Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

A Conclave of Crimson #1

A Conclave of Crimson Book One

Rate this book
What do you do when love threatens to destroy?

A rare invitation takes master vampire, Clove, and his young charges, Gabriel, Moth and Teal, to Paris. A gilded, sixteenth-century manor house is a far cry from their home on the isolated, English moors. A French vampire, Vauquelin, will be their host, along with his new progeny/lover, Éric.

The difference in vampire bloodlines is soon very apparent, and a rivalry ignites between Moth and Éric. Moth’s appraisal of Éric can be summed up in two letters — F and U.

An evening hunt for the boys goes catastrophically wrong as an attraction surfaces between Éric and Teal. Neither of them know how to process it. Éric is devoted to Vauquelin… and Teal navigates feelings he thought he would never have.

But this spark does not want to die, even though it has no hope of life: and soon Éric’s relationship with Vauquelin is endangered as they both grapple to understand what’s unfolding.

For Gabriel and Moth a devastating truth takes form — that Teal may need more than them. And it’s up to Gabriel to try and stop Moth self-combusting — no easy task even with his cursed lineage.

Vauquelin battles against his emotions, laying bare his deepest fears to Clove. As their lives spiral out of control, Clove and Vauquelin must take matters into their own hands: but is this a flame even master vampires cannot quench?

With lush prose, vivid, emotional moments and richly detailed intimate scenes, these vampires will take you on a journey where high passions lead to even higher stakes.

A Conclave of Crimson: Book One is a Gothic, queer, horror romance with strong, dark academia vibes: the first volume of a trilogy uniting two, literary vampire worlds (Gabriel Davenport and Beguiled by Night) into a multiverse, but can be read as a standalone. There’s more if you want it…

For fans of The Night Circus, Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles, and The Song of Achilles, A Conclave of Crimson offers a unique character driven exploration of love, jealousy, and the dark magnetism of immortal desire.

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 7, 2024

6 people are currently reading
182 people want to read

About the author

Nicole Eigener

6 books63 followers
Nicole Eigener is the author of Beguiled by Night: A Vampire Tale (Polidori Press, 2020) and Citizens of Shadow: Beguiled by Night Book Two, in which Vauquelin’s story continues. They are also co-author, with Beverley Lee, of Crimson is the Night: A Vampire Novelette and the novel series A Conclave of Crimson: A Queer Vampire Romance Trilogy (on sale now), featuring a meeting of characters from Lee’s Gabriel Davenport series and the Beguiled By Night series.

Nicole is a lifelong student of French history and the macabre. Their love for haemovores became a beautiful marriage to their obsession with French culture, specifically of the seventeenth-century, which (along with themes of historical queerness) features prominently in their work. When they aren't writing, they are most likely editing, reading, dreaming about male vampires kissing, trying to avoid the sun, and/or desperately missing Parisian cafés and rainy walks through Père Lachaise cemetery.

Nicole writes in Southern California...for now. Visit their website for book extras including French pronunciations and a soundtrack.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
17 (54%)
4 stars
12 (38%)
3 stars
2 (6%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Pancha Mantilla.
163 reviews13 followers
June 25, 2024
When I started A Conclave of Crimson I was unaware that the book was part of a saga, but it could be easily read as a stand alone. I gotta say now I'm curious about the previous books tho, I have a few questions that need answers, but that's more me being curious than anything else. This book was kind of a wild experience. Each of the characters is unique and it is shown in the narration. The relationship and bonds within them are incredibly well written. You really get to see their doubts and longings. The narration allows you to get inside the head of each of them in crucial monuments.
One of the things that called my interest was the differences among the younger and older characters. The more ancient had a lot more stability and fixed ideals, while the younger narration seemed a lot more free to explore their future. This difference was intriguing yet at times a little frustrating at times. (Tho that's probably just me and my problems with controlling authority figures). The dynamic was changing and I got to say that even if I wanted to scream a few times it was fun to read.
The day by day of all of the younger characters was a really nice experience to read. I loved how Moth's strong personality and struggles filled the page. How Gabe faced the pressure of his given role. The doubts and struggles of all the things unknown yet to Eric. And how unique Teal was among all of the others. This book really portraits how love presents itself differently for each person. The struggles of getting to know yourself in strong environments, and the importance of being able to trust and lean on others.
I still have a few doubts about where the plot around the characters is moving. But I really want to know what the characters will face next. And I`m spatially intrigued by the storyline following Eric and Teal, that ending really left me wishing for at least one more chapter!

