We Dance upon Demons

Bestseller Patel (Kaikeyi) uses fascinating fantastical elements to augment a stirring and timely tale about the progressively volatile status of reproductive rights in the United States. Nisha, who once dreamt of becoming a lawyer, now fights depression and burnout while working at an abortion clinic. While taking a breather in the Chicago Art Institute’s South Asian art section, she touches the hand of a statue of Nataraja, the demon of ignorance. She wakes up on the floor, having fainted, and departs disoriented—after which odd things begin to happen. Strangers approach her with threats and warnings; she sees demons scattered among the people on the street; and a man who calls himself Muya tells her she has stolen some of his power and he would like it back. The incorporation of demons into the throng of anti-abortion protestors outside the clinic is seamless, adding an edge of the supernatural to the very real danger and oppression both workers and patients face. The magic system, drawn from Hindu mythology, feels fresh, and it’s deeply satisfying to witness Nisha learn what she’s truly capable of. It’s a brilliant combination of gripping urban fantasy and urgent social commentary. Agent: Lucienne Diver, Knight Agency. (May)