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Song of the Demon Court
A desperate mother…
The town council traded my son to monsters as payment for a debt. All I want is to take him back from the Pied Piper, but the king of the pipers never forgives a debt. To remain with my child, I’ll have to play concubine to the cruel, beautiful prince. The longer I’m with him, the harder it is to see the line between fact and fiction as closely-held beliefs begin to crumble. Are the pipers the demons I was taught to fear? Or do the prince’s actions hold a greater evil at bay?
A prince of demons…
Nothing but music stands between the pipers and utter destruction. As heir to the Pied Piper’s throne, I have to be strong and ruthless to protect my people. But when a human woman arrives at my father’s court, making impossible demands, my rash decision to make her my mistress threatens everything I’ve been working for. The longer she’s near, the more my mask of indifference crumbles. With danger on every side, can I keep my kingdom safe and still open my heart to love?
The town council traded my son to monsters as payment for a debt. All I want is to take him back from the Pied Piper, but the king of the pipers never forgives a debt. To remain with my child, I’ll have to play concubine to the cruel, beautiful prince. The longer I’m with him, the harder it is to see the line between fact and fiction as closely-held beliefs begin to crumble. Are the pipers the demons I was taught to fear? Or do the prince’s actions hold a greater evil at bay?
A prince of demons…
Nothing but music stands between the pipers and utter destruction. As heir to the Pied Piper’s throne, I have to be strong and ruthless to protect my people. But when a human woman arrives at my father’s court, making impossible demands, my rash decision to make her my mistress threatens everything I’ve been working for. The longer she’s near, the more my mask of indifference crumbles. With danger on every side, can I keep my kingdom safe and still open my heart to love?
398 pages, Paperback
Published March 12, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 3, 2023
What if the Pied Piper was smoking hot, morally grey and demanded you serve as his mistress?
This book is such a fresh, spicy take on the Pied Piper story! The characters are so real they'll live in my head for a long time. Annika has lived her whole life in a stifling, tiny, ultra-religious village where sex happens in bed, in the dark and infrequently.
A young widow, she puts her life in danger by following the piper who stole her son and demanding him back. She's willing to do whatever he asks. But she's not expecting to enjoy it…
I was SCREAMING at the characters for about half the book, and came close to throwing my kindle more than once. That's when you know a book is good! Do yourself a favour and read this book!
This book is such a fresh, spicy take on the Pied Piper story! The characters are so real they'll live in my head for a long time. Annika has lived her whole life in a stifling, tiny, ultra-religious village where sex happens in bed, in the dark and infrequently.
A young widow, she puts her life in danger by following the piper who stole her son and demanding him back. She's willing to do whatever he asks. But she's not expecting to enjoy it…
I was SCREAMING at the characters for about half the book, and came close to throwing my kindle more than once. That's when you know a book is good! Do yourself a favour and read this book!
March 7, 2024
Waffling between three and four stars here, maybe 3.5? Which way to round…
The premise of Song of the Demon Court is so interesting, as this is the first Pied Piper retelling I’ve read, and it’s neat how the historical elements of the time are incorporated into the story, with the names used for the different kingdoms/dukedoms etc. (I don’t know a ton about European history, but I was highlighting stuff on Kindle to see the Wikipedia entries about some of them, which was cool.) At the same time, the main character Annika’s background while I’m sure was likely accurate for the time (heavily Catholic, from a small village, which meant religion featured heavily) was something I struggled with a lot. I kept getting frustrated by her and her views on the pipers, although I kept reminding myself that she didn’t know better because of how she was taught (I especially hate the priest in her village and all the judgment). It was satisfying to see Annika eventually learn that how she’d been taught was wrong, that the Church could be wrong at all, as she and the children that had been taken befriended the pipers and lived happily among them, coming to think of the kingdom of Laute as home.
This is a tricky one for me, since the first half was largely me wanting to shake Annika every five seconds as she faced all the inner conflict from her religious values (the way I rolled my eyes at some of her repeated thoughts about lust being a sin and adultery *sigh* I’m sorry, this is likely a me problem, since I’m agnostic). But around the midway point, things start to get more interesting as Annika finally gives in and starts to understand that Loic (the MMC/prince of the pipers) isn’t what he seems to be on the outside.
I liked Teta; she was probably my favorite character of the bunch, even as one of the supporting cast. Teta is deaf, but she knows how to read lips and also signs with Loic (and eventually teaches the kids and Annika to sign, too, which was neat). She’s no-nonsense, very blunt, and a childhood friend of Loic’s, probably the only person who really knows that he’s got a good heart and has suffered by being too soft in his father’s court. Her friendship with Annika is sweet. Even though she knows Annika is wary of her and doesn’t trust her due to her prejudice against the pipers, Teta doesn’t hold any of that against her. She becomes a good friend of Annika’s and cares for Annika and the rest of the human children at court, and she’s the driving force behind Annika and Loic’s eventual reunion. Without Teta, I feel like Loic would’ve lost himself to the cruelty of the his father’s court sooner.
Loic, our MMC, is a somewhat complex character, although I feel like those layers don’t really get explored within the story. We’re told about his past by Teta, which gives context to his mistrust of Annika and almost everyone around him, but we don’t really get to see him work through that. He behaves very hot and cold, hiding behind his mask and showing affection toward Annika at different times, and he easily convinces himself that Annika was lying to him (which… I just wanted to smack him. I get that he’s wary, but it just felt like he and Annika never really understood each other well at all). I liked that he was actually quite soft when it came to Annika and even Falk, and the way the children are treated under his protection at the castle reflected on him being not such a bad guy after all. I just kind of wish we got to explore his messy emotions a bit more aloud, not just from Teta saying stuff or him lashing out. It would have helped to deepen the emotional connection between Loic and Annika, which I feel like we didn’t get much of.
As much as I struggled with Annika’s religious beliefs and the focus on religion in the book, I did appreciate the eventual discussion of different viewpoints on religion, the juxtaposition of Pater Trost (the priest of a church in Augsburg) and Pater Huber (her village priest), as it felt very self-aware that there are people who use religion as an excuse to behave hatefully toward others, to take their prejudices based on the teachings of the Church and willfully keep that small-mindedness with them as blinders. Annika eventually comes to realize this: “I wasn’t ashamed of my beliefs, but I was ashamed of the hatred displayed by others of my faith.” Given today’s world and political views and climate, the influence of religious leaders and the hateful rhetoric pushed by some of these people, Annika’s journey gave me a little hope that people can grow and learn to be more open-minded, that religion should never be used as an excuse for committing atrocities and discriminating against others, that these beliefs should not be imposed on everyone else (not everyone shares the same beliefs and that’s okay!).
I’ve probably rambled on for long enough, but I mostly liked Song of the Demon Court and found the pied piper retelling to be pretty fascinating with its discussion of religion and depiction of medieval Europe. Annika’s captivity in Laute becoming her discovery of the place she belongs and the way her views change and her feelings develop for Loic make for a compelling character arc.
Thank you to Dakotah Gumm for the ARC! I appreciated the opportunity to get to read this retelling, and congrats on your debut!
The premise of Song of the Demon Court is so interesting, as this is the first Pied Piper retelling I’ve read, and it’s neat how the historical elements of the time are incorporated into the story, with the names used for the different kingdoms/dukedoms etc. (I don’t know a ton about European history, but I was highlighting stuff on Kindle to see the Wikipedia entries about some of them, which was cool.) At the same time, the main character Annika’s background while I’m sure was likely accurate for the time (heavily Catholic, from a small village, which meant religion featured heavily) was something I struggled with a lot. I kept getting frustrated by her and her views on the pipers, although I kept reminding myself that she didn’t know better because of how she was taught (I especially hate the priest in her village and all the judgment). It was satisfying to see Annika eventually learn that how she’d been taught was wrong, that the Church could be wrong at all, as she and the children that had been taken befriended the pipers and lived happily among them, coming to think of the kingdom of Laute as home.
This is a tricky one for me, since the first half was largely me wanting to shake Annika every five seconds as she faced all the inner conflict from her religious values (the way I rolled my eyes at some of her repeated thoughts about lust being a sin and adultery *sigh* I’m sorry, this is likely a me problem, since I’m agnostic). But around the midway point, things start to get more interesting as Annika finally gives in and starts to understand that Loic (the MMC/prince of the pipers) isn’t what he seems to be on the outside.
I liked Teta; she was probably my favorite character of the bunch, even as one of the supporting cast. Teta is deaf, but she knows how to read lips and also signs with Loic (and eventually teaches the kids and Annika to sign, too, which was neat). She’s no-nonsense, very blunt, and a childhood friend of Loic’s, probably the only person who really knows that he’s got a good heart and has suffered by being too soft in his father’s court. Her friendship with Annika is sweet. Even though she knows Annika is wary of her and doesn’t trust her due to her prejudice against the pipers, Teta doesn’t hold any of that against her. She becomes a good friend of Annika’s and cares for Annika and the rest of the human children at court, and she’s the driving force behind Annika and Loic’s eventual reunion. Without Teta, I feel like Loic would’ve lost himself to the cruelty of the his father’s court sooner.
Loic, our MMC, is a somewhat complex character, although I feel like those layers don’t really get explored within the story. We’re told about his past by Teta, which gives context to his mistrust of Annika and almost everyone around him, but we don’t really get to see him work through that. He behaves very hot and cold, hiding behind his mask and showing affection toward Annika at different times, and he easily convinces himself that Annika was lying to him (which… I just wanted to smack him. I get that he’s wary, but it just felt like he and Annika never really understood each other well at all). I liked that he was actually quite soft when it came to Annika and even Falk, and the way the children are treated under his protection at the castle reflected on him being not such a bad guy after all. I just kind of wish we got to explore his messy emotions a bit more aloud, not just from Teta saying stuff or him lashing out. It would have helped to deepen the emotional connection between Loic and Annika, which I feel like we didn’t get much of.
As much as I struggled with Annika’s religious beliefs and the focus on religion in the book, I did appreciate the eventual discussion of different viewpoints on religion, the juxtaposition of Pater Trost (the priest of a church in Augsburg) and Pater Huber (her village priest), as it felt very self-aware that there are people who use religion as an excuse to behave hatefully toward others, to take their prejudices based on the teachings of the Church and willfully keep that small-mindedness with them as blinders. Annika eventually comes to realize this: “I wasn’t ashamed of my beliefs, but I was ashamed of the hatred displayed by others of my faith.” Given today’s world and political views and climate, the influence of religious leaders and the hateful rhetoric pushed by some of these people, Annika’s journey gave me a little hope that people can grow and learn to be more open-minded, that religion should never be used as an excuse for committing atrocities and discriminating against others, that these beliefs should not be imposed on everyone else (not everyone shares the same beliefs and that’s okay!).
I’ve probably rambled on for long enough, but I mostly liked Song of the Demon Court and found the pied piper retelling to be pretty fascinating with its discussion of religion and depiction of medieval Europe. Annika’s captivity in Laute becoming her discovery of the place she belongs and the way her views change and her feelings develop for Loic make for a compelling character arc.
Thank you to Dakotah Gumm for the ARC! I appreciated the opportunity to get to read this retelling, and congrats on your debut!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2025
2 ⭐️
Even after finishing this book about 3 weeks ago, I'm still not sure whether I liked it or not. It had it's ups and downs for me.
In summary:
I appreciate the effort, but it's just not well done.
What I liked:
+ I love that it's set in Germany, somewhere near Augsburg. I can't recall ever reading fantasy that is set in medieval Germany. I feel like I want to read this book with a German accent 😆
+ I love that it's a retelling of Rattenfänger von Hameln. If you know of one, that is actually well done pls comment.
+ There was some amazing writing, that made me actually feel Annikas emotions. Or this scene, it has some beautiful writing:
+ I love the full circle moment of
What I didn’t like:
- the whole religious aspect - very often it didn’t make sense to me...
- I found it so silly, that her main concern for the biggest part of the book
- There are no actual demons at the Demon Court, they pipers, who are (almost) human, and the actual humans call them demons. Which is a bit lame. And misleading.
- The magical world this happens in is not explained at all -> hardly any world building
- The comparison of the pipers with
- I hate when forced proximity is too forced and constructed. It's just not well done and cringe. 😬
- Annika is supposed to
-
- I HATE the sex shaming, especially in a supposed kinky book!! This is no safe space!
- Talking of: The spice was meh at best... Too male gazey
Not sure what to think about:
~ I still think Teta and Annika would have been a much better fit to be endgame.
~
~
~ Annika vowing to
~ why does Gisela think
The ending is messy!
What's the message here? All of this (and my interpretation of it) is so confusing to me. 😅
He was burning up...
- Song of the Demon Court, 0,01%
Even after finishing this book about 3 weeks ago, I'm still not sure whether I liked it or not. It had it's ups and downs for me.
In summary:
I appreciate the effort, but it's just not well done.
What I liked:
+ I love that it's set in Germany, somewhere near Augsburg. I can't recall ever reading fantasy that is set in medieval Germany. I feel like I want to read this book with a German accent 😆
+ I love that it's a retelling of Rattenfänger von Hameln. If you know of one, that is actually well done pls comment.
+ There was some amazing writing, that made me actually feel Annikas emotions. Or this scene, it has some beautiful writing:
+ I love the full circle moment of
What I didn’t like:
- the whole religious aspect - very often it didn’t make sense to me...
- I found it so silly, that her main concern for the biggest part of the book
- There are no actual demons at the Demon Court, they pipers, who are (almost) human, and the actual humans call them demons. Which is a bit lame. And misleading.
- The magical world this happens in is not explained at all -> hardly any world building
- The comparison of the pipers with
- I hate when forced proximity is too forced and constructed. It's just not well done and cringe. 😬
- Annika is supposed to
-
- I HATE the sex shaming, especially in a supposed kinky book!! This is no safe space!
- Talking of: The spice was meh at best... Too male gazey
Not sure what to think about:
~ I still think Teta and Annika would have been a much better fit to be endgame.
~
~
~ Annika vowing to
~ why does Gisela think
The ending is messy!
What's the message here? All of this (and my interpretation of it) is so confusing to me. 😅
March 12, 2024
This book was very easy to read as it kept my interest. My internal voice reflected that of the audiobook narrator for Throne of Glass. Whether that was due to the shared genre or the similarities in the voices of the authors, I guess you'll just have to decide for yourself. My point is that if you like a little Maas, you'll probably enjoy some Gumm as well. This is a nice edition to any fantasy/twisted folktale collection...with a little bit of extra spice added.
*I received an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
*I received an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
February 4, 2024
I love a good historical fantasy, but it’s not often I read one that also so beautifully weaves in faith, especially the heavy topics of sin, repentance, and forgiveness. This novel had all of that, along with strong characters, a gorgeous setting, and romance with just the right amount of tension and spice. I also enjoyed that it was a retelling of sorts of the story of the Pied Piper.
Annika and her son Falk, Prince Loic, and the others will linger in my memory for a long time.
Annika and her son Falk, Prince Loic, and the others will linger in my memory for a long time.
January 22, 2024
A Captivating Tale of Love and Deception
"Song of the Demon Court" weaves a mesmerizing narrative that combines elements of fantasy, love, and deception in a world where the line between reality and myth blurs. Dakotah Gumm takes readers on a thrilling journey through a desperate mother's quest to reclaim her son and a prince of demons torn between duty and unexpected emotions.
The story begins with a heart-wrenching premise—a mother's anguish as her son is traded to monsters in settlement of a debt. The author masterfully draws readers into a world where the Pied Piper holds power, and a cruel prince becomes an unexpected player in this dark and enchanting tale.
The characters are well-crafted, each with their own struggles and complexities. The desperate mother, determined to retrieve her son, finds herself entangled in a web of intrigue and danger. The prince of demons, heir to the Pied Piper's throne, grapples with the responsibilities of power and the unexpected emotions that arise when a human woman enters his life.
What sets "Song of the Demon Court" apart is the exploration of the blurred lines between good and evil. As closely-held beliefs crumble, readers are left questioning whether the pipers are the demons they were taught to fear or if a greater evil lurks beneath the surface. The author skillfully develops the plot, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with unexpected twists and turns.
The themes of love and sacrifice add depth to the narrative. The tension between duty and personal desires creates a compelling dynamic between the characters, especially the prince who must navigate the treacherous path of protecting his people while grappling with matters of the heart.
Dakotah Gumm's writing style is evocative and immersive, painting a vivid picture of the demon court and its inhabitants. The world-building is rich, and the story unfolds with a perfect blend of suspense and emotion. The pacing is well-executed, ensuring that readers stay engaged from beginning to end.
In "Song of the Demon Court," Dakotah Gumm has crafted a spellbinding tale that transcends the boundaries of traditional fantasy. With its intricate plot, well-developed characters, and thought-provoking themes, this novel is a must-read for those who crave a captivating and unconventional story.
*I received an arc copy in exchange for an honest review *
"Song of the Demon Court" weaves a mesmerizing narrative that combines elements of fantasy, love, and deception in a world where the line between reality and myth blurs. Dakotah Gumm takes readers on a thrilling journey through a desperate mother's quest to reclaim her son and a prince of demons torn between duty and unexpected emotions.
The story begins with a heart-wrenching premise—a mother's anguish as her son is traded to monsters in settlement of a debt. The author masterfully draws readers into a world where the Pied Piper holds power, and a cruel prince becomes an unexpected player in this dark and enchanting tale.
The characters are well-crafted, each with their own struggles and complexities. The desperate mother, determined to retrieve her son, finds herself entangled in a web of intrigue and danger. The prince of demons, heir to the Pied Piper's throne, grapples with the responsibilities of power and the unexpected emotions that arise when a human woman enters his life.
What sets "Song of the Demon Court" apart is the exploration of the blurred lines between good and evil. As closely-held beliefs crumble, readers are left questioning whether the pipers are the demons they were taught to fear or if a greater evil lurks beneath the surface. The author skillfully develops the plot, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with unexpected twists and turns.
The themes of love and sacrifice add depth to the narrative. The tension between duty and personal desires creates a compelling dynamic between the characters, especially the prince who must navigate the treacherous path of protecting his people while grappling with matters of the heart.
Dakotah Gumm's writing style is evocative and immersive, painting a vivid picture of the demon court and its inhabitants. The world-building is rich, and the story unfolds with a perfect blend of suspense and emotion. The pacing is well-executed, ensuring that readers stay engaged from beginning to end.
In "Song of the Demon Court," Dakotah Gumm has crafted a spellbinding tale that transcends the boundaries of traditional fantasy. With its intricate plot, well-developed characters, and thought-provoking themes, this novel is a must-read for those who crave a captivating and unconventional story.
*I received an arc copy in exchange for an honest review *
March 6, 2024
Annika's village called a Piper to save their village from the plague, even though they know they won't be able to pay the price. As payment, he steals the village children away to his kingdom, including Annika's son. She is definitely not 🙅🏼♀️ okay with the arrangement, and heads to the land of the Pipers to rescue her son. But everything isn't as she thought it would be, including the sexy prince of the Pipers, who makes Annika his pet in exchange for allowing her to stay in his kingdom with her son.
I really liked the premise of this book! Gotta love a forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers romantasy 😏 and it's a fairytale that you don't see done very often, so it was very unique! Unfortunately, I just really wasn't feeling the connection between the characters. To me, that is EVERYTHING when it's such a large part of the plot. They felt a little one-dimensional. I don't feel like we got to see enough of the main characters' personalities--its just like two key traits for each of them. But maybe that's just me? 🤷🏼♀️
I really liked the premise of this book! Gotta love a forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers romantasy 😏 and it's a fairytale that you don't see done very often, so it was very unique! Unfortunately, I just really wasn't feeling the connection between the characters. To me, that is EVERYTHING when it's such a large part of the plot. They felt a little one-dimensional. I don't feel like we got to see enough of the main characters' personalities--its just like two key traits for each of them. But maybe that's just me? 🤷🏼♀️
September 25, 2024
Look, did I expect a romantasy retelling of The Pied Piper to make me think of the theme from Reba? (Complimentary) No! But this one did! Our heroine is a single mom who works two jobs, who loves her kids and never stops, with a gentle hand and the heart of a fighter, she’s a survivor…
Fun and sexy and fascinating!
Disclaimer: Author is a friend but I still loved this one
Fun and sexy and fascinating!
Disclaimer: Author is a friend but I still loved this one
March 16, 2024
The ending wasn't at all what I had pictured would happen when I started reading Song of the Demon Court and right now I feel an unexpected hollowness.
Annika's journey regarding her desires and faith was a delightful treat. So glad I decided to pick up this book.
Annika's journey regarding her desires and faith was a delightful treat. So glad I decided to pick up this book.
March 26, 2024
Wonderful
Oh, man.... This book is heavy and uplifting. Despite all odds.
What can I say about it? The characters seem real. The plot is so good. The love is sweet. The back stories are tragic. The friendships are strong. I need more.
Oh, man.... This book is heavy and uplifting. Despite all odds.
What can I say about it? The characters seem real. The plot is so good. The love is sweet. The back stories are tragic. The friendships are strong. I need more.
nevermind
February 25, 2025DNF 30%
January 22, 2024
Sond of the Demon Court is a slow burn romance with a unique twist on the Pide Piper. A villain you learn to love.
March 11, 2024
4.5/5
Some spoilers below but trying to keep things fairly general…
The basic premise is our FMC Annika’s son is taken by the Pied Piper along with all the village children. Dakotah Gumm doesn’t waste any time getting to the main plot. Fairly quickly, Annika, a young widow, sets out for the land of the pipers—Laute—to get her son back. Instead she finds herself stuck in Laute, playing mistress to the prince, a morally gray sort of character.
And he’s hot. Because of course he’s hot. This is romantasy after all.
More specifically, I would classify this as historical fantasy romance. Real events and real people are mentioned, like Henry VIII. And I believe this shapes a lot Annika’s views. She’s deeply religious, which seems typical for the time & setting, and she hails from a very close-minded village. A very stifling & buttoned up sort of place.
A major part of Annika’s internal struggle and later character growth is centered in her faith and how to stay true to herself when faced with circumstances that very seriously test her beliefs. If a medium-ish dollop of religion bothers you, this book may not be for you—just a head’s up. But it’s a thoughtful and nuanced exploration of it. As a non-religious person, the religious elements didn’t bother me. They make sense for this character.
The highlights! Dun dun dun…
~ Dakotah Gumm has a clear, concise, and easy to follow writing style that’s easy to appreciate.
~ Teta! She’s Prince Loic’s good friend and later Annika’s. She’s deaf and teaches Annika and the children to speak sign language.
~ Falk! Annika’s son. He’s adorable, and the budding father-son like relationship between him and Loic is lovely to watch.
~ The finale. Holy smokes! The last several chapters of the book really caught me off guard. Dakotah Gumm went places with it I didn’t see coming. And it went way darker than I expected.
* Had to come back to add…
~ I love that Annika is a mom. I don’t feel like I come across enough fantasy romance where the MFC is a mom.
I hope you find this helpful. I received an ARC of Song of The Demon Court.
Some spoilers below but trying to keep things fairly general…
The basic premise is our FMC Annika’s son is taken by the Pied Piper along with all the village children. Dakotah Gumm doesn’t waste any time getting to the main plot. Fairly quickly, Annika, a young widow, sets out for the land of the pipers—Laute—to get her son back. Instead she finds herself stuck in Laute, playing mistress to the prince, a morally gray sort of character.
And he’s hot. Because of course he’s hot. This is romantasy after all.
More specifically, I would classify this as historical fantasy romance. Real events and real people are mentioned, like Henry VIII. And I believe this shapes a lot Annika’s views. She’s deeply religious, which seems typical for the time & setting, and she hails from a very close-minded village. A very stifling & buttoned up sort of place.
A major part of Annika’s internal struggle and later character growth is centered in her faith and how to stay true to herself when faced with circumstances that very seriously test her beliefs. If a medium-ish dollop of religion bothers you, this book may not be for you—just a head’s up. But it’s a thoughtful and nuanced exploration of it. As a non-religious person, the religious elements didn’t bother me. They make sense for this character.
The highlights! Dun dun dun…
~ Dakotah Gumm has a clear, concise, and easy to follow writing style that’s easy to appreciate.
~ Teta! She’s Prince Loic’s good friend and later Annika’s. She’s deaf and teaches Annika and the children to speak sign language.
~ Falk! Annika’s son. He’s adorable, and the budding father-son like relationship between him and Loic is lovely to watch.
~ The finale. Holy smokes! The last several chapters of the book really caught me off guard. Dakotah Gumm went places with it I didn’t see coming. And it went way darker than I expected.
* Had to come back to add…
~ I love that Annika is a mom. I don’t feel like I come across enough fantasy romance where the MFC is a mom.
I hope you find this helpful. I received an ARC of Song of The Demon Court.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2024
I'm so excited to finally share with you this story of love and loss, prejudice and grace. Annika and Loic hold a piece of my soul in a way no other characters ever have. I hope you find within these pages something which speaks to you.
March 10, 2024
I love the idea behind this book - a mother goes after the Pied Piper that stole her son. As soon as I saw it I knew it was a story I wanted to read. The resulting book was not quite what I expected. The story begins in Bavaria, around the time of the early Reformation. Our FMC is Catholic, and religion features very, very heavily in the story as she grapples with inconsistencies of her faith and the people that she meets - the Reformation is never mentioned, but some of the ideas of it definitely are. Early on I became worried this was quiet proselytising, but then I thought about how someone in the 16th century would actually think and behave and within that context her thought process seemed quite fitting. Not every character is religious (the MMC is not and doesn't believe) but quite a few are, and faith is not viewed as a necessarily positive or negative trait - it comes down to the individual and their interpretation, which is something our FMC has to come to realise. Ultimately I decided it was something I could work with, but the level of religiosity is definitely something to consider if you're thinking of reading this book.
Once I got my head around the religious elements and adjusted to the authors writing style I enjoyed this book. Apart from the initial premise (person steals children using magic) the story is quite a light fantasy - the land of the pipers functions not all that dissimilarly from the human world. It took me a while to get into it, but from roundabout the half way point the story really picks up - to the point that so much got crammed in at the end it felt a little bit rushed. I enjoyed the relationship between the two MCs, and how it grew and changed over time. Our MMC was a nice combination of aggressively pursuing and relationship adverse in a way that made the seem very realistic. There are a few spicier scenes, none which are super explicit, and a lot of angst. There was also a lot more violence than I would have expected, particularly towards the end of the story. The world building was really interesting, as real historical events were mapped onto this alternative, magical world - is definitely something I'd be interested in reading more of. All in all this was a really interesting read and I'm glad I picked it up!
I didn't see any content note or trigger warning in my copy, so here is my by no means complete attempt at one: , ,
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I received an advance reader copy of this book, my opinions are very much my own.
Once I got my head around the religious elements and adjusted to the authors writing style I enjoyed this book. Apart from the initial premise (person steals children using magic) the story is quite a light fantasy - the land of the pipers functions not all that dissimilarly from the human world. It took me a while to get into it, but from roundabout the half way point the story really picks up - to the point that so much got crammed in at the end it felt a little bit rushed. I enjoyed the relationship between the two MCs, and how it grew and changed over time. Our MMC was a nice combination of aggressively pursuing and relationship adverse in a way that made the seem very realistic. There are a few spicier scenes, none which are super explicit, and a lot of angst. There was also a lot more violence than I would have expected, particularly towards the end of the story. The world building was really interesting, as real historical events were mapped onto this alternative, magical world - is definitely something I'd be interested in reading more of. All in all this was a really interesting read and I'm glad I picked it up!
I didn't see any content note or trigger warning in my copy, so here is my by no means complete attempt at one: , ,
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I received an advance reader copy of this book, my opinions are very much my own.
March 24, 2024
Just turned the last page of Dakotah Gumm's Song of the Demon Court, and wow, what a journey! This book dives deep into a world where debts are paid to pipers, and one mom, Annika, has to navigate a tricky path to save her son from a fate tied up in ancient debts and dark music.
🔹 The Setup: Annika's bold move to reclaim her son from the enigmatic pipers lands her in a tangled web with a prince who's as complex as he is intriguing. The whole enemies-to-lovers vibe with a dash of forced proximity? Totally here for it. The blend of dark fantasy with a hint of romance keeps the pages turning.
🔹 The Feels: This book throws you into a whirlpool of emotions. Annika's struggle is real, and her journey from fear to something like acceptance (or is it love?) is fraught with challenges, both internal and external. The prince? He's got layers, people. But the ride they're on is bumpy, filled with misunderstandings and a hefty dose of miscommunication.
🔹 The World: Gotta say, the Pied Piper angle is fresh and fascinating. Gumm weaves a world that's rich and detailed, pulling you into the intrigues of the demon court with ease.
🌟 My Take: Landing on 3 stars for this one. The book's dive into heavy religious themes and the bit about sexual shaming? Kinda intense for my taste. But, credit where it's due, Gumm's writing pulls you in and keeps you engaged.
This book isn't your everyday fantasy romance. It's got depth, twists, and a setting that'll have you googling history facts. If you're into tales with a darker edge and don't mind wrestling with some hefty themes, this could be your next read.
📚 So, ready to step into the shoes of a mom on a mission in a world where music can be your doom or your salvation? Song of the Demon Court awaits.
Thanks for the free copy!
🔹 The Setup: Annika's bold move to reclaim her son from the enigmatic pipers lands her in a tangled web with a prince who's as complex as he is intriguing. The whole enemies-to-lovers vibe with a dash of forced proximity? Totally here for it. The blend of dark fantasy with a hint of romance keeps the pages turning.
🔹 The Feels: This book throws you into a whirlpool of emotions. Annika's struggle is real, and her journey from fear to something like acceptance (or is it love?) is fraught with challenges, both internal and external. The prince? He's got layers, people. But the ride they're on is bumpy, filled with misunderstandings and a hefty dose of miscommunication.
🔹 The World: Gotta say, the Pied Piper angle is fresh and fascinating. Gumm weaves a world that's rich and detailed, pulling you into the intrigues of the demon court with ease.
🌟 My Take: Landing on 3 stars for this one. The book's dive into heavy religious themes and the bit about sexual shaming? Kinda intense for my taste. But, credit where it's due, Gumm's writing pulls you in and keeps you engaged.
This book isn't your everyday fantasy romance. It's got depth, twists, and a setting that'll have you googling history facts. If you're into tales with a darker edge and don't mind wrestling with some hefty themes, this could be your next read.
📚 So, ready to step into the shoes of a mom on a mission in a world where music can be your doom or your salvation? Song of the Demon Court awaits.
Thanks for the free copy!
March 16, 2024
Okay, so what originally intrigued me about “Song of the Demon Court” was that it was a Pied Piper retelling. I’ve never read anything by Dakotah Gumm before, but this book was a freaking fantastic read. The world building was absolutely exquisite, the character development was well thought out, and the plot had me hooked from start to finish.
This book starts when the town elders make the horrible decision to call a piper to cure a disease in their village, even though they know they won’t be able to pay the price. As punishment, the piper they called takes all the children in the village who are aged twelve or younger.
That’s when Annika Brandt, one of our main POV characters, makes the decision to travel to the piper city of Laute in an attempt to get the children back. Her son Falk was one of the children who was taken, which makes this personal for her. I thought Annika’s personality was very refreshing; she’s kindhearted and genuine, and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep the children safe.
Our second main POV character is Prince Loic, the son of the Pied Piper, aka the king of pipers. Loic is a very complex character, he’s under a lot of pressure from his father. He actually spends the majority of the novel trying to protect Annika from those who would try to hurt or use her, something that I really respected him for. All in all, this was a really unique, beautifully written fairytale retelling, and I think it’s an absolute must read for any fan of fantasy romance!
This book starts when the town elders make the horrible decision to call a piper to cure a disease in their village, even though they know they won’t be able to pay the price. As punishment, the piper they called takes all the children in the village who are aged twelve or younger.
That’s when Annika Brandt, one of our main POV characters, makes the decision to travel to the piper city of Laute in an attempt to get the children back. Her son Falk was one of the children who was taken, which makes this personal for her. I thought Annika’s personality was very refreshing; she’s kindhearted and genuine, and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep the children safe.
Our second main POV character is Prince Loic, the son of the Pied Piper, aka the king of pipers. Loic is a very complex character, he’s under a lot of pressure from his father. He actually spends the majority of the novel trying to protect Annika from those who would try to hurt or use her, something that I really respected him for. All in all, this was a really unique, beautifully written fairytale retelling, and I think it’s an absolute must read for any fan of fantasy romance!
March 1, 2025
What would you do to save your family?
Would you pay any price?
What if you weren’t consulted and a decision was made for your whole community? One you know that nobody can afford, and you try your best to stop it, but, like Cassandra, you’re ignored.
Annika finds herself in this position when her tiny village makes a deal with the Pipers to heal a plague that’s making the children ill. The elders know they can’t afford the sum in gold, but they cut the deal anyway … and end up trading away the villagers’ children.
Annika’s son is the only part of her husband she has left; when he’s taken by the Piper, she has to get him back. So, she takes it upon herself to follow the tune herself, even if it means she’ll walk straight into Hell.
As a sucker for a fairy tale remix, I’m perfectly content to lap up every retelling, remixing, and revising as fast as I can consume it. This one not only remixed the original, but also added depth, layers, and a wonderful main character whose open-heartedness is second only to her growth over the course of the story.
Would you pay any price?
What if you weren’t consulted and a decision was made for your whole community? One you know that nobody can afford, and you try your best to stop it, but, like Cassandra, you’re ignored.
Annika finds herself in this position when her tiny village makes a deal with the Pipers to heal a plague that’s making the children ill. The elders know they can’t afford the sum in gold, but they cut the deal anyway … and end up trading away the villagers’ children.
Annika’s son is the only part of her husband she has left; when he’s taken by the Piper, she has to get him back. So, she takes it upon herself to follow the tune herself, even if it means she’ll walk straight into Hell.
As a sucker for a fairy tale remix, I’m perfectly content to lap up every retelling, remixing, and revising as fast as I can consume it. This one not only remixed the original, but also added depth, layers, and a wonderful main character whose open-heartedness is second only to her growth over the course of the story.
February 5, 2024
I really enjoyed this story! I'm not very familiar with the original Pied Piper tale, so I went into this really open-minded. Dakotah wove magic into her words and whisked us away to world full of magic and hardship. The underlying note is full of hope and love with a HEA that really warms the heart!
Annika grows as a person, all the whole staying true to herself and never giving up on what she believes in and holds dear. Loic had more work to do on himself, and finally realizes that Annika (and the love she represents) is oh so necessary to bring out his best qualities.
Great storyline, interesting intrigue and just enough slow burn tension to keep you on the edge of your seat. A few spicy scenes are sprinkled in, so young readers beware (this story is more New Adult than Young Adult).
Annika grows as a person, all the whole staying true to herself and never giving up on what she believes in and holds dear. Loic had more work to do on himself, and finally realizes that Annika (and the love she represents) is oh so necessary to bring out his best qualities.
Great storyline, interesting intrigue and just enough slow burn tension to keep you on the edge of your seat. A few spicy scenes are sprinkled in, so young readers beware (this story is more New Adult than Young Adult).
December 17, 2024
I love how much thought the author gave to the religious dimension in this historical romantasy reworking of The Pied Piper. I appreciated Annika’s difficulties in reconciling the religious teachings she’d grown up with and the situation she was flung into when she followed the piper who stole the children from her town, including her son.
In addition to this fabulous take, the author presents a beautiful exposition about differences, bigotry, and tolerance and where true grace is to be found. It’s a brilliant example of how we can foster tolerance through openness and curiosity, leaving judgement to God while we get on with our lives in service of others.
All in all, this wonderful book with a slow burn romantic element and a dash of spice absolutely captivated me and kept me glued to the pages from start to finish.
In addition to this fabulous take, the author presents a beautiful exposition about differences, bigotry, and tolerance and where true grace is to be found. It’s a brilliant example of how we can foster tolerance through openness and curiosity, leaving judgement to God while we get on with our lives in service of others.
All in all, this wonderful book with a slow burn romantic element and a dash of spice absolutely captivated me and kept me glued to the pages from start to finish.
March 11, 2024
I enjoyed reading the book but it was certainly no barn burner. I like the use of the Pied Piper theme and the positive light of Catholics but as always the “bad” people are the priests. (Typical). I never understood why the prince called her a songbird also I have zero idea of why the poison in the ear took away his magic. At least the book was not ruined by making characters gay and using they pronouns. Super confusing when authors cave to this. I read it in one sitting but I didn’t laugh nor cry. I feel like the beginning and the end was rushed. Still some good characters if no real surprises
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2024
A spicy and creative pied piper inspired fantasy adventure.
Morally grey characters, lots of sexual tension, plenty of drama, and a delicious slow burn romance.
She feels like a prisoner, he calls her his pet, she acts like his doting mistress in front of the Kingdom, but underneath it all they are are two lost souls looking for connection and love.
Great characters, captivating plot, fun fairytale/ folklore elements, and sweet themes of love, loyalty and sacrifice.
✨Forced proximity
✨Enemy to lover
✨Morally grey
✨Touch her and 💀
✨Slow burn romance
✨Found family
✨Diverse characters
Morally grey characters, lots of sexual tension, plenty of drama, and a delicious slow burn romance.
She feels like a prisoner, he calls her his pet, she acts like his doting mistress in front of the Kingdom, but underneath it all they are are two lost souls looking for connection and love.
Great characters, captivating plot, fun fairytale/ folklore elements, and sweet themes of love, loyalty and sacrifice.
✨Forced proximity
✨Enemy to lover
✨Morally grey
✨Touch her and 💀
✨Slow burn romance
✨Found family
✨Diverse characters
March 15, 2024
A life taken for each life saved. When her town council cannot pay the price demanded as payment for healing the sick, the piper takes all of the children under 12 with him as payment. Annika, a widowed mother, was vehemently against the calling of the piper and is distraught when her son is taken. She travels to Laute, the city of pipers, to bargain for her son and finds herself taken as the prince's pet. Political intrigue, a music based magic system, a struggle with faith, and a slow burn love story. I would love to read more about Annika and Loic's story!
May 8, 2025
2 STARS ✨
rating criteria below.
★★★★★ ──┄ absolutely phenomenal, a flawless piece of literature that i will continuously recommend as if it is my only personality trait.
★★★★☆ ──┄ amazing, i thoroughly enjoyed reading it and am more than likely to hype up the book because i found myself immersed in the world.
★★★☆☆ ──┄ good, but did not completely enthral and entice me like a four star read does.
★★☆☆☆ ──┄ merit can be given, but the book personally wasn’t for me.
★☆☆☆☆ ──┄ read until the end but really wasn’t for me and i couldn’t in good faith recommend it.
rating criteria below.
★★★★★ ──┄ absolutely phenomenal, a flawless piece of literature that i will continuously recommend as if it is my only personality trait.
★★★★☆ ──┄ amazing, i thoroughly enjoyed reading it and am more than likely to hype up the book because i found myself immersed in the world.
★★★☆☆ ──┄ good, but did not completely enthral and entice me like a four star read does.
★★☆☆☆ ──┄ merit can be given, but the book personally wasn’t for me.
★☆☆☆☆ ──┄ read until the end but really wasn’t for me and i couldn’t in good faith recommend it.
March 7, 2024
I liked this book , it's full of tropes like ennemy to lover , morally grey MMC and forced proximity . There is also a unique blend of Myths and Faith , it makes you question everything you thought you knew !
The story is well written and the writting itself is fluid.
The spice level is mild, but to my mind it's more a New Adult than a Young Adult as the hemoglobin flows in one or two scenes.
The story is well written and the writting itself is fluid.
The spice level is mild, but to my mind it's more a New Adult than a Young Adult as the hemoglobin flows in one or two scenes.
March 16, 2024
What a great book this is. I was determined to have an early night but couldn't put this down! It wasn't as spicy as I am used to but the development of the relationship was done really well. The characters were believable and I felt the ups and downs of the main character as she went through them. I also liked the mix of fantasy- the pipers, and human history. I was unsure of how a re-telling of the pied piper story would work, but this worked beautifully.
March 20, 2024
Strong, protective mama of an FMC! Really enjoyed her character.
I really enjoyed that the book was inclusive of hearing loss/ deaf characters. I haven’t found that often in Fantasy and I think you should!
The story is a good pace and the enemies to lovers trope is a good one! Although I wanted to yell at the book a couple times 😅
Our MMC is morally grey like we love them to be!
I hope the series will be continued!
I really enjoyed that the book was inclusive of hearing loss/ deaf characters. I haven’t found that often in Fantasy and I think you should!
The story is a good pace and the enemies to lovers trope is a good one! Although I wanted to yell at the book a couple times 😅
Our MMC is morally grey like we love them to be!
I hope the series will be continued!
June 2, 2024
While the concept of a pied piper retelling is really interesting and engaging, the actual narrative was not engaging enough to deliver on the promise of the book. The writing was OK. There were some highlights throughout, but overall... I didn't enjoy it.
June 21, 2025
Great Fairy Tale Retelling
I really enjoyed this book! It was well written, there was excitement, intrigue, angst, and spice. It is a slow burn, but worth the wait. I will read more of this authors books for sure!
I really enjoyed this book! It was well written, there was excitement, intrigue, angst, and spice. It is a slow burn, but worth the wait. I will read more of this authors books for sure!
February 14, 2026
Si lo primero que te dicen después de contarte algo es no contarle a él porque o si no todo va a terminar mal, por qué lo primero que haces es literal decírselo a la cara. Aparte de eso es un buen libro para pasar el rato
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