happening in those terrifying scenes. I honestly didn't want to put it down and felt sad when it was over. The characters, all of them, are very well thought out and you get to know them all very well. Salem is insanely sexy. I love that there is such a strong female character Maraina Blackwood. Do yourself a favor and get this book.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2021Format: KindleVerified PurchaseWant to know what would happen if Queen Victoria’s England was invaded by supernatural beings? This book delivers that and more.
Fortin’s dark fantasy writing is detailed, but not so removed as to be unrelatable. His characters are real, entertaining, and thought provoking. I look forward to the continuation of this series.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2020Format: KindleVerified PurchaseThe premise of the story was very intriguing when I saw this book available for pre-order. The setting allows for vast creativity into what world Fortin could have developed. Of course, we are limited to the direct interactions held by the MC, Maraina, but it was nice to imagine what other relationships and story lines could exist in this setting. Around 7 or 8 chapters in, my reading experience felt forced when I noticed that the MC's monologues just didn't seem..insightful, introspective, or captive of her own actions and though processes. I kept thinking, "this novel must be targeted towards teenagers," and perhaps being a 25 year old female puts me out of the scope in which I can relate to the MC..or perhaps the author's writing made me feel alienated from a character whom I think I'd normally be able to sympathize with. It definitely felt like a man writing about a young woman, rather than being an immersive narrative of a tragedy-torn girl on the cusp of womanhood. Overall, the novel was a good balance between action, romance, and horror and can still draw the reader to the end. The pace and character backstories were greatly entertaining. It's unfortunate how the MC's internal dialogue gave me so much pause.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2020Format: KindleVerified PurchaseThis book pulls at my emotions between the many different characters and scenes that take place. It took my a while to read it but I enjoyed every second. Its tragic but also lovely and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys the dark. Im really looking forward to the next one
Top reviews from other countries
- Mz_CrowReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 21, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars An emotional rollercoaster from start to finish
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseA beautifully well written book tale that captures the emotional and physical trials of Maraina Blackwood in Victorian England.
I’m not exactly sure how I stumbled upon this book but I’m glad I did. Fortin made the characters easily relatable. Allowing the reader to fall in love and experience heartbreak alongside the characters themselves. Many a tear had been shed by the time I’d reached the end of the book. Definitely recommend this book to anyone with a love of Victorian goth horror and strong female characters. Very well written, very detailed and very graphic scenes. What’s not to love?
Mz_CrowAn emotional rollercoaster from start to finish
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 21, 2020
I’m not exactly sure how I stumbled upon this book but I’m glad I did. Fortin made the characters easily relatable. Allowing the reader to fall in love and experience heartbreak alongside the characters themselves. Many a tear had been shed by the time I’d reached the end of the book. Definitely recommend this book to anyone with a love of Victorian goth horror and strong female characters. Very well written, very detailed and very graphic scenes. What’s not to love?
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- Susannah FrenchReviewed in Australia on April 5, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Great start to a series!
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseFantastic alternative history with all too relevant social commentary regarding gender, double standards, colonisation and exploitation.
This first installment did well to build a very interesting and intricate world and it would be great to keep seeing Maraina grow and develop along with this new world.
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in Canada on September 23, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the read.
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseThis was such a delightfully unexpected read. Constantly stepping away from where I expected it to go, only to end up somewhere better.
- Adele ParkReviewed in the United Kingdom on April 28, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars A Thrilling Adventure
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseIt is rare to read a novel which takes a different approach to the Victorian era and especially to the genre of horror. I adored this novel, the characters were thrilling, the backstory was told really well and it is a page-turner of an adventure. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.
- Kimberly G.Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 18, 2021
2.0 out of 5 stars Dear oh dear.
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseOh boy, this book was a total slog to get through. Started out fairly promising and rapidly descended into the fiery depths of hell. Where to begin. The book is set in the late 1800's yet a LOT of the language used by the characters is modern. The sexual imagery is clumsy and awkward. The back and forth of emotions the main character has for the main incubus character, who is mediocre and repetitive in his actions, reactions and responses is dull. This could've been a pretty decent book but, alas, the characters just weren't very likeable. And by the end I was hoping the main character would snuff it. Sorry, I really wanted to like this book but it just couldn't pull it off.