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The Red Sacrament
Not yet published
Expected 7 Jul 26A savage, hypnotic dive into the lives and deaths of a coven of vampires living in 19th Century Paris, perfect for fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Laura Purcell and Elizabeth Kostova
Paris, 1869. The Théâtre Saint-Siméon is the place to be, if you can get in. The black slips of paper that guarantee entry are rare and highly desired, and given only to certain persons. The actors on stage are magnetic and ageless, performing only at midnight and never seen during the day…
Arnault and his clan of vampires have survived for as long as they have by observing a rigid set of rules. At night, they perform on stage at the Théâtre Saint-Siméon, picking off just enough people in the audience to survive. But they understand the city, and how to live in it without being noticed.
Their peace is shattered first with a visit from Béatrice, a witch who forms a strange connection to Arnault; then with the arrival of Victor de Rouvray and his sister Françoise, vampires from a very different world. And, as Arnault grows closer and closer to the beautiful, enigmatic Victor, he risks becoming distracted from the constant bickering of his immortal friends, from the daily running of the theatre, and worse, from the premonitions of blood, death and starvation that he receives at night.
For a terrible change is on the horizon, revolt and revolution are brewing in the streets and soon, the city, and Arnault will never be the same again.
Paris, 1869. The Théâtre Saint-Siméon is the place to be, if you can get in. The black slips of paper that guarantee entry are rare and highly desired, and given only to certain persons. The actors on stage are magnetic and ageless, performing only at midnight and never seen during the day…
Arnault and his clan of vampires have survived for as long as they have by observing a rigid set of rules. At night, they perform on stage at the Théâtre Saint-Siméon, picking off just enough people in the audience to survive. But they understand the city, and how to live in it without being noticed.
Their peace is shattered first with a visit from Béatrice, a witch who forms a strange connection to Arnault; then with the arrival of Victor de Rouvray and his sister Françoise, vampires from a very different world. And, as Arnault grows closer and closer to the beautiful, enigmatic Victor, he risks becoming distracted from the constant bickering of his immortal friends, from the daily running of the theatre, and worse, from the premonitions of blood, death and starvation that he receives at night.
For a terrible change is on the horizon, revolt and revolution are brewing in the streets and soon, the city, and Arnault will never be the same again.
512 pages, Paperback
Expected publication July 7, 2026
About the author
Sara Hinkley
1 book17 followersI'm a costume designer and writer living in Brooklyn, NY. I work primarily in TV & film, with a background in theatre, dance, and opera. I started writing during COVID when the industry shut down, and I'm still at it! :)
The Red Sacrament is my first novel. See my bookshelves 'the-red-sacrament-research' for what i read to write it, and 'the-red-sacrament-inspiration' for some of my favorites that lit a spark, or showed the way.
The Red Sacrament is my first novel. See my bookshelves 'the-red-sacrament-research' for what i read to write it, and 'the-red-sacrament-inspiration' for some of my favorites that lit a spark, or showed the way.
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December 14, 2025they could've at least tried to file the serial numbers off. arnault sounds an awful lot like armand 🤔🤔
March 27, 2026
✨✨✨1800s Paris, theater, and vampires!!! 🧛 ✨✨✨
I went into The Red Sacrament pretty blind to be honest. I saw 1800s Paris, theater, and vampires and that was a wrap. I’m in! 🤓📖
After finishing this book, I looked into it a little and it appears that this book was inspired by Interview with the Vampire. Or maybe the tv show? I haven’t seen the show yet, but I can definitely see some Interview with the Vampire inspiration here.
I am an huge vampire fan and really love the vibe of The Red Sacrament! I thought the theater aspects were so cool!! I wish I had connected a little bit more to the characters. Also, some of the book felt a little too bulky, slow, long, and dragging for my taste. The writing was definitely very descriptive. Overall I absolutely enjoyed this one. It was very atmospheric and lush which I loved that!!🧛
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is expected to be released July 7, 2026 .
I went into The Red Sacrament pretty blind to be honest. I saw 1800s Paris, theater, and vampires and that was a wrap. I’m in! 🤓📖
After finishing this book, I looked into it a little and it appears that this book was inspired by Interview with the Vampire. Or maybe the tv show? I haven’t seen the show yet, but I can definitely see some Interview with the Vampire inspiration here.
I am an huge vampire fan and really love the vibe of The Red Sacrament! I thought the theater aspects were so cool!! I wish I had connected a little bit more to the characters. Also, some of the book felt a little too bulky, slow, long, and dragging for my taste. The writing was definitely very descriptive. Overall I absolutely enjoyed this one. It was very atmospheric and lush which I loved that!!🧛
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is expected to be released July 7, 2026 .
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Two people cannot write the same book. We talk a lot about tropes on this website, but tropes are meaningless for real analysis, because no two authors are going to write the same idea the same way, even if one is substantially in conversation with the other. Sara Hinkley could not have written Interview with the Vampire; Anne Rice could not have written The Red Sacrament. Rice's book is not about Marxism or political upheaval; Hinkley's book is not about the loss of a child. What Hinkley has done with the skeleton of Rice's first novel is wholly original, fully confident, and an astounding display of skill from a debut author. It is, simply put, not fanfiction, because fanfiction is an attempt to reheat an original work; fanfiction can be excellently written, but from a mechanical standpoint it just isn't meant to establish anything foundationally new, and relies on the framework of the original to function. None of the enjoyment I found in The Red Sacrament relied on prior understanding of Interview with the Vampire, and I know this because I don't… really like that book.
Don't get me wrong. It's a great novel, an important work, but it's just not for me. I can acknowledge that John Everett Millais is a talented and important painter, even though I don't really dig any of his paintings, because the Pre-Raphaelites just aren't painterly enough with their brushstrokes to get my engine going. Ultimately, a lot of what excites us about art is in the little details like that, the brushstroke, the grammar, the tense, the lighting. To say Sacrament is identical to Interview is like saying milk snakes are the same as corn snakes; you could confuse the two, if you only have very incomplete, surface-level knowledge of either. And Interview with the Vampire just doesn't have the little fine details that grab me, despite the fact that in theory it should.
The Red Sacrament is, if anything, the inverse of that: even though I don't usually gravitate toward what Sacrament is concerned with (vampires, this period of French history, the theatre) or made up of (lush descriptions of opulent dress, present-tense prose), I loved this book and found every chapter of it thrilling. This largely thanks to Hinkley's clear ear for prose: I never felt like her present-tense writing was too sparse or awkward, and her poetic descriptions never got in the way of clarity. I always knew what was going on, and was entertained by the way she told me. She also has a fantastic sense of pacing. Even though this novel creeps along rather slowly (the plot has barely started by the 100 page mark), I was so entertained by her sentences, her characterization, her deft hand for metaphor and analysis that I didn't mind, and honestly barely noticed until I wrote down my page count for my tracker. If you go back through my reviews, you'll notice the #1 thing I complain about is pacing. The fact that Hinkley, a debut author, has managed to capture something so many more experienced authors struggle with has made me a fan forever. She can take as long as she needs to perfect her next novel, but when it's out, I'm snatching it hot off the press so fast I might burn my fingers.
Hinkley has done something really dynamic here, using a small part of Rice's novel as a scaffold to make a story entirely different and entirely her own. This is a story with capital-B Big themes, but subtle enough about it to treat the reader like an adult-- we can figure it out as we go along, it's never didactic or scolding. It wants to talk about sexual assault, about theatre, about unbalanced dynamics of power, about industrialism, about immortality and the nature of metaphor, about history and empire. It does all these things, and with an incredible level of respect for the reader. This book is lush and open, yet it's got secrets hidden for anyone who wants to dig a little deeper. It's got everything I want when I opine for the crossroads of literary heft and genre fiction. You don't want to miss this.
If you like Interview with the Vampire, check this book out, but not because it's similar. No, read this novel because, like Interview with the Vampire, it's a good book. It's a really good book. We're going to be talking about it for years and years, and you will want to be part of that conversation.
(Thank you, Netgalley, for an advanced copy in return for a fair review.)
Don't get me wrong. It's a great novel, an important work, but it's just not for me. I can acknowledge that John Everett Millais is a talented and important painter, even though I don't really dig any of his paintings, because the Pre-Raphaelites just aren't painterly enough with their brushstrokes to get my engine going. Ultimately, a lot of what excites us about art is in the little details like that, the brushstroke, the grammar, the tense, the lighting. To say Sacrament is identical to Interview is like saying milk snakes are the same as corn snakes; you could confuse the two, if you only have very incomplete, surface-level knowledge of either. And Interview with the Vampire just doesn't have the little fine details that grab me, despite the fact that in theory it should.
The Red Sacrament is, if anything, the inverse of that: even though I don't usually gravitate toward what Sacrament is concerned with (vampires, this period of French history, the theatre) or made up of (lush descriptions of opulent dress, present-tense prose), I loved this book and found every chapter of it thrilling. This largely thanks to Hinkley's clear ear for prose: I never felt like her present-tense writing was too sparse or awkward, and her poetic descriptions never got in the way of clarity. I always knew what was going on, and was entertained by the way she told me. She also has a fantastic sense of pacing. Even though this novel creeps along rather slowly (the plot has barely started by the 100 page mark), I was so entertained by her sentences, her characterization, her deft hand for metaphor and analysis that I didn't mind, and honestly barely noticed until I wrote down my page count for my tracker. If you go back through my reviews, you'll notice the #1 thing I complain about is pacing. The fact that Hinkley, a debut author, has managed to capture something so many more experienced authors struggle with has made me a fan forever. She can take as long as she needs to perfect her next novel, but when it's out, I'm snatching it hot off the press so fast I might burn my fingers.
Hinkley has done something really dynamic here, using a small part of Rice's novel as a scaffold to make a story entirely different and entirely her own. This is a story with capital-B Big themes, but subtle enough about it to treat the reader like an adult-- we can figure it out as we go along, it's never didactic or scolding. It wants to talk about sexual assault, about theatre, about unbalanced dynamics of power, about industrialism, about immortality and the nature of metaphor, about history and empire. It does all these things, and with an incredible level of respect for the reader. This book is lush and open, yet it's got secrets hidden for anyone who wants to dig a little deeper. It's got everything I want when I opine for the crossroads of literary heft and genre fiction. You don't want to miss this.
If you like Interview with the Vampire, check this book out, but not because it's similar. No, read this novel because, like Interview with the Vampire, it's a good book. It's a really good book. We're going to be talking about it for years and years, and you will want to be part of that conversation.
(Thank you, Netgalley, for an advanced copy in return for a fair review.)
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Reading for review in a future issue of Booklist
Three Words That Describe This Book: theatrical, confessional tone, lush
Interview with the Vampire fans rejoice. This is the book you have been longing for.
This is a debut set in Paris beginning in 1869. It is all narrated by Arnault, the leader of a clan of vampires who also run the most exclusive theater in Paris. You cannot buy a ticket. You must be given a black invite. All the performers are vampires. The "action" surrounds putting not he shows, how the vampires feed themselves, and the incursion by other vampires and a witch.
That is all I will give about the plot because you don't read this for the plot. You are reading it for the theatrical nature-- of the storytelling and the putting on plays. The plot is a slow burn, but the details of the setting and the characters and their interactions/relationships is why you read. It is everything about the plot you should know.
This story is atmospheric, detailed, and sensual. It reads like a play as well, brought to the reader in 5 Acts with some "inter-act" breaks which work very well. This is all the drama you would expect from a HUGE 5 Act opera.
Paris at a time where wealth is being accumulated and with it, power, the beginning of major industrialization which will change the city and its workers, it is all here. You can feel the tension, the huge change that is about to come for everyone, not just the vampires. And it seeps through the story.
Arnault carries the story. It is third person omniscient through him and the reader is invested. He is clearly going through it in this book and we are with him. But again, slow burn. I think saying it is for Interview with the Vampire fans makes that clear, but don't come to this book for fast paced, vampire action. The right readers will LOVE this book. I could see a BookTok thing happening here. We will see.
Obviously for fans of Interview with the Vampire by Rice but also the slow burn, lush details of time and place with a confessional tone is similar to The Buffalo Hunter Hunter.
Also I thought of the faster paced but lush and theatrical Below the Grand Hotel by Cat Scully. This one also has to to with excess, power, and unaging, nonhuman performers.
Three Words That Describe This Book: theatrical, confessional tone, lush
Interview with the Vampire fans rejoice. This is the book you have been longing for.
This is a debut set in Paris beginning in 1869. It is all narrated by Arnault, the leader of a clan of vampires who also run the most exclusive theater in Paris. You cannot buy a ticket. You must be given a black invite. All the performers are vampires. The "action" surrounds putting not he shows, how the vampires feed themselves, and the incursion by other vampires and a witch.
That is all I will give about the plot because you don't read this for the plot. You are reading it for the theatrical nature-- of the storytelling and the putting on plays. The plot is a slow burn, but the details of the setting and the characters and their interactions/relationships is why you read. It is everything about the plot you should know.
This story is atmospheric, detailed, and sensual. It reads like a play as well, brought to the reader in 5 Acts with some "inter-act" breaks which work very well. This is all the drama you would expect from a HUGE 5 Act opera.
Paris at a time where wealth is being accumulated and with it, power, the beginning of major industrialization which will change the city and its workers, it is all here. You can feel the tension, the huge change that is about to come for everyone, not just the vampires. And it seeps through the story.
Arnault carries the story. It is third person omniscient through him and the reader is invested. He is clearly going through it in this book and we are with him. But again, slow burn. I think saying it is for Interview with the Vampire fans makes that clear, but don't come to this book for fast paced, vampire action. The right readers will LOVE this book. I could see a BookTok thing happening here. We will see.
Obviously for fans of Interview with the Vampire by Rice but also the slow burn, lush details of time and place with a confessional tone is similar to The Buffalo Hunter Hunter.
Also I thought of the faster paced but lush and theatrical Below the Grand Hotel by Cat Scully. This one also has to to with excess, power, and unaging, nonhuman performers.
March 10, 2026
This is fucking exactly what I was hoping for when the author mentioned she was inspired by the theater coven in season 2 of Interview with the Vampire. We get the messiness of a theater troupe trying to survive on the ground as the political upheaval of 1800s Paris unleashes itself, and while they're at it, they're also vampires trying to keep from being hunted and killed. Great ensemble work, some absolutely killer lines, and the high drama of immortal theater kids as the absurdity of the political situation unfolds. Comes out in October, and highly recommended when it does.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Titan Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I read and fell in love with “Interview with the Vampire” as a precocious teen. This feels like a fanfic of that classic, and it was a letdown for me. I wanted something fresh with its own vision and direction, which isn’t what I got in “The Red Sacrament“.
The prose is atmospheric and at times beautiful, but comes across as extremely heavy-handed. The setting of the story (a Paris theater) is a lush backdrop for a book with vampires, and I enjoyed the plays they put on and the descriptions of the characters and visuals for them. On the flip side, the actual characters in the book are at times less substantial than those they act out on the stage.
In general I found the storyline itself not to be that enthralling, and I desperately wanted to skim pages. I think the author is wanting the tome (yes, it’s unnecessarily long) to be a modern historical epic, and overall the story is fairly cohesive, but I was just supremely bored.
I read and fell in love with “Interview with the Vampire” as a precocious teen. This feels like a fanfic of that classic, and it was a letdown for me. I wanted something fresh with its own vision and direction, which isn’t what I got in “The Red Sacrament“.
The prose is atmospheric and at times beautiful, but comes across as extremely heavy-handed. The setting of the story (a Paris theater) is a lush backdrop for a book with vampires, and I enjoyed the plays they put on and the descriptions of the characters and visuals for them. On the flip side, the actual characters in the book are at times less substantial than those they act out on the stage.
In general I found the storyline itself not to be that enthralling, and I desperately wanted to skim pages. I think the author is wanting the tome (yes, it’s unnecessarily long) to be a modern historical epic, and overall the story is fairly cohesive, but I was just supremely bored.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
(some minor spoilers discussed here)
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. Thank you so much <3
I would rate this book 2.5/5 stars if GoodReads would let me, because this book did have many promising elements to it, but it just didn't come together in the end.
The Red Sacrament centres around a vampire, Arnault, and the troupe of other vampires who run a secret, invite-only opera house, the Théâtre Saint-Siméon, in Paris during the late 1860's. We as readers follow them as they put on performances, meet new and mysterious people, and as they try to survive the turbulent world of 19th century France.
One interesting thing that this author does is she never refers to vampirism outright, not that I can recall at least. They chose to refer to vampirism through a variety of different innuendos and metaphors, which makes for quite an interesting reading experience. The characters were all quite obviously vampires (they sleep in coffins, don't out during the day, drink blood - all the stereotypical things), but hiding it behind implications and suggestions made for quite an interesting experience. I liked it.
And I liked the writing style. It was unique and I found it really intriguing; I would've enjoyed it more however, if it had been refined a little bit. There were lots of run on metaphors, similes and needless descriptions and exchanges, all of which made the story difficult to comprehend sometimes. There were also extended passages specifically about opera, which I struggled to fully understand because I know next to nothing about opera. I felt like I was getting lost in a sea of words at times, trying to discern what was relevant and what wasn't.
Believe me, I can handle my flowery language, big words and extended metaphors. I can handle my complex books, but this was just a bit over-stuffed in my opinion. A little bit more editing and refining (and a dictionary) would've improved the experience.
I think the characters came across a bit flat. There were lots of figures who could've been quite interesting - Arnault, the leader of the troupe who has been alive for centuries and 'sired' some of the troupe-members; Alix, a relatively new vampire; Leopold, Arnault's progenitor (this character was most interesting to me); and Victor and Françoise, who are posited in the synopsis as being these mysterious, enthralling new vampires in town. In reality, they all were a little underwhelming, felt quite flat, and their relationships felt one-note. I felt like the synopsis suggested the relationship between Arnault and Victor was going to be more prominent, but they spend half of the book just going out together, getting interrupted, then the twist (which I had seen coming from the start) happened.
The plot also felt like a disjointed mismatch of elements and points that didn't really come together in any interesting or meaningful way, which was a shame, because on their own they were interesting. A mysterious witch, who I never really managed to get my head around; a series of gruesome murders that never actually felt as important as they should've, and a twist that was quite predictable - not because it was set up well, but because I don't think the author ever really tried to deceive me or turn my head in any other direction. I found it really hard to discern what was going on at times because of the sheer density of the writing, and by the end I almost felt fatigued.
The most interesting part of this book was following the troupe as they tried to survive in the ever-changing world of post-revolution France. There is a point - about 83% of the way through - in which Paris is under siege and Arnault and the troupe really had to figure out what to do with themselves, which was really interesting. I wish the author had focused more on their interactions with history and how they survived, because I really enjoyed this section.
Eventually, Arnault is ousted from the theatre and intends to run away with Victor, but this plan goes awry and Arnault more or less has a breakdown, crawling into a stranger's coffin in a crypt. The book should've ended HERE, but it went on for another good few chapters, which led to the ending feeling quite bland. It would've hit a whole lot harder, and would've been a whole lot more interesting, if it had ended with Arnault hiding himself away.
Ultimately this is a book that had a lot of potential but failed to capitalise on it. And I've seen people say it sounds similar to Interview with a Vampire, but I've never read it so I can't tell you whether it is or isn't.
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. Thank you so much <3
I would rate this book 2.5/5 stars if GoodReads would let me, because this book did have many promising elements to it, but it just didn't come together in the end.
The Red Sacrament centres around a vampire, Arnault, and the troupe of other vampires who run a secret, invite-only opera house, the Théâtre Saint-Siméon, in Paris during the late 1860's. We as readers follow them as they put on performances, meet new and mysterious people, and as they try to survive the turbulent world of 19th century France.
One interesting thing that this author does is she never refers to vampirism outright, not that I can recall at least. They chose to refer to vampirism through a variety of different innuendos and metaphors, which makes for quite an interesting reading experience. The characters were all quite obviously vampires (they sleep in coffins, don't out during the day, drink blood - all the stereotypical things), but hiding it behind implications and suggestions made for quite an interesting experience. I liked it.
And I liked the writing style. It was unique and I found it really intriguing; I would've enjoyed it more however, if it had been refined a little bit. There were lots of run on metaphors, similes and needless descriptions and exchanges, all of which made the story difficult to comprehend sometimes. There were also extended passages specifically about opera, which I struggled to fully understand because I know next to nothing about opera. I felt like I was getting lost in a sea of words at times, trying to discern what was relevant and what wasn't.
Believe me, I can handle my flowery language, big words and extended metaphors. I can handle my complex books, but this was just a bit over-stuffed in my opinion. A little bit more editing and refining (and a dictionary) would've improved the experience.
I think the characters came across a bit flat. There were lots of figures who could've been quite interesting - Arnault, the leader of the troupe who has been alive for centuries and 'sired' some of the troupe-members; Alix, a relatively new vampire; Leopold, Arnault's progenitor (this character was most interesting to me); and Victor and Françoise, who are posited in the synopsis as being these mysterious, enthralling new vampires in town. In reality, they all were a little underwhelming, felt quite flat, and their relationships felt one-note. I felt like the synopsis suggested the relationship between Arnault and Victor was going to be more prominent, but they spend half of the book just going out together, getting interrupted, then the twist (which I had seen coming from the start) happened.
The plot also felt like a disjointed mismatch of elements and points that didn't really come together in any interesting or meaningful way, which was a shame, because on their own they were interesting. A mysterious witch, who I never really managed to get my head around; a series of gruesome murders that never actually felt as important as they should've, and a twist that was quite predictable - not because it was set up well, but because I don't think the author ever really tried to deceive me or turn my head in any other direction. I found it really hard to discern what was going on at times because of the sheer density of the writing, and by the end I almost felt fatigued.
The most interesting part of this book was following the troupe as they tried to survive in the ever-changing world of post-revolution France. There is a point - about 83% of the way through - in which Paris is under siege and Arnault and the troupe really had to figure out what to do with themselves, which was really interesting. I wish the author had focused more on their interactions with history and how they survived, because I really enjoyed this section.
Eventually, Arnault is ousted from the theatre and intends to run away with Victor, but this plan goes awry and Arnault more or less has a breakdown, crawling into a stranger's coffin in a crypt. The book should've ended HERE, but it went on for another good few chapters, which led to the ending feeling quite bland. It would've hit a whole lot harder, and would've been a whole lot more interesting, if it had ended with Arnault hiding himself away.
Ultimately this is a book that had a lot of potential but failed to capitalise on it. And I've seen people say it sounds similar to Interview with a Vampire, but I've never read it so I can't tell you whether it is or isn't.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.5/5 stars. Okay, I'll start with the positives first. The author is very good at writing beautiful prose. The descriptions are gorgeous and the writing style reads extremely well. I was really excited about the setting for this book: year, France, theatre. I'll also point out that this is the author's first book. Had I not known this prior to reading, I wouldn't have ever guessed. The prose feels masterful in this regard and I think there is a massive potential for Hinkley's future continuing as an author. I think most readers will be able to agree on this.
I need to call out this cover. The cover is stunning. The cover and the title are what first drew me into this book. As a horror reader that loves vampires, that became another huge seller for me. But I believe the cover and title will bring in a lot of attention.
Unfortunately, this book was way too descriptive for my liking. It was welcomed at first as I thought it was a solid way to introduce the setting, plot, and characters, but it didn't stop. I feel as though nothing exciting happened until around 55% of this book and by this point, I was struggling to maintain my investment. This was just a tedious book for me. There were a lot of descriptions and yet I thought the characters fell flat. I had no connection to them and they sort of blended together. There didn't seem to be anything to set each character apart from each other. Another thing about the writing, which will be hit or miss for people, is that there is a lot of French within this book. At first I was translating all of the French, but there was so much sprinkled throughout that I eventually got fatigued and stopped translating. I'm sure if you speak French, this won't matter to you, but with how much was in the book I wish there had been some translations included. The other option would've been to read this on a device that can easily translate. I read on Kobo and you can only translate singular words instead of paragraphs so it became a hassle for me.
I would've strongly preferred much of the filler to be replaced with something of more plot/character substance. Like I said, I think the author is an extremely talented writer, but there needed to be a better balance. And I also can see how heavily this book was influenced by Interview with the Vampire.
This book improved substantially after around 55-60%. I started to see more horror and more vampires. I would rate the second half of this book much, much higher than the first half. But unfortunately the first half is dragging this down. I can certainly see this book being a huge hit to many people. Maybe this is a case of me just being the wrong reader for this. I am truly sad that this book didn't work for me as I was highly anticipating it.
I loved the writing enough that I would still be open to reading another future book from this author. Although my review is more on the negative side, I don't think this should dissuade you (readers) from giving it a chance. What didn't work well for me, I'm sure will work well for a lot of people.
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.
I need to call out this cover. The cover is stunning. The cover and the title are what first drew me into this book. As a horror reader that loves vampires, that became another huge seller for me. But I believe the cover and title will bring in a lot of attention.
Unfortunately, this book was way too descriptive for my liking. It was welcomed at first as I thought it was a solid way to introduce the setting, plot, and characters, but it didn't stop. I feel as though nothing exciting happened until around 55% of this book and by this point, I was struggling to maintain my investment. This was just a tedious book for me. There were a lot of descriptions and yet I thought the characters fell flat. I had no connection to them and they sort of blended together. There didn't seem to be anything to set each character apart from each other. Another thing about the writing, which will be hit or miss for people, is that there is a lot of French within this book. At first I was translating all of the French, but there was so much sprinkled throughout that I eventually got fatigued and stopped translating. I'm sure if you speak French, this won't matter to you, but with how much was in the book I wish there had been some translations included. The other option would've been to read this on a device that can easily translate. I read on Kobo and you can only translate singular words instead of paragraphs so it became a hassle for me.
I would've strongly preferred much of the filler to be replaced with something of more plot/character substance. Like I said, I think the author is an extremely talented writer, but there needed to be a better balance. And I also can see how heavily this book was influenced by Interview with the Vampire.
This book improved substantially after around 55-60%. I started to see more horror and more vampires. I would rate the second half of this book much, much higher than the first half. But unfortunately the first half is dragging this down. I can certainly see this book being a huge hit to many people. Maybe this is a case of me just being the wrong reader for this. I am truly sad that this book didn't work for me as I was highly anticipating it.
I loved the writing enough that I would still be open to reading another future book from this author. Although my review is more on the negative side, I don't think this should dissuade you (readers) from giving it a chance. What didn't work well for me, I'm sure will work well for a lot of people.
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Red Sacrament is a vampire novel about a group of vampires and what happens when some strangers upset the balance between them and their leader. Arnault is head of a clan of vampires who perform at the Théâtre Saint-Siméon in Paris during a turbulent time in Parisian history. The vampires feed off the audience members and their concerns centre around who gets which parts, until a visit from a witch and then two newcomer vampires arriving in Paris change everything. Arnault is drawn to Victor, one of these newcomers, and dreams of the witch, but his preoccupations threaten the world he has built.
This is a book that is very much described as a "vampire novel" first and foremost, though it also has an interest in politics that feels very in-keeping with the broader gothic genre. The writing style is lush and really brings to life its nineteenth-century Paris and the contradictions held within it and within the lives of the vampire clan. The actual narrative has a slow pace, with a lot of focus on visual detail and the world of Paris. It is a book for people looking for that kind of atmosphere, a slow historical vampire novel that is playing with ideas more than plot. The characters except Arnault are not really explored in depth, because you get everything through his perspective, and I can see how for some people this might be frustrating, as a lot of the other vampires blur into one another.
This is also a novel that is in conversation with Interview with the Vampire quite clearly, as well as political and social ideas. Having read the book and seen the film, but not having watched the TV series yet, I found it interesting to see which elements I noticed as feeling explicitly in discussion with IWTV and how effective I found this. Ultimately, it does make it easy to say that if you like the theatre of vampires element of Interview with the Vampire and wished for something that explored the dynamics of that alongside the background of political upheaval, then that's what you're getting with The Red Sacrament.
Personally, I appreciate a lot of what Hinkley does in the book, particularly in terms of the writing style and creating a very fitting atmosphere through it. It has an otherworldly vibe, filled with dreams and shiny visions that betray rot underneath, with very real societal problems. However, I also found myself skimming through it, wanting more from its length. I think I might just be more of a twentieth- or twenty-first-century vampire person, or at least more Lost Souls than Interview with the Vampire.
This is a book that is very much described as a "vampire novel" first and foremost, though it also has an interest in politics that feels very in-keeping with the broader gothic genre. The writing style is lush and really brings to life its nineteenth-century Paris and the contradictions held within it and within the lives of the vampire clan. The actual narrative has a slow pace, with a lot of focus on visual detail and the world of Paris. It is a book for people looking for that kind of atmosphere, a slow historical vampire novel that is playing with ideas more than plot. The characters except Arnault are not really explored in depth, because you get everything through his perspective, and I can see how for some people this might be frustrating, as a lot of the other vampires blur into one another.
This is also a novel that is in conversation with Interview with the Vampire quite clearly, as well as political and social ideas. Having read the book and seen the film, but not having watched the TV series yet, I found it interesting to see which elements I noticed as feeling explicitly in discussion with IWTV and how effective I found this. Ultimately, it does make it easy to say that if you like the theatre of vampires element of Interview with the Vampire and wished for something that explored the dynamics of that alongside the background of political upheaval, then that's what you're getting with The Red Sacrament.
Personally, I appreciate a lot of what Hinkley does in the book, particularly in terms of the writing style and creating a very fitting atmosphere through it. It has an otherworldly vibe, filled with dreams and shiny visions that betray rot underneath, with very real societal problems. However, I also found myself skimming through it, wanting more from its length. I think I might just be more of a twentieth- or twenty-first-century vampire person, or at least more Lost Souls than Interview with the Vampire.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Red Sacrament follows the vampire Arnault through Paris between 1869 and 1871. It features a vampiric theater troupe, a doddering old sire enjoying retirement in the country, two recently arrived young vampire twins visiting the city, a mysterious witch who haunts Arnault's dreams, and of course the Franco-Prussian war, though it can't be said the book is about any of these things. Rather, the book is about how Arnault deals with all the things happening in his head and around him. He's aging, and dealing with burnout and a general malaise in the way only an immortal can. It's no wonder a handsome newcomer with a zest for unlife and a mastery of the world's new ways captures his interest.
Despite all these plot threads, it feels like very little happens in The Red Sacrament's 500+ pages, and pulling on any thread is likely to lead nowhere. What the book uses most of its time for is lush descriptions of the scenery and meandering thematic asides as Arnault struggles to stay in the present moment. It makes the book very atmospheric, but also very slow and hard to follow when something is happening (which is, unfortunately, not often). This filter over the story makes it hard to feel invested as Arnault himself is not much invested. The fourteen vampires in the theater troupe blend together, things with the witch aren't every fully explained, and the twins are rarely in the foreground. The war and siege on Paris are set dressing.
Occasionally, there is a very beautiful sentence. Sadly, these do not coalesce into beautiful paragraphs. I do not typically skim when I read, but I skimmed the back half of this and don't feel I missed much of anything. You could likely cut 200 pages from this book without losing much of substance. I was very intrigued to begin with, but lost interest quickly. I likely wouldn't have finished it but for the fact that I got an eARC for review. It does get interesting around 80% in, but even then, it doesn't nail the landing.
I am not the best person to compare this to Anne Rice, but it begs for the comparison. Readers who enjoy The Vampire Chronicles' slower, atmospheric storytelling may enjoy this. They will certainly recognize Arnault and his theater troupe.
My thanks to Titan Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early. While it was not for me, I suspect it will be for some people.
Despite all these plot threads, it feels like very little happens in The Red Sacrament's 500+ pages, and pulling on any thread is likely to lead nowhere. What the book uses most of its time for is lush descriptions of the scenery and meandering thematic asides as Arnault struggles to stay in the present moment. It makes the book very atmospheric, but also very slow and hard to follow when something is happening (which is, unfortunately, not often). This filter over the story makes it hard to feel invested as Arnault himself is not much invested. The fourteen vampires in the theater troupe blend together, things with the witch aren't every fully explained, and the twins are rarely in the foreground. The war and siege on Paris are set dressing.
Occasionally, there is a very beautiful sentence. Sadly, these do not coalesce into beautiful paragraphs. I do not typically skim when I read, but I skimmed the back half of this and don't feel I missed much of anything. You could likely cut 200 pages from this book without losing much of substance. I was very intrigued to begin with, but lost interest quickly. I likely wouldn't have finished it but for the fact that I got an eARC for review. It does get interesting around 80% in, but even then, it doesn't nail the landing.
I am not the best person to compare this to Anne Rice, but it begs for the comparison. Readers who enjoy The Vampire Chronicles' slower, atmospheric storytelling may enjoy this. They will certainly recognize Arnault and his theater troupe.
My thanks to Titan Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early. While it was not for me, I suspect it will be for some people.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan books for this free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
The Red Sacrament follows Arnault and his band of vampire actors/progeny, which felt like an actual family that squabbled but looked out for each other as they tried to lure in crowds for money, blood, and for sheer pride in their artistic abilities. One interesting piece of this book was the various gifts the Sacrament could bestow on them-increased speed, strength, the ability to soothe animals, etc. For once, the vampires in a story aren't able to have sex, which added a tragic element to the couples that formed throughout the book. Hinkley had a beautifully restrained hand at times, letting the story develop without rushing in to explain every piece. This was mostly appreciated-except I was let down by the end. More on that later.
I loved that The Red Sacrament explored what it's like when you have to actually work for money as a vampire, the drudgery that comes with hundreds of years of balancing your check book, buying props for your theater, etc. I found the troupe's behavior toward new vampires interesting, too-polite and welcoming as long as the rules were followed. I wasn't sure why all new vampires were treated this way-what if they were actually terrible? What if they didn't respect the vampires who were there first?
Another compelling piece of this book was showing the occasional POV of a victim and how their life was just as meaningful, to them, as the vampire's lives. There were frequent dream sequences (a plot point I typically hate, but wasn't terrible here). Hinkley kept it fresh by allowing Arnault to communicate with Beatrice during the dreams. While the writing was gorgeous, sometimes it really, really wasn't-I could do without all the descriptions of things smelling like "cunt", for example.
Beatrice...I'm conflicted. I was interested in her POV but also found her horrific, because she sexually assaulted someone. I was disappointed with the lack of vengeance at the end of the book-Arnault doesn't settle the score with ANYONE who has wronged him. I would have liked to see closure, if only for his poor family.
Overall I enjoyed the book, but I'm still conflicted about the vague ending and the fact that Arnault chose peace over something darker.
The Red Sacrament follows Arnault and his band of vampire actors/progeny, which felt like an actual family that squabbled but looked out for each other as they tried to lure in crowds for money, blood, and for sheer pride in their artistic abilities. One interesting piece of this book was the various gifts the Sacrament could bestow on them-increased speed, strength, the ability to soothe animals, etc. For once, the vampires in a story aren't able to have sex, which added a tragic element to the couples that formed throughout the book. Hinkley had a beautifully restrained hand at times, letting the story develop without rushing in to explain every piece. This was mostly appreciated-except I was let down by the end. More on that later.
I loved that The Red Sacrament explored what it's like when you have to actually work for money as a vampire, the drudgery that comes with hundreds of years of balancing your check book, buying props for your theater, etc. I found the troupe's behavior toward new vampires interesting, too-polite and welcoming as long as the rules were followed. I wasn't sure why all new vampires were treated this way-what if they were actually terrible? What if they didn't respect the vampires who were there first?
Another compelling piece of this book was showing the occasional POV of a victim and how their life was just as meaningful, to them, as the vampire's lives. There were frequent dream sequences (a plot point I typically hate, but wasn't terrible here). Hinkley kept it fresh by allowing Arnault to communicate with Beatrice during the dreams. While the writing was gorgeous, sometimes it really, really wasn't-I could do without all the descriptions of things smelling like "cunt", for example.
Beatrice...I'm conflicted. I was interested in her POV but also found her horrific, because she sexually assaulted someone. I was disappointed with the lack of vengeance at the end of the book-Arnault doesn't settle the score with ANYONE who has wronged him. I would have liked to see closure, if only for his poor family.
Overall I enjoyed the book, but I'm still conflicted about the vague ending and the fact that Arnault chose peace over something darker.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rating 3.5
I went into this book already aware that the idea of a vampire theater troupe had been popularized before, most famously by a certain Armand we all know and love. Still, my love for all things vampire made it impossible to resist, so I tried to approach it with a completely open mind. I’ll admit, that wasn’t always easy. Especially with a vampire named Arnault, which felt a bit too close for comfort. If it were me, I might have chosen a different name. Even so, the concept itself was irresistible. A hidden vampire theater? I was all in.
There’s a lot happening in this novel. We have vampires, witches, political unrest, and the inner workings of theater culture all woven together. But for me, the real standout is the atmosphere. The tone is restrained, aching, and quietly dangerous. If you enjoy classic gothic vampire fiction, this sits very close to that tradition. It’s introspective and sensual, but in a controlled, almost perilous way, with a strong undercurrent of obsession, immortality, power, and control. Where it differs is in its more modern attention to emotional nuance and relationship dynamics, which adds a contemporary edge.
That said, the tone may not work for everyone. Some readers might crave more variation, as the story’s intimacy and beauty can also feel a bit suffocating. This is very much a slow, introspective novel, and that comes with trade-offs. At times, the plot feels secondary. The political revolution, for instance, is intriguing but could have used more depth and development.
Overall, Hinkley delivers a lush, theatrical, and emotionally intense gothic vampire story with a striking, memorable atmosphere. It���s not flawless, but it lingers, especially if you’re drawn to dark, character-driven, and theatrical tales.
I went into this book already aware that the idea of a vampire theater troupe had been popularized before, most famously by a certain Armand we all know and love. Still, my love for all things vampire made it impossible to resist, so I tried to approach it with a completely open mind. I’ll admit, that wasn’t always easy. Especially with a vampire named Arnault, which felt a bit too close for comfort. If it were me, I might have chosen a different name. Even so, the concept itself was irresistible. A hidden vampire theater? I was all in.
There’s a lot happening in this novel. We have vampires, witches, political unrest, and the inner workings of theater culture all woven together. But for me, the real standout is the atmosphere. The tone is restrained, aching, and quietly dangerous. If you enjoy classic gothic vampire fiction, this sits very close to that tradition. It’s introspective and sensual, but in a controlled, almost perilous way, with a strong undercurrent of obsession, immortality, power, and control. Where it differs is in its more modern attention to emotional nuance and relationship dynamics, which adds a contemporary edge.
That said, the tone may not work for everyone. Some readers might crave more variation, as the story’s intimacy and beauty can also feel a bit suffocating. This is very much a slow, introspective novel, and that comes with trade-offs. At times, the plot feels secondary. The political revolution, for instance, is intriguing but could have used more depth and development.
