There’s no better feeling than cozying up with a new book with a sweet treat in one hand and a bookmark in the other. For all the mood readers out there, you know that the next book you choose has to match your current vibe, and your reading treat should meet the same standards. If you want to read about all things dark, demonic, and hellish and crave some sweet relief for such heavy reads, check out these cake and book pairings made in hell.
Trigger Warning: This article contains mentions of religious trauma. Please exercise personal care while reading.
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang and Matcha Tiramisu
Kuang’s latest novel, Katabasis, explores the mission of two graduate students’ efforts to save their professor’s soul by entering the underworld. Rivaling protagonists Peter Murdoch and Alice Law descend into the underworld, which takes the shape of a college campus, serving as a wider metaphor for academia being a hellscape.
Kuang’s distinct style of prose is both addictive and academic, as she draws heavily on classic novels, mythology, and folklore for inspiration. Before the book’s release, readers crafted a required reading list anticipating the novel’s release so they could fully grasp all of Kuang’s intelligently made references.
Matcha tiramisu is the perfect dessert for a reading session of Katabasis needs to be a classic with a modern twist. The repeating layers in a tiramisu dessert reflect the various thematic layers in this novel, as well as the repetitiveness, insanity, and psychological entrapment that the characters descend deeper and deeper into, much like the Penrose stairs illustrated on the cover.
Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo and Tres Leches Cake
On a similar note, the second book in the Alex Stern series, titled Hell Bent, also involves stealing a soul out of hell, but this one is set against the backdrop of Yale University’s New England dark academia aesthetic. Darlington, Galaxy Stern’s mentor, is a senior at Yale who finds himself stuck in the underworld. Both are members of Lethe, a Yale secret society that deals with occult activities.
Doctorate candidate Pamela Dawes comes to Galaxy’s aid in the rescue mission and assumes a supportive role. Detective Turner of the New Haven Police Department also becomes involved in Darlington’s missing persons case, as well as various other murder cases related to Yale’s secret societies, serving as the liaison between the Lethe Society and the police department. Pamela, Turner, and Alex descend into hell together, each playing a key role in the rescue of Darlington.
This book would pair deliciously with tres leches cake. Tres leches translates to ‘three milks,’ symbolizing the characters from different backgrounds with distinct strengths coming together to create a unified final product or joint effort.
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The Library of the Unwritten by A.J. Hackwith and Crumb Cake
Claire is the head librarian of the Unwritten Wing, which is a neutral space in hell. Her main job is managing the unfinished stories written by past authors and preventing the characters from coming to life and attempting to escape the library. A hero escapes from his book and tries to search for his author, and all hell breaks loose — pun intended.
She journeys in search of this on-the-run hero with Brevity and demon courier Leto, but the mission does not go according to plan when an angel accuses them of possessing the Devil’s Bible.
This read would pair well with crumb cake because the plot of this novel feels like everything is falling apart for the protagonist after having such a stable and mundane purpose in hell. The fragile crumb topping is like the chaos that ensues, and the firmer cake parallels Claire’s life before having to deal with this troublesome hero on the run.
A Short Stay in Hell by Steven L. Peck and Chocolate Lava Cake
Unlike myself and most book lovers, Soren Johansson’s personal hell is a vast library. The character practiced the Mormon faith and had always imagined the day he would meet his creator; however, the God he encounters in this novel does not align with his beliefs. Soren is sent to hell, which takes the form of a never-ending library, where he must confront the crushing reality that everything he once believed contradicts the faith he dedicated his life to.
Chocolate lava cake perfectly complements the central theme explored in this novel. Before death, Soren believed the concept of heaven and hell to be everything he thought it would be, which is represented by the seemingly normal outside appearance of a chocolate molten lava cake. What he received is symbolized by the surprising gooey chocolate center that turned his worldview upside down.
Sign Here by Claudia Lux and Marble Cake
This brilliant debut novel also centers on a protagonist who works in one of hell’s many departments. The protagonist acts like a grim reaper figure: Peyote Trip works in the deals department on the fifth floor of hell, and he crafts a plan that depends upon the last member of the Harrison family to sell their soul. While the concept of death is dark, Lux does not shy away from including humor in her work. Peyote’s motivation for acquiring the last Harrison family soul is that he is on the brink of a promotion in hell, lending the setting of hell a bureaucratic and capitalistic feel.
Readers of this book must pair it with marble cake because this novel is the best of both worlds. The dark ambiance of hell and the humorous concepts the author weaves into this narrative seem too disparate to work well together, much like the vanilla and chocolate swirl in a marble cake, but the result is truly magical.
Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Gerald Brom
Travel back in time to Puritan England with the gripping novel Slewfoot. The colonists call an ancient demonic spirit that reemerges in the woods Slewfoot. Recently widowed, Abitha turns to this devil for help. She catalyzes the conflict between Pagans and Puritans, putting the quaint Connecticut village and the massacre of the townspeople at risk. This novel truly is an immersive experience, as Brom includes over two dozen of his own paintings in color throughout the narrative.
A dessert loosely inspired by the Puritan era, such as a classic pound cake and a fruit topping would provide a fully immersive dessert experience. Banbury cake was a dessert highly favored by the Puritans. It is a pastry filled with spiced currants and also could include brown sugar or dried fruit. This plain yet delicious dessert calls back to this era and will certainly set the mood for your reading.
Darker By Four by June C.L. Tan and Funfetti Cake
This YA fantasy novel by June C.L. Tan presents a narrative involving hell that sets it apart from other books on this list. It follows three characters and their struggles. Yiran is born into a high-born family but is looked down upon because he does not possess magic. Rui has magical powers that she intends to use to avenge her mother’s death, but an accident occurs that transfers these powers to Yiran. Nikai is a reaper who serves the Fourth King of Hell while the underworld is in the midst of falling apart due to the missing king.
As the storylines of these characters converge, the lines between hell and earth become blurred, leading readers to an action-filled and attention-grabbing plot. Tan includes elements of Chinese diasporic folklore in this novel, further enriching its meaning and thematic explorations.
Funfetti cake goes great with this book. While it isn’t necessarily a lighthearted read, it is definitely a fun one that will keep you on your toes, and you’ll feel like celebrating finding a YA read that is this good. The magic systems, folklore, and characters in this book will have you hooked from the beginning.
The North Wind by Alexandria Warwick and Red Velvet Cake
To all the Greek mythology fanatics out there, you’ll definitely want to add The North Wind by Alexandria Warwick to the top of your TBR. If you live for a retelling of timeless myths, this loose interpretation of Hades and Persephone will rock your (under)world.
The main female protagonist, Wren, is tasked with protecting her sisters throughout the ruthless winter. At the same time, legends suggest that their home will soon be under imminent threat as the barrier between the town and the deadlands weakens. Only the blood of a mortal woman married to North Wind, an eternal being, can save the village by regaining its protection, and that woman is Wren. Evidently, the influence of Greek mythology is apparent as the author chooses to enhance the fantastical winter ambiance.
Red velvet cake represents the retelling of Greek mythology. In this scenario, the original Hades and Persephone myth is akin to chocolate cake, and The North Wind is red velvet cake. While the original myth serves as the blueprint, The North Wind has its own flavor profile, drawing inspiration from the same source material. At the same time, the author puts her own spin on the plot and characters.
God’s Demon by Wayne Barlowe and Devil’s Food Cake
In this heavy, dark fantasy novel, all angels are damned to hell as a result of Lucifer’s War, and demons who suffered in heaven have established an oppressive regime within hell. Heaven’s former warriors rule and torture damned souls, which brings to light the theme of class struggles and hierarchy. However, one ruler remembers his former life in heaven and does not carry out his oppressive rule happily. He is disgusted by how far he has fallen from his relationship with God and sacrifices his new life of power and rulership in an attempt to return home.
This novel is best paired with devil’s food cake. Come on, you know we had to include this one at some point. On a non-punny note, the rich social commentary that this novel provides is why an equally rich devil’s food cake is the perfect pairing. This novel uses the concepts of heaven and hell as a parable for war, oppression, hierarchy, and class struggles in the mortal realm.
Wounds: Six Stories from the Border of Hell by Nathan Ballingrud and a Cupcake Sampler
The author of Wounds: Six Stories from the Border of Hell employs short narratives, including the novella The Visible Filth, to explore the concept of the known versus the unknown. Every story has elements of hell, and Ballingrud diverges from the stereotypical depictions of the underworld that often involve flames and devils. His primary focus is on insanity inducing hellscapes with inhuman qualities. Through all of these works, Ballingrud introduces readers to a new interpretation of hell through various well-written narratives. First, read this collection of terrifying short stories, then watch Wounds, the film adaptation of The Visible Filth!
Short stories are perfect for exploring different themes, plots, and characters, while they are all united under one author and usually a singular overarching idea or concept. Like a cupcake sampler, they may all be different flavors, and you may enjoy some more than others, but they are all still delicious and bingeable cupcakes.
Whether you’re reading about the devils or angels, a perfect sweet treat that matches your current read is essential. When it is time to pick your next read, indulge your sweet tooth and your darkest reading desires with these wicked yet sweet combinations.
Looking for more super sweet book pairings? Read our article pairing the sweetest chocolate bars with amazing novels here.
Check out our Bookshop shelves for more horror and fantasy recommendations.