Again, thanks to the author and pridebooktour for giving me an earc of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!

Profile Image for Jen (Fae_Princess_in_Space).
785 reviews41 followers
August 26, 2024
I really enjoyed this! It was not at all what I was expecting, but the writing was absolutely beautiful and I loved meeting all the characters. This book is an Achillean romance first and foremost and I enjoyed watching the relationships develop between the characters. There’s some awesome LGBTQ+ rep in here and definitely worth a read for all fans of queer literature 💕

It is worth highlighting that this book is the culmination of two series - ‘The Gabriel Davenport Series’ by Beverley Lee and the ‘Beguiled by night’ series by Nicole Eigener. Whilst this book can very much be enjoyed as a standalone (and I did, I haven’t read either of the other series) you will need to make peace with the knowledge that there is some background that you are missing. Throughout there are a lot of references to things that have happened in the other series, however this didn’t lessen my enjoyment for this series and in fact made me want to read the previous series!

This book was very much a character study of the six main characters, rather than anything too plot heavy. Master vampire Clove has brought his three protégés Teal, Moth and Gabriel to visit his friend, Master vampire Vauquelin and his progeny and lover, Éric. The story deals with the differences that the vampires have (which I thought was incredibly cool - every author writes vampires differently and I enjoyed the meta element of them coming to terms with the differences in their bloodlines) and the development of relationships between them.

I am excited to go back and read the two initial series (then read this one over again!) and also to see this series continue. If you are a fan of high-heat LGBTQ+ vampire novels with plenty of angst and character development, definitely give this one a go!
Profile Image for Danielle Klassen.
Author 3 books13 followers
September 4, 2023
This book was provided to me as an ARC by the authors and I thank them for the opportunity to review it!

Where to begin with this book? This is the offering of two authors, Nicole Eigener and Beverley Lee, who have built their own respective vampire worlds independent of each other with some very different vampires. In this book, both authors are bringing their A game to create a seamless tale of when two worlds collide and the emotional rollercoaster that it can cause for everyone involved. And this is only the beginning of their intense tale of love, lust, betrayal, blood and family.

I have to say that this is a very dark romantic tale and it is, at its heart, a romance. If you are at all squeamish about blood or graphic scenes, this may not be the book for you. If, on the other hand, you enjoy stories that really plunge into the deeper and messier side of romance, particularly queer romance stories, this is a must read. There's a lot to say about the physical love on display, though I wouldn't dream of spoiling it for anyone, so enjoy the spicy parts when you get there. There is also a tenderness that runs through the novel between the characters, even when they are at their most heated. The authors do an incredible job of putting these characters through hell but giving them the grace of love and compassion in the others around them. It allows for the messy parts to be heartbreaking and, at times, infuriating, but never loses that sense of love for them throughout and you can empathize with them all, even when you sometimes don't want to.

An incredible effort that reads very quickly. If you have the chance, I highly recommend it!
Profile Image for Alex | | findingmontauk1.
1,568 reviews91 followers
June 28, 2023
OH MY! Fans of previous work from Nicole Eigener and Beverley Lee already know what a treat they are in for with A CONCLAVE OF CRIMSON, bringing us characters from their Beguiled By Night series and Gabriel Davenport series, respectively. Fans of vampire stories in general will fall into the exquisite and lush storytelling with evocative language, passionate longing, and spicy AF scenes. There's fun play, romance, heartbreak, growth, bonding, camaraderie, history, culture, and so much more built into BOOK 1 (YES! there will be more) from these fantastic writers.

The vampires in this are all so interesting and they have a wide range of personalities, backgrounds, and desires. I had such a great time experiencing more and more how they interact with one another and all the things they learn about each other. There are differences in their personalities, yes, but it turns out that different vampires may possess different defining attributes than others. It's a bloodline thing you'll learn ALL about when you pick up this amazing story! And quite a few HOT AND SPICY scenes that sometimes you're just left to imagine on your own in other vampire tales. I loved it!
Profile Image for Matthew.
116 reviews4 followers
June 25, 2023
A Conclave of Crimson, by Nicole Eigener and Beverley Lee is a stunning crossover of two vampire series: Beguiled by Night and Gabriel Davenport. The authors have masterfully woven together their characters and worlds in a thrilling story that will keep you hooked from start to finish. The book is full of romance, desperation, intrigue, and heartache, as well as exploring themes of identity, loyalty, and redemption. The writing is exquisite, with vivid descriptions and captivating dialogue. The book is a must-read for fans of both series, as well as anyone who loves a good vampire tale. I give it 5 stars and can’t wait to see what comes next from these two amazing authors.
Profile Image for Beverley Lee.
Author 24 books283 followers
Read
January 4, 2024
The proof read of the physical copy is done *cue loud cheering from two exhausted authors* A Conclave of Crimson is out in just over two months, and we can promise you an emotional rollercoaster you'll never forget!
Profile Image for Josh Radwell.
Author 3 books39 followers
October 13, 2023
Y'all ain't ready for this one. 🌶️🧛

A CONCLAVE OF CRIMSON (Book 1) by Beverley Lee & Nicole Eigener is the first in a new series that brings together the characters from Lee's "Gabriel Davenport" series and Eigener's "Beguiled by Night" series for a dark, blood-soaked, and oh-my steamy romance, set against the lush city of Paris. If you adore these characters, you'll quite simply adore this book.

It's decadent, brooding, sensual, and fierce. The writing is exquisite, evoking strong emotions and lush, vivid scenes in traditional Gothic fashion. Think Anne Rice. Not a single moment of the story is wasted, as we follow these characters through several nights of bloody hunting, philosophical musing, romantic heartache, and yes, spicy passion (oh my yes, you'll be blushing!)

Faced with new feelings and unforseen revelations, these vampires reckon with their very nature and must come to terms with the fact that life as they know it may change forever. Relationships are formed, others are perhaps irreparably severed.

It's got MLM romance, a love triangle, spice to the max, but also terrifically written character dynamics and a very well written culture and history surrounding the vampires themselves that is perfectly balanced with a thrilling story and a rather shocking climax that will have you desperate for the next installment. I know I was.

I really felt my heart ache for these characters. Lee and Eigener have done a terrific job of making each one feel real, alive. The passion and respect for the genre and their predecessors is evident, and I'm quite certain this book will hold a special place among the vampire canon.

Fans of Gothic literary horror and sensual romance are sure to find a lot to love within these pages.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
💀🌶️🧛❤️😭

Thank you so much to Beverley and Nicole for the opportunity to read this one before publication!
Profile Image for G.R. Thomas.
Author 10 books188 followers
December 22, 2024
This book is a drawing together of two favourite vampire series, The Gabriel Davenport Series and Beguiled by night. Deeply historical, dark and delicious… this book however takes the tale of two very different vampire families and delves into to relationships, the troubles, the deeply erotic emotions and outcomes of when they come together under the same roof. This book is very MM erotic, the spice is high & I just know will be exactly what readers of dark fantasy will be looking for Vauquelin, Eric, Gabriel, Teal, Moth and Clove are my favourite vampire characters I’ve read for quite some time
I loved the richness of the history of it, could see each scenery so clearly. If you like bite to your spice.. this is for you
Profile Image for ThatReader.
378 reviews26 followers
December 21, 2023
Well, it has been an immense pleasure to return to the company of Beverley Lee's Clove and the Bloody Little Prophets, let me tell you. And it has been a rare treasure to make the acquaintance of Vauquelin and Èric, creations from Nicole Eigener's dark imagination, which I have yet to immerse myself deeper into. A Conclave of Crimson has certainly opened the door for it, kindling my curiosity as it has.
Since I read the Gabriel Davenport Series, I have always felt like I could easily blend with Ms Lee's vampires, and now, Ms Eigener has added to that. This is the perfect meeting of two worlds where those like me can find echoes of themselves, a familiarity that treads not only through the lavish rooms and corridors of V's Parisian abode but the intricate and often explosive interactions between the cast of characters.
These vampires - both the Masters and their revenants - feel too much. They feel too deeply, too painfully, with an intensity that few can understand, or perhaps even relate to. I see myself in them, for I too, experience emotions in heightened waves that feel like tsunamis. I see myself in the pages of this book, in the internal, emotional lay of these characters, in their overwhelming sense of joy, the desperation of their pain. I find my voice in them, my validation - that I don't exist alone in this and there are others who experience life the same way. That I am not wrong, or less for that, that I, like them, just am. For that alone, I am forever indebted to the authors.
Clove and Teal remain my favourite - the vampire who's closed his heart to specific forms of love, the vampire who does not experience love like his brothers. They are a world of their own, rich and uniqhe and so well woven that I can never get enough of them.
Then there's Èric, Vauquelin, the depths of their emotions seeped into their blood, their very bones - V's abnegation and selfishness threaded through with the ghost of his possessiveness, the fire of his jealousy; Èric's guilt and shame, his painful, physical need to be held and loved and cherished, to be accepted, his fear of rejection, these traits are so human, so humane.
Gabe remains the voice of calm amidst the storm, the only one who can actually - just like his maker - take a step back from the turmoil and TRY to observe with a dispassionate eye, though dispassionate is a state none of them can actually reach. Gabe is the pillar that holds the others to the voice of reason, even if there are moments where his own reason fails him.
And then, in the midst of all this, comes Moth, the time-ticking bomb, the explosive grenade, the one who feels like a mirror image of myself at his age. Moth's the one who - though not my favourite and often times, that who most infuriates me - I most relate to. Because, you see, I once was him, and I can recognise every barb, every farp, every little stab of self-inflicted pain, the punishment cast upon oneself because one feels constantly endangered - of losing the meagre crumbs one has collected, of being replaced, of being seen through the mask of nonchallance, raw reality exposed to every eye in the room, a raw reality no one can endure, or love, or welcome to their midst.
I don't know where this tale is going from here onwards, but I am eager to follow their call - that of the vampire and the human, for bloodsuckers these boys can be, but they're as humane as you and me.
Profile Image for fanboyriot.
1,056 reviews16 followers
June 13, 2024

4.25 ⭐️


♡ Vampires
♡ Hurt/Comfort
♡ Angst with a Happy Ending


There was so much backstory with this book and despite not reading the others in this universe it worked so well on its own. The characters were a bit confusing to keep track of at first but they were all really detailed and all had unique personalities.


The friendships made and the vampire lore were all really lovely to read. It all worked so well with the plot of the story and made for an enjoyable read. I really liked all the differences between the vampires abilities or things that made them unique to their bloodline, it was something I don’t read very often in vampire books so I thought it was really cool.


Though I do admit I don’t really understand the relationship between Éric and Teal at first, I don’t know what it was that made me question it—I did like Vauquelin and Éric more so perhaps it was that but I was kinda torn by the last few chapters, it left me wondering what would happen with them all. Having said that, I’m so happy with how things ended; it really drew in the heartache and tension but left us with a happy ending. So good.


Thank you to pridebooktours over on Instagram and the authors for this ebook in exchange for an honest review.


Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (4/5)
Angst Level: 💧 (1/5)
POV: Multiple, Third Person
Release Date: 07, March 2024
Rep: LGBTQIA+ (Main and Side Characters)


⚠️ Content Warnings:
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, Gore, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Grief, Murder, Sexual content, and Cursing
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, and Suicidal thoughts

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lindsey.
499 reviews30 followers
March 7, 2024
This is mentioned as a standalone but honestly I think you need to read the other series to fully understand their backstories and how each vampire came to be. I did not read the others and was completely confused for a giant part of the book and still don’t understand a lot of what happened. It kind of felt like I was dropped 70% in and hoped I would figure it out. We do get some backstory on how Éric and Vauquelin came to be, but not enough for it to make sense. The same with the boys and Clove. I still don’t get the fireflies references in his eyes.

