The Sweetest Fiend (Played by the Piper #1) (Pre-Order September 22, 2026)

Preorder Sweetest Fiend by Raven Kennedy, the addictive new romantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of the Plated Prisoner series. This dark fantasy romance is the first book in a seductive duology inspired by the legend of the Pied Piper, featuring fae, dark magic, forced proximity, a captive romance, enemies-to-lovers tension, and plenty of banter.

A limited deluxe hardcover edition featuring stenciled edges and illustrated endpapers will be available while supplies last. Preorder now to secure the special edition! The regular hardcover edition will also be available.

It’s time to pay the Piper.

When our world cracked open, powerful magic burst forth, unleashing nine monstrous Banes upon humanity. The Core fae eventually destroyed them, but each Bane left behind a deadly Plague as punishment.

Half Bane and half fae, I’ve spent my life being hated and feared. But when a Plague descends upon my city and threatens certain death, everything changes.

Then the Pied Piper arrives.

He saves my city from the Plague, but his price is steep: one hundred and thirty people are taken as payment. I’m one of them.

I don’t know what the Piper wants with us, but I know I have to escape and return home. My family is counting on me. Unfortunately, the Piper has no intention of letting me go.

And the longer I’m trapped with him, the harder it becomes to ignore the wicked pull between us. The sweet scent in my veins calls to him, while his seductive magic seeps beneath my skin.

I need to escape before it’s too late. Because if I don’t, I could lose more than my heart.

I could lose the entire world.

Sweetest Fiend Tropes & Features

• Dark romantasy

• Fae and dark magic

• Pied Piper retelling

• Forced proximity

• Captive romance

• “Who hurt you?”

• Only one bed… and horse… and tent!

• Banter and romantic tension

• Adult fantasy romance

• Book one in a duology

Please note: This dark fantasy romance contains mature themes and explicit content intended for adult readers.