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markcredman on Instagram: "Book Review of Red Winter by Cameron SullivNetGalleylPan Macmillanillan. Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)Red Winter is the kind of book that lur…"
Book Review of Red Winter by Cameron SullivNetGalleylPan Macmillanillan. Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)Red Winter is the kind of book that lures you in with atmosphere, then emotionally body-slams you with its character dynamics.We follow Sebastian, who willingly shares his body with a demon named Sarmodel, and yes, that premise is as good as it sounds. Through Sebastian’s recounting of his and Antoine’s story, we unravel the events of the Red Winter and the hunt for the Beast terrorising Antoine’s village. There’s an undercurrent of dread woven through the narration, a constant sense that something tragic is circling just out of sight.The world-building is expansive. The magic system is thoughtfully constructed and genuinely fascinating. The setting feels cold, harsh, and lived-in. I could go on about the scope of the world Sullivan created.For me, the characters are the reason this book works so well.Sebastian and Sarmodel are an elite duo. Sebastian is driven by their shared need to feed on spiritual energy, and the narration is so deeply human and vulnerable. Sarmodel, who is very much not human, somehow manages to be full of devotion and love for him. Their dynamic is chaotic, sharp, and genuinely hilarious at times… and then, out of nowhere, it becomes tender.Beyond them, the cast is morally grey, layered, and complicated. Loyalties shift, motives clash, and every choice feels heavy with consequence. The relationships, especially the tension and longing that thread through Sebastian and Antoine’s story, carry a quiet intensity that builds and builds.The pacing starts measured, but once the threads begin tightening, it’s hard to look away. By the final stretch, I was fully invested. Overall, Red Winter is atmospheric, intimate, and tragic in a way that lingers. If you love morally complex characters, demon-human bonds that are equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking, and stories soaked in foreboding, this one is absolutely worth your time.Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
