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Sourdough Universe
The Crimson Road
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 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.
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 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.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2025
126 people are currently reading
5527 people want to read
About the author
A.G. Slatter
15 books716 followersAKA Angela Slatter
Angela Slatter is the author of All The Murmuring Bones (Titan Books, purchase links below). That will be followed by The Path of Thorns in 2022. Both are gothic fantasies set in the world of the Sourdough and Bitterwood collections.
In February 2021, Tartarus Press published The Tallow-Wife and Other Tales, the third mosaic collection in the Sourdough world series. In March 2022, The Bone Lantern (a novella set in the Sourdough world) will be published by Absinthe Press (an imprint of PS Publishing).
Angela is also the author of the supernatural crime novels from Jo Fletcher Books/Hachette International: Vigil (2016), Corpselight (2017) and Restoration (2018), as well as ten other short story collections, including The Girl with No Hands and Other Tales, Sourdough and Other Stories, The Bitterwood Bible and Other Recountings, A Feast of Sorrows: Stories, and The Heart is a Mirror for Sinners and Other Stories. Vigil was nominated for the Dublin Literary Award in 2018.
Angela is represented by Meg Davis of the Ki Agency in London: meg@ki-agency.co.uk
She has won a World Fantasy Award, a British Fantasy Award, a Ditmar, two Australian Shadows Awards and seven Aurealis Awards.
Angela’s short stories have appeared in Australian, UK and US Best Of anthologies such The Mammoth Book of New Horror, The Year’s Best Dark Fantasy and Horror, The Best Horror of the Year, The Year’s Best Australian Fantasy and Horror, and The Year’s Best YA Speculative Fiction. Her work has been translated into Bulgarian, Chinese, Russian, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Polish, French and Romanian. Victoria Madden of Sweet Potato Films (The Kettering Incident) has optioned the film rights to one of her short stories (“Finnegan’s Field”).
She has an MA and a PhD in Creative Writing, is a graduate of Clarion South 2009 and the Tin House Summer Writers Workshop 2006, and in 2013 she was awarded one of the inaugural Queensland Writers Fellowships. In 2016 Angela was the Established Writer-in-Residence at the Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers Centre in Perth. She has been awarded career development funding by Arts Queensland, the Copyright Agency and, in 2017/18, an Australia Council for the Arts grant. She teaches for the Australian Writers’ Centre.
She is also the author of the novellas, Of Sorrow and Such (Tor.com) and Ripper (in Horrorology: The Lexicon of Fear).
Angela Slatter is the author of All The Murmuring Bones (Titan Books, purchase links below). That will be followed by The Path of Thorns in 2022. Both are gothic fantasies set in the world of the Sourdough and Bitterwood collections.
In February 2021, Tartarus Press published The Tallow-Wife and Other Tales, the third mosaic collection in the Sourdough world series. In March 2022, The Bone Lantern (a novella set in the Sourdough world) will be published by Absinthe Press (an imprint of PS Publishing).
Angela is also the author of the supernatural crime novels from Jo Fletcher Books/Hachette International: Vigil (2016), Corpselight (2017) and Restoration (2018), as well as ten other short story collections, including The Girl with No Hands and Other Tales, Sourdough and Other Stories, The Bitterwood Bible and Other Recountings, A Feast of Sorrows: Stories, and The Heart is a Mirror for Sinners and Other Stories. Vigil was nominated for the Dublin Literary Award in 2018.
Angela is represented by Meg Davis of the Ki Agency in London: meg@ki-agency.co.uk
She has won a World Fantasy Award, a British Fantasy Award, a Ditmar, two Australian Shadows Awards and seven Aurealis Awards.
Angela’s short stories have appeared in Australian, UK and US Best Of anthologies such The Mammoth Book of New Horror, The Year’s Best Dark Fantasy and Horror, The Best Horror of the Year, The Year’s Best Australian Fantasy and Horror, and The Year’s Best YA Speculative Fiction. Her work has been translated into Bulgarian, Chinese, Russian, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Polish, French and Romanian. Victoria Madden of Sweet Potato Films (The Kettering Incident) has optioned the film rights to one of her short stories (“Finnegan’s Field”).
She has an MA and a PhD in Creative Writing, is a graduate of Clarion South 2009 and the Tin House Summer Writers Workshop 2006, and in 2013 she was awarded one of the inaugural Queensland Writers Fellowships. In 2016 Angela was the Established Writer-in-Residence at the Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers Centre in Perth. She has been awarded career development funding by Arts Queensland, the Copyright Agency and, in 2017/18, an Australia Council for the Arts grant. She teaches for the Australian Writers’ Centre.
She is also the author of the novellas, Of Sorrow and Such (Tor.com) and Ripper (in Horrorology: The Lexicon of Fear).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 230 reviews
May 11, 2025
For some reason, when this book was announced, I was under the impression that it would be a Little Red Riding Hood kind of story, so when I saw the author describe it as a mix of Gothic Horror, a touch of Buffy the Slayer, and "The Name of the Rose," I groaned. I don't like vampire stories in the least, and I avoid Gothic Horror like the plague, plus I rarely read mysteries.
So everything was stacked against this. And yet, it worked!
Mostly because A. G. Slatter writes beautifully. I've not cared for the topics and subjects she chooses for her plots other times before, too, but her prose, her ability to create atmosphere, to give her characters depth in a few paragraphs is matched by very few authors. Her writing has always drawn me in, it's absorbing, engrossing, and containing pretty imagery without falling into a baroque pit.
So I read this, and liked it fairly well. No, it doesn't mean I've changed my mind at all about hypercompetent assassins and vampires and whatnot; I still don't like this type of stories and I will likely not revisit this. It means I was able to enjoy a plot premise with characters I normally loathe thanks to the author doing a good job. That's what a good author does, grabs you by the arm and out of your comfort zone.
If you asked me what was so good about The Crimson Road besides the writing, I would say it was Violet. You'd expect her to be a walking trope of a trained assassin, and she does follow the expected lines for her type indeed, but she's also fragile and has a richer emotional life that her very restrained viewpoint first leads you to think. She does make a point of being a strong woman without hammering on it each time. If this had been a LRHH retelling, she'd have worked as good with the Big Bad Wolf as she was with the Leech Lords, methinks. You can see the imagery of the fairy tale even though it wasn't intended, it's not that hard to notice when you're familiar with it. It's probably because the author borrowed from Buffy heavily and Buffy has strong LRHH thematic undertones, so strong I'm surprised more fans of the show don't notice it.
You do the symbolism and metaphors right, and I'm a happy reader. Simple, but hard to pull off.
Of course, the book also has flaws. Namely, that the pacing goes from slow-burn for the first half to a tad rushed in the second half. As a result of that uneven escalation, the mystery about Violet's father and brother is taken care of too quickly for my tastes, she takes care of all the Leech Lords fast, and we have a quick reunion with her love that closes the plot with an abrupt end with Violet, Rab, and the child all together. That should've taken at least the entire chapter, not been unceremoniously dealt with in one line or two. Showing a tiny glimpse of the trauma Violet endures instead of developing it a bit more also bothered me, because the early Violet showed so much of her inner world that this hurried closure didn't feel right. It's so annoying when you are treated to a complex, rich character's inner workings only to get mere drops of a conclusion and an That's-All-Folks wrap-up later.
Slatter still has to work on her pacing, I believe. It's been a problem since her first long-form fiction (she does better with the shorties, no pacing problems there), but you can't fault her prose and her worldbuilding. I had no idea this was in the same universe as "The Path of Thorns," and that was an Easter egg I was pleasantly surprised by, because that one was another book I picked up under the mistaken impression that it was a fairy tale retelling and liked it a lot.
That makes it two times that Slatter has conned me into reading her books, ha! It's the vibes, you know? I don't know how Angela does it, but her stories read to me like fairy tale retellings without being retellings. Now that I think about it, I bought the 3rd book set in this universe, which I haven't read yet, also thinking it was a retelling. Three times fooled, indeed, but I am not complaining.
3.5 stars rounded up!
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
So everything was stacked against this. And yet, it worked!
Mostly because A. G. Slatter writes beautifully. I've not cared for the topics and subjects she chooses for her plots other times before, too, but her prose, her ability to create atmosphere, to give her characters depth in a few paragraphs is matched by very few authors. Her writing has always drawn me in, it's absorbing, engrossing, and containing pretty imagery without falling into a baroque pit.
So I read this, and liked it fairly well. No, it doesn't mean I've changed my mind at all about hypercompetent assassins and vampires and whatnot; I still don't like this type of stories and I will likely not revisit this. It means I was able to enjoy a plot premise with characters I normally loathe thanks to the author doing a good job. That's what a good author does, grabs you by the arm and out of your comfort zone.
If you asked me what was so good about The Crimson Road besides the writing, I would say it was Violet. You'd expect her to be a walking trope of a trained assassin, and she does follow the expected lines for her type indeed, but she's also fragile and has a richer emotional life that her very restrained viewpoint first leads you to think. She does make a point of being a strong woman without hammering on it each time. If this had been a LRHH retelling, she'd have worked as good with the Big Bad Wolf as she was with the Leech Lords, methinks. You can see the imagery of the fairy tale even though it wasn't intended, it's not that hard to notice when you're familiar with it. It's probably because the author borrowed from Buffy heavily and Buffy has strong LRHH thematic undertones, so strong I'm surprised more fans of the show don't notice it.
You do the symbolism and metaphors right, and I'm a happy reader. Simple, but hard to pull off.
Of course, the book also has flaws. Namely, that the pacing goes from slow-burn for the first half to a tad rushed in the second half. As a result of that uneven escalation, the mystery about Violet's father and brother is taken care of too quickly for my tastes, she takes care of all the Leech Lords fast, and we have a quick reunion with her love that closes the plot with an abrupt end with Violet, Rab, and the child all together. That should've taken at least the entire chapter, not been unceremoniously dealt with in one line or two. Showing a tiny glimpse of the trauma Violet endures instead of developing it a bit more also bothered me, because the early Violet showed so much of her inner world that this hurried closure didn't feel right. It's so annoying when you are treated to a complex, rich character's inner workings only to get mere drops of a conclusion and an That's-All-Folks wrap-up later.
Slatter still has to work on her pacing, I believe. It's been a problem since her first long-form fiction (she does better with the shorties, no pacing problems there), but you can't fault her prose and her worldbuilding. I had no idea this was in the same universe as "The Path of Thorns," and that was an Easter egg I was pleasantly surprised by, because that one was another book I picked up under the mistaken impression that it was a fairy tale retelling and liked it a lot.
That makes it two times that Slatter has conned me into reading her books, ha! It's the vibes, you know? I don't know how Angela does it, but her stories read to me like fairy tale retellings without being retellings. Now that I think about it, I bought the 3rd book set in this universe, which I haven't read yet, also thinking it was a retelling. Three times fooled, indeed, but I am not complaining.
3.5 stars rounded up!
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 18, 2025
Title/Author: THE CRIMSON ROAD by A. G. Slatter
Page Count: 368 pages
Publisher: TITAN
Format: Paperback
Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: The Murmuring Bones, The Path of Thorns, The Briar Book of the Dead
Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/978180336...
Release Date: February 11th, 2025
General Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Horromantasy, Gothic, Fairytale/Folklore
Sub-Genre/Themes: Vampires, assassins, witches & magic, family curse/legacy, quest/"chosen one", destiny, journey
Writing Style: World-building, clever, lyrical, atmospheric, strong female protagonists, vivid imagery, colorful characters, magical beings, intricately plotted, connected universe, recurring characters
What You Need to Know: A. G. Slatter's novels share a connected universe but are standalone novels that can be read in any order.
"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."
My Reading Experience: A.G. Slatter’s The Crimson Road is a clever and immersive addition to Slatter's unique Sourdough Universe, blending dark fantasy with folkloric horror in a way that feels both timeless and modern. The gothic atmosphere and lyrical prose are perfect for those who appreciate rich world-building, genuinely terrifying antagonists, and memorable protagonists.
Violet Zennor, is a highly skilled assassin whose latest assignment forces her onto the fabled Crimson Road, a place steeped in myth and magic. Violet comes alive on the page! A weapon created by her father, she is not just a skilled warrior but a woman shaped by the weight of her destiny that has led her to this moment.
