What do you think?
The Spellbound History Quartet #2
Witch Dance
Not yet published
Expected 9 Mar 27In the summer of 1518, the citizens of Strasbourg are dancing themselves to death.
Brilliant medical student Evelina del Valle arrives determined to stop the plague before the quarantined city collapses… while keeping a terrible and fatal secret: she’s a witch. But she’s left her coven, her sister, and that life behind her for good. All she wants now is a career in healing.
But Strasbourg’s sickness defies everything she knows about medicine. Every experiment of hers fails in uncovering how and why the plague is spreading. The afflicted cannot stop dancing, and the local physicians insist they must “dance it out,” even as bodies fall and no natural cause can be found.
Then Alaric Keller crosses her path―secretive, dangerous, and bound to the shadowed Black Forest beyond the city walls, where rumors whisper of hidden fae courts, gemstone magic, and bargains struck in the dark. His mother was the plague’s first victim, and he is desperate to save her. He needs Evelina’s help, but the way he looks at her suggests he already knows the secret she keeps―and he threatens to use it against her.
As suspicion tightens and the death toll climbs, Evelina is forced to choose what she’s willing to sacrifice: the life she’s built, the identity she’s hidden, or the man who may not only hold the key to the truth and her heart, but also her ruin.
Because Evelina fears this is no ordinary plague.
And she knows that once the dance begins, it does not stop.
Brilliant medical student Evelina del Valle arrives determined to stop the plague before the quarantined city collapses… while keeping a terrible and fatal secret: she’s a witch. But she’s left her coven, her sister, and that life behind her for good. All she wants now is a career in healing.
But Strasbourg’s sickness defies everything she knows about medicine. Every experiment of hers fails in uncovering how and why the plague is spreading. The afflicted cannot stop dancing, and the local physicians insist they must “dance it out,” even as bodies fall and no natural cause can be found.
Then Alaric Keller crosses her path―secretive, dangerous, and bound to the shadowed Black Forest beyond the city walls, where rumors whisper of hidden fae courts, gemstone magic, and bargains struck in the dark. His mother was the plague’s first victim, and he is desperate to save her. He needs Evelina’s help, but the way he looks at her suggests he already knows the secret she keeps―and he threatens to use it against her.
As suspicion tightens and the death toll climbs, Evelina is forced to choose what she’s willing to sacrifice: the life she’s built, the identity she’s hidden, or the man who may not only hold the key to the truth and her heart, but also her ruin.
Because Evelina fears this is no ordinary plague.
And she knows that once the dance begins, it does not stop.
416 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 9, 2027
About the author
Isabel Ibañez
11 books5,648 followersIsabel Ibañez is a USA Today, Indie, Sunday Times, and #1 New York Times bestseller and the author of the Secrets of the Nile duology, Together We Burn, Written in Starlight, and Woven in Moonlight, which is listed among Time Magazine’s 100 Best Fantasy Books Of All Time and was a finalist for the William C. Morris award. She is the proud daughter of Bolivian immigrants and has a profound appreciation for history, traveling, and writing stories where her characters are often running for their lives. She currently lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with her family, their adorable golden doodle, and an overwhelming amount of of books.
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July 28, 2026Hiii! With the pub date of WITCH DANCE fast approaching, and the season of promo happening in full swing, I thought I’d do a PSA covering some frequently asked questions about WITCH DANCE.
1. What is the Spellbound Histories Quartet? They are four interconnected standalone romantic fantasies set during the Renaissance. Each book has a different set of characters that follows a witch trying to survive this particular era when men dominated every sphere, particularly in arts and innovation and sciences. The books can be read out of order, though the magic system is the same in each one, and builds with each subsequent story. There is one character who is in all four books, and his backstory also builds in the same way: one book at a time, until his own story takes center stage.
2. So, I don’t need to read Graceless Heart before Witch Dance? Nope! You’ll miss some Easter eggs and the introduction to the Courier but that’s it!
3. How do I get an ARC of WITCH DANCE? A few ways! You can email my publisher at hello@stmartinspress.com and ask for one, sign up for the Goodreads giveaways happening on this site, or follow me on IG (@IsabelIbanezBooks) where I’ll be giving away an ARC each month leading to the pub date starting in September!
4. How can I preorder a signed copy of WITCH DANCE? Through my local indie, Malaprops. I’ll also be running a preorder campaign through them. More details coming closer to the pub date will be shared on my IG or in my newsletter! You can sign up by visiting my website: Isabelibanez.com
5. Is WITCH DANCE a romantasy? No. I love romantasy, and to me, that means the romance is front and center and the driving force of the plot. WITCH DANCE, and the other quartet books, all feature a love story, but it’s definitely the B plot. The engine of the book runs on a larger story/plot and the romance is a big part of it, but it’s not, say, the steering wheel.
A quick word about the ARCs and e-galleys: the printed ARCs are an earlier version of WITCH DANCE than the e-galleys on Netgalley/Edelwiess. WITCH DANCE went through a long editing process; developmental and copyedits, first and second pass pages and proofreading. Because printing happens overseas, ARCs get printed much earlier and the version heading out into the world is of the copyedited manuscript. Meaning, it’s gone through developmental edits and a copy editor has read it and I personally made even more edits (done by hand and with a red pen on a version I printed at home). Even so, and to my utter chagrin, if you read the printed ARC you will catch mistakes. Like, say, the mortifying instance when I misspelled laughter. Can’t wait for you all to find that one. ;) Expect word echoes, missing words, and other fun minor inconsistencies and grammatical errors in the printed ARC.
The e-galley should be the second pass version of the book. Between copyedits and second pass, I made about 700 changes to the manuscript. That sounds like a lot but it’s nothing major — both versions of the book tell the same story but the second pass is a more polished version. Less mistakes, more tweaks in the writing, a smattering of added dialogue and nuance, a smidge more banter and emotion, and thankfully, laughter is now spelled correctly. But funnily enough, as I’m reading it again for the tenth time all the way through, I found yet another misspelled word and one whole line repeated twice on the same page (I wanted to move the line down further and the original one at the top didn’t get deleted). 😆 After copyedits, I also challenged myself to cut wherever I could, too.
Between each round of edits, weeks go by and every time I come back to the manuscript, it’s with fresh eyes. I catch things I didn’t see clearly when I was in the weeds. Adding certain lines of dialogue that help drive the nuance of a conversation home. Beats of emotion I missed in the first, second, third round of edits. As a recovering perfectionist, I would love for all early readers to enjoy the most polished version, but it’s just not possible with printing schedules. But I admit there’s something sweet and precious about the printed ARCs of WITCH DANCE—it’s a snapshot of the journey of a story making its way onto a bookshelf, mistakes and all.
Whew! I think that’s everything. With that, I’m once again having my husband block me from this site. 😆 As always, you can find me on IG (and nowhere else, other than my website, and a Facebook page that is linked to my IG). There is an “Isabel Ibańez” claiming to be me on TikTok but they are lying to you. Feel free to tell them so if this impersonator reaches out!
Ok, now I’m really done, ha.
Love,
Isabel
1. What is the Spellbound Histories Quartet? They are four interconnected standalone romantic fantasies set during the Renaissance. Each book has a different set of characters that follows a witch trying to survive this particular era when men dominated every sphere, particularly in arts and innovation and sciences. The books can be read out of order, though the magic system is the same in each one, and builds with each subsequent story. There is one character who is in all four books, and his backstory also builds in the same way: one book at a time, until his own story takes center stage.
2. So, I don’t need to read Graceless Heart before Witch Dance? Nope! You’ll miss some Easter eggs and the introduction to the Courier but that’s it!
3. How do I get an ARC of WITCH DANCE? A few ways! You can email my publisher at hello@stmartinspress.com and ask for one, sign up for the Goodreads giveaways happening on this site, or follow me on IG (@IsabelIbanezBooks) where I’ll be giving away an ARC each month leading to the pub date starting in September!
4. How can I preorder a signed copy of WITCH DANCE? Through my local indie, Malaprops. I’ll also be running a preorder campaign through them. More details coming closer to the pub date will be shared on my IG or in my newsletter! You can sign up by visiting my website: Isabelibanez.com
5. Is WITCH DANCE a romantasy? No. I love romantasy, and to me, that means the romance is front and center and the driving force of the plot. WITCH DANCE, and the other quartet books, all feature a love story, but it’s definitely the B plot. The engine of the book runs on a larger story/plot and the romance is a big part of it, but it’s not, say, the steering wheel.
A quick word about the ARCs and e-galleys: the printed ARCs are an earlier version of WITCH DANCE than the e-galleys on Netgalley/Edelwiess. WITCH DANCE went through a long editing process; developmental and copyedits, first and second pass pages and proofreading. Because printing happens overseas, ARCs get printed much earlier and the version heading out into the world is of the copyedited manuscript. Meaning, it’s gone through developmental edits and a copy editor has read it and I personally made even more edits (done by hand and with a red pen on a version I printed at home). Even so, and to my utter chagrin, if you read the printed ARC you will catch mistakes. Like, say, the mortifying instance when I misspelled laughter. Can’t wait for you all to find that one. ;) Expect word echoes, missing words, and other fun minor inconsistencies and grammatical errors in the printed ARC.
The e-galley should be the second pass version of the book. Between copyedits and second pass, I made about 700 changes to the manuscript. That sounds like a lot but it’s nothing major — both versions of the book tell the same story but the second pass is a more polished version. Less mistakes, more tweaks in the writing, a smattering of added dialogue and nuance, a smidge more banter and emotion, and thankfully, laughter is now spelled correctly. But funnily enough, as I’m reading it again for the tenth time all the way through, I found yet another misspelled word and one whole line repeated twice on the same page (I wanted to move the line down further and the original one at the top didn’t get deleted). 😆 After copyedits, I also challenged myself to cut wherever I could, too.
Between each round of edits, weeks go by and every time I come back to the manuscript, it’s with fresh eyes. I catch things I didn’t see clearly when I was in the weeds. Adding certain lines of dialogue that help drive the nuance of a conversation home. Beats of emotion I missed in the first, second, third round of edits. As a recovering perfectionist, I would love for all early readers to enjoy the most polished version, but it’s just not possible with printing schedules. But I admit there’s something sweet and precious about the printed ARCs of WITCH DANCE—it’s a snapshot of the journey of a story making its way onto a bookshelf, mistakes and all.
Whew! I think that’s everything. With that, I’m once again having my husband block me from this site. 😆 As always, you can find me on IG (and nowhere else, other than my website, and a Facebook page that is linked to my IG). There is an “Isabel Ibańez” claiming to be me on TikTok but they are lying to you. Feel free to tell them so if this impersonator reaches out!
Ok, now I’m really done, ha.
Love,
Isabel
Want to Read
September 21, 2026excited to read the second book in ibañez's spellbound history quartet - and this one revolves around the plague... where are all my readers who were obsessed with researching the black plague when they were in grade school?!
Read
July 28, 2026Hiii! With the pub date of WITCH DANCE fast approaching, and the season of promo happening in full swing, I thought I’d do a PSA covering some frequently asked questions about WITCH DANCE.
1. What is the Spellbound Histories Quartet? They are four interconnected standalone romantic fantasies set during the Renaissance. Each book has a different set of characters that follows a witch trying to survive this particular era when men dominated every sphere, particularly in arts and innovation and sciences. The books can be read out of order, though the magic system is the same in each one, and builds with each subsequent story. There is one character who is in all four books, and his backstory also builds in the same way: one book at a time, until his own story takes center stage.
2. So, I don’t need to read Graceless Heart before Witch Dance? Nope! You’ll miss some Easter eggs and the introduction to the Courier but that’s it!
3. How do I get an ARC of WITCH DANCE? A few ways! You can email my publisher at hello@stmartinspress.com and ask for one, sign up for the Goodreads giveaways happening on this site, or follow me on IG (@IsabelIbanezBooks) where I’ll be giving away an ARC each month leading to the pub date starting in September!
4. How can I preorder a signed copy of WITCH DANCE? Through my local indie, Malaprops. I’ll also be running a preorder campaign through them. More details coming closer to the pub date will be shared on my IG or in my newsletter! You can sign up by visiting my website: Isabelibanez.com
5. Is WITCH DANCE a romantasy? No. I love romantasy, and to me, that means the romance is front and center and the driving force of the plot. WITCH DANCE, and the other quartet books, all feature a love story, but it’s definitely the B plot. The engine of the book runs on a larger story/plot and the romance is a big part of it, but it’s not, say, the steering wheel.
A quick word about the ARCs and e-galleys: the printed ARCs are an earlier version of WITCH DANCE than the e-galleys on Netgalley/Edelwiess. WITCH DANCE went through a long editing process; developmental and copyedits, first and second pass pages and proofreading. Because printing happens overseas, ARCs get printed much earlier and the version heading out into the world is of the copyedited manuscript. Meaning, it’s gone through developmental edits and a copy editor has read it and I personally made even more edits (done by hand and with a red pen on a version I printed at home). Even so, and to my utter chagrin, if you read the printed ARC you will catch mistakes. Like, say, the mortifying instance when I misspelled laughter. Can’t wait for you all to find that one. ;) Expect word echoes, missing words, and other fun minor inconsistencies and grammatical errors in the printed ARC.
The e-galley should be the second pass version of the book. Between copyedits and second pass, I made about 700 changes to the manuscript. That sounds like a lot but it’s nothing major — both versions of the book tell the same story but the second pass is a more polished version. Less mistakes, more tweaks in the writing, a smattering of added dialogue and nuance, a smidge more banter and emotion, and thankfully, laughter is now spelled correctly. But funnily enough, as I’m reading it again for the tenth time all the way through, I found yet another misspelled word and one whole line repeated twice on the same page (I wanted to move the line down further and the original one at the top didn’t get deleted). 😆 After copyedits, I also challenged myself to cut wherever I could, too.
Between each round of edits, weeks go by and every time I come back to the manuscript, it’s with fresh eyes. I catch things I didn’t see clearly when I was in the weeds. Adding certain lines of dialogue that help drive the nuance of a conversation home. Beats of emotion I missed in the first, second, third round of edits. As a recovering perfectionist, I would love for all early readers to enjoy the most polished version, but it’s just not possible with printing schedules. But I admit there’s something sweet and precious about the printed ARCs of WITCH DANCE—it’s a snapshot of the journey of a story making its way onto a bookshelf, mistakes and all.
Whew! I think that’s everything. With that, I’m once again having my husband block me from this site. 😆 As always, you can find me on IG (and nowhere else, other than my website, and a Facebook page that is linked to my IG). There is an “Isabel Ibańez” claiming to be me on TikTok but they are lying to you. Feel free to tell them so if this impersonator reaches out!
Ok, now I’m really done, ha.
Love,
Isabel
1. What is the Spellbound Histories Quartet? They are four interconnected standalone romantic fantasies set during the Renaissance. Each book has a different set of characters that follows a witch trying to survive this particular era when men dominated every sphere, particularly in arts and innovation and sciences. The books can be read out of order, though the magic system is the same in each one, and builds with each subsequent story. There is one character who is in all four books, and his backstory also builds in the same way: one book at a time, until his own story takes center stage.
2. So, I don’t need to read Graceless Heart before Witch Dance? Nope! You’ll miss some Easter eggs and the introduction to the Courier but that’s it!
3. How do I get an ARC of WITCH DANCE? A few ways! You can email my publisher at hello@stmartinspress.com and ask for one, sign up for the Goodreads giveaways happening on this site, or follow me on IG (@IsabelIbanezBooks) where I’ll be giving away an ARC each month leading to the pub date starting in September!
4. How can I preorder a signed copy of WITCH DANCE? Through my local indie, Malaprops. I’ll also be running a preorder campaign through them. More details coming closer to the pub date will be shared on my IG or in my newsletter! You can sign up by visiting my website: Isabelibanez.com
5. Is WITCH DANCE a romantasy? No. I love romantasy, and to me, that means the romance is front and center and the driving force of the plot. WITCH DANCE, and the other quartet books, all feature a love story, but it’s definitely the B plot. The engine of the book runs on a larger story/plot and the romance is a big part of it, but it’s not, say, the steering wheel.
A quick word about the ARCs and e-galleys: the printed ARCs are an earlier version of WITCH DANCE than the e-galleys on Netgalley/Edelwiess. WITCH DANCE went through a long editing process; developmental and copyedits, first and second pass pages and proofreading. Because printing happens overseas, ARCs get printed much earlier and the version heading out into the world is of the copyedited manuscript. Meaning, it’s gone through developmental edits and a copy editor has read it and I personally made even more edits (done by hand and with a red pen on a version I printed at home). Even so, and to my utter chagrin, if you read the printed ARC you will catch mistakes. Like, say, the mortifying instance when I misspelled laughter. Can’t wait for you all to find that one. ;) Expect word echoes, missing words, and other fun minor inconsistencies and grammatical errors in the printed ARC.
The e-galley should be the second pass version of the book. Between copyedits and second pass, I made about 700 changes to the manuscript. That sounds like a lot but it’s nothing major — both versions of the book tell the same story but the second pass is a more polished version. Less mistakes, more tweaks in the writing, a smattering of added dialogue and nuance, a smidge more banter and emotion, and thankfully, laughter is now spelled correctly. But funnily enough, as I’m reading it again for the tenth time all the way through, I found yet another misspelled word and one whole line repeated twice on the same page (I wanted to move the line down further and the original one at the top didn’t get deleted). 😆 After copyedits, I also challenged myself to cut wherever I could, too.
Between each round of edits, weeks go by and every time I come back to the manuscript, it’s with fresh eyes. I catch things I didn’t see clearly when I was in the weeds. Adding certain lines of dialogue that help drive the nuance of a conversation home. Beats of emotion I missed in the first, second, third round of edits. As a recovering perfectionist, I would love for all early readers to enjoy the most polished version, but it’s just not possible with printing schedules. But I admit there’s something sweet and precious about the printed ARCs of WITCH DANCE—it’s a snapshot of the journey of a story making its way onto a bookshelf, mistakes and all.
Whew! I think that’s everything. With that, I’m once again having my husband block me from this site. 😆 As always, you can find me on IG (and nowhere else, other than my website, and a Facebook page that is linked to my IG). There is an “Isabel Ibańez” claiming to be me on TikTok but they are lying to you. Feel free to tell them so if this impersonator reaches out!
Ok, now I’m really done, ha.
Love,
Isabel
Want to Read
May 4, 2026COVER REVEALLLLLL ~~~~
I need this now. I can't WAIT!!!🥹💚
I need this now. I can't WAIT!!!🥹💚
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is one of the most utterly unique & imaginative books I have ever read, and trust me I read an obscene amount. If I could give 20 stars I would. I loved it so thoroughly, I will NEVER forget this book. AND it has fae, witches, vampires in an atmospheric dual world setting... I cannot stress enough that this is a must read standalone that I know without a doubt will be a hit in 2027. I was so teary with how thankful I was to read it at the end, truly gripping.
The magic system was easy to understand yet distinctive (loved how original the gemstones were!!) & the plot was fast paced (no fluff). The whole plot premise captivated me from the beginning- it was so suspenseful but also had this eerie layer to it that had my attention from the first chapter. We get several POVs which seamlessly pulled all the strings of the story together.
I was blown away by the worlds we were placed into. It shows how immensely talented the author is write about a city lesser known to most and make you fall in love and want to visit it yourself. I know she mentioned in a social media post she went on a research trip to this place (Strasbourg) she completely captured that magic that made you really feel there. So much so that I did my own independent research and would love to visit next year. Through her immersive writing I felt like I was right on the cobbled streets hearing the bard music, or in a lair with a giant raven grasping me (if you know, you know). Also this is a niche thing I always notice with authors but her ability to write spacial immediacy was stunning.
The FMC & MMC really shined in this book. They were both so incredibly complex with trauma , grief, + emotional depth. My heart broke for Evelina with all she had endured ..."tired of always just trying to survive" ... but despite her past she still has so much empathy and kindness in her heart, and that's a truly strong FMC in my opinion. Alaric had his own gut wrenching situations with his mother (no spoilers), and I loved watching him eventually open up to Evelina despite his deep hatred for witches. They had a few... hm... rare bonding experiences, one of which did make me laugh lol.
This pair was the epitome of reluctant allies done perfectly with so much suspense woven with TENSION, yearning (dialed up to maximum - my goodness) ... and when it snaps, it SNAPS!! Their love story was wholly beautiful and distinctly their own, it was truly beautiful to watch it grow and take root to a soul deep level.
This book is a one-of-a-kind adult fantasy romance masterpiece. There are so many twists and turns with an ending you'll never see coming. You'll cry, you'll smile, and you'll be completely captivated through it all.
Get ready to be on the edge of your seat the entire while Isabel's writing transports you to whole new worlds that are unforgettable. From the bottom of my heart I want to thank Isabel Ibañez for bringing this book to life, I feel so incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity to read it. I am actually a bit teary with how incredibly thankful I am. Thank you also to St.Martin's Press / Saturday Books & NetGalley!
The magic system was easy to understand yet distinctive (loved how original the gemstones were!!) & the plot was fast paced (no fluff). The whole plot premise captivated me from the beginning- it was so suspenseful but also had this eerie layer to it that had my attention from the first chapter. We get several POVs which seamlessly pulled all the strings of the story together.
I was blown away by the worlds we were placed into. It shows how immensely talented the author is write about a city lesser known to most and make you fall in love and want to visit it yourself. I know she mentioned in a social media post she went on a research trip to this place (Strasbourg) she completely captured that magic that made you really feel there. So much so that I did my own independent research and would love to visit next year. Through her immersive writing I felt like I was right on the cobbled streets hearing the bard music, or in a lair with a giant raven grasping me (if you know, you know). Also this is a niche thing I always notice with authors but her ability to write spacial immediacy was stunning.
The FMC & MMC really shined in this book. They were both so incredibly complex with trauma , grief, + emotional depth. My heart broke for Evelina with all she had endured ..."tired of always just trying to survive" ... but despite her past she still has so much empathy and kindness in her heart, and that's a truly strong FMC in my opinion. Alaric had his own gut wrenching situations with his mother (no spoilers), and I loved watching him eventually open up to Evelina despite his deep hatred for witches. They had a few... hm... rare bonding experiences, one of which did make me laugh lol.
This pair was the epitome of reluctant allies done perfectly with so much suspense woven with TENSION, yearning (dialed up to maximum - my goodness) ... and when it snaps, it SNAPS!! Their love story was wholly beautiful and distinctly their own, it was truly beautiful to watch it grow and take root to a soul deep level.
This book is a one-of-a-kind adult fantasy romance masterpiece. There are so many twists and turns with an ending you'll never see coming. You'll cry, you'll smile, and you'll be completely captivated through it all.
Get ready to be on the edge of your seat the entire while Isabel's writing transports you to whole new worlds that are unforgettable. From the bottom of my heart I want to thank Isabel Ibañez for bringing this book to life, I feel so incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity to read it. I am actually a bit teary with how incredibly thankful I am. Thank you also to St.Martin's Press / Saturday Books & NetGalley!
September 21, 2026
Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.
I’m already such a fan of Isabel Ibañez’ writing, and Witch Dance did not disappoint.
Isabel has a tremendous ability to transport you to the time and place the stories take place, something I really loved about her Secrets of the Nile duology, and something she has perfected in Witch Dance. I had to stop at various moments just to take in the scene. I also appreciate the historical inspiration - I was shocked to learn this was inspired by a real dancing plague.
While this can be read as a standalone, I enjoyed the continuity of the magic system from her prior novel, Graceless Heart, plus the developing story of one of the supporting characters that makes an appearance in both (I have a feeling their story will have a bigger role in the rest of the installments of this quartet).
The story was action packed, the romance was enjoyable and did not detract from the story, the tension was delicious, and it features complex characters who aren’t all they appear.
I’m already such a fan of Isabel Ibañez’ writing, and Witch Dance did not disappoint.
Isabel has a tremendous ability to transport you to the time and place the stories take place, something I really loved about her Secrets of the Nile duology, and something she has perfected in Witch Dance. I had to stop at various moments just to take in the scene. I also appreciate the historical inspiration - I was shocked to learn this was inspired by a real dancing plague.
While this can be read as a standalone, I enjoyed the continuity of the magic system from her prior novel, Graceless Heart, plus the developing story of one of the supporting characters that makes an appearance in both (I have a feeling their story will have a bigger role in the rest of the installments of this quartet).
The story was action packed, the romance was enjoyable and did not detract from the story, the tension was delicious, and it features complex characters who aren’t all they appear.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I genuinely did not expect Witch Dance to get under my skin the way it did. There is something so strange and atmospheric about this book that I felt completely pulled into it from the beginning. The historical setting, the unsettling dancing plague, the magic, and the mix of witches, fae, and other supernatural elements all come together in a way that feels incredibly fresh. It has this eerie quality that never quite goes away, even during the quieter moments, and I loved that. Isabel Ibañez's writing is also so immersive that I could practically see the streets, hear the music, and feel the tension hanging over everything. This is the kind of fantasy where the setting becomes part of the experience rather than simply existing in the background.
Evelina was such a wonderful FMC to follow. I loved that she is intelligent and compassionate without being written as some flawless heroine who always knows exactly what to do. Her struggle between being a physician and being a witch gave her character so much depth, especially because she is constantly trying to prove that she belongs in a world that doesn't necessarily want to take her seriously. Alaric was just as compelling in a completely different way. He carries so much anger, grief, and fear from everything he's experienced, and watching his walls slowly come down was one of my favorite parts of the book. These two could not have been more different when they first met, which made their reluctant partnership so much fun to watch develop.
And the tension between them? Absolutely delicious. Their romance never felt like it was taking over the actual story, which I appreciated because the mystery surrounding the plague was fascinating enough to keep me invested on its own. Instead, their relationship grows naturally alongside everything else, with plenty of suspicion, frustration, longing, and those little moments where you can tell they're starting to care about each other long before either of them wants to admit it. I especially loved how their personal histories affected the way they interacted. Neither of them could simply forget everything they'd been taught or everything they'd survived, so watching that trust develop felt earned rather than rushed. The multiple POVs worked beautifully too, and every perspective added something instead of feeling like an interruption.
By the time I finished, I was just sitting there thinking about how much I had enjoyed the entire experience. There are books you like because the plot is good, and then there are books that create a specific feeling that stays with you after you close them. Witch Dance was absolutely the latter for me. It was eerie, romantic, beautifully written, occasionally heartbreaking, and wonderfully imaginative, with a story that kept giving me reasons to turn the page. I went into this expecting a historical fantasy with a romantic subplot, and I came away completely absorbed in its world and characters. This is easily one of those books I will be recommending whenever someone asks for a fantasy that feels different from everything else on the shelf.
Evelina was such a wonderful FMC to follow. I loved that she is intelligent and compassionate without being written as some flawless heroine who always knows exactly what to do. Her struggle between being a physician and being a witch gave her character so much depth, especially because she is constantly trying to prove that she belongs in a world that doesn't necessarily want to take her seriously. Alaric was just as compelling in a completely different way. He carries so much anger, grief, and fear from everything he's experienced, and watching his walls slowly come down was one of my favorite parts of the book. These two could not have been more different when they first met, which made their reluctant partnership so much fun to watch develop.
And the tension between them? Absolutely delicious. Their romance never felt like it was taking over the actual story, which I appreciated because the mystery surrounding the plague was fascinating enough to keep me invested on its own. Instead, their relationship grows naturally alongside everything else, with plenty of suspicion, frustration, longing, and those little moments where you can tell they're starting to care about each other long before either of them wants to admit it. I especially loved how their personal histories affected the way they interacted. Neither of them could simply forget everything they'd been taught or everything they'd survived, so watching that trust develop felt earned rather than rushed. The multiple POVs worked beautifully too, and every perspective added something instead of feeling like an interruption.
By the time I finished, I was just sitting there thinking about how much I had enjoyed the entire experience. There are books you like because the plot is good, and then there are books that create a specific feeling that stays with you after you close them. Witch Dance was absolutely the latter for me. It was eerie, romantic, beautifully written, occasionally heartbreaking, and wonderfully imaginative, with a story that kept giving me reasons to turn the page. I went into this expecting a historical fantasy with a romantic subplot, and I came away completely absorbed in its world and characters. This is easily one of those books I will be recommending whenever someone asks for a fantasy that feels different from everything else on the shelf.
September 24, 2026
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC—
I am so happy I found this while looking at available arcs- THIS WAS SOO GOOD!
I really enjoyed the realism (which I didn’t even realize how much realism there was until reading the author note).
This was such a beautiful story with so many wonderful layers. If it seems like I’m gushing over this book it’s because I am. Evelina was such a well thought out character, her struggle to be taken seriously as a doctor “even though she’s a woman” is just as poignant to the time period the book is set in while still being a relatable feeling today. Her struggle to find balance within herself as a healer and a witch was tough to bear witness to but it was also a beautiful story arc. Evelina’s willingness to enter a city on lockdown from a mysterious plague is heroic because so few would do it. As her shitty companions would prove. She doesn’t see herself as a hero at any point in the story though and that just makes her even more relatable. She believes in her abilities enough to need to help these people.
Alaric was also a really beautifully written character. He spends 18 years in Faerie against his will and finally escapes back to the mortal world to find his mother. Shortly after they are united she falls victim to a mysterious dancing plague. By the time we come to the town there are dozens of citizens infected and dead but Alaric’s mother (the first victim) is still alive solely because he wears himself down to care for her. He forces her to rest by tying her down and force feeding her food & water. The emotional drainage of having to physically fight her to give her body this rest is evident and it just adds another layer of empathy for him.
Alaric clocks Evelina as a witch immediately and despite his wariness towards her they end up an unlikely team to try and save the townspeople. The eventual romance between them truly is background noise but this is no way a negative. Their relationship is interwoven into the story but the romantic aspects are not make or break for the story.
Honestly this was just such a great read for any fan of fantasy with romantic undertones. I was reminded of Crimson Moth and Cruel Prince in the best ways.
I am so happy I found this while looking at available arcs- THIS WAS SOO GOOD!
I really enjoyed the realism (which I didn’t even realize how much realism there was until reading the author note).
This was such a beautiful story with so many wonderful layers. If it seems like I’m gushing over this book it’s because I am. Evelina was such a well thought out character, her struggle to be taken seriously as a doctor “even though she’s a woman” is just as poignant to the time period the book is set in while still being a relatable feeling today. Her struggle to find balance within herself as a healer and a witch was tough to bear witness to but it was also a beautiful story arc. Evelina’s willingness to enter a city on lockdown from a mysterious plague is heroic because so few would do it. As her shitty companions would prove. She doesn’t see herself as a hero at any point in the story though and that just makes her even more relatable. She believes in her abilities enough to need to help these people.
Alaric was also a really beautifully written character. He spends 18 years in Faerie against his will and finally escapes back to the mortal world to find his mother. Shortly after they are united she falls victim to a mysterious dancing plague. By the time we come to the town there are dozens of citizens infected and dead but Alaric’s mother (the first victim) is still alive solely because he wears himself down to care for her. He forces her to rest by tying her down and force feeding her food & water. The emotional drainage of having to physically fight her to give her body this rest is evident and it just adds another layer of empathy for him.
Alaric clocks Evelina as a witch immediately and despite his wariness towards her they end up an unlikely team to try and save the townspeople. The eventual romance between them truly is background noise but this is no way a negative. Their relationship is interwoven into the story but the romantic aspects are not make or break for the story.
Honestly this was just such a great read for any fan of fantasy with romantic undertones. I was reminded of Crimson Moth and Cruel Prince in the best ways.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Evelina del Valle is studying to be a physician and hiding that she’s a witch. She's been chosen for a field assignment to help cure a mysterious dancing plague.
Alaric Keller was kidnapped as a child and brought to his father in Faerie. The experience has taught him to despise the wickedness of witches and the fae. He manages to escape, returning to his human mother right before she catches the plague.
The two must work together to solve the mystery of the deadly illness. It's an investigation that brings them closer together. But with every passing day, they're running out of time to save the infected.
✨Adult Fiction
🧪Historical Romantasy
💀Witch x Halfling Fae Prince
✨The Dancing Plague of 1518
🧪Enemies to Lovers
💀Reluctant Allies
✨Women in STEM
🧪Open Door
'Witch Dance' is the captivating second novel in 'The Spellbound History Quartet.' It's a historical romantasy that draws inspiration from the Dancing Plague of 1518. This story is told in third person limited, multi-POV.
The first book in this series didn't spend much time on the magical worldbuilding. So, it was exciting that this one explores the witches, vampyres, and the fae. The different creatures, combined with the plague, worked to create several layers of high-stakes conflicts. It's much darker than the previous book, with a quarantined town, a disturbing sickness, and wheelbarrows full of the dead.
Evelina is strong, independent, capable, and focused. She's an intelligent student, who's been working hard to prove herself. Even though she feels guilty for abandoning her coven, she knows that it's the only way to seize control over her destiny.
Alaric is honourable, intense, loyal, and determined not to be corrupted by power. His biggest fear is being trapped in his father's clutches once again. I found him frustrating at times, but I also understood his perspective.
The romance is a slow burn that's equal parts tension, longing, and softness. To start, Evelina and Alaric need to work through the misunderstanding that's keeping them apart. They both have huge hearts, which is what inevitably brings them together.
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Saturday Books for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Alaric Keller was kidnapped as a child and brought to his father in Faerie. The experience has taught him to despise the wickedness of witches and the fae. He manages to escape, returning to his human mother right before she catches the plague.
The two must work together to solve the mystery of the deadly illness. It's an investigation that brings them closer together. But with every passing day, they're running out of time to save the infected.
✨Adult Fiction
🧪Historical Romantasy
💀Witch x Halfling Fae Prince
✨The Dancing Plague of 1518
🧪Enemies to Lovers
💀Reluctant Allies
✨Women in STEM
🧪Open Door
'Witch Dance' is the captivating second novel in 'The Spellbound History Quartet.' It's a historical romantasy that draws inspiration from the Dancing Plague of 1518. This story is told in third person limited, multi-POV.
The first book in this series didn't spend much time on the magical worldbuilding. So, it was exciting that this one explores the witches, vampyres, and the fae. The different creatures, combined with the plague, worked to create several layers of high-stakes conflicts. It's much darker than the previous book, with a quarantined town, a disturbing sickness, and wheelbarrows full of the dead.
Evelina is strong, independent, capable, and focused. She's an intelligent student, who's been working hard to prove herself. Even though she feels guilty for abandoning her coven, she knows that it's the only way to seize control over her destiny.
Alaric is honourable, intense, loyal, and determined not to be corrupted by power. His biggest fear is being trapped in his father's clutches once again. I found him frustrating at times, but I also understood his perspective.
The romance is a slow burn that's equal parts tension, longing, and softness. To start, Evelina and Alaric need to work through the misunderstanding that's keeping them apart. They both have huge hearts, which is what inevitably brings them together.
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Saturday Books for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2026
First of all, thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Saturday Books, NetGalley, and Isabel Ibanez for the opportunity to read this book before publication and provide an honest review.
Ibanez is one of my favorite authors. I have read all of her published work; however, The Spellbound Quartet has been a particular delight. I love the concept of exploring the possibility of magic’s influence on history.
My favorite aspect of Witch Dance would have to be Ibanez’s lyrical prose. The way that she has crafted this unique magic system, a vibrant and complex world, and bold yet flawed characters is a masterclass in sensory detail.
I recommend this book if you:
🔸enjoy novels told from multiple perspectives! I really enjoy how Ibanez incorporates multiple perspectives. It is clear a lot of thought went into the structure of the novel and how the reader would gain information. I also love the continuity between Graceless Heart and Witch Dance. It was so exciting to learn more about a previously mentioned mysterious character.
🔸enjoy novels with romantic subplots. I must applaud Ibanez’s portrayal of reluctant allies-to-lovers. I thought it created such gorgeous tension and yearning between Evelina and Alaric.
🔸enjoy novels that explore themes such as grief, loss, healing, sacrifice, trust, the conflict between science and the unknown, cultural erasure, and the challenges of caretaking and being a woman in a male-dominated fields.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how beautiful the emotional journey both the FMC and MMC ventured on during this story. Ibanez truly captured their feelings of helplessness while acting as caretakers. The emotional tug of war of wanting to be helpful, but also not cause any more harm or distress. Not to mention, the exploration of sacrifice, loss, and healing after grief.
I have this one pre-ordered already and I highly recommend that you add it to your TBR! Also, if you haven’t seen the gorgeous sprayed edges yet, you are not going to want to miss them!
Ibanez is one of my favorite authors. I have read all of her published work; however, The Spellbound Quartet has been a particular delight. I love the concept of exploring the possibility of magic’s influence on history.
My favorite aspect of Witch Dance would have to be Ibanez’s lyrical prose. The way that she has crafted this unique magic system, a vibrant and complex world, and bold yet flawed characters is a masterclass in sensory detail.
I recommend this book if you:
🔸enjoy novels told from multiple perspectives! I really enjoy how Ibanez incorporates multiple perspectives. It is clear a lot of thought went into the structure of the novel and how the reader would gain information. I also love the continuity between Graceless Heart and Witch Dance. It was so exciting to learn more about a previously mentioned mysterious character.
🔸enjoy novels with romantic subplots. I must applaud Ibanez’s portrayal of reluctant allies-to-lovers. I thought it created such gorgeous tension and yearning between Evelina and Alaric.
🔸enjoy novels that explore themes such as grief, loss, healing, sacrifice, trust, the conflict between science and the unknown, cultural erasure, and the challenges of caretaking and being a woman in a male-dominated fields.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how beautiful the emotional journey both the FMC and MMC ventured on during this story. Ibanez truly captured their feelings of helplessness while acting as caretakers. The emotional tug of war of wanting to be helpful, but also not cause any more harm or distress. Not to mention, the exploration of sacrifice, loss, and healing after grief.
I have this one pre-ordered already and I highly recommend that you add it to your TBR! Also, if you haven’t seen the gorgeous sprayed edges yet, you are not going to want to miss them!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I liked this one, but it took me a while to get into it. The beginning felt a little too slow, but once the mystery started developing and everything began coming together, I enjoyed it a lot more. I loved the combination of medicine, witchcraft, and the dancing plague, even if I saw the main plot twist coming pretty early.
I really liked Evelina and Alaric individually, and I enjoyed the slooooow burn between them. But despite how slowly their relationship develops, the romantic feelings themselves somehow felt rushed. We spend so much time watching them go from suspicion to trust that when those feelings are finally acknowledged, I was basically like... wait, when did we get here? 😂
I didn't want the romance to happen faster—I actually liked how slow it was. I just wish we'd gotten more little moments showing the transition from trust to attraction to something deeper. The slow burn was there; I just didn't completely feel the burn.
The supporting characters were probably my favorite part as well as the multi POVs. I really liked Courier and Falken and wish we'd gotten to know more about both of them. I'm hoping we might see more of them in a future book. And was I the only one picking up some romantic tension between Falken and Sabina?
And Sabina... easily my favorite character. She was complicated, messy, morally questionable, and probably the character I wanted to understand the most. I only wish we'd gotten more of her because there was SO much to unpack there. That being said... girl got away with what she did WAY too easily. 😂 Considering everything that happened, I expected more consequences, and her resolution felt a little too easy for me.
Overall, I enjoyed the plot, the historical setting, and the characters. It was an interesting read that just needed a little more pace at the beginning and a little more chemistry in the central romance for me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️½
I received an ARC through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I really liked Evelina and Alaric individually, and I enjoyed the slooooow burn between them. But despite how slowly their relationship develops, the romantic feelings themselves somehow felt rushed. We spend so much time watching them go from suspicion to trust that when those feelings are finally acknowledged, I was basically like... wait, when did we get here? 😂
I didn't want the romance to happen faster—I actually liked how slow it was. I just wish we'd gotten more little moments showing the transition from trust to attraction to something deeper. The slow burn was there; I just didn't completely feel the burn.
The supporting characters were probably my favorite part as well as the multi POVs. I really liked Courier and Falken and wish we'd gotten to know more about both of them. I'm hoping we might see more of them in a future book. And was I the only one picking up some romantic tension between Falken and Sabina?
And Sabina... easily my favorite character. She was complicated, messy, morally questionable, and probably the character I wanted to understand the most. I only wish we'd gotten more of her because there was SO much to unpack there. That being said... girl got away with what she did WAY too easily. 😂 Considering everything that happened, I expected more consequences, and her resolution felt a little too easy for me.
Overall, I enjoyed the plot, the historical setting, and the characters. It was an interesting read that just needed a little more pace at the beginning and a little more chemistry in the central romance for me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️½
I received an ARC through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Compared to Graceless Heart, the author has made many improvements.
Each chapter starts with the POV and the location and date if an update to date is warranted.
The book flowed beautifully and I loved the ending. I feel the author plotted the story a little better than Graceless Heart to where the ending did not feel as rushed and we got a satisfying closure of the story.
There is a reoccurring character from Graceless Heart we learn more about and hopefully, set up for book 3!
Additionally, we learn more about how magic works, what each gemstone is and what they do, and the different types of creatures and humans/fae/vampyres and how they live in this world.
Evelina is a capable witch, but decides to study healing from the humans after her mother dies of a sickness. As a woman, she has to prove herself constantly as being worthy of study at the University. She is chosen to study a plague sweeping through the town of Strasbourg and the story continues with her study and bravery to find the root of the sickness. She must come to terms with who she is and reflect upon her past. Her development throughout the book shows her growth as a person.
I do not want to write on the MMC Alaric. I think everyone should get to experience him and his character growth when the book is released.
This book was a delightful read and I find it to be much better than the first book. Highly recommend picking it up when it is released.
I do not think you HAVE to read Graceless Heart prior to this book, but if you skip Graceless Heart, you will miss Easter eggs.
Each chapter starts with the POV and the location and date if an update to date is warranted.
The book flowed beautifully and I loved the ending. I feel the author plotted the story a little better than Graceless Heart to where the ending did not feel as rushed and we got a satisfying closure of the story.
There is a reoccurring character from Graceless Heart we learn more about and hopefully, set up for book 3!
Additionally, we learn more about how magic works, what each gemstone is and what they do, and the different types of creatures and humans/fae/vampyres and how they live in this world.
Evelina is a capable witch, but decides to study healing from the humans after her mother dies of a sickness. As a woman, she has to prove herself constantly as being worthy of study at the University. She is chosen to study a plague sweeping through the town of Strasbourg and the story continues with her study and bravery to find the root of the sickness. She must come to terms with who she is and reflect upon her past. Her development throughout the book shows her growth as a person.
I do not want to write on the MMC Alaric. I think everyone should get to experience him and his character growth when the book is released.
This book was a delightful read and I find it to be much better than the first book. Highly recommend picking it up when it is released.
I do not think you HAVE to read Graceless Heart prior to this book, but if you skip Graceless Heart, you will miss Easter eggs.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
thank you to netgalley and st. martin's press for the ARC.
i didn't know i needed this book until i read it!! the setting. the atmosphere. the plague! as we have established in other reviews, i do not do well with body horror, so when the plague was first introduced w/ i felt my stomach drop. it was so unsettling, i couldn't put the book down. i literally read 90% of it in one sitting.
i really enjoyed the plot and it felt like it had real stakes, which i always appreciate. i LOVE historical fantasy, and i felt like isabel added in a lot of fantastical elements (vampyres, witches, fae) while still keeping the story grounded. evelina and alaric were great characters with a lot of depth to them that really leant itself to building their relationship while also establishing them as fleshed out characters that you want to root for.
the reason this is 4 stars and not 5 for me is the "slow burn" didn't feel super slow. it was around 40% into the book where they admitted they had feelings for each other, and my sweet spot is around 60%. i also felt like felt in poor taste. it was kind of giving ACOWAR feyre and rhys having sex while everyone was fighting outside lol
i've only read isabel's YA, but i'm really invested in this series now! gotta go back and read graceless heart!!
i didn't know i needed this book until i read it!! the setting. the atmosphere. the plague! as we have established in other reviews, i do not do well with body horror, so when the plague was first introduced w/ i felt my stomach drop. it was so unsettling, i couldn't put the book down. i literally read 90% of it in one sitting.
i really enjoyed the plot and it felt like it had real stakes, which i always appreciate. i LOVE historical fantasy, and i felt like isabel added in a lot of fantastical elements (vampyres, witches, fae) while still keeping the story grounded. evelina and alaric were great characters with a lot of depth to them that really leant itself to building their relationship while also establishing them as fleshed out characters that you want to root for.
the reason this is 4 stars and not 5 for me is the "slow burn" didn't feel super slow. it was around 40% into the book where they admitted they had feelings for each other, and my sweet spot is around 60%. i also felt like felt in poor taste. it was kind of giving ACOWAR feyre and rhys having sex while everyone was fighting outside lol
i've only read isabel's YA, but i'm really invested in this series now! gotta go back and read graceless heart!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Though this is the second book of The Spellbound History Quartet, this isn't strictly a continuation of the first story in the series and might be picked up as a standalone (though if you are planning on reading the series there is an interconnection and I'd recommend reading in order for continuity). Like the first, we are transported through time (to the early 16th century in this novel) and are met with a strong female main character with magical powers as well as non-magical skills. I dare say that I liked Evelina more than the central character of the previous book and her story that takes her from the medical school of Salamanca to the town of Strasbourg to care for the citizens plagued by a strange illness, and introduces her to a half-fae who is cold to her at first, but becomes a slow-burn romance. There is even a hint of the children's tale of the Pied Piper of Hamelin at the edges of the plot. I liked the fairy tale aspects, romance, magic system, and the way the history is interwoven into the fantasy. I also enjoyed the ending the main characters' relationship and their family issues received. Now, I'm looking forward to the next strong female main character and her Spellbound History.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, St. Martin's Press - Saturday Books) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, St. Martin's Press - Saturday Books) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
3.5 stars
I received an ARC of this book from Goodreads Giveaways, which was exciting! It was a fun read.
Allow me to explain the three stars, please! I promise I have good reasons.
I don’t like open-door romance scenes, and this book has a couple. I have enjoyed some of Isabel’s YA novels in the past, so maybe I’ll stick with those going forward and skip her adult fiction. (Although dang, I really want to know what happens with the Courier!)
I’m also not a fan of magic in books, and as a Christian, reading about witches and spells and curses makes me uncomfortable. I’ve never really read anything similar before so I’ll probably avoid that in the future.
That aside, I enjoyed it MUCH more than Graceless Heart (which I also wrote a review about). The world building was well done and the characters much better developed. Isabel tells a good story and researches meticulously. I would probably give it a higher rating if not for the sex and the witchcraft, so if that doesn’t bother you ignore my three stars. :)
I received an ARC of this book from Goodreads Giveaways, which was exciting! It was a fun read.
Allow me to explain the three stars, please! I promise I have good reasons.
I don’t like open-door romance scenes, and this book has a couple. I have enjoyed some of Isabel’s YA novels in the past, so maybe I’ll stick with those going forward and skip her adult fiction. (Although dang, I really want to know what happens with the Courier!)
I’m also not a fan of magic in books, and as a Christian, reading about witches and spells and curses makes me uncomfortable. I’ve never really read anything similar before so I’ll probably avoid that in the future.
That aside, I enjoyed it MUCH more than Graceless Heart (which I also wrote a review about). The world building was well done and the characters much better developed. Isabel tells a good story and researches meticulously. I would probably give it a higher rating if not for the sex and the witchcraft, so if that doesn’t bother you ignore my three stars. :)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another fantastic historical fiction romantasy! Inspired by the 1518 real life dancing plague in Strasbourg, Witch Dance delivers exceptional world building featuring witches, Fae, vampires and wizards.
Loved the first installment of The Spellbound History Quartet. I feel this second novel dives more into the world building. It features several POVs, each one contributing a unique perspective on the overarching story.
You’ll follow a strong willed, and determined Evelina as she fights to find a cure; an honorable, and loyal Alaric, who struggles with trust due to his upbringing. A soft, slow burn that is shadowed by grief, and trauma. So much emotion is written in the pages. There’s even a “my wife”! Loved every minute of this book!
You do not necessarily need to read Graceless Heart before this one, however, there is a character that is in both books, and who I’m assuming will play a larger role as the series goes on.
Many thanks to St Martin’s Press / Saturday books and NetGalley for the eARC!
Loved the first installment of The Spellbound History Quartet. I feel this second novel dives more into the world building. It features several POVs, each one contributing a unique perspective on the overarching story.
You’ll follow a strong willed, and determined Evelina as she fights to find a cure; an honorable, and loyal Alaric, who struggles with trust due to his upbringing. A soft, slow burn that is shadowed by grief, and trauma. So much emotion is written in the pages. There’s even a “my wife”! Loved every minute of this book!
You do not necessarily need to read Graceless Heart before this one, however, there is a character that is in both books, and who I’m assuming will play a larger role as the series goes on.
Many thanks to St Martin’s Press / Saturday books and NetGalley for the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First, thank you, NetGalley and St Martin’s, for letting me get an e-ARC of this book in exchange for a honest review.
5/5 - stars
What can I say except WOW. This is my first book by Isabel Ibañez, and her writing style is amazing. Reading this book was like being transported to a completely different time. It felt so immersive.
This is the second book in a saga of interconnected standalones. It can completely be read out of order, and you will understand everything. I did, but now I have to read the first one because I loved this one so much.
The book has multiple POVs, and I loved that none of them bored me. Sometimes, with multiple POVs, one of them can bore me, but that wasn’t the case here.
The FMC and MMC were amazing, but I will say that while this book does have a romance, it is more of a B plot. I still loved it, though.
5/5 - stars
What can I say except WOW. This is my first book by Isabel Ibañez, and her writing style is amazing. Reading this book was like being transported to a completely different time. It felt so immersive.
This is the second book in a saga of interconnected standalones. It can completely be read out of order, and you will understand everything. I did, but now I have to read the first one because I loved this one so much.
The book has multiple POVs, and I loved that none of them bored me. Sometimes, with multiple POVs, one of them can bore me, but that wasn’t the case here.
The FMC and MMC were amazing, but I will say that while this book does have a romance, it is more of a B plot. I still loved it, though.
September 26, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
I’m immediately drawn to any book that has magic or witches & this book did NOT disappoint! This is a beautifully written historical fantasy book set in 1518 during the Dancing Plague. I felt completely immersed in the story from the beginning following each POV - Evelina, a witch who’s studying to be a physician, and Alaric a half-Fae prince on the run from Faerie being the main POVs.
There’s tension, a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers subplot and a deadly magical mystery to solve. Everything about the story, the romance, the mystery - all of it was AMAZING!
For fans of:
Multi POV
Witches & Fae
Enemies to lovers
Historical fantasy
Magical mysteries
I’m immediately drawn to any book that has magic or witches & this book did NOT disappoint! This is a beautifully written historical fantasy book set in 1518 during the Dancing Plague. I felt completely immersed in the story from the beginning following each POV - Evelina, a witch who’s studying to be a physician, and Alaric a half-Fae prince on the run from Faerie being the main POVs.
There’s tension, a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers subplot and a deadly magical mystery to solve. Everything about the story, the romance, the mystery - all of it was AMAZING!
For fans of:
Multi POV
Witches & Fae
Enemies to lovers
Historical fantasy
Magical mysteries
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
August 5, 2026ARC Review: I received Witch Dance from a Goodreads giveaway, and the book had me at page one, it was full of intrigue and adventure. This is the perfect book to read at any time, but especially in the fall. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I can't wait for everyone to have the opportunity to read it when it is released in 2027.
future-releases
June 25, 2026Love Love LOVE the cover!!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Witch Dance is a fun story with interesting characters and plenty of mystery. It kept me turning the pages, and I can’t wait to read the next book.
Want to Read
September 21, 2026Way so secretly reveal the ISBN and release date and cover photo YESSS
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Enjoyed this way more than Graceless Heart. Full review to come.
August 26, 2026
Absolutely loved this book!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Really enjoy all the historical details, obviously meticulously researched book. The fantasy aspects of the world building are familiar, but strikingly unique.
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