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Dance with a Dreadwolfe

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A dark fairy tale. Forbidden love, intimacy & magic. Slow burn. Sensual without spice. Feminine rage. Immersive worldbuilding.

What if Fate is a cruel Goddess?

In the kingdom of Gratia, maidens are being rounded up by the Gladius Fati and punished for breaking Fate's Law. A law that decides who marries and condemns unsanctioned intimacy.

When a maiden is executed, Hera is shaken awake. As a clerk serving the King's Court, she has never questioned the enforcement of Fate's Law. Until now.

Hera is forced to make an impossible choice: stand by and do nothing or risk her life to save the maidens. Her choice pulls her onto a dangerous path where she must embrace her darkness and power. As enemies close in, she finds herself unable to resist the one thing she should fear: A Dreadwolfe.

Step into a realm of forbidden intimacy, bloodshed, and heartache.

Would you dare to dance?

For readers who crave meaning as much as magic.

450 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 12, 2026

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Ezra Marz

1 book9 followers

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5 stars
21 (52%)
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8 (20%)
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10 (25%)
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1 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for Kailey Mendes.
20 reviews
September 2, 2026
The first 50 pages took me a bit to get into as it was a lot of world building & I’m personally new to fantasy but once I was in I was hooked!
I’m obsessed with the FMC and watching her journey and confidence grow throughout the book was amazing to read and the women empowerment in this was chefs kiss.
The plot twist at the end caught me by surprise and I can’t wait for book 2 and continue to follow Hera through her journey. Also shout out to feles and dilkera 🫶🏼

For the authors debut book this was really good! 😃
Profile Image for The Book Ssirren.
7,185 reviews177 followers
July 19, 2026
I tried to love this one. I really wanted to. But unfortunately there was just so much stuffed into it that it lost me. I spent more time trying to understand what was going on, than actually enjoying the book. But I greatly appreciate The Berry Agency and the author for the opportunity to read this ❤️
1 review
August 20, 2026
Dance with a Dreadwolfe — Ezra Marz

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5

“She’ll be dead by nightfall.”

Every now and then, you pick up a book by an author you’ve never read before, knowing absolutely nothing about what to expect, and somehow end up completely sucked into the world they’ve created.

That was Dance with a Dreadwolfe for me.

Ezra Marz’s debut is the first book in the Delator series, and for a first novel I was genuinely impressed by how much there is to get lost in. It’s dark fantasy with forbidden romance, power, fate, bloodshed and a world where breaking the rules can have very real consequences.
I went into this one knowing very little, which I think made the experience even better.
The story is set in the kingdom of Gratia, where Fate’s Law dictates who can marry and who is permitted to be intimate. Those who break the law are hunted by the Gladius Fati. At the centre of it all is Hera, a clerk in the King’s Court who has spent her life accepting the rules of the world around her. Until she has a reason not to. And that’s where things start to get interesting.
What I really enjoyed about this book was the feeling of unease that runs through it. Even when things seem calm, there’s always that sense that something isn’t quite right. The world is dark and atmospheric without losing its beauty, and I found myself wanting to understand more about the people, the laws and what was really going on beneath the surface.
And then there’s the Dreadwolfe….
Hera was easily one of my favourite parts of the book. She isn’t perfect and she certainly doesn’t have all the answers. She’s vulnerable, conflicted and, at times, frustrating, but in a way that made her feel real. I liked watching her slowly question things she had always accepted as fact.
There’s something especially compelling about seeing a woman realise that the life she has been told she should want may not actually be the life she wants at all.
And the romance? The chemistry is dangerous.
If forbidden romance is your thing, you’ll understand exactly what I mean. There’s a tension between the characters that makes you keep reading because you know there’s something at stake. It’s not just romance for the sake of romance the circumstances surrounding it make it feel risky, which makes it that much more addictive.
I also really enjoyed the themes running underneath the story. Fate versus free will, control, fear, desire and what happens when you start questioning the rules you’ve built your entire life around. They give the story more depth without taking away from the fantasy or the romance.
For a debut, I think Ezra Marz has created something genuinely intriguing. There’s a lot of world-building, but there’s also enough left unanswered that by the end, I was left wanting more rather than feeling like I’d been given everything at once.
And that’s probably my biggest takeaway from finishing Book One: I’m not done with this world yet.
There are questions I want answered, characters I want to know more about and a whole lot of curiosity about where the Delator series goes next.
If you enjoy dark fantasy, forbidden romance, complicated characters, dangerous chemistry and stories where questioning the rules can change everything, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up.

