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He Who Bleeds
London. 1874.
Religious devotion was a learned skill, and even the most pious of men have felt the tug of The Devil’s influence. Lord Aurélien Saint-Orlant found he was no exception, always toeing the line between being a true god-fearing man and a barbaric sinner who reveled in hedonism.
This monotonous life of his changes when his world crashes down around him and wolves in sheep's clothing are revealed, leading Aurélien to discover his true origins. As one of many devilspawns, he is locked in a contract with a greedy human who uses him to commit unorthodox killings among the upper echelon. When his contract is partially broken, Aurélien finds himself whole again, and his desire to create his macabre art only grows.
The spawn seeks retribution and craves the freedom to create his art in utter peace. With the help of his incubus lover, Lord Aurélien Saint-Orlant will paint the streets red with that human’s gore.
Religious devotion was a learned skill, and even the most pious of men have felt the tug of The Devil’s influence. Lord Aurélien Saint-Orlant found he was no exception, always toeing the line between being a true god-fearing man and a barbaric sinner who reveled in hedonism.
This monotonous life of his changes when his world crashes down around him and wolves in sheep's clothing are revealed, leading Aurélien to discover his true origins. As one of many devilspawns, he is locked in a contract with a greedy human who uses him to commit unorthodox killings among the upper echelon. When his contract is partially broken, Aurélien finds himself whole again, and his desire to create his macabre art only grows.
The spawn seeks retribution and craves the freedom to create his art in utter peace. With the help of his incubus lover, Lord Aurélien Saint-Orlant will paint the streets red with that human’s gore.
218 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2024
47 people are currently reading
1872 people want to read
About the author
Dorian Valentine
6 books77 followersDorian Valentine is a LGBT+ author living in a haunted house in rural Connecticut. He loves to write about vampires, fae and gothic themes—and he can’t be damned to write anything else. When he isn’t writing you can find him bothering his cats, walking in the cemetery or scaring the locals.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
dnf
July 17, 2025I think that this is going to be a DNF for me at 23%.
I picked this one up based on the the idea that it was a horror erotica novel where the love interests match each others freak and bring out the worst in each other (which absolutely should have been my shit). I guess that is a technically true description of the dynamic here, but having read through to one murder scene and one intimate scene neither the vibe of the violence nor the intimacy really resonate with me and it just feels kind of flat and lifeless.
I am close enough to a slump that I don’t t need to make life worse by forcing myself to read a book Im not excited to pick up. I might come back to this later but more likely I’ll just forget about it….
I picked this one up based on the the idea that it was a horror erotica novel where the love interests match each others freak and bring out the worst in each other (which absolutely should have been my shit). I guess that is a technically true description of the dynamic here, but having read through to one murder scene and one intimate scene neither the vibe of the violence nor the intimacy really resonate with me and it just feels kind of flat and lifeless.
I am close enough to a slump that I don’t t need to make life worse by forcing myself to read a book Im not excited to pick up. I might come back to this later but more likely I’ll just forget about it….
August 8, 2024
Demons will be demons and we gotta let them have their fun 🫡
March 28, 2025
i'll be waiting at the gates of heaven and saint peter will pull out a copy of this book and i'll just nod and take the elevator to hell
idk what to rate it yet
idk what to rate it yet
November 5, 2024
full offense but the very early, very confusingly written reveal that BOTH aurélien and celio are demons ruined the vibe, and the priest/demon dynamic i was expecting. if this was gradually revealed throughout the story it would have been better, instead of "oopp, we're both demons and doing edgelord murder contracts, haha".
everything about this story was so unserious and it would have been alright if it wasn't written with the intent to be serious. there were so many plot holes, characters and names were dropped left and right without any explanation who these people are and what their significance is. aurélien kept insisting on maintaining his mortal facade while doing everything possible to ruin said mortal facade: from murdering people, having drug orgies at his house, publicly porking celio, shooting in broad daylight two scotland yard inspectors IN scotland yard and then proceeding to have the most ridiculous pantomime to "cover up" the murders. add to that the dialogue and banter between the characters sounded like two twelve year olds trying to out 9gag each other (example: murder victim at aurélien "fuck you!", celio who is aurélien's lover "that's my job"). don't even get me started on the two whole pages full of latin chanting without translation. for who was that?
the sex scenes were passable, although repetitive both in what they were doing and how they were described. a lot of the time interactions felt fetishized. add to that the last minute random incest (sure, why not) and theo coming out as trans out of the blue with nothing to back it up. i say this in terms of lack of any kind of background or info being given for the character, which there was almost none other than that they exist. ofc they don't have to prove they're trans but their "i want to be a guy" and the timing of the trans supportive convo in the middle of a mass murder, felt like tokenism instead of inclusion or representation. not to mention that this character - like many others who weren't celio - was thrown under the bus and had no closure.
for such a small book there was too much demon lore thrown in there with almost no explanation, rhyme or reason. the lack of editing was also noticeable - there were typos, repetition, weird syntax. this was a clusterfuck of a story from start to finish.
everything about this story was so unserious and it would have been alright if it wasn't written with the intent to be serious. there were so many plot holes, characters and names were dropped left and right without any explanation who these people are and what their significance is. aurélien kept insisting on maintaining his mortal facade while doing everything possible to ruin said mortal facade: from murdering people, having drug orgies at his house, publicly porking celio, shooting in broad daylight two scotland yard inspectors IN scotland yard and then proceeding to have the most ridiculous pantomime to "cover up" the murders. add to that the dialogue and banter between the characters sounded like two twelve year olds trying to out 9gag each other (example: murder victim at aurélien "fuck you!", celio who is aurélien's lover "that's my job"). don't even get me started on the two whole pages full of latin chanting without translation. for who was that?
the sex scenes were passable, although repetitive both in what they were doing and how they were described. a lot of the time interactions felt fetishized. add to that the last minute random incest (sure, why not) and theo coming out as trans out of the blue with nothing to back it up. i say this in terms of lack of any kind of background or info being given for the character, which there was almost none other than that they exist. ofc they don't have to prove they're trans but their "i want to be a guy" and the timing of the trans supportive convo in the middle of a mass murder, felt like tokenism instead of inclusion or representation. not to mention that this character - like many others who weren't celio - was thrown under the bus and had no closure.
for such a small book there was too much demon lore thrown in there with almost no explanation, rhyme or reason. the lack of editing was also noticeable - there were typos, repetition, weird syntax. this was a clusterfuck of a story from start to finish.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
tsk-i-dnfed
August 11, 2025dnfing on page 71. yeah no...i signed up for an erotic horror not whatever edgelord fest this was. literally every single thing just seemed written in a way to be edgy??? idk how to describe it. the plot twist (?) reveal was way too early for it to be interesting and i didnt really care once that was established. onto greener pastures 🚶♀️🚶♀️🚶♀️
August 16, 2024
[THIS IS AN ALPHA READER OPINION AND IS FROM THE VERY EARLY STAGES OF THE BOOK!]
I alpha read this book and finished it just last night. It was such a gay read in all ways imaginable. Full of blood, guts, and revenge peppered in with queerness and a perspective of the 1800s London. The first line grips you with the setting, and the flowery yet not overwhelming prose keeps you going. Also, Aurelien and Celio are a DELIGHT!!!
I will do a more in-depth review later since the book is in its early stages yet, but from this moment, I am VERY much in love.
[update from a while later] i still occasionally think about the first part of the book
I alpha read this book and finished it just last night. It was such a gay read in all ways imaginable. Full of blood, guts, and revenge peppered in with queerness and a perspective of the 1800s London. The first line grips you with the setting, and the flowery yet not overwhelming prose keeps you going. Also, Aurelien and Celio are a DELIGHT!!!
I will do a more in-depth review later since the book is in its early stages yet, but from this moment, I am VERY much in love.
[update from a while later] i still occasionally think about the first part of the book
July 6, 2025
CW: explicit sexual content, murder, blood, gore, violence, slavery, blasphemy, brief moments of incest
September 30, 2024
This was given to me as an ARC for an honest review so buckle up.😘
He Who Bleeds by Dorian Valentine is a dark, seductive journey set in the grim underbelly of 1874 London. Firstly, this erotic religious horror plunges readers into the life of Lord Aurélien Saint-Orlant, a man torn between religious devotion and his inevitable carnal descent into sin. As his world unravels before him and hidden truths are revealed, Aurélien discovers he is one of many devilspawns, bound by a contract to carry out absolute unholy acts of murder. Alongside his incubus lover, Celio, Aurélien seeks revenge and the freedom to create his macabre art, painting the streets with blood and vengeance.
From the very beginning, Valentine’s storytelling draws you in with intricate worldbuilding and dark atmospheric tension. The setting of repressive 1800s London is as captivating as it is chilling, offering a perfect contrast to the dark and alluring depiction of Hell. Valentine has a way with words that makes each scene vivid and immersive, from the gothic charm of London’s streets to the deeply sinful allure of the underworld.
While this definitely isn’t a romance story, the relationship between Aurélien and Celio is a central part of the story. I cannot help but say that their chemistry was absolutely depraved and most definitely absolutely delicious, both sensual and dangerous. Valentine also wonderfully weaves a web of tension and desire not only between Aurélien and Celio, but also with the other characters. You can feel the raw emotions—desire, disdain, and everything in between. Also, here me out—the Dark Lord! Absolutely ravishing, sinful, delectable, yummy 🤤. No?... Just me???
The only complaint I have is that I wished there was more! The story could have gone deeper into the mystery surrounding Aurélien’s contract holder. His earlier suspicions were confirmed a bit too quickly, leaving little room for intrigue. However, this didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the book. I found myself fully captivated by the world and characters, and I yearn for more stories in this universe.
He Who Bleeds is a dark and incredibly delicious read. The writing is seductive and vivid, and I will absolutely be picking up a physical copy along with more of the author’s work. This is a must-read. A solid 5 stars and above. And I hope to see more of Aurélien and Celio in the future!! 🖤🖤🖤
He Who Bleeds by Dorian Valentine is a dark, seductive journey set in the grim underbelly of 1874 London. Firstly, this erotic religious horror plunges readers into the life of Lord Aurélien Saint-Orlant, a man torn between religious devotion and his inevitable carnal descent into sin. As his world unravels before him and hidden truths are revealed, Aurélien discovers he is one of many devilspawns, bound by a contract to carry out absolute unholy acts of murder. Alongside his incubus lover, Celio, Aurélien seeks revenge and the freedom to create his macabre art, painting the streets with blood and vengeance.
From the very beginning, Valentine’s storytelling draws you in with intricate worldbuilding and dark atmospheric tension. The setting of repressive 1800s London is as captivating as it is chilling, offering a perfect contrast to the dark and alluring depiction of Hell. Valentine has a way with words that makes each scene vivid and immersive, from the gothic charm of London’s streets to the deeply sinful allure of the underworld.
While this definitely isn’t a romance story, the relationship between Aurélien and Celio is a central part of the story. I cannot help but say that their chemistry was absolutely depraved and most definitely absolutely delicious, both sensual and dangerous. Valentine also wonderfully weaves a web of tension and desire not only between Aurélien and Celio, but also with the other characters. You can feel the raw emotions—desire, disdain, and everything in between. Also, here me out—the Dark Lord! Absolutely ravishing, sinful, delectable, yummy 🤤. No?... Just me???
The only complaint I have is that I wished there was more! The story could have gone deeper into the mystery surrounding Aurélien’s contract holder. His earlier suspicions were confirmed a bit too quickly, leaving little room for intrigue. However, this didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the book. I found myself fully captivated by the world and characters, and I yearn for more stories in this universe.
He Who Bleeds is a dark and incredibly delicious read. The writing is seductive and vivid, and I will absolutely be picking up a physical copy along with more of the author’s work. This is a must-read. A solid 5 stars and above. And I hope to see more of Aurélien and Celio in the future!! 🖤🖤🖤
November 12, 2024
I found the cover and the blurb enticing and really wanted to love this book, but unfortunately it turned out to be a disappointment. From Literotica-level writing to flat characters to illogical plot and poorly executed plot twists, nothing here worked for me.
October 29, 2025
whoever I saw saying this is erotic horror I'm coming for you. I fear that "erotic horror" means something that isn't "erotica where they bite each other a lot and are demons and there's blood and oooh what if they fuck by a corpse that's edgy right". it's not even horror. I've read better pwp fanfics
also why do these Victorians talk like they should be in a modern YA supernatural fantasy. I kept forgetting it was set in the 1800s until someone was mentioned wearing a bustle. enjoyed theo though love to see a trans king winning
also why do these Victorians talk like they should be in a modern YA supernatural fantasy. I kept forgetting it was set in the 1800s until someone was mentioned wearing a bustle. enjoyed theo though love to see a trans king winning
August 8, 2025
If you're here from the description and expect the dynamic of lusting after a priest, the moral dilemma (scrumptious guilt, flagellation upon flagellation, and internalized homophobia), and the subsequent slow corruption of said priest by a potential "demonic" force... You will not get that here*...
My disappointment or perhaps mis-marketing aside, this book fails because there is no allowance for emotional investment (spoilers ahead!!!)
The first chapter of this showed strong promise. Yet, the instantaneous reveal of both Aurélien and Father Celio's origins (a son of Lucifer and an Incubus, respectively) dissipates any of the potential priest play that the book might dive into. Father Celio loses that priestly unapproachability (禁欲) and becomes completely pliant, removing any sort of tension in the romance. The romance, or more appropriately, the relationship, is pre-established, so from this narrative alone, it is unclear why Aurélien remains so possessive over Celio and would not sacrifice him for his own gain (he's a demon, you'd expect some kind of selfishness). Well, is it the sex? I don't know, personally, I failed to find the smut hot or exciting. It was repetitive and meh? If you're gonna be a freak, actually be a freak. If you're gonna involve fathers in dirty talk why don't we actually have fathers in the bedroom (a double entendre but also this is a challenge to the incest tw).
Romance/relationship aside, the book also follows Aurélien, the demon, on his supposed urge to create great "art". But the book doesn't quite commit to this notion either. If it went full splatterpunk or fully immersed in the mind of a demonic sadist and its frenzy, it would have been something at least. Aurélien goes on and on about how these murders are his great masterpiece, yet the act itself is never quite as detailed, gruesome, or even occult, for that matter.
And for Aurélien's quest for freedom, the book goes in my favourite direction - patricide. If you got excited that we are slaying Lucifer, sorry to disappoint again. Aurélien, upon realizing his contract owner is his mortal father, and therefore, freedom entails his demise, goes through no emotion other than acceptance. There is no conflict, no tension, no grappling. Simply something that must be done, and so truly why should the reader care? We've never even met the father until it was time to kill him...
*i didn't get what i wanted here, but I did cook up an insane Lesmand fic idea in my mind while I was reading this. also this premise in a way reminded me of an oomf's new Loustat au fic that absolutely eats!
My disappointment or perhaps mis-marketing aside, this book fails because there is no allowance for emotional investment (spoilers ahead!!!)
The first chapter of this showed strong promise. Yet, the instantaneous reveal of both Aurélien and Father Celio's origins (a son of Lucifer and an Incubus, respectively) dissipates any of the potential priest play that the book might dive into. Father Celio loses that priestly unapproachability (禁欲) and becomes completely pliant, removing any sort of tension in the romance. The romance, or more appropriately, the relationship, is pre-established, so from this narrative alone, it is unclear why Aurélien remains so possessive over Celio and would not sacrifice him for his own gain (he's a demon, you'd expect some kind of selfishness). Well, is it the sex? I don't know, personally, I failed to find the smut hot or exciting. It was repetitive and meh? If you're gonna be a freak, actually be a freak. If you're gonna involve fathers in dirty talk why don't we actually have fathers in the bedroom (a double entendre but also this is a challenge to the incest tw).
Romance/relationship aside, the book also follows Aurélien, the demon, on his supposed urge to create great "art". But the book doesn't quite commit to this notion either. If it went full splatterpunk or fully immersed in the mind of a demonic sadist and its frenzy, it would have been something at least. Aurélien goes on and on about how these murders are his great masterpiece, yet the act itself is never quite as detailed, gruesome, or even occult, for that matter.
And for Aurélien's quest for freedom, the book goes in my favourite direction - patricide. If you got excited that we are slaying Lucifer, sorry to disappoint again. Aurélien, upon realizing his contract owner is his mortal father, and therefore, freedom entails his demise, goes through no emotion other than acceptance. There is no conflict, no tension, no grappling. Simply something that must be done, and so truly why should the reader care? We've never even met the father until it was time to kill him...
*i didn't get what i wanted here, but I did cook up an insane Lesmand fic idea in my mind while I was reading this. also this premise in a way reminded me of an oomf's new Loustat au fic that absolutely eats!
July 10, 2024
I received He Who Bleeds as a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This novel is Valentine's first departure from his debut universe, and it is quite the departure. I'll be honest, when I first read the content warnings I wasn't sure that this would be the book for me as I thought it might be a bit too macabre for my tastes. Those concerns didn't last long though, as I absolutely flew through this book.
Like the previous two works by Valentine, this piece has great smut (probably as much as R&I and TBV combined) but I found it to be a more plot driven tale compared to how heavily character focused the previous were. And I think it serves He Who Bleeds well because I felt that outside the erotica, Aurélien's tale is very much an allegory for the queer experience for those that have felt they must suppress who they truly are to stay safe.
At the story's opening, Aurélien has no clue about his true nature as a devilspawn. He longs to be with the charming priest, Celio, but he internalizes that all knowing he would be jailed or even killed for acting on such desires. Aurélien lives in a constant state of guilt and shame.
As he starts to unravel the truth of his so-called unholy parentage though, his views start to change. Maybe the problem doesn't lie with him or his friends at the Church of Sanctuary, that so many have called unnatural or demonic for just existing(though perhaps in this context there's some truth the demonic claim). Perhaps the true issue is with the society Aurélien has been forced to live in and the people holding him back from his true form. And luckily for Aurélien, his true form is just powerful enough to push back against the chains that bound him.
All in all, He Who Bleeds was a thoroughly enjoyable read and a quick one at that. If you enjoyed reading Frankenstein but wished it had a few more horror elements and some great smut, I think this book would be the perfect fit!
This novel is Valentine's first departure from his debut universe, and it is quite the departure. I'll be honest, when I first read the content warnings I wasn't sure that this would be the book for me as I thought it might be a bit too macabre for my tastes. Those concerns didn't last long though, as I absolutely flew through this book.
Like the previous two works by Valentine, this piece has great smut (probably as much as R&I and TBV combined) but I found it to be a more plot driven tale compared to how heavily character focused the previous were. And I think it serves He Who Bleeds well because I felt that outside the erotica, Aurélien's tale is very much an allegory for the queer experience for those that have felt they must suppress who they truly are to stay safe.
At the story's opening, Aurélien has no clue about his true nature as a devilspawn. He longs to be with the charming priest, Celio, but he internalizes that all knowing he would be jailed or even killed for acting on such desires. Aurélien lives in a constant state of guilt and shame.
As he starts to unravel the truth of his so-called unholy parentage though, his views start to change. Maybe the problem doesn't lie with him or his friends at the Church of Sanctuary, that so many have called unnatural or demonic for just existing(though perhaps in this context there's some truth the demonic claim). Perhaps the true issue is with the society Aurélien has been forced to live in and the people holding him back from his true form. And luckily for Aurélien, his true form is just powerful enough to push back against the chains that bound him.
All in all, He Who Bleeds was a thoroughly enjoyable read and a quick one at that. If you enjoyed reading Frankenstein but wished it had a few more horror elements and some great smut, I think this book would be the perfect fit!
Want to read
August 13, 2024are you kidding me with this cover???
Want to read
December 7, 2024Thank you Elfaba, the Elf of the West for the gift! 🎄
July 24, 2025
Thought I was signing up for a horror novel— was unprepared for 70% of this to be the most vile and graphic smut known to man. Need to cleanse my eyeballs.
October 9, 2025
4.5⭐️
Good god...
this is absurdly up my alley. queer, catholic body horror? sign me the fuck up.
Good god...
this is absurdly up my alley. queer, catholic body horror? sign me the fuck up.
August 26, 2024
Rating: 3,5
I've received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
He Who Bleeds is a book about a noble who finds out that he is a child of Lucifer and the priest who he was in love with was actually an incubus. It's a premise that hooked me when I first read it and while I enjoyed it after I got to it, unfortunately, it wasn't a book for me.
It took me a moment to get into the book. The beginning can be a little confusing as we have human Aurélien POV and demon Aurélien POV and the switch between them is very sudden. It takes a moment to get used to, luckily that's only an issue at the beginning of the book and I've quickly figured it out. Unfortunately, it made for quite a rough reading start. Thankfully it got smoother and more enjoyable as the story went on.
The book is written beautifully with a heavy atmosphere and poetic blasphemy. The demons follow no human rules and aren't afraid of sex and gore. As Aurélien discovers his demonic side, he becomes more and more like them, letting go of his human habits. It's a story about finding yourself and becoming who you were meant to be and this topic alone will speak to many. While I didn't connect to the main characters, I'm sure more than one person will see their own struggle in Aurélien.
Now onto why it wasn't a book for me. While I do like dark fiction - I read a lot of horror, sometimes reaching even for extreme horror - there is a fine line between what feels compelling and what feels edgy. That line depends solely on the person but for me, this book felt more into the edgy territory, which isn't something I enjoy. I recognize some of the choices were taken to show how demons are different than humans, they don't share the same beliefs and rules but some of the things they did were just over the top and made me roll my eyes. Aurélien specifically is a victim of this, doing a lot of things that could go much better if he just chose to think instead of acting on a whim. When it comes to Celio, I liked him better in his priest persona. As an incubus, he felt more like an accessory and I'm not sure if that was on purpose but he didn't seem to have much agenda besides cozying up to Aurélien. The relationship between them, while not the main point of the story, was a major part of it and I wasn't really invested in it. My favorite characters were the side characters and I'd gladly read a book centered around, for example, Theo.
But don't let my complaints stop you from reading this book. Dark fiction is a very divisive genre and tastes vary from person to person. I know for a fact that there is a target audience for He Who Bleeds and it's a wide one. I recognize that this is a well-written, atmospheric book that will be beloved by a lot of readers. Unfortunately, it didn't quite hit the spot for me. I'm still glad I've read it and I'll happily check out the author's other works in the future.
I've received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
He Who Bleeds is a book about a noble who finds out that he is a child of Lucifer and the priest who he was in love with was actually an incubus. It's a premise that hooked me when I first read it and while I enjoyed it after I got to it, unfortunately, it wasn't a book for me.
It took me a moment to get into the book. The beginning can be a little confusing as we have human Aurélien POV and demon Aurélien POV and the switch between them is very sudden. It takes a moment to get used to, luckily that's only an issue at the beginning of the book and I've quickly figured it out. Unfortunately, it made for quite a rough reading start. Thankfully it got smoother and more enjoyable as the story went on.
The book is written beautifully with a heavy atmosphere and poetic blasphemy. The demons follow no human rules and aren't afraid of sex and gore. As Aurélien discovers his demonic side, he becomes more and more like them, letting go of his human habits. It's a story about finding yourself and becoming who you were meant to be and this topic alone will speak to many. While I didn't connect to the main characters, I'm sure more than one person will see their own struggle in Aurélien.
Now onto why it wasn't a book for me. While I do like dark fiction - I read a lot of horror, sometimes reaching even for extreme horror - there is a fine line between what feels compelling and what feels edgy. That line depends solely on the person but for me, this book felt more into the edgy territory, which isn't something I enjoy. I recognize some of the choices were taken to show how demons are different than humans, they don't share the same beliefs and rules but some of the things they did were just over the top and made me roll my eyes. Aurélien specifically is a victim of this, doing a lot of things that could go much better if he just chose to think instead of acting on a whim. When it comes to Celio, I liked him better in his priest persona. As an incubus, he felt more like an accessory and I'm not sure if that was on purpose but he didn't seem to have much agenda besides cozying up to Aurélien. The relationship between them, while not the main point of the story, was a major part of it and I wasn't really invested in it. My favorite characters were the side characters and I'd gladly read a book centered around, for example, Theo.
But don't let my complaints stop you from reading this book. Dark fiction is a very divisive genre and tastes vary from person to person. I know for a fact that there is a target audience for He Who Bleeds and it's a wide one. I recognize that this is a well-written, atmospheric book that will be beloved by a lot of readers. Unfortunately, it didn't quite hit the spot for me. I'm still glad I've read it and I'll happily check out the author's other works in the future.
February 7, 2025
I did not make it all the way through this one. The cover lured me in- gay religious blood themes are just my vibe. The writing and plot does not hold up. It's messy, cliche, and altogether an excuse for some sloppy and repetitive smut (not necessarily a bad thing... but in this case it was).
June 22, 2025
4.5/5
He Who Bleeds offers a dark, atmospheric journey set against a vividly detailed Victorian London and a hauntingly sensual underworld. Valentine’s writing is immersive and richly textured, perfectly capturing the tension between sin and desire. The chemistry between the main characters is intense and provocative, adding an edge of danger that keeps the story compelling throughout.
While some plot mysteries wrap up a bit too quickly, it didn’t detract much from my overall enjoyment. The characters and mood stayed captivating from start to finish. For me, this was a fresh, seductive, and thrilling read that I’d recommend to fans of dark romance and horror.
The spice is a full 5/5. It is intensely erotic, unapologetically dark, and charged with raw, dangerous chemistry. The scenes are vivid and bold, perfectly matching the novel’s sinister tone while exploring desire in its most decadent and forbidden forms.
He Who Bleeds offers a dark, atmospheric journey set against a vividly detailed Victorian London and a hauntingly sensual underworld. Valentine’s writing is immersive and richly textured, perfectly capturing the tension between sin and desire. The chemistry between the main characters is intense and provocative, adding an edge of danger that keeps the story compelling throughout.
While some plot mysteries wrap up a bit too quickly, it didn’t detract much from my overall enjoyment. The characters and mood stayed captivating from start to finish. For me, this was a fresh, seductive, and thrilling read that I’d recommend to fans of dark romance and horror.
The spice is a full 5/5. It is intensely erotic, unapologetically dark, and charged with raw, dangerous chemistry. The scenes are vivid and bold, perfectly matching the novel’s sinister tone while exploring desire in its most decadent and forbidden forms.
dnf
October 29, 2024DNF’d at 75%
This just wasn’t for me
This just wasn’t for me
April 8, 2025
I went into this book knowing nothing, and I was obsessed! Such a crazy story!
London, 1874.
Lord Aurélien Saint-Orlant is devoted to the church, not because he’s a true believer, but because he is in love with the priest. Father Cielo is beautiful and kind, and Aurêlian can’t stay away. Though this is his life during the day, at night something happens to Aurélian. He doesn’t know exactly what, but he wakes with bruises, scratches, and blood. After years of living this half-life, Aurélian discovers the secret of his nighttime activities: he’s in a demon contract with a horrible human, and he doesn’t know how to get out and reach his true power. Now aware of his true nature, Aurélian finds himself surrounded by demons in disguise. His world has been turned upside down, but he’s more than happy to engage in every sin offered to him.
Erotic and devious, filled with horror and fallen angels. This was such a unique and fantastic read!
London, 1874.
Lord Aurélien Saint-Orlant is devoted to the church, not because he’s a true believer, but because he is in love with the priest. Father Cielo is beautiful and kind, and Aurêlian can’t stay away. Though this is his life during the day, at night something happens to Aurélian. He doesn’t know exactly what, but he wakes with bruises, scratches, and blood. After years of living this half-life, Aurélian discovers the secret of his nighttime activities: he’s in a demon contract with a horrible human, and he doesn’t know how to get out and reach his true power. Now aware of his true nature, Aurélian finds himself surrounded by demons in disguise. His world has been turned upside down, but he’s more than happy to engage in every sin offered to him.
Erotic and devious, filled with horror and fallen angels. This was such a unique and fantastic read!
October 22, 2024
Welcome to the delightfully depraved world of He Who Bleeds, where demons don’t play by human rules and aren’t shy about it–they never are. Dorian Valente plunges readers into a dark and gothic Victorian world filled with religious tension, sin, and supernatural elements. Set in 1874 London, the story follows Lord Aurélien Saint-Orlant, a nobleman who struggles with both his faith and the alluring pull of darkness.
Little did I know that nothing was like it seemed...because helllooo.....
As his true nature unfurls, he wrestles with guilt, shame, and suppressed desires, particularly his forbidden love for the charismatic priest Celio. Aurélien’s evolution into his true self mirrors a struggle for personal freedom, shedding societal and human constraints.
The book's heady mix of forbidden desires and savage self-discovery speaks to anyone ready to throw off the cloak of guilt and let their true selves emerge. The demons here aren't just terrifying—they’re seductive and unapologetically raw, inviting readers to revel in the destruction of the moral order. Valente’s writing is rich, dripping with gothic atmosphere, blending elements of blasphemy, gore, and erotica, and a sly wink to the readers who know exactly what they want: a deliciously twisted, no-holds-barred escape into sin.
If you’re looking for a story that refuses to play it safe—this is it. Be prepared to get filthy in the best possible way.
Little did I know that nothing was like it seemed...because helllooo.....
As his true nature unfurls, he wrestles with guilt, shame, and suppressed desires, particularly his forbidden love for the charismatic priest Celio. Aurélien’s evolution into his true self mirrors a struggle for personal freedom, shedding societal and human constraints.
The book's heady mix of forbidden desires and savage self-discovery speaks to anyone ready to throw off the cloak of guilt and let their true selves emerge. The demons here aren't just terrifying—they’re seductive and unapologetically raw, inviting readers to revel in the destruction of the moral order. Valente’s writing is rich, dripping with gothic atmosphere, blending elements of blasphemy, gore, and erotica, and a sly wink to the readers who know exactly what they want: a deliciously twisted, no-holds-barred escape into sin.
If you’re looking for a story that refuses to play it safe—this is it. Be prepared to get filthy in the best possible way.
December 8, 2024
Representation: 4 (M/M couple, trans side character. Some may not like the gay representation because the characters are demons)
Emotion: 3
Characters: 4
Plot: 4
Pacing: 4
Romance: 3
Prose: 4
Overall: 3.7 rounded up to 4
I want to address the Prose first: the descriptions shifted from beautiful and grotesque to vulgar depending on the scene. I quite liked the style, but unfortunately, there wasn't enough care taken with the line-editing/proofreading. Words and phrases were often repeated, and frequently the wrong word was used like "on the verse of tears".
Onto the plot. Disclaimer: I knew the general Vibes of the story, but don't read blurbs, so it wasn't the plot I was expecting. I will say it had a lot of turns I didn't predict and some interesting tension. It wasn't what I really Wanted, but that's not necessarily the author's fault.
Occasionally the plot transitions were a little too quick--something would happen to change the story in a single sentence, and I sometimes had to re-read it to make sure I understood correctly.
I didn't really emotionally connect with most of the characters and the romance was just kind of Fine. I would have preferred more drawn out longing.
The sex scenes were descriptive and varied.
This is very much a horror erotica. I would normally list content warnings, but the author does that quite thoroughly, and I couldn’t think of any they missed. So before picking this one up, definitely check out those content warnings and make sure you are in the mood for a lot of demon sex.
Emotion: 3
Characters: 4
Plot: 4
Pacing: 4
Romance: 3
Prose: 4
Overall: 3.7 rounded up to 4
I want to address the Prose first: the descriptions shifted from beautiful and grotesque to vulgar depending on the scene. I quite liked the style, but unfortunately, there wasn't enough care taken with the line-editing/proofreading. Words and phrases were often repeated, and frequently the wrong word was used like "on the verse of tears".
Onto the plot. Disclaimer: I knew the general Vibes of the story, but don't read blurbs, so it wasn't the plot I was expecting. I will say it had a lot of turns I didn't predict and some interesting tension. It wasn't what I really Wanted, but that's not necessarily the author's fault.
Occasionally the plot transitions were a little too quick--something would happen to change the story in a single sentence, and I sometimes had to re-read it to make sure I understood correctly.
I didn't really emotionally connect with most of the characters and the romance was just kind of Fine. I would have preferred more drawn out longing.
The sex scenes were descriptive and varied.
This is very much a horror erotica. I would normally list content warnings, but the author does that quite thoroughly, and I couldn’t think of any they missed. So before picking this one up, definitely check out those content warnings and make sure you are in the mood for a lot of demon sex.
November 26, 2025
i have a strong suspicion that this story is a self-fulfillment fantasy. the author perhaps grew up in the church themselves and had such thoughts (guilt, shame, struggling with religion and sexuality) and took inspiration from their own life to create this. the acknowledgement section gave some insight on this, as well.
aurelien is funnily accurate in the way he believes homosexuality is a sin, yet if he goes to church and asks for forgiveness every day, he is absolved of that sin (and all others). a true christian he is lol
the sex dialogue is cringe. no one talks like that, and they definitely don’t talk the entire time. also, “call me daddy” makes me want to vomit. this is the 1800s and they’re demons, what are we doing?? after the first two sex scenes I skimmed/skipped the rest, i just couldn’t do it. this was definitely written by someone who creates/consumes too much smut fanfiction, i just know it. honestly, the dialogue in general between celio and aurelien was awful. “you’re mine, i claimed you” please shut the fuck up.
the characters are one dimensional. i get they’re incubi, but literally all they do and talk about and think about is sex and murder. how do you make SEX and MURDER boring? i’m not even sure what the plot is supposed to be. the prose and scenery is nice, at least.
aurelien is funnily accurate in the way he believes homosexuality is a sin, yet if he goes to church and asks for forgiveness every day, he is absolved of that sin (and all others). a true christian he is lol
the sex dialogue is cringe. no one talks like that, and they definitely don’t talk the entire time. also, “call me daddy” makes me want to vomit. this is the 1800s and they’re demons, what are we doing?? after the first two sex scenes I skimmed/skipped the rest, i just couldn’t do it. this was definitely written by someone who creates/consumes too much smut fanfiction, i just know it. honestly, the dialogue in general between celio and aurelien was awful. “you’re mine, i claimed you” please shut the fuck up.
the characters are one dimensional. i get they’re incubi, but literally all they do and talk about and think about is sex and murder. how do you make SEX and MURDER boring? i’m not even sure what the plot is supposed to be. the prose and scenery is nice, at least.
August 17, 2024
I have never read a Dorian Valentine novel before. I’ve seen them, and I’ve been interested in Rosemary & Iron for a time now. He Who Bleeds was a fantastic introduction to Valentine and his writing. It’s grimy and expressive, and leaves little to be desired. What a treat!
So why did I rate it only 3 stars, you might be asking. To be entirely honest, this book is an extremely solid 3.5 for me, but I rounded down due to my personal reading experience; I found the book difficult to read. Not in terms of subject matter—I love dark fiction and all the nasty immoral stuff—and not in the sense that I found it boring either. I enjoyed my time with it, but it did take quite some time to get through, and I never really found myself wanting to pick it up. Every time I did, I enjoyed myself, but then after a chapter or two I’d put it down and wouldn’t read it for a couple days. For a book that is only 120 pages, I by all means should have been able to finish it in a day. I felt very similar about Lolita, a book I consider a masterpiece, but also rated 3 stars.
He Who Bleeds is gory and sexual and toxic and I love it. I love Aurélien and Celio, and their relationship is so much fun—the obsession and the give and take and the possessiveness. I remember seeing Valentine promoting the novel for Baldur’s Gate 3 fans who liked the Dark Urge, and his relationship with Astarion, and I concur. The underlining narrative of the story doesn’t focus on their relationship however (despite their chemistry and how erotic the book is), as Valentine warns you before reading that this is not a love story, but rather it is about discovering who you really are, or perhaps who you always have been—something I’m sure many queer people, myself included, can relate to. It’s a bloody road, but sometimes being queer is bloody.
All in all, I do highly recommend this book. It’s good and worth a try if you’re even remotely interested.
I was provided an e-ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review.
January 17, 2025
okay so, i didn’t realise just how much explicit erotica there was going to be in this book… and that’s definitely not a bad thing and i know for sure that a lot of people will absolutely love this book, but for me personally it was just a bit too much
November 16, 2025
Ugh, I really wanted to like this one too. I thought I was in for one thing, but got something else entirely. That's not to say that it was poorly written - had I known what I was getting into, I feel like I would've enjoyed it a lot more, but then the reveal? Damn. The cover is stunning though.
October 9, 2024
Another one in the be gay do crime category
August 18, 2025
2/5
I found "He Who Bleeds" to be... less than enjoyable, if I'm being honest.
While the overall premise sounded really interesting, the book itself was not. Multiple plot points were revealed incredibly early in the book that would have been interesting had they been a little bit later, but the fact that they were revealed so early took out all of the intrigue for me. I know that the blurb says that Aurélien is a devilspawn, but having it revealed to him in chapter 3 took away a mysterious part of his character and made the rest of the book a repetitive demon smut book (which, hey, demon smut is not a bad thing, but it got tiring fast when it was all that was happening).
I also found the writing to be annoying at times, especially when I remembered that the book was set in 1874 and London. While there's no obligation to make them speak like they're from the late 1800s, the dialogue was almost Too modern to fit the vibes that the author seemed to want in making this a historical fiction.
There were multiple other aspects of the book that felt fully unnecessary, the moment of incest was Not Great and definitely would have been a DNF if it wasn't almost at the end of the book and Aurélien's brother felt very forced in, but there's not much I can say about those aspects aside from them feeling unnecessary to include. I don't want to discount Theo as a character entirely because I know that, as a queer person and someone who loves to write my own stories, sometimes you have a character like Theo because you want to have that representation in a historical world, but without any other details about him before he shows up and not really fleshing him out as a character after Aurélien and Celio help him transition made him feel forced in.
Overall, not a great book (in my opinion). think a lot of my problems would be gone with minor changes, like making the setting a fictional world entirely or just fleshing out characters more. If I can be fully honest, with the book the way it is, the smut is doing the heavy lifting for the 2 stars that I am giving it.
I found "He Who Bleeds" to be... less than enjoyable, if I'm being honest.
While the overall premise sounded really interesting, the book itself was not. Multiple plot points were revealed incredibly early in the book that would have been interesting had they been a little bit later, but the fact that they were revealed so early took out all of the intrigue for me. I know that the blurb says that Aurélien is a devilspawn, but having it revealed to him in chapter 3 took away a mysterious part of his character and made the rest of the book a repetitive demon smut book (which, hey, demon smut is not a bad thing, but it got tiring fast when it was all that was happening).
I also found the writing to be annoying at times, especially when I remembered that the book was set in 1874 and London. While there's no obligation to make them speak like they're from the late 1800s, the dialogue was almost Too modern to fit the vibes that the author seemed to want in making this a historical fiction.
There were multiple other aspects of the book that felt fully unnecessary, the moment of incest was Not Great and definitely would have been a DNF if it wasn't almost at the end of the book and Aurélien's brother felt very forced in, but there's not much I can say about those aspects aside from them feeling unnecessary to include. I don't want to discount Theo as a character entirely because I know that, as a queer person and someone who loves to write my own stories, sometimes you have a character like Theo because you want to have that representation in a historical world, but without any other details about him before he shows up and not really fleshing him out as a character after Aurélien and Celio help him transition made him feel forced in.
Overall, not a great book (in my opinion). think a lot of my problems would be gone with minor changes, like making the setting a fictional world entirely or just fleshing out characters more. If I can be fully honest, with the book the way it is, the smut is doing the heavy lifting for the 2 stars that I am giving it.
August 31, 2025
This was sooooo cringy and badly written (I still finished reading it tho)
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