I thoroughly enjoyed this book, particularly the setting, atmosphere, and the richly developed characters. One of the highlights for me was the strong, capable female characters who were both compelling and empowering. It was refreshing to see such well-rounded women driving the story forward.

While I would have liked to see more depth in the world-building and a clearer explanation of the fantasy elements, it didn’t detract significantly from my overall enjoyment of the book. The story was well-paced, entertaining, and thoughtfully outlined, keeping me engaged from start to finish.

Overall, it’s a highly enjoyable read with great characters and a captivating atmosphere. I would definitely recommend it, though I do wish a bit more had been explored in the fantasy world. Nonetheless, it’s a solid four-star book.

A. G. Slatter brings another lovely story for all. With darkness, action, but always hope, Slatter throws us back into the universe of her past books with a new story. I love how Slatter's characters are captivating and so true. Every character is very distinct and the world is painted very clearly. You feel as if you are right there with Violet as she weaves her way through her world. While there is always darkness in the lives of her characters the way that Slatter approaches it is so beautiful, the internal struggles that we all have (even if not relative to exact scenarios) make the themes come alive and easier to see the way that the themes live within the characters but the world and plot as well.

My first by this author but it won’t be my last! I really enjoyed this one. I was torn between not wanting it to end and wanting to race through to finish it and find out the ending.
Brilliant!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc

Man, #nohypeNovember feels wildly successful especially snagging A. G. Slatter’s latest ARC in her “Sourdough Universe”. (Thank you #netgalley )
This might be the Thanksgiving wine speaking, but #agslatter kinda reminds me of a mini-Sanderson. But like more digestible and less intimidating. 😂 A little more gothic. She also has characters that are easy to love and surprising world building.

So there are four very different one-off books (& a bunch of mini tales/novellas), but the same world/magic systems slowly interweaving together.

But like, Slatter’s voice also sort of reminds of #CatherynneMValente or even like a #PatriciaAMcKillip or even #alixeharrow - it sort of feels like a dreamlike fairytale while being smirk worthy.

In this installment, we get a deeper look at Leeches (🧛), their dark lands & a world shaking family prophecy that *needs*’to be destroyed. I’ve read enough vampire books where I found myself nodding along to the “species” overview. But I think where Slatter shines is when the set up is finished and she starts playing with the magic systems.

So, though I only have read two* of Slatter’s books- her other two books are moving up fast in my 2025 TBR. In fact, I’m aiming #thepathofthorns in January. If I did it all over again, I would start at the earliest pub dates, only because I think you’ll enjoy the connections on a deeper level.

*#thebriarbookofthedead had a awesome speaker-of-the-dead vibe. A solid witchy delight!

4.25/5

I can’t wait to see where this goes next. :)

I am a huge gothic fantasy fan, and when I saw that this one included vampires and assassins, I was SO excited to be granted a review copy. I read through this in 2 nights because I needed to know what happened! The main character, Violet, has to unweave the past problems her father has created for her. The writing was gorgeous, and it's set in the same universe as other books from A.G. Slatter's collection, so I'll be heading there next! If you loved Phantasma, One Dark Window, or Throne of Glass, (plus vampires) this is a great one to pick up!

You can tell that Slatter's been building to this for a while, and if you've been following the rest of the books within the universe, you will also get lots of her other characters from this world showing up to aid our heroine, who is not having any of this but is getting dragged back into dealing with the Leech Lords kicking and screaming, and also has to deal with one of the worst things - a man who refuses to get that you have no interest in him whatsoever. This comes out a few days before Valentine's - pick it up for a dark little treat.

3/5 stars! I love the set up of this book and the characters started strong. This fell victim to having one main character that was annoying as all get out, and that making it impossible to enjoy the story. I think it still wrapped up ok, but it wasn't for me.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

I am a huge fan of this author! This is the third book of theirs I have read and they’ve all been winners for me! I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and publisher.

This exists within an interconnected universe the author has created. It does reference characters and events from other books the author has written though you can read it as a standalone. I did feel I benefitted from reading the author’s earlier works first as I enjoyed getting the references from the other books in this one.

This focuses on vampires, in this book known as ‘leech lords’. Our main character has been trained her whole life to go to the Darkhold and right a wrong her father had made thirteen years earlier. Upon her father’s death she refuses, determined to be her own person and not just a tool for her father’s use. However circumstances rally against her forcing her to do things she vehemently doesn’t want to. Her father’s cruelty and callousness was awful and I really felt for this character having her autonomy ripped away and being treated as just a means for another’s plans.

This was a rich story, about a quest to defeat a great evil, a battle against impossible odds. A brave young woman who is faced with difficult choices. It’s fascinating and I couldn’t put it down. There was so much conflict in this book, it wasn’t clear cut and there were loyalties and relationships that were tested.

I will have to go back now and read the author’s other book I haven’t read yet!

The Crimson Road is a captivating dark fantasy that delves into a world of vampires, assassins, and ancient magic. A.G. Slatter masterfully weaves a tale of revenge, redemption, and the enduring power of family.

Violet Zennor, a skilled fighter raised in the shadows, is thrust into a perilous quest to uncover the truth about her past and save her brother. As she navigates the treacherous landscape of the Darklands, she encounters a cast of intriguing characters, from cunning vampires to powerful witches.

The author's vivid descriptions and atmospheric world-building create a haunting and immersive reading experience. The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of intense action and quieter, character-driven scenes. The exploration of themes such as power, sacrifice, and the consequences of unchecked ambition adds depth to the story.

While the plot may be somewhat predictable at times, the strong character development and the author's elegant prose elevate the novel. Violet is a compelling protagonist, and her journey of self-discovery is both thrilling and heartbreaking.

The Crimson Road is a must-read for fans of dark fantasy and gothic horror. It's a dark and twisted tale that will leave you wanting more.

This is a dark gothic fantasy with vampires, murderers, and thieves. Must I say more? Violet, our FMC, is headstrong, independent, and a survivor of abuse. This book is perfect for anyone who wants to read about powerful women. The storyline was very promising for the first half of the book, and then it began to fall flat towards the later half of the book. The book felt somewhat repetitive and had some pacing issues that threw me off as I read. However, the world-building and gothic atmosphere was very well-executed. I did overall enjoy this book and would recommend it to others who enjoy gothic fantasy books.

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

I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I selected this one because I really enjoyed All The Murmuring Bones. I appreciate a good gothic fantasy, and that’s what I got with that one.

I’ll preface the rest by saying I’m not really a vampire person. Even reading Anne Rice, I’ve always preferred her witches to the vampires.

This one fell a little short for me. I still enjoyed it, but it’s definitely a mood read, and very gothic in telling. The beginning was very slow paced feeling for me, and we picked up steadily until the last bit. If I remember correctly, Murmuring Bones was structured much in the same way. I never felt connected to the main character like I was with Miren, and I found the plot to be a little lacking. My favorite parts were honestly her stint in Blackwater and the very end, and the rest was a bit mediocre. The writing was good and felt very gothic in style, but as I’m reading an ARC, I recognize changes and corrections will be made before publishing.

All that being said, I did enjoy this or I wouldn’t have given it 3⭐️. Its interesting enough to keep me invested, but I’m just not a vampire person. I would read another of her books, mostly because I enjoy the world she sets her books in.

If you’re a vampire person and appreciate a good gothic fantasy, definitely check this one out. If you’re not a vampire person, meh. Maybe check out Murmuring Bones!

I will be resharing closer to publication date as well.

I love a book with a strong start! I am so picky nowadays and this got me right from the first pages.

Loved the setting, the atmosphere and the characters. Particularly I loved that this book featured very strong and capable female characters. I would have appreciated some more world building and explanation into the fantasy elements of this book, but that wasn’t a deal breaker for me. It was a well outlined, entertaining book! I would definitely recommend.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

The Crimson Road first caught my attention with its premise because how could I not be on board for a Gothic fantasy with vampires? The book started rather slowly. I was engaged with Violet's narrative, but at the same time, I wondered when the vampires would be coming, and the answer turned out to be not until the final third of the volume. Some of the things I enjoyed about this book were the interesting premise and the author's personal take on vampires, along with some fun secondary characters like Freddie. However, I found the pacing a little unbalanced and I wished we got more on the vampires. They came in so late we didn't spend much time with them, and I'd really wanted to see more. I think because of this, the ending also felt a little sudden and anti-climatic after the big buildup. Nonetheless, this was still an enjoyable read that entertained me over three nights, so I am giving it four stars.

(My review will go live at the links below on 10 February, following your preference to hold reviews until release month.)

This dark gothic fantasy features our FMC Violet, who was raised as a ruthless assassin. Initially, the premise was very compelling, complete with vampires and a menacing underground arena. Violet’s early characterization as a mysterious and formidable fighter drew me in, making the prospect of her journey against an ancient evil incredibly appealing.

However, while the book starts strong, it loses momentum in the latter half. The pacing becomes erratic, and the thrilling excitement that marked the beginning fizzles out. This shift is disappointing, especially as the climax felt a bit rushed and glossed over.

A standout for me, despite pacing issues, is our strong FMC Violet - who is a refreshing blend of strength and skepticism. Additionally, the portrayal of powerful women throughout the narrative was definitely a plus.

The world-building is another strong aspect. The dark, gritty atmosphere and the lore surrounding the Leech Lords and witches was really interesting.

I still think the book is worth the read especially for fans of the dark gothic fantasy. The premise was on the mark, and while it may not have been perfect for me, there are those that will love it. I would definitely recommend to book besties that love dark gothic stories.

I want to thank NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I've read someone describing this books as "pure girl power" and I wholeheartedly agree. As a young girl who straight up refused to read books with a male protagonist, I'd have died for such a book. Another thing I thought was hilariously refreshing was that the main character is surprisingly honest when she needs to be - more often than not she's like "I shoulnd't divulge the real reason of my travels but oh well, better than to be caught in a lie HERE GOES." I always found fantasy characters infuriatingly tightlipped. We get it, you're mysterious! An interesting take on the vampire novel with an outstanding female character roster.

This is a really though one to review because the premise is really strong, prose is good, but the narrative just felt a bit flat.

It felt like it took a good while to get going and the eventual payoff was minimal. The characters were not especially memorable, or developed outside of the FMC.

I’d overall probably recommend it for fans of the gothic genre, as premise is interesting and the in world lore is well out together. If it’s a page turning, tension filler adventure, this probably isn’t it.

The first half of the story kept my attention, but the last half lost its steam. I liked Violet and her reactions to her circumstances were realistic. Her character arch wasn’t as fleshed out as I had hoped. This story had a lot of potential, but it didn’t hit the mark for me.

This is a story with vampires, but not about vampires, not really. Really, it’s a story about making your own path in world determined to push you onto a particular one, and about the necessity of help.

Violet Zennor’s life has been controlled by her father since the day her mother and brother died. When her father dies, Violet is excited to live her life as she pleases, only to find her efforts at independence thwarted by her father’s friends and mysterious enemies. She is left to make a choice in order to protect her remaining family, and undertakes a treacherous journey to a dark land where evil lurks.

I enjoyed this book mostly because of Violet herself. It was refreshing to have a female character who actually makes realistic plans, and is forced to change them not because she has accepted some mythic destiny, but because of mostly mundane concerns (everyone needs to eat, after all). Her reactions to things like prophecies are scathing, and she derides them as vague and unhelpful (again, love the realistic skepticism). Violet also is a portrayal of a survivor of abuse who refuses to let the worst thing that ever happened to her define her life. She lives beyond and despite it.

There are powerful women in this book, and a strong thread of “burn down the patriarchy”. If this novel were a film, it would pass the Bechdel test easily, as many of the critical interactions are between female characters, and the romance in the story is just a dusting of sugar on top. The magic system is not really explained, and that is ok, because our main character doesn’t have any magic herself. Magic is part of the lore, not the main focus of the story, and readers are left to deal with it as ordinary citizens of the book do: as something they accept without full understanding.

I would recommend this book to readers who liked the Lies of Locke Lamora for the practicality of the main character, to readers of The Sentinel Mage by Emily Gee, For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten and of the Magician’s Guild by Trudi Canavan.