In the sweltering summer of 1518, Strasbourg is gripped by more than heat and hunger...
When Isabella Troffea's mother begins to dance in the streets—unable to stop and unable to rest—she becomes the first victim of a plague that will consume the city. One by one, citizens join the relentless dance, their feet bleeding against the cobblestones as they move to a rhythm no one else can hear.
Trapped between an arranged marriage to the controlling Martin Albrecht and the witch hunts of the fanatical Father Matthias, Isabella discovers she's being stalked by something far more dangerous—a demon who calls her his "beloved" and claims she is the door through which he will enter the world.
As the dancing plague spreads and the pyres burn higher, Isabella must navigate impossible choices—between the man who wants to own her and the demon who wants to possess her, between her own survival and her city's salvation.
Based on the true events of the 1518 dancing plague, The Devil's Dance is a dark historical horror that explores the price of agency in a world where women's bodies are battlegrounds and salvation demands the ultimate sacrifice
"The Devil’s Dance, by Jolandi Stadler, is a mesmerizing novel that draws readers into its grip from the very first page. Darkly compelling and impossible to set aside, the story casts a spell that keeps you reading long past when you meant to stop."
-Lynn McIntyre, Author
"Chillingly seductive—The Devil's Dance is demonically engrossing and addictive, possessing the reader to keep turning pages."
- Charlie Keller, Author
"The Devil's Dance by Jolandi Stadler is a fictionalized retelling of an actual historical event. In Stadler’s lyrical retelling is through the eyes and mind of Isabella Troffea. Her rich, poetic descriptions took me back to 1518 Strasbourg, with the texture and all the hardship of life at that time. The language has an almost dreamlike beauty that resonates from the first paragraph to the last. The fictionalized story itself is equally engrossing and the tension builds as Isabella struggles to make a momentous decision. Don’t miss this novel, but beware, you’ll be tempted to investigate the history of the event, considered one of the best documented cases of mass hysteria in history."
- BILL SCHWEITZER, Author
"Jolandi Stadler delivers a slow-burn historical horror that pulls you in with atmosphere and a steady sense of dread. The tone of the story builds gradually, letting the tension grow instead of rushing to explain what is happening. I appreciated that the author did not immediately spell everything out. The mystery unfolds piece by piece, which makes the story more engaging as the reader tries to understand what is truly going on. The imagery throughout the book is also very well done. Stadler paints clear pictures of sixteenth-century Strasbourg, from the crowded streets to the darker moments when something supernatural slips into the edges of reality. The descriptions make it easy to visualize the world and atmosphere of the story. Overall, this was a strong and atmospheric read. If you enjoy historical horror with a slow build, strong imagery, and a mystery that reveals itself over time, The Devil’s Dance is definitely worth picking up."
- Award Winning Author, Jesse Roder
"Part slow-burn love story and part historical fiction, the true stand out of this novel is the nuanced characters. Stadler writes with depth, empathy and intelligence, making the reader feel every lashing of the characters’ dark world and even darker predicaments. The unexpected ending ties the perfect bow on the novel. Perfect for fans of The Red Tent and Joan."
- Marisa Dondlinger, Author.
"With whispers of Arthur Miller’s -The Crucible, 'The Devil’s Dance' shines a light on how fear, ignorance and accusations propel a community towards hysteria until truth becomes irrelevant, innocence becomes expendable, and sensibility falls away, leaving a void where feverish superstition grows and thrives. Stadler delivers a chilling tale that feels urgent and leaves you with a knot in your stomach."
- Frank J. DeRuosi, Author
"A grimdark fantasy with relentless horror and a solid thematic punch. The ending will stay with you for days."
- Brian Kaufman, Author
"A dark, gripping reimagining of history's strangest plague — Stadler's Strasbourg is a city you can smell burning, and Isabella's story will haunt you long after the dancing stops."
- Raymond Casias, Author