When The Fox and the Devil by Kiersten White appeared in my inbox, I neglected every other book I had just so I could fall into this one. It was the best decision. White weaves together vampire mythology, forensic intrigue, and a brooding romance set in a delicious gothic backdrop. Add in a dose of Killing Eve and a serial killer, and you have the perfect mix of sapphic obsession and gory murders.
Anneke, daughter of the legendary Van Helsing, finds her father murdered in his study and an otherworldly, beautiful woman standing over him. She becomes a monster hunter in her own right as she becomes obsessed with this mysterious woman, setting in motion a narrative that is as much about vengeance as it is about discovering one’s own hunger, and the longing that lies just beneath.
Diavola is immortal, beautiful, dangerous, and elusive. And she’s utterly enthralled by Anneke. In a novel that places the more horror-splattered tones in the spotlight, the connection between the two women is tender and electrifying. Letters sent to Anneke from Diavola emphasize their cat and mouse relationship, and what begins as an obsession eventually shifts into something deeper.
What truly captivated me is how the sapphic romance doesn’t feel tacked on. It’s integrated into every dark corner of the story. Anneke’s quest for truth and Diavola’s unfathomable nature converge in several different ways. Their glances, their shared vulnerabilities, and their dance of power and surrender create a delicious tension that keeps building until the very end.
Beyond the romance, the atmosphere is lush and unapologetically gothic. The historical details (Paris 1900 and early forensic methods) add a richness to the setting that amplifies every moment of suspense and longing.
In short: The Fox and the Devil is going to be one of the best reads of 2026, and one of my personal favorites. It’s sharp, sexy, haunting, and wholly invested in its sapphic core. Anneke and Diavola’s connection of obsession, longing, and eventually an ultimate sense of togetherness is deeply satisfying. I highly recommend this for anyone who loves femme-femme romance draped in a slow burn of claws, fangs, and longing.
I’ll be adding the physical copy to my bookshelf.
The Fox and the Devil by Kiersten White is expected to be released on March 10, 2026. Pre-orders are available now! And, even better, you can pre-order it directly from the Page x Pixel bookstore.
Special thanks to Del Rey Books and NetGalley for sending over an early e-ARC.