Danse Macabre: The House of Machiavellianism

by Julie Anne Addicott

(Re-edited and revised 09/2025)
This first edition is no longer available.

*Erotic Horror, NOT romance.

Genres: M M Romance, Dark, Horror, Dark Romance, Fantasy, Erotic Horror, Crime

Paperback

Published June 27, 2024

About the author

As of October 2025, the author no longer writes under this name.

Reviews

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

BRUH, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I NEED MORE RN... JAIL OR JESUS.



*Spoilers ahead*

Because what in the brutal mutilation, PEVERSE, cannibalistic, child abusing(and lots of raping/SA), incesty, gang raping, murderous FUCKERY DID I JUST READ?????

Never thought I could say I've read TWO books in my life where a penis is used as a murder weapon, BUT HERE WE ARE... Here we are... (Mum, come pick me up, i'm scared..)

This wasn't dark, it was fucking VANTABLACK my dudes.


❌I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS❌DO NOT READ THIS LIGHTLY❌IM JUDGING MYSELF AND ALL THE 5 STARS BEFORE ME❌MAYBE JUST DON'T READ THIS AT ALL TBH❌I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS❌DO NOT READ THIS LIGHTLY❌YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED❌

[Evie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am confused and unsure about why I didn’t hate this….

Think Necessary Evils by Onley James, but more fucked and with everything potentially light hearted, campy or silly snuffed out of it.

For the love of god read and respect the content warnings though. They are not messing around. I genuinely think this is probably one of the most fucked books I have read.

It was probably a little longer than it needed to be and some of the scenes felt they were a bit randomly slotted in. I also wish that they had set it in some random fictional place cause it being based in Australia kept distracting me and I couldn’t stop wondering about how it would all work logistically.

I can’t unread this book and now I need to work out how to make eye contact with people in the real world following it. Tentatively giving this 4 stars.

(03/2025) I feel that if this review is going to start doing rounds again I need to reinforce that this is NOT a dark romance. This was just straight up fucked and just happens to have an equally fucked MM relationship in it. This book still haunts my brain as one of the most fucked books I've read.

[Megan [At The Cottage] · Rating 5 out of 5]

MM Erotic Horror (per the author)
Depraved Secret Society
5 Stars ⭐️

This is the darkest, most fucked up book I’ve ever read and I couldn’t put it down. It’s one of those books where I don’t know if I should 1 star it because it was so vile or 5 star it because the author took it there and gave no fucks. I’m going with 5 stars because despite it being horrific, it was everything I hoped for and more. I’m a whore for secret society books but the most depraved ones have been MF romance and all the MM ones I’ve read have been so lackluster. So, I started looking for pitch black MM ones and this author popped up. I need to stress that this book is NOT a romance. There is a love story of sorts but both love interests are absolutely unhinged and pitch black. I highly suggest if you have any triggers that you stay the fuck away from this or go onto the author’s website and read them because I’m not joking when I say this book left me speechless. I can’t even figure out how to review this because I feel so off kilter liking so much foul shit. I actually went in completely blind and had no idea what I was in for but I have very few triggers and was in the mood for something absolutely fucked up. No one in this book is truly innocent nor redeemable and yet I was unable to put it down and stayed up all night reading it. Some plot twists had me in a chokehold and others I figured out beforehand yet knowing them didn’t take away from the absolute fuckery this book was.

My favorite part of this book was the karma. Oh it was so delicious and depraved watching some of these sickos get what they deserved however no one in this book is truly a good person so at times I was conflicted with who I wanted the karma for. My morals definitely flew out the window with this book and I feel like I had to disassociate to a degree in order to read some of this shit especially the flashbacks. Some of them were so vile that there are not enough words in the dictionary to properly convey how much I hated reading them. And yet, I could not put this shit down.


I’ll leave you with some quotes.


”It’s only cannibalism if you swallow”


“People are disgusted by cannibalism. They fear it, abhor it. Yet they partake regularly.” […]“The simple act of sucking your cock…” He licks his lips, eyes fixed on mine. “Of swallowing your release… inhaling your breaths.” […] “Biting you, licking the blood from your wounds. They are all simply different, less intense forms of cannibalism.”


”Most days, I look at Killian, and all I can think about is crushing his windpipe with my bare hands, or carving his body open with my knife and fucking the pulsating wound until all that’s left of him are the remnants of my essence. His existence consumes me entirely. I am capable of ruining us both with my destructive obsession.”


Also, I think something is seriously wrong with me because despite how squicked out I am by so much of this book, I realized I have an anthology from last year that has a story about a couple in this series I was super curious about and I can’t wait to read it😵‍💫🫣😵🤯🫢🤣😭🫥☠️😬🤭

[Tonya ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Fxxxking Shit !!!!

I don't know what I was expecting when reading this especially since it been on my TBR for months now but what I just read it definitely not what I was expecting.

But also why did I enjoy it?

This book is so fucked. I mean this isn't just like oh morally grey, this is PITCH BLACK. But also not a ROMANCE. Julie's writing is so CAPTIVATING, and although I took a break when I started reading I couldn't put it down.

Wow. Just. Wow. 🤯🤯🤯


⚠️Please read TW before reading this book ⚠️

[Alexandra St Pierre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this book completely blind expecting a horror erotica and was SO PLEASANTLY SURPISED to find it FULL of unhinged dark romance.

I absolutely LOVED this book. Julie is an insanely underrated author. I can't believe people aren't screaming from the rooftops about this book.

The next book will follow Salem and Justice and I am being fully honest when I say I have NEVER anticipated a release more than The Desecration of Justice.

Danse Macabre follows Diablo and Killian.

This story takes your typical serial unaliver/stalker romance and kicks it up to Chernobyl levels of unhinged.

Diablo isn't just a serial unaliver, he is also a CANNIBAL who eats his prey. The twist that makes this different from any other book I've ever read, is Killian has autoassassinatophilia, which means he's obsessed with the idea of being murdered.

I can't tell you how many times I started cracking up at how much of a desperate lil sloot Killian was for being deleted by Diablo.

I don't know how Julia made such dark, disturbing topics so unexpectedly ENDEARING.

Of course, once Diablo realizes how badly Killian wants to be deleted, he becomes equally obsessed with him and he just can't do it - MUCH TO KILLIAN'S DISMAY! LOL!

Outside of this unique pairing, this book also has one of my favorite tropes ever - found family.

Diablo's bromance with Salem added even more charm to this depraved story. Salem's character absolutely shone without taking away from Diablo and Killian's story, and as I said before, I literally CANNOT WAIT for his book.

He's even more insane than Diablo, and I just know Salem and Justice's book will be one of my favorite books of all time.

All that being said, I don't want to mislead you. This is still a Julie Anne Addicott book and it is DARK as fuck.

The first chapter is so brutal, I'm sure many readers may not make it past the first few pages.

Both Diablo and Killian suffered insanely traumatic childhoods, and there are themes of CSA in this book that I am sure will not be palatable for everyone.

Please read responsibly and check triggers before diving in. Like all dark books, you have the option of consent before engaging with content like this, so if it's not for you, don't read it boo boo. It's really that simple.

[chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

arc review
wow okay, where do i even begin? let’s start with how this is my favourite book ever written. there are no words to describe how incredible this is.
there isn’t a whole lot i can say without spoilers, but this was a wild ride.

from the second i began reading, this book had me on the edge of my seat, there was so many twist and turns happening i couldn’t stop reading.
if you are like me and often feel as though dark books aren’t dark enough for you, i beg you please read this!!

𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀. 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲. 𝗦𝗼 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗜 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗶𝗺. 𝗜 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘄𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗵. 𝗧𝗼 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱.

DIABLO AND KILLIAN MY CRAZY BABIES 😭
this love story was like nothing i have ever read before, they are toxic, obsessive and honestly perfect for each other (in a very fucked up way lmao)

𝗠𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁—𝗺𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿. 𝗠𝘆 𝗞𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗲. 𝗜 𝗰𝗮𝗻’𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝗺.

killian wants something that only diablo can give him, will he give it to him? well isn’t that just the biggest question throughout the whole book.
THE FEELINGS I FELT WHILE READING!! i was anxious, sad, swooning and a little grossed out at times 😂

𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀. 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲. 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱. 𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝘆 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻.

the side characters in this are also some of my FAVOURITE ever
popping a stefani quote here bc i love her:

“𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗜 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗲𝘁. 𝗦𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗳𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮. 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱.” 𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗷𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝗴. “𝗙𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺, 𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺, 𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱, 𝗴𝘂𝘆𝘀.”

this is so beautifully written, an absolute masterpiece. it is DARK DARK so be sure to put your mental health first ❤️
thank you julie for the opportunity to read this arc, you are amazing

[Crystal (Crystalreads2) · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing is certain: whenever I read one of the author's books, I can always anticipate a journey into darkness, ranging from black to pitch black. This consistent tone is not only what I expect but also what I crave in my reading experience. The author masterfully captures the essence of despair and intrigue, drawing me in.


My love for Diablo runs deep; his unhinged nature only adds to his irresistible charm, making him the kind of character who can simultaneously provoke cringes, exclamations of disbelief, and heartfelt swoons. While I have a soft spot for Killian, I must admit that there were moments when his bratty antics tested my patience. However, I recognize that his behavior stems from deeper issues, which gives him a certain leeway in my eyes. Ultimately, both characters bring out complex emotions that make them unforgettable.


This book has captivated me in a way that words fail to express; it live rent free in my mind, particularly after that unforgettable ending. After some reflection, I upgraded my rating from four to five stars, realizing just how deeply it resonated with me, making it clear that its presence in my mind is undeniable.

A must read for any MM Dark romance readers.

[Audi♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This is the darkest book I've read.

“A man has not truly lived until he has indulged in the delectable flavor of human flesh.”

Diablo was taught by his father at a young age to kill. He was raised in a secret society that hunts,kills, and eats people.
Killan was raised by pedophiles that have pimped him out his whole life. Poor guy never felt a gentle touch. He has a serious pain kink and wants to die while... you know.. He becomes obsessed with Diablo after catching him kill people close to him. So, he signs up to be hunted. Diablo has his own reasons for wanting to kill his little hunter. The reason? SHOCKED! I like they way we find out about their pasts. The flashbacks they had were eerie and uncomfy. I had goosebumps finding out who Killians parents were!
The bombshell dropped about Diablo, Salem, August, and Gavin... I swear my eyebrows lived in my hairline reading this book. So many twists and secrets.
The part with Killians brother/parents fucked me up the most. Then... to find out WHO was doing THAT to his brother while he watched.. So messed up. Everything was so messed up. Especially that ending!!
Does Killian finally get what he wants?

“I’m going to fuck you until you pass out. Do you want that, my heart? Do you want to be impaled on my cock when you take your last, dying breathe"

If you have any triggers I recommend skipping this one.

[Tania ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞. 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐫. 𝐊𝐢𝐥𝐥."

This book is a masterpiece.
I can't tell you how many times I picked up a book that was marked "dark" and ended up disappointed because nothing was dark inside.
I can tell you, if you select this book, you will not be disappointed on this level. The author delivers what she promised us.
It’s dark, it’s twisted, it’s toxic, it’s gory. This is everything you were hoping to have when you started this book.

This book is the first in the “House of Machiavellianism” series. We begin the immersion in this universe alongside Diablo and Killian. And what an adventure!

"𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧."

Julie tells us the story through sequences from the characters' childhood to their adulthood. And if you have already read Julie's other books, you must already know what a talent Julie has for writing chapters through a child's eyes. I am still amazed by her talent for writing, and especially when it comes to bringing young characters to life.
Julie immerses us in a dark, macabre universe, with sumptuous places. Here again, Julie has the talent to bring us completely into the story with the detail of the place, without ever being excessive.

"𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐝, 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐞."

What I liked even more about this book was the psychology of the characters. Julie knew how to work them accurately. Nothing is left behind. Characters don't commit bad acts just for the sake of doing them. No, each character has an extremely well-worked personality and psychology. We always feel the work and research carried out to provide us with complex but exceptional characters.

"𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐦, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞, 𝐈 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐦."

You will meet Diablo King, the calculated and trained leader, the killer with a dark heart, and Killian Graves, the young man in duality with himself and in full quest for his perverse desires.
And I won't say any more. Except that their relationship is toxic, passionate, filled with lust and adoration. Obsession. The two of them make an explosive duo, and I can guarantee you that if you like unhinged relationships, you won't be disappointed.

"𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐨 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬."

The “side » characters are also just as important and the connections/bond they have with each other are incredible. These are just as toxic, obsessive relationships as for Killian and Diablo. Particularly for Diablo and his sidekick, but I won't say more. Just that I love another relationship in this book.

"𝐈 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐡. 𝐓𝐨 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝."

Julie has created an original, dark, frightening universe. A love story (not romance) which combines with horror, psychological thriller.
You would be in tension while reading because Julie manages to make everything in suspense. You can't guess anyone's next move. You can't guess how this first book will end. And for me, that’s what makes a book a masterpiece. And this one, is.

Julie Anne Addicott is an incredible author and she never fails to amaze me.

[Leigh Gaskill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morbidly Fantastic, Bloody Beautiful

This was fantastic. This is exactly what I have been looking for in all the serial unal!ver/psychopath books I’ve been reading (although psychopath is never used in this book as a diagnosis that I know of).

I already know that no other books in this category will ever compare.

I was worried I would find this difficult to read as there are some no go TWs on here for me, however I breezed right through this. I DEVOURED this book. I cannot stress enough how much I love these two unhinged men.

I implore you, CHECK THE TWs prior to reading! This is an amazing book, but go in well informed!

I will absolutely be buying Salem & Justice’s book. I am very anxiously awaiting its release!

[❀ Alex ❀ [Hiatus] · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTC

[Krista Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Dark, unhinged & depraved! Loved every second of this!

[Lb [worlds longest slump] · Rating 3 out of 5]

My brother in Christ when they said this was dark there isn’t a black BLACK ENOUGH to describe it. Had me feeling like I needed to go to confession after, even tho I’m not religious.

Let me preface this by saying I am not a horror girlie. I knew that going into this and figured I would struggle. I am scared easily 😂 and the start of this book reaaaaally tested me. I actually finished the 10% sample and immediately deleted it from my kindle, feeling utterly cursed, HAHA. Needless to say the next day I downloaded it again and read the rest 🤪 (albeit, with light hearted silly book breaks in between because ✨mental health✨).

I’m gonna give you the proper ⚠️⚠️⚠️trigger warnings⚠️⚠️⚠️ that you need before you decide to read this. The list at the beginning of the book (if you choose to read it) wasn’t enough for me. So if you’re a weakling little sook like me you might need this (I suppose they’re lightly spoilery but also not, given it’s not like any of these things are big secrets, but, you’ve been warned):

I am okay with a lot of things. LOT of things. But cannibalism 🤢 is not one of them. HEAVY on the cannibalism in this. Talked about in a positive light and in detail and OFTEN. Pretty fucking gross I’m ngl.

Also, much worse than the cannibalism and higher on my list of things I just can’t stomach, is anything to do with kids. Abuse, murder, mutilation (😭) and sexual assault of children happens on page throughout the book and I’m ngl, that + the cannibalism gave me actual real life nightmares. Can’t say that’s ever happened to me from a book before.

Other dishonourable mentions go to pedophelia (on page) and necrophelia (on page)…. Um… Yep.

Again, not a horror girlie 💀

At this stage you might be wondering WHY THE FUCK DOES THIS STILL GET THREE STARS THEN?!?!? And that is a very good question.

I had a really weird time with this book. I think after my initial visceral reaction I got fairly desensitised to the horror elements. Although I did continue to feel a bit nauseous thinking about what they were doing at times, lmao.
My reading timeline went: nervous, horrified, never reading this again, gross, it’s actually kinda good, why is this so drawn out, sort of bored, GROSS, this is sweet, kinda like it, the end.

On top of this, it’s written really well. Subject matter aside it’s a really well put together plot with descriptive, evocative writing and interesting characters.

I will say, at no point did I really like either of the main characters. Aside from what Diablo actually DOES, he condones a bunch of things that I just cannot, in good conscience, abide. I’ve never read a character like him… the lack of empathy is strong in this one 🤪 there’s no hidden white knight characteristics happening here, just to forewarn you. You ✨cannot✨ save him. He was a very interesting character and I was intrigued reading about him, I just didn’t swoon for him at all. I like my MCs morally grey not black 💀 and Diablo is just black to the core.

Killian I also found entirely unrelateable so it was hard to connect with him. They are a well suited couple, however, being that they’re both entirely deranged, lmao. And they do have some oddly sweet interactions which I enjoyed.
The most relatable character imo was Loren, and even then she was a lunatic too, at the heart of it 😂

So I can’t really explain why I will probably pick up Salem’s book when it comes out in August. I really liked him as a character, for whatever reason, but I’m sure once I start reading his story that will be ruined for me cause he’s morally black too 😂

TLDR; Weirdly moresome in a way that makes you feel like there’s something (very) wrong with you.

[Welshbookaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well well well…what do we have here? Oh just one of the BEST books ever.

Like holy shit, what did I just read? Am I okay? Do I need to have a mental health check-up after reading that?

Answer: probably.

I love Diablo. I love Killian.

The whole time I was either cringing, swooning, screaming, giggling 😏, wanting to VOM - but simultaneously on edge the entire time.

The will he …won’t he…my god - and even when you finished the book, the questions DO NOT STOP.

This isn’t a light, fluffy cute romance. Nope. But did that stop me from swooning the majority of the book? Also nope.

I’ve had a day and a nights sleep to really think about this book and just… wow. That’s all I can say. The pacing, the writing, the smexy times, the dark brutality, the plot. Christ? The plot 😭

One of the best reads of the year - and one of the best dark romance books I’ve ever read.

No spoilers. If you want to read it you have to go through all these emotions just like I did. 😌

Thank you Julie for this amazing story. Gonna go stare at a wall now!

[•rosiegrace• · Rating 5 out of 5]

SHITTING hell the END I've chewed all my my NAILS OFF

I can't quite fathom the pitch blackness of this and I chose this ahead of My Name is Tryst because I'm possibly too scared I think to read that one????

I don't have any words to say anything about this book but I couldn't put it down to sleep and soaked up all the horror and unhingedness like a sponge and thats it bye


P.s I'm off to think about this for an undetermined amount of time and best believe I will be reading about Salem & Justice

[my paperback heart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kinda feel bad about myself for liking this. It’s real messed up. And just a mess. And I really liked the ending. It’s all beyond dark.

[asa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please note, this is NOT romance. It is not just dark; it is pitch-black erotic horror.

...And I devoured every scrap of it way too quickly. This was honestly a near-perfect book in my eyes. Julie is a true poet, and the mesmerizing flow of her writing and the story itself made this impossible to put down. You’re thrown into a world of violence with bits and pieces of information fed along the way, and you cannot leave until you know more.

Danse Macabre is the story of two very uniquely depraved individuals intertwining: Diablo, a (literally) bloodthirsty vigilante killer; and Killian, a death-obsessed lifelong-abuse survivor who has only ever known pain and has grown to crave it. When the two collide, we get some of the most chilling and gut-wrenchingly creative erotic horror scenes I’ve ever read as their sick little cat-and-mouse game unfolds.

Set in a cannibalistic secret society with generations of quippy, flesh-eating killers as our side cast, Danse Macabre takes us on a twist-filled ride through the dark underbelly of our fictional town as we uncover shocking and violent truths.

My favorite thing about Julie Anne is she is not afraid to go there. While I’ve read many books that dealt with such heavy material as familial abuse, pedophilia, and forced sex work, none are as candidly spine-chilling as hers. I believe it is very important to read these stories, to feel the discomfort and disgust deeply in your core, to understand the gravity of such horrors. It gives me a deeper perspective. Does my brain feel like it’s been put through a food processor? Yeah, I suppose. Would I do it all over again just to read what JAA has to say? YES, one thousand times yes.

Triggers include, but are not limited to: gratuitous torture and murder, violence against children, sexual assault, pedophilia, incest, cannibalism. Please read responsibly.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sooo.. this was a ride I wasn't ready for, but somehow I still finished it with morbid curiosity. So, what did I thought about it?

Well, this was my first book from Miss Addicott and I'm intrigued to continue with this series. This was a interesting read and I loved the writing style. I liked almost all the characters (I'm so excited to read Salem and Justice's story), but without spoiling anything, I will say: FUCK GAVIN AND AUGUST.

I still have no idea how I finished this book, because this has almost every trigger warning you could think of. All of them isn't written down in the book, but there were things in here that made me disgusted and squeamish, sometimes I would take breaks in my reading to just think about happy things, because it's not a lot of them in here. And somehow, there are some comedic elements in here? The fuck? I was confused by it, but it was nice that they were there.

Now, about Diablo and Killian. Miss Addicott were very clear about that this were not a romance, it's described as a MM Erotic Horror. And oh boy, did she delivered on the horror part, because the fuck did I read? I mean, it suited the characters, but still; the fuck? And yet, somehow, everytime Diablo would call Killian "my little hunter" or "my sweetheart", I'll say; it got me everytime even though I knew Diablo couldn't feel love like a normal person would. And Killian.. oh my Killian, you had your moments where you were just a little spoiled princess and I think I loved you for that.

Overall, I loved this book. If you can handle heavy and disturbing topics that are explicitly described on page, insane/morally black characters and cult-esque atmosphere, this would be the book for you. After all, my dear friends:

"It's only cannibalism if you swallow"

[Marcie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another twisted masterpiece by the talented Julie!!

Julie sunk her talented claws in me deeply with this dark and twisted book - and I didn’t want it to end! This gifted author continues to blow my mind with her ability to write stories that keep me hooked and on the edge of my seat while testing my ability to take what she throws down on the table.
***Please check TWs because this beaut is dark***

Killian is a young man who has lived through nightmares, loves the pain and wants to die. His journey from the dark to the darkest depths while still holding on to the ability to feel and love was something I couldn’t tear my eyes from.

Diablo is a man who takes joy in killing and thinks he cannot love - but in his own twisted way he does. This character thinks he has no heart and may be a full fledged sociopath but he protects what is his in his own twisted way.

No this isn’t a romance and I am not trying to romanticize these characters, this is a toxic relationship in a very toxic environment BUT Julie’s ability to write characters that I end up feeling some kind of way for shines blindingly within these pages. This talented queen wrote characters that ended up embedding themselves onto my soul in their own twisted way within a story that seamlessly goes from past to present numerous times showing how they ended up the way they were and I loved every single word. It’s dark, depraved and insane at its finest but has underlying table of bubbling emotion with an ending that I truly didn’t see coming and I need so much more.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally loved this book, it is the first time I have read something by this author and I loved the characters of Killian and Diblo, they are crazy.
this one is dark, depraved and bloody
Every moment is on a roller coaster of emotions with each chapter, I couldn't stop reading. I can't wait for the other characters' stories.

[QUINCYBLAKE · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️. Holy fuck. This book was sick. Depraved. Down right disgusting and I loved it. This book made all the sense but no sense at the same time.



“You’re mine. In life, in death in every fathomless void”

I have no words for Diablo and Killian. Whatever type of fucked up non romance- romance that was, it was 10/10 ! 🤭

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Diablo and Salem ?

Salem pointed up at the scattered stars. “If I die in the hunt, I’ll be right there.” He circled his finger to encompass the brightest star we could see. “I bet that’s heaven.”

“You won’t die,” I said again. “I need you.”

Loved the found family in the book 🥹

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SALEM AND JUSTICE ?!?!??

“Salem will find me. He always finds me. And all of this…” He waves a hand to encompass the entire cold, damp room. “Will be burned to the ground.”

I NEED THEIR BOOK LIKE I NEED MY NEXT BREATH!!!!!

SALEM STOLE THE SHOW. HE’S MY FAVOURITE. HE’S MY PYRO BABY. 😩

[audiobook_chaos · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS NOT A ROMANCE

Wow
Where do i start this book left me gobsmacked i read it twice in one day it’s so so good.
It takes you down a rabbit hole of twist and turns and dark debauchery it went from pitch black to a dark hole and I was so there for it. Julie Anne is excellent at writing from a child’s pov and she excels in this and doesn’t hold back at all it leaves you with tingles imagining a child doing all those things. The list of triggers is extensive they are on her website so please check before starting because there are things in this book i’ve never read in any other book. That ending though I know there’s no HEA but the ending is left open to interpretation imo and we won’t really know the outcome until Salem’s book which I will be sitting waiting on because i am so into this world.

[ChapterObscura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Danse Macabre is probably the darkest, wildest book I’ve read—and honestly, I was weirdly into it. It’s full of intense scenes, heavy triggers, and pure chaos. Diablo and Killian’s chemistry is insane, and the sex scenes are next-level hot.

I couldn’t stand the antagonist, which only made the story more satisfying. But the side characters? I really liked them. They added depth and balance to all the madness. If you’re in the mood for something dark, twisted, and unforgettable—this is it.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utter perfection. What an incredible and beautiful MM story. It’s oddly refreshing to see such a true dark book. Julie Anne Addicott wrote what many authors don’t— and in detail. But in such a way that it was still poetic some. It just worked. It’s beautiful.

Note: I am a pitch-black romance reader. This book has many heavy triggers. Use caution. But don’t let any of it shy away you away from DANSE MACABRE. This book is in my top ten of 2024 books already.

[peoniesandmm · Rating 5 out of 5]

my jaw is on the floor. unhinged. 5 stars hands down… that’s all i have to say

[Pyro Aleksandr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy shit. I actually have no words. What did I just read? Is this my top book of 2025? What does it say about me?

I would not recommend this book to just anyone, I don’t think it’s a book you “just pick up”

Shit. I need a minute or a week.. but what I do know is that I need Salem and Justice book asap.

This is a true pitch black taboo and it was everything I needed.

[habiba . · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m disappointed this isn’t what I expected it to be but it was very enjoyable and super repetitive almost everything in it was after the first 100 pages

[The Book Villain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy shit this book is disturbing.


I loved it.

[Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The truth is, my mind is still spinning from the night four men used and abused me. And it's not fear, it's his voice. It's embedded into the depths of my soul, caught on a loop in the grey matter of my brain. Branded into the marrow of my bones, his voice haunts me in my sleep, and calls to me in daydreams.”

I had to sit with this book for a few days before I was able to find the words. Danse Macabre is such a masterpiece. It is dark, disturbed and depraved but it has brutal beauty to it that just will not let me go.

“If anyone were ever able to look into the deep, dark recesses of my mind, they'd be horrified by the thoughts of violence and depravity that comfort me when the rest of my life is tumbling into the abyss.”

Julie Anne has an unparalleled way with words, her writing style is something to be admired. The world she has created with the House of Machiavellianism could feed my need for pitch black reads for the rest of time. Diablo and Killian are such a strong start, but I just know that every story that follows will satisfy that need for me.

“Not a day goes by where I'm not thinking about death. And it's not fear of the unknown or a sense of impending doom. It's a longing. A dream shrouded in anticipation. I covet death the way others crave life.”

The story follows Diablo and Killian throughout their lives, events that broke them, shaped them and defined them, making them the men they are today. Brutality molded their souls with dark desires and cravings.

“He is the embodiment of vicious strength and immorality. The callous disregard he shows for human life should terrify me, but I yearn for him. I hunger for his deadly touch, and dream about the moment our eyes will meet again.”

This story cannot be called a romance in any way, it’s too dark for that. However, there is still love in this story, it is distorted and looks very different from the norm, but it’s there. Diablo and Killian are hunter and hunted, catcher and prey. Their cravings and needs complement each other, forcing a push and pull far outside the lines that is incredibly enticing. Proximity to Killian puts Diablo’s control to the test again and again, with Killian pushing to break it.

“If it's not Diablo doing the hunting and killing, I don't want it. His eyes are the last ones I want to see. It's his hands I crave to have wrapped around my throat. And it's his lips I want pressed to mine, inhaling me as I take my last breath.”

This book pushes a lot of boundaries and crosses even more. This is the definition of a DARK book. Some might come close but this is the embodiment, the standard to which ever proclaimed dark book will be held (for me at least!).

"My heart." Survive. There is no way I can kill Killian Graves. He is the air I breathe. The blood I crave. The heaven I will never see.”

The trigger warnings that come with Danse Macabre is a book on its own, do not think you can handle it, make sure you check every single thing on that list if you have triggers. This book is pitch black; the list is there for a reason; I cannot stress this enough. And if you’re comfortable with it: READ THIS MASTERPIECE, you will not regret it!

“Somehow, Killian has burrowed beneath my skin, seeped into every crevice of my being, and crawled his way into the ice-cold chambers of my heart and set them on fire.”

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review.

"You're mine. In life..." He gasps, eyes searching mine, confusion mars his brow. "Diablo..." Tears spill from his eyes. "In death..." I cup his cheek, gather his tears on my thumb. "In every fathomless void."

(how many quotes is too many quotes….?)

[CC · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would’ve cut out about 100+ pages. The torture and sex became repetitive and boring around 50% of the book. Everything was predictable so none of the revelations throughout the book hit the mark for me. Also, everything wrapped up too quickly. I would’ve loved a more detailed plot instead of endless pages of sex and torture that were meh.

I liked the beginning of Diablo as a kid. I also liked the adoptive mom. I would’ve actually loved to have more of her in the book. Specially, observing the little psychos growing up through her psychiatrist’s POV.

The constant flashbacks were distracting and some of them pointless.

The ending was underwhelming. Killian’s fixation with death will not cease to exist just because of that particular action at the end. He needs therapy and medication.