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Dance for Demons
Welcome to Hel, where your earthly morals no longer apply.
When Gemma Marino mysteriously wakes up on a demon planet with no memory of her previous life, she fears the worst. Especially when the first demon she encounters tries to kill her. Barely escaping with her life, Gemma is determined to not only survive this strange anarchist planet, but to regain her memory. She strikes a deal with The Devil himself—get a role at Hel’s Carnival, and he’ll grant her his protection.
The only problem? A sexy half-demon.
Contract killer, royal spy, and circus star—Draven ‘The Scorpion’ Orzath—has no intentions of letting this butterfly soar in his territory. That is, until he learns it’s The Devil’s orders. Deep in the heart of Hel’s Carnival, something rotten eats away its its core. In a world full of smoke and mirrors, who can he trust?
Meanwhile, as Gemma takes the stage, the ghosts of her past haunt her, leaving more questions than answers. Can she truly return to Earth and live without the new family she’s found among the carnies—and does she even want to?
Gemma Marino might just be Draven’s Devil-given solace, and Hel hath no fury like a woman reborn.
Hazbin Hotel meets The Greatest Showman in this Wizard of Oz inspired story that is sure to send you straight to Hel. With steamy romance, a quirky queer found family, and a wicked sense of humor, Dance for Demons is perfect for fans of Aurora Ascher, Kaylie Smith, and Brynne Weaver.
When Gemma Marino mysteriously wakes up on a demon planet with no memory of her previous life, she fears the worst. Especially when the first demon she encounters tries to kill her. Barely escaping with her life, Gemma is determined to not only survive this strange anarchist planet, but to regain her memory. She strikes a deal with The Devil himself—get a role at Hel’s Carnival, and he’ll grant her his protection.
The only problem? A sexy half-demon.
Contract killer, royal spy, and circus star—Draven ‘The Scorpion’ Orzath—has no intentions of letting this butterfly soar in his territory. That is, until he learns it’s The Devil’s orders. Deep in the heart of Hel’s Carnival, something rotten eats away its its core. In a world full of smoke and mirrors, who can he trust?
Meanwhile, as Gemma takes the stage, the ghosts of her past haunt her, leaving more questions than answers. Can she truly return to Earth and live without the new family she’s found among the carnies—and does she even want to?
Gemma Marino might just be Draven’s Devil-given solace, and Hel hath no fury like a woman reborn.
Hazbin Hotel meets The Greatest Showman in this Wizard of Oz inspired story that is sure to send you straight to Hel. With steamy romance, a quirky queer found family, and a wicked sense of humor, Dance for Demons is perfect for fans of Aurora Ascher, Kaylie Smith, and Brynne Weaver.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2025
13 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
September 15, 2025
Gemma wakes up in Hel. No memory of how she got there. She finds herself working at a carnival. Definitely recommend it for anyone who like paranormal romance & fantasy.
August 20, 2025
I had really high hopes for this one. It had the exact kind of theme I had expected to love - darkness and debauchery in a paranormal sinners circus. Although it was dark, the majority of spicy scenes - both between the love interests and during performances - seemed quite simplified and not as explicit and descriptive as I'd imagined.
The setting of this novel is a sort of urban fantasy mixed with lots of different time periods as seen in the differences in culture and clothing. This is due to something called 'the convergence', but I'm still no more clued up on what this is - I think two planets or parallel universes came together somehow? I needed a lot more background here - what exactly happened, what did it look like, what was its impact in the early days?
And while we're on the topic of confusion - why did each continent rely on one specific business venture in order to provide basic necessities to its civilians? On the continent we were on its the carnival that lines the governments pockets, and on one continent its mentioned that a plastic surgery hospital is its main profit? This detail felt so out of place and completely random.
I was thrown off from the very beginning by the fmc meeting a very tired overworked baker, working hard to make ends meet. And then not two minutes later the fmc is informed that every citizen is provided with accommodation and free food and basic necessities. So what was going on with that baker?
The world building just wasn't explained in nearly enough detail. I would have loved to learn more about the world, because the amount of unexpected lore that was dropped was crazy, but it seems maybe the intention was for the world to be just a unique backdrop and secondary to the romance - but I unfortunately also found this aspect to be lacking too.
I think the two love interests could have had chemistry - considering the tension automatically between them with her being human and him being half demon - but they just had barely any interactions, at least on page, most of them having no communication involved whatsoever. The nickname of 'pest' the mmc gave the fmc did not come across to me as the endearing or dark and s*xy nickname it was likely intended do be; maybe because I felt like the relationship between them was awkward and barely there.
This book was all just a bit of a whirlwind if I'm very honest.
The characterisation felt very off with one of the first characters we meet - the demon king himself. I was left with a lot of unanswered questions and details that just felt very random. Why was the leader of hel in a plain office building with one old lady receptionist? How on earth did the carnival he ran make enough profits to run his planet? How big or small was this planet?
The reader was being thrown hints that he was good and kind, then cruel and intimidating, then good for the planet, then threatening to eradicate everyone and deserved to be overthrown.
There were a lot of world politics in this novel, which were discussed often but still somehow felt underdeveloped. The magic system was barely explored and very vague. The plot was just doing too much.
I think for the shorter span of pages, simply too much was thrown at the reader that would have had more time to be developed were it a full length novel or even a series. I would have loved for there to be more focus on the carnival. We barely got any descriptions of what it looked like. I personally couldn't picture anything beyond the one tent.
I also couldn't keep track of the characters. A lot of them had no descriptions attached to them at all, and if they did, their hair colour was only mentioned once at the same time as everyone else's, and it all became a jumble. I actually didn't notice that the mmc had a septum piercing on the front cover of this book, and only realised when the detail was mentioned 50% of the way through. I even went back and could find no mention of it during the initial description of him.
A lot of actions and conversations don't happen in the moment, with descriptions telling the reader 'he said something to such and such', 'they talked about this', 'we made small talk' etc. It felt like an excuse to not write dialogue or show certain scenes, and just tell the reader they are happening as a way to fill in blanks, but it just made the story even more blank to me.
There were sadly a lot of plot holes, and so many inconsistencies; even a point where one of the characters has two spellings of his name being mentioned. The kindle search function shows me 6 instances of it being spelled 'Khaled' and 58 instances of 'Khalid'.
Had the dark romance been more satisfying for me, and more focus being on the carnival experience, I think I could have enjoyed this more, but combined with the 'telling' and not 'showing' involved in the writing itself, I did find myself struggling with the writing style overall. I definitely think this book needed a good 400 pages or more to execute every direction they included in the plot.
Thank you very much to the author and Haus of Fables PR for the e-arc copy and opportunity to review this novel. This review is voluntary and all opinions stated are as always my own.
The setting of this novel is a sort of urban fantasy mixed with lots of different time periods as seen in the differences in culture and clothing. This is due to something called 'the convergence', but I'm still no more clued up on what this is - I think two planets or parallel universes came together somehow? I needed a lot more background here - what exactly happened, what did it look like, what was its impact in the early days?
And while we're on the topic of confusion - why did each continent rely on one specific business venture in order to provide basic necessities to its civilians? On the continent we were on its the carnival that lines the governments pockets, and on one continent its mentioned that a plastic surgery hospital is its main profit? This detail felt so out of place and completely random.
I was thrown off from the very beginning by the fmc meeting a very tired overworked baker, working hard to make ends meet. And then not two minutes later the fmc is informed that every citizen is provided with accommodation and free food and basic necessities. So what was going on with that baker?
The world building just wasn't explained in nearly enough detail. I would have loved to learn more about the world, because the amount of unexpected lore that was dropped was crazy, but it seems maybe the intention was for the world to be just a unique backdrop and secondary to the romance - but I unfortunately also found this aspect to be lacking too.
I think the two love interests could have had chemistry - considering the tension automatically between them with her being human and him being half demon - but they just had barely any interactions, at least on page, most of them having no communication involved whatsoever. The nickname of 'pest' the mmc gave the fmc did not come across to me as the endearing or dark and s*xy nickname it was likely intended do be; maybe because I felt like the relationship between them was awkward and barely there.
This book was all just a bit of a whirlwind if I'm very honest.
The characterisation felt very off with one of the first characters we meet - the demon king himself. I was left with a lot of unanswered questions and details that just felt very random. Why was the leader of hel in a plain office building with one old lady receptionist? How on earth did the carnival he ran make enough profits to run his planet? How big or small was this planet?
The reader was being thrown hints that he was good and kind, then cruel and intimidating, then good for the planet, then threatening to eradicate everyone and deserved to be overthrown.
There were a lot of world politics in this novel, which were discussed often but still somehow felt underdeveloped. The magic system was barely explored and very vague. The plot was just doing too much.
I think for the shorter span of pages, simply too much was thrown at the reader that would have had more time to be developed were it a full length novel or even a series. I would have loved for there to be more focus on the carnival. We barely got any descriptions of what it looked like. I personally couldn't picture anything beyond the one tent.
I also couldn't keep track of the characters. A lot of them had no descriptions attached to them at all, and if they did, their hair colour was only mentioned once at the same time as everyone else's, and it all became a jumble. I actually didn't notice that the mmc had a septum piercing on the front cover of this book, and only realised when the detail was mentioned 50% of the way through. I even went back and could find no mention of it during the initial description of him.
A lot of actions and conversations don't happen in the moment, with descriptions telling the reader 'he said something to such and such', 'they talked about this', 'we made small talk' etc. It felt like an excuse to not write dialogue or show certain scenes, and just tell the reader they are happening as a way to fill in blanks, but it just made the story even more blank to me.
There were sadly a lot of plot holes, and so many inconsistencies; even a point where one of the characters has two spellings of his name being mentioned. The kindle search function shows me 6 instances of it being spelled 'Khaled' and 58 instances of 'Khalid'.
Had the dark romance been more satisfying for me, and more focus being on the carnival experience, I think I could have enjoyed this more, but combined with the 'telling' and not 'showing' involved in the writing itself, I did find myself struggling with the writing style overall. I definitely think this book needed a good 400 pages or more to execute every direction they included in the plot.
Thank you very much to the author and Haus of Fables PR for the e-arc copy and opportunity to review this novel. This review is voluntary and all opinions stated are as always my own.
August 18, 2025
3.5 stars 2.5 🌶
I was intrigued by the plot, waking up with amnesia in Hell at a carnival. A little debauchery to start your day.
Poor Gemma having to make a deal work the devil when you end up in hell unexpectedly. having to deal with all the demons in the circus as the only human can get pretty dangerous. Draven can't stand Gemma, but they have to perform together. Nothing drives opposites together like a bit of forced proximity 😉.The world building is necessary to understand the back story. This was a fast read. There were a few inconsistencies, but they're small , and it didn't detract from the overall story. I rounded up to 4 stars.
Thank you, Haus Of Fables, for the gifted ARC.
I was intrigued by the plot, waking up with amnesia in Hell at a carnival. A little debauchery to start your day.
Poor Gemma having to make a deal work the devil when you end up in hell unexpectedly. having to deal with all the demons in the circus as the only human can get pretty dangerous. Draven can't stand Gemma, but they have to perform together. Nothing drives opposites together like a bit of forced proximity 😉.The world building is necessary to understand the back story. This was a fast read. There were a few inconsistencies, but they're small , and it didn't detract from the overall story. I rounded up to 4 stars.
Thank you, Haus Of Fables, for the gifted ARC.
September 11, 2025
4.5⭐️ Review upcoming…
September 2, 2025
Rating ⭐⭐⭐.5
Things I Loved:
- Bi4Bi Romance
- Grumpy/sunshine and hate to lovers
- Found family in hels carnival
- Quuer normative world
- Forced proximity
Spice: 🌶🌶️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Review:
I was excited for this because I love carnivals, I love bisexual characters and I love demons. I was engaged quickly from the start and I felt immediately intrigued by the FMC (Gemma) and wanted to follow her and her story. Honestly she handled things so calmly for someone with no memories and in a random place she doesn't know, with someone threatening to kill her not long after regaining consciousness!?
Draven I knew immediately was going to be the love interest, I know he was supposed to be this bad ass scary character who kills etc but he gave possessive cute vibes. Maybe thats just me, the hate didn't last too long in my opinion in this hate to lovers. I'd say some of their connection and romance felt a little rushed at times but overall I did enjoy both of their characters. The strongest point for me was the first impalement act together and their first date. The spice wasn't heavily detailed, but you do get a couple scenes!
There's a lot happening in this book plot wise, and none of it truly felt like it was properly explored or felt like there was a resolution or explanation for alot of it. That's my main reason for rating this slightly lower.
Overall though I did enjoy it!! I love the world, the found family vibes, the humour throughout, the circus acts, the different species and the connection to Augury University world of course!
✨️
Things I Loved:
- Bi4Bi Romance
- Grumpy/sunshine and hate to lovers
- Found family in hels carnival
- Quuer normative world
- Forced proximity
Spice: 🌶🌶️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Review:
I was excited for this because I love carnivals, I love bisexual characters and I love demons. I was engaged quickly from the start and I felt immediately intrigued by the FMC (Gemma) and wanted to follow her and her story. Honestly she handled things so calmly for someone with no memories and in a random place she doesn't know, with someone threatening to kill her not long after regaining consciousness!?
Draven I knew immediately was going to be the love interest, I know he was supposed to be this bad ass scary character who kills etc but he gave possessive cute vibes. Maybe thats just me, the hate didn't last too long in my opinion in this hate to lovers. I'd say some of their connection and romance felt a little rushed at times but overall I did enjoy both of their characters. The strongest point for me was the first impalement act together and their first date. The spice wasn't heavily detailed, but you do get a couple scenes!
There's a lot happening in this book plot wise, and none of it truly felt like it was properly explored or felt like there was a resolution or explanation for alot of it. That's my main reason for rating this slightly lower.
Overall though I did enjoy it!! I love the world, the found family vibes, the humour throughout, the circus acts, the different species and the connection to Augury University world of course!
✨️
September 13, 2025
In Dance for Demons, the world is reshaped by the Convergence, a cataclysmic event that introduces magic and new races across multiple planets. The story follows Gemma, who is torn between returning to Earth and staying in Hel, a society full of mystery, danger, immorality and the promise of a found family. As she navigates this strange new world, unexpected romances with Draven, tensions which emerge after some crimes come to light and finding her place in this new world challenge her at every turn, leading to decisions that feel sudden and, at times, hard to fully connect with.
While the book has imaginative concepts like the Convergence and the society on Hel, some familiar plot devices made it difficult for me to stay fully engaged. I would have liked more development in the socio-political elements and the wider cast of her found family to bring the world and its communities to life. Similarly, I found it challenging to connect with Gemma and Draven’s relationship as it felt like it had serious emotional whiplash, though perhaps this could have felt more grounded with additional development of their emotional arcs.
Overall, Dance for Demons presents creative ideas and a unique setting, but for me, it didn’t come together. I do appreciate the effort and imagination behind it and can see how some readers might enjoy its fast-paced story.
Thank you to Haus of Fables PR for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.
While the book has imaginative concepts like the Convergence and the society on Hel, some familiar plot devices made it difficult for me to stay fully engaged. I would have liked more development in the socio-political elements and the wider cast of her found family to bring the world and its communities to life. Similarly, I found it challenging to connect with Gemma and Draven’s relationship as it felt like it had serious emotional whiplash, though perhaps this could have felt more grounded with additional development of their emotional arcs.
Overall, Dance for Demons presents creative ideas and a unique setting, but for me, it didn’t come together. I do appreciate the effort and imagination behind it and can see how some readers might enjoy its fast-paced story.
Thank you to Haus of Fables PR for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.
September 18, 2025
A paranormal romantasy novel about a young woman who finds herself on a foreign planet, with no memories of who she is, and no way to get home.
Well, this should be interesting. Gemma wakes up on Hel. A planet far from Earth and inhabited by demons, and she has no idea how she got here. With no money to her name, she has no way of getting home. So, what does she do? Asks the King of Hel, to help her get a job so that she can save up to get home. Sounds pretty straight-forward, right? Well, that’s because...it basically is.
Gemma lands a job at the carnival she basically burst into the day/night before. There’s some tension between her and Draven (the half-demon she encountered) but it’s not long before that is set to the wayside. The romance between them develops quickly, and disappointingly without any solid foundation beyond attraction.
What I really wanted from this book is drama, the carnival acts, and more drama. While we do get some glimpses at the acts, we don’t get details. I like a fine balance of details in a book, but this one just feels lacking to me. The “steamy” on a scale of 1 to 5 is a decent 2. Fun details, but nothing wild that will have you panting for more.
The way this book ends it gives the impression of standalones that are part of a series, so we’ll mull over whether to continue the series when the next book is released. For now, we wish Gemma and Draven the best.
Well, this should be interesting. Gemma wakes up on Hel. A planet far from Earth and inhabited by demons, and she has no idea how she got here. With no money to her name, she has no way of getting home. So, what does she do? Asks the King of Hel, to help her get a job so that she can save up to get home. Sounds pretty straight-forward, right? Well, that’s because...it basically is.
Gemma lands a job at the carnival she basically burst into the day/night before. There’s some tension between her and Draven (the half-demon she encountered) but it’s not long before that is set to the wayside. The romance between them develops quickly, and disappointingly without any solid foundation beyond attraction.
What I really wanted from this book is drama, the carnival acts, and more drama. While we do get some glimpses at the acts, we don’t get details. I like a fine balance of details in a book, but this one just feels lacking to me. The “steamy” on a scale of 1 to 5 is a decent 2. Fun details, but nothing wild that will have you panting for more.
The way this book ends it gives the impression of standalones that are part of a series, so we’ll mull over whether to continue the series when the next book is released. For now, we wish Gemma and Draven the best.
August 27, 2025
This was a fun short little read, but has a ton of glaring plot holes and gaps a in world building.
I spent 90% of this book wondering what we were trying to accomplish... Are we overthrowing the gov? Trying to get the FMC back to earth? Finding out who the thief is? Defeating the rebellion? And in the end, I still don't know because the story ended with a HEA, and only one of these problems ended up being resolved, so who knows about the rest.
The "climax" of the story happened at 70% ish, and then we had to read the rest of the story about the MMCs getting engaged and being happy. Idk, it was weird, it should have been an epilogue. Also, there was no indication of another book, which was odd because there seems to be quite a bit of unresolved story line here.
Thank you to Haus of Fables for the gifted ARC, all opinions are my own.
I spent 90% of this book wondering what we were trying to accomplish... Are we overthrowing the gov? Trying to get the FMC back to earth? Finding out who the thief is? Defeating the rebellion? And in the end, I still don't know because the story ended with a HEA, and only one of these problems ended up being resolved, so who knows about the rest.
The "climax" of the story happened at 70% ish, and then we had to read the rest of the story about the MMCs getting engaged and being happy. Idk, it was weird, it should have been an epilogue. Also, there was no indication of another book, which was odd because there seems to be quite a bit of unresolved story line here.
Thank you to Haus of Fables for the gifted ARC, all opinions are my own.
October 18, 2025
"Fear is a shadow that fades when you create your own light."
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Gemma, Draven and the rest of the Hels carnival crew. Once I picked this up I could not put it down.
If there was a moment that hooked me it was the words on a massive sign describing the carnival, don't want to spoil it so read the book if you want to know what it says.
Make sure you read the menu, I mean content warnings thoroughly... but consider a read if you like;
🎪 Hate to love
🎪 Found family
🎪 Memory loss
🎪 Killing predators
🎪 Motorcycle riding
🎪 Male corsets
🎪 Queer normative world
🎪 Forced proximity
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Gemma, Draven and the rest of the Hels carnival crew. Once I picked this up I could not put it down.
If there was a moment that hooked me it was the words on a massive sign describing the carnival, don't want to spoil it so read the book if you want to know what it says.
Make sure you read the menu, I mean content warnings thoroughly... but consider a read if you like;
🎪 Hate to love
🎪 Found family
🎪 Memory loss
🎪 Killing predators
🎪 Motorcycle riding
🎪 Male corsets
🎪 Queer normative world
🎪 Forced proximity
August 27, 2025
Interesting world! This book is set at a carnival on Hel where the FMC wakes up with no memories of her life or how she ended up there. Earth and many other worlds collided in what’s know as the “Convergence”, so the story involves humans, demons, shifters and many more. It involves found family and coming into one’s own self. The pacing was great as well the development of the romance. I would recommend checking it out if you’re looking for a slight gory, albeit exciting story. I was lucky enough to get an ARC from the author and Haus of Fables.
August 21, 2025
I fucking LOVED this. It had all the Helluva Boss vibes you could ever ask for, with one of the hottest MMCs to now exist in my brain like??? omfg. But daddy I love him FOR REAL.
The pacing was fabulous, I loved all the characters and their unique attributes, and the story was great start to finish. Everything tied up in a neat little bow (with a chefs kiss amount of spice).
10/10
The pacing was fabulous, I loved all the characters and their unique attributes, and the story was great start to finish. Everything tied up in a neat little bow (with a chefs kiss amount of spice).
10/10
September 6, 2025
I don’t think I’ll find a book by Rose Santoriello that I don’t love! Demon circus had me sold! This may be my new favourite from this author. I was hooked immediately in the story and found myself wanting to know what would happen next. Without spoilers I was questioning every character and was still surprised! Thank you so much for this ARC!
August 18, 2025
ARC Review⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dance for Demons is an absolute page-turner! Rose Santoriello masterfully blends dark fantasy, romance, and mystery into a story that had me hooked from the very first chapter. Gemma’s journey of self-discovery in a world ruled by demons is both thrilling and emotional, filled with heart-pounding danger, sizzling tension, and beautifully crafted world-building. The circus atmosphere adds a fresh and enchanting twist, making the setting as mesmerizing as the characters themselves. This book has everything—action, intrigue, and a slow-burn romance that will leave you breathless. I couldn’t put it down and I’m already counting the days until the next installment in the Hel’s Carnival series!
Dance for Demons is an absolute page-turner! Rose Santoriello masterfully blends dark fantasy, romance, and mystery into a story that had me hooked from the very first chapter. Gemma’s journey of self-discovery in a world ruled by demons is both thrilling and emotional, filled with heart-pounding danger, sizzling tension, and beautifully crafted world-building. The circus atmosphere adds a fresh and enchanting twist, making the setting as mesmerizing as the characters themselves. This book has everything—action, intrigue, and a slow-burn romance that will leave you breathless. I couldn’t put it down and I’m already counting the days until the next installment in the Hel’s Carnival series!
September 14, 2025
Dance for Demons pulled me in right from the start with its dark, gritty atmosphere and emotional depth. Rose Santoriello delivers a story that balances action, danger, and romance so well it kept me hooked the entire time.
The heroine is strong, flawed, and incredibly real. I loved watching her face both literal demons and her own personal struggles, and the tension (both romantic and suspenseful) was spot-on. The pacing moved fast enough to keep me on edge, but still gave space for those emotional, character-driven moments that made me care even more.
If you like supernatural stories with a fierce main character, high stakes, and just the right amount of heat, this is definitely one to add to your shelf.
The heroine is strong, flawed, and incredibly real. I loved watching her face both literal demons and her own personal struggles, and the tension (both romantic and suspenseful) was spot-on. The pacing moved fast enough to keep me on edge, but still gave space for those emotional, character-driven moments that made me care even more.
If you like supernatural stories with a fierce main character, high stakes, and just the right amount of heat, this is definitely one to add to your shelf.
August 25, 2025
2.5 stars, 2 chilis
I was so very excited to be approved for an arc of this book— human girl is transported into a demon world where she's lost all her memories and has to work in Hel's Circus to try and get a ticket home? Grumpy Demon MMC? IT'S PIERCED??
Sign me right up.
The bones of this story were so, so good, the idea, the concept, the plot, the characters, the setting— so good.
This is just one opinion, but I felt it needed some major developmental edits. A lot of the world building is done through Gemma having a Q&A with almost every character she meets, which became a little bit tedious for me as a reader because, rather than experiencing the story, I was just being told it.
There are also a number of plot things that just didnt make sense to me at all. Luc, the King of Hel, takes an item from the MMC Draven that was a family heirloom. As a reader, I did not feel the explanation for this made sense. it was already in his family, it wasn't adding anything extra or making more of this item exist for him to be allowed to keep it AND it would have allowed him to do his job better— a job that he worked FOR LUC.
I also didn't totally understand or believe the motivations for why Gemma seems to kind of be allowed to do whatever she wants.
Gemma seems to basically be able to walk into the office for the King of Hel any time she wants and just speak to him whenever. There is a scene towards the end of the book where she essentially interrupts a meeting of world leaders to ask Luc a question (that she already had an answer to??) that 100% could have waited until it was over and it just felt so strange that she was able to just.. call him for kind of nothing...
One major thing that stood out to me was that the plot climax is fully resolved by about 80% and then there is about 20% of the book that felt like a very long, drawn out epilogue. It wasn't necessarily that these things weren't interesting or important, but I think parts of them could have been put earlier, or really condensed. There were quite a few scenes of groups gathering to just have a fun conversation but didn't seem to have a point to drive the plot forward until the very end of the scene.
This one is just a major pet peeve, but it did impact the believably of the relationship for me a lot and it's that Draven, at one point, comes to accuse Gemma of something with really no proof whatsoever. He threatens her and verbally and physically assaults her and then when she's basically crying and having a panic attack he kisses her and then they have sex??? Without him apologizing or admitting what he did was really messed up and kind of abusive?? Afterwards, it's noted that he finished inside her and he gets up to clean himself off and NO MENTION THAT HE DOES SO FOR HER?? Idk, that last part might seem small, but it bothered me a lot, like girl, do better, he needs to clean up his mess.
anyway, I still finished it, the bones of the story were fun, but I think it could have been so much more. So many scenes felt too long or "what's the point of this??" just to give a little bit of world building or one tiny thing at the end to drive the plot, so it felt very disjointed and made the pacing difficult to follow.
If you read it, I hope you love it because there really is a good story in there.
tropes if you'd like to have them:
hate to love
found family
forced proximity
kink friendly
queer world
amnesia
isekai/displaced
pierced peen
I was gifted an eARC of Dance for Demons through Haus of Fables— thank you so much for the opportunity to read this eBook!
I was so very excited to be approved for an arc of this book— human girl is transported into a demon world where she's lost all her memories and has to work in Hel's Circus to try and get a ticket home? Grumpy Demon MMC? IT'S PIERCED??
Sign me right up.
The bones of this story were so, so good, the idea, the concept, the plot, the characters, the setting— so good.
This is just one opinion, but I felt it needed some major developmental edits. A lot of the world building is done through Gemma having a Q&A with almost every character she meets, which became a little bit tedious for me as a reader because, rather than experiencing the story, I was just being told it.
There are also a number of plot things that just didnt make sense to me at all. Luc, the King of Hel, takes an item from the MMC Draven that was a family heirloom. As a reader, I did not feel the explanation for this made sense. it was already in his family, it wasn't adding anything extra or making more of this item exist for him to be allowed to keep it AND it would have allowed him to do his job better— a job that he worked FOR LUC.
I also didn't totally understand or believe the motivations for why Gemma seems to kind of be allowed to do whatever she wants.
Gemma seems to basically be able to walk into the office for the King of Hel any time she wants and just speak to him whenever. There is a scene towards the end of the book where she essentially interrupts a meeting of world leaders to ask Luc a question (that she already had an answer to??) that 100% could have waited until it was over and it just felt so strange that she was able to just.. call him for kind of nothing...
One major thing that stood out to me was that the plot climax is fully resolved by about 80% and then there is about 20% of the book that felt like a very long, drawn out epilogue. It wasn't necessarily that these things weren't interesting or important, but I think parts of them could have been put earlier, or really condensed. There were quite a few scenes of groups gathering to just have a fun conversation but didn't seem to have a point to drive the plot forward until the very end of the scene.
This one is just a major pet peeve, but it did impact the believably of the relationship for me a lot and it's that Draven, at one point, comes to accuse Gemma of something with really no proof whatsoever. He threatens her and verbally and physically assaults her and then when she's basically crying and having a panic attack he kisses her and then they have sex??? Without him apologizing or admitting what he did was really messed up and kind of abusive?? Afterwards, it's noted that he finished inside her and he gets up to clean himself off and NO MENTION THAT HE DOES SO FOR HER?? Idk, that last part might seem small, but it bothered me a lot, like girl, do better, he needs to clean up his mess.
anyway, I still finished it, the bones of the story were fun, but I think it could have been so much more. So many scenes felt too long or "what's the point of this??" just to give a little bit of world building or one tiny thing at the end to drive the plot, so it felt very disjointed and made the pacing difficult to follow.
If you read it, I hope you love it because there really is a good story in there.
tropes if you'd like to have them:
hate to love
found family
forced proximity
kink friendly
queer world
amnesia
isekai/displaced
pierced peen
I was gifted an eARC of Dance for Demons through Haus of Fables— thank you so much for the opportunity to read this eBook!
September 2, 2025
Thanks so much to Haus of Fables for the gifted eARC. As always, all opinions are just mine and mine alone.
Another author I follow recommended this book and I actually hunted down the ARC applications because I was so excited about the premise - a human woman wakes up with no memories of her past on a different planet inhabited by demons from Hel, ruled by Luc Morningstar, and is almost immediately attacked by a half-demon (but sexy!) member of a carnival troupe.
Tropes I live for:
* memory loss
* enemies to lovers
* demon x human
* found family
* queer normative world
World building was organic throughout the story. It’s very easy to infer what The Convergence is (the cataclysmic event that magically merged worlds) and the demon heirarchy and political system is well explained, if a bit simplistic. Because Gemma has amnesia, we’re able to learn the rules of Hel alongside her. As flashes of her memories return, we’re also able to piece together the culture on her Earth as well.
Setting…. I freaking loved the carnival in both its daytime, family friendly side and its nighttime, sinners side. We live for the dark edges of the nighttime shows! The atmosphere was absolutely perfect.
Plot is strong. I’m not going to spoil it, but Gemma is thrown into the fire when she joins the carnival, teams up with Draven, and teaches him to trust her and his family. He serves his king in so many roles, all to keep his found family safe. There’s rebellion, there’s betrayal, and there’s me, reading along way past my bedtime to eat up all the words.
Characters - Draven is such a sexy demon MMC. There isn’t anything he wouldn’t do to keep his family safe except for give them the information they need to save themselves - at least until Gemma eases her spirit. He’s the Scorpion, and she’s his Butterfly. They’re a dream duo, both on and off the stage and their chemistry is scorching. This was probably a 2/5 on the spice scale for me, but none of the scenes were gratuitous. Side characters are just as enchanting. Particular favorites are Reina, Absinthe and Raph. Also, I really want some stuff to happen to Baelor in the future.
This is the first in a planned trilogy, and I can’t wait to dive deeper into the world. There are so many characters that I want to learn more about! And The Legion!
Another author I follow recommended this book and I actually hunted down the ARC applications because I was so excited about the premise - a human woman wakes up with no memories of her past on a different planet inhabited by demons from Hel, ruled by Luc Morningstar, and is almost immediately attacked by a half-demon (but sexy!) member of a carnival troupe.
Tropes I live for:
* memory loss
* enemies to lovers
* demon x human
* found family
* queer normative world
World building was organic throughout the story. It’s very easy to infer what The Convergence is (the cataclysmic event that magically merged worlds) and the demon heirarchy and political system is well explained, if a bit simplistic. Because Gemma has amnesia, we’re able to learn the rules of Hel alongside her. As flashes of her memories return, we’re also able to piece together the culture on her Earth as well.
Setting…. I freaking loved the carnival in both its daytime, family friendly side and its nighttime, sinners side. We live for the dark edges of the nighttime shows! The atmosphere was absolutely perfect.
Plot is strong. I’m not going to spoil it, but Gemma is thrown into the fire when she joins the carnival, teams up with Draven, and teaches him to trust her and his family. He serves his king in so many roles, all to keep his found family safe. There’s rebellion, there’s betrayal, and there’s me, reading along way past my bedtime to eat up all the words.
Characters - Draven is such a sexy demon MMC. There isn’t anything he wouldn’t do to keep his family safe except for give them the information they need to save themselves - at least until Gemma eases her spirit. He’s the Scorpion, and she’s his Butterfly. They’re a dream duo, both on and off the stage and their chemistry is scorching. This was probably a 2/5 on the spice scale for me, but none of the scenes were gratuitous. Side characters are just as enchanting. Particular favorites are Reina, Absinthe and Raph. Also, I really want some stuff to happen to Baelor in the future.
This is the first in a planned trilogy, and I can’t wait to dive deeper into the world. There are so many characters that I want to learn more about! And The Legion!
September 6, 2025
Thank you Haus Of Fables for this ARC.
Props to the author for writing and publishing this book, but it's not for me dawg.
I read up to about 55% but couldn't do it anymore so I skimmed the rest of the book. It literally put me to sleep about 4 times in total over the course of 2 days.
Very intrigued due to the artwork, tropes and the premise but everything was just messy and vague.
- Poorly developed and explained world and characters (there were 8+ characters all introduced in a single page with no distinct identifiers but were mentioned over and over again throughout the book)
- There was just too much happening and nothing was sufficiently covered from the political side plot, sniffing out who betrayed them, the circus acts and the whole amnesia thing
- Though insufficient and lacking, everything was thrown at the reader through extensive info dumping from interactions with other characters which did not come off as natural or part of conversation flow at all
- On the same page, the FMC notes the bakeries "doesn't look much different from the bakeries you'd see on Earth" and in the next paragraph "this entire bakery looks like a weird, otherworldly version of the bakeries on Earth"
- The whole first interaction between the FMC and the Devil was so cringey and gave off pick me vibes; I was so confused as she's portrayed as the bottom of the heirarchy since she's human but she just waltzes in and talks to the leader of that realm like he's a random middle-aged man
- No chemistry between main leads and their spice scenes ended up reading as bland and random
- FMC tries to comfort the MMC who tried to kill her a few pages back???
- MMC physically hurt the FMC and did not apologise then proceeds to sleep with her and take her out on a date the next day???
- "... threat lacing his tone. If his voice was a liquid, I would drink it"...???
- I lost it when the MMC started doing wheelies for the FMC
- The end reveal about everything was so anticlimactic
Would not read again.
Overall rating: 0.25/5
Props to the author for writing and publishing this book, but it's not for me dawg.
I read up to about 55% but couldn't do it anymore so I skimmed the rest of the book. It literally put me to sleep about 4 times in total over the course of 2 days.
Very intrigued due to the artwork, tropes and the premise but everything was just messy and vague.
- Poorly developed and explained world and characters (there were 8+ characters all introduced in a single page with no distinct identifiers but were mentioned over and over again throughout the book)
- There was just too much happening and nothing was sufficiently covered from the political side plot, sniffing out who betrayed them, the circus acts and the whole amnesia thing
- Though insufficient and lacking, everything was thrown at the reader through extensive info dumping from interactions with other characters which did not come off as natural or part of conversation flow at all
- On the same page, the FMC notes the bakeries "doesn't look much different from the bakeries you'd see on Earth" and in the next paragraph "this entire bakery looks like a weird, otherworldly version of the bakeries on Earth"
- The whole first interaction between the FMC and the Devil was so cringey and gave off pick me vibes; I was so confused as she's portrayed as the bottom of the heirarchy since she's human but she just waltzes in and talks to the leader of that realm like he's a random middle-aged man
- No chemistry between main leads and their spice scenes ended up reading as bland and random
- FMC tries to comfort the MMC who tried to kill her a few pages back???
- MMC physically hurt the FMC and did not apologise then proceeds to sleep with her and take her out on a date the next day???
- "... threat lacing his tone. If his voice was a liquid, I would drink it"...???
- I lost it when the MMC started doing wheelies for the FMC
- The end reveal about everything was so anticlimactic
Would not read again.
Overall rating: 0.25/5
September 24, 2025
Thank you Haus for Fables for the gifted ARC.
Rating 1.75/5 ⭐
Personally this book was not what I was expecting it to be based off the blurb. The beginning started off pretty slow and a little too info dumpy. At about 50% of the book there were still some introductions to new characters and I didn't really get the plot and where the story was going at that point. Not to mention it felt as if there was 50 different characters that didn't really play major roles in this story but they keep showing up for communal appearances.
The book seems to focus a lot on the found family aspect but it really felt like there were too many characters because they were a big family. But does all character play important roles in the story ? I don't really think so, most of them if not nearly all of the side characters really just appear to disappear during the scenes. I honestly do not remember a single side character name, and I only vaguely remember about 2 or 3 side character's role in the story. The rest is a mystery to me.
There is spice in this book, I would personally say a 2.5/5 🌶️ the spice was okay for me but I do believe there was a knife play at one point, but I'm not entirely sure.
Rating 1.75/5 ⭐
Personally this book was not what I was expecting it to be based off the blurb. The beginning started off pretty slow and a little too info dumpy. At about 50% of the book there were still some introductions to new characters and I didn't really get the plot and where the story was going at that point. Not to mention it felt as if there was 50 different characters that didn't really play major roles in this story but they keep showing up for communal appearances.
The book seems to focus a lot on the found family aspect but it really felt like there were too many characters because they were a big family. But does all character play important roles in the story ? I don't really think so, most of them if not nearly all of the side characters really just appear to disappear during the scenes. I honestly do not remember a single side character name, and I only vaguely remember about 2 or 3 side character's role in the story. The rest is a mystery to me.
There is spice in this book, I would personally say a 2.5/5 🌶️ the spice was okay for me but I do believe there was a knife play at one point, but I'm not entirely sure.
October 9, 2025
Rose Santoriello’s Dance for Demons is a lush, imaginative romp through the infernal realm of Hel—a place where desire and danger intertwine, and the line between survival and surrender blurs beautifully. Equal parts dark fantasy, romance, and mystery, this story combines the spectacle of a demonic circus with a heroine’s fight to reclaim her identity, creating a page-turner that’s as thrilling as it is sinfully fun.
The novel begins with Gemma Marino, who wakes up on a demon planet with no memory of who she is or how she got there. Within moments, she’s fighting for her life, forced to navigate a brutal world where morals mean nothing and everything has a price. Her deal with The Devil—to join Hel’s Carnival in exchange for protection—sets the stage for a deliciously dangerous journey full of secrets, seduction, and strange alliances. Gemma is a compelling heroine: tough, resourceful, and full of defiant charm. Her determination to survive, even when surrounded by monsters (literal and otherwise), makes her easy to root for.
Then there’s Draven ‘The Scorpion’ Orzath, the half-demon contract killer and royal spy who’s as captivating as he is lethal. Draven oozes danger and reluctant desire, his cold professionalism cracking the more Gemma worms her way into his guarded world. Their chemistry sizzles—gritty, magnetic, and dripping with slow-burn tension. Every exchange between them feels like a power play, and watching their relationship evolve from wary distrust to something deeper is one of the book’s greatest pleasures.
The worldbuilding is imaginative and vividly atmospheric. Hel’s Carnival, with its twisted performances and lurking corruption, is a brilliant backdrop—equal parts grotesque and glamorous. Santoriello’s depiction of Hel’s politics and social hierarchy adds surprising depth, giving the story a strong sense of place and danger. Between the carnival’s strange performers, The Devil’s manipulations, and the mysteries surrounding Gemma’s lost past, the narrative never lacks intrigue.
The novel begins with Gemma Marino, who wakes up on a demon planet with no memory of who she is or how she got there. Within moments, she’s fighting for her life, forced to navigate a brutal world where morals mean nothing and everything has a price. Her deal with The Devil—to join Hel’s Carnival in exchange for protection—sets the stage for a deliciously dangerous journey full of secrets, seduction, and strange alliances. Gemma is a compelling heroine: tough, resourceful, and full of defiant charm. Her determination to survive, even when surrounded by monsters (literal and otherwise), makes her easy to root for.
Then there’s Draven ‘The Scorpion’ Orzath, the half-demon contract killer and royal spy who’s as captivating as he is lethal. Draven oozes danger and reluctant desire, his cold professionalism cracking the more Gemma worms her way into his guarded world. Their chemistry sizzles—gritty, magnetic, and dripping with slow-burn tension. Every exchange between them feels like a power play, and watching their relationship evolve from wary distrust to something deeper is one of the book’s greatest pleasures.
The worldbuilding is imaginative and vividly atmospheric. Hel’s Carnival, with its twisted performances and lurking corruption, is a brilliant backdrop—equal parts grotesque and glamorous. Santoriello’s depiction of Hel’s politics and social hierarchy adds surprising depth, giving the story a strong sense of place and danger. Between the carnival’s strange performers, The Devil’s manipulations, and the mysteries surrounding Gemma’s lost past, the narrative never lacks intrigue.
August 19, 2025
OMG I LOVED IT!!! 🖤🔥 The half-demon learning Earth’s customs for her had me absolutely MELTING 😭💘 Draven and Gemma gave me all the feels—I laughed, swooned, and screamed through this story.
Dance for Demons by Rose Santoriello was an absolute page-turner. From the very first chapter, I was pulled into Gemma’s wild journey—waking up on a demon planet 🪐 with no memories, barely escaping with her life, and striking a deal with The Devil himself to survive. Her new role at Hel’s Carnival was so fresh and enchanting 🎪✨. The whole circus vibe made everything whimsical and magical, even while danger and darkness loomed just beyond the spotlight.
Draven “The Scorpion” Orzath 🦂… oh my heart. A contract killer, royal spy, and reluctant protector, who was equal parts deadly and soft when it came to Gemma. Their slow-burn, grumpy x sunshine dynamic had me SCREAMING into my pillow 😍🔥. And when he started actually paying attention to her, learning her world, choosing her—I was gone.
This wasn’t just demons and chaos—it was a story of found family 👨👩👧👦, self-discovery, and second chances. I loved the quirky, tight-knit carnival crew (every character shone in their own way). The blend of danger, mystery, and heart-tugging moments made it impossible to put down. And the humor? Chef’s kiss 👌💀—even with all the shadows of Hel.
🌟 Perfect for fans of:
🎪 Hazbin Hotel x The Greatest Showman vibes
💀 Demons & Dark Fantasy
☀️🌑 Grumpy x Sunshine
🪞 Secrets, Smoke & Mirrors
🫂 Found Family
🌀 Amnesia
💜 Bi4Bi Romance
🔥 Slow-burn tension that will make your heart ache in the best way
I flew through this quirky, fast-paced read—it felt fresh, whimsical, and yet full of heart. Hel may have been ruled by demons, but it was Gemma and Draven’s bond that truly lit up the darkness. 🦋🖤
Huge thank you to Rose Santoriello and Haus of Fables for the ARC opportunity! 💜 I’m already counting down the days until the next book—I need more of this devilish carnival in my life!
Dance for Demons by Rose Santoriello was an absolute page-turner. From the very first chapter, I was pulled into Gemma’s wild journey—waking up on a demon planet 🪐 with no memories, barely escaping with her life, and striking a deal with The Devil himself to survive. Her new role at Hel’s Carnival was so fresh and enchanting 🎪✨. The whole circus vibe made everything whimsical and magical, even while danger and darkness loomed just beyond the spotlight.
Draven “The Scorpion” Orzath 🦂… oh my heart. A contract killer, royal spy, and reluctant protector, who was equal parts deadly and soft when it came to Gemma. Their slow-burn, grumpy x sunshine dynamic had me SCREAMING into my pillow 😍🔥. And when he started actually paying attention to her, learning her world, choosing her—I was gone.
This wasn’t just demons and chaos—it was a story of found family 👨👩👧👦, self-discovery, and second chances. I loved the quirky, tight-knit carnival crew (every character shone in their own way). The blend of danger, mystery, and heart-tugging moments made it impossible to put down. And the humor? Chef’s kiss 👌💀—even with all the shadows of Hel.
🌟 Perfect for fans of:
🎪 Hazbin Hotel x The Greatest Showman vibes
💀 Demons & Dark Fantasy
☀️🌑 Grumpy x Sunshine
🪞 Secrets, Smoke & Mirrors
🫂 Found Family
🌀 Amnesia
💜 Bi4Bi Romance
🔥 Slow-burn tension that will make your heart ache in the best way
I flew through this quirky, fast-paced read—it felt fresh, whimsical, and yet full of heart. Hel may have been ruled by demons, but it was Gemma and Draven’s bond that truly lit up the darkness. 🦋🖤
Huge thank you to Rose Santoriello and Haus of Fables for the ARC opportunity! 💜 I’m already counting down the days until the next book—I need more of this devilish carnival in my life!
August 23, 2025
Rose Santoriello delivers yet another captivating tale with Dance for Demons, beautifully weaving a narrative that underscores her signature theme: love transcends all boundaries—be it species or circumstance. In this installment, we are introduced to Gemma Marino, who awakens in the chaotic realm of a demon planet, setting the stage for a spellbinding journey filled with intrigue, danger, and romance.
What stands out in this book is Rose's ability to blend the emotional depth of her characters with tantalizing romance. She has an innate talent for adding just the right amount of spice, catering to those of us who enjoy a story that gets our hearts racing. The chemistry between Gemma and Draven ‘The Scorpion’ Orzath, a sexy half-demon and the novel's enigmatic anti-hero, is palpable and provides an exhilarating backdrop to the narrative.
While the world-building in Dance for Demons may not be as immersive as in Santoriello's previous works, the carnival setting is vividly crafted enough to spark the imagination, allowing readers to visualize the vibrant and chaotic atmosphere of Hel’s Carnival. It serves as a compelling canvas for the unfolding drama and character exploration.
Character depth is, without a doubt, one of Rose’s strongest attributes, and in this novel, she excels at making readers connect with every member of the carnival family. Each character feels like a friend, with their quirks and complexities adding richness to the story. As Gemma grapples with the ghosts of her past, the reader is drawn into her emotional journey, complicating her longing for home and her newfound family.
Dance for Demons is a mesmerizing exploration of love, identity, and belonging. With its gripping plot, well-drawn characters, and a touch of supernatural allure, Rose Santoriello has once again crafted a tale that leaves an indelible mark. This book is a must-read for those seeking a thrilling escape into a world where love knows no boundaries.
What stands out in this book is Rose's ability to blend the emotional depth of her characters with tantalizing romance. She has an innate talent for adding just the right amount of spice, catering to those of us who enjoy a story that gets our hearts racing. The chemistry between Gemma and Draven ‘The Scorpion’ Orzath, a sexy half-demon and the novel's enigmatic anti-hero, is palpable and provides an exhilarating backdrop to the narrative.
While the world-building in Dance for Demons may not be as immersive as in Santoriello's previous works, the carnival setting is vividly crafted enough to spark the imagination, allowing readers to visualize the vibrant and chaotic atmosphere of Hel’s Carnival. It serves as a compelling canvas for the unfolding drama and character exploration.
Character depth is, without a doubt, one of Rose’s strongest attributes, and in this novel, she excels at making readers connect with every member of the carnival family. Each character feels like a friend, with their quirks and complexities adding richness to the story. As Gemma grapples with the ghosts of her past, the reader is drawn into her emotional journey, complicating her longing for home and her newfound family.
Dance for Demons is a mesmerizing exploration of love, identity, and belonging. With its gripping plot, well-drawn characters, and a touch of supernatural allure, Rose Santoriello has once again crafted a tale that leaves an indelible mark. This book is a must-read for those seeking a thrilling escape into a world where love knows no boundaries.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2025
I'm giving it 3.5 stars.
Thank you, Haus of Fables, for this advanced copy!
Gemma wakes up in the middle of Hel, literally, with next to no memories of home, of who she is, where she is.
She has to figure out a way home, a way to get back her memories and figure out how to survive this temporary new home of hers.
Then she meets Draven and the rest of Hel's Carnival, and everything turns upside down.
*-*-*
I found this story a little hard to get through at times. For the first book in this series, I felt like I got a lot of information, but not a lot at the same time.
The world was developed, but not enough at the same time. We are shown so many things, but at the same time, not enough for everything to make sense. (At least to me)
We are introduced to a lot of characters, but I vaguely remembered details about them and have to remind myself who they are. There is a pronunciation guide for their unique names, but I would have liked a brief description for some of the characters we see more.
Gemma's memory loss and the regaining of her memories starts off good. She occasionally remembers certain things, a little bit at a time. However, when her memory comes back, it seems anti-climatic as we aren't given much history with the world building, perhaps in later novels?
I enjoyed the slow burn with Draven and Gemma, but once they finally gave into their passion multiple times, it became a bit of a chore for me to read through their coupling. For a half demon, it was surprisingly normal compared to other things I've read, but also a bit boring. I'm sure others will enjoy the smut, but it wasn't for me.
The plot as a whole was mostly enjoyable, aside from the parts I mentioned above.
I might read the others in this series, if given the chance, just to see if the story makes more sense, which hopefully, will allow me to come back and give this story a higher review.
Thank you, Haus of Fables, for this advanced copy!
Gemma wakes up in the middle of Hel, literally, with next to no memories of home, of who she is, where she is.
She has to figure out a way home, a way to get back her memories and figure out how to survive this temporary new home of hers.
Then she meets Draven and the rest of Hel's Carnival, and everything turns upside down.
*-*-*
I found this story a little hard to get through at times. For the first book in this series, I felt like I got a lot of information, but not a lot at the same time.
The world was developed, but not enough at the same time. We are shown so many things, but at the same time, not enough for everything to make sense. (At least to me)
We are introduced to a lot of characters, but I vaguely remembered details about them and have to remind myself who they are. There is a pronunciation guide for their unique names, but I would have liked a brief description for some of the characters we see more.
Gemma's memory loss and the regaining of her memories starts off good. She occasionally remembers certain things, a little bit at a time. However, when her memory comes back, it seems anti-climatic as we aren't given much history with the world building, perhaps in later novels?
I enjoyed the slow burn with Draven and Gemma, but once they finally gave into their passion multiple times, it became a bit of a chore for me to read through their coupling. For a half demon, it was surprisingly normal compared to other things I've read, but also a bit boring. I'm sure others will enjoy the smut, but it wasn't for me.
The plot as a whole was mostly enjoyable, aside from the parts I mentioned above.
I might read the others in this series, if given the chance, just to see if the story makes more sense, which hopefully, will allow me to come back and give this story a higher review.
September 11, 2025
Small Business BookTok ARC Reviews (BookTome Edition): “Dance for Demons” by Rose Santoriello
Note: This ARC was given to me for free by the author and I am reviewing this book voluntarily.
After losing her memories and finding herself far from Earth on the planet Hel, Gemma Marino tries to do all she can to adapt to her new surroundings and find her way back home! When Gemma is given the opportunity by the Ruler of Hel to join Hel’s Carnival as a dancer to make some coin, she jumps at the opportunity! The only obstacle? Having to constantly prove herself to one of the Carnival's lead performers, Draven “The Scorpion” Orzath! Will Gemma find the footing she needs to get back home, or will she find her heart dancing in rhythm for the brooding Half-Demon performer?
From the author of the “Augurey University” series comes the first installment in the Paranormal Romantasy series “Hel’s Carnival” by Rose Santoriello! Santoriello not only continues to deliver in and expand upon their Paranormal/Monster Romantasy world-building, but provides a narrative that can be best described as a perfect mixture of “Helluva Boss”, “Hazbin Hotel”, “Phantasma”, “The Greatest Showman”, and “The Wizard of Oz”! You will fall for Gemma and Draven's chemistry as they try to navigate their will-they-won’t-they, hate-to-love romance while also trying to solve a mystery surrounding the circus and their found family! Ready to join Hel’s Carnival? Then don’t miss out on this book when it hits online shelves on September 15, 2025!
Rating: 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Meter: 5/5🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
- Tropes: Paranormal Romantasy, Monster Romance, Fish-Out-Of-Water, Hate-to-Love, Bi4Bi, He Falls First, Forced Proximity, Supernatural Circus, Found Family, Slow Burn Romance, “Touch Her and Die”, Circus Dancer FMC x Masked Contract Spy/Half-Demon Circus Star MMC, Twists & Turns, Secrets and Lies, Self-Discovery, Self-Healing, Memory Loss, and Double Life Narrative.
- Trigger Warnings: (Full Descriptions Can Be Found in the Book).
Note: This ARC was given to me for free by the author and I am reviewing this book voluntarily.
After losing her memories and finding herself far from Earth on the planet Hel, Gemma Marino tries to do all she can to adapt to her new surroundings and find her way back home! When Gemma is given the opportunity by the Ruler of Hel to join Hel’s Carnival as a dancer to make some coin, she jumps at the opportunity! The only obstacle? Having to constantly prove herself to one of the Carnival's lead performers, Draven “The Scorpion” Orzath! Will Gemma find the footing she needs to get back home, or will she find her heart dancing in rhythm for the brooding Half-Demon performer?
From the author of the “Augurey University” series comes the first installment in the Paranormal Romantasy series “Hel’s Carnival” by Rose Santoriello! Santoriello not only continues to deliver in and expand upon their Paranormal/Monster Romantasy world-building, but provides a narrative that can be best described as a perfect mixture of “Helluva Boss”, “Hazbin Hotel”, “Phantasma”, “The Greatest Showman”, and “The Wizard of Oz”! You will fall for Gemma and Draven's chemistry as they try to navigate their will-they-won’t-they, hate-to-love romance while also trying to solve a mystery surrounding the circus and their found family! Ready to join Hel’s Carnival? Then don’t miss out on this book when it hits online shelves on September 15, 2025!
Rating: 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Meter: 5/5🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
- Tropes: Paranormal Romantasy, Monster Romance, Fish-Out-Of-Water, Hate-to-Love, Bi4Bi, He Falls First, Forced Proximity, Supernatural Circus, Found Family, Slow Burn Romance, “Touch Her and Die”, Circus Dancer FMC x Masked Contract Spy/Half-Demon Circus Star MMC, Twists & Turns, Secrets and Lies, Self-Discovery, Self-Healing, Memory Loss, and Double Life Narrative.
- Trigger Warnings: (Full Descriptions Can Be Found in the Book).
September 24, 2025
Thank you to Rose Santoriello and Haus of Fables for the gifted eARC of this book! This is my honest review ✨
4.5/5 ⭐ (rounded up to 5)
Dance for Demons is a fantasy bi4bi romance about Gemma, a human woman with amnesia that finds herself on the planet Hel (with no recollection of how she got there), and Draven, a half-demon circus performer.
The first time I heard about this book, I added it to my TBR IMMEDIATELY because I KNEW I was going to love it. Rose Santoriello is amazing at creating and teasing the tension building between the main love interests, and this book was no different. When Gemma and Draven finally got together (not too late into the book, don't worry) I CHEERED. I loved getting to see how their relationship subtly shifted throughout the book, and the ending (I won't spoil if you haven't read it) made me genuinely so happy for them, and felt like a fitting conclusion to their story.
Apart from our lovers, I also was super intrigued by the setting! If you've read any of the Augury University series, then you'll be familiar with The Convergence, and probably the planet Hel, but it was really cool to see how The Convergence impacted a planet apart from Earth. Not to mention, all of the side characters (ABSINTHE MY BELOVED) were SO COOL (except for Baelor, iykyk) and I would honestly read a book written from any of their POVs too (the main takeaway here is that I loved the world and I loved the characters and I was not ready to be done with them yet).
I think this book would be an enjoyable read for people that like Helluva Boss, the Circus Creeps series by Aiden Pierce (Circus Creeps is definitely spicier, but Dance for Demons satisfied my ~sexy devilish carnival~ itch), and love interests that start out hating each other but end up not being able to keep their hands off one another.
4.5/5 ⭐ (rounded up to 5)
Dance for Demons is a fantasy bi4bi romance about Gemma, a human woman with amnesia that finds herself on the planet Hel (with no recollection of how she got there), and Draven, a half-demon circus performer.
The first time I heard about this book, I added it to my TBR IMMEDIATELY because I KNEW I was going to love it. Rose Santoriello is amazing at creating and teasing the tension building between the main love interests, and this book was no different. When Gemma and Draven finally got together (not too late into the book, don't worry) I CHEERED. I loved getting to see how their relationship subtly shifted throughout the book, and the ending (I won't spoil if you haven't read it) made me genuinely so happy for them, and felt like a fitting conclusion to their story.
Apart from our lovers, I also was super intrigued by the setting! If you've read any of the Augury University series, then you'll be familiar with The Convergence, and probably the planet Hel, but it was really cool to see how The Convergence impacted a planet apart from Earth. Not to mention, all of the side characters (ABSINTHE MY BELOVED) were SO COOL (except for Baelor, iykyk) and I would honestly read a book written from any of their POVs too (the main takeaway here is that I loved the world and I loved the characters and I was not ready to be done with them yet).
I think this book would be an enjoyable read for people that like Helluva Boss, the Circus Creeps series by Aiden Pierce (Circus Creeps is definitely spicier, but Dance for Demons satisfied my ~sexy devilish carnival~ itch), and love interests that start out hating each other but end up not being able to keep their hands off one another.
November 17, 2025
In this dual perspective introduction to an expected trilogy, Gemma wakes up in Hel with no memory of how she got there and how she is going to get home. Enter Luc Morningstar who offers her a job at Hel’s Carnival as their newest dancer.
Draven ‘The Scorpion’ is less keen on the idea until he finds out they are Luc’s orders.
This was a fun ride. The banter between Gemma and Draven, and between the rest of the circus was great. I really felt the family vibes from it. I would like to have seen more of the rest of the Carnival as an introduction to the world. It took a while for the book to really grab me, but when the action set in, I loved it and couldn’t put it down.
The concept itself, of a person waking up in Hel with no memories and no way home, is what drew me in.
There were several plot points in this book. Gemma’s memories, Draven's secret mission, the decline of popularity of The Sinner’s Circus. The mole in the circus. While this is expected to be a trilogy, I think there were too many things introduced in this first book, which made some of the story a bit messy and confusing. I am looking forward to the next book to see if some of the plotlines are explored more, and resolved.
The spice was 3 ✨ with multiple schmexy scenes that were written well and made sense. There were no random hands appearing behind her back while it was supposed to be… somewhere else. These were some of the better spicy scenes that I have read.
For anyone that loves romantasy, fantasy, a little bit of action and mystery, this is the book for you.
The author did a great job at building a massive world, with interesting magic, good spice, and a lot of intrigue. Thank you so much to Haus of Fables for gifting me an ARC of this book. I am looking forward to book 2.
Draven ‘The Scorpion’ is less keen on the idea until he finds out they are Luc’s orders.
This was a fun ride. The banter between Gemma and Draven, and between the rest of the circus was great. I really felt the family vibes from it. I would like to have seen more of the rest of the Carnival as an introduction to the world. It took a while for the book to really grab me, but when the action set in, I loved it and couldn’t put it down.
The concept itself, of a person waking up in Hel with no memories and no way home, is what drew me in.
There were several plot points in this book. Gemma’s memories, Draven's secret mission, the decline of popularity of The Sinner’s Circus. The mole in the circus. While this is expected to be a trilogy, I think there were too many things introduced in this first book, which made some of the story a bit messy and confusing. I am looking forward to the next book to see if some of the plotlines are explored more, and resolved.
The spice was 3 ✨ with multiple schmexy scenes that were written well and made sense. There were no random hands appearing behind her back while it was supposed to be… somewhere else. These were some of the better spicy scenes that I have read.
For anyone that loves romantasy, fantasy, a little bit of action and mystery, this is the book for you.
The author did a great job at building a massive world, with interesting magic, good spice, and a lot of intrigue. Thank you so much to Haus of Fables for gifting me an ARC of this book. I am looking forward to book 2.
September 1, 2025
While it belongs to the same shared universe as her Augury University series, Rose Santoriello has spun a much darker, sexier world in Dance for Demons.
Gemma, the heroine, wakes up on a strange planet with only the clothes on her back, her name and a vague notion that she was originally from Earth. All other memories of her past and the life she lived are always just out of reach.
She discovers that she's on the planet Hel, the home planet of demons. Earth rules and morality mean nothing there. And her next chance to get back home to Earth is a year away.
She has to get a job to pay her way for the next year and with the help of a powerful demon, gains employment at a carnival. She soon finds that the other carnies feel like family (even the surly, but smoking hot Draven), and as more and more of her memories come back, she begins to question whether going back to Earth is the correct choice after all.
Gemma is so kind and bubbly. She's exactly the ray of sunshine the other broken/damaged carnies need in their lives. Especially Draven (though he fights it every single step of the way).
Under his tough and angry exterior, Draven is actually a big softie (but only for his carnie family and bio sister). He's willing to do anything (yes, even 💀) to protect those he loves.