I’m not sure if this is how the authors tell their stories as, again, I didn’t read the others, but the quick changing of point of view was odd. It went from first to third and back so quickly that I was quite confused on if they were speaking or someone was speaking *ABOUT* them. It honestly took a while to get used to that. Perhaps I’m just used to single POV per chapter instead of several.

I’m just going to say it now, Teal and Éric have my heart. I’m honestly still not sure it happened but my god the anguish between those two gave massive Romeo and Juliette vibes and that CLIFFHANGER!!! GAH! I just want to know that these two get to hold each other in the way that they can, without judgement 😭 I know Teal cannot be there in the way that everyone says Éric needs but honestly, these two I feel like, will be absolutely perfect together and I’m rooting for them!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kristel Greer.
646 reviews13 followers
July 6, 2024
I was sent a copy of this book for review.

This new book series combines the characters from the “Gabriel Davenport” series with those of the "Beguiled by Night" series. Even though I hadn't read either series before, I found that this book can be enjoyed on its own. It provides enough detail to understand the characters and their stories quickly.


The story follows Vampire Master Clove and his three vampire charges, Teal, Mott, and Gabe, as they travel from their austere home in Gehenna to France to stay with Vauquelin and his vampire-fledging/lover Éric. The initial meeting doesn't go smoothly, with Mott getting offended by a comment Éric makes due to Éric's lack of awareness of the differences in each vampire bloodline's attributes and realities. As the story unfolds, Éric learns about the turbulent pasts of Mott, Gabe, and Teal, especially Teal's ongoing struggles from his past trauma.


Although Vauquelin and Éric share a deep and everlasting love, their relationship is tested when a powerful connection develops between Éric and Teal after an eventful night feeding in Paris. This leads to emotional turmoil, intense conversations, and potential consequences for all the vampires involved. Will Vauquelin and Éric's relationship survive Éric's feelings for Teal? Can Teal recover from finding his one chance at romantic love for someone who is already taken? Will the fallout from Éric and Teal's attachment lead to irreparable rifts between friends, lovers, and brothers?


Despite the initial introduction of several characters, each is given the space to develop their personalities and storylines. I found the characters' backstories intriguing and appreciated how we learn different aspects of their pasts as the story progresses. The emotional rollercoaster of a connection between Éric and Teal complicates things for everyone, but the intensity of their attraction and depth of feeling made me hope for a positive outcome, especially considering how beautiful Vauquelin and Éric were together. I can't wait to see what happens next in book 2.
Profile Image for Vicky Coughlan.
1,013 reviews3 followers
September 25, 2024
I’ve just finished reading this book and my mind is still reeling ( for lack of a better word). I have read all books by these 2 authors and once again they’ve managed to weave their 2 worlds into a… poetic tale of love and reconciliation, of pain and joy, of so much more… Needless to say that I am going to dive straight into book 2 and then wait impatiently for book 3. What a power house these 2 writers are . Anne Rice who? There’s new vampires in town and they’re holding no prisoners. This is the best vampire tale I’ve ever read. If you want to be mesmerised by it go, go fast get the book and read it!
Profile Image for Angelina Kalahari.
Author 12 books18 followers
May 31, 2024
Even if you’ve read none of the books by these amazing authors before, A Conclave of Crimson Book One will get you addicted to their beautiful writing. Together, they’ve weaved a magical tale of passion, heartache, love and spice that will leave you hungry for more. Their wonderful characters will enchant you and you’ll feel you’re right there with them. It’s about vampires, yes, but the characters are more human than humans. I cannot wait for Book Two and neither will anyone who falls into this delicious world. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Siân PJsAndBooks.
607 reviews14 followers
July 2, 2024
Note: This book is not YA and is intended for mature audiences.

🖤 Thoughts 🖤

Thank you Pride Book tours and the authors Nicole Eigener & Beverley Lee for my eARC and letting me be part of this tour.

A Conclave of Crimson Book 1 is a Queer Dark Vampire Romance, it is interlinked with other books that I haven't read. Initially, I was very confused by who's 'voice' I was reading. This continued throughout the book but as I got to know the characters better it became easier.

Things worth noting
🖤 Vampires
🖤 Multi POVs
🖤 Multiverse
🖤 Different Lores
Profile Image for Samantha Di Prizito.
Author 7 books24 followers
June 12, 2024
I’ve known these two lovely authors from their vampire series and immediately fell in love with their characters and the adventures they experience. So when both Beverley and Nicole asked me if I wanted to read an ARC of this new series they had written together, I immediately said yes and consumed the book in less than a week.

I loved everything to pieces.
It was so heartwarming to see the Little Prophets again, to be dragged into their world and dynamics once again. I missed Moth, who’s still my favourite ever and the incarnation of my soul and inner me. I loved how cheeky Gabe became, how confident and elegant. Teal broke my heart into million pieces. If in the original trilogy I didn’t really understand nor vibe with him, in A Conclave of Crimson it’s easier to hear his voice, feel his feelings and very much impossible to ignore the vulnerable side of this amazing character. At the end of this first book, though it only opens the new arc the two authors are working on, the biggest feeling that radiates off of Teal is healing.
I think that Beverley mastered the ability to turn into words anything the characters give her. She is amazing at putting on the page whatever it is that they are feeling and she makes it soooooooo extremely easy to empathize and fall in love with them over and over and over again.
I still stand with what I said after I read the Gabriel Davenport series: Beverley is an amazing author, and through her characters she makes readers feel seen and heard and understood.

Nicole’s characters have been fairly new to me, but as soon as I finished their duology, I knew that they weren’t done, that both V and Eric had more to say and give.
In A Conclave of Crimson, they highlighted how, no matter how long V or Eric have been vampires; there’s still a little bit of humanity left in them, and that’s what makes them so different from all the others.
I loved how Nicole managed to balance the beast and the human and how they played with the past experiences that have shaped V and Eric.
Eric is still very new, very scared and very lost. Meeting the Little Prophets definitely helped him to understand better what makes a vampire and where are the boundaries he can and cannot push. It made him understand himself better and opened a door that led somewhere tragic, but wholesome.
I felt everything, understood him deeply, and what happens between him and V touched me in the depths of my soul. Having such an understanding and chemistry with someone and the next day finding that the entire world has tilted isn’t easy. Navigating a relationship where the feelings might change drastically and turn into something hard to explain and ignore, is almost impossible. And I think that Nicole managed to show this in the most realistic and delicate way possible.
V has grown a lot. Despite being a vampire for centuries and probably having ceased to be surprised by what the world has to offer, thanks to Eric he keeps on evolving and growing. I loved how vulnerable, yet strong and how human, yet powerful he is in this book. I am astonished by the way he navigated everything that happened in this first volume and can’t wait to see more (no pressure, darlings!).

I feel like this book nourished my soul and gave me the courage and the strength that I needed the moment I chose to pick it up. I am very much looking forward to more content from these two lovely authors, because their writing is addictive and I will never ever have enough of their characters and their stories.
Profile Image for Lisa.
131 reviews6 followers
February 25, 2024
The Bloody Little Prophets* step out of their comfort zone and head over to France to meet an old and new friend.

A collision of two worlds; two different master Vampires and their protege come together and learn that not all vampire lore is the same. With the knowledge comes devastating consequences and the meeting will change all their lives for eternity...

-

Scenes of mild violence (vampires) and sexual exploits... definitely more 'spicy' than previously.

*You don't have to have read the author's previous work but it is definitely worthwhile checking them out beforehand to get the full feel of what this book is.
36 reviews
October 20, 2023
A wonderful book! I've been totally entrenched in this series the last couple of weeks, and, frankly, I already can't wait for more after reading this!

I love all of these characters so much, and it was so nice reading about their interactions with each other extensively and getting to know them all on a deeper level. This is very character driven rather than plot driven, and it's well written, especially in terms of the heightened emotions that vampires feel. I do love me some yearning obsessive vampires!

Also, one thing popped into my head when I finished reading this: vampire polycule 😂. I DO hope that perhaps we get some certain scenes between Vauquelin and Clove in the future, to be honest👀😂. Either way, I can't wait to see where the story goes from here!

Thank you, Nicole Eigener and Beverley Lee, for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Gee.
73 reviews7 followers
June 27, 2024
3.5 🌟

My very first vampire read! I did have to get my head around the blood etc,. 👀

Lots of spice, which I enjoyed (it took me a while to get use to as I’ve not read much MM queer) 🤭 especially the catacombs scene 👀

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would have, it’s good to read as a standalone as the authors have a section at the back to help with some characters. I didn’t feel lost reading this as someone who hadn’t read the previous book series.

I felt like the love triangle came out of nowhere? But was also rooting for Èric and Teal in the end, I do feel like I need to read #2 now to see how it carried on. I did get confused at the style of writing at times, as chapters were written in multiple pov/3rd person.

Thanks to Pride Book Tours for my copy in exchange for an honest review 🫶🏾
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Julia.
6 reviews1 follower
July 6, 2024
Thank you so much to Beverley and Nicole for sending me a digital ARC of A Conclave of Crimson!

I discovered Nicole Eigener’s Beguiled by Night series and Beverley Lee’s Gabriel Davenport series independently of each other in late 2021/early 2022 while browsing indie vampire books. I wanted something different, something fresh, a new take on vampires, and I found just that with both series. I adored and devoured these books and was said having to say goodbye to the characters I’d grown to love, but alas, every story has to end sometime… or does it?

The internet is truly capable of magic sometimes. Somehow, these two authors found each other and not only struck up a friendship, but also came up with the idea of merging their vampire universes. Enter: A Conclave of Crimson. Seven vampires, five nights, two bloodlines, one Paris mansion… And oh, so much drama!

French master vampire Vauquelin and his young fledgling lover Éric invite other master vampire Clove and his three protégés Gabriel, Moth and Teal to visit them in their Paris mansion. Both families are recovering from unique tragedies, so a change of pace seems welcome to everyone at first. However, solitary creatures by nature, every vampire has different troubles getting used to the arrangements. And as much as there is to unite them, there are also several factors that threaten to tear them apart…

Oh, where do I begin? This little book broke my heart bit by bit, only to gently mend it again. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything like it, and like I described above, its coming into being is quite unique. Unlike the previous entries in their shared universe, there is no real antagonist in Conclave, no villain to defeat and no lives at stake. Instead, it’s their hearts these vampires must learn to protect: Coming out of their usual seclusion to live with strangers for the first time, especially the conclave’s young members are forced to come to term with unknown aspects of their vampiric existence the hard way. This was truly one of my highlights of the novel: Blending the two universes and introducing the concept of „bloodlines“ - different aspects of traditional vampire lore being present in each family tree - creates so many interesting storytelling opportunities. For both families, the very meaning of being undead is challenged repeatedly.

The young naïveté of Eric, Gabriel’s recently found leadership role, the glow of ethereal witch-vampire Teal, the ever overflowing emotions of Moth, Vauquelin’s gothic glamour, Clove’s quiet demeanor of authority… Like waves, the characters all retreat and approach each other again and again, gaining momentum each time, only for the final emotional tsunami to hit at the end. If I had to identify the central theme, I’d say that Conclave is a chamber play of passion almost, exploring different kinds of love: The bond between siblings, the respect of peers, the hesitancy of first lovers, the secure ties of a family, the heat of insatiable lovers… Each relationship, each weave in the net of emotions of these vampires is explored so beautifully. Eigener and Lee truly know how to play each character’s strengths and weaknesses against each other, and every encounter is fresh and heartbreaking.

