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The Red Winter
Not yet published
Expected 24 Feb 26A devastating love story.
A bewitching twist on history.
A blood-drenched hunt for purpose, power, and redemption.
In 1785, Professor Sebastian Grave receives the news he fears most: the Beast of Gévaudan has returned, and the French countryside runs red in its wake.
Sebastian knows the Beast. Twenty years ago, it nearly cost him his life to bring the monster down. Now, he has been recalled to the hunt by Antoine Avenel d'Ocerne, an estranged lover who shares a dark history with the Beast and a terrible secret with Sebastian. With the help of his indwelling demon, Sarmodel - who takes payment in living hearts - Sebastian must return to Gévaudan for a final reckoning, while the Beast is poised to plunge the continent into war.
In this dark retelling of the hunt for the Beast of Gévaudan, Cameron Sullivan tears the heart out of history. He lifts the veil on the hidden world behind our own and reimagines the story of Europe, from Imperial Rome to Saint Jehanne d'Arc and the first flickers of the French Revolution.
A bewitching twist on history.
A blood-drenched hunt for purpose, power, and redemption.
In 1785, Professor Sebastian Grave receives the news he fears most: the Beast of Gévaudan has returned, and the French countryside runs red in its wake.
Sebastian knows the Beast. Twenty years ago, it nearly cost him his life to bring the monster down. Now, he has been recalled to the hunt by Antoine Avenel d'Ocerne, an estranged lover who shares a dark history with the Beast and a terrible secret with Sebastian. With the help of his indwelling demon, Sarmodel - who takes payment in living hearts - Sebastian must return to Gévaudan for a final reckoning, while the Beast is poised to plunge the continent into war.
In this dark retelling of the hunt for the Beast of Gévaudan, Cameron Sullivan tears the heart out of history. He lifts the veil on the hidden world behind our own and reimagines the story of Europe, from Imperial Rome to Saint Jehanne d'Arc and the first flickers of the French Revolution.
544 pages, Paperback
Expected publication February 24, 2026
214 people are currently reading
44823 people want to read
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc and an alc!
if you are interested in this book, i HIGHLY recommend the audiobook! it was an absolutely phenomenal romp, and the narrator was fantastic. the audio was also very helpful regarding the numerous hilarious footnotes.
if i could give this ten stars, i absolutely would. this is, without a doubt, a favorite read of 2026.
i have read many, many beauty and the beast retellings, or stories that have been loosely inspired by the fairy tale, but i do believe this is the first time i’ve read a queer retelling (not to mention that it fits perfectly with the sudden uptick in queer/gay werewolf stories in late 2025/early 2026!).
the red winter contains very smart and witty analyses on religion and society, as well as class imbalances (this story does take place in 18th century france). there is witchcraft, magic, a sarcastic demon and an extremely humorous succubus, and of course, there is The Beast.
again, i highly highly recommend the audio — the narrator was simply fantastic.
i’m completely blown away at the fact that this was a debut. this book is so multifaceted, and i cannot wait to see what else cameron sullivan writes!
——
need this palette cleanser and seeing nothing but good reviews so i’m hopeful
if you are interested in this book, i HIGHLY recommend the audiobook! it was an absolutely phenomenal romp, and the narrator was fantastic. the audio was also very helpful regarding the numerous hilarious footnotes.
if i could give this ten stars, i absolutely would. this is, without a doubt, a favorite read of 2026.
i have read many, many beauty and the beast retellings, or stories that have been loosely inspired by the fairy tale, but i do believe this is the first time i’ve read a queer retelling (not to mention that it fits perfectly with the sudden uptick in queer/gay werewolf stories in late 2025/early 2026!).
the red winter contains very smart and witty analyses on religion and society, as well as class imbalances (this story does take place in 18th century france). there is witchcraft, magic, a sarcastic demon and an extremely humorous succubus, and of course, there is The Beast.
again, i highly highly recommend the audio — the narrator was simply fantastic.
i’m completely blown away at the fact that this was a debut. this book is so multifaceted, and i cannot wait to see what else cameron sullivan writes!
——
need this palette cleanser and seeing nothing but good reviews so i’m hopeful
Review of advance copy received from Éditeur
Absolutely get the audiobook if you can! The narrators have so much range and humour, they completely elevate the story.
I've watched and read a lot of interpretations of the Gévaudan lengend. There are so much books, movies, theories out there that at this point I thought I was not interested in them anymore.
Trust me when I say this one deserves your time. It's different, original, and so well made.
It is both a perfectly constructed and deep fantasy story and one of the funniest one I had the pleasure to discover in a long time.
I loved my time with this book
Thank you Macmillan audio for this ARC.
I've watched and read a lot of interpretations of the Gévaudan lengend. There are so much books, movies, theories out there that at this point I thought I was not interested in them anymore.
Trust me when I say this one deserves your time. It's different, original, and so well made.
It is both a perfectly constructed and deep fantasy story and one of the funniest one I had the pleasure to discover in a long time.
I loved my time with this book
Thank you Macmillan audio for this ARC.
January 4, 2026
Oh my god, I am so unwell. Did I finish this book or did it finish me?
The Red Winter is a queer, dark, historical fantasy (and is easily going to be one of my favourite reads of the year oh my god it consumed me). From Tor:
“Written as a memoir by the immortal narrator Sebastian, it’s full of sorcery, demons and debauchery, but most of all it’s a love story about one man who will live for ever and the nobleman he fell in love with, but may have made into a monster.”
This one is for the readers who:
· have an interest in the mythological origins of gods and the occult
· prefer books about love, rather than romances
· like books where the author trusts the reader
· enjoy morally complicated characters
· like queer love stories that emotionally devastate you
· are drawn to genre-defying books
We follow Sebastian, a man who willingly shares his body with a demon. Sebastian is recounting his and Antoine's story, which is also the story of The Red Winter and the hunt for the Beast that plagues Antoine's village. I could talk for days about the world building and magic system here tbh. I genuinely enjoyed every part of it and the scope of the world Sullivan created, but the characters stole the show for me. The dynamics between the characters are messy, nuanced, and unique. I want to say more about the world and characters, but there is so much mystery and intrigue and longing and foreboding tragedy in the story that it's best to uncover this for yourself.
Sebastian's character is driven by his and Sarmodel's need to feed off of spiritual energy, but his narration still remains so full of humanity; Sarmodel is very much not human, but is still full of love for Sebastian. And the dynamic between them! Genuinely hilarious duo that also had me weeping at the bond between them at one point.
(It also contains one of my favourite tropes: Sebastian and Sarmodel dont seem particularly threatening from their own first person POV, but when we swap POVs for part of the story, we see just how intimidating and ruthless they can be.)
Apart from this book ripping my heart out, this was such a beautifully crafted story. The prose left me hanging on every word, the themes really worked for me, and it featured incredibly tight plot work (which, considering there were 3 alternating timelines and a few subplots in each, is impressive). It also dabbles in so many different genres: an epic fantasy feel, historical fiction setting, a heart-wrenching romance, horror elements, a unique tone with well-delivered with and humour. I have absolutely no idea how this is Sullivan's debut book, but I am distraught I can't read more of his work.
While this was Antoine's story, and the romance between Sebastian and Antoine is truly the heart of it, there is definitely scope for more in this universe and Sebastian certainly has a lot more to tell us. I am nicely requesting/pledging my anima to whichever entity will listen that there will be more!
Thank you SO much to Tor for the ARC! The Red Winter releases on the 24th of February 2026.
The Red Winter is a queer, dark, historical fantasy (and is easily going to be one of my favourite reads of the year oh my god it consumed me). From Tor:
“Written as a memoir by the immortal narrator Sebastian, it’s full of sorcery, demons and debauchery, but most of all it’s a love story about one man who will live for ever and the nobleman he fell in love with, but may have made into a monster.”
This one is for the readers who:
· have an interest in the mythological origins of gods and the occult
· prefer books about love, rather than romances
· like books where the author trusts the reader
· enjoy morally complicated characters
· like queer love stories that emotionally devastate you
· are drawn to genre-defying books
We follow Sebastian, a man who willingly shares his body with a demon. Sebastian is recounting his and Antoine's story, which is also the story of The Red Winter and the hunt for the Beast that plagues Antoine's village. I could talk for days about the world building and magic system here tbh. I genuinely enjoyed every part of it and the scope of the world Sullivan created, but the characters stole the show for me. The dynamics between the characters are messy, nuanced, and unique. I want to say more about the world and characters, but there is so much mystery and intrigue and longing and foreboding tragedy in the story that it's best to uncover this for yourself.
Sebastian's character is driven by his and Sarmodel's need to feed off of spiritual energy, but his narration still remains so full of humanity; Sarmodel is very much not human, but is still full of love for Sebastian. And the dynamic between them! Genuinely hilarious duo that also had me weeping at the bond between them at one point.
(It also contains one of my favourite tropes: Sebastian and Sarmodel dont seem particularly threatening from their own first person POV, but when we swap POVs for part of the story, we see just how intimidating and ruthless they can be.)
Apart from this book ripping my heart out, this was such a beautifully crafted story. The prose left me hanging on every word, the themes really worked for me, and it featured incredibly tight plot work (which, considering there were 3 alternating timelines and a few subplots in each, is impressive). It also dabbles in so many different genres: an epic fantasy feel, historical fiction setting, a heart-wrenching romance, horror elements, a unique tone with well-delivered with and humour. I have absolutely no idea how this is Sullivan's debut book, but I am distraught I can't read more of his work.
While this was Antoine's story, and the romance between Sebastian and Antoine is truly the heart of it, there is definitely scope for more in this universe and Sebastian certainly has a lot more to tell us. I am nicely requesting/pledging my anima to whichever entity will listen that there will be more!
Thank you SO much to Tor for the ARC! The Red Winter releases on the 24th of February 2026.
January 14, 2026
A reimagined, queer werewolf story set in 1700s France just before the French Revolution.
Professor Sebastian Grave of Larnaca has an indwelling demon, Sarmodel. As the footnote explains:
1. We have both agreed that “joined” is the most acceptable term for my/our condition—“possessed,” “demoniac” and “abomination” are inaccurate and most offensive.
Monsieur Jacques Avenel d’Ocerne, Son of the Baron d’Ocerne, comes begging for Sebastian’s help as the Red Winter, a Beast, attacks their lands once again in 1785. Then, we get flashbacks to when Sebastian helped the Baron in 1766 and the love and devastation that blossomed then.
We also get another flashback to do with Jehanne d’Arc and Sebastian’s adventures with a succubus, also his housemaid.
This was witty and filled with dark humour and bleak snark. The way it was narrated, Sebastian’s outlook, the historical backdrop reminded me of Empire of the Vampire.
Of course, my love! Watch as I ensnare an Olympian with the Crippling Yoke, on horseback, in the middle of a bridge covered in dogs, with the Archangel shooting a musket over my shoulder, I snapped back. Shall I stand on my head and fart the Pater Noster as well?
The rapport between the demon and Sebastian was fun and dark and deadly.
This story had so many unique elements and an incredible writing style… until around the 60% mark where I felt it lost its flair. It did become more violent and gruesome, but that wasn’t what put me off.
It almost read like the first half had been over with a fine tooth-comb, and the latter half was less deliberate.
I also felt slightly unsatisfied by the ending. It almost set up for a sequel with the amount of questions left, but this seems to be a standalone (edit Jan 2026 - apparently, there will be more).
Despite my minor qualms, this is an incredible debut. It read like a tried and tested dark fantasy author.
Physical arc gifted by Tor.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
Professor Sebastian Grave of Larnaca has an indwelling demon, Sarmodel. As the footnote explains:
1. We have both agreed that “joined” is the most acceptable term for my/our condition—“possessed,” “demoniac” and “abomination” are inaccurate and most offensive.
Monsieur Jacques Avenel d’Ocerne, Son of the Baron d’Ocerne, comes begging for Sebastian’s help as the Red Winter, a Beast, attacks their lands once again in 1785. Then, we get flashbacks to when Sebastian helped the Baron in 1766 and the love and devastation that blossomed then.
We also get another flashback to do with Jehanne d’Arc and Sebastian’s adventures with a succubus, also his housemaid.
This was witty and filled with dark humour and bleak snark. The way it was narrated, Sebastian’s outlook, the historical backdrop reminded me of Empire of the Vampire.
Of course, my love! Watch as I ensnare an Olympian with the Crippling Yoke, on horseback, in the middle of a bridge covered in dogs, with the Archangel shooting a musket over my shoulder, I snapped back. Shall I stand on my head and fart the Pater Noster as well?
The rapport between the demon and Sebastian was fun and dark and deadly.
This story had so many unique elements and an incredible writing style… until around the 60% mark where I felt it lost its flair. It did become more violent and gruesome, but that wasn’t what put me off.
It almost read like the first half had been over with a fine tooth-comb, and the latter half was less deliberate.
I also felt slightly unsatisfied by the ending. It almost set up for a sequel with the amount of questions left, but this seems to be a standalone (edit Jan 2026 - apparently, there will be more).
Despite my minor qualms, this is an incredible debut. It read like a tried and tested dark fantasy author.
Physical arc gifted by Tor.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 stars
This was exactly what I wanted it to be. Darkly charming, unflinchingly bloody, and tragically romantic. A fantastic debut and one I highly recommend! This had the impact of a five star but there were just a few tiny things that held my rating back that half star. Mostly a rather abrupt ending. I get it… but it was an odd note to end the book on.
Ahhhhh I love obsessing over crumbs of a doomed love story in my high fantasy.
This was exactly what I wanted it to be. Darkly charming, unflinchingly bloody, and tragically romantic. A fantastic debut and one I highly recommend! This had the impact of a five star but there were just a few tiny things that held my rating back that half star. Mostly a rather abrupt ending. I get it… but it was an odd note to end the book on.
Ahhhhh I love obsessing over crumbs of a doomed love story in my high fantasy.
desperate-to-read
June 5, 2025my favourite book of 2026 just dropped, I can feel it in my bones
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
I would like to thank Edelweiss and Tor for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
STUNNING. RTC once I stop feeling sad and bereft that it's over. I'm sort of a mess rn over this, Sebastian, the whole vibe, my heady engagement with all the footnotes, the simp love story, the gory excitement, the way I'm emotionally gearing up to reread the beginning because I can't stand to let any of this story go yet
But also to circle back and check in with Sebastian who is most assuredly alive but I just want to make sure he's alright...like a weirdo... but also because I adore the fool (sigh)
STUNNING. RTC once I stop feeling sad and bereft that it's over. I'm sort of a mess rn over this, Sebastian, the whole vibe, my heady engagement with all the footnotes, the simp love story, the gory excitement, the way I'm emotionally gearing up to reread the beginning because I can't stand to let any of this story go yet
But also to circle back and check in with Sebastian who is most assuredly alive but I just want to make sure he's alright...like a weirdo... but also because I adore the fool (sigh)
January 11, 2026
This is a unique and quirky work. It's a historical fantasy book with dark elements and humorous dialogues. It's a kind of retelling of the French folktale of the Beast of Gevaudan. The main character, Sebastian Grave, is an interesting man that shares his life with Sarmodel, a hilarious demon. There's also a funny succubus named Livia, and the appearance of famous figures such as Archangel Michael and Jehanne d'Arc. It's an interesting book, and the audiobook is amazing! I think it's really worth it, because the dramatization is stunning.
Thanks so much to Macmillan audio and NetGalley for this free advance listening copy of The Red Winter by Cameron Sullivan, to be published on February 24th, 2026.
Thanks so much to Macmillan audio and NetGalley for this free advance listening copy of The Red Winter by Cameron Sullivan, to be published on February 24th, 2026.
August 25, 2025
It's actually insane to me that this is a debut. I wish I had a demon inside my head to say bitchy one-liners and encourage my lust, maybe that would get me out of the house more often.
Spurred on by an old keepsake, immortal Sebastian Grave recounts the hunt of the Beast of Gévaudan in late-1700s France. The tale that follows is a whirlwind of demons, angels, curses, betrayal, and a relentless, passionate love affair with a baron's son that brings Sebastian back into the clutches of the beast time and time again.
*vague energetic gesturing* IS THAT DESCRIPTION NOT ENOUGH FOR YOU TO READ THIS? Oh! the drama of it all! Okay, I'll calm down. This was so cool, I love books about immortals because there is an inherent sense of doom every time rooted in the curse of outliving everyone you will ever dare to love. Sebastian at least has Sarmodel, the demonic entity that shares a mind and occasionally a body with him (in more ways than one ;) ) and adds some great moments of humor in an otherwise pretty dark story. Livia, the succubus and Sebastian's housekeeper, is also a delight even though when we get her POV her story becomes pretty grim. Of course, Sebastian's relationship with Antoine was just *chef's kiss* not because it was perfectly romantic but because it was tangled and messy and I am a desperate sucker for angst of any kind. I'm in love with the world building, and this is ostensibly a standalone but I think the ending leaves it potentially open to hearing more about Sebastian's very long life, including hopefully his origins.
My only problem is just a matter of preference. I don't really like action/battle scenes and there were a lot towards the end that went on for a while and broke some momentum for me. Still cried like a baby at the end, though!
All's said, I need more of this bisexual immortal and his goofy demon comrades in my life. I really think this is going to be a standout fantasy release for the beginning of 2026 because it's just amazing, and I will be keeping an eye out for Cameron Sullivan's next book!
Thank you to Cameron Sullivan and Tor Books (my love) for this ARC in exchange for my full, honest review!
Happy reading!
pre-review: historical fantasy and a devastating queer love story *slams credit card on table* if I didn't get a copy of this for free I would pay you so much for it
Spurred on by an old keepsake, immortal Sebastian Grave recounts the hunt of the Beast of Gévaudan in late-1700s France. The tale that follows is a whirlwind of demons, angels, curses, betrayal, and a relentless, passionate love affair with a baron's son that brings Sebastian back into the clutches of the beast time and time again.
*vague energetic gesturing* IS THAT DESCRIPTION NOT ENOUGH FOR YOU TO READ THIS? Oh! the drama of it all! Okay, I'll calm down. This was so cool, I love books about immortals because there is an inherent sense of doom every time rooted in the curse of outliving everyone you will ever dare to love. Sebastian at least has Sarmodel, the demonic entity that shares a mind and occasionally a body with him (in more ways than one ;) ) and adds some great moments of humor in an otherwise pretty dark story. Livia, the succubus and Sebastian's housekeeper, is also a delight even though when we get her POV her story becomes pretty grim. Of course, Sebastian's relationship with Antoine was just *chef's kiss* not because it was perfectly romantic but because it was tangled and messy and I am a desperate sucker for angst of any kind. I'm in love with the world building, and this is ostensibly a standalone but I think the ending leaves it potentially open to hearing more about Sebastian's very long life, including hopefully his origins.
My only problem is just a matter of preference. I don't really like action/battle scenes and there were a lot towards the end that went on for a while and broke some momentum for me. Still cried like a baby at the end, though!
All's said, I need more of this bisexual immortal and his goofy demon comrades in my life. I really think this is going to be a standout fantasy release for the beginning of 2026 because it's just amazing, and I will be keeping an eye out for Cameron Sullivan's next book!
Thank you to Cameron Sullivan and Tor Books (my love) for this ARC in exchange for my full, honest review!
Happy reading!
pre-review: historical fantasy and a devastating queer love story *slams credit card on table* if I didn't get a copy of this for free I would pay you so much for it
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✰ 2.75 stars ✰
For everything that worked well for me there was something else that made it not so refreshing or enjoyable. It was well written - descriptive passages and engaging dialogue, but I was not a fan of the format in how this historical fantasy was written. The alternating between the then and the now between three different timelines, simply to give depth to the history was difficult, with the added annoyance of footnotes, which, was a bit of modern tongue-in-cheek, that also takes away an element of surprise to Professor Sebastian Grave's eventual fate. 😕
Almost Van Helsing-esque in nature, the Magician, a man of unnatural gifts - never defined, never explained, Sebastian was a protagonist omniscient of millennia that transcends time and space, in which we're left to assume he has all power and all knowledge. 🧐 It is deliberately ambiguous, which was a fault for complaint at first, until I accepted the author's reasons for it being as such. In a strangely odd way, it felt fitting to his own personal growth and eventual understanding and acceptance of himself.
“What victory can you claim from this misery?”
The annoyingly witty and clever footnotes were distracting inserts, along with the addendum that served as a means of explanation to an already existing lore that felt a bit like cheating. 😮💨 Having the story retold also took away the element of surprise for Sebastian's fate for even when his life was in danger it was a constant reminder that he really is in no real danger; although, with the story being retold that is a given already. Still, they were too juvenile for me to appreciate the whimsy behind them.
Livia and Sarmodel - his co-lackeys, his familiars, his co-conspirators were... Livia, for all her salacious tendencies, as a narrator of one of the povs kept horrendously stale, sadly. I was not a fan of the amorous, amorphous, sexual dalliances that were shed light on, despite their well-supposed intentions. 🤨 Sarmodel was unlikeable, but I realized that they are meant to be, so cannot really blame them for their true nature. Their rapport with Sebastian was bittersweet, saying the right things at the wrong moments, one who behaved inappropriately, but not really at fault for it.
The creative spin behind the truth of The Red Winter - grander and larger in theory than just that of the corporeal presence of the savage Gevaudan beast - left me feeling slightly duped; it was rather misleading and unrewarding. 🙎🏻♀️ All that gore and terror - a build up that flummoxed at the end - frustratingly so. It ends on a note that hints of a potential continuation, which, even if for naught, it still did not tie up convincingly enough the plot points for the relevant plot, itself!
“There was always magic with you.”
As for Sebastian and Antoine sim sala bim Was it a bittersweet romance of convenience, or ill-fated, destined for tragedy? The longing, the hope, the despair, the desire, the betrayal, the kinship of a kindred spirit in 1766 of one who was so similar to themselves. 'Dare to know'. 🥺 I wished for a better end, but who can outrun fate or even history. There were some beautiful and meaningful exchanges that certainly left a memorable impression on me.
Even if my romantic heart was saddened by their doomed love story, it was not enough to assuage that disgruntled unsatisfied feeling, for getting this far without a concrete resolution. 🙂↔️ Despite how one will argue ultimately it was some greater game we were not seeing, I still felt that we deserved a more fitting closure. Rather than stacking it away as another story in it-perhaps one I will write down someday, which felt a cheap disservice to myself, as a reader.
*Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
“I saw only horror behind me and more horror ahead; I had seldom felt more wretched. I wept there in the darkness. For misery, for despair, for the sheer futility of still being there.”
For everything that worked well for me there was something else that made it not so refreshing or enjoyable. It was well written - descriptive passages and engaging dialogue, but I was not a fan of the format in how this historical fantasy was written. The alternating between the then and the now between three different timelines, simply to give depth to the history was difficult, with the added annoyance of footnotes, which, was a bit of modern tongue-in-cheek, that also takes away an element of surprise to Professor Sebastian Grave's eventual fate. 😕
Almost Van Helsing-esque in nature, the Magician, a man of unnatural gifts - never defined, never explained, Sebastian was a protagonist omniscient of millennia that transcends time and space, in which we're left to assume he has all power and all knowledge. 🧐 It is deliberately ambiguous, which was a fault for complaint at first, until I accepted the author's reasons for it being as such. In a strangely odd way, it felt fitting to his own personal growth and eventual understanding and acceptance of himself.
“What victory can you claim from this misery?”
The annoyingly witty and clever footnotes were distracting inserts, along with the addendum that served as a means of explanation to an already existing lore that felt a bit like cheating. 😮💨 Having the story retold also took away the element of surprise for Sebastian's fate for even when his life was in danger it was a constant reminder that he really is in no real danger; although, with the story being retold that is a given already. Still, they were too juvenile for me to appreciate the whimsy behind them.
Livia and Sarmodel - his co-lackeys, his familiars, his co-conspirators were... Livia, for all her salacious tendencies, as a narrator of one of the povs kept horrendously stale, sadly. I was not a fan of the amorous, amorphous, sexual dalliances that were shed light on, despite their well-supposed intentions. 🤨 Sarmodel was unlikeable, but I realized that they are meant to be, so cannot really blame them for their true nature. Their rapport with Sebastian was bittersweet, saying the right things at the wrong moments, one who behaved inappropriately, but not really at fault for it.
The creative spin behind the truth of The Red Winter - grander and larger in theory than just that of the corporeal presence of the savage Gevaudan beast - left me feeling slightly duped; it was rather misleading and unrewarding. 🙎🏻♀️ All that gore and terror - a build up that flummoxed at the end - frustratingly so. It ends on a note that hints of a potential continuation, which, even if for naught, it still did not tie up convincingly enough the plot points for the relevant plot, itself!
“There was always magic with you.”
As for Sebastian and Antoine sim sala bim Was it a bittersweet romance of convenience, or ill-fated, destined for tragedy? The longing, the hope, the despair, the desire, the betrayal, the kinship of a kindred spirit in 1766 of one who was so similar to themselves. 'Dare to know'. 🥺 I wished for a better end, but who can outrun fate or even history. There were some beautiful and meaningful exchanges that certainly left a memorable impression on me.
Even if my romantic heart was saddened by their doomed love story, it was not enough to assuage that disgruntled unsatisfied feeling, for getting this far without a concrete resolution. 🙂↔️ Despite how one will argue ultimately it was some greater game we were not seeing, I still felt that we deserved a more fitting closure. Rather than stacking it away as another story in it-perhaps one I will write down someday, which felt a cheap disservice to myself, as a reader.
*Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 12, 2026
I’m sorry, but what? Debut author you say?? Cameron Sullivan absolutely nailed this one and I was so impressed with not only this novel but the audiobook narrators as well.
The Red Winter is a historical fantasy retelling of the beast of Gévaudan - centering around the hunt for a werewolf like beast terrorizing the people of France. This is told from the memoirs of our main character Sebastian, who happens to be a practitioner of the arcane arts, with an in dwelling demon named Sarmodel (a witty one at that!). There’s three distinct storylines you’re following in which you get top tier world building and intriguing flashbacks. There’s a queer romantic subplot that’s absolutely delectable. Sebastian must partake in some gruesome monster slaying while avoiding the inquisitive eye of the French clergy. France is on the brink of revolution while this whole tale unfolds.
This was gory, dark, witty, extremely entertaining, and one of the best audiobook performances by dual narration that I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to. Oh and there’s a succubus! Who doesn’t enjoy a cheeky succubus? I loved every moment of this. Originally I’d say this was a 4.75 but the audio bumped it up to a 5 for me.
Thank you Macmillan Audio and Tor for this advanced listener copy.
The Red Winter is a historical fantasy retelling of the beast of Gévaudan - centering around the hunt for a werewolf like beast terrorizing the people of France. This is told from the memoirs of our main character Sebastian, who happens to be a practitioner of the arcane arts, with an in dwelling demon named Sarmodel (a witty one at that!). There’s three distinct storylines you’re following in which you get top tier world building and intriguing flashbacks. There’s a queer romantic subplot that’s absolutely delectable. Sebastian must partake in some gruesome monster slaying while avoiding the inquisitive eye of the French clergy. France is on the brink of revolution while this whole tale unfolds.
This was gory, dark, witty, extremely entertaining, and one of the best audiobook performances by dual narration that I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to. Oh and there’s a succubus! Who doesn’t enjoy a cheeky succubus? I loved every moment of this. Originally I’d say this was a 4.75 but the audio bumped it up to a 5 for me.
Thank you Macmillan Audio and Tor for this advanced listener copy.
Want to read
April 7, 2025HELLO?? QUEER HISTORICAL FANTASY BY TOR?
January 20, 2026
Whoa, this ish was wild.
It starts off feeling sort of Sherlock-ish, but Sullivan’s voice morphs it into something unique and refreshing. This sort of Robert Jackson Bennett vibes, but it’s hard to compare this book to books.
This is Sullivan’s debut and he comes out swinging in this crazy mashup. Mythology, historical fiction, horror, humor, fantasy, folk lore and love is love is love?
Just, yes- more please.
This kinda what I wanted The Devils to be last year.
Livia stole the show for me- but tbh- all the characters are just as strong as the impressive world building.
Thank you Macmillan Audio for this audiobook ARC. The dual narration felt like a theatrical experience.
I hope we see more of this world- because this desperately needs a sequel. 🤞
4.5/5
Audio narration 5/5
It starts off feeling sort of Sherlock-ish, but Sullivan’s voice morphs it into something unique and refreshing. This sort of Robert Jackson Bennett vibes, but it’s hard to compare this book to books.
This is Sullivan’s debut and he comes out swinging in this crazy mashup. Mythology, historical fiction, horror, humor, fantasy, folk lore and love is love is love?
Just, yes- more please.
This kinda what I wanted The Devils to be last year.
Livia stole the show for me- but tbh- all the characters are just as strong as the impressive world building.
Thank you Macmillan Audio for this audiobook ARC. The dual narration felt like a theatrical experience.
