A vermilion curse, also known as a crimson curse, is a term used to describe a perceived curse or bad omen associated with the color vermilion or crimson. Vermilion is a bright red pigment that has often been associated with power, wealth, and intensity. However, throughout history, it has also been associated with curses and misfortune. In many cultures, the use of vermilion in certain contexts is believed to bring about negative consequences. For example, in ancient Rome, vermilion was associated with death and sacrifice. It was often used in funeral rites and associated with bloodshed.

A Vermilion Curse

Former scholar turned mercenary Ryesand Valafar rummages through a ransacked city for banned religious texts, seeking information about ancient and dangerous magic. While investigating an abandoned temple, he encounters a threatening woman with a price on her head high enough to fund his research.

Wanted by both the crown for her involvement in the dead king's occult studies and a menacing cult, Cressida Benoit searches for a way to get rid of a brand that scars her in the besieged capital in order to make her grand escape. An encounter with a demon leaves her in bonds.

When this unlikely pair of opposing personalities discover that they have similar objectives relating to the outlawed religion, they agree to work together to find the place where all dark magic stems from. This proves to be a difficult task when their journey is tracked by a war commander set on bringing them to justice, a family they must escort back to a circus, and the growing tension rising between Ryesand and Cressida, serving as a distraction from their individual goals. In the midst of shifting rulers, villages, disarray, and a scattered court of decadence - falling in love was never in the cards.

Content Warnings for:
Demons
Drug usage
Alcohol consumption
Aphrodisiac usage
Sex Pollen trope in Chapter 18
General fantasy violence
Blood magic
Dark magic rituals near act 3

Genres FantasyRomanceFantasy RomanceQueerLGBT

356 pages, Paperback

First published August 31, 2023

About the author

DC Guevara is a fantasy-romance author who enjoys lounging on the beach, going to the movies, and browsing bookstores in her spare time. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Art History with a minor concentration in English Literature from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus. Utilizing English as her second language, she started to explore her love for literature by writing some herself and has never looked back since. She found a home in the romance genre and has started carving out little worlds with her favorite subsections within them and with luck, she aims to add historical fiction, urban fantasy, and gothic romances to her roster. She currently resides in her homeland of Puerto Rico with her partner and their pets, two cats and one dog, who are the real bosses of the household.

It was often used in funeral rites and associated with bloodshed. As a result, the color became associated with bad luck and curses. In Chinese culture, vermilion is a color that symbolizes luck and good fortune.

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3 books 41 followers

A Vermillon Curse was such an adventure filled read! The world, the CHARACTERS! I was intrigued from start to finish 😍 Seeing Rye and Cress going from distaste to desperate longing to that scene warms my heart so much 💕💕 I love them so much and seeing them be happy together warms my heart

IT'S OUT
Go pick it up for disaster bisexuals

Ive received an arc from the author and this is my honest review.

4,5 rounding up to 5 !

A vermilion curse is a whirlwind, you have no time to breath and it was genuinely a super entertaining book. The characters were so fun to follow and their banter war excellent.
Cressida reminded me of Eugenides from Queen’s thief. And I loved it. She’s full of energy, sarcasm and overall super resourceful. Ryesand on the other hand is more reserved and he’s baby. Is he a super tall demon ? Yes. Is he still baby? Also yes. Don’t ask question. I love him.

If you’re a fan of adventure movie, fantasy and you just love to have fun while reading : this book is perfect for you !

6 books 62 followers

Read an eARC from the author
Content Warnings: fantasy violence, human sacrifice, death (on-page in flashbacks), explicit sexual acts, sex pollen (dubious consent), PTSD, fantasy hate crimes, dead parents (mentioned in flashbacks)

A demon seeking redemption from a scholarly brotherhood and spymaster on the run from an accusation of regicide cross paths in A Vermilion Curse. Both Ryseand and Cressida have their own ulterior motives for teaming up as a battle couple. With a queernorm world steeped in the aesthetics and the lived-in worldbuilding reminiscent of the Dragonlance novels, A Vermilion Curse enchants with its slow-burn romance and breakneck plot. An utter delight for fans of Berserk, fantasy, and romance in equal measure.

This novel has everything anyone can want from a fantasy adventure. Polar opposites—a planner and a pantser—meet on the run from different tragedies. Ryesand, a demon, seeks redemption from the Brotherhood who cast him out, while Cressida is a spymaster on the run from crimes she didn’t commit. Chthassyl cultists chase both of them for different ends. It’s dangerous, but there is some excellent competency porn where our main characters are involved. Between Ryesand being the level-headed scholar and Cressida the rogue with a heart of gold looking for healing, the opposites attract deliciously, and so much of the fun lies in watching them trust each other and grow closer.

The success of a romance novel falls on the chemistry and development of its main characters, and Guevara excels here. Despite being a bit of a bisexual disaster, Cressida is quick on her feet and can get herself out of situations as soon as she gets in them. Ryesand, on the other hand, is far more reserved and keeps his truth closer to his chest. Their banter really works for me because of the strength of their personal convictions. This book is intended for adult audiences, and the multiple sex scenes are explicit. This book fucks with enchanting magic and heart-pounding sword fights that show off the best from both our main characters.

As someone who is really picky about cult books, I enjoyed Guevara’s approach to that antagonist and trauma. It’s careful, and there is a clear reason what the cultists seek and the sorts of people they seek to destroy. This is a fantasy book about everyday people in increasingly extraordinary situations. There is magic and divinity, but it’s not the sort that cloaks our main characters in plot armor. In fact, it might be their greatest enemy from start to finish.

Last, but not least, the Berserk references are so tasty and so fresh. Guevara turned the relationship between Guts and Casca and the world-building of a sword-and-sorcery fantasy into something new. Though the world is queernorm, there’s still heartbreak, fantasy racism, especially where Ryesand is involved, and classism, especially where Cressida is concerned. But there’s still beauty, art, and lore, which makes Anthares so richly lived in.

I had a blast reading this fast-paced adventure, and I can’t wait for others to join the ride as well.

DC Guevara

DC Guevara is a fantasy-romance author who enjoys lounging on the beach, going to the movies, and browsing bookstores in her spare time. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Art History with a minor concentration in English Literature from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus. Utilizing English as her second language, she started to explore her love for literature by writing some herself and has never looked back since. She found a home in the romance genre and has started carving out little worlds with her favorite subsections within them and with luck, she aims to add historical fiction, urban fantasy, and gothic romances to her roster. She currently resides in her homeland of Puerto Rico with her partner and their pets, two cats DC Guevara is a fantasy-romance author who enjoys lounging on the beach, going to the movies, and browsing bookstores in her spare time. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Art History with a minor concentration in English Literature from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus. Utilizing English as her second language, she started to explore her love for literature by writing some herself and has never looked back since. She found a home in the romance genre and has started carving out little worlds with her favorite subsections within them and with luck, she aims to add historical fiction, urban fantasy, and gothic romances to her roster. She currently resides in her homeland of Puerto Rico with her partner and their pets, two cats and one dog, who are the real bosses of the household. . more

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However, there are also instances where it is linked to curses. In feng shui, a traditional Chinese practice of arranging spaces to promote harmony and balance, vermilion is considered a risky color to use in certain areas of the home. It is believed that the color can attract negative energy and bring about bad luck or even illness. In literature and folklore, the vermilion curse is often used as a plot device to create tension and conflict. The curse is typically associated with a specific object, person, or place that is believed to bring misfortune or disaster to those who come into contact with it. The curse may be lifted through a series of rituals or quests, adding an element of suspense to the story. Despite the superstitions surrounding vermilion, it is important to note that these beliefs are not scientifically proven. The association of the color with curses or bad luck is largely based on cultural and historical contexts. Nonetheless, the belief in such curses persists in some societies, adding to the allure and mystery surrounding the color vermilion. Overall, a vermilion curse is a concept that embodies the belief in the power of color to bring about negative consequences. Whether grounded in reality or merely folklore, it serves as a reminder of the enduring cultural significance of colors and the human tendency to attribute meaning and symbolism to them..

Reviews for "The Vermilion Curse in Popular Culture: Movies, Books, and More"

1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "A Vermilion Curse." The storyline felt predictable and lacked originality. The characters were one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with any of them. The dialogue was also very weak and didn't flow naturally. Overall, I found the book to be a tedious read that failed to captivate my interest.

2. Mark - 3 stars - Although "A Vermilion Curse" had an intriguing premise, I felt let down by the execution. The pacing was off, with the story dragging in some parts and rushing through others. The world-building was also unclear, leaving me confused about the setting and the rules of the magical elements. Additionally, the writing style was overly descriptive and verbose, making it hard to stay engaged. While there were moments of potential, the book ultimately fell short of my expectations.

3. Jessica - 2 stars - "A Vermilion Curse" had a promising concept, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The plot was convoluted and filled with unnecessary subplots that didn't contribute much to the main story. The characters were inconsistent in their actions and decisions, making it difficult to invest in their journeys. The romance in the book felt forced and lacked chemistry. Overall, I found the book to be disjointed and struggled to finish it.

4. Ryan - 2 stars - I struggled to enjoy "A Vermilion Curse" due to the poor writing quality. The grammar and punctuation errors were distracting and took away from the reading experience. The author's use of clichés and predictable plot twists made the story feel unoriginal and uninspired. Furthermore, the dialogue felt stilted and unnatural, making it hard to believe in the characters' interactions. I was hoping for a captivating read, but unfortunately, this book fell short for me.

5. Emma - 2.5 stars - While "A Vermilion Curse" had some redeeming qualities, such as an intriguing premise and a few engaging moments, it overall failed to leave a lasting impression. The pacing was inconsistent, with slow sections that didn't contribute much to the plot. The characterization was also lacking, with the protagonist feeling flat and underdeveloped. The writing style, although at times descriptive, often felt repetitive. Ultimately, I expected more from this book and was left feeling disappointed.

The Allure of the Vermilion Curse: Why Do People Seek It Out?