Dancing with Daggers

The Inferno Universe #2

by Alessa Thorn

She was hired to find the perfect heir for a powerful vampire house. It's a pity that the most eligible candidate is also the sexiest, most infuriating man she's ever met.

All Zia wants is to use her truth magic to get ahead in life and maybe own her dream apartment in Florence. When a lucrative contract lands in her lap that's going to give her both, how can she refuse?

She's going to have to convince the most ruthless vampire heirs that she's one of them and not get taken out as competition in the process. It should be easy, except Ares Volso isn't as gullible as the rest of his family, and he's going to make her job as hard as possible.

Zia isn't about to let an arrogant alpha hole stand in her way, no matter how smoldering he is. Ares is about to teach her that there's so much more to him than what he has let the world see…and that he also isn't above playing just as dirty as her to get what he wants.

This stand-alone novella is based in the Inferno world, featuring a scorching hate-at-first-sight romance, loads of banter, and two MCs that can't stand to lose. Please note that it does contain violence, swearing, and spicy scenes.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Vampires, Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Enemies To Lovers, Fantasy Romance

130 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 10, 2024

About the author

Alessa Thorn believes that all monsters and villains deserve their happy endings. She prefers her clothes black, eyeliner winged and books full of hot romance. She thinks heroes are boring, so her first series 'The Court of the Underworld' centers around dark gods, monsters and villains from her favorite Greek Myths.

Reviews

[fromthestudyof · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

spicy paranormal romance where she’s hired by the patriarch of his family to determine who is worthy of becoming the heir

INSERT a super hot grumpy vampire named Ares (hot)

Tropes:
Vampires
She’s deadly
She’s pretending to be a long lost family member
Hate to love

<3

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't even know what the plot of this was supposed to be. The vampires trope seemed pretty useless here and had absolutely no influence on the story. They even ate real food like come on. On the up side the spice was good. This was an appropriate length for the cringe to spice ratio. It was fine I guess.

[bella fazzati · Rating 5 out of 5]

they were both so unhinged and funny in the best way possible 😩✊🏻🙂‍↕️ i wish it was longer 💘

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook. Library. I loooooooved Ares and Zia. Alessa is always a good time but I haven’t loved one of hers like this since the Mercenaries and Magic series.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was insta-hat/love, vampire smut, but it was what I needed as a quick read. I love Thorn’s writing style. I wish these weren’t just novellas, I want to know more about Inferno and the characters.

[Ashling B · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow… what a ride! 🗡️💃 Part of the Inferno Universe, but can easily be enjoyed as a standalone, this enemies-to-lovers vampire adventure pairs Zia’s sharp wit with Ares’ brooding charm. Magic, danger, and sizzling chemistry keep you hooked from start to finish. 🔥💫

Fast-paced, spicy, and impossible to put down, it’s the perfect paranormal romance escape. If you love banter, steam, and a dash of danger, this novella is a must-read! 🖤🩸

Tropes to love:
🧛‍♂️ Vampires
⚔️ Enemies-to-Lovers
✨ Paranormal Magic
🔥 Spicy Chemistry
🏰 Fantasy Adventure
💔 Forbidden Romance

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Alessa Thorn. She packs so much into a novella. So much feeling and so much spice and so much humor. Love. Her.

[Lem · Rating 5 out of 5]

A grumpy dhampir named after a war god and a sunshine dhampir with a healthy dose of sass - what’s not to love? This whole book is HOT

[Kateryna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked this more than the prior one. It helps that the plot is a lot simpler/background. Also I thought the intimate scenes really worked.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this one.

[Anja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alessa Thorn manages to pack so much into a novella, I love her and this universe.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites of the Inferno Universe so far, there's something about Ares and Zia that's just so perfect for each other and me.

Sept.2025 reread, still my favorite of the Infernos and the audiobook has me bumping up the rating from 4 to 5 stars. Love.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite vampire novella series of all time.

It’s sexy and violent and yearning.

[Reads_Must · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dancing with Daggers
The Inferno Universe #2
Fantasy
Alessa Thorn
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

• ᴅᴜᴀʟ ᴘᴏᴠꜱ • ʙᴀɴᴛᴇʀ • ᴇɴᴇᴍɪᴇꜱ ᴛᴏ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀꜱ •

This was a good book. I really liked the fact that Zia was a dhampir (half vampire) and she challenged everyone and everything.

The magic was interesting, especially Zia's ability, and I'd like to learn even more about it. The world building was well done but I'd like to find out even more about Inferno and the people that live there.

The pacing was very good and it felt like there was always something new being revealed.

I loved the banter between Zia and Ares. Ares didn't stand a chance at resisting Zia and he knew it 😂.

The dual POVs were great just because it made it easier to see just how much Zia got under Ares' skin and how she made him lose control so often.

The ending did feel a little rushed, especially with what Ares asked Zia.

I still really like Alessa Thorn's writing style so I'll definitely be reading more of her books

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

After flying through Mercury Rising this morning, Dancing with Daggers was a huge step up. The plot had more substance, and the characters felt much more dynamic. Zia’s chaotic energy was the perfect match for Ares’ rigid control, and their enemies-to-lovers tension was so fun to read. I only wish it had been longer! As a novella, though, it delivered exactly what I wanted—a fast, satisfying, and entertaining read with lots of spice.

[Rachel’s Coffee & Rain Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up only because the MMC Ares was pretty great and I wanted way more of him. Zia (FMC) was ok, pretty likable but nothing spectacular. Their chemistry was pretty good and the spice was decent. But the story as a whole lacked substance, even for a novella. I was just left wanting more, and found myself not very compelled to pick up the book. The ending was good, but had this been a full length novel I’m not sure I would have finished. Also quite a few grammatical errors, which gets distracting and makes the book feel like a draft 🥴

[Rhi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️
I ate this up, it was so good! I could not put this one down, I read it in two sittings. I really liked both our MC’s, Zia and Ares. The hate to love trope in this book was incredible, I loved seeing their relationship develop. I really enjoy Alessa’s writing style, it’s so fast-paced and fun. The spice was also very good in this novella. I will definitely be picking up every other book by this author!

[Micaila Rei · Rating 5 out of 5]

wild ride

This one was short and spicy. Zia is such a fun fmc and opposite Ares. Zia is tasked to help her “boss” find his heir and try to solve a murder. Great chemistry and banter between the main characters. This is a standalone but does make a few references to the previous book, so while you could technically read in any order, start with the first one.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

ow ow!

This might be a novella, but it sure packs one heck of a punch! Ares and Zia were so explosive and fun, their dialogue was epic, and I loved the entire premise of this book. So far, this universe is proving to be just as incredible as the Gods Universe (hadn’t gotten to Fae yet when I read this), and I’m stoked for the future releases!

[Samantha Jepson · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay i love the writing style and the pacing and the characters!! its such a short novella but so much happens in the best way possible this was so fun and i really loved both main characters the enemies to lovers was perfect and i will say the smut was good so ya this should’ve been a full book i need more of this world

[Cindy Senn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a very good second book on an new series.

The novella is commendable. I admire Alessa Thorn's writing style and have collected all of her books. This new series shows promise, but as with all her works, it is essential to read them in sequence to fully appreciate them. I eagerly anticipate discovering the direction she takes us in this new realm within the Inferno universe.

[Liana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aries and Zia

I just love this world, Alessa created. I just love this story. I would start with book 1 , It just flows better reading it in order. This had everything: action, humor, a badass Female lead character, and Aries was sexy as sin. Of course, plenty of spice! Highly recommended added this to your TBR! on the next book!

[Kylee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has more plot substance than book 1. So I flew through it much faster.
Claims to be hate to lovers troupe but I didn't see it. AT does Insta love and it's here in this book too.
Overall quick easy read. This isn't one of my favourite series by AT, but I'll read anything she writes!

[Gabrielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like the vibes between them till the very end

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun!

[Jaycee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great, well composed little summer deck/dock read, but aaarrrgh, such a wonderful full-length story it would have made!

[Pam Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

sexy and fun

A quick read that was all pleasurable fun! Loved the characters and witty dialogue! No teenage drama and angst here! Highly recommend this author!

[Nicole Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

🥵

Cute, steamy novella! Alessa Thorn never disappoints.

[Arianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it but I think the end was too rushed. After everything was resolved, I would have loved to see something more about them.

[Medy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute