The Red Winter
A lyrical folklore fantasy full of sorcery, demons and debauchery
Published on 26. February 2026
544 pages
978-1-0350-4756-7 (ISBN)
Description
Inspired by the eighteenth-century legend of the Beast of Gevaudan, The Red Winter is a lusty, dark, queer fantasy - perfect for fans of The Witcher and Susanna Clarke.
'Charming, haunting, ambitious'
- T. KINGFISHER, author of Nettle & Bone
A 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 terrible Beast of Gevaudan has returned, and the French countryside runs red in its wake. Sebastian knows the Beast. A monster-slayer with centuries of experience, he joined the hunt for the creature twenty years ago and watched it slaughter its way through a long and bloody winter. Even with the help of Sarmodel, the demon he plays host to, bringing the monster down nearly cost him his life.
Now, two decades later, Sebastian 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. Drawn by both the chance to finish the Beast for good and the promise of a reconciliation with Antoine, Sebastian cannot refuse.
Some monsters, it seems, simply won't stay buried . . .
'An absolute feast of a book: rich, red, sinfully delicious'
- ALIX E. HARROW, author of Starling House
'Charming, haunting, ambitious'
- T. KINGFISHER, author of Nettle & Bone
A 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 terrible Beast of Gevaudan has returned, and the French countryside runs red in its wake. Sebastian knows the Beast. A monster-slayer with centuries of experience, he joined the hunt for the creature twenty years ago and watched it slaughter its way through a long and bloody winter. Even with the help of Sarmodel, the demon he plays host to, bringing the monster down nearly cost him his life.
Now, two decades later, Sebastian 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. Drawn by both the chance to finish the Beast for good and the promise of a reconciliation with Antoine, Sebastian cannot refuse.
Some monsters, it seems, simply won't stay buried . . .
'An absolute feast of a book: rich, red, sinfully delicious'
- ALIX E. HARROW, author of Starling House
Reviews / Votes
Charming, haunting, ambitious and a great deal of fun -- T. Kingfisher, <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author of <i>A Sorceress Comes to Call</i> A gorgeous tangle of history and fresh-made myth, The Red Winter is my platonic ideal of a debut: the moment I was done, I went looking for Sullivan's backlog and let out an actual howl of despair upon realizing there was nothing yet. You'll eat this one up -- Cassandra Khaw, bestselling author of <i>Nothing But Blackened Teeth</i> The Red Winter is a hell of a debut. An absolute feast of a book: rich, red, sinfully delicious. I've rarely been this satisfied--or this hungry for more -- Alix E. Harrow, <i>New York</i> <i>Times </i>bestselling author of <i>Starling House</i>More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Pan Macmillan
Target group
Interest Age: From 18 years
File size
1,80 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-0350-4756-7 (9781035047567)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Cameron Sullivan was born in Perth, Western Australia. He grew up with the dark fantasy and horror icons of the eighties and went on to study Classics and Creative Writing at the University of Western Australia. After several years working and studying in Italy and the UK, he returned to Australia and settled in Melbourne, which is the best place for Australians who actually enjoy the winter. He works as a copywriter and will easily lose a weekend to a good book, a new recipe or games of any kind, from tabletop D&D to pub trivia.