I hope we see more of this world- because this desperately needs a sequel. 🤞
4.5/5
Audio narration 5/5
August 19, 2025
SO THIS RULED??????????????????????
I could not put this down, I was looking forward to every lunch break so that I could read more. I have long been interested in the case of la bete du gevaudan, it blends many areas that fascinate me. I was beyond excited to come across a queer historical dark fantasy inspired by the tale, and even more excited that it was SO good. I absolutely loved this.
The vibes? Gothic Terry Pratchett.
I was equally intrigued by all 3 timelines. I found Sebastian to be a wonderful MC, I adored him. Also, I thought it was an very interesting way to incorporate multiple pantheons and mythologies into a cohesively blended human history. Sarmodel -- loveeeee. As much as the love and story between Sebastian and Antoine was emotional and interesting, I was just so in love with the love story between Sebastian and Sarmodel. Their dynamic was everything to me. I know this is such a far out read I should have a more well-thought out and well-written review. But the fact of the matter is that I just loved this so much that I'm kind of speechless.
If you like historical horror, interesting magic systems, doomed love, snarky buddy cop antics, stories that are so grand but are ultimately, at their heart, about human nature and connection -- this one is for you. I cannot recommend it enough. It is definitely my favorite book I've read this year so far.
Thanks to tor and netgalley for an arc in exchange for honest review.
I could not put this down, I was looking forward to every lunch break so that I could read more. I have long been interested in the case of la bete du gevaudan, it blends many areas that fascinate me. I was beyond excited to come across a queer historical dark fantasy inspired by the tale, and even more excited that it was SO good. I absolutely loved this.
The vibes? Gothic Terry Pratchett.
I was equally intrigued by all 3 timelines. I found Sebastian to be a wonderful MC, I adored him. Also, I thought it was an very interesting way to incorporate multiple pantheons and mythologies into a cohesively blended human history. Sarmodel -- loveeeee. As much as the love and story between Sebastian and Antoine was emotional and interesting, I was just so in love with the love story between Sebastian and Sarmodel. Their dynamic was everything to me. I know this is such a far out read I should have a more well-thought out and well-written review. But the fact of the matter is that I just loved this so much that I'm kind of speechless.
If you like historical horror, interesting magic systems, doomed love, snarky buddy cop antics, stories that are so grand but are ultimately, at their heart, about human nature and connection -- this one is for you. I cannot recommend it enough. It is definitely my favorite book I've read this year so far.
Thanks to tor and netgalley for an arc in exchange for honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ALC REVIEW
Narration: Imogen Church and Rory Barnett
Time: 16Hr 46MIN
MacMillan Audio- Release February 24,2026
This book gave me the feels of the Witcher. Set in the 18th century of France, it was a unique twist on history and a rollercoaster of a ride the horror, the monster hunt, the political intrigue, and the doomed love will leave you on the edge of your seat. The narrators did a good job, and I would check your triggers with this book.
Thank you, Netgalley and MacMillan Audio, for this ALC. Opinions are my own
Narration: Imogen Church and Rory Barnett
Time: 16Hr 46MIN
MacMillan Audio- Release February 24,2026
This book gave me the feels of the Witcher. Set in the 18th century of France, it was a unique twist on history and a rollercoaster of a ride the horror, the monster hunt, the political intrigue, and the doomed love will leave you on the edge of your seat. The narrators did a good job, and I would check your triggers with this book.
Thank you, Netgalley and MacMillan Audio, for this ALC. Opinions are my own
January 26, 2026
The Red Winter is solidifying my love for historical fantasy. With multiple timelines set during the French Revolution, Cameron Sullivan tells the story of the Sebastian Grave, a monster slayer accompanied by his indwelling demon Sarmodel, as he is forced to revisit his past and the beast of Gévaudan from the Red Winter as it returns to the French country side in 1785.
This is such an impressive novel, especially for a debut. The prose is genuinely beautiful with a thoughtful narrative by the protagonist. The book truly stands out in balancing plot and character development by breaking up the story using different timelines to tell an interesting story while simultaneously explaining the complex life and relationships of Sebastian Grave. There is so much more underlying the initial story to discuss but part of what I really enjoyed was the unfolding depth as the book progressed, especially with an alternative point of view on Sebastian Grave from a succubus.
Overall, this is a strong, both character and plot-driven historical fantasy with a confident voice. If you enjoy historical fantasy and layered perspective, and feeling all the emotions, I would say you definitely need to get your hands on this book!
Thank you to @torbooks and @macmillan.audio for providing me with an early copy, the narrators were phenomenal!
This is such an impressive novel, especially for a debut. The prose is genuinely beautiful with a thoughtful narrative by the protagonist. The book truly stands out in balancing plot and character development by breaking up the story using different timelines to tell an interesting story while simultaneously explaining the complex life and relationships of Sebastian Grave. There is so much more underlying the initial story to discuss but part of what I really enjoyed was the unfolding depth as the book progressed, especially with an alternative point of view on Sebastian Grave from a succubus.
Overall, this is a strong, both character and plot-driven historical fantasy with a confident voice. If you enjoy historical fantasy and layered perspective, and feeling all the emotions, I would say you definitely need to get your hands on this book!
Thank you to @torbooks and @macmillan.audio for providing me with an early copy, the narrators were phenomenal!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Let me fill this wheelbarrow with stars and pour them at the feet of Cameron Sullivan.
A historical fantasy full of horror, doomed love, and unpaid debts. I felt like a fly on the wall with the audio and ebook. The writing style is addicting and the narrators set the perfect tones for each snarky remark.
A historical fantasy full of horror, doomed love, and unpaid debts. I felt like a fly on the wall with the audio and ebook. The writing style is addicting and the narrators set the perfect tones for each snarky remark.
December 2, 2025
my rating is 4.5
Wow! I really enjoyed this debut historical epic fantasy story. So big in scope, timelines/POV's and really intriguing characters. The world building is important to the story and is done really well by Sebastian as he looks back on the past during his writing of the memoir.
Sebastian Grave is a killer character. He's queer, a monster hunter and immortal. He has a 'friend' who lives within him. Let's not call that a possesion, joined just sounds better! Sarmodel is a demon and he loves living hearts (eating them, if that wasn't clear). He also has some excellent dialogue, rapport and banter with Sebastian. I love them!
This is a brutal beast hunting story but it's also about love, loss and redemption. It's a little gory and spicy too!
A werewolf has been killing it's way through France and Sebastian has been hired to help. There are many dark twists, battles and shocks that happen, especially toward the end.
I found the emotion and relationship between Sebastian and Antoine so full of longing that it hurt my heart. This has everything I want in an epic fantasy (and a side of horror)
I was so happy to be approved for the ALC of the audiobook for this title. The narrators Rory Barnett and the wonderful Imogen Church brought all the nuanced emotion I could ask for. What a performance!
Thank you to NetGalley, Tor and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen and review this terrific title. My thoughts are my own.
Wow! I really enjoyed this debut historical epic fantasy story. So big in scope, timelines/POV's and really intriguing characters. The world building is important to the story and is done really well by Sebastian as he looks back on the past during his writing of the memoir.
Sebastian Grave is a killer character. He's queer, a monster hunter and immortal. He has a 'friend' who lives within him. Let's not call that a possesion, joined just sounds better! Sarmodel is a demon and he loves living hearts (eating them, if that wasn't clear). He also has some excellent dialogue, rapport and banter with Sebastian. I love them!
This is a brutal beast hunting story but it's also about love, loss and redemption. It's a little gory and spicy too!
A werewolf has been killing it's way through France and Sebastian has been hired to help. There are many dark twists, battles and shocks that happen, especially toward the end.
I found the emotion and relationship between Sebastian and Antoine so full of longing that it hurt my heart. This has everything I want in an epic fantasy (and a side of horror)
I was so happy to be approved for the ALC of the audiobook for this title. The narrators Rory Barnett and the wonderful Imogen Church brought all the nuanced emotion I could ask for. What a performance!
Thank you to NetGalley, Tor and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen and review this terrific title. My thoughts are my own.
January 2, 2026
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5stars)
⭐ 4.5 stars
This debut is dark, Gothic, and surprisingly funny, blending history, monsters, and a tragic love story into a gripping, immersive fantasy.
What I liked:
The writing has a scholarly, witty tone, reminiscent of Emily Wilde: Encyclopedia of Fairies, but much darker and Gothic. I loved the multi-timeline storytelling and how real history is woven into the fantasy. The banter between Sebastian, his demon, and the succubus adds humor and a fun misfit dynamic. At its core, the tragic, forbidden love story gives the book real emotional weight.
What didn’t work for me:
Some of the mythology was confusing — multiple names for demons and creatures aren’t fully explained. With three timelines, there were moments where I had to pause to keep track.
If you love Gothic historical fantasy, monster hunters, and dark, clever storytelling, this is a February release to watch for.
⭐ 4.5 stars
This debut is dark, Gothic, and surprisingly funny, blending history, monsters, and a tragic love story into a gripping, immersive fantasy.
What I liked:
The writing has a scholarly, witty tone, reminiscent of Emily Wilde: Encyclopedia of Fairies, but much darker and Gothic. I loved the multi-timeline storytelling and how real history is woven into the fantasy. The banter between Sebastian, his demon, and the succubus adds humor and a fun misfit dynamic. At its core, the tragic, forbidden love story gives the book real emotional weight.
What didn’t work for me:
Some of the mythology was confusing — multiple names for demons and creatures aren’t fully explained. With three timelines, there were moments where I had to pause to keep track.
If you love Gothic historical fantasy, monster hunters, and dark, clever storytelling, this is a February release to watch for.
February 16, 2026
Thank you @torbooks and @macmillan.audio for the ARC and ALC ♡ #macaudio2026
read my review on bookstagram
Keep your eyes peeled for this debut epic fantasy. Told from the perspective primarily of Sebastian, an immortal — professor and a doctor, who is “joined” [inhabited? sharing brain space?] with a demon named Sarmodel.
I loved Sarmodel, he carried the book with his snarky humor and the way he tempted but also loved and protected Sebastian. Unlike the typical host-parasite relationship these two act like an old married couple.
My favorite parts of the book came at the beginning and the end, in particular the tie between the feudal power structures and the desperation of the events, and religious overtones leading up to the French Revolution.
I do think the middle could have been tightened up, but this could be me not being used to reading as much epic fantasy. I also wanted Livia’s character to have more depth, rather than reduced to a lust crazed succubi. I see the potential for a sequel more focused on her!
I also am a sucker for a romance subplot and Cameron delivered on the doomed love story between Antoine and Sebastian. There’s a scene where a fish literally slaps Antonine with his tail twice over before escaping that left me cackling.
I also enjoyed cameos from archangel Michael and other familiar gods and demons. I highly recommend this to fans of The Devils and epic/historical fantasy fans!
▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||။|• 🎧 The narration of this book (dual POV) is delightful and not to be missed. I especially loved Sarmodel. While I loved Livia’s voice brought life by Imogen Church, I ended up confused by her narrative/timeline.
read my review on bookstagram
Keep your eyes peeled for this debut epic fantasy. Told from the perspective primarily of Sebastian, an immortal — professor and a doctor, who is “joined” [inhabited? sharing brain space?] with a demon named Sarmodel.
I loved Sarmodel, he carried the book with his snarky humor and the way he tempted but also loved and protected Sebastian. Unlike the typical host-parasite relationship these two act like an old married couple.
My favorite parts of the book came at the beginning and the end, in particular the tie between the feudal power structures and the desperation of the events, and religious overtones leading up to the French Revolution.
I do think the middle could have been tightened up, but this could be me not being used to reading as much epic fantasy. I also wanted Livia’s character to have more depth, rather than reduced to a lust crazed succubi. I see the potential for a sequel more focused on her!
I also am a sucker for a romance subplot and Cameron delivered on the doomed love story between Antoine and Sebastian. There’s a scene where a fish literally slaps Antonine with his tail twice over before escaping that left me cackling.
I also enjoyed cameos from archangel Michael and other familiar gods and demons. I highly recommend this to fans of The Devils and epic/historical fantasy fans!
▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||။|• 🎧 The narration of this book (dual POV) is delightful and not to be missed. I especially loved Sarmodel. While I loved Livia’s voice brought life by Imogen Church, I ended up confused by her narrative/timeline.
February 8, 2026
The Red Winter is a fantastic novel that intricately weaves historical events and figures into a captivating and gory tale of yearning, magic, and loss. The Red Winter was one of my most anticipated books this year and it did not disappoint. I was initially drawn in by the mystery surrounding The Beast of Gévaudan and The Red Winter, but was engrossed by the intriguing characters, tragic relationship and the ease by which power corrupts and destroys those touched by it.
Twenty years after hunting the Beast of Gévaudan, monster hunter and Professor Sebastian Grave is called upon by his former lover to once again dispatch the monstrous creature. An outsider in many ways, Sebastian’s allies include the demon Sarmodel, a creature bound to him in his youth and his succubus housekeeper Livia. Sarmodel and Livia add a dark-humored levity to the narrative, which prevents the dark historical fantasy from becoming unrelentingly bleak.
Told in the form of a memoir from multiple timelines and interspersed with pertinent intermittent adventures, the narrations by Rory Barnett and Imogen Church are excellent and provide a wonderfully immersive experience.
Rory Barnett is splendid as most of the characters and provides distinct voices-especially for Sebastian and Sarmodel-and portrays the sardonic wit and exasperation of both characters wonderfully. Imogen Church’s potrayal of Livia was also great, teeming with energy and mischief and leaving the word “Meatbag” resonating in my mind.
I also appreciated the moments of vulnerability from Sebastian as his feelings for Antoine Avenel d’Ocerne developed and their relationship flourished. The moments of yearning and intimacy made their eventual fates all the more tragic.
The identity of the Beast of Gévaudan was very unique and I enjoyed how it also incorporated the different legends surrounding it: that it was either a massive wolf or wolf-like creature or a werewolf. The ending had a slightly rushed quality to it, though that did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the novel.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Tor Books and BetGalley for providing access to this audiobook. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
Twenty years after hunting the Beast of Gévaudan, monster hunter and Professor Sebastian Grave is called upon by his former lover to once again dispatch the monstrous creature. An outsider in many ways, Sebastian’s allies include the demon Sarmodel, a creature bound to him in his youth and his succubus housekeeper Livia. Sarmodel and Livia add a dark-humored levity to the narrative, which prevents the dark historical fantasy from becoming unrelentingly bleak.
Told in the form of a memoir from multiple timelines and interspersed with pertinent intermittent adventures, the narrations by Rory Barnett and Imogen Church are excellent and provide a wonderfully immersive experience.
Rory Barnett is splendid as most of the characters and provides distinct voices-especially for Sebastian and Sarmodel-and portrays the sardonic wit and exasperation of both characters wonderfully. Imogen Church’s potrayal of Livia was also great, teeming with energy and mischief and leaving the word “Meatbag” resonating in my mind.
I also appreciated the moments of vulnerability from Sebastian as his feelings for Antoine Avenel d’Ocerne developed and their relationship flourished. The moments of yearning and intimacy made their eventual fates all the more tragic.
The identity of the Beast of Gévaudan was very unique and I enjoyed how it also incorporated the different legends surrounding it: that it was either a massive wolf or wolf-like creature or a werewolf. The ending had a slightly rushed quality to it, though that did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the novel.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Tor Books and BetGalley for providing access to this audiobook. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
February 4, 2026
This is a perfect fantasy/horror mashup, featuring a helping of eldritch horror, generational curses, and an absolutely fantastic narrative voice.
We know immediately we're in for a fun story when our narrator, Professor Sebastian Grave, immediately makes the presence of his indwelling demon, Sarmodel, known to the reader. The conversations these two have throughout the book are definitely a highlight, and Sullivan absolutely nails the morally ambiguity of such a narrative voice, while not completely destroying the reader's confidence in the story they are hearing.
This is a smart, savvy, creature or monster story, with an excellent understanding of its historical moment too. Highly recommend.
We know immediately we're in for a fun story when our narrator, Professor Sebastian Grave, immediately makes the presence of his indwelling demon, Sarmodel, known to the reader. The conversations these two have throughout the book are definitely a highlight, and Sullivan absolutely nails the morally ambiguity of such a narrative voice, while not completely destroying the reader's confidence in the story they are hearing.
This is a smart, savvy, creature or monster story, with an excellent understanding of its historical moment too. Highly recommend.
November 19, 2025
There were a lot of things I liked about this book, even though it turned out to be a bit different from what I’d expected. For some reason, I went into it thinking the story would take place during the French Revolution, only to discover that it actually happens earlier, right around the first sparks that would eventually lead to it.
The novel follows Sebastian, a sorcerer/magician/professor who is possessed by a demon named Sarmodel and therefore cannot die. After twenty years away, he returns to a small village where decades earlier he’d been asked to confront a Beast that was terrorizing the local population. The book takes inspiration from the tale of the Beast of Gévaudan. The narrative moves across several timelines in which Sebastian encounters the creature: one in the 1780s, another during the first hunt in the 1760s, and a third in the 1400s that follows a Joan of Arc–adjacent character.
I really enjoyed the beast hunting and magic infused atmosphere that reminded me of The Witcher series. The mystery surrounding the identity of the Beast is handled well enough to keep the reader engaged. However, the book does get noticeably gorier as it progresses, so if that isn’t your thing, consider yourself warned.
Since the plot is quite straightforward and mostly follows the protagonist as he hunts the Beast, what truly elevates the story are the interactions between the characters. The dynamic between Sebastian and Sarmodel will be be a highlight for many readers because it is funny and full of banter. I also enjoyed his exchanges with the other central characters, including Antoine, the love interest from the 1760s, and Jacques, Antoine’s son in the 1780s. The romance is present and surprisingly emotional. Overall, the author balances humor and more serious themes in a way that makes the book compelling.
Moving to what didn’t work for me, I did struggle with the chapters set during the time of Joan of Arc. Although I had a nice reading experience overall, those flashbacks felt weaker in terms of character development and pacing, and they did not seem essential for understanding what was happening in the other two timelines.
I imagine some readers may take issue with the ending, since it’s quite open and there is no sequel announced. To be honest, I liked it. With a virtually immortal protagonist, an open ending feels natural. After all, we are only getting a small glimpse into his very long life.
All in all, this is a strong debut and a fantastic treat for readers who enjoy old school monster hunting fantasy with a dark edge. I recommend it.
Thank you NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The novel follows Sebastian, a sorcerer/magician/professor who is possessed by a demon named Sarmodel and therefore cannot die. After twenty years away, he returns to a small village where decades earlier he’d been asked to confront a Beast that was terrorizing the local population. The book takes inspiration from the tale of the Beast of Gévaudan. The narrative moves across several timelines in which Sebastian encounters the creature: one in the 1780s, another during the first hunt in the 1760s, and a third in the 1400s that follows a Joan of Arc–adjacent character.
I really enjoyed the beast hunting and magic infused atmosphere that reminded me of The Witcher series. The mystery surrounding the identity of the Beast is handled well enough to keep the reader engaged. However, the book does get noticeably gorier as it progresses, so if that isn’t your thing, consider yourself warned.
Since the plot is quite straightforward and mostly follows the protagonist as he hunts the Beast, what truly elevates the story are the interactions between the characters. The dynamic between Sebastian and Sarmodel will be be a highlight for many readers because it is funny and full of banter. I also enjoyed his exchanges with the other central characters, including Antoine, the love interest from the 1760s, and Jacques, Antoine’s son in the 1780s. The romance is present and surprisingly emotional. Overall, the author balances humor and more serious themes in a way that makes the book compelling.
Moving to what didn’t work for me, I did struggle with the chapters set during the time of Joan of Arc. Although I had a nice reading experience overall, those flashbacks felt weaker in terms of character development and pacing, and they did not seem essential for understanding what was happening in the other two timelines.
I imagine some readers may take issue with the ending, since it’s quite open and there is no sequel announced. To be honest, I liked it. With a virtually immortal protagonist, an open ending feels natural. After all, we are only getting a small glimpse into his very long life.
All in all, this is a strong debut and a fantastic treat for readers who enjoy old school monster hunting fantasy with a dark edge. I recommend it.
Thank you NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
** Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing this ALC in exchange for an honest review **
I will preface this review with a small fact about myself: when I was a kid, my family was gifted a DVD of the French film Le Pacte des loups (Brotherhood of the Wolf), and while this film might be no masterpiece, I did watch it over and over again — it was my introduction to the Beast of Gévaudan, and needless to say, I was fascinated.
The premise of Cameron Sullivan' debut novel, The Red Winter, centres around this moment in the history of the French region of Gévaudan, through the lens of historical fantasy and with a story that goes as far back as Ancient Rome. It's an ambitious endeavour, and Sullivan succeeds at creating a gripping storyline surrounding these events. However, The Red Winter is also a novel that left me unsatisfied by the time I reach its end — I had unanswered questions and there's much about it that I wish had been different.
Let's begin with what I liked: Sullivan clearly did his search and does a convincing job at selling the 18th century France setting, and while there were some anachronisms (such as speech patterns that are inevitably modernised for the sake of the reader) some of these are well justified by fantasy elements like Sebastian's own longevity. The exploration of his emotions surrounding his former relationship with Antoine was honestly refreshing to read, since it's not often that we see fantasy novels focusing more on a character's healing journey after a relationship than on discovering a new love. Sebastian's bisexuality and romantic interests are a vital aspect of the plot, and I really enjoyed the thought that went into considering how the fact that he's immortal affects his relationships with others — especially with the "demonic" entity that possesses him, Sarmodel, and the emotional aspects to their codependency. On that note, Sarmodel was one of my favourite characters, and for the most part, a delight to read.
I say "for the most part" because this relationship of codependency and Sarmodel himself are also part of one of the biggest problems that I had with The Red Winter. The magic system in this novel is generally very loose; things are explained when they need to be explained and usually only when they're of service to the plot. This is fine and something that a lot of fantasy and historical fantasy does, but given that we're told that Sebastian and Sarmodel have been together for centuries (since Ancient Roman times or even before), I couldn't help but constantly wonder why they weren't as powerful as the narrative wants the reader to believe. There's the fact that Sebastian does not often allow Sarmodel to consume souls, yes, but Sebastian also seems to know very little about the actual extend of Sarmodel's power, which is hard to believe being how long they have been bound to one another and how much time he has had to research and learn — we're talking almost two thousand years or even more!
Of course, having a protagonist that is all-powerful is generally rather boring and a disservice to the plot, and I can see why Sullivan may have wanted to avoid this, but this discrepancy in Sebastian and Sarmodel's relationship and Sebastian's skill-level could have been fixed in many ways, including not making him as old as he is from the get-go. I would have much preferred this, since I also didn't find that Sebastian read like someone who has roamed this earth for almost two millennia.
I also find that making Sebastian "younger" would have helped with how Christian his perception of the world is (as well as the fantasy in the setting as a whole). The Red Winter is full folklore and fantastical elements, but at their core, the way that they're presented is very much inspired by Christian demonology, with demons and angels being central to the story, and even the Roman god that is the main antagonist actually being a demon. This can be an interesting approach, but the figure of Mars gets simplified and watered down to being "war-loving entity"(my assumption is that Mars was chosen specifically due to being so closely associated to wolves, and while I did like this approach to the werewolf trope, I wish that the characterisation had had nuance beyond "war gets off from death and chaos", but instead we have a werewolf monologuing about murder and getting raging boners mid-rampage), which takes away the majority of his traits a Roman deity. In general, all demon's motivations are presented in a very simple way other than Sarmodel's, and sadly, this includes Livia as well.
Livia is the third most important character after Sebastian and Sarmodel, and the third member to their team. Livia is also a succubus, and you can be sure that every single time she interacts with our protagonists, this will be brought up and played for laughs, "slut-shaming" her for something that is simply part of her demonic nature. Sebastian is sympathetic towards Sarmodel's nature, but not Livia's, even though she has been with him for centuries as little more than a slave to do his bidding. This results in Sebastian coming off pretty terribly, and frankly, the treatment of Livia gets incredibly tired, especially when she's the only woman in the novel who has a major role beyond pushing the plot forward, and even more so when other women are also painted in a negative light: there's the greed demon who also happens to be female and possesses an innocent girl (who dies) when Sebastian knowingly summons her as a glorified bloodhound, and then, there's also Jeanne d'Arc. In this setting, Jeanne d'Arc is not a woman who did amazing things by her own volition, but instead a village girl who was foolish enough to accidentally become possessed by the demon that was the god Mars, and everything that Jeanne did in history was actually this demon's doing — thus, making the reasons for her trial and execution be true.
Sullivan could have done a much better job with the treatment of women in this story, since even when countering the way these three women are used, demonised, insulted, tormented, and treated as incompetent with those that are presented in a positive light (the healer and her daughter, as well as the entity they serve, and to an even lesser extent, Antoine's wife), none of these are present for much of the story and most of them die horribly. Often, they also die in ways that serve no purpose in the story beyond just showing how horrible the beast is, which by then we've already seen time and again with the murder of men.
Now, concerning the beast itself, werewolves being associated with the Beast of Gévaudan is nothing new, but I did like the approach that Sullivan took when it came to this and with justifying the spread of lycanthropy through Antoine's bloodline. It was interesting and refreshing, especially with how Antoine's broken promise factored into it.
This review and rating will likely make it seem like I didn't enjoy the novel, and while there was a lot about it that either confused or annoyed me, making it so I'm unlikely to ever reread it, I did enjoy myself though a lot o it, and that was in part thanks to the audiobook narrators. Both Rory Barnett and Imogen Church we a delight to listen to, and I liked the fact that Sebastian and Livia's POVs had different narrators. There was a bit of a discrepancy in tone between them (especially in Sebastian's dialogue) and at times it did result to be somewhat jarring, but it sounded like they were going for having Livia mock the way Sebastian spoke when narrating what he would have said, which I found to be very in-character for her.
So, all-in-all, I found The Red Winter to be a novel that was full of very interesting concepts, but that could have done with more polishing. It's a debut, so that also has to be considered, and truth be told, I remain hopeful that Sullivan's next novel might take into account the problems with this one, do a better job with the way women are portrayed, and have a setting that is more tightly put together. I'm curious to see what he brings us next!
(My actual rating for this is closer to a 2.5, since I do think that the narrators deserve a higher rating than a 2)
I will preface this review with a small fact about myself: when I was a kid, my family was gifted a DVD of the French film Le Pacte des loups (Brotherhood of the Wolf), and while this film might be no masterpiece, I did watch it over and over again — it was my introduction to the Beast of Gévaudan, and needless to say, I was fascinated.
The premise of Cameron Sullivan' debut novel, The Red Winter, centres around this moment in the history of the French region of Gévaudan, through the lens of historical fantasy and with a story that goes as far back as Ancient Rome. It's an ambitious endeavour, and Sullivan succeeds at creating a gripping storyline surrounding these events. However, The Red Winter is also a novel that left me unsatisfied by the time I reach its end — I had unanswered questions and there's much about it that I wish had been different.
Let's begin with what I liked: Sullivan clearly did his search and does a convincing job at selling the 18th century France setting, and while there were some anachronisms (such as speech patterns that are inevitably modernised for the sake of the reader) some of these are well justified by fantasy elements like Sebastian's own longevity. The exploration of his emotions surrounding his former relationship with Antoine was honestly refreshing to read, since it's not often that we see fantasy novels focusing more on a character's healing journey after a relationship than on discovering a new love. Sebastian's bisexuality and romantic interests are a vital aspect of the plot, and I really enjoyed the thought that went into considering how the fact that he's immortal affects his relationships with others — especially with the "demonic" entity that possesses him, Sarmodel, and the emotional aspects to their codependency. On that note, Sarmodel was one of my favourite characters, and for the most part, a delight to read.
I say "for the most part" because this relationship of codependency and Sarmodel himself are also part of one of the biggest problems that I had with The Red Winter. The magic system in this novel is generally very loose; things are explained when they need to be explained and usually only when they're of service to the plot. This is fine and something that a lot of fantasy and historical fantasy does, but given that we're told that Sebastian and Sarmodel have been together for centuries (since Ancient Roman times or even before), I couldn't help but constantly wonder why they weren't as powerful as the narrative wants the reader to believe. There's the fact that Sebastian does not often allow Sarmodel to consume souls, yes, but Sebastian also seems to know very little about the actual extend of Sarmodel's power, which is hard to believe being how long they have been bound to one another and how much time he has had to research and learn — we're talking almost two thousand years or even more!
Of course, having a protagonist that is all-powerful is generally rather boring and a disservice to the plot, and I can see why Sullivan may have wanted to avoid this, but this discrepancy in Sebastian and Sarmodel's relationship and Sebastian's skill-level could have been fixed in many ways, including not making him as old as he is from the get-go. I would have much preferred this, since I also didn't find that Sebastian read like someone who has roamed this earth for almost two millennia.
I also find that making Sebastian "younger" would have helped with how Christian his perception of the world is (as well as the fantasy in the setting as a whole). The Red Winter is full folklore and fantastical elements, but at their core, the way that they're presented is very much inspired by Christian demonology, with demons and angels being central to the story, and even the Roman god that is the main antagonist actually being a demon. This can be an interesting approach, but the figure of Mars gets simplified and watered down to being "war-loving entity"(my assumption is that Mars was chosen specifically due to being so closely associated to wolves, and while I did like this approach to the werewolf trope, I wish that the characterisation had had nuance beyond "war gets off from death and chaos", but instead we have a werewolf monologuing about murder and getting raging boners mid-rampage), which takes away the majority of his traits a Roman deity. In general, all demon's motivations are presented in a very simple way other than Sarmodel's, and sadly, this includes Livia as well.
Livia is the third most important character after Sebastian and Sarmodel, and the third member to their team. Livia is also a succubus, and you can be sure that every single time she interacts with our protagonists, this will be brought up and played for laughs, "slut-shaming" her for something that is simply part of her demonic nature. Sebastian is sympathetic towards Sarmodel's nature, but not Livia's, even though she has been with him for centuries as little more than a slave to do his bidding. This results in Sebastian coming off pretty terribly, and frankly, the treatment of Livia gets incredibly tired, especially when she's the only woman in the novel who has a major role beyond pushing the plot forward, and even more so when other women are also painted in a negative light: there's the greed demon who also happens to be female and possesses an innocent girl (who dies) when Sebastian knowingly summons her as a glorified bloodhound, and then, there's also Jeanne d'Arc. In this setting, Jeanne d'Arc is not a woman who did amazing things by her own volition, but instead a village girl who was foolish enough to accidentally become possessed by the demon that was the god Mars, and everything that Jeanne did in history was actually this demon's doing — thus, making the reasons for her trial and execution be true.
Sullivan could have done a much better job with the treatment of women in this story, since even when countering the way these three women are used, demonised, insulted, tormented, and treated as incompetent with those that are presented in a positive light (the healer and her daughter, as well as the entity they serve, and to an even lesser extent, Antoine's wife), none of these are present for much of the story and most of them die horribly. Often, they also die in ways that serve no purpose in the story beyond just showing how horrible the beast is, which by then we've already seen time and again with the murder of men.
Now, concerning the beast itself, werewolves being associated with the Beast of Gévaudan is nothing new, but I did like the approach that Sullivan took when it came to this and with justifying the spread of lycanthropy through Antoine's bloodline. It was interesting and refreshing, especially with how Antoine's broken promise factored into it.
This review and rating will likely make it seem like I didn't enjoy the novel, and while there was a lot about it that either confused or annoyed me, making it so I'm unlikely to ever reread it, I did enjoy myself though a lot o it, and that was in part thanks to the audiobook narrators. Both Rory Barnett and Imogen Church we a delight to listen to, and I liked the fact that Sebastian and Livia's POVs had different narrators. There was a bit of a discrepancy in tone between them (especially in Sebastian's dialogue) and at times it did result to be somewhat jarring, but it sounded like they were going for having Livia mock the way Sebastian spoke when narrating what he would have said, which I found to be very in-character for her.
So, all-in-all, I found The Red Winter to be a novel that was full of very interesting concepts, but that could have done with more polishing. It's a debut, so that also has to be considered, and truth be told, I remain hopeful that Sullivan's next novel might take into account the problems with this one, do a better job with the way women are portrayed, and have a setting that is more tightly put together. I'm curious to see what he brings us next!
(My actual rating for this is closer to a 2.5, since I do think that the narrators deserve a higher rating than a 2)
December 5, 2025
Thank you so much to the team at Tor for a physical proof copy of this book!
I haven’t read a proper high fantasy book in a long time and this one really reminded me why I love the genre! It had echoes of ‘The Name of the Wind’ and ‘The Witcher’; set in a fantasy version of France in the 1700s, where demons and spirits walk the land, and a terrible beast is hunting the town of Gevauden.
This book is told in three storylines that converge towards the end - the past, the present and a sideline about Jehenne D’Arc which I didn’t understand the significance of until suddenly I did! The main two story arcs are told from the POV of Professor Sebastian Grave; an immortal human who is possessed by an immensely powerful spirit, Sarmodel. They have this fun, almost lover-like relationship where they banter and sass each other. Whilst this book is definitely not a romance in any way, I had expected the main romantic element to be with Antoine, Sebastian’s human lover, whereas actually, I feel that the true love here is Sebastian and Sarmodel, who reminded me of a married couple who are deeply sick of each other’s shit, but still incredibly devoted 😹 The asides about Jehenne of D’Arc are told by Livia, succubus and Sebastian’s housekeeper. I loved Livia’s bratty ways - constantly winding Sebastian up. She was delightful comic relief and I loved her beautiful turn of phrase; ‘HEY MEATBAG’!
The book spans a whole generation of the Ocerne family and traverses across France. There is a lot of blood and fighting, so if you’re easily squeamish, especially with the death of animals (particularly dogs and horses) go into this with caution.
There is a lot of scathing commentary on religion and class differences; it draws a lot on the simmering run-up to the French Revolution and I loved the supernatural alternative explanation for it.
The reason this loses a star for me is because throughout the book there are a lot of footnotes, which the author has added to allow Livia and Sebastian to make these little asides; I found these fun at the start of the book, but as I read further they became annoying and pulled me out of the story and by the end I’d just stopped reading them. Who knows how much information I missed 😹 Also this book is incredibly long and whilst I did feel immersed in places, there were others where I felt it dragged… this however might be a ‘me’ issue though, as I remember feeling the same about The Name of the Wind 😹
Overall a great read and one I’m glad I got the chance to experience! It’s available in Feb 2026 ✨
Read The Red Winter for:
✨ 1700 France, High Fantasy w/magic
✨ Queer main character
✨ Gods, demons and spirits
✨ Non-chronological storytelling
✨ Flawed yet sympathetic MCs
✨ Immortal man and his demon
✨ Bloody and gory
✨ The world’s sassiest succubus
✨ Excellent world-building
I haven’t read a proper high fantasy book in a long time and this one really reminded me why I love the genre! It had echoes of ‘The Name of the Wind’ and ‘The Witcher’; set in a fantasy version of France in the 1700s, where demons and spirits walk the land, and a terrible beast is hunting the town of Gevauden.
This book is told in three storylines that converge towards the end - the past, the present and a sideline about Jehenne D’Arc which I didn’t understand the significance of until suddenly I did! The main two story arcs are told from the POV of Professor Sebastian Grave; an immortal human who is possessed by an immensely powerful spirit, Sarmodel. They have this fun, almost lover-like relationship where they banter and sass each other. Whilst this book is definitely not a romance in any way, I had expected the main romantic element to be with Antoine, Sebastian’s human lover, whereas actually, I feel that the true love here is Sebastian and Sarmodel, who reminded me of a married couple who are deeply sick of each other’s shit, but still incredibly devoted 😹 The asides about Jehenne of D’Arc are told by Livia, succubus and Sebastian’s housekeeper. I loved Livia’s bratty ways - constantly winding Sebastian up. She was delightful comic relief and I loved her beautiful turn of phrase; ‘HEY MEATBAG’!
The book spans a whole generation of the Ocerne family and traverses across France. There is a lot of blood and fighting, so if you’re easily squeamish, especially with the death of animals (particularly dogs and horses) go into this with caution.
There is a lot of scathing commentary on religion and class differences; it draws a lot on the simmering run-up to the French Revolution and I loved the supernatural alternative explanation for it.
The reason this loses a star for me is because throughout the book there are a lot of footnotes, which the author has added to allow Livia and Sebastian to make these little asides; I found these fun at the start of the book, but as I read further they became annoying and pulled me out of the story and by the end I’d just stopped reading them. Who knows how much information I missed 😹 Also this book is incredibly long and whilst I did feel immersed in places, there were others where I felt it dragged… this however might be a ‘me’ issue though, as I remember feeling the same about The Name of the Wind 😹
Overall a great read and one I’m glad I got the chance to experience! It’s available in Feb 2026 ✨
Read The Red Winter for:
✨ 1700 France, High Fantasy w/magic
✨ Queer main character
✨ Gods, demons and spirits
✨ Non-chronological storytelling
✨ Flawed yet sympathetic MCs
✨ Immortal man and his demon
✨ Bloody and gory
✨ The world’s sassiest succubus
✨ Excellent world-building
January 21, 2026
“Call him Ares. Call him Mars. Call him Avstamet. Or call him the Beast, as did the good people of Gévaudan, before they marched into his jaws, singing Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”
I find myself falling more and more in love with historical fantasy, especially when it is doing something strange. The Red Winter is exactly that: a dark, atmospheric historical fantasy with werewolves, old gods, religious and eldritch undertones, and a deeply moving queer romance at its core.
The story is framed as a memoir, narrated by Sebastian Grave, an immortal man who shares his body and soul with a demon named Sarmodel. Sebastian’s voice is reflective, wry, and deeply funny, even as we are constantly reminded that he exists outside ordinary time. Alongside Sarmodel, and Livia, a succubus who is both delightful and unsettling, Sebastian travels through France hunting an old god while recounting the events of the Red Winter: the hunt that defined him and the man he loved.
The narrative is non-linear, moving back and forth through time, but it remains surprisingly cohesive. Much of the story centers on Sebastian’s relationship with Antoine and the winter that bound them together, with an aching sense of inevitability threaded through every page. I am always drawn to stories about immortals for this exact reason, the looming tragedy of loving mortals, and this book fully understands how to wield that tension.
The character dynamics are what truly made this story shine for me. Sebastian and Sarmodel are one of my favorite duos I have read in a long time. They are funny, sharp, and unexpectedly tender. Sarmodel is decidedly not human, yet his love for Sebastian is unwavering and deeply felt. Their bond is equal parts absurd, affectionate, and devastating. The romance between Sebastian and Antoine is messy and imperfect in a way that feels emotionally honest.
The writing is excellent, especially for a debut. The prose is confident and immersive, and the worldbuilding unfolds naturally without overwhelming the story. I do think the book could have been slightly shorter, particularly toward the end where some of the action sequences lingered longer than I prefer, but that is a very minor complaint.
I also want to give special praise to the audiobook. The narrator does an incredible job capturing Sebastian’s voice and the memoir-like tone of the story, and it genuinely enhanced the experience.
Overall, The Red Winter is a dark, well executed debut that left a lasting impression on me. The ending absolutely brought the whole story together especially tying up the historical elements. I would absolutely read more in this world, and I would take a million more addendums by Livia!
Major thanks to Macmillan Audio and Tor Books for the advanced listening copy and physical ARC in exchange for my honest review. 4.5 ⭐️
I find myself falling more and more in love with historical fantasy, especially when it is doing something strange. The Red Winter is exactly that: a dark, atmospheric historical fantasy with werewolves, old gods, religious and eldritch undertones, and a deeply moving queer romance at its core.
The story is framed as a memoir, narrated by Sebastian Grave, an immortal man who shares his body and soul with a demon named Sarmodel. Sebastian’s voice is reflective, wry, and deeply funny, even as we are constantly reminded that he exists outside ordinary time. Alongside Sarmodel, and Livia, a succubus who is both delightful and unsettling, Sebastian travels through France hunting an old god while recounting the events of the Red Winter: the hunt that defined him and the man he loved.
The narrative is non-linear, moving back and forth through time, but it remains surprisingly cohesive. Much of the story centers on Sebastian’s relationship with Antoine and the winter that bound them together, with an aching sense of inevitability threaded through every page. I am always drawn to stories about immortals for this exact reason, the looming tragedy of loving mortals, and this book fully understands how to wield that tension.
The character dynamics are what truly made this story shine for me. Sebastian and Sarmodel are one of my favorite duos I have read in a long time. They are funny, sharp, and unexpectedly tender. Sarmodel is decidedly not human, yet his love for Sebastian is unwavering and deeply felt. Their bond is equal parts absurd, affectionate, and devastating. The romance between Sebastian and Antoine is messy and imperfect in a way that feels emotionally honest.
The writing is excellent, especially for a debut. The prose is confident and immersive, and the worldbuilding unfolds naturally without overwhelming the story. I do think the book could have been slightly shorter, particularly toward the end where some of the action sequences lingered longer than I prefer, but that is a very minor complaint.
I also want to give special praise to the audiobook. The narrator does an incredible job capturing Sebastian’s voice and the memoir-like tone of the story, and it genuinely enhanced the experience.
Overall, The Red Winter is a dark, well executed debut that left a lasting impression on me. The ending absolutely brought the whole story together especially tying up the historical elements. I would absolutely read more in this world, and I would take a million more addendums by Livia!
Major thanks to Macmillan Audio and Tor Books for the advanced listening copy and physical ARC in exchange for my honest review. 4.5 ⭐️
January 21, 2026
I went back and forth on The Red Winter, but overall, I really enjoyed it. The writing is strong, the monster is genuinely unique, and I loved the historical and religious undertones woven throughout the story. It leans into the grotesque in a way that works, and the non-linear timeline kept things interesting and layered.
My biggest gripe, if I’m being honest, was the main character’s stubbornness… which is probably a me problem. 😂 Because let’s be real, if they had listened earlier, we wouldn’t have much of a story. That said, Sarmodel and Livia completely stole the show for me. I adored them, and by the end I found myself siding hard with Sarmodel, mentally screaming, “If you’d just listened to me from the start, we wouldn’t be here!” over and over.
Fans of Jay Kristoff and T. Kingfisher will likely enjoy this one. It’s got sass, snarky humor, quirk, and prose that’s strong enough to be savored alongside all the darkness.
The audiobook deserves a special shoutout. The narrators brought so much life and flair to the characters that it elevated the entire experience, especially in the addendum, which I loved. While I do think a few sections could have been trimmed, I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish.
Not a 10/5 read for me, but still a very solid 4.5 stars.
My biggest gripe, if I’m being honest, was the main character’s stubbornness… which is probably a me problem. 😂 Because let’s be real, if they had listened earlier, we wouldn’t have much of a story. That said, Sarmodel and Livia completely stole the show for me. I adored them, and by the end I found myself siding hard with Sarmodel, mentally screaming, “If you’d just listened to me from the start, we wouldn’t be here!” over and over.
Fans of Jay Kristoff and T. Kingfisher will likely enjoy this one. It’s got sass, snarky humor, quirk, and prose that’s strong enough to be savored alongside all the darkness.
The audiobook deserves a special shoutout. The narrators brought so much life and flair to the characters that it elevated the entire experience, especially in the addendum, which I loved. While I do think a few sections could have been trimmed, I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish.
Not a 10/5 read for me, but still a very solid 4.5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Could this book possibly be my number one book of the year? Am I going to look back at this come December and realize I started the year so strong that nothing was able to top this!? I'm genuinely terrified that may be the case.
The Red Winter was a blend of sardonic humor, dark epic fantasy, and outright terror.
I had HIGH expectations going into this because the blurb truly had me hooked and right off the bat I was not disappointed. There was blood and guts, romance and magic, and I am furious that this is a standalone. I'm supposed to leave this world behind!? I want to live breathe and most definitely die in this world (literally...there seems to be a very low life expectancy and I don't know if I'd live very long regardless of how enchanting the landscape).
If you love grimdark fantasy with morally grey, cynical, characters then pick up The Red Winter asap.
Thank you to MacMillan Audio for an ALC of this audiobook - the narration was incredible - and I will definitely be on the lookout for a physical copy come release day as well. I need the Broken Binding to do an edition for this one because it deserves special edition treatment.
The Red Winter was a blend of sardonic humor, dark epic fantasy, and outright terror.
I had HIGH expectations going into this because the blurb truly had me hooked and right off the bat I was not disappointed. There was blood and guts, romance and magic, and I am furious that this is a standalone. I'm supposed to leave this world behind!? I want to live breathe and most definitely die in this world (literally...there seems to be a very low life expectancy and I don't know if I'd live very long regardless of how enchanting the landscape).
If you love grimdark fantasy with morally grey, cynical, characters then pick up The Red Winter asap.
Thank you to MacMillan Audio for an ALC of this audiobook - the narration was incredible - and I will definitely be on the lookout for a physical copy come release day as well. I need the Broken Binding to do an edition for this one because it deserves special edition treatment.
February 9, 2026
My first 6 ⭐️ read of 2026. I cannot believe this is a debut novel. The storytelling is phenomenal, the characters are well developed, the love story is perfection. I don’t know what else to say about this book except that I finished it last night and want to immediately restart it. If you love Joe Abercrombie, you need to read this book!! The vibes are do similar in the best kind of way. I cannot wait to see what else we get from this author!!
Thank you to Tor Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this amazing book!!
Thank you to Tor Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this amazing book!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you for the eARC, NetGalley! This was on my most anticipated 2026 releases list.
I loved the first 20%, thought it would be a 5 star read. The atmosphere was great, the humour even better. I really liked Sebastian and Sarmodel, his demon, as well as Livia, the succubus.
The book lost me a bit after, because it's quite slow and repetitive. The hunt for The Beast is extremely drawn out, and I suppose it's so Sebastian and Antoine, the love interest, can build a rapport, but I'm afraid I just didn't like Antoine at any point, so I wasn't invested in the romance. I didn't find him charming, endearing or interesting, so other than his youth and looks, not sure what drew Sebastian to him.
I'm not sure the 1440 timeline of Jehanne D'Arc was really necessary, to be honest. Sure, it provided some background info for the Beast and Sebastian/Sarmodel's rivalry with an archangel, but this was a long book, I didn't really think it needed several chapters to cover that side of it.
I am not against footnotes, but perhaps not that many. Of course, the eARC formatting didn't help - there were no links to the footnote, so I had to either scroll a few pages to read it, or read it later, by which time I usually forgot the connection.
The ending was quite action-packed, but for a 540-page book, I would have liked the ending to have more of a resolution (or if there will be a sequel, it should be made clear).
Overall, great writing, a really interesting main character, atmospheric setting, and also very interesting portrayal of religion and gods, but the middle was too repetitive and the romance was a miss for me.
3.5 stars
I loved the first 20%, thought it would be a 5 star read. The atmosphere was great, the humour even better. I really liked Sebastian and Sarmodel, his demon, as well as Livia, the succubus.
The book lost me a bit after, because it's quite slow and repetitive. The hunt for The Beast is extremely drawn out, and I suppose it's so Sebastian and Antoine, the love interest, can build a rapport, but I'm afraid I just didn't like Antoine at any point, so I wasn't invested in the romance. I didn't find him charming, endearing or interesting, so other than his youth and looks, not sure what drew Sebastian to him.
I'm not sure the 1440 timeline of Jehanne D'Arc was really necessary, to be honest. Sure, it provided some background info for the Beast and Sebastian/Sarmodel's rivalry with an archangel, but this was a long book, I didn't really think it needed several chapters to cover that side of it.
I am not against footnotes, but perhaps not that many. Of course, the eARC formatting didn't help - there were no links to the footnote, so I had to either scroll a few pages to read it, or read it later, by which time I usually forgot the connection.
The ending was quite action-packed, but for a 540-page book, I would have liked the ending to have more of a resolution (or if there will be a sequel, it should be made clear).
Overall, great writing, a really interesting main character, atmospheric setting, and also very interesting portrayal of religion and gods, but the middle was too repetitive and the romance was a miss for me.
3.5 stars
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