For readers drawn to dark fantasy that leans heavily into horror, The Crimson Road is a necessity. Slatter’s signature storytelling never disappoints. The perfect blend of everything I show up for when I open a book with big hopes to fall in love. A female protagonist who is relatable and flawed, who takes no shit but does no harm. Terrible, gruesome antagonists, a little bit of romance, and storytelling that keeps me turning the pages. I am the target audience for Slatter's books.
Final Recommendation: A. G. Slatter pulls readers into her world so effortlessly. Her female leads are clever, capable, and captivating. It's impossible not to invest fully. The Crimson Road checks off so many boxes for readers who enjoy a solid blend of Gothic, dark fantasy, and horror. Slatter's easy, comfortable prose wraps the reader in a lush atmosphere and a masterfully crafted world of witches, vampires, and iconic folkloric creatures.
Comps: The Six Deaths of the Saint by Alix Harrow, The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson, Louisa Morgan books, Weyward Emila Hart
Page Count: 368 pages
Publisher: TITAN
Format: Paperback
Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: The Murmuring Bones, The Path of Thorns, The Briar Book of the Dead
Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/978180336...
Release Date: February 11th, 2025
General Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Horromantasy, Gothic, Fairytale/Folklore
Sub-Genre/Themes: Vampires, assassins, witches & magic, family curse/legacy, quest/"chosen one", destiny, journey
Writing Style: World-building, clever, lyrical, atmospheric, strong female protagonists, vivid imagery, colorful characters, magical beings, intricately plotted, connected universe, recurring characters
What You Need to Know: A. G. Slatter's novels share a connected universe but are standalone novels that can be read in any order.
"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."
My Reading Experience: A.G. Slatter’s The Crimson Road is a clever and immersive addition to Slatter's unique Sourdough Universe, blending dark fantasy with folkloric horror in a way that feels both timeless and modern. The gothic atmosphere and lyrical prose are perfect for those who appreciate rich world-building, genuinely terrifying antagonists, and memorable protagonists.
Violet Zennor, is a highly skilled assassin whose latest assignment forces her onto the fabled Crimson Road, a place steeped in myth and magic. Violet comes alive on the page! A weapon created by her father, she is not just a skilled warrior but a woman shaped by the weight of her destiny that has led her to this moment.
For readers drawn to dark fantasy that leans heavily into horror, The Crimson Road is a necessity. Slatter’s signature storytelling never disappoints. The perfect blend of everything I show up for when I open a book with big hopes to fall in love. A female protagonist who is relatable and flawed, who takes no shit but does no harm. Terrible, gruesome antagonists, a little bit of romance, and storytelling that keeps me turning the pages. I am the target audience for Slatter's books.
Final Recommendation: A. G. Slatter pulls readers into her world so effortlessly. Her female leads are clever, capable, and captivating. It's impossible not to invest fully. The Crimson Road checks off so many boxes for readers who enjoy a solid blend of Gothic, dark fantasy, and horror. Slatter's easy, comfortable prose wraps the reader in a lush atmosphere and a masterfully crafted world of witches, vampires, and iconic folkloric creatures.
Comps: The Six Deaths of the Saint by Alix Harrow, The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson, Louisa Morgan books, Weyward Emila Hart
June 9, 2025
A captivating dark gothic fantasy. A tale of vampires, assassins, ancient witches and broken promises.
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.
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.
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.
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.
February 15, 2025
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!
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!
September 22, 2025
DNF at page 125.
This is my second A.G. Slatter novel, also my second in the Sourdough Universe. Slatter cleverly brings us a dark, gothic fantasy filled with intrigue, politics and mythology. The main character Violet is likeable, in constant command of herself. She is definitely her own woman, attempting to sidestep fate and forge her own future. There is a wondrous, sparkling, feminist storyline.
So, why three stars and a DNF? I just couldn’t get with the programme. I found my attention wandering. I tried taking breaks, but to no avail. Maybe I’m in a slump; maybe not. We’ll see.
This is my second A.G. Slatter novel, also my second in the Sourdough Universe. Slatter cleverly brings us a dark, gothic fantasy filled with intrigue, politics and mythology. The main character Violet is likeable, in constant command of herself. She is definitely her own woman, attempting to sidestep fate and forge her own future. There is a wondrous, sparkling, feminist storyline.
So, why three stars and a DNF? I just couldn’t get with the programme. I found my attention wandering. I tried taking breaks, but to no avail. Maybe I’m in a slump; maybe not. We’ll see.
November 29, 2024
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
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
February 26, 2025
Review originally on JamReads
The Crimson Road is a dark gothic fantasy novel, written by A.G. Slatter, published by Titan Books. Set in her Sourdough universe (and it includes many hints to other characters that have appeared in novels set in the same universe), we have an excellent story telling the fascinating journey of Violet Zennor against her will, in order to fight against the Leech Lords as it was her father's desire; her own battle against how her life has been fixed since she started will play an important role.
Violet Zennor finds her father is finally dead, meaning she's finally free to start her own life; from a young age, she has been trained to fight the Leech Lords, a drawn path by her father, but which she wants to know nothing about. However, when it becomes clear that the Leech Lords are aware of her existence and that they will put anybody she cares about in danger, she will be forced to begin a journey across the world in order to gather what she needs to fight with the Leech Lords in the Darklands, and complete the task her father prepared her for.
And let me tell you, Violet's journey will be anything but calm; not only we have a great set of adventures that also put her in contact with other women that decided about her future (and if you have read Slatter's novels, you will recognise them). It is delicious to see how Slatter takes folklore and classic fantasy tropes and gives them her own twist, creating such as unique world as the Sourdough universe; and Violet is an excellent character to guide us through it, a competent and skilled assassin, but whose wish is to finally be free of that path her father drew for her. She's a flawed character, but also relatable; and that's one of the biggest strengths of this book.
Slatter's worldbuilding is extremely rich and varied, and honestly, I loved how she delves into horror when necessary, creating a mix whose atmosphere is immaculate. The lyrical prose is the perfect fit for this kind of dark gothic fantasy Slatter is weaving; and you just keep passing the pages because you are totally invested in the story.
The Crimson Road is an authentic gem of a book; a great choice if you are looking for a dark fantasy with an excellent female lead set in a rich universe with a certain familiar taste. I can't wait to continue reading Slatter's Sourdough stories, because there's so much I want to explore!
The Crimson Road is a dark gothic fantasy novel, written by A.G. Slatter, published by Titan Books. Set in her Sourdough universe (and it includes many hints to other characters that have appeared in novels set in the same universe), we have an excellent story telling the fascinating journey of Violet Zennor against her will, in order to fight against the Leech Lords as it was her father's desire; her own battle against how her life has been fixed since she started will play an important role.
Violet Zennor finds her father is finally dead, meaning she's finally free to start her own life; from a young age, she has been trained to fight the Leech Lords, a drawn path by her father, but which she wants to know nothing about. However, when it becomes clear that the Leech Lords are aware of her existence and that they will put anybody she cares about in danger, she will be forced to begin a journey across the world in order to gather what she needs to fight with the Leech Lords in the Darklands, and complete the task her father prepared her for.
And let me tell you, Violet's journey will be anything but calm; not only we have a great set of adventures that also put her in contact with other women that decided about her future (and if you have read Slatter's novels, you will recognise them). It is delicious to see how Slatter takes folklore and classic fantasy tropes and gives them her own twist, creating such as unique world as the Sourdough universe; and Violet is an excellent character to guide us through it, a competent and skilled assassin, but whose wish is to finally be free of that path her father drew for her. She's a flawed character, but also relatable; and that's one of the biggest strengths of this book.
Slatter's worldbuilding is extremely rich and varied, and honestly, I loved how she delves into horror when necessary, creating a mix whose atmosphere is immaculate. The lyrical prose is the perfect fit for this kind of dark gothic fantasy Slatter is weaving; and you just keep passing the pages because you are totally invested in the story.
The Crimson Road is an authentic gem of a book; a great choice if you are looking for a dark fantasy with an excellent female lead set in a rich universe with a certain familiar taste. I can't wait to continue reading Slatter's Sourdough stories, because there's so much I want to explore!
April 20, 2025
Ofc I only realized AFTER finishing that it's part of a bigger universe, and all the reviews say I should've read the earlier books first…
But I really loved the writing!! I wouldn’t have minded if the book were 200 pages longer, because the ending felt kind of rushed though
But I really loved the writing!! I wouldn’t have minded if the book were 200 pages longer, because the ending felt kind of rushed though
February 23, 2025
This worked super well for me and is a super strong 4, maybe even a 4.5/5. Though honestly I shouldn't be surprised given my past love for Slatter's works and the strong Buffy vibes present in this installment.
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.
Does the horse die?:
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan for providing me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Not for Jeeps:
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OG review:
"A tale of vampires, assassins, ancient witches and broken promises."
Somehow I thought that The Briar Book of the Dead would be vampires and then it wasn't and I couldn't find the source anymore. Preserving this segment of the synopsis to maintain my sanity later if this book also proves not to have vampires 😅😅😅
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.
Does the horse die?:
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan for providing me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Not for Jeeps:
----------------------------------------------
OG review:
"A tale of vampires, assassins, ancient witches and broken promises."
Somehow I thought that The Briar Book of the Dead would be vampires and then it wasn't and I couldn't find the source anymore. Preserving this segment of the synopsis to maintain my sanity later if this book also proves not to have vampires 😅😅😅
February 11, 2025
you guys, this started out so promising and i was already seeing solid four stars for it in the future. so to my utter shock and surprise when a little halfway through, it shifted gears and turned repetitive and quickly became very (gasp) boring. like the final battle against the big bad was so lacklustre, i swear i blinked and it was all over.
our main character started the story so mysterious and edgy and not like other girls, but she was worse than other girls and man would she not shut up!! like she yapped her mouth to anyone who would listen about her quest like girl have some decorum & shut your mouth. slowly i started feeling my eye twitch the longer i spent time with her and she started grating on my nerves.
so sad this was a flop for me bc i still find the gritty setting really cool and the lore involved in the world was super interesting, and i would love to read more on it.
many thanks to the publishers and net galley for supplying me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
our main character started the story so mysterious and edgy and not like other girls, but she was worse than other girls and man would she not shut up!! like she yapped her mouth to anyone who would listen about her quest like girl have some decorum & shut your mouth. slowly i started feeling my eye twitch the longer i spent time with her and she started grating on my nerves.
so sad this was a flop for me bc i still find the gritty setting really cool and the lore involved in the world was super interesting, and i would love to read more on it.
many thanks to the publishers and net galley for supplying me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 1, 2025
I'm currently ½ way through The Crimson Road & a rough synopsis of Slatter's earlier novel "All The Murmering Bones" is craftely woven into this book. Im assuming "The Path of Thorns" will be as well but I havent read that book.
Now finished and a really good vampire (Leech lords) book. Thankfully no sparkly romance between MC & vampire but the occasional interesting relationship between some of the vampires. Violet (the protagonist) is an excellent character; strong in will and physicality but she has (& knows it) her weak points. Great supporting cast and if you've read Slatter's earlier books you'll recognise the world and it's magic.
Now finished and a really good vampire (Leech lords) book. Thankfully no sparkly romance between MC & vampire but the occasional interesting relationship between some of the vampires. Violet (the protagonist) is an excellent character; strong in will and physicality but she has (& knows it) her weak points. Great supporting cast and if you've read Slatter's earlier books you'll recognise the world and it's magic.
May 7, 2025
While I didn’t love it as much as Path of Thorns (maybe b/c that was my first dip into this world?) I still enjoyed it. I DO wish that I had gotten around to All the Murmuring Bones since I think this book pretty thoroughly spoils that one.
This one seems to tie all the previous works in the “universe” together more than others before, this time focusing of the leech lords (vampires) I think perhaps I need to read the short stories to fully appreciate this one. I don’t think I’d count it as standalone
This one seems to tie all the previous works in the “universe” together more than others before, this time focusing of the leech lords (vampires) I think perhaps I need to read the short stories to fully appreciate this one. I don’t think I’d count it as standalone
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November 17, 2025Yet another wonderful Gothic fantasy from A. G. (aka Angela) Slatter.
As with the other books in Slatter’s Sourdough universe, this one doesn’t require you to have read anything else. Unlike All the Murmuring Bones, The Path of Thorns, and The Briar Book of the Dead, however, I would strongly recommend against starting with this one.
Our protagonist this time is Violet Zennor. She’s been trained since childhood by her horribly abusive father, given all sorts of skills in combat and infiltration (among other things) to prepare for a mission into the Darklands where the Leech Lords (vampires by another name) rule. She thinks she’s gotten out of this when her father dies at the beginning of the book, but for various reasons she ends up going on the mission anyway.
Which brings me to why I recommend against starting with this one, whereas I’ve always felt with the prior three it didn’t matter. Along the way Violet meets Mirin O’Malley, Asher Todd, and Ellie Briar. And while you don’t need to know their respective stories to follow this one, you’re certainly going to get a much, much less rich experience. This is true of her short fiction as well; there are many things from the Sourdough universe short stories that come up in here; for one example, the destruction of the abbey of the Little Sisters of St Florian. I know those are out of print and hard to find - I was able to read them because a friend let me borrow his copies - but good news! Slatter has a compendium of her short fiction coming out soon.
I’ve seen complaints that Mirin, Asher, and Ellie’s appearances were shoehorned fanservice. They kind of are, but here’s the thing about shoehorning: a shoehorn is used to get your foot into your shoe, which is exactly where your foot is supposed to go. It’s obvious that Slatter wanted to include the three of them, and made it happen; that doesn’t mean it’s inappropriate. Their roles in this story fit in perfectly, as far as I’m concerned. And if it’s fanservice, this fan definitely loved the service. I was delighted to see the three of them.
The story was a masterpiece in rising tension. Violet has heard the name “Anchorhold” about some kind of a fiefdom at the far northern end of the Darklands, but knows almost nothing about it. As she travels north, she learns more and more, and the tension rises beautifully. I was holding my breath more and more as things went along. It was a masterpiece as far as I’m concerned.
My blog
As with the other books in Slatter’s Sourdough universe, this one doesn’t require you to have read anything else. Unlike All the Murmuring Bones, The Path of Thorns, and The Briar Book of the Dead, however, I would strongly recommend against starting with this one.
Our protagonist this time is Violet Zennor. She’s been trained since childhood by her horribly abusive father, given all sorts of skills in combat and infiltration (among other things) to prepare for a mission into the Darklands where the Leech Lords (vampires by another name) rule. She thinks she’s gotten out of this when her father dies at the beginning of the book, but for various reasons she ends up going on the mission anyway.
Which brings me to why I recommend against starting with this one, whereas I’ve always felt with the prior three it didn’t matter. Along the way Violet meets Mirin O’Malley, Asher Todd, and Ellie Briar. And while you don’t need to know their respective stories to follow this one, you’re certainly going to get a much, much less rich experience. This is true of her short fiction as well; there are many things from the Sourdough universe short stories that come up in here; for one example, the destruction of the abbey of the Little Sisters of St Florian. I know those are out of print and hard to find - I was able to read them because a friend let me borrow his copies - but good news! Slatter has a compendium of her short fiction coming out soon.
I’ve seen complaints that Mirin, Asher, and Ellie’s appearances were shoehorned fanservice. They kind of are, but here’s the thing about shoehorning: a shoehorn is used to get your foot into your shoe, which is exactly where your foot is supposed to go. It’s obvious that Slatter wanted to include the three of them, and made it happen; that doesn’t mean it’s inappropriate. Their roles in this story fit in perfectly, as far as I’m concerned. And if it’s fanservice, this fan definitely loved the service. I was delighted to see the three of them.
The story was a masterpiece in rising tension. Violet has heard the name “Anchorhold” about some kind of a fiefdom at the far northern end of the Darklands, but knows almost nothing about it. As she travels north, she learns more and more, and the tension rises beautifully. I was holding my breath more and more as things went along. It was a masterpiece as far as I’m concerned.
My blog
March 6, 2025
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.
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.
March 7, 2025
If vampires existed on a scale with Twilight hotties on one end, and Bram Stoker’s Dracula on the other, this one falls firmly in the Dracula category - vamps or ‘leeches’ are mostly the bad guys in this story.
The heroine is stalwart, and enjoyable to journey with. There are cameos of characters from the author’s previous books… I’ve only read Briar Book of the Dead, so I feel like the others would probably hit differently had I been more familiar with their stories. The side journey to gather O’Malley silver (I think this was a tribute to All the Murmuring Bones) was pointless in the end - I feel like the author could have woven this into the fight at the end a little more effectively. I also wanted a touch more from the ending. E.g. Where did Violet end up settling?
All in all, a solid read though! 4✨
The heroine is stalwart, and enjoyable to journey with. There are cameos of characters from the author’s previous books… I’ve only read Briar Book of the Dead, so I feel like the others would probably hit differently had I been more familiar with their stories. The side journey to gather O’Malley silver (I think this was a tribute to All the Murmuring Bones) was pointless in the end - I feel like the author could have woven this into the fight at the end a little more effectively. I also wanted a touch more from the ending. E.g. Where did Violet end up settling?
All in all, a solid read though! 4✨
January 31, 2025
This is my first venture into the Sourdough Universe. I've not read the other books although I do own them. The Crimson Road is my sign to go back and read them.
It was full of Witches, assassins and vampires. A fantastic gothic fantasy. I liked Violet as a character and would love to see how her life panned out after the events in this book. With everything she's endured, I'd say she more than deserves some peace.
It was full of Witches, assassins and vampires. A fantastic gothic fantasy. I liked Violet as a character and would love to see how her life panned out after the events in this book. With everything she's endured, I'd say she more than deserves some peace.
January 11, 2025
The Crimson Road is a lushly gothic fantasy that follows our main character, Violet Zennor. For most of her childhood, Violet was trained as a deadly fighter by her father. The pair have a strained relationship (to say the least) and when he dies, Violet finally feels like she has the chance to live her life on her own terms. Little does she know that even in death, her father seeks to control her, and she’s informed that she must embark on a dangerous journey to ultimately defeat a menacing foe.
Initially refusing to honor her father’s wishes, Violet hopes to move forward and have a peaceful life. However, her brief moment of calm is quickly shattered and she is thrusted back into chaos, after assassins come for her. Now fully understanding the weight of her father’s task, Violet reluctantly sets out to finish what her father started. Though, the journey proves to be difficult and she’s met with resistance and betrayal along the way.
🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡���🗡️
Real rating 3.5 🖤
This was a nice read! Violet is a flawed character, but she is tough and at her core, you can tell how deeply she cares for certain side characters in this story. I really loved the setting this book took place in. The author did a wonderful job with the world building and introducing a diverse group of characters. My only issues are with the pacing (so slow at times) and how the ending seemed a bit rushed.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. The Crimson Road is officially published on February 11th!
Initially refusing to honor her father’s wishes, Violet hopes to move forward and have a peaceful life. However, her brief moment of calm is quickly shattered and she is thrusted back into chaos, after assassins come for her. Now fully understanding the weight of her father’s task, Violet reluctantly sets out to finish what her father started. Though, the journey proves to be difficult and she’s met with resistance and betrayal along the way.
🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡���🗡️
Real rating 3.5 🖤
This was a nice read! Violet is a flawed character, but she is tough and at her core, you can tell how deeply she cares for certain side characters in this story. I really loved the setting this book took place in. The author did a wonderful job with the world building and introducing a diverse group of characters. My only issues are with the pacing (so slow at times) and how the ending seemed a bit rushed.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. The Crimson Road is officially published on February 11th!
December 26, 2024
For long-time fans of Slatter's Sourdough universe (including the short stories!) this is the culmination of several ongoing elements and it comes together in a fairly satisfying way. Along the way we see glimpses of what's become of the women from the three earlier novels (All the Murmuring Bones, The Path of Thorns, and The Briar Book of the Dead). It's incredibly exciting for a fan, especially as we dive into the Darklands and the mysterious Leech Lords (hinted at in The Briar Book of the Dead and visited in The Bitterwood Bible and Other Recountings). I also just really liked Violet, our hero here, and what she's been forced into (The fate of humanity should not rely on parents being assholes to their children!). That said, there was a couple sour notes for me, as those three former protagonists didn't quite work for me in their roles here. The idyllic Blackwater sequence felt slightly out of place, but I was shocked at how easily Ellie told some major secrets to a random person (even if she believed everything they said).
All that said, Slatter is one of my favorite writers (the way she's woven her fictional history together throughout the short stories, novellas, and novels is nothing short of astounding) and I can't wait for more stories in this world.
All that said, Slatter is one of my favorite writers (the way she's woven her fictional history together throughout the short stories, novellas, and novels is nothing short of astounding) and I can't wait for more stories in this world.
January 18, 2025
2.5 ⭐️
thank you to net galley and a.g. slatter for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
this book was honestly really disappointing. the premise itself didn’t explain much, but it was said to be a dark gothic fantasy and had the cover of dreams, so i was immediately intrigued.
positives first. this book was dark, and had an all-consuming, but also very whimsical, forest setting for the majority of the book, and high i enjoyed. i also looooove anything to do with quests, which i think a lot of this story centred, but i don’t know if it completely delivered in the way i wanted it to.
there were pirates, witches, ogres, redcaps, vampires (of a sort)…so many different characters that were all barely fleshed out, and as we didn’t get to spend much time with any of them i ended up feeling really disconnected. however, after reading some other reviews of people who have been long time fans of slatter’s sourdough universe it made clear to me that this book tried to connect all the characters from previous books into this one, so that may be the reason for me feeling so confused. BUT this book is marketed as a standalone!!! i should not be feeling like this!!!
i also felt this book was really heavy on the info dumping, which is rare for me to say, and i couldn’t really process the world and lore because of that. i’d say the vast majority of events or plot progressing scenes in this book happened so quickly, and were kind of forgotten and moved on from in an instant. there were points where i felt quite bored, waiting for something major to happen, and when it did, it was extremely anticlimactic, and had no genuine impact on me or my enjoyment of the story, unfortunately!
thank you to net galley and a.g. slatter for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
this book was honestly really disappointing. the premise itself didn’t explain much, but it was said to be a dark gothic fantasy and had the cover of dreams, so i was immediately intrigued.
positives first. this book was dark, and had an all-consuming, but also very whimsical, forest setting for the majority of the book, and high i enjoyed. i also looooove anything to do with quests, which i think a lot of this story centred, but i don’t know if it completely delivered in the way i wanted it to.
there were pirates, witches, ogres, redcaps, vampires (of a sort)…so many different characters that were all barely fleshed out, and as we didn’t get to spend much time with any of them i ended up feeling really disconnected. however, after reading some other reviews of people who have been long time fans of slatter’s sourdough universe it made clear to me that this book tried to connect all the characters from previous books into this one, so that may be the reason for me feeling so confused. BUT this book is marketed as a standalone!!! i should not be feeling like this!!!
i also felt this book was really heavy on the info dumping, which is rare for me to say, and i couldn’t really process the world and lore because of that. i’d say the vast majority of events or plot progressing scenes in this book happened so quickly, and were kind of forgotten and moved on from in an instant. there were points where i felt quite bored, waiting for something major to happen, and when it did, it was extremely anticlimactic, and had no genuine impact on me or my enjoyment of the story, unfortunately!
January 25, 2025
This book was one that sounded super good from the description and then the reviews I read about it. But when I read it it took a while to feel like I wasn’t just pushing through to read the book. I fell asleep twice while reading which I don’t do often. I feel like the characters weren’t bad and they kept things interesting but there wasn’t as much to it to keep me interested long term. I think I expected more than what I was given and even though it wasn’t a bad read, it just wasn’t something I could get into as much.
December 28, 2024
show dont tell. There's so much telling and repetition here. god, please get an editor.
June 29, 2025
I have enjoyed the two other Slatter books set in the same universe but for some reason this was not doing it for me 😭
August 19, 2025
2.5 stars
The humour didn’t hit for me, the random romance side plot and the fertility talk were unnecessary. Also, this is "high stakes" fantasy for people who have never read high stakes fantasy and I am not one of those people.
The humour didn’t hit for me, the random romance side plot and the fertility talk were unnecessary. Also, this is "high stakes" fantasy for people who have never read high stakes fantasy and I am not one of those people.
March 30, 2025
Having spent her life under the thumb of her domineering father, Violet is hoping to get control over her own life now that he’s dead. Unfortunately for her, he had other plans & she won’t get anything unless she goes to land of the Leech Lords. As it turns out, all the unconventional training was for a reason, and although it comes in handy when assassins start showing up at her door it also means her father more than suspected that she’d need these skills.
13 years have also passed since her newborn brother died and his corpse was whisked away to the dark lands and she is now tasked with stopping the events set in motion by her dad lest everything they know fall into darkness and the leech lords make it across the borders that have previously kept them safe.
It was nice finding myself back in Slatter’s fascinating world and getting reacquainted with familiar characters as well as getting to know some new. The Leech Lords have been mentioned in passing many a time and reading this was such a nice and refreshing take on vampire lore. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of these interconnected gothic fantasy novels featuring capable heroines fighting the good fight.
13 years have also passed since her newborn brother died and his corpse was whisked away to the dark lands and she is now tasked with stopping the events set in motion by her dad lest everything they know fall into darkness and the leech lords make it across the borders that have previously kept them safe.
It was nice finding myself back in Slatter’s fascinating world and getting reacquainted with familiar characters as well as getting to know some new. The Leech Lords have been mentioned in passing many a time and reading this was such a nice and refreshing take on vampire lore. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of these interconnected gothic fantasy novels featuring capable heroines fighting the good fight.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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March 9, 2025Dnf.
February 19, 2025
Originally posted on Just Geeking by.
Content warnings:
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.
----
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Content warnings:
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.
----
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January 16, 2025I’ve been extolling the virtues of Slatter’s work for several years now. She is one of the best contemporary fantasists writing at the moment (a claim I’ve also made several times).
Very few authors produce the quality that Slatter delivers on an annual basis. Her novels, empowered by strong female characters, are paced to within an inch of their lives. They sparkle with magic, imbued with imagination, passion and life. There’s not a cynical bone to be found. That’s not to say they’re twee. As she does with The Crimson Road, Slatter is more than happy to deal out the darkness and violence. Good people die in a Slatter novel.
If you’re unfamiliar with Slatter’s work or the Sourdough Universe, you could start here with The Crimson Road, which centres on the Leech Lords, Slatter’s analogue for vampires. But unlike the previous Sourdough books, The Crimson Road does draw on previous characters and continuity, and while Slatter elegantly keeps first-time readers in the loop, reading the novel will be a much richer experience if you’ve read the previous Sourdough novels, starting with All The Murmuring Bones.*
I promise that “catching up” with the Sourdough Universe is not an onerous task. You’re gonna love it if you give it a go and you’re predisposed to secondary world fantasy, though it’s not a prerequisite. Fuck it. Even if you all do is read social realist fiction, and you find anything speculative nauseating, you should still read Slatter because she’s that damn good.
[If you want to know more about The Crimson Road, read my Locus review in the February edition. That’s also the month the book is published].
*There are also several collections and a couple of novellas. They are also very much worth your time.
Very few authors produce the quality that Slatter delivers on an annual basis. Her novels, empowered by strong female characters, are paced to within an inch of their lives. They sparkle with magic, imbued with imagination, passion and life. There’s not a cynical bone to be found. That’s not to say they’re twee. As she does with The Crimson Road, Slatter is more than happy to deal out the darkness and violence. Good people die in a Slatter novel.
If you’re unfamiliar with Slatter’s work or the Sourdough Universe, you could start here with The Crimson Road, which centres on the Leech Lords, Slatter’s analogue for vampires. But unlike the previous Sourdough books, The Crimson Road does draw on previous characters and continuity, and while Slatter elegantly keeps first-time readers in the loop, reading the novel will be a much richer experience if you’ve read the previous Sourdough novels, starting with All The Murmuring Bones.*
I promise that “catching up” with the Sourdough Universe is not an onerous task. You’re gonna love it if you give it a go and you’re predisposed to secondary world fantasy, though it’s not a prerequisite. Fuck it. Even if you all do is read social realist fiction, and you find anything speculative nauseating, you should still read Slatter because she’s that damn good.
[If you want to know more about The Crimson Road, read my Locus review in the February edition. That’s also the month the book is published].
*There are also several collections and a couple of novellas. They are also very much worth your time.
February 11, 2025
It’s such a pleasure to read fantasy well told from a woman’s point of view. I’m old enough to remember when everything was about the heroes, and while that’s fine, Violet is far beyond the ‘fiesty heroine’ often found in the genre - and she’s by no means the only strong female in this excellent novel.
Yes, this is a story about vampires and magic, but the author takes her time setting up the world and its characters before Violet even sets foot outside her hometown. I was worried that this might slow things down, but on the contrary, it allows the reader to get to know her history, frustrations and friends. Her initial encounter is with pirates and smugglers virtually on her doorstep, quickly followed by an assassination attempt - all before she finally accepts her hero’s destiny! It’s a pleasure to be swept up in events along with our protagonist, and I was immediately along for the ride.
As Violet visits different communities my grasp of society grew with her, gently unfolding with truly relatable characters and issues. It’s not a matter of ‘Goodies/Baddies’, but real people in difficult situations. I loved that Violet isn’t afraid to admit her fears, nor strike back when challenged - I’d go so far as to say she’s one of the most well-rounded heroes I’ve ever read.
While I had heard of this author’s work, ‘The Crimson Road’ was my first encounter with her world, and I’m glad to say that I never felt lost. There’s no deluge of fantasy names or exposition, with history coming in the form of ancient diaries that are explanatory without stopping the story in its tracks. Also yes, inevitably there’s some romance, but it’s introduced naturally and never gets in the way of the main plot.
I must mention a particular ‘side-quest’ that was over far too soon. What would you say to two crotchety old vampire women living together in a cottage full of books, keeping the local bandit population down for food? Oh gods, I wanted more of these fantastic ladies (and when I realized who one in particular was… I admit to a gasp).
And I absolutely adored Freddie, Professional Street Urchin and someone I’d love to see develop in a future tale.
This is a story about memorable, likeable people battling through the tides of life - albeit with vampires and magic! After all, there are monsters and class-battles in our world too, and the fact that Violet faces her challenges in such a relatable way endeared her hugely to me.
I’ll be off to look up the author’s back catalogue now.
I was kindly sent an early copy of this book by the publisher, but the above opinions are entirely my own.
Yes, this is a story about vampires and magic, but the author takes her time setting up the world and its characters before Violet even sets foot outside her hometown. I was worried that this might slow things down, but on the contrary, it allows the reader to get to know her history, frustrations and friends. Her initial encounter is with pirates and smugglers virtually on her doorstep, quickly followed by an assassination attempt - all before she finally accepts her hero’s destiny! It’s a pleasure to be swept up in events along with our protagonist, and I was immediately along for the ride.
As Violet visits different communities my grasp of society grew with her, gently unfolding with truly relatable characters and issues. It’s not a matter of ‘Goodies/Baddies’, but real people in difficult situations. I loved that Violet isn’t afraid to admit her fears, nor strike back when challenged - I’d go so far as to say she’s one of the most well-rounded heroes I’ve ever read.
While I had heard of this author’s work, ‘The Crimson Road’ was my first encounter with her world, and I’m glad to say that I never felt lost. There’s no deluge of fantasy names or exposition, with history coming in the form of ancient diaries that are explanatory without stopping the story in its tracks. Also yes, inevitably there’s some romance, but it’s introduced naturally and never gets in the way of the main plot.
I must mention a particular ‘side-quest’ that was over far too soon. What would you say to two crotchety old vampire women living together in a cottage full of books, keeping the local bandit population down for food? Oh gods, I wanted more of these fantastic ladies (and when I realized who one in particular was… I admit to a gasp).
And I absolutely adored Freddie, Professional Street Urchin and someone I’d love to see develop in a future tale.
This is a story about memorable, likeable people battling through the tides of life - albeit with vampires and magic! After all, there are monsters and class-battles in our world too, and the fact that Violet faces her challenges in such a relatable way endeared her hugely to me.
I’ll be off to look up the author’s back catalogue now.
I was kindly sent an early copy of this book by the publisher, but the above opinions are entirely my own.
February 25, 2025
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Thank you NewSouth Publishing for this book in exchange for an honest review
A.G. Slatter blends dark fantasy and folklore horror effortlessly. Just like her previous works: All The Murmuring Bones, The Path of Thorns and The Briar Book of the Dead, you can’t help but adore her perfectly blended works of myth and magic. And don’t stress, you don’t need to read Slatter’s novels in any particular order, while they share a connect universe, they are all stand-alone novels, all as brilliant as the last.
A highly skilled assassin, Violet Zennor’s lates assignment forces her into the myth and magic of the Crimson Road. Violet is a strong-willed character, kick ass bad ass MC that you can’t help but love. After a reading a few chapters, I found myself instantly fawning over her! While there are other epic characters throughout the novel, Violet is the clear standout! The Crimson Road will be an instant hit with readers that who enjoy gothic, dark fantasy, and horror, all tied up in one! There are so many elements that were such a highlight for me but I feel they fall under spoilers – otherwise I would be spilling my guts about them!!
Bookstagram
Website
Thank you NewSouth Publishing for this book in exchange for an honest review
A.G. Slatter blends dark fantasy and folklore horror effortlessly. Just like her previous works: All The Murmuring Bones, The Path of Thorns and The Briar Book of the Dead, you can’t help but adore her perfectly blended works of myth and magic. And don’t stress, you don’t need to read Slatter’s novels in any particular order, while they share a connect universe, they are all stand-alone novels, all as brilliant as the last.
A highly skilled assassin, Violet Zennor’s lates assignment forces her into the myth and magic of the Crimson Road. Violet is a strong-willed character, kick ass bad ass MC that you can’t help but love. After a reading a few chapters, I found myself instantly fawning over her! While there are other epic characters throughout the novel, Violet is the clear standout! The Crimson Road will be an instant hit with readers that who enjoy gothic, dark fantasy, and horror, all tied up in one! There are so many elements that were such a highlight for me but I feel they fall under spoilers – otherwise I would be spilling my guts about them!!
December 25, 2024
4.5 stars
Having previously read 'All the Murmering Bones' I was familiar with A.G. Slatter's captivating writing style. I always love her dark humor and her eccentric characters. The Crimson Road does have cross over characters with her previous books but it's not necessary to have read any of them first. Crimson Road starts out mysteriously with the death of a questionably sane father who in his paranoia had his daughter trained for physical combat. Imagine all this happening in a gothic world where mythical creatures are real. Violet aged 20, our main character, is understandably bitter about the whole thing until the truth comes out. I was immediately intrigued. The setting and the premise all had me interested. She is so good at painting the picture of whatever story she tells. I couldn't put this book down. The dream sequences that start some chapters are a little confusing initially but the reader quickly gets it. That's really my only critique. Otherwise 'The Crimson Road' in my opinion will be yet another feather in this author's cap. If you've read her other books you'll love this one too.
"I won’t feed you platitudes about destiny and inevitable victories.’ She shrugs. ‘But violets are symbolic of faith not just religious, but faith in things. In self. In a path. In what you’re doing.'"
Having previously read 'All the Murmering Bones' I was familiar with A.G. Slatter's captivating writing style. I always love her dark humor and her eccentric characters. The Crimson Road does have cross over characters with her previous books but it's not necessary to have read any of them first. Crimson Road starts out mysteriously with the death of a questionably sane father who in his paranoia had his daughter trained for physical combat. Imagine all this happening in a gothic world where mythical creatures are real. Violet aged 20, our main character, is understandably bitter about the whole thing until the truth comes out. I was immediately intrigued. The setting and the premise all had me interested. She is so good at painting the picture of whatever story she tells. I couldn't put this book down. The dream sequences that start some chapters are a little confusing initially but the reader quickly gets it. That's really my only critique. Otherwise 'The Crimson Road' in my opinion will be yet another feather in this author's cap. If you've read her other books you'll love this one too.
"I won’t feed you platitudes about destiny and inevitable victories.’ She shrugs. ‘But violets are symbolic of faith not just religious, but faith in things. In self. In a path. In what you’re doing.'"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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