The stories of these vampires make my soul feel seen. They are queer, in the very sense of the word; indefinable, otherworldly creatures. But somehow, I always felt that vampires are more human than we are - perhaps because they exist closer to the borders of live and death, experiencing emotions so much more intensely, something we usually like to rationalize away in our busy little lives? - and never have I thought that more through than with these seven vampires. They own a piece of my heart now - pour toujours.

I was delighted to see that A Conclave of Crimson will be the first book in the series. There are so many facets of these vampires yet to explore, and I can’t wait for the next installment.
Author 7 books10 followers
June 14, 2024
A Conclave Of Crimson: Book One by Nicole Eigener and Beverley Lee aka @nicoverleybooks

This book is decadent and gut-wrenching! Four young vampires (Gabe, Moth, Teal, and Eric) and three elders (Vaquelin, Clove, and Flynn or the zaddies as I like to call them) are brought together under one luxuriously gothic roof.

I don't want to give anything away, but I can't get over how beautiful the bonds are between these vamps. Though the spice level is higher than I normally read, I was too invested in these intricately and symbolically developed characters.

These guys pull at your heart and your soul in so many ways; from emotional outbursts right down to a delicate brush of a finger tip to a cheek.

I'm dying to read book two now but also so scared for the boys!

If you like gothic, spicy romance, queer representation, vampires, Paris, and a mix of poetic and raw characters, do not miss this!
Profile Image for Sarina Langer.
Author 28 books123 followers
June 12, 2023
My last few months have been consumed by this entire series, which the authors graciously let me read early, so it's probably odd that I'm not sure what to say. I don't quite know what to do with myself now it's over.

I've read everything by both authors before this one, and Conclave of Crimson 1 (and the others) gave me everything I expected from them. It also gave me a whole lot more. Prepare to go darker and deeper (... no comment) than before, and prepare for all the unexpected turns. There were so many plot twists in this that I couldn't stop reading and flew through the whole series.

If you're already a fan of either or both authors, you'll love this, too. And if you also happen to love a bit o-- okay, a lot of heat, you'll be as obsessed with this book and its sequels as I was/still am.

Get ready for these vampires to consume your life.
Profile Image for Chandra Claypool (WhereTheReaderGrows).
1,795 reviews369 followers
March 20, 2024
While this definitely can be read as a standalone, if you’ve read the Gabriel Davenport and Beguiled by Night series first, you’ll have a deeper understanding of these characters. I was stoked to see my boys back. I have such a soft spot for Moth, y’all don’t even know! I wish I had read the Beguiled series beforehand but time is a precarious thing and I have very little of it these days.

There are several *spicy* scenes so this is for mature audiences. “An emotional, dark vampire romance about conflict, jealousy, and the power of true love. Ultimately, this is gothic horror, vampire, bloody goodness and we are blessed to be getting more of this story to come. Because I need to know what happens!
Profile Image for Brian Bowyer.
Author 62 books274 followers
July 2, 2023
Dazzling!

Two of my favorite authors are back with another stunning novel that's a must-read for fans of vampire fiction. A CONCLAVE OF CRIMSON--like all their collaborations--is filled with romance, heartbreak, intrigue, and more, and it's also filled with a lot of exquisite writing. You seriously can't go wrong with anything by Lee and Eigener. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Kaitlyn.
462 reviews179 followers
October 6, 2023
You're crucifying me here...

🌟 Star Rating - 4/5
🔥 Spice Rating - 4/5

What To Expect:
🖤 MM
❤️ Vampires
🖤 Love Triangle
❤️ Gothic Horror
🖤 SPICE
❤️ Hurt/Comfort

You can tell me anything. Anything you want. I'll keep everything that we say to each other safe. Always.

𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘

This was such a good read and I loved it! The story, the setting and the characters, all done so well! A collision of two world, the authors have built this amazing world where it's not only romance, but also a story of family, of sacrifice, and the development was superb. Vampire books can be hit or miss, but this one was definitely a hit, and the spice was insanely hot! I loved all the characters and the storyline and I can't wait for this book to be released so everyone else can love it too!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.