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Shadows Of The Stage: Fae & Glamour #1
Jolie Mason has spent centuries perfecting the art of hiding in plain sight. By night she performs at Seattle's Black Cat House, a burlesque dancer with a glamorous smile and a carefully guarded secret. She is a vampire, and she is very, very alone.
When a patron turns up dead in the club's restroom and a charming new bartender arrives with danger written all over him, Jolie's controlled world begins to unravel. The investigating detective, Danny O'Neil, is exactly the kind of complication she can't afford. And the new dancer, Wyn, is breaking down all of her walls.
As a web of Fae politics and danger tightens around the Black Cat House, Jolie learns she may be the only one who can hold two worlds together.
Shadows of the Stage is an urban fantasy about power, loneliness, and the dangerous thing that happens when you finally let people in.
When a patron turns up dead in the club's restroom and a charming new bartender arrives with danger written all over him, Jolie's controlled world begins to unravel. The investigating detective, Danny O'Neil, is exactly the kind of complication she can't afford. And the new dancer, Wyn, is breaking down all of her walls.
As a web of Fae politics and danger tightens around the Black Cat House, Jolie learns she may be the only one who can hold two worlds together.
Shadows of the Stage is an urban fantasy about power, loneliness, and the dangerous thing that happens when you finally let people in.
358 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 20, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 23, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I wanted to love this book so much. The supernatural world always draws me in. I love stories of vampires, fae, and werewolves. The workings of a society just out of reach but coexisting with our own. The story had so much promise.
Jolie is a vampire who works as a Burlesque dancer. Her world is thrown upside down when murder occurs at her work, the Black Cat House. When she starts to investigate, she uncovers truths that turn ger world upside. Everything and everyone she thought she knew was a lie.
Here was where I got confused. The plot jumped around a lot. I had trouble keeping up with the characters. There were things that happened that made no sense, like they just occurred for the sake of filling in a gaps. Characters I thought would be important weren't while other characters appeared out of the blue with all of these secrets and mind blowing, world changing things. I didn't know who half of them were.
Don't get me started on Detective Danny O'Neil. His character was completely useless. He served no purpose most of the story, and then in the end the "twist" (if you could even call it that) was out of left field. He could have had an incredible impact on the story but came off as a jerk.
I feel like 3 stars is generous. I only gave it that because I enjoy the supernatural background and the Burlesque twost was unique. I hope the next book has a more cohesive storyline bevause I really want to like this series.
I wanted to love this book so much. The supernatural world always draws me in. I love stories of vampires, fae, and werewolves. The workings of a society just out of reach but coexisting with our own. The story had so much promise.
Jolie is a vampire who works as a Burlesque dancer. Her world is thrown upside down when murder occurs at her work, the Black Cat House. When she starts to investigate, she uncovers truths that turn ger world upside. Everything and everyone she thought she knew was a lie.
Here was where I got confused. The plot jumped around a lot. I had trouble keeping up with the characters. There were things that happened that made no sense, like they just occurred for the sake of filling in a gaps. Characters I thought would be important weren't while other characters appeared out of the blue with all of these secrets and mind blowing, world changing things. I didn't know who half of them were.
Don't get me started on Detective Danny O'Neil. His character was completely useless. He served no purpose most of the story, and then in the end the "twist" (if you could even call it that) was out of left field. He could have had an incredible impact on the story but came off as a jerk.
I feel like 3 stars is generous. I only gave it that because I enjoy the supernatural background and the Burlesque twost was unique. I hope the next book has a more cohesive storyline bevause I really want to like this series.
May 23, 2026
Shadows of the Stage was a very good debut for a paranormal thriller novel. The detailed descriptions of the settings drew me, adding to the atmosphere and building of the scenes. I liked how each name of the chapters refers to burlesque. I expected most of the plot twists but the added elements of mystery and romance helped to push the Jolie’s character development along. The repetitive use of certain words such as “unease” and “taut” were a little distracting to me at times, but overall this was an enjoyable read. I am interested in reading the second book in the Fae & Glamour series and learning more about Jolie, Seb, Wyn, and others at the Black Cat House.
Thank you to BookSirens and Pentacle Publishing Group for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to BookSirens and Pentacle Publishing Group for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Set in Seattle, this novel blends supernatural romance and thrill with the glamour of burlesque in a way that feels lush, immersive, and strangely intimate. The protagonist—a vampire and burlesque performer navigating nightlife, hunger, and identity—could easily have become a cliché in lesser hands. Instead, she feels fully embodied: dangerous, vulnerable, and deeply human despite her immortality.
What stood out most to me was the sensory writing. Nearly every scene felt tactile and atmospheric. The author lingers on textures, scents, lighting, and sound in a way that made the world feel almost decadent. Even quiet moments carried a physical immediacy that made the setting come alive.
What stood out most to me was the sensory writing. Nearly every scene felt tactile and atmospheric. The author lingers on textures, scents, lighting, and sound in a way that made the world feel almost decadent. Even quiet moments carried a physical immediacy that made the setting come alive.
Review of advance copy
Shadows of the stage focuses on a lone vampire who believes lives amongst humans . When a series of murders hits the club where she works she realizes she has been naive. There are many other creatures in her world like demons, fae and werewolves. I enjoyed the book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 26, 2026
I picked this up for the premise and it delivered. Jolie is lonely in a really believable way, and the mix of vampire, werewolf, and spirit-dog chaos makes the world feel fun and alive. Seb and Caleb were definite highlights for me, and the ending made me want book two right away.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews