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The Confessional: A Graphic Novel
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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872 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 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.
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!!!
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).
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.
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.
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.
November 21, 2025
- 3.5. the art is sooooo beautiful, i love the styles and the colors and the detail in the linework. it also really conveys a sense of place and setting. i enjoyed the character design of most of the side characters (the dancers). the premise is fun, the beginning was promising, but i didnt really enjoy the second half of the story so much. maybe her actions are realistic, but she was annoying and i wanted more whimsy and delight, or something more out there to match the wild premise (a coven of vampires running a speakeasy and brothel in nola), less stupid teenage girl being obsessed with a man shit.
- i bought this at the silver sprocket bookstore! meant to read on the way to or while in new orleans, but i ended up reading on the plane ride back from nola, and im actually glad i did. i think my personal experience of the city, seeing the architecture and understanding the history and feeling the energy, helped breathe more life into the book and made it more enjoyable and evocative
- i bought this at the silver sprocket bookstore! meant to read on the way to or while in new orleans, but i ended up reading on the plane ride back from nola, and im actually glad i did. i think my personal experience of the city, seeing the architecture and understanding the history and feeling the energy, helped breathe more life into the book and made it more enjoyable and evocative
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.
March 16, 2025
I really loved this graphic novel! Set in early 1920s New Orleans, we follow Cora, a newer vampire, as she navigates her new life, her faith, and a new relationship with some not so great dates. I adore the art style and color scheme. The plot was super intriguing and, in my opinion, pretty fleshed out yet concise for the graphic novel format. If you’re looking for another vampire fix, definitely check this one out!
**Thank you to Silver Sprocket and Publishers Weekly Grab A Galley for the eARC! All thoughts are my own**
**Thank you to Silver Sprocket and Publishers Weekly Grab A Galley for the eARC! All thoughts are my own**
April 19, 2025
This was great! A super intriguing premise that was delivered on really well, with some fantastic art and coloring to boot. I wish there was more about Cora's past/the specifics of her relationship to family and church in the novel to give more weight to the present narrative, but the moral dilemmas/quest for salvation present in Cora's story was plenty gripping as is. I also would've wanted more from Tiboudeaux from how his moral crusade started/maybe context behind how he and Cora met and established a rapport in the first place.
January 1, 2026
Hender's art was so detailed, and I loved Cora's monster vampire bat transformation. The different ladies in the brothel were also a standout.
The story wasn't what I expected at all. Certainly a twist on a priest who is an "avenging angel" type but you'd think that Cora would've shown a little more backbone with him. Or fully realized sooner that maybe all the "crimes" weren't that terrible or that he craved the power.
Cora was both treated like a child and an adult making her own decisions, and it was hard at times to pinpoint what the narrative was driving toward.
The story wasn't what I expected at all. Certainly a twist on a priest who is an "avenging angel" type but you'd think that Cora would've shown a little more backbone with him. Or fully realized sooner that maybe all the "crimes" weren't that terrible or that he craved the power.
Cora was both treated like a child and an adult making her own decisions, and it was hard at times to pinpoint what the narrative was driving toward.
February 8, 2025
A horror story that asks, "Who are the real monsters?"
The art is eye-catching and memorable. Deceptively simple, the amount of feelings Hender can infuse the most simple panel with is impressive. You're right there with Cora as she struggles to accept her new life and those around her don't seem to understand her.
I got a digital review copy from Silver Sproket and I can't wait to get my hands on a printed version because the colors and art style just beg to be held in physical form.
The art is eye-catching and memorable. Deceptively simple, the amount of feelings Hender can infuse the most simple panel with is impressive. You're right there with Cora as she struggles to accept her new life and those around her don't seem to understand her.
I got a digital review copy from Silver Sproket and I can't wait to get my hands on a printed version because the colors and art style just beg to be held in physical form.
July 20, 2025
A newly-turned vampire is still holding on to being human, and wanting salvation through God, and ends up getting involved with someone who's idea of holy redemption is a lot more... inquisition-y than you'd expect. The pencils in this book, and the colour choice, is gorgeous, with the 'demon' side of the vampires incredibly striking. I like the idea of love and respect, and whether souls deserve 'saving' or judgment.
September 6, 2025
A bit more 4.5 than 5. Delightfully drawn and clearly laid out so I always knew who was talking. Beautiful two color blue and red print process. Might be the first graphic novel I’ve ever read? Vampires, a speak easy and a brothel taking place in New Orleans during the prohibition. The plot towards the main characters redemption arc was great. The priest was creepy the whole way through. There are some tough themes touched upon in this book.
January 12, 2025
I received a digital ARC from Silver Sprocket via the PW Winter/Spring Giveaway. This mature graphic novel for adult readers is set in 1922 New Orleans. Cora is part of a vampire coven who works out of a brothel. A local church father uses Cora for his own nefarious purposes. The art and story were both quite mesmerizing despite the horror. I’d read this author again.
January 21, 2025
Thanks to the publisher, Silver Sprocket, for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.
What a stunning graphic novel! Lots of layers to the characters, writing, and world, all very entertaining. It's a dark supernatural thriller story with the beautiful artistic style to match. Very well crafted.
What a stunning graphic novel! Lots of layers to the characters, writing, and world, all very entertaining. It's a dark supernatural thriller story with the beautiful artistic style to match. Very well crafted.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews