A Dance with Death

Linsmeier (Starlings) mashes up “Beauty and the Beast” with “The Red Shoes” in this lush yet slow-moving romantasy. Orphaned sisters Aven, Corliss, and Sélie operate a small village apothecary in a lightly fantastical land known as the Pins. When Aven’s husband, Darius, dies, she succumbs to her grief and passes away shortly after. Corliss, the stubborn middle sister who dreams of being a ballerina, is determined to bring Aven back, however, and embarks on a quest that leads her to nearby Colehart Mansion, the rumored home of a powerful demon. On her first visit, she sees no sign of the master of the house but discovers a pair of ruby dancing slippers, which she steals and which help her to realize her dream of dancing professionally. This theft comes with a steep punishment, however: the demon, Orrin, catches up with her and demands that she live with him and dance for him every night. Corliss hopes that along the way she may be able to talk Orrin into using his powers to bring back Aven. Linsmeier creates great atmosphere in her richly detailed opening chapters, but the fairy tale–inspired worldbuilding eventually takes a backseat to a haltingly paced enemies-to-lovers romance that feels familiar and somewhat underdeveloped. Still, lovers of gothic romantasy will find plenty to hold their interest. (Jan.)