What do you think?
Rate this book
We Dance Upon Demons
Not yet published
Expected 12 May 26From the New York Times bestselling author of Kaikeyi, a galvanizing stand-alone contemporary fantasy following a burnt-out reproductive health care worker as she fights back against escalating attacks on her clinic and the malevolent forces in hot pursuit of her newly acquired power.
As a reproductive health care worker in Chicago, Nisha is barely staying afloat in the ocean of abortion bans, screaming protestors, and her own all-consuming depression.
When she escapes to the Indian art exhibit at her favorite museum for a brief respite, Nisha suddenly finds herself bleeding, disoriented, and collapsed on the ground. The last thing she remembers is the statue that beckoned her to touch it. In the days that follow, Nisha feels a strange power coursing within her, one that attracts a host of dangerous and enigmatic characters who covet it for themselves.
Facing threats both otherworldly and distinctly human, Nisha must navigate uncertain alliances to piece together the centuries-old mystery of her odd and terrifying abilities. And as danger closes in on her loved ones, community, and the clinic she’s determined to protect, Nisha must make a choice about the life she wants—and fight all the demons standing in her way to get it.
As a reproductive health care worker in Chicago, Nisha is barely staying afloat in the ocean of abortion bans, screaming protestors, and her own all-consuming depression.
When she escapes to the Indian art exhibit at her favorite museum for a brief respite, Nisha suddenly finds herself bleeding, disoriented, and collapsed on the ground. The last thing she remembers is the statue that beckoned her to touch it. In the days that follow, Nisha feels a strange power coursing within her, one that attracts a host of dangerous and enigmatic characters who covet it for themselves.
Facing threats both otherworldly and distinctly human, Nisha must navigate uncertain alliances to piece together the centuries-old mystery of her odd and terrifying abilities. And as danger closes in on her loved ones, community, and the clinic she’s determined to protect, Nisha must make a choice about the life she wants—and fight all the demons standing in her way to get it.
304 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication May 12, 2026
7769 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 24, 2025
full rtc closer to pub day, but very pleasantly surprised after having mixed thoughts on patel’s first two books! unfortunately a very timely book with important socio-political commentary
December 11, 2025
This wasn’t the easiest novel to read, but it was an excellent one.
Unlike the rest of Patel’s works, this one was relentlessly contemporary. It’s set in present-day Chicago; no secondary world at all. The protagonist, Nisha, works in an abortion clinic, which is busier & more important than ever in a post-Roe v. Wade America, with many patients travelling from far distant red states for medical care. It’s also under greater threat than ever; rather than celebrating the fall of Roe and resting on their laurels, the anti-choice movement has only intensified.
Nisha is also coming off of a bad breakup, a bad car accident, and feeling like a failure in the highly status-conscious Indian-American community for never going to law school like she planned. And to also care, deeply, about right and wrong, especially on as hot an issue as reproductive freedom, to be working tirelessly to make the world a better place, and have to watch as instead there is … well, it’s all rather demoralizing. As many of us can relate.
The speculative fiction aspect comes into things when, while trying to relax while strolling through the Art Institute of Chicago, she accidentally releases a demon trapped inside a statue of Nataraja (Shiva in his aspect as Lord of Dance). The demon in question is the demon of ignorance Apasmara, aka Muyalaka, and says to call him Muya. He’s very happy to be out of the statue, but would also like the portion of his power that Nisha inadvertently stole back. Unfortunately, there are other demons about who would also very much like that power, and are prepared to offer Nisha both favors and threats to get it.
More than anything else, this is a novel of Nisha dealing with her inner demons (pun intended). She has to cope with her depression, her conviction that she is a failure, her overdeveloped sense of responsibility, her unwillingness to accept help - she’s got a whole grab-bag of neuroses, honestly. It’s all excellent, and excellently done.
But the novel, especially the first third or so until the supernatural stuff really picks up speed, is a grind. And felt far too familiar to me - watching the country change, thinking things can’t get worse and then, yeah, of course, there they go, it’s worse. And all you can do is pick yourself up, dust yourself off, say, “Fuck!” and start again. And again, and again.
Escapism this is not. Definitely worth the read, but be prepared for it all to feel a little too real.
My blog
Unlike the rest of Patel’s works, this one was relentlessly contemporary. It’s set in present-day Chicago; no secondary world at all. The protagonist, Nisha, works in an abortion clinic, which is busier & more important than ever in a post-Roe v. Wade America, with many patients travelling from far distant red states for medical care. It’s also under greater threat than ever; rather than celebrating the fall of Roe and resting on their laurels, the anti-choice movement has only intensified.
Nisha is also coming off of a bad breakup, a bad car accident, and feeling like a failure in the highly status-conscious Indian-American community for never going to law school like she planned. And to also care, deeply, about right and wrong, especially on as hot an issue as reproductive freedom, to be working tirelessly to make the world a better place, and have to watch as instead there is … well, it’s all rather demoralizing. As many of us can relate.
The speculative fiction aspect comes into things when, while trying to relax while strolling through the Art Institute of Chicago, she accidentally releases a demon trapped inside a statue of Nataraja (Shiva in his aspect as Lord of Dance). The demon in question is the demon of ignorance Apasmara, aka Muyalaka, and says to call him Muya. He’s very happy to be out of the statue, but would also like the portion of his power that Nisha inadvertently stole back. Unfortunately, there are other demons about who would also very much like that power, and are prepared to offer Nisha both favors and threats to get it.
More than anything else, this is a novel of Nisha dealing with her inner demons (pun intended). She has to cope with her depression, her conviction that she is a failure, her overdeveloped sense of responsibility, her unwillingness to accept help - she’s got a whole grab-bag of neuroses, honestly. It’s all excellent, and excellently done.
But the novel, especially the first third or so until the supernatural stuff really picks up speed, is a grind. And felt far too familiar to me - watching the country change, thinking things can’t get worse and then, yeah, of course, there they go, it’s worse. And all you can do is pick yourself up, dust yourself off, say, “Fuck!” and start again. And again, and again.
Escapism this is not. Definitely worth the read, but be prepared for it all to feel a little too real.
My blog
November 5, 2025
Like Nisha, I too experience deep depression and an inability to move forward, because I don't feel like I'm making any sort of difference in the world. Which is silly, because one singular person may not be able to change the world, but they can make a monumental difference. We Dance Upon Demons explores the current state of horrors that is our reproductive rights in the US, while also tackling what it means to be impactful, realistic and hopeful despite said horrors. "You know, most people don't change the world, and yet, most people still matter. You're smart, you're capable, you're driven. Your sincere effort is enough."
I really enjoyed this book. It's short, funny, relevant, angry, and empowering. It's well researched. It's an obvious book, but it's not heavy handed. Patel's ability to write stories across so many different genres is absolutely amazing to me. Every one of her stories is fantastic, has a point of view, and is impactful. We Dance Upon Demons is nothing like Ten Incarnations which is nothing like Kaikeyi which is nothing like Goddess of the River. Patel continues to cement herself as an auto-buy author for me.
BRB going to buy this book for my pro-life family members.
I really enjoyed this book. It's short, funny, relevant, angry, and empowering. It's well researched. It's an obvious book, but it's not heavy handed. Patel's ability to write stories across so many different genres is absolutely amazing to me. Every one of her stories is fantastic, has a point of view, and is impactful. We Dance Upon Demons is nothing like Ten Incarnations which is nothing like Kaikeyi which is nothing like Goddess of the River. Patel continues to cement herself as an auto-buy author for me.
BRB going to buy this book for my pro-life family members.
October 18, 2025
I received a free copy from Saga Press via Netgalley in exchange for a fair review. Release date May 12th, 2026.
I've consistently enjoyed Patel's work, and I was excited to read her modern-day fantasy novel latest. In We Dance Upon Demons, depressed twenty-something Nisha is the volunteer coordinator at an understaffed and beleaguered abortion clinic. After a strange encounter with an Indian statue in the museum, Nisha is plunged into a strange world of demons and monsters--but in the end, the supernatural may not be as dangerous as the very human threats to her clinic...
We Dance Upon Demons is a very pointed novel, and Patel obviously incorporated her time as a clinic volunteer with Planned Parenthood into her writing. The demon-hunting elements are almost incidental to the plot in comparison to Nisha's crushing depression and the reality of her everyday life. While the individual scenes are brutal, like a raped twelve-year -old being called a murderer by protesters as she tries to get into the clinic, it's the sheer relentlessness of it all that stood out to me. Every day, Nisha's job is to escort patients trying to access basic health care through a mob screaming abuse, and it never stops. Combined with the understaffing typical for a small nonprofit, it's no wonder she's disillusioned. The tone did occasionally swing into informative abortion brochure, but righteous anger permeating the novel was more than enough to animate it.
This book strays a little farther from Hindu mythology than Patel's previous novels. The supernatural appears mostly in brief interludes where Nisha relives the memories of her ancestors who also bore demon powers. But I loved her intense and fraught relationship with her culture, from her passionate love of traditional dance to arguing with conservative uncles, to her very close but difficult bond with her mother. While she doesn't always like her community, this is a book about how it's ultimately people who have the power to save or destroy everything she's worked for, not the supernatural.
Short, snappy, and with an absolute fierceness of purpose on abortion rights. As a fantasy enjoyer, I would have liked to see a little more focus on the rather neglected demons, but the vividness of the scenes set in the clinic more than made up for it. Recommended.
I've consistently enjoyed Patel's work, and I was excited to read her modern-day fantasy novel latest. In We Dance Upon Demons, depressed twenty-something Nisha is the volunteer coordinator at an understaffed and beleaguered abortion clinic. After a strange encounter with an Indian statue in the museum, Nisha is plunged into a strange world of demons and monsters--but in the end, the supernatural may not be as dangerous as the very human threats to her clinic...
We Dance Upon Demons is a very pointed novel, and Patel obviously incorporated her time as a clinic volunteer with Planned Parenthood into her writing. The demon-hunting elements are almost incidental to the plot in comparison to Nisha's crushing depression and the reality of her everyday life. While the individual scenes are brutal, like a raped twelve-year -old being called a murderer by protesters as she tries to get into the clinic, it's the sheer relentlessness of it all that stood out to me. Every day, Nisha's job is to escort patients trying to access basic health care through a mob screaming abuse, and it never stops. Combined with the understaffing typical for a small nonprofit, it's no wonder she's disillusioned. The tone did occasionally swing into informative abortion brochure, but righteous anger permeating the novel was more than enough to animate it.
This book strays a little farther from Hindu mythology than Patel's previous novels. The supernatural appears mostly in brief interludes where Nisha relives the memories of her ancestors who also bore demon powers. But I loved her intense and fraught relationship with her culture, from her passionate love of traditional dance to arguing with conservative uncles, to her very close but difficult bond with her mother. While she doesn't always like her community, this is a book about how it's ultimately people who have the power to save or destroy everything she's worked for, not the supernatural.
Short, snappy, and with an absolute fierceness of purpose on abortion rights. As a fantasy enjoyer, I would have liked to see a little more focus on the rather neglected demons, but the vividness of the scenes set in the clinic more than made up for it. Recommended.
November 26, 2025
this was different from the other vaishnavi patel books ive read (i have yet to read 10 incarnations) but this was everything i didn't expect it to be !!
rtc
rtc
October 8, 2025
We Dance Upon Demons by Vaishnavi Patel is a timely, necessary triumph of modern-day literature. Set in a Chicago abortion clinic struggling to survive the continuous onslaught of threats they receive, this story melds ancient demons of the past to the current evils that women are facing when exercising their right to choose.
Nisha, our main character, is a burnt-out reproductive healthcare worker. She fights every single day - to get out of bed, to go to her workplace, to break out of her depression and apathy, to protect her patients from protesters, and to guard the clinic from its multiplying threats. Nisha, like so many others, had grand ideas about changing the world when she was young but her hopes and dreams have been crushed by the reality of the current administration’s curtailment of women’s rights.
When Nisha accidentally obtains demonic powers from an ancient Lord Nataraja statue at the Art Institute, her life gains a new level of complexity. One of her newfound powers enables her to connect with other women who have historically been gifted the same abilities. Nisha accesses their memories by performing Indian classical dances.
Here, Nisha witnesses the stories of women from different time periods in India - their unique circumstances and difficulties, the choices they made, and the manner in which they utilized their powers. We see glimpses of the lives of the common folk during the Mauryan empire, the Gupta empire, and even the foreign occupation of India.
It is clear that a lot of research went into this book - from the logical arguments supporting women and their right to choose, to the current state of funding and threats to clinics that provide abortions, to the Indian history and mythology.
Early reviewers, run to request this book on Netgalley! Everyone else, please run to pre-order this incredible book so you can read it the moment it comes out on May 12th!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted advance review copy!
Nisha, our main character, is a burnt-out reproductive healthcare worker. She fights every single day - to get out of bed, to go to her workplace, to break out of her depression and apathy, to protect her patients from protesters, and to guard the clinic from its multiplying threats. Nisha, like so many others, had grand ideas about changing the world when she was young but her hopes and dreams have been crushed by the reality of the current administration’s curtailment of women’s rights.
When Nisha accidentally obtains demonic powers from an ancient Lord Nataraja statue at the Art Institute, her life gains a new level of complexity. One of her newfound powers enables her to connect with other women who have historically been gifted the same abilities. Nisha accesses their memories by performing Indian classical dances.
Here, Nisha witnesses the stories of women from different time periods in India - their unique circumstances and difficulties, the choices they made, and the manner in which they utilized their powers. We see glimpses of the lives of the common folk during the Mauryan empire, the Gupta empire, and even the foreign occupation of India.
It is clear that a lot of research went into this book - from the logical arguments supporting women and their right to choose, to the current state of funding and threats to clinics that provide abortions, to the Indian history and mythology.
Early reviewers, run to request this book on Netgalley! Everyone else, please run to pre-order this incredible book so you can read it the moment it comes out on May 12th!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted advance review copy!
October 27, 2025
There's always a risk in fiction centered on the current political state that it will read as preachy or overly explanatory. It's particularly difficult to write stories with characters who explicitly discuss modern political issues and their histories where it doesn't feel like the author is taking a break from the story to educate the readers. I think We Dance Upon Demons succeeds in not falling into this trap. Nisha thinks about reproductive rights regularly, she despairs over their loss, rants about it, informs other characters about their rights and their options. While some people may find this heavy-handed, it fits very closely with how I discuss political issues in my personal life, and how those similarly invested around me do as well. I appreciated reading a book centered on such a significant current political concern that managed to engage in that conversation explicitly in a way that feels more like catharsis than an educational tool.
The demonic element of this story is interesting, but almost incidental in comparison to role of Nisha's burn-out, the constant assault on reproductive healthcare access, and the cruelties of humankind. Her new powers allow her to explore the lives of women who came before her and the ways they not only resisted against colonial abuses around them, but the ways they took care of themselves and survived, and we see her try to apply these lessons to modern life.
I primarily read for escapism, and this book obviously did not provide that, but I did find it interesting, enjoyable, and above all else, cathartic.
The demonic element of this story is interesting, but almost incidental in comparison to role of Nisha's burn-out, the constant assault on reproductive healthcare access, and the cruelties of humankind. Her new powers allow her to explore the lives of women who came before her and the ways they not only resisted against colonial abuses around them, but the ways they took care of themselves and survived, and we see her try to apply these lessons to modern life.
I primarily read for escapism, and this book obviously did not provide that, but I did find it interesting, enjoyable, and above all else, cathartic.
November 23, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and S&S/Saga Press for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Honestly? I don't know how I felt about "We Dance Upon Demons" by Vaishnavi Patel. I didn't hate it, but I also didn't love it. The Indian mythology felt unnecessary for the FMC's journey of self-discovery—the fantasy aspect overdid it when the plot already had enough dramatic tension on its own.
That said, there are things to appreciate here. The book offers timely, relevant commentary on reproductive rights and clinic work in the U.S.. The FMC struggles with depression and burnout feels authentic and empathetic. The scenes depicting the realities reproductive healthcare workers face are vivid and impactful, with a sense of relentless urgency. And despite heavy political themes, the novel never feels preachy, which is impressive.
But the negatives are hard to ignore. The supernatural "demon" and fantasy elements feel underdeveloped, like they were sidelined for the political messaging. I had trouble figuring out which characters actually mattered, and the narrative sometimes lost focus on the biggest problem. The ending left me wanting more, both in terms of the fantasy elements and character resolution.
If you're passionate about reproductive justice and want a character-driven story that centers those issues, this might work for you. But if you're here for the fantasy, you'll probably be disappointed.
Honestly? I don't know how I felt about "We Dance Upon Demons" by Vaishnavi Patel. I didn't hate it, but I also didn't love it. The Indian mythology felt unnecessary for the FMC's journey of self-discovery—the fantasy aspect overdid it when the plot already had enough dramatic tension on its own.
That said, there are things to appreciate here. The book offers timely, relevant commentary on reproductive rights and clinic work in the U.S.. The FMC struggles with depression and burnout feels authentic and empathetic. The scenes depicting the realities reproductive healthcare workers face are vivid and impactful, with a sense of relentless urgency. And despite heavy political themes, the novel never feels preachy, which is impressive.
But the negatives are hard to ignore. The supernatural "demon" and fantasy elements feel underdeveloped, like they were sidelined for the political messaging. I had trouble figuring out which characters actually mattered, and the narrative sometimes lost focus on the biggest problem. The ending left me wanting more, both in terms of the fantasy elements and character resolution.
If you're passionate about reproductive justice and want a character-driven story that centers those issues, this might work for you. But if you're here for the fantasy, you'll probably be disappointed.
September 26, 2025
We Dance Upon Demons is a narrative that will sit with you for the days. The lore intertwined with modern demons made this an interesting read on that aspect. This is the demons we fight through our everyday life and strive to overcome. I loved this book entirely in concept but wanted more metaphorical nature to these demons. This narrative is relevant for today with every injustice occurring in the United States. The content and millennial dialogue make this a solid 3.5. I want the political discourse and the commentary in this book to sometimes be said through scene and not always directly.
When we think of the demons in our justice system, we think of the way our government does not work for us. This narrative touches on that. This is what we as citizens are forced to face every day. What do every day demons look like in a world that rapidly neglects the needs of its citizens? That is what you get in this narrative and why you need to pick this up. Support books that speak out on the hypocrisy of our every day experiences. And you will be left with the question of – are demons roaming earth the worst our fears can conjure or is it the humans creating the evil we live with that we should fear?
Read more reviews, recommendations, and arc impressions here http://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com
When we think of the demons in our justice system, we think of the way our government does not work for us. This narrative touches on that. This is what we as citizens are forced to face every day. What do every day demons look like in a world that rapidly neglects the needs of its citizens? That is what you get in this narrative and why you need to pick this up. Support books that speak out on the hypocrisy of our every day experiences. And you will be left with the question of – are demons roaming earth the worst our fears can conjure or is it the humans creating the evil we live with that we should fear?
Read more reviews, recommendations, and arc impressions here http://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com
December 13, 2025
I was not expecting the emotions that this inspired in me, though maybe I should have, because it's about a topic that's close to my heart and it takes place in a city that's become my home. I'm pretty sure I know exactly where this is located off of the Red Line, if I recognize the restaurants correctly. We get the story of a clinic escort who is on the verge of burning out and succumbing to her depression in the days of the recent past (right as Roe v Wade is struck down and abortion bans start popping up) is dealing with escalating hate attacks on her clinic, and besides that, also miiiight be awakening some rage based powers. We get some well done flashback chapters to other girls in her ancestry and how they were courted for their powers as well. In addition to this, we get a really good view of organizing at the community level to protect the vulnerable, and the kind of shitstains you can deal with in protecting people. Patel gives us an amazing, angry, powerful novel that doesn't take its eyes away from the community, but instead turns its eyes on those who would exploit them. This comes out in May; I highly recommend preordering it now in the next preorder palooza.
November 8, 2025
[high 3-stars rounded up for the 10 out of 10 cover art and daring subject matter] a one-of-a-kind novel that is in conversation with the current political war on women’s right to choose, while intertwining Indian mythology & classical dance in a why so fitting for Vaishnavi Patel.
for me, it was hard to follow which characters are of importance and then left me wanting more from both the fantastical elements and the conclusion (although, the end was still a sobering nod to the present day, and clearly exhibits what i think is her solid take on misogyny & white supremacy’s alignment with evil)
Thank you Saga Press & NetGalley for this ARC. PRE-ORDER THAT COPY SO YOU HAVE A FIRE ART PRINT AND A GREAT CONVO STARTER.
for me, it was hard to follow which characters are of importance and then left me wanting more from both the fantastical elements and the conclusion (although, the end was still a sobering nod to the present day, and clearly exhibits what i think is her solid take on misogyny & white supremacy’s alignment with evil)
Thank you Saga Press & NetGalley for this ARC. PRE-ORDER THAT COPY SO YOU HAVE A FIRE ART PRINT AND A GREAT CONVO STARTER.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 tagged for Goodreads
Vaishnavi Patel created a grounded and emotional fantasy novel that I didn't want to put down at any moment. The pain of reading Nisha's experiences as an employee of an abortion provider in a post-Roe America balanced flawlessly with the supernatural elements of the story and the cultural elements of Nisha's life and family to create a book that was wonderful, though emotional, to read.
Patel proves here that her ability to write incredible books spans across topics, genres, and writing styles. I'm so excited to see what she does next.
Thank you to NetGalley and SagaPress for the eArc
Vaishnavi Patel created a grounded and emotional fantasy novel that I didn't want to put down at any moment. The pain of reading Nisha's experiences as an employee of an abortion provider in a post-Roe America balanced flawlessly with the supernatural elements of the story and the cultural elements of Nisha's life and family to create a book that was wonderful, though emotional, to read.
Patel proves here that her ability to write incredible books spans across topics, genres, and writing styles. I'm so excited to see what she does next.
Thank you to NetGalley and SagaPress for the eArc
January 15, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for the eARC!
This book took me awhile to get through because of how timely and heavy it was. The writing was done so well and the author was able to perfectly portray the stress, fear, and depression that comes from living in our current political climate. It was done so well that I found I had to take several breaks from reading this because it all hit so close to home.
The way that the author was able to educate and show how much research went into this book without making it seem like textbook is really amazing. The story flowed well and the FMC was very relatable.
This book took me awhile to get through because of how timely and heavy it was. The writing was done so well and the author was able to perfectly portray the stress, fear, and depression that comes from living in our current political climate. It was done so well that I found I had to take several breaks from reading this because it all hit so close to home.
The way that the author was able to educate and show how much research went into this book without making it seem like textbook is really amazing. The story flowed well and the FMC was very relatable.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★ ★ ★ ★
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:
This book was unlike a lot I have read recently, and I LOVED this and love Patel's writing, you bet I'm on the lookout for more. This book was unique, well written, well researched and well done. This book stayed with me for days long after I read it. This brief review is until the release of this book, I also feel though that this is one of those books that you need to read and go in with just the description alone, you wont be disappointed.
Large thank you to our Author, NetGalley as well as Saga Press | S&S/Saga Press
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:
This book was unlike a lot I have read recently, and I LOVED this and love Patel's writing, you bet I'm on the lookout for more. This book was unique, well written, well researched and well done. This book stayed with me for days long after I read it. This brief review is until the release of this book, I also feel though that this is one of those books that you need to read and go in with just the description alone, you wont be disappointed.
Large thank you to our Author, NetGalley as well as Saga Press | S&S/Saga Press
Want to read
November 13, 2025i want this so bad. pls arc gods !!!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews