A captivating dark gothic fantasy set in the same universe as the award-winning author's All The Murmuring Bones, The Path of Thorns and The Briar Book of the Dead. A tale of vampires, assassins, ancient witches and broken promises, perfect for readers of Alix E. Harrow, Hannah Whitten and Alexis Henderson.

Violet Zennor has had a peculiar upbringing. Training as a fighter in underground arenas, honing her skills against the worst scum, murderers and thieves her father could pit her against, she has learned to be ruthless. To kill.

Until the day Hedrek Zennor dies. Violet thinks she's free – a rich young heiress with a world of possibilities in front of her. Then, to her horror, Violet learns that her father planned to send her into the Darklands, where the Leech Lords reign. Where Violet's still-born brother was taken years ago after Hedrek sold him to a man bearing the mark of the mysterious Anchorhold.

Her father's solicitor and the city's bishop are insistent she fulfil her duty, but Violet steadfastly refuses. Until one night two assassins attempt to slaughter her – and it becomes clear: if she wants to enjoy a future free of the interference of either solicitors, bishops or assassins, she's going to have to clean up the mess her father made.

On her journey, Violet seeks the help of Miren O'Malley in the hidden estate of Blackwater, whose family once produced the purest, strangest silver; Ellie Briar of Silverton, the Briar Witch who guards the gateway to the realm of the Leech Lords; and Asher Todd of Whitebarrow, who did terrible things and found The Three Who Went Beneath.

Ultimately, Violet must go alone. Into the Darklands. To the Anchorhold where it all began. Where it will all end. To do what must be done.

By turns gripping and bewitching, sharp and audacious, this mesmerising story takes you on a journey into the dark heart of Slatter's sinister and compelling fantasy world, where blood is currency and magic is a weapon.

This book was provided for free by NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book!

Content Warnings:

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The Crimson Road Book Review

The Crimson Road by A. G. Slatter is the latest novel set in her Sourdough Universe. While The Crimson Road is another standalone novel, I would suggest reading the previous novels before this one. Unlike the previous Sourdough Universe novels, this one contains characters from previous books and contains spoilers for their story arcs. Those who have read Slatter’s other books will recognise their names in the synopsis. I had read all of them, except The Murmuring Bones, and received minor spoilers.

As a fan of vampires, I’ve been interested in the tidbits about Leech Lords, the Sourdough version of vampires that Slatter has included in her previous Sourdough stories. In The Crimson Road Slatter finally focuses on the Leech Lords, answering readers’ questions. From their mysterious origins, to how they became locked away in the Darklands, this book is a wonderful addition to vampire mythos.

Slatter’s heroine this time is Violet Zennor, a young woman raised by her father to undo a mistake he made: a bargain to a Leech Lord that triggered a terrible prophecy. Trained from a young age to be an assassin, she is relieved to have her life back when her father dies. Unfortunately, she soon learns the extent of her father’s mess and realises she can’t escape the path he set her on.

I’m a huge fan of revisiting characters after their main story has ended, and Violet’s journey to the Darklands allows Slatter to do just that. As mentioned if you’ve not read the previous novels there are some minor spoilers, or “easter eggs” as the author calls them.

I enjoyed The Crimson Road immensely and I’m looking forward to seeing what adventures Slatter brings to her Sourdough universe next.

Over to you

Thank you for reading my review for The Crimson Road by A. G. Slatter!

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