Overall, Hinkley delivers a lush, theatrical, and emotionally intense gothic vampire story with a striking, memorable atmosphere. It���s not flawless, but it lingers, especially if you’re drawn to dark, character-driven, and theatrical tales.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved this! What the plot lacked in terms of wild excitement (this was truly a slow burn) and perhaps a more satisfying ending, the writing and construction more than made up for it in my opinion. The intricate world building and subtle but distinguished characterisation was delightful, and the author's skill and knowledge really truly shined. I was entranced the entire time. It was such a slow read but that's not a negative in the slightest. I loved taking my time slowly digesting everything. The prose was beautiful and lush. There was one plot point I wish had been resolved more satisfyingly but I can also see that that wasn't the point of the book at all so I'm also not too upset by it. I think once this officially comes out I would actually love to reread it and feast on it again and see what else I can take away from the text. It also speaks so much to the author's skill that at the same time I started this, I was also reading a much more energetic and (supposedly) exciting fantasy story that I found to be dragging so much despite it containing so many elements I liked, and was finding it slow and such a chore and bore to get through that as of right now I've put it on pause. Yet I started this and was completely wrapped up in it immediately that despite it's slow pace I couldn't tear my eyes away and not once did I find it to drag or wish it was over. This isn't going to be for everyone I don't think in the sense that you have to be open to putting in the attention the text requires - answers and characterisations and motivations and worldbuilding aren't spoon-fed to you but rather constructed like intricate but ornate lace for you to appreciate the detail of - but for me it was delicious.
Arc provided by NetGalley
Arc provided by NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Set in 1800s Paris, Hinkley’s The Red Sacrament centers on a coven of vampires who survive by staging exclusive midnight performances at a theater owned by “head” vampire Arnault. The vampires use the theater’s otherworldly performances by the ethereal cast as a means to pick off audience members for their meals while they’re under the thrall of the stage.
Arnault as a leader, and by proxy his creations/coven members, hold to careful rules to avoid discovery by the mortals of the city. Things begin to change, however, as the coven receives first one strange visitor, then a pair of visitors, who disrupt normality and threaten the coven’s status quo and thus, the order and discreetness that’s kept them from discovery.
What worked best for me here was the atmosphere. The theater setting is decadent, eerie, and just a little predatory. Midnight performances, velvet darkness, secret feeding rituals… it all feels very gothic and immersive. The coven dynamics are also messy in a fun way. Immortality hasn’t made them wise or peaceful. They’re dramatic, jealous, and constantly on the verge of turning on each other.
The pacing drags a little in the middle, lingering on character tension while the looming revolution sits mostly in the background. But when things finally start shifting, the sense of danger really lands.
Overall, this is a lush, moody vampire story with strong gothic vibes and morally complicated immortals. If you like atmospheric historical horror with a little decadence and drama, it’s a solid pick.
Arnault as a leader, and by proxy his creations/coven members, hold to careful rules to avoid discovery by the mortals of the city. Things begin to change, however, as the coven receives first one strange visitor, then a pair of visitors, who disrupt normality and threaten the coven’s status quo and thus, the order and discreetness that’s kept them from discovery.
What worked best for me here was the atmosphere. The theater setting is decadent, eerie, and just a little predatory. Midnight performances, velvet darkness, secret feeding rituals… it all feels very gothic and immersive. The coven dynamics are also messy in a fun way. Immortality hasn’t made them wise or peaceful. They’re dramatic, jealous, and constantly on the verge of turning on each other.
The pacing drags a little in the middle, lingering on character tension while the looming revolution sits mostly in the background. But when things finally start shifting, the sense of danger really lands.
Overall, this is a lush, moody vampire story with strong gothic vibes and morally complicated immortals. If you like atmospheric historical horror with a little decadence and drama, it’s a solid pick.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I'm conflicted with this.. I was intrigued by the premise and love anything gothic, vampire and historic so on paper should have loved this.
I feel my issues were with the heavy descriptions and slow pacing.
Don't get me wrong, the descriptions are great, gothic and gross, totally immersed me into 1870 Paris but felt like a lot could have been cut to leave room for more plot or character introspection?
I would have loved multiple POVs from our troupe to make it more character driven or more exiting plot reveals/ twists to keep me on my toes but felt like this book was neither and both at the same time, it's difficult to explain.
The first chapter truly drew me in and got me excited but I felt like the rest of the book didn't match its anticipation.
That being said I enjoyed the setting immensely! There were some great passages exploring the changing times, politics, culture and art.
Writing is atmospheric, gross but shimmering.
Really, I felt this was a love letter to the arts, its crystal clear the author lives and breathes theatre, her love for it really shines through 🎭 🩵
I believe this is a debut novel and I will keep me eyes peeled for future works by this author.
I've seen other reviews mention 'Interview with a Vampire'. I can't comment on that comparison or discussion as haven't read it.
If you love vampire novels, descriptive gothic writing and don't mind a slower pace then definitely give this a go.
Thank you NetGalley and Titan Books for allowing me to read the ARC for an honest review!
I feel my issues were with the heavy descriptions and slow pacing.
Don't get me wrong, the descriptions are great, gothic and gross, totally immersed me into 1870 Paris but felt like a lot could have been cut to leave room for more plot or character introspection?
I would have loved multiple POVs from our troupe to make it more character driven or more exiting plot reveals/ twists to keep me on my toes but felt like this book was neither and both at the same time, it's difficult to explain.
The first chapter truly drew me in and got me excited but I felt like the rest of the book didn't match its anticipation.
That being said I enjoyed the setting immensely! There were some great passages exploring the changing times, politics, culture and art.
Writing is atmospheric, gross but shimmering.
Really, I felt this was a love letter to the arts, its crystal clear the author lives and breathes theatre, her love for it really shines through 🎭 🩵
I believe this is a debut novel and I will keep me eyes peeled for future works by this author.
I've seen other reviews mention 'Interview with a Vampire'. I can't comment on that comparison or discussion as haven't read it.
If you love vampire novels, descriptive gothic writing and don't mind a slower pace then definitely give this a go.
Thank you NetGalley and Titan Books for allowing me to read the ARC for an honest review!
April 11, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
First up, one thing to get out of the way- art begets art. We are in a world where inspiration must be taken from one thing for another, and that is something of beauty. I am not the hugest fan of Rice’s work, but I will put forward that an author being inspired by the works of others is a good thing. It’s how we get art that involves.
‘The Red Sacrament’ is vampire literature in a very good place. It’s sumptuous, rich with meaning and metaphor, and it reads in a way that lets you see just how opulent the world is (with that nasty little undercurrent of decay). All of this makes for excellent reading. While it is not action packed, it is a fascinating character study, and the action is in the paralysis of the vampires. They are stuck in time and so, we as readers are stuck with them. It means we’re experiencing the world in their manner.
I found the whole troupe to be fascinating in their own little ways. Each character is expounded on differently, and we end up with a tapestry of performers that makes for interesting reading. Putting vampires into a time of turmoil is always going to be interesting in the sense of the unstoppable force and immovable object- they have to adapt or perish.
I didn’t love the ending quite as much as I would have hoped, but it was definitely still wonderful vampire fare. Well worth reading, even if for just the atmosphere alone.
First up, one thing to get out of the way- art begets art. We are in a world where inspiration must be taken from one thing for another, and that is something of beauty. I am not the hugest fan of Rice’s work, but I will put forward that an author being inspired by the works of others is a good thing. It’s how we get art that involves.
‘The Red Sacrament’ is vampire literature in a very good place. It’s sumptuous, rich with meaning and metaphor, and it reads in a way that lets you see just how opulent the world is (with that nasty little undercurrent of decay). All of this makes for excellent reading. While it is not action packed, it is a fascinating character study, and the action is in the paralysis of the vampires. They are stuck in time and so, we as readers are stuck with them. It means we’re experiencing the world in their manner.
I found the whole troupe to be fascinating in their own little ways. Each character is expounded on differently, and we end up with a tapestry of performers that makes for interesting reading. Putting vampires into a time of turmoil is always going to be interesting in the sense of the unstoppable force and immovable object- they have to adapt or perish.
I didn’t love the ending quite as much as I would have hoped, but it was definitely still wonderful vampire fare. Well worth reading, even if for just the atmosphere alone.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I have mixed feelings about this book, there are things I absolutely loved and others that made it a difficult read for me.
The Positives: First of all, the writing style is so beautiful. For a debut novel, the prose feels very professional and atmospheric. The setting (a theater in historical Paris) is wonderful for a vampire story! The author is excellent at descriptions; you can really visualize the costumes, the stage, and the dark, gothic mood of the city. Even the cover and the title are stunning and originally drew me to the story.
The Negatives: Unfortunately, I think the book is unnecessarily long (over 500 pages) and the pace is very slow. I felt like nothing truly exciting happened until the second half of the story, and the descriptions often become repetitive and tedious, making the plot hard to follow.
My biggest struggle was with the characters. The setting is vivid, but the people in the story felt flat. Many of the secondary vampires blended together and I found it hard to feel an emotional connection to them. Because the protagonist is often detached, I felt detached as a reader too.
Final Verdict: This is a book for readers who prioritize atmosphere and beautiful sentences over action. It has a lot of potential, but it would have been much better with a faster pace, more plot and more character depth. I enjoyed the vibe, but I was often bored. This is just my personal opinion, another reader may like it more than me 🫶🏻
The Positives: First of all, the writing style is so beautiful. For a debut novel, the prose feels very professional and atmospheric. The setting (a theater in historical Paris) is wonderful for a vampire story! The author is excellent at descriptions; you can really visualize the costumes, the stage, and the dark, gothic mood of the city. Even the cover and the title are stunning and originally drew me to the story.
The Negatives: Unfortunately, I think the book is unnecessarily long (over 500 pages) and the pace is very slow. I felt like nothing truly exciting happened until the second half of the story, and the descriptions often become repetitive and tedious, making the plot hard to follow.
My biggest struggle was with the characters. The setting is vivid, but the people in the story felt flat. Many of the secondary vampires blended together and I found it hard to feel an emotional connection to them. Because the protagonist is often detached, I felt detached as a reader too.
Final Verdict: This is a book for readers who prioritize atmosphere and beautiful sentences over action. It has a lot of potential, but it would have been much better with a faster pace, more plot and more character depth. I enjoyed the vibe, but I was often bored. This is just my personal opinion, another reader may like it more than me 🫶🏻
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
TRS is drenched in that rich, indulgent vampire atmosphere. 1870s paris, a hidden theatre, velvety darkness and midnight performances where the audience becomes the meal. it’s all backdropped with political/revolutionary unrest simmering (vive la france!!). 🍷
there’s no denying how immersive it is. the prose is descriptive, and classically moody, and the theatre setting is, eerie and predatory in equal measure, dripping with that classic gothic allure - albeit a familiar one. 
whilst the atmosphere is undeniable, the pacing leans slow and the story often feels caught between being character driven and plot driven without fully committing to either. i found myself wanting either deeper introspection or sharper momentum to really anchor it.
and then there’s the shadow it sits in you can’t ignore. if you’re not super familiar with the heavy hitters of vampire fiction, this will likely feel like a rich, dramatic romp. but if you are, it’s hard not to notice how closely it treads alongside them. for me, it never quite stepped far enough away to feel fully its own.
🩸 decadent gothic atmosphere that fully commits
🕯️ slow pacing that sometimes drifts rather than grips
🖤 familiar influences that did feel a little too close for comfort
2.5 stars rounded up. ambitious and undeniably atmospheric, but ultimately missed the mark for my own personal tastes.
there’s no denying how immersive it is. the prose is descriptive, and classically moody, and the theatre setting is, eerie and predatory in equal measure, dripping with that classic gothic allure - albeit a familiar one. 
whilst the atmosphere is undeniable, the pacing leans slow and the story often feels caught between being character driven and plot driven without fully committing to either. i found myself wanting either deeper introspection or sharper momentum to really anchor it.
and then there’s the shadow it sits in you can’t ignore. if you’re not super familiar with the heavy hitters of vampire fiction, this will likely feel like a rich, dramatic romp. but if you are, it’s hard not to notice how closely it treads alongside them. for me, it never quite stepped far enough away to feel fully its own.
🩸 decadent gothic atmosphere that fully commits
🕯️ slow pacing that sometimes drifts rather than grips
🖤 familiar influences that did feel a little too close for comfort
2.5 stars rounded up. ambitious and undeniably atmospheric, but ultimately missed the mark for my own personal tastes.
May 11, 2026
I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.
This is a vampire novel set in Paris. It’s a historical novel that celebrates the beauty of the Parisian theatre scene whilst also being bracketed by the horrors of war. My two main takeaways were, the writing is lovely, there wasn’t as much vampirism as I’d expected.
The novel is a slow burn. We meet a lot of characters as part of the theatre troupe and peripheral people. There’s a lot of set up at the start, and I didn’t really start to get into it until about half way through when the pace picked up as the situation changed. The novel has a bit of a dreamlike quality to it and things often run into each other. The early part feels more focused on the logistics of running the theatre and managing the clashing personalities and egos of the performers, although there is an interesting undercurrent with a visiting witch.
In the second half of the book things pick up at speed and this is where I found the narrative to be more compelling, it’s also where we see more around the vampirism come to light.
The writing in the book is beautiful and brings the historical setting to light. I enjoyed the parts relating to the vampiric sire and the witch in particular.
This is a vampire novel set in Paris. It’s a historical novel that celebrates the beauty of the Parisian theatre scene whilst also being bracketed by the horrors of war. My two main takeaways were, the writing is lovely, there wasn’t as much vampirism as I’d expected.
The novel is a slow burn. We meet a lot of characters as part of the theatre troupe and peripheral people. There’s a lot of set up at the start, and I didn’t really start to get into it until about half way through when the pace picked up as the situation changed. The novel has a bit of a dreamlike quality to it and things often run into each other. The early part feels more focused on the logistics of running the theatre and managing the clashing personalities and egos of the performers, although there is an interesting undercurrent with a visiting witch.
In the second half of the book things pick up at speed and this is where I found the narrative to be more compelling, it’s also where we see more around the vampirism come to light.
The writing in the book is beautiful and brings the historical setting to light. I enjoyed the parts relating to the vampiric sire and the witch in particular.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Red Sacrament is beautifully written. I love how the author showed the passage of time through opera schedules in the beginning, then through war at the end. The plot lines all intermingled in a very satisfying way and the historical context is inextricably a part of the story. Reading it made me feel like I was truly in the head of an ancient vampire living through a very tumultuous time in Paris. I love when a story actually uses the setting and time period! This couldn't have been set during any random Parisian siege; the characters and the story took advantage of specifically The Paris Commune (1871). I also love that the vampires acknowledge the sex workers of their time and "share the night" with them.
The ending wasn't the most satisfying to me, but (without spoilers) I do think it made sense. Overall, the characters were thought-provoking and anything that got brought up during the story was tied back in later. No lose ends which I respect a lot.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
The ending wasn't the most satisfying to me, but (without spoilers) I do think it made sense. Overall, the characters were thought-provoking and anything that got brought up during the story was tied back in later. No lose ends which I respect a lot.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Red Sacrament by Sara Hinkley is a historical fiction novel set in the late 1860s/early 1870s that is set to release on July 7th, 2026. PARIS, VAMPIRES, THE THEATRE, OH MY! Seriously though, this book of shadows has everything you could ask for wrapped up and finished with a bow. It makes me think of a cross between A Dowry of Blood and If we Were Villains. (I loved both these books) When did we as a community forget that Vampires live forever? Did we assume they did nothing with their immortal time? That they didn't pick up and learn many intellectual skills such as portraying great works of art? This shows the paranormal in such a twisty, beautiful turn of light it'll make you scared at the turn of contents but also craving more of the passion that is enveloped in these performance pieces. But it's not just Vampires… Unfortunately, I can't understand French and a few terms were used too much for my liking to the point of sharp repetition. I'd love to get a physical copy and annotate so I can examine and dissect all the meanings I know are hidden inside. 3.75 ⭐
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Absolutely the most boring book I have ever read, which is shocking for a vampire novel! There was no action, no excitement. All the characters felt flat and devoid or emotion or life, despite this being (very obvious) Interview with the Vampire fanfiction (I hate Anne Rice but where is she to sue some random young writer when it would actually make sense for her to do that? Ah, right; she's dead now, so this nonsense can just happen). The sex scenes either made no sense, or were written so badly as to be almost humorous. The plot was also indiscernible for most of the book, which normally would have led me to not finish the book, but I felt determined to power through because I wanted to give it a fair review on NetGalley. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC. I just wish I had something nice to say about it.
April 2, 2026
I haven't read much vampire literature; Twilight got to me before Anne Rice and poisoned the well. Reading this made me glad I lifted that personal moratorium, it was so lush and engaging. I loved the troupe, each having developed never-before-seen neuroses after decades or centuries of being surrounded by French theater culture. The pacing of the story was slow but steady which really worked with the atmosphere. Prose was honest, if that makes sense, although occasionally there were some "nevermind, this happened this other way," moments which just made me more trusting.
There are a few unnamed characters who go by their roles relative to the MC's life, in French and I did have a hard time keeping them straight, even with the dramatis personae. This may have been a five-star book if I had ever taken a French class in my life.
Really beautiful book, I hope more are to come from the author, otherwise I may have to take the Anne Rice plunge to get by.
There are a few unnamed characters who go by their roles relative to the MC's life, in French and I did have a hard time keeping them straight, even with the dramatis personae. This may have been a five-star book if I had ever taken a French class in my life.
Really beautiful book, I hope more are to come from the author, otherwise I may have to take the Anne Rice plunge to get by.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review in exchange for a free copy. As always, all opinions are my own.
If you enjoyed, “Interview with a Vampire,” specifically the second season, you will uncover a similar thrill here with, “The Red Sacrament.” We bear witness to a vampire coven who survive as an extension of the Theatre. It is dark, but compelling. What an enjoyable read, despite the horrors.
The writing was beautiful. It was apparent to me from the opening line how much research went into this novel to maintain historical accuracy. My only critique was the pacing during the second act, and the repetitive nature in some passages that detracted from the experience.
Otherwise, lovely work, and will be reading the authors future projects!
If you enjoyed, “Interview with a Vampire,” specifically the second season, you will uncover a similar thrill here with, “The Red Sacrament.” We bear witness to a vampire coven who survive as an extension of the Theatre. It is dark, but compelling. What an enjoyable read, despite the horrors.
The writing was beautiful. It was apparent to me from the opening line how much research went into this novel to maintain historical accuracy. My only critique was the pacing during the second act, and the repetitive nature in some passages that detracted from the experience.
Otherwise, lovely work, and will be reading the authors future projects!
April 19, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a copy of The Red Sacrament. I really enjoyed reading this and I especially loved the political aspects and the use of theatre. I thought the characters were great and the story was really interesting but the best part of this book for me was the atmosphere created which is wonderfully dark, gothic and immersive and really helps the story stand out against other similar books. I’ve just recently finished watching Interview with a Vampire TV show so this was absolutely what I was looking for. I love that this book has been inspired by other works but puts its own unique twist on things. I would definitely recommend this to those who enjoyed Interview with a Vampire and Dowery of Blood.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A vampire clan trying navigate their lives and keep their exclusive theatre operating during the beginning of the Franco-Prussian War. I really wanted to like this book.
The idea of clan of very strict and rigid vampires who suddenly have their lives turned upside down due to the changing world around them was so intriguing. However the execution just didn’t land with me. The writing style was very flowery and extremely descriptive, but very repetitive and redundant. It was saying so much but at the exact same time absolutely nothing. All the characters were very flat and completely forgettable.
In my opinion, this book suffers from being too long. It’s over 500 pages and it often reads as someone trying to meet a page quota.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.
The idea of clan of very strict and rigid vampires who suddenly have their lives turned upside down due to the changing world around them was so intriguing. However the execution just didn’t land with me. The writing style was very flowery and extremely descriptive, but very repetitive and redundant. It was saying so much but at the exact same time absolutely nothing. All the characters were very flat and completely forgettable.
In my opinion, this book suffers from being too long. It’s over 500 pages and it often reads as someone trying to meet a page quota.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Red Sacrament completely swept me away. You can tell how much care and research went into every detail — the history, the theatre world, the atmosphere of 19th‑century Paris — it all feels so vivid you can practically taste the candle smoke and spilled wine.Hinkley’s writing is gorgeous and alive, full of passion, intelligence, and just the right amount of danger. It’s dark, seductive, and surprisingly emotional. This isn’t just another vampire book — it’s bold, theatrical, and unforgettable.
The Red Sacrament completely swept me away. You can tell how much care and research went into every detail — the history, the theatre world, the atmosphere of 19th‑century Paris — it all feels so vivid you can practically taste the candle smoke and spilled wine.Hinkley’s writing is gorgeous and alive, full of passion, intelligence, and just the right amount of danger. It’s dark, seductive, and surprisingly emotional. This isn’t just another vampire book — it’s bold, theatrical, and unforgettable.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Disclaimer: I am personal friends with Sara Hinkley, though I am simply not nice enough to spend time writing reviews I don't believe in.
The best vampire novel of the 21st century so far. What a heavyweight, man. Its clear inspiration by Interview with the Vampire only deepens its political and economic analysis of Parisian society before and during the Commune. The characters are all Hinkley, alive and breathing, an endlessly fascinating cross section of history and society, and her writing about material culture -- clothes and textiles and architecture and food and urban infrastructure -- are second to none. A love letter to theater, to Anne Rice, and to Communism.
The best vampire novel of the 21st century so far. What a heavyweight, man. Its clear inspiration by Interview with the Vampire only deepens its political and economic analysis of Parisian society before and during the Commune. The characters are all Hinkley, alive and breathing, an endlessly fascinating cross section of history and society, and her writing about material culture -- clothes and textiles and architecture and food and urban infrastructure -- are second to none. A love letter to theater, to Anne Rice, and to Communism.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
At first, I was really impressed with the style of the writer - I wish I could write pretty sentences like the ones in this book, but as I read further, it quickly became clear to me that the author had no intention of stopping with the fancy text. And I'll be honest: it's obnoxious, like someone blasting music at 100% volume next to you. Half the time, I had no idea what was going on because the style was so distracting and the other half I was bored to death. I did not manage to give a shit about any of the characters or their life at the theatre. Watching laundry detergent ads has been more exciting than reading this book. Here is x, here is y, her- shut up. Shut the fuck up. Would not recommend torturing yourself with this.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Was hoping to enjoy this more than I did.
The majority of the book felt extremely long and boring even though I am used to reading books of this length.
A lot of repetition throughout. Could have easily been a lot shorter.
Only a few of the characters felt important and were fully developed.
The rest seemed to blur into one.
The most interesting parts for me were with the witch but even this became tedious.
I found the ending a little bit confusing but was honestly glad to finish this book.
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC.
Dissapointed to have left a negative review as the premise sounded like it had potential.
The majority of the book felt extremely long and boring even though I am used to reading books of this length.
A lot of repetition throughout. Could have easily been a lot shorter.
Only a few of the characters felt important and were fully developed.
The rest seemed to blur into one.
The most interesting parts for me were with the witch but even this became tedious.
I found the ending a little bit confusing but was honestly glad to finish this book.
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC.
Dissapointed to have left a negative review as the premise sounded like it had potential.
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