Angela Slatter writing vampires? In a story set in her fabulous and sprawling Sourdough universe? Yes, yes, and yes please. Violet Zennor, assassin-in-training and recently bereaved after the death of her father, is a wonderfully bold and brassy protagonist with a penchant for knives. One of the many things I particularly loved about this book is the way it connects to several of Slatter's recent novels, including ALL THE MURMURING BONES, THE PATH OF THORNS, and THE BRIAR BOOK OF THE DEAD. Also, I love how the book puts a decidedly Slatter-esque, dark fantasy twist on vampire lore.

When Hedrek Zennor dies, Violet hopes to finally be free of training, brutality and all the people who have tried to influence her since she was a child.

Her father, however, had other plans for her. Everything comes back to haunt her the day the Zennor mansion is attacked by assassins. The heiress must complete the task for which she was trained. A journey full of obstacles awaits her to the Darklands, where the bloodthirsty Leech lords rule.

I almost laughed when I started writing that this is another book in a row with a slower beginning. However, here this treatment is very thoughtful and inspired by the structure of a classic gothic novel. We are welcomed by a truly foggy and cold atmosphere. From the first pages, Slatter amazingly introduces us to the world into which we have been thrown and with each successive chapter, reveals new mysteries to the reader. On the other hand, the story shines the most when magic systems are introduced into it.

On the one hand, it's a book about vampires, but it focuses most on the character of Violet and her struggle against the expectations imposed on her. I quite liked the characters the heroine met on her way. I later learned that they were cameos from the author's earlier books, as she built up the entire Sourdough universe. Unfamiliarity with those stories did not affect my perception at all. However, I think that people who have knowledge of these characters could have had even more fun than I did.

My only complaint, I think, is that the resolution of the case was too quick and a little anticlimactic. There was a build up throughout the book, and in the end I didn't feel the stakes were that high.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Is there such a thing as cosy adventure? If there is, then The Crimson Road is the perfect example.

Violet Zennor is more than a girl. Tragedy divides her life, there was before, when she was a daughter, and there is after, when she is a tool of her father's penance. Driven to the brink of madness by his guilt, and far too cowardly and self-important to do his own dirty work, Hedrek Zennor transform his child into a weapon. His death frees Violet for the first time in her life. She is her own person. That is, until her father's friends reveal the conditions of his will, and the prophecy he was working to forestall. Now Violet must travel to the far North, beyond the barrier held by the Briar witches, well into the Darklands, where Leeches rule, to find The Anchorhold and put an end to what dwells there... even if its her own brother.

The Crimson Road is a very unusual novel. It is relatively high stakes, packed with magic and danger, brimming with strong, badass women, and yet very cosy, equally brimming with found family, kindly people, affection, and family drama. Violet is in danger almost the entire novel, but we spend idyllic passages in hidden worlds, meeting lovely people, and nicknaming animals. This is the first book I have read in A.G. Slatter's Sourdough Universe, and whilst I worry knowing the end may impact my eventual reading of the others, I did not feel as though I had missed too much. This works as a stand-alone novel because of the strength of Slatter's world building, and the fullness of her characters.

An exceptionally well-penned adventure novel, which will also satisfy a hunger for emotive, whimsical, and fantastical fantasy. 4 stars.

I won't be reading this. I've tried multiple times and haven't gotten into it. Thank you though for the opportunity. If I read it in the future I will come back and change this review.

All the dark and gothic vibes!

I hadn’t read anything by this author before, but received a proof of this book and it sounded intriguing! I didn’t realised until I finished it, that the book is part of a wider established world, but I can definitely confirm that it can still be read as a standalone. Although I am now intrigued to learn more about some of the characters I met along the way!

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The premise:

Set in a gothic fantasy world. Violet’s father has been brutally training her most of her life for a deadly quest. When he dies, she finally feels free of the burden, until she is met with ultimatums from beyond the grave, and starts to have assassins come after her.

She sets off on a quest to the ‘Darklands’, a land ruled by vampiric ‘Leeches’, to kill their ruler and save her world from their inevitable conquering. And whilst on her quest, more about the Leeches is revealed and her own dark family history.

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Firstly, I adored Violet. She’s a fantastic main character. Very feisty and with lots of sassy comebacks. She’s kind of Buffy-esque in a way, terrible prophecy and all!

And the world has such a good mix of loveable characters. Freddie was so intriguing, slowly understanding her secrets. And Rab was adorable. Whilst the book is very much a fantasy, the romantasy reader in me, was very grateful for the little romance sub-plot 🥰🥰

And I loved the fantasy world as a whole. With all these strange fairytale and folk creatures, that we meet during Violet’s quest. The language was very vivid as well, really giving a sense of the gothic nature.

The plot as a whole was very well done. There were a lot of twists that I didn’t see coming. And the way Violet’s background and upbringing was revealed was very well done.

My only frustration is the pacing was slightly frustrating. I felt the start was slow as there was a lot of build up before Violet actually sets out to the dark lands, but once she does I was rather hooked. But then the ending was wrapped up rather swiftly. I would have loved one more chapter!

All in all though, a solid gothic fantasy read. I’d be intrigued to see what the author writes next and may explore some of her older work!

A.G. Slatter’s The Crimson Road weaves a gothic fairy tale filled with witches, and vampires, all set against a dark, atmospheric world teetering on the edge of destruction. At its heart is Violet, a young woman shaped by tragedy and prophecy. After her father trades her stillborn brother’s body for a fortune—believing in a prophecy that foretells the child will unleash monsters trapped beyond their current realm—Violet is raised as a warrior against the very forces her father’s actions may have set in motion. When he dies, she is left with no choice but to try to stop the prophecy from coming true.
Slatter’s writing shines in its rich, haunting prose, crafting a world where danger and magic lurk in every shadow. The gothic elements are well-executed, and the blend of folklore, horror, and dark fantasy makes for a compelling setting. The novel’s strength lies in its atmosphere and its fascinating take on familiar supernatural beings.
However, the pacing felt slow at times, making it difficult to stay fully engaged. The buildup to the climactic confrontation stretched out, yet when the moment of action finally arrived, it was disappointingly brief. Given the novel’s intricate world-building and the weight of Violet’s journey, a more extended and immersive resolution would have balanced the slow progression leading up to it.
Overall, The Crimson Road is an enjoyable read for those who love gothic fantasy with richly drawn characters and an eerie, fairy-tale-like atmosphere.

Diving back into the world of her previous books, dark but magical though that usually has a "red price" to work, another strong woman must fight to make her own path and future, and save the day. I do like the cameos of the return characters (though they have enough back story that it is not confusing if you haven't read the others, but you should, they are also great!) and Violet is an easy character to like and root for. And boy does she have a lot on her plate, having to travel north to shatter a prophecy before a dark power breaks through and destroys the lands not under the leech lords' sway.

There are dark times for sure but Violet's upbringing made her well suited, though I like how despite the awful childhood she had, she is not broken, still capable of caring which you get to see with the love she finds and family she makes along the way. It makes for a fun story watching her use her fantastic fighting skills but also her skill in uncovering secrets to bring down the big bad guy. I did like all the history of how the leech lords came to be and the journals it was written in. I wish it could have been longer, especially since the big climax/showdown seemed a bit lackluster, though still interesting of why it was happening.

But all in all it was a good book, thrilling story, and I loved being able to go back to this world one more time.

Every new book from Angela Slatter becomes my favourite. The Crimson Road is no exception. It has everything I look for in dark fantasy fiction: a strong-willed and perfectly ironic heroine whose wry humour is subtle has me rooting for her from the first chapter, excellent world building, with friends and enemies appearing from unlikely places, along with many recognisable folkloric creatures, and others made all the more frightening with an original spin, eg, the Leech Lords along with the terrifying thing that resides in the Anchorhold. I enjoyed the detailed build up to the novel's conclusion, so many details to make everything about this part of the Sourdough universe and its people feel real. A book I did not want to put down, and left me eagerly awaiting the next adventure set in this fascinating world.

A.G. Slatter effortlessly immerses readers in her world, creating female protagonists who are clever, capable, and utterly captivating. It’s impossible not to become fully invested in their journey. The Crimson Road offers a perfect blend of Gothic, dark fantasy, and horror, appealing to readers who enjoy these genres. Slatter’s prose is smooth and inviting, enveloping the reader in a rich atmosphere and a meticulously crafted world filled with witches, vampires, and iconic folkloric creatures.

This worked very well for me and is a super strong 4, maybe even a 4.5/5.

So while you can definitely read this as a standalone, I kinda consider this like The Avengers of the Sourdough Universe. All our characters from the previous three novels are meeting up and contributing to the success of this worldwide threat. You don't need the previous novels, but it does enhance the experience and prevents spoiling the conclusion of all the prior books.

Otherwise this is very on theme with the other books in the series. It's a gothic, dark fairytale sort of world where the humans can be just as treacherous as the various spooks and beasties. And each book is lead by a plucky, stubborn, highly effective young woman who somehow manages to find love and found family along the way.

The lore specific to this universe is really expanded on in this novel in ways that delight me and tickle my brain, and as always I love how Slatter incorporates and puts a twist on the mythical creatures she uses.

Content warning: blood & gore, forced sterilization, abortion, talk of sexual assault, death by childbirth

Slatter has done it again! Violet Zennor made for the perfectly flawed protagonist and I really enjoyed how this plot plays out. Freddie and dear, loyal, reliable Ned need to be protected at all costs.

I love that you don't have to necessarily read the novels within the Sourdough Universe in order, but that they all subtly tie into each other. I appreciated the author's note at the end explaining why these vampires are called something different, and I really liked the thought process behind how in this world, the undead who feed off of the blood of the living are made (and destroyed). The surprises of who Violet encounters in the Darklands (and how the beings there knew of her existence) were brilliant.

Overall, this was a solid read with the perfect mix of Gothic Fiction and Buffy vibes all wrapped up in a fairy tale.

The cover art on this one is stunning too.

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.

Unfortunately, this is a DnF for me (at least for now). I made it 30%, and that was an absolute struggle. I wasn’t aware that this book takes place in an established universe. Perhaps had I known to read other books first, this would have been more enjoyable.

Right off the bat we are introduced to Aelin Galathynius’ dark romantasy double, and then we slap the name Violet on her. The FMC is extremely unlikable. For someone who’s supposed to be a badass, she whines an awful lot.

So much info-dumping! You are bombarded with it. The dialogue is also choppy and shallow. I’m sure it gets better, but I can’t force myself to push through at this time. I’ve read this story already, but more cleverly done.

Violet Zennor was trained to fight and kill for nearly thirteen years and hoped she would be free of it when her father died. He planned to send her into the Darklands after the Leech Lords and the stillborn brother that had been brought there soon after his birth. Violet plans to refuse and escape, but assassins are after her and a prophecy predicts that her stillborn brother is key to the Leech Lords escaping. Now she must clean up the mess her father made.

The Crimson Road is in the same universe as Slatter's other novels (Briar Book of the Dead and The Path of Thorns), but you don't need to have read those to understand this one. They're mentioned as vague things that Violet is told about her world, and she lives far enough away that the individual issues from those novels haven't impacted her. The Leech Lords are essentially vampires, jockeying among themselves for power and kept at bay by location, the power of witches, and treaties, but there might be a loophole now.

Violet, like many other characters in this world, is trapped by the mistakes, promises, and machinations of the prior generations. She's being used to keep the Leech Lords in place, so she's better equipped for violence and travel than most. Very little was known about what she would face, so we learn about it as she does. She doesn't trust easily, and the Leech Lords have a long reach with their infinitely long lives, Some of the stories she hears along the way have meaning, and we find out exactly what the Prophecy is. She has a surprising number of allies, and I found the finale to be very satisfying. It's fitting for her character and the world she lives in. I'm sure there will be other tales in this world, given how readily magic and mayhem seem to coincide.

5 of 5 stars
https://lynns-books.com/2025/02/17/review-the-crimson-road-by-ag-slatter/
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Six out of Five Stars

Seriously, if I could give this book more than five stars – I would.

This is my favourite so far, which is saying something considering I’ve loved everything I’ve read by this author to date. I’ve not read everything in the Sourdough Universe but this is my fourth story and it just grabbed my attention from the get go and held it for the duration. I couldn’t be more enamoured with this book even if I tried.

It’s almost like I had a cunning plan because characters from the last three books I read by AG Slatter (All The Murmuring Bones, The Path of Thorns and The Briar Book of the Dead, which were coincidentally all great reads) all conspired to put in appearances in The Crimson Road, and in fact played key roles. I loved the way these books all fed into each other, it was an absolute treat – BUT – I think that all the books by this author work as standalones so if you haven’t read the other books I mention here I really don’t think you’d struggle picking up The Crimson Road and enjoying it immensely.

The Crimson Road brings to us another winning character in the form of Violent Zennor. Violet has been in training from a very young age, her father has ensured that she has been honed into a deadly weapon to fulfil his long awaited wishes. Violet’s father passes away almost as the story begins so we don’t witness his cruel deeds but Violet shares some of her past as the story progresses and it’s easy to see that her’s was an unhappy childhood. Even with the death of her father she is still being held tight within the snare of his desires and although she hopes to escape from his final ultimatum, in the end, it doesn’t prove possible. And, so Violet sets forth on a, without doubt, impossible task.

What did I love about this book. Everything.

It’s beautifully written with chillingly delicious gothic vibes. This is a story that will finally take us into the lands where the Leech Lords reign (vampires by another name but with their own twisted lore and strange beginnings). Violet has a difficult path and in that respect the title of the book is very appropriate indeed. This is a darker story than the others but I still loved the fairytale feel spun throughout.

Slatter manages to conjure characters that you can easily form attachments to. Violet is a great character in her own right and I loved revisiting three of the women from past stories but we also have Freddie, a street urchin and pickpocket who shadows Violet at every turn. There are fae and ogres, assassins, witches and shapeshifters, twists and treachery and a thimble full of love. I simply adore this world. It’s so well explored and it just works.

I think my only problem with The Crimson Road is that it has an ‘end of’ feel to it. I sincerely hope that isn’t the case because I desperately need some more Sourdough in my life.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

My rating: An absolutely resounding 5 of 5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Titan Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m so so glad I stumbled upon A G Slatter and the Sourdough Universe of books. Every one so far has been such an amazing blend of cozy and adventurous, fun and exciting but with an intermingled lighter tone that just makes these a joy to read. The Crimson Road is very much a standalone book but the extra layer, having read most of the other books and so picking up on characters and Easter eggs, was pure delight. But I’m confident this can be read with tons of enjoyment without having read the others too. The characters are well developed and likable, the relationships are well developed, and the universe as a whole is so well thought through and developed. All in all this book adds to a great catalogue of stories by the author and I’m excited to read more whenever it’s written.

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!

i didn’t realize this book took place within an established world when i requested it, and while i don’t think one needs to read the others to enjoy this one, i do personally feel like i would have enjoyed it better if i had read the previous works.

i also listened to the audio, and the narrator did a great job!

The Crimson Road was one of my most-anticipated reads for the first quarter of 2025. I loved The Path of Thorns and I love Slatter’s grim, violent fantasy storytelling.

Sadly, I really needed this story to get up and going much sooner than it did. I loved the writing style and the story the book was trying to tell, but ultimately it just took too long to get to the actual story, in my opinion, and by then I was thoroughly frustrated at all the hurry-up-and-wait I had been forced to sit through. I would have much rather read the story about the journey than the story of everything prior to journey.

This isn’t a hard and fast ruling, though. I might come back to this book after I’ve read more Sourdough books and seen how the books interlock a little more. That’s always a fun endeavor.

I was provided a copy of this title by the author and publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. All reviews rated three stars or under will not appear on my social media. Thank you.

The Crimson Road by A.G Slatter is the first book I've read by this author and I didn't realize that this book was part of a larger series of books. That said, having read only this one, I don't think I missed anything not reading the others that have connected characters. I did, however go back and find out the titles and add them to be tbr shelf so I can go back and read them as they are all interesting characters.

I found this book to be interesting and the characters were as well. Violet Zennor has been brought up trained to fight and kill. As a young woman of the time, this is not the norm but her father was also not normal after the death of her mother and brother. But when Hedrek Zennor (her father) dies, Violet finally thinks she is free and as a rich, young heiress, able to do whatever she would like but when assassins show up to her home and then end up killing close friends of her father's, she knows she needs to clean up his mess or she will never be free.

Violet is tasked with going into the Darklands and along the way she crosses paths with a number of characters - some of these are those that tie into the stories of other books. That said, it's a hard and dangerous journey and at the end of the road is where she will supposedly find her brother. See, what I didn't mention is that when her brother died, a strange man paid her father a lot of money for his body and that is how they became wealthy. But there is a prophecy that Violet is linked to and now her destiny is tied to the Anchorhold and she needs to "do what must be done."

A lot happens in this book and I can't even begin to tell you about it. Just trust me when I say you should just pick this one up and dive right in. The world building and character development for Violet was done well. I'm hoping that when I pick up the other books in this world, I will learn more about those she crossed paths with.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one and I will definitely be picking up more books by this author. Consider reading this one if you are looking for something with a Gothic, Horror feel to it. I don't think you will be disappointed.