Would I read Book Two?

Absolutely.
Profile Image for bymeg..
28 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 11, 2026
Well...
What a journey.
This is one of those books that's incredibly difficult to review because my experience was driven almost entirely by personal reading preferences rather than the quality of the writing itself.
Ezra Marz has a beautifully descriptive writing style that feels almost Victorian, reminding me of classic authors like Jane Austen. Every scene is rich with detail, the world-building is meticulous, and there's a real elegance to the prose. If you love immersive fantasy that takes its time building every piece of the world, you'll likely feel right at home here.
For me, though, it took until around Chapter 39 before everything truly clicked into place.
The story is unlike anything else I've read recently. While a lot of modern fantasy tends to follow familiar formulas, Dance with a Dreadwolfe confidently carves its own path. The plot is original, unexpected, and refreshingly different.
Once the pieces finally started coming together, the emotional payoff was worth the investment. Betrayals genuinely made my stomach twist, and the story took me through some unexpected emotional highs and lows.
I did find the pacing quite slow, particularly through the first three quarters of the book. While the world-building was exceptionally thorough, I found myself wishing a few of the supporting characters had received the same depth and attention. Hopefully that's something we'll see explored further as the series continues.
One thing to note for my fellow romance readers...
This is definitely fantasy first.
The romance is subtle, beautifully woven into the story, and there is no spice.
(Yes... this spice-loving reader felt the absence. 😂)
Overall, this is a genuinely good book—just a different kind of good than we're used to seeing in fantasy right now. It's thoughtful, beautifully written and refreshingly unique, and while it wasn't quite the perfect fit for my personal tastes, I'm genuinely intrigued to see where the story goes next.

Please note this is an ARC Review 🫶
Profile Image for Valerie.
27 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
June 24, 2026
ARC Reader Review

I’ll start with the world-building, because the author did a phenomenal job. Without exposition dumps or pages of dense lore, we get a clear understanding of the different worlds and the creatures that inhabit them. The magic system never feels overwhelming or confusing. Instead, the author slowly peels back each layer in a way that keeps you curious and invested.

And the creatures! So exciting. We have Dreadwolves, Sylks, and Nixies alongside more familiar fantasy races like elves and pixies.

Characters

The MFC is fantastic. Even in a completely fictional fantasy world, I felt deeply connected to Hera and her journey. Her struggles and emotions feel incredibly human and emotionally grounded, which made me invested in her from the start. Most of the supporting cast are also well developed, each with a distinct voice and personality. I could easily tell who was speaking even without dialogue tags.

Pacing

Really well done. A lot of indie fantasy novels struggle with pacing, but this book absolutely nailed it. The author balances introspective moments, world-building, secrets, and action beautifully, keeping the story engaging the entire way through.

Prose

Very fitting for the genre. Lush, emotional prose that reflects Hera’s inner world while perfectly capturing the atmosphere of the setting.

I’m a huge fan of well-written fantasy, and this book stayed with me even when I wasn’t reading it. Hera’s journey is powerful, emotional, and deeply compelling.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Well done, Ezra!
Profile Image for Cerberus Library.
161 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
July 3, 2026
"Fate is said to have two faces. One of benevolence and one of vengeance."

In the kingdom of Gratia, maidens are being rounded up by the Gladius Fati also known as the enforcers/knights of the kingdom who punish those who break the law. This law essentially cndemns unsanctioned intimacy between parties that are not married.

We meet Hera as she's running from the Gladius Fati for an intimate relationship.

Hera is forced to make a choice pulls her onto a dangerous path where ends up as an entertainer and having to understand the true magic she possesses. I really enjoyed Hera having to come to terms about her heritage and magic. Especially with her grappling with learning to love herself.

This world that has been created is incredibly rich and filled with such incredible lore. I really enjoyed learning about the different kingdoms, species and characters within the story.

However this book felt super slow to get into. It took me about 20% to feel like I connected and understood the characters. I also feel like the main relationship between Hera and Jeremir a Dreadwolfe had something missing. I'm not entirely sure what though.

I did really enjoy the side characters especially the shadow cat familiar that would provide guidance to Hera throughout the journey. I also thought the plot twist and magic that was revealed was really well done especially with the foreshadowing earlier within the novel.

This book is definitely for those who want a twisted fairytale and rich world filled with unique magical species.
Profile Image for Bianca.
212 reviews10 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 3, 2026
This was 3.75 ⭐️ for me

I was attracted to this book as it was sold as a little red riding hood retelling, I would not call it that at all.

What it is, is a story that tells of female repression and the fight to survive and gain control all wrapped in a fantasy setting.

The FMC grows so much through the book, I won’t lie at the start I was not a fan but she grew on me. She is flawed but grows from her flaws and mistakes. She is a fighter a savage and I enjoyed that.

I love the different aspects of how one chooses to survive, the ideas that there are different looking prisons but they are still prisons.

The storytelling was ok a bit clunky at times and does more telling than showing but not enough to distract from the story. If you do not like lots of world building I would not recommend.

Overall I really enjoyed it, was a bit long but set up for the next book I am intrigued to see where the author takes this.

Recommend if you like fantasy with a Romantasy tone. Love strong female characters and watching females fight back
Profile Image for Cortney Walls.
161 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 3, 2026
Wow. I have a lot of feelings about this book. I am so sad that I have to wait for book 2 because I NEED to know where Hera’s story goes from here after the way the entire last chapter went. I spent the entire book wanting to love Hera as an fmc but being totally frustrated with her choices and how much worse they made her life every single time she made one. Like, girl please let’s stop being so impulsive all the time. Now that I understand more why she HAD to be that way I feel more forgiving of it and her. Of all the male characters I like Prince Azdian the best. Jeremir broke my heart several times, I hope he gets a redemption arc somewhere because I wanted to love him and he kept disappointing me. Definitely check the trigger warnings before you read this if you have any triggers. I don’t but even still this was heavy and sad and heartbreaking but so well done that I couldn’t put it down.
Thank you to The Berry Agency for the opportunity to arc read this in exchange for my honest review, I can’t wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Stephen Scott Johnson.
Author 2 books2 followers
September 9, 2026
I picked this up to be a good friend and then lost three nights to it. Dance with a Dreadwolfe follows Hera, a farm girl turned clerk in a kingdom where a woman’s body belongs to a goddess and her enforcers, who gets dragged down into the underbelly of the king’s castle and finds out what she actually is. Ezra has built a world with teeth. The magic has rules and costs, the politics have weight, and nobody in it is clean, including the ones you want to trust. And yes, it’s sensual. There’s a cave full of blue-skinned women who dance for a court of spies and liars, and it’s written with heat and without apology, which is rarer than it should be. What got me is what sits underneath all of it. This is a story about a woman learning her body isn’t shameful. About how long you can mistake wanting someone for loving them. About what it costs to finally have power and then have to decide what you’ll do with it. The last third turned my stomach over in the best way. For a first novel, it’s remarkable. I’m already waiting on book two.
2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
July 1, 2026
ARC COPY REVIEW

I genuinely don't know how I'm supposed to wait for book two after that ending.


Dance with a Dreadwolfe is so much more than a fantasy romance. It's a beautiful story about healing, self discovery, and learning to embrace all of yourself.

Hera was such a refreshing FMC. Her growth felt real and emotional, and I found myself rooting for her from the very beginning.


The world building was incredible. The magic and creatures unfolded so naturally that I never felt overwhelmed, just completely immersed in their world.

Every chapter had me wanting to read just one more.

If you love rich fantasy worlds, some slow burn romance, heaps of character growth, and a story that will keep you hooked until the very last page, I can't recommend this enough.

Now excuse me while I desperately wait for book two.
Profile Image for Chloe.
8 reviews
July 13, 2026
Review of advanced copy received by The Berry Agency

This was a slow start for me but picked up about a third of the way through. The world building and writing was brilliant, it gave you enough information without being bogged down by exposition or feeling like you were missing anything.

I wasn’t a big fan of the love interest but the romance subplot felt small enough that I could deal with it. I’m definitely still interested to see where that character goes though.

My favourite part of this book was the exploration of femininity and how it was written. The FMC is so complex as she discovers new parts of herself, her body, her place in society and how to be comfortable in her own skin. I loved how comfortable in its sensuality this book was without even having any spice. I’m excited to continue following this character and her journey.
Profile Image for I'mogén.
1,454 reviews50 followers
September 17, 2026
Thank you to the author for access to the BookSirens eArc. All opinions remain 100% genuine.


This was a solid fantasy story, but I do feel like the lore and world could have been fleshed out more because I felt like I needed to get grips on the belief system and magic (for example) before we were introduced to the underworld/pleasure rooms and the beings like the Erhereals and Nixie.


In saying that, once savage mode was awakened, I enjoyed all the strength that came with it. Outside of that, I didn't really feel much for our main character. I think I just lacked that connection.


The final battle scenes were well written and had my heart racing. I liked the story, overall, but there were elements that I needed more information on and I'm not sure that I would continue with a sequel.


Pick it up, give it a go & enjoy!
Profile Image for Rhianna.
1 review
October 14, 2026
The forbidden love with her and Dreadwolfe was amazing and her choosing him basically over society’s point of view. I really enjoyed how it show cases Heras authority and being able to take control of her own destiny and not following what everyone else believes in, and for her to be able to navigate through uncomfortable truths about herself for her to become stronger. The forbidden love with her and Dreadwolfe was amazing and her choosing him basically over society’s point of view. The main thing I got from this book was how it involves that everyone has freedom and doesn’t need to follow “rules” made by society, as well as happiness and their identities and basically you are your own person.
1 review
August 3, 2026
I’m not much of a reader, so for a book to hook me this quickly says a lot!

I’m only up to Chapter 5 but I am genuinely loving it so far. The way it’s written makes it so easy to picture everything that’s happening. I feel like I’m right there alongside Hera on her journey
I love how detailed and immersive the story is without feeling overwhelming. It’s got me curious, invested, and wanting to know what happens next.

I can’t wait to keep reading and see where Hera’s story goes. If you’re into dark fantasy with strong female characters, I definitely think this one’s worth picking up.
Thankyou Ezra for creating such a masterpiece ❤️
Profile Image for Kat M.
5,436 reviews18 followers
August 27, 2026
I really enjoyed this as a little Red Riding Hood retelling, It took the original tale and created something new and original and a great opening chapter to the Delator series. I was invested in the fantasy romance element and how good it was used to tell the story that it needed to. The characters worked well and felt like they belonged in the original fairy tale. It had that dark fantasy element that I was expecting and enjoyed about this type of book. Ezra Marz does a great job in writing this and it left me wanting to read the next book right away.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kathryn .
8 reviews
July 8, 2026
ARC review

I can say I really enjoyed it!

I’ll be honest—at the start, I wasn’t sure it was my kind of book. I tend to struggle with stories that lean heavily into “females are lesser” dynamics, and some of the early vibes had me a little hesitant. Thankfully, once the story got going, the plot completely pulled me in and I found myself very much invested 🙌

One of my favourite things about this book was the world-building and variety of characters - I loved the focus on different fae creatures and the unique magic associated with them. It made the world feel fresh and interesting, and I enjoyed getting to explore it alongside the different mix of personalities!

Im really enjoying Hera’s journey - the choices she makes, her reactions to every situation, her growth.

Overall, this was a fun and engaging read, and I’m definitely excited to see what happens in the next book!
3 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
June 16, 2026
I can’t believe I have to wait for the second book and the first one isn’t even released yet 😭😫

What a beautiful book about feminine power, self discovery and learning to embrace both light and dark sides of you ❤️ a book for anyone who has been made to feel less than they, told to follow the rules, to not speak up. For anyone who has found their strength through trauma.

I can’t recommend this enough ☺️💛✨

A beautifully written FMC and a MMC who makes you want to Dance with a Dreadwolfe 🔥
10 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy
June 27, 2026
THIS IS AN ARC READER REVEIW!!

Oh the plot twists in this book. WHEN WILL NUMBER TWO BE AVAILABLE BECAUSE CLIFF-FREAKING-HANGER!!

This book was intoxicating, addictive and I chewed this book up and spit it out.

The way things took a turn that was completely unexpected was insane.

This book is a woman finding herself, choosing herself and finding her beauty and value.

One of my top favorite reads so far this year!
1 review
July 12, 2026
What an incredible journey this book has taken me on. The world building is deeply woven in the story and although it felt like a slow burn at the start, the wait was worth it! At every turn you think you figured the plot out and then a twist comes you didn’t see coming.

I’m used to books with a heavy romantic plot and it’s refreshing that’s it’s not the central part of the story. Seeing the growth in the main character has been great to read and I cannot wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Samantha Patience.
6 reviews
August 3, 2026
Review of advanced copy received by The Berry Agency.

I really liked the premise of this story. It was a unique take of a “Red Riding Hood” storyline. It was a slow start, which took me awhile to fully get into the story. But once it picked up I really enjoyed the rest of the story. It features great characters, excellent world building, unique magical creatures. I will look forward to see how the story continues in the next book release.
Profile Image for Shay Mulhair.
18 reviews
August 11, 2026
his book felt super slow to get into. The world building was very complex and although I understand the reasoning why it needed to be so intrequite it took me a while to feel like I had made progress in the book. I do love the plot and storyline though! Ezras way of writing left me curious on what the next page would bring. I do think the relationships between characters could have been delved into further.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
1 review
August 16, 2026
5 stars 🌟 This book had me hooked after the first few chapters!! The writing style is beautiful and descriptive and I really felt immersed into the world the author has built. When I started reading this book I didn’t expect such a deep and emotional storyline and I found myself relating to Hera more than once as she navigated her inner journey. I very much enjoyed the unique romance subplot and found this book to be unlike any other fantasy novel I have read.
Profile Image for Jess.
96 reviews36 followers
September 10, 2026
Wow! What a story!

This book is heavy world building but once you get into it, it is such a beautiful, inspiring, powerful story.

I have personally worked with Ezra on my personal development journey and I can see so much of what she taught me weaved throughout Hera’s journey.

The writing and world building is absolutely incredible, so much thought, detail and planning has gone into this book and I cannot wait to read what is next for Hera!
Profile Image for Becz9966.
401 reviews4 followers
July 12, 2026
Unexpected and beautifully written! Lots of world building and descriptive lore.

I loved the characters. They are complex and intriguing. The FMC Hera is a survivor who grows and develops over time. The plot is emotional and keeps you hooked. I adored all the creatures throughout too.

Then that cliffhanger... I can't wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Skye Rattenbury.
1 review
October 8, 2026
I really loved this book. Once i hit about chapter 10, i was HOOKED and just couldn’t put it down until i finished it. The writing and world building is so well detailed that I could visualise all the scenes and characters beautifully in my mind. The character progression for the main character Hera is huge and very empowering to read as a woman. Can’t wait for book two to be released!
1 review
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 8, 2026
I loved this book. I was fully engaged in Hera's journey on so many levels. The characters came alive. The final pages were uplifting in a very unexpected way. I felt a vibrancy that stayed with me for days.
Profile Image for Rachel Lewis.
27 reviews
July 8, 2026
4.5 stars

I received an advance reader copy and am leaving my honest review.

I was hooked from the opening with the mysterious forbidden woods. The magical atmosphere felt cosy while still keeping me curious about what was really going on. I especially enjoyed watching the main character grow in confidence as she uncovered truth about herself and her past. The mystery kept me reading, and I found myself invested in both her journey and the relationships she developed
1 review
August 12, 2026
I really loved this book! I loved following Hera’s journey and watching her grow throughout the story. I also enjoyed the connection with the dreadwolfe. The plot twists were so good, and I loved how the author managed to foreshadow things without making them obvious. Looking forward to book two.
1 review
August 27, 2026
I absolutely loved it. I really enjoyed the writing style and world building. Following Heras journey to loving and finding herself was beautiful and I really connected with her. I‘m so excited about the next book and to see how the story continues. Would definitely recommend it!
Profile Image for Jasmine Parsons.
8 reviews
arcs-from-theberryagency
June 17, 2026
This is a dnf for now I just can’t focus on this kind of book right now


Thanks to the author and theberryagency for the arc
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews