The Scarlet Ball    by Nghi Vo Order:  USA  Can Tor, 2026 (2026)      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Nghi Vo has been on my must read list since I devoured The Empress of Salt and Fortune and the sequels to this Singing Hills Cycle. The Scarlet Ball is very different but also superlative. Its lead is Annamese/French former convent girl Judith Ban (also an ex courtesan and thief). When she delivers a hat to the rich and powerful Howard Family, the matriarch makes a deal with her - wealth in return for standing in for a missing granddaughter, Iphigenia. Mrs. Howard uses magic to stitch Iphigenia's face over Judith's and the play is on. However, it's a lot more than Judith bargained for. Turns out that Mrs. Howard is one of a group of society women who have wed demons for their power, but must keep feeding them. They sacrifice their own daughters to keep control. Can Judith possibly survive the season's secret rituals that end in rivers of blood? Turns out that the demon who eventually selects Judith is a powerful outsider, a storm that walks like a man. She carefully feeds him what will not be mourned, and takes power for herself. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Fantasy books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews