A Dance Macabre

“I realize the gods blessed me when they created Mercy.  Because she is everything I’ve ever dared to love.“A Dance Macabre is out today and this is one of the best dark romances I’ve ever read. It’s opulent and lavish, hedonistic and well, macabre. Loud’s world building in this book is stunning and enthralling. With a touch of magic realism, ADM was enthralling from the very beginning.Mercy and Wolfgang are absolutely perfect. There’s nothing as good as TRUE enemies to lovers, where they will literally ruin each other and all the tension and hate s*x that follows. And the way these two hurled insults at each other. Some of the best insults ever too, very creative, specific, and biting.Naomi writes some of the best obsessed men, and Wolfgang and the way he worships Mercy is just the biggest simp. I mean… custom crematoriums as a courting gift?? The man knows his woman.There’s something about A Dance Macabre that kept reminding me of The Night Circus - in the best ways. ADM feels like the grownup version that I’ve been waiting for and never really knew I wanted. Also ALL of the Morticia and Gomez Addams vibes.This was truly a magnificent book and I’m so excited to see what’s next in Pravitia and the Perverse City Series.

A Dance Macabre is the first book in the Perverse City series and is a dark, (true) enemies to lovers romance with forced proximity and forbidden love. The world Loud builds is laced with magical realism, gothic undertones, dark opulence and unaliving tendencies. The characters are over the top (in the best possible way!), well written and unapologetically stabby. The plot, world building and storyline were detailed to perfection, Loud paints such a clear picture of what this world is supposed to be and who the characters are. I ate it up, it’s so different from other “dark” “enemies to lovers” reads, it’s unique, beautifully written and intriguing. She’s a spicy one but the spice placed perfectly and didn’t take away from the story. There’s no hero’s in this book, it’s pitch black from start to finish, there’s no redemption and the bad guys are top dog in this world and IT IS PERFECTION!

FantasyEnemies to loversMafia vibesGodsFateRomanceHeirs with powersSacrificesWorld buildingAssassination plotStandalone in a seriesMultiple POVHEADegradationSprinkle of bdsmTW: violenceSpice: 3.9/5FMC: MercyMMC: WolfgangDid I enjoy the book? MostlyWould I read this book again? MaybeWill I continue the series? UndecidedWill I read from this author again? Also undecidedI liked this book, but I had issues. The world building was murky at best. I don’t have a clear picture of this world/city. I think I need more back story or history and what the powers are that the heirs have and what their point is in the city. What do they offer this city that is cause for worship? Mercy came off so strong, especially being the heir for the god of death, but Wolfgang would over power her easily and she would give up with little fight. It made her look weak overall. When the description of Wolfgang included a gold tooth immediately pictured someone slimy like the villain in home alone or a used car salesman. Someone who I didn’t want to root for and it made it hard to like Wolfgang. When he fought with Mercy and would overpower her it didn’t help that image. There were many instances where Wolfgang acted like a brute.The story was interesting and the characters were as well. I’m undecided if I want to continue with the series, although the epilogue has me intrigued.

Set against the backdrop of a city steeped in ancient secrets and shadowy alleys, *A Dance Macabre* is a story that weaves mystery and macabre elements together like a sinister symphony. The book is centred around two heirs, Mercy Crèvecoeur and Wolfgang Vainglory, whose lives are as entwined as they are entangled in their family legacies. The heirs represent two of the six founding families of Pravitia: Agonis, Varovsky, Foley, Carnalis, Crèvecoeur, and Vainglory. Each family is shrouded in its own sinister history, adding layers of intrigue and enigma to the story.Mercy Crèvecoeur is the perfect embodiment of a black cat—a figure of both mystery and trepidation. She’s emotionally aloof, a walking talking misanthrope, and the harbinger of Death. Wolfgang Vainglory, whose name alone suggests an ego too big for even this vast city, is an unabashed narcissist. Their relationship is the epitome of an enemies-to-lovers dynamic, with all the biting wit and tension that makes such pairings electric.Loud writes with a flair that makes their dynamic simultaneously morbid and enthralling. The chemistry between Mercy and Wolfgang is like watching two cats circling each other, each waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Their mutual loathing is palpable, and their dialogue crackles with witty repartee and barely concealed animosity. As they claim each other's deaths as their own, the line between murder as a slow-burning foreplay and the descent into madness becomes increasingly blurred. There's a lingering thread of fate woven through their interactions, hinting at the inevitable dance toward a happy ending that we all know is coming but can't quite predict.The story's pace in the first 25% is a slow burn, almost like a pot slowly coming to a boil, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in the world Loud has meticulously crafted. The initial world-building is dense, yet it's a necessary foundation for the intricate plot and the unfolding relationship between these two flawed characters. Once the groundwork is laid, the focus shifts to the bizarre and intoxicating interplay between Mercy and Wolfgang. Their disdain for one another turns into an exploration of shared desires and a hunger for more, creating a narrative that is as addictive as it is unsettling.While *A Dance Macabre* is not without its quirks, these are part of what makes the book such a delightful read. The character development is rich, particularly in how Mercy and Wolfgang evolve through their forced proximity, tiptoeing the line between hatred and a begrudging respect—or something else.... As they navigate their own inner turmoil and the expectations of their families and Gods, you are treated to a dance that feels both calculated and unpredictable.However, the book does come with its minor drawbacks. I found myself wishing Mercy was as vile as Wolfgang. She has the potential to be a powerhouse of wickedness but often falls short, leaving Wolfgang as the unapologetic villain. It would have been delightful to see Mercy deliver a few gut punches to Wolfgang, keeping him on his toes in their devious dance.Additionally, the main plot involving the "unsatisfied gods" is introduced with great potential but seems to be overshadowed by the primary focus on Mercy and Wolfgang's tumultuous relationship. Without giving away spoilers, this subplot could have been further developed to add more depth and complexity to the overarching plot, which will be hopefully used in the subsequent books. It felt like a missed opportunity to explore the broader mythos of Pravitia.Loud has a knack for making the sinister seem oddly relatable, drawing you into a world where death and desire dance hand in hand. Loud's prose is a breath of fresh air, balancing moments of tension with unexpected levity.In conclusion, *A Dance Macabre* is a beautifully crafted tale of forbidden romance and dark secrets that will delight fans of gothic fiction and those seeking an enigmatic and morbid escape from reality. The book offers a unique blend of humour, intrigue, and complex character dynamics that will leave readers eagerly anticipating future instalments in this hauntingly captivating series. Whether you're a lover of the macabre or simply looking for an entertaining read, this book deserves a spot on your shelf. It may not be perfect, but it's a wickedly good time.

**eARC review**The author is not kidding when she says dark, but you're forewarned at the start and it throws you straight in so you know exactly what you're going to get from the first page. I'm not sure if by the end I was desensitised to the violence and blood, but it was such a seamless part to the characters and world that it was just another part of Pravatia.The FMC is like Wednesday Addam's meets elegant heiress, with all of her faults and blindspots. Now I'm not usually a fan of overly arrogant or vain MMC's, and tbh the vanity is more a front than anything, and the arrogance ends up being a nice juxtaposition to see his connection with the FMC grow upon.The side characters are original and the relationships feel genuine with their own storyline running parallel that I am very much intrigued to learn more about in future books.In a world of done to death (pardon the pun) clichés, this story felt refreshing despite having some of my favourite tropes: true enemies to lovers, forced proximity, one bed, and all the angst my little heart could want before a truly awesome steamfest.Devoured this, and will happily do the same to the next in this world!