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Review: “The Fox and the Devil” by Kiersten White

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the fox and the devil review - kiersten white - sapphic romance vampire

The best way to enjoy The Fox and the Devil by Kiersten White is to forget Lucy Undying ever existed… or, at the very least, not expect the same sweeping romance and emotional intensity that made its predecessor so memorable.

Instead, The Fox and the Devil fully embraces its identity as a dark, unsettling vampire novel. Rather than focusing on romance, the story dives deep into Anneke’s investigation and her increasingly fractured state of mind. In many ways, it feels much closer to The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein, another outstanding YA gothic retelling by Kiersten White.

Once you adjust your expectations, you’ll find yourself completely immersed in this atmospheric murder mystery, which unfolds across the winding streets of nineteenth-century Europe.

So if you’re tired of retellings where Van Helsing is the flawless hero, and you have a soft spot for obsessive heroines who hide their vulnerabilities behind a classic black cat personality…

The Fox and the Devil might be exactly the book you’re looking for.

Plot

Anneke has always had a difficult relationship with her father, Abraham Van Helsing: physician, scientist, and obsessive vampire hunter.

One night, she returns home to find him brutally murdered. Standing over his body is a woman of impossible beauty: someone who vanishes without leaving a single trace, except for the nightmares that begin haunting Anneke every night afterward.

Driven by revenge and armed with the latest forensic and investigative techniques, Anneke assembles a team of detectives determined to track down the mysterious killer. Her father isn’t the only victim. Similar murders have been reported across Europe, and Anneke is convinced they’re all connected.

Over the years, as she relentlessly pursues her quarry, Anneke keeps one crucial piece of evidence to herself: a series of cryptic letters addressed only to her. Sometimes stained with blood, always signed simply…

Diavola.

But the closer Anneke gets to her personal monster, the more everything she thought she knew begins to unravel.

Maybe her father wasn’t mad after all. Maybe Diavola is something far worse than an ordinary serial killer: something ancient, monstrous, and almost impossible to destroy.

And yet, as Anneke uncovers the tragic truth behind Diavola’s past, she begins to wonder whether there’s still a heart beating beneath the monster she has sworn to destroy.

The Fox and the Devil Review

When Dracula Meets Killing Eve

Although I didn’t love it quite as much as Lucy Undying, I still had a great time with The Fox and the Devil. Its originality, haunting atmosphere, and psychological depth make it one of Kiersten White’s most distinctive novels.

As an older millennial, Buffy Summers has always been my ultimate fictional heroine. Anneke and Diavola’s relationship frequently reminded me of Buffy and Angel, a feeling reinforced by the novel’s emphasis on found family and its exploration of self-sacrifice for the greater good.

I also didn’t mind the deliberately slow pacing of the first half. I’m old-fashioned when it comes to romance: genuine emotional intimacy will always be more compelling to me than explicit scenes. The letters Diavola writes to Anneke over the years were among my favorite parts of the novel, and more than once they genuinely made my heart ache.

Anneke herself is another highlight. Her relentless scientific curiosity is especially fascinating within a historical setting where women were rarely encouraged to pursue knowledge. Watching her apply logic, forensic science, and deduction to increasingly bizarre murders makes the investigation consistently engaging, while the group of unlikely detectives surrounding her adds plenty of charm.

Meanwhile, Diavola turns the entire investigation into a dangerous game of cat and mouse… one that’s ultimately even more captivating than solving the murders themselves.

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Review: “Ladies in Hating” by Alexandra Vasti

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ladies in hating review - alexandra vasti

Ladies in Hating by Alexandra Vasti is a historical romantic comedy that blends literary rivalry, gothic atmosphere, and plenty of romantic tension. At the heart of the story are two Victorian writers and sworn enemies who find themselves forced to share a potentially haunted house.

Neither woman is particularly thrilled about spending time with the other… especially since neither Georgiana nor Cat seems willing to admit the feelings of affection and attraction slowly developing between them.

With sparkling banter, delightfully over-the-top action scenes, and a few spicy moments, Ladies in Hating is exactly the kind of sapphic romance readers should pick up if they’re looking for something that captures the spirit of Bridgerton while adding a more humorous and unapologetically queer twist.

Plot Summary

Acclaimed novelist Lady Georgiana Cleeve has achieved fame and literary success. Unfortunately, she’s also gained a rival: the mysterious Lady Darling, a gothic novelist whose books seem suspiciously similar to Georgiana’s own manuscripts.

Determined to expose the woman behind the pseudonym, Georgiana discovers something she never expected: Lady Darling is actually Cat Lacey, the daughter of a butler… and the subject of Georgiana’s most embarrassing adolescent crush.

Meanwhile, Cat has spent years keeping her family out of poverty and has no intention of letting the infuriatingly charming Lady Georgiana distract her from her goals. Yet avoiding her proves nearly impossible, especially when both women decide to set their next novel in the same eerie country house.

Things become even more complicated when they find themselves trapped inside the estate. Between mysterious apparitions, unsettling noises, and secrets buried deep in the past, Georgiana and Cat must confront the most dangerous threat of all: the feelings that have fueled their rivalry for years.

Ladies in Hating by Alexandra Vasti Review

What Works in Ladies in Hating

If there’s one thing Alexandra Vasti proves with Ladies in Hating, it’s her remarkable talent for writing sharp, entertaining dialogue. The novel is infused with a distinctly British sense of humor that historical romance readers are likely to adore.

The protagonists are another major strength. Aristocratic Georgiana and rebellious Cat couldn’t be more different, yet their contrasting personalities complement each other perfectly. Their chemistry feels fresh, believable, and engaging from the very first pages.

They’re incredibly easy to root for. Their banter is irresistible, making every interaction memorable and entertaining. And when it comes to mutual pining, Georgiana and Cat deserve an Olympic gold medal! Repressed feelings, misunderstandings, and years of longing form the emotional core of the novel.

The romantic tension is palpable throughout, and it’s impossible not to cheer for their happily-ever-after.

From a romance perspective, Ladies in Hating absolutely delivers.

Where the Story Falls Short

Where the novel worked less well for me was in the handling of the plot and the emotional development of its protagonists.

The simplicity of the storyline isn’t inherently a problem. After all, modern romance often prioritizes emotional dynamics, beloved tropes, and character relationships over intricate plotting. Alexandra Vasti clearly understands what her audience is looking for.

The gothic atmosphere and haunted-house setting also add a great deal of charm. The spooky vibes work wonderfully and give the story a distinctive personality.

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Review: “As Many Souls as Stars” by Natasha Siegel

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as many souls as stars review - natasha siegel

As Many Souls as Stars by Natasha Siegel is an extraordinary novel: one of the most intense and emotionally gripping gothic fantasies I’ve read in recent years. What truly makes it shine isn’t just its tormented love story, capable of both enchanting and breaking your heart with a kind of delicate cruelty, nor simply the depth of its two protagonists, antiheroines so vivid and layered they seem ready to step right off the page at any moment.

No, what struck me most, perhaps more than anything else, was the perfect circularity of the plot. The novel closes with an ending that feels as inevitable as it is ironic: one that surprises you precisely because, in truth, it was written in the stars from the very beginning.

That alone makes this deeply underrated historical fantasy a book I would recommend both to lovers of dark, toxic, atmosphere-rich romances (like that of Catherine and Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights) and to fans of Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by Victoria Schwab.

Plot

1592. Cybil Harding is a First Daughter, cursed to bring misfortune to anyone who comes close to her. Trapped in a home suffocated by grief and the ruthless ambition of a father willing to do anything to claim magic for himself, Cybil grows up under the shadow of a curse that seems impossible to escape.

Miriam Richter, on the other hand, is a creature of shadows. Forged through dark arts, immortal and hungry for emotion, she survives by devouring mortal souls. But when she first meets Cybil, something begins to shift: the girl’s soul shines with such brilliance that it becomes irresistible.

The two women strike a reckless bargain: Miriam will grant Cybil reincarnation, a chance to truly live. In return, one day, the demon will claim her soul.

From that moment on, a dance unfolds across centuries: a hunt, a pursuit, a bond that renews itself life after life. But Cybil is not meant to obey, and when she glimpses a chance to break her family’s curse, she decides to change the rules of the game.

Yet as they struggle to outmaneuver one another, both will be forced to confront a revelation as chilling as it is extraordinary…

Because it becomes increasingly clear that only one of them can win. And yet, Cybil and Miriam may no longer be able to exist without each other.

As Many Souls as Stars: a review

When characters drive the story…

A witch falls in love with a demon… but Cybil and Miriam embody each other’s antithesis. Not just light and darkness, but also a hunger for life versus predatory instinct, a thirst for freedom versus a need for control.

They desire and reject each other with the same intensity with which the sun and the moon endlessly chase each other across the sky.

For this reason, reducing their relationship to the “enemies to lovers” trope would feel limiting. After all, the two protagonists seem perfectly capable of occupying both roles at once: lovers and nemeses, each other’s salvation and downfall… all at the same time, without any need for intermediate steps. Theirs is an openly toxic, obsessive love… and precisely for that reason, it is utterly magnetic to follow.

As you may have guessed, Natasha Siegel’s novel is strongly character-driven. The true core of the story is the evolution of this ambiguous and tormented relationship, unfolding across multiple lifetimes and transformations. Cybil (sardonic, wild as brambles on an English moor, yet painfully vulnerable) fights to free herself from a society that would rather see her docile and disposable. Miriam, by contrast, clings stubbornly to fragments of humanity that don’t necessarily make her better… but always make her deeply understandable.

Atmosphere and style

Despite its strong focus on character, the pacing is surprisingly dynamic. Twists come frequently and are carefully placed, creating a constant sense of anticipation.

And the atmosphere, thanks to Natasha Siegel’s evocative writing, is so immersive that the witchy vibes and star-crossed lovers trope feel even more vivid and compelling.

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Review: “Witch of the Shadow Wood” by Tori Anne Martin

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witch of the shadow wood review - tori anne martin

Witch of the Shadow Woods is a charming sapphic cozy fantasy with a soft, gentle tone.
Of course, the fact that the book is primarily aimed at a younger audience (14+) doesn’t stop the author, Tori Anne Martin, from tackling powerful themes such as female rage and resistance against patriarchy.

The result?
Well, to be honest, I’d be lying if I said I loved this novel with all my heart… mainly because the level of exposition felt a bit too high for my taste. Still, I found it enjoyable, well-crafted, and interesting: a solid choice for anyone who loves “dark forest” aesthetics and is looking for a fresh retelling of Hansel and Gretel.

Plot

Fifteen years ago, a man traded his daughter to the old witch of the woods in exchange for magic. Abandoned by her brother Hans, who had promised to protect her, Greta learns to accept her new life as the witch’s apprentice and begins a new existence under the name Miria.

Two years ago, she saved a young woman who had gotten lost in the forest—and fell in love with her.
Now, she has discovered that this same woman is being forced into marriage with a man who was once involved in the bargain that doomed her: the very person who used the magic obtained in exchange for her life to grant her former family immense wealth and power, only to forget her entirely.

Soon, the young witch will leave the forest. She will stop the wedding and save the woman she loves. She will take revenge.
And yet, beyond the woods, nothing is ever quite that simple.

Review of Witch of the Shadow Woods

Atmosphere and Themes: Cottagecore at Its Core

In Tori Anne Martin’s novel, you’ll find a touch of European folklore, plenty of witchy vibes, and a hint of romance. The love story isn’t exactly central, but it still plays an important role in the narrative.

Since this is a clean YA novel, it’s worth noting: any “intimate” scenes happen off-page. The language remains evocative and suggestive throughout, never becoming explicit.
This is a commendable choice, especially for such a young target audience… although I’ll admit I wouldn’t have minded a few more pages to better explore Adaline’s character and perhaps feel a stronger connection between her and Miria.

Even so, I really appreciated the reflections on the “true” nature of a witch—a figure who must always rebel and stand against the system, constantly striving to help the vulnerable—and I absolutely loved the relationship between Miria and Yali, her wise mentor.

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Review: “The Isle in the Silver Sea” by Tasha Suri

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isle silver sea review - tasha suri

Despite all its flaws, The Isle in the Silver Sea by Tasha Suri is a wonderful book—one that all fans of the recent The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow (review coming ASAP) should absolutely consider picking up.

The setting is gorgeous, the love story tragic and intense, and my only real gripe is the sense that the author may have been forced to compress a little too much narrative and backstory into a limited page count. As much as I appreciate standalone novels, a story of this scope would likely have benefited from a broader canvas… even just a duology.

And yet, even so, I’ll say it plainly: The Isle in the Silver Sea is a perfect example of how new-generation romantasy should be written. Not as yet another entry meant to fuel endless “it’s so addictive, and the spice is amazing!” reading lists, but as a complex, ambitious work meant to endure.

The Isle in the Silver Sea: Plot Overview

On an island that lives on stories, a knight and a witch are doomed to love—and destroy—each other, over and over again, across hundreds of lifetimes.

Simran is a forest witch. Vina is a knight in the queen’s court. When the two women begin to fall in love, how can they give in to their desires if doing so means their mutual destruction?

As they search for a way to break the cycle, a mysterious assassin begins targeting stories like theirs. To survive, Vina and Simran must write a new one—a story stronger than the fate laid out before them.

But what story could possibly be stronger than that of the Knight and the Witch?

The Isle in the Silver Sea: Review

That opening provocation about “disposable” romantasy wasn’t accidental. Tasha Suri, alongside authors like Alix E. Harrow and T. Kingfisher, proves that it’s possible to inhabit this genre without flattening it—and, most importantly, without reducing it to a checklist of tropes or a hollow race to follow current publishing trends.

In The Isle in the Silver Sea, Suri truly shines in her worldbuilding and ideas. The result is a rich, original, deeply immersive narrative universe: a fusion of British folklore, literary imagination, and a visceral love for stories—both those passed down and those yet to be written.

Alongside this foundation, the novel weaves in surprisingly relevant themes. Beneath the surface, readers will find reflections on anti-colonialism, a strong anti-monarchic tension, and a compelling vision of found family as an alternative to traditional power structures.

Expectations Matter

The love story between Vina and Simran is, ultimately, well crafted: it works, it’s believable, but it rarely becomes the emotional core of the novel. That’s because the narrative is so dense with ideas and imagery that their relationship often takes a back seat.

Is that a flaw? It depends on what you’re looking for.

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Review: “Skullrunner” by Vyvre Argent

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skullrunner review - vyre argent

Skullrunner is Vyvre Argent’s foray into flintlock fantasy: an adventure that reads like Orphan Black meets Pirates of the Caribbean, with a touch of Godkiller and Gideon the Ninth.

What captivated me most about this “clones and pirates” novel was its original concept and immersive worldbuilding, meticulously crafted and worthy of the best epic fantasy settings.

Despite its technical flaws (frequent infodumps and long stretches of static description often slow the pacing in distracting ways), I can’t help but praise Vyvre Argent’s extraordinary imagination and their ability to weave an engaging, surprising, and genuinely unique story.

The Story

During the revolution, Commander Gavon killed Iunos—the tyrannical god of memory—and seized his power, establishing the supposedly fair and democratic Golden Republic. But the Republic is far from perfect: those who push for change may wake up one day stripped of every memory of who they were. That’s what happened to pirate captain Cevette Zarcanzi. Now she sails the Archipelago, stealing the physicalized memories stored in the Republic’s secret archives and burning them, hoping that one day she’ll recover her own lost past.

Evazina Gavon, the commander’s adopted daughter, is a fragmented incarnation of the shattered soul of the death goddess. Women like her—known as “echoes”—are feared and despised in the Golden Republic. Commander Gavon has protected her only because the sacrifice of echoes fuels his memory magic. When Eva joins Cevette’s crew, she hopes that restoring people’s stolen memories will encourage them to speak out and peacefully remove her father from power. But as the two sail toward remote, mysterious islands, their bond deepens… and they slowly discover that to truly live free, sometimes you need to change course and brace for a fight.

Skullrunner: a review

A Fantasy of Action and Conscience

In Skullrunner, fantasy readers will find a well-balanced mix of action-packed scenes and more contemplative moments. Alongside the classic boarding and swashbuckling sequences you’d expect in a pirate story, the novel tackles several compelling themes. For example, colonialism, ethics, class conflict, politics, and the constant tension between power and culture.

The story revolves around identity and takes place in a society that doesn’t discriminate against queer relationships or genderfluid people. Yet, like every democracy that needs a scapegoat, it unloads its prejudice on the Echoes, fragments of the ancient death goddess Morghaia, exploited and demonized to validate a self-proclaimed hero-patriarch.

Eva, the protagonist, is one of them: destined to embrace piracy and become a reluctant revolutionary. But before she can do that, she must shed the guilt and self-loathing drilled into her by a rigid, oppressive upbringing.

From Personal Turmoil to an Explosive Finale

Although Skullrunner can be a bit wordy at times—its chapters sometimes indulge in philosophical or moral reflections reminiscent of Brandon Sanderson’s slower passages—Eva’s character arc is beautifully crafted and entirely convincing. She forms meaningful, nuanced relationships with several key characters, and these connections enrich the narrative.

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Celebrating the Success of “Where There’s Room For Us” by Haley Kiyoko… and Looking Ahead to the Most Exciting Sapphic Regency Romance 2026 Releases

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To celebrate the recent success of Haley Kiyoko’s Where There’s Room For Us—which just landed on the New York Times bestseller list—I’m dedicating today’s post to the brand-new sapphic Regency (or “victorian”) romance 2026 titles coming our way next year.

Aside from the masterpiece Fingersmith and its charming YA “cousin” Wilthorn, I have to admit I’m still fairly new to the whole “corsets and lakeside picnics” scene.

Still, one absolutely delightful title that blends lace, crinolines, tea visits, and… a magical time-travel twist that upends the lives of two queer girls (who are very ready to fall in love) is Raecheal Lippincott’s Pride, Prejudice and Pittsborough. I also enjoyed A Little Light Mischief by Cat Sebastian, even though it feels more like an introductory “tasting menu” of the genre’s most beloved tropes.

But 2026 is shaping up to be a truly spectacular year for sapphic Regency romance, and the five books below are the ones that intrigue and excite me the most!

5 Promising Sapphic Regency/Victorian Romance Books Coming in 2026

The Duke by Anna Cowan

the duke - sapphic regency books 2026

Release date: April 28, 2026

Kate, Duke of Howard, is feared across Europe as a ruthless autocrat who will not be crossed. Hardened by deep rivalries, she avoids society and has sworn never to trap a woman in marriage with someone as monstrous as she believes herself to be.

The beautiful and ambitious courtesan Céline Genet once threw herself at the mercy of the Duke of Howard in a desperate attempt to escape the guillotine. After a night of blazing passion, however, the duke abandoned her to the chaos of revolutionary Paris. Now living in London, Céline holds a dangerous letter proving that the Duke of Howard committed treason as a child—and perhaps even murder.

Céline demands a titled husband in exchange for the duke’s secret, and Kate has no choice but to escort her into the most exclusive ballrooms. But as Céline dazzles society, Kate finds herself increasingly drawn to the woman determined to destroy her. As their attraction grows, Kate faces an impossible choice: protect the secret of her past, or fight for the woman she loves.

A bold, intense sapphic Regency romance 2026 title to watch.

The Miseducation of Caroline Bingley by Lindz McLeod

the miseducation of caroline bingley - lindz mcleod

Release date: May 5, 2026

Being snubbed by Mr. Darcy—ignored in favor of Elizabeth Bennet, of all people—is deeply humiliating. Hearing that she’s arrogant and rude, and that she might never find love unless she changes? Utterly absurd.

Wounded by Darcy’s rejection, Caroline Bingley does what any determined, well-off woman might do: she forms a plan. She asks Georgiana Darcy—the nation’s very embodiment of grace and sweetness—to teach her how to become just as perfect.

But transforming Caroline from a status-obsessed socialite into marriageable material is no small task. She must learn to be charming, and—more difficult still—kind.

Georgiana isn’t thrilled about playing fairy godmother, either. Behind her polished exterior, she hides her own struggles. As the two grow closer, Caroline finds herself far less interested in winning over a man… and far more captivated by the personal journey Georgiana is guiding her through. Their lessons in love and self-acceptance soon become something entirely unexpected.

A witty, emotional addition to next year’s sapphic Regency romance lineup.

The Unruly Heart of Miss Darcy by Erin Edwards

he unruly heart of miss darcy - sapphic regency romance 2026 books

Release date: April 7, 2026

Georgiana Darcy has kissed only one girl in her life—and the blackmail that followed nearly destroyed her reputation. Since then, she has lived cautiously, losing herself in books and music, determined to avoid romantic entanglements with other women. But everything changes when she meets Kitty Bennet.

A moonlit kiss turns their budding friendship into something deeper, prompting Georgiana to follow Kitty to the Bennet home. But danger awaits: there she encounters the only man who knows her secret, and the one who once threatened her.

Fearing for her family’s good name and Kitty’s safety, Georgiana wonders if a happy ending for her is even possible. Every etiquette manual says she should protect her reputation at all costs. But with the help of those who know what it means to fight for love, she might discover the courage to claim the future she and Kitty deserve.

Tender, dramatic, and full of longing—a standout sapphic Regency romance 2026 release.

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