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The Confessional
In this compelling debut horror graphic novel, a newly turned vampire yearns for salvation in the arms of the priest who uncovers her secret.
New Orleans, 1922. Cora Velasquez lives with her sister and her own haunted memories in a speakeasy run by a vampire coven. Unable to bear the weight of her damned soul, she turns to Father Orville Thibodeaux, a charismatic priest and the object of her hidden desires. Their veiled courtship becomes deadly serious when he discovers her nature, and proposes a way to both slake her thirst and save her soul. So begins the charged dance between an all-powerful but unsure young woman, and the mortal man who claims to hold her fate in his hand.
A gothic story of adoration, power, and manipulation, lushly told in Art Nouveau-inspired illustration.
New Orleans, 1922. Cora Velasquez lives with her sister and her own haunted memories in a speakeasy run by a vampire coven. Unable to bear the weight of her damned soul, she turns to Father Orville Thibodeaux, a charismatic priest and the object of her hidden desires. Their veiled courtship becomes deadly serious when he discovers her nature, and proposes a way to both slake her thirst and save her soul. So begins the charged dance between an all-powerful but unsure young woman, and the mortal man who claims to hold her fate in his hand.
A gothic story of adoration, power, and manipulation, lushly told in Art Nouveau-inspired illustration.
200 pages, Hardcover
First published March 19, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
May 13, 2025
Fleabag meets Sinners
January 17, 2025
"We are all born in sin. But everybody has the capacity for salvation."
New Orleans is rich in culture and beautiful history. There are a few things that it’s well known for and one of them is vampires. There is even a law in Louisiana about vampires having to get permission to bite someone.
This blood-thirsty read was really fantastic. The story starts off great and gets better as you start to flip the pages. The art is stunning with its style and color. Really stands out and could hold its own without any words. Combined it makes for a story to fall in love with. And let’s not forget about the naughty priest…
Beware of the blood-sucking phantoms of the night, you may enjoy yourself!
New Orleans is rich in culture and beautiful history. There are a few things that it’s well known for and one of them is vampires. There is even a law in Louisiana about vampires having to get permission to bite someone.
This blood-thirsty read was really fantastic. The story starts off great and gets better as you start to flip the pages. The art is stunning with its style and color. Really stands out and could hold its own without any words. Combined it makes for a story to fall in love with. And let’s not forget about the naughty priest…
Beware of the blood-sucking phantoms of the night, you may enjoy yourself!
November 29, 2025
i love the dramatic creature-transformation art in this dark graphic novel about a vampire coven in 1922 new orleans. the highlight of the book is the bumping speakeasy and its coven, a group of vampire women who circumvent traditional brothel power dynamics by feeding on their clients.
very gothic, with rich overtones of corrupted christianity and misguided righteousness - the art nouveau style of the comic is a perfect fit for its themes. i really love the bloody content illustrated in soft pink pastels and deep blues.
very gothic, with rich overtones of corrupted christianity and misguided righteousness - the art nouveau style of the comic is a perfect fit for its themes. i really love the bloody content illustrated in soft pink pastels and deep blues.
January 10, 2025
No question, this is a horror story. However, there is a little love story there, too. This is a corruption story. A redemption story. And something else altogether. While it is not for the sensitive reader, this graphic novel has appeal for multiple readers. I both greatly enjoyed it and did not like it. There were a lot of emotions and situations to process. I think it might be one of my favorite books because of the layers and contradictions. and on of those biggest contradictions is that things are layered but also very straight forward. Images are a unique mix of noir and modern, the details are there to support, tease and only let you see what the author wants you to know. There is nudity, sexual situations and violence, blood. Soft erotica. Read via an online reader copy.
August 2, 2025
I read this while enjoying my afternoon coffee and danish and liked it a lot! Very fun art style. If you are interested in the concept of “found family + redemption but with vampires running a brothel in New Orleans” then this is for you!
June 24, 2025
Aside from the story that seems written directly for me-vampires, priests, New Orleans-the illustrations are gorgeous.
February 15, 2026
5 stars for the art, 3 stars for the plot
March 19, 2026
Wonderfully illustrated vampire graphic novel. The story follows Cora, and her unexpected relationship with religion. The novel is an enjoyable read however, quite a few character motives aren't clear, which is a little confusing. However, that of the main characters are well established, and quite intriguing to follow along to their ultimate conflict.
October 4, 2025
3.5. give it up for the red & blue ballpoint pens in the bottom of your backpack 👏
August 8, 2025
another incredible graphic novel! i love vampires!!!
April 22, 2026
4.5 stars
This was a delight for my eyeballs. The art is told through purple & pink illustrations. The story follows Cora, a newly made vampire, in 1920s New Orleans, who is struggling with the desire her bloodthirst drives her to. She finds solace in attending one of the Catholic churches in the French Quarter, but as she becomes closer to the Priest, she realizes that he might not be the savior she thought he was. I love the journey that Cora embarks on and the intense exploration of morality lurking under the surface of religious piety. One can claim to be good, but participate in evil and corruption, while that which looks like a monster may have better morals than the humans they hunt. It's a great juxtaposition, and the beautiful architecture of New Orleans, which is strikingly beautiful while being encased with decay and corruption, is on full display in this Gothic delight. I want a series following the coven so badly. I NEED a book for Dolores and Greta. Give it to me!
This was a delight for my eyeballs. The art is told through purple & pink illustrations. The story follows Cora, a newly made vampire, in 1920s New Orleans, who is struggling with the desire her bloodthirst drives her to. She finds solace in attending one of the Catholic churches in the French Quarter, but as she becomes closer to the Priest, she realizes that he might not be the savior she thought he was. I love the journey that Cora embarks on and the intense exploration of morality lurking under the surface of religious piety. One can claim to be good, but participate in evil and corruption, while that which looks like a monster may have better morals than the humans they hunt. It's a great juxtaposition, and the beautiful architecture of New Orleans, which is strikingly beautiful while being encased with decay and corruption, is on full display in this Gothic delight. I want a series following the coven so badly. I NEED a book for Dolores and Greta. Give it to me!
July 21, 2025
This one was, unfortunately, not a hit for me. While The Confessional is undeniably visually stunning—the illustrations are gorgeously detailed and evocative—the story itself left me feeling a little… lost in the fog.
Set in 1922 New Orleans (my hometown, which was a lovely surprise!), we follow Cora , a vampire living in a brothel-turned-speakeasy alongside a coven of other vampy women. It’s a rich, sultry premise—gothic vibes with a hint of forbidden romance as Corain falls for a priest. But somewhere between the fangs, the flapper era, and the flirtations, I found myself confused and disconnected. I wanted to love it, but the narrative didn’t quite come together for me.
Still, if you’re a sucker for lush artwork, historical vampire drama, or moody New Orleans settings, this might be one to try—just go in with open expectations (and maybe a willingness to be a little confused).
Set in 1922 New Orleans (my hometown, which was a lovely surprise!), we follow Cora , a vampire living in a brothel-turned-speakeasy alongside a coven of other vampy women. It’s a rich, sultry premise—gothic vibes with a hint of forbidden romance as Corain falls for a priest. But somewhere between the fangs, the flapper era, and the flirtations, I found myself confused and disconnected. I wanted to love it, but the narrative didn’t quite come together for me.
Still, if you’re a sucker for lush artwork, historical vampire drama, or moody New Orleans settings, this might be one to try—just go in with open expectations (and maybe a willingness to be a little confused).
January 2, 2026
What the shit, this is fantastic, in every sense of the word. I need more immediately.
First graphic novel I’ve read in years, and I’m obsesssssssed. The art alone is delicious enough to make me swoon, let alone the story.
First graphic novel I’ve read in years, and I’m obsesssssssed. The art alone is delicious enough to make me swoon, let alone the story.
June 29, 2025
4.5
love love love the art
love love love the art
August 11, 2025
3 stars for the story but I’m adding an extra star for the gorgeous art. Overall, I do love vampires in New Orleans, especially a vampire who’s bad at vamping and falls for the kinky priest—I just wish this story had a little more in terms of developing character relationships.
January 27, 2026
A priest and a vampire step into a confessional. What happens next is unexpected. Is there any salvation to be found?
This graphic novel has an illustration style not to my taste, and while I liked some of the themes explored there wasn't enough here for me to sink my teeth into (ha!).
This graphic novel has an illustration style not to my taste, and while I liked some of the themes explored there wasn't enough here for me to sink my teeth into (ha!).
April 13, 2026
Sick art style and a messed up plot. Can't wait to see what Hender makes next.
April 30, 2026
4.5. Uncomplicated vampire story with very interesting characters and setting. Needed more time with other coven members
August 12, 2025
Delicious, an absolute treat for the eyes and the heart
August 18, 2025
darker than I expected
November 30, 2025
Absolutely gorgeous illustrations! Such a fabulous debut. Very interested to find more graphic novels featuring vampires now.
March 31, 2025
Thrilling, with a great visual vocabulary!!!! Vampire drama lovers READ THIS!
April 4, 2025
This book is simply perfect, and no I’m not biased because I’m an avid vampire lover. I just love the way the character of Cora was handled and I so badly want to see more of her ❤️❤️ thank you for this amazing graphic novel
May 23, 2025
Read in one sitting! Super cool graphics and story. Bonus points because my cousin is the author (Go Paige!!) Everyone should read this, 6 stars.
October 14, 2025
An interesting (and pretty drawn) graphic novel about a newbie vampire who cannot eat without killing and a priest with some good ideas how to use that. I didn't like the priest, not at the start when we didn't know how he was (he just raised too many red flags for me) and not at the end when we knew how he was. I could understand Cora falling for him though.
I love the other vampires and I love how they are able to feed themselves. Greta being Dutch made me so happy, and reading schatje made me even happier.
I loved seeing Cora grow throughout the story, I love her transformation.
Oh, and I was so delighted that at the end we get sketches from the vampires + when they were turned + more.
I love the other vampires and I love how they are able to feed themselves. Greta being Dutch made me so happy, and reading schatje made me even happier.
I loved seeing Cora grow throughout the story, I love her transformation.
Oh, and I was so delighted that at the end we get sketches from the vampires + when they were turned + more.
April 1, 2026
god I love a sleazy priest
June 24, 2025
6/18/2025 3.5 stars. Full review tk at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.
6/24/2025 I'm becoming a curmudgeon as I age, but I really do wish this book had explicitly stated at the outset that it's set in New Orleans. I no longer have time to read blurbs or back matter, so when I realized partway through that this was set in historical America and not fantasy Europe, all I could think was how unnecessarily jarring that recalibration of thought had been. I mean, if you're going to open the book with mention of actual historical events, why not mention where and when they took place, instead of assuming that the reader automatically knows where you're setting your story? I don't consider myself a particularly unknowledgeable person, but I don't see the harm in telling readers right from the get-go exactly where you're placing the events of your historical horror graphic novel.
My grumpiness aside, The Confessional is an absorbing read, telling the tale of young Cora Velasquez and the coven of vampires to which she belongs. They all live together in a house of ill-repute down in 1920s New Orleans, with the other vampires feeding on patrons without killing them -- death being bad for repeat business, after all.
Cora, however, is terrible at being a vampire. She doesn't know how to feed without killing, and is suffering an existential crisis at the idea that being turned means that she's lost her immortal soul. She turns to the Catholic church in her vulnerability, developing a crush on handsome Father Orville in the process. He is not immune to her charms either.
One day, she finally confesses to him what she really is while in the sanctity of the confessional. Ashamed, she flees immediately after, so is shocked when he comes looking for her. He has a request, one she's only too willing to oblige. As their shared secrets tie them more firmly together, will their newfound partnership be their mutual salvation, or will naught but destruction come in their wake?
I really enjoyed the crux of this story, of shame and vulnerability leading our protagonist down some very dark paths. I rather wish more time had been spent on Dolores and the others urging Cora to embrace pragmatism, tho I did super appreciate what a nurturing sister Dolores was. I just tend to get impatient when people do things that are clearly the trifecta of stupid, selfish and suspicious. While the whole thing with poor Virgil was a heartbreaker through and through, the incident with the book made me want to shake Cora for being a total dumbass. Like there's really only so much idiocy you can tolerate from a heroine before you choose to read something else, y'know? Maybe it would have made more sense if she'd been younger when she was turned, but at twenty-two plus the years since, she really ought to be less naive.
Fortunately, The Confessional is a short enough, quick enough read that it's possible to power through to the decent ending, and to the very excellent back matter. Readers with a much higher tolerance for protagonists making incredibly bad choices than I have -- and honestly, in the grand scheme of things, I've read worse! -- will probably be far more forgiving.
Art-wise, my only complaint is that I never knew when it was supposed to be daylight, which actually matters in a book about vampires. That aside, I loved Paige Hender's color palette and patternwork. For a debut, this was supremely promising, as Ms Hender will no doubt continue to mature into her storytelling capabilities. I'm looking forward to seeing what she does next.
The Confessional by Paige Hender was published March 19 2025 by Silver Sprocket and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
6/24/2025 I'm becoming a curmudgeon as I age, but I really do wish this book had explicitly stated at the outset that it's set in New Orleans. I no longer have time to read blurbs or back matter, so when I realized partway through that this was set in historical America and not fantasy Europe, all I could think was how unnecessarily jarring that recalibration of thought had been. I mean, if you're going to open the book with mention of actual historical events, why not mention where and when they took place, instead of assuming that the reader automatically knows where you're setting your story? I don't consider myself a particularly unknowledgeable person, but I don't see the harm in telling readers right from the get-go exactly where you're placing the events of your historical horror graphic novel.
My grumpiness aside, The Confessional is an absorbing read, telling the tale of young Cora Velasquez and the coven of vampires to which she belongs. They all live together in a house of ill-repute down in 1920s New Orleans, with the other vampires feeding on patrons without killing them -- death being bad for repeat business, after all.
Cora, however, is terrible at being a vampire. She doesn't know how to feed without killing, and is suffering an existential crisis at the idea that being turned means that she's lost her immortal soul. She turns to the Catholic church in her vulnerability, developing a crush on handsome Father Orville in the process. He is not immune to her charms either.
One day, she finally confesses to him what she really is while in the sanctity of the confessional. Ashamed, she flees immediately after, so is shocked when he comes looking for her. He has a request, one she's only too willing to oblige. As their shared secrets tie them more firmly together, will their newfound partnership be their mutual salvation, or will naught but destruction come in their wake?
I really enjoyed the crux of this story, of shame and vulnerability leading our protagonist down some very dark paths. I rather wish more time had been spent on Dolores and the others urging Cora to embrace pragmatism, tho I did super appreciate what a nurturing sister Dolores was. I just tend to get impatient when people do things that are clearly the trifecta of stupid, selfish and suspicious. While the whole thing with poor Virgil was a heartbreaker through and through, the incident with the book made me want to shake Cora for being a total dumbass. Like there's really only so much idiocy you can tolerate from a heroine before you choose to read something else, y'know? Maybe it would have made more sense if she'd been younger when she was turned, but at twenty-two plus the years since, she really ought to be less naive.
Fortunately, The Confessional is a short enough, quick enough read that it's possible to power through to the decent ending, and to the very excellent back matter. Readers with a much higher tolerance for protagonists making incredibly bad choices than I have -- and honestly, in the grand scheme of things, I've read worse! -- will probably be far more forgiving.
Art-wise, my only complaint is that I never knew when it was supposed to be daylight, which actually matters in a book about vampires. That aside, I loved Paige Hender's color palette and patternwork. For a debut, this was supremely promising, as Ms Hender will no doubt continue to mature into her storytelling capabilities. I'm looking forward to seeing what she does next.
The Confessional by Paige Hender was published March 19 2025 by Silver Sprocket and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
January 16, 2025
Thank you to Silver Sprocket and PW Galley Giveaway for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Review of The Confessional by Paige HenderRating: 4/5 stars
The Confessional by Paige Hender is a haunting and beautifully illustrated gothic horror graphic novel that delivers a dark, unsettling story of manipulation, power, and redemption. Set in 1922 New Orleans, the story’s moody Art Nouveau-inspired illustrations perfectly complement its eerie, atmospheric narrative.
Cora Velasquez is a compelling protagonist, and I appreciated how her character was portrayed without being overly infantilized. Her struggle with her vampiric nature and search for redemption adds emotional weight to the story. The romance with Father Orville Thibodeaux is deeply unsettling, which feels intentional and serves to highlight the themes of power and manipulation. This is not a sweet love story, but rather a charged and morally complex dynamic that underscores the book’s darker undertones.
Themes of self-love, acceptance, and redemption are woven throughout, adding depth to what could have been a straightforward gothic tale. Hender’s ability to balance these heavier ideas with the horror elements is impressive, making the story engaging and thought-provoking.
The artwork is stunning, with its lush, Art Nouveau-inspired style capturing the essence of the time period and enhancing the eerie tone of the story. Every panel feels meticulously crafted and adds to the immersive experience.
Final Thoughts:The Confessional is a chilling and beautifully illustrated graphic novel that will appeal to fans of gothic horror and morally complex tales. Its exploration of redemption and self-acceptance set against a backdrop of manipulation and power dynamics makes it a memorable read. If you enjoy dark, unsettling stories with stunning artwork, this is one to check out.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews