Hound for Hell

by Sylvie Helstaff

545 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 30, 2026

About the author

Sylvie Helstaff (they/them) is a queer, neurodivergent author who grew up on fantastic folk tales, macabre mythology, and anything else strange and unusual that the local library had to offer. After a two decade career in art and design, they returned to their first love, writing. Sylvie enjoys crafting rich worlds with engaging lore where their readers can embark on monstrously smutty adventures alongside captivating characters.
In addition to writing, they create the cover art and interior design for their books. Staunchly anti-AI, Sylvie's writing and art are 100% human made.
When they’re not writing or creating art, they can be found enjoying a nice stroll through a cemetery, watching old horror movies, or relaxing with their huge dog. 
Someday, they aspire to become the reason no one goes in that part of the forest anymore. 

Follow me on
Tiktok: @sylviehelstaff
Instagram: @sylviehelstaff
Bsky: @sylviehelstaff
Substack: https://helstaffbooks.substack.com/

Reviews

[L.B. Shimaira]

“You get to explain to my partners how you went from pious asshole to queer supernatural polycule. And I want the full story. It’s confession time, priest.”

After having devoured all of Helstaff's books, I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this one 🤩
And just so we're clear: the moment this bad boy releases, I'm buying a physical copy for my collection 😌

When I heard there would be a story that's basically a sequel to LUST & FOUND, I was sold, no questions asked.
Then more info came out. Pup play? Hrm, okay, not my kink, but it's a Helstaff book, so 🤷 Guess I'll be reading about pup play then 🤷
Finally the ARCs were sent out and I got to dig into this book. Def learned some new things (and ngl, I have some more understanding and respect for those engaging in pup play 💜)
So if you're like me and not sold on that specific kink, please, allow yourself to broaden your horizons as you will NOT regret it 😊

The characters were AMAZING 🔥 Each one of them is so well fleshed-out, and I loved every single one of them (excluding a certain marzipan (iykyk))
- Zophiel as an angel is just perfection. The depth of compassion
- Izra is the sweetest, no notes. Nobody gets to harm this sweet puppy 😤
- Varken was a character I initially was a little wary of but that didn't last long and he grew on me fast and hard (no pun intended). We all deserve such a loyal guard dog 💪
- And then, the whole reason this book even exists: Tristen... He fcked up BIG TIME back in LUST & FOUND (if you didn't read that yet, go check that out instead of reading this review! Go! Shoo!) Def a case of "FAFO" 🙈 the man has a lot to process though, a lot of baggage to work through... And I have to seriously compliment the author on how they handled this. There was no rushing at all. Tristen got all the space and time to figure things out. That was some seriously good character development. Especially considering where the man came from, his history, and his "views"; those take time to unpack. It was truly a joy to join this man on his path of... not "redemption" perse... More rediscovery and atonement.

“[...] there’s no sin in loving who you love.”

Now if all the amazing characters weren't enough, we also get more worldbuilding! And oooh, I loved it so much 💜 We get to learn more about hell and different realms! 🤩🤩 (And dare I say, a glimpse of heaven 👀)
~And I asked for more of this when I read LUST & FOUND, so yay! 🥰🥰

I also laughed a LOT whilst reading this. Just a few quotes that out-of-context still work:

“He’s only just stopped praying, he’s not ready to be prey.”

“A warning would be nice the next time there are going to be surprise tentacles.”

So yeah, 10/10, loved this book, go grab a copy and start reading!

~Also, shout-out for the Clippy cameo 😂📎