There are many exciting fantasy books that are hitting shelves in May 2026, but few stand out as clearly as Vaishnavi Patel's We Dance Upon Demons. Indeed, the novel is one of the most unique and timely additions to the genre in recent years — because, while supernatural threats and extraordinary powers are par for the course in fantasy, not many stories tackle the real-world political climate as head-on as this one. This makes it a must-read new release, as it's informative, gripping, and equally heavy and hopeful.
We Dance Upon Demons blends the fight to preserve reproductive freedoms with a tale of demonic entities. It follows Nisha, who works at a reproductive health care clinic, as she grapples with the looming threat of external forces, including abortion bans, regular protestors, and physical attacks on her workplace. Alongside those things, Nisha is dealing with depression. She's desperate for peace from it all, which brings her to the Indian art exhibit where We Dance Upon Demons' fantasy story takes off in earnest.
Upon touching a statue of the deity Nataraja, or the "Lord of Dance," Nisha faints — and wakes facing the newly released demon of ignorance, Muyalaka, who was trapped within the object. Nisha doesn't realize he's a demon at first, but she steadily comes to understand that she's inherited some of his power. It grants her the ability to lift the "veil of ignorance" and see the supernatural forces at play in the world. Of course, this makes her more privy to the other demons now pursuing her for Muyalaka's power — and her job gives them an ideal cover to target her.
Nisha's fight to persist in the face of their assaults on her and the people she loves ties the novel's real-world and fantasy themes together in a truly stunning way. We Dance Upon Demons is honest about the costs of such tenacity, but it also underscores why it's necessary. In that way, Patel's latest achieves exactly what it sets out to: it's a compelling call to keep fighting and a searing critique of the forces Nisha is bucking against.
We Dance Upon Demons handles its central conflict with detail & care
Set in the post-Roe v. Wade world, We Dance Upon Demons centers heavily on the reproductive health clinic where its heroine works. And you can tell the book's depiction of this setting, and the work that's done there, comes from a mix of firsthand experience, as well as a great deal of research. (As she discussed with Publisher's Weekly, Patel is a civil rights lawyer and volunteers herself.)
The result is a backdrop and conflict that feel fully immersive and believable. From the palpable chaos outside the clinic to the gentle care taken within it, Patel successfully transports readers into Nisha's day to day. Given We Dance Upon Demons' powerful themes, it'd be all too easy for its message to overshadow the actual narrative. However, its intricately detailed world and flawed but relatable heroine ensure that never happens.
And Nisha's feelings of hopelessness and anger in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges gives the novel a strong emotional core. The knowledge Nisha rattles off throughout the book highlights how deeply entrenched in this world she is. However, her inner dialogue and struggle underscore why she's so passionate about it. Following her will prove a learning experience for anyone less familiar with the current circumstances of reproductive rights — and may even provide a few nuggets of information for those who do keep updated and informed.
Patel's depiction of We Dance Upon Demons' human conflict is masterfully done, and the demon storyline complements it well. The novel never uses its supernatural influences to excuse individual actions, yet it draws compelling parallels and adds a layer of suspense. Ultimately, though, the book drives home that people aren't destined to be victims to their worst impulses and influences. Through Nisha, we also come to realize that we don't have to embrace such darkness to overcome it.
We Dance Upon Demons highlights the fight for freedom as a long haul
There's much to love about We Dance Upon Demons, but one of the strongest threads throughout the book is the evolution of Muyalaka's connection to humanity. Nisha is not the first woman to possess a piece of his power, and through added POV chapters, we get a glimpse of each who comes before her. They all have wisdom to impart, and it's fascinating to see the sheer range of experiences and takeaways over time.
Through their perspectives, Patel drives home that the fight for any freedom often lasts generations. This may not seem comforting in the moment, but it underscores how far women have already come — and why it's worth being resilient, even when it the pay-off isn't immediately visible. At the end of the day, that's the most important point We Dance Upon Demons strives to get across: as difficult as it feels to bring about change, even small and seemingly insignificant steps forward add up over time.
Community also plays a large role in the book. Nisha doesn't just receive wisdom and care from those who came before her. The people around her pitch in as well, including those she least expects to. The support of those whose perspectives are changing, whether it's her more traditional Indian-American community or her ex-boyfriend, is endearing. It drives home that people can learn and grow, even if that process is gradual, and even if some of them will never be on the same page.
Final verdict
We Dance Upon Demons is a richly crafted story about individual power, coming together to enact change, and persevering. Patel's 2026 novel will leave readers feeling both gutted and hopeful, and that's precisely the point. The setting that We Dance Upon Demons drops us into is intentionally bleak, but Patel sprinkles hope throughout the book's pages. Those small glimpses are reason to keep reading, and they're incentive to fight for what one believes in.
The fight at the heart of Nisha's story makes We Dance Upon Demons an impactful read, and it sets it apart from fantasy books with similar themes. Yes, most narratives in the genre are about overcoming oppression and fighting for what's right. We Dance Upon Demons brings that struggle directly into our backyard, however, and that's why it's so important.
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