I can't wait to see what happens in future books, because there are so many fascinating characters in the carnival that I want to learn more about.
Thank you Rose Santoriello for the opportunity to advance read!
Gemma, the heroine, wakes up on a strange planet with only the clothes on her back, her name and a vague notion that she was originally from Earth. All other memories of her past and the life she lived are always just out of reach.
She discovers that she's on the planet Hel, the home planet of demons. Earth rules and morality mean nothing there. And her next chance to get back home to Earth is a year away.
She has to get a job to pay her way for the next year and with the help of a powerful demon, gains employment at a carnival. She soon finds that the other carnies feel like family (even the surly, but smoking hot Draven), and as more and more of her memories come back, she begins to question whether going back to Earth is the correct choice after all.
Gemma is so kind and bubbly. She's exactly the ray of sunshine the other broken/damaged carnies need in their lives. Especially Draven (though he fights it every single step of the way).
Under his tough and angry exterior, Draven is actually a big softie (but only for his carnie family and bio sister). He's willing to do anything (yes, even 💀) to protect those he loves.
I can't wait to see what happens in future books, because there are so many fascinating characters in the carnival that I want to learn more about.
Thank you Rose Santoriello for the opportunity to advance read!
September 7, 2025
Welcome To Hel, where your earthly morals no longer apply.
I have been so excited to read this book ever since I saw the animation art of Gemma and Draven on the author's socials. WOW. Like HELLO. Daddy Draven and Mommy Gemma.
Loved the spooky, dark, and debaucherous vibes throughout the book. There was lots of angst that kept me wondering what was going to happen next. But I do feel like there was too many things happening that the characters were trying to figure out. There was a possible government takeover, Gemma's memories and how she got to Hel, and betrayal in the carnival. I'm still a bit confused on what was even going on with some of that stuff.
But that hate to lovers trope....delicious. Gemma and Draven being forced to work together and him trying his hardest to ignore how attracted he was to her was so hot. The spice scenes were very good, but I expected more depravity between the two of them in the bedroom. With that being said, their first kiss was one of the hottest things I've ever read.
And I can't forget to mention the found family vibes - it being one of my favorite tropes. I loved all those goofy weirdos. The teasing and banter between them felt like true siblings, but no matter how much they annoyed each other, they all had your back if you needed it.
If you're into the weird and whimsical with a queer normative world full of characters that will have you laughing, blushing, and making you momentarily question your sanity then this book is for you!
I have been so excited to read this book ever since I saw the animation art of Gemma and Draven on the author's socials. WOW. Like HELLO. Daddy Draven and Mommy Gemma.
Loved the spooky, dark, and debaucherous vibes throughout the book. There was lots of angst that kept me wondering what was going to happen next. But I do feel like there was too many things happening that the characters were trying to figure out. There was a possible government takeover, Gemma's memories and how she got to Hel, and betrayal in the carnival. I'm still a bit confused on what was even going on with some of that stuff.
But that hate to lovers trope....delicious. Gemma and Draven being forced to work together and him trying his hardest to ignore how attracted he was to her was so hot. The spice scenes were very good, but I expected more depravity between the two of them in the bedroom. With that being said, their first kiss was one of the hottest things I've ever read.
And I can't forget to mention the found family vibes - it being one of my favorite tropes. I loved all those goofy weirdos. The teasing and banter between them felt like true siblings, but no matter how much they annoyed each other, they all had your back if you needed it.
If you're into the weird and whimsical with a queer normative world full of characters that will have you laughing, blushing, and making you momentarily question your sanity then this book is for you!
September 16, 2025
I freaking loved this book! Once I started it I couldn’t put it down.
Dance for Demons was a super fun read. I found the concept of a multi planet convergence to be a really interesting way to explain the intermingling of humans with magical and (literal) otherworldly beings. Though I would have liked a bit more in-depth world building, I did enjoy that it was mostly from the perspective of Gemma, who is just trying to figure out life among demons on Hel as she goes.
The characters were unique, though I wish I could have gotten a bit more information and background on all of the carnival peeps. I loved the found family vibes, and all their interactions had me smiling and giggling. Gemma was a really fun and feisty FMC, and getting to know her as she got to know herself was amusing, but also totally heartbreaking at moments. And Draven. Oh Draven. I love me a grumpy MMC, but to make him a knife wielding, motorcycle riding, corset wearing, bi demon with *piercings* was just too delicious.
Dance for Demons is a captivating, slow burn, hate-to-lovers romantasy, with some political intrigue, action, and medium spice in a circus setting. This is the first book in a series, so while there may be a HEA, it is by no means a compete standalone. I definitely recommend checking it out if you’re looking for a fun and easy read and I’m excited to see where Rose Santoriello takes us next in the Hel’s Carnival series.
Thanks to Haus of Fables for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this gifted ARC, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Dance for Demons was a super fun read. I found the concept of a multi planet convergence to be a really interesting way to explain the intermingling of humans with magical and (literal) otherworldly beings. Though I would have liked a bit more in-depth world building, I did enjoy that it was mostly from the perspective of Gemma, who is just trying to figure out life among demons on Hel as she goes.
The characters were unique, though I wish I could have gotten a bit more information and background on all of the carnival peeps. I loved the found family vibes, and all their interactions had me smiling and giggling. Gemma was a really fun and feisty FMC, and getting to know her as she got to know herself was amusing, but also totally heartbreaking at moments. And Draven. Oh Draven. I love me a grumpy MMC, but to make him a knife wielding, motorcycle riding, corset wearing, bi demon with *piercings* was just too delicious.
Dance for Demons is a captivating, slow burn, hate-to-lovers romantasy, with some political intrigue, action, and medium spice in a circus setting. This is the first book in a series, so while there may be a HEA, it is by no means a compete standalone. I definitely recommend checking it out if you’re looking for a fun and easy read and I’m excited to see where Rose Santoriello takes us next in the Hel’s Carnival series.
Thanks to Haus of Fables for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this gifted ARC, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 16, 2025
This book was okay. Based on how it was advertised I expected something darker and way more steamy. Considering this book setting takes place in a carnival on Hel, carnival by day and sinners circus by night. I just expected it to have way more spice than what was given. Instead the spicy scenes were rushed and the intimacy of the sinners circus was glossed over. There were jumps in the timeline that left me feeling like I was missing necessary build up and tension and nothing of huge significance really happens until the 50% mark. This book read more like a romance book than a dark romance and while the story was sweet and the characters were beautifully diverse I never felt like I was given a chance to truly understand and love each and every one of them. Because of this the most intense scene, the climax, the moment I was supposed to feel something, ended up falling flat for me. Overall I feel like this book just needed more of everything.
I was, however, able to finish it and that speaks to the desire for more. I think someone who likes romance with a sprinkle of something a little more dangerous, but something quick and easy to read this book is perfect. I just expected something deeper, darker and more steamy and this is why I was left feeling unfulfilled. I can see this book having the potential to grow into something more if the series continues, and I'd definitely be curious enough to continue reading it.
I was, however, able to finish it and that speaks to the desire for more. I think someone who likes romance with a sprinkle of something a little more dangerous, but something quick and easy to read this book is perfect. I just expected something deeper, darker and more steamy and this is why I was left feeling unfulfilled. I can see this book having the potential to grow into something more if the series continues, and I'd definitely be curious enough to continue reading it.
August 28, 2025
I always forget how much I enjoy a carnival setting but this book was the perfect reminder! Right off the bat I loved it, I could picture the carnival so clearly, plus this modern mismatched city it was nestled in. Also right off the bat, I’m in love with Draven. This strong, deadly, white haired demon who plays the piano and has a proficiency with knives, SIGN ME UP. Plus, the sword swallowing and the motorcycle was the perfect cherry on top. As a dancer myself, I also loved Gemma; that one of the first things she remembers about herself is her love of dance. Seeing her regain her memories was heart wrenching, but it humanized her in such a beautiful way.
The butterfly and the scorpion motif will always get me. The predator and prey vibes they had going on with all the tension. The way he was rough with her but praise her as well. And the PIERCINGS! That will always do it for me! I love their dynamic, I feel like they leveled each other out very well. Draven to soften up a bit and Gemma to gain her strength and find her footing. The whole cast of characters was charming and wonderful, plus the mystery and drama was so entertaining. I found myself getting a bit confused when we would jump the timeline forward a bit but overall I really loved it!
The butterfly and the scorpion motif will always get me. The predator and prey vibes they had going on with all the tension. The way he was rough with her but praise her as well. And the PIERCINGS! That will always do it for me! I love their dynamic, I feel like they leveled each other out very well. Draven to soften up a bit and Gemma to gain her strength and find her footing. The whole cast of characters was charming and wonderful, plus the mystery and drama was so entertaining. I found myself getting a bit confused when we would jump the timeline forward a bit but overall I really loved it!
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