For Readers: Blog

Dragons, enemies to lovers, and more…

Spice up your reading by checking out a book from a popular new genre: romantasy. Romantasy has the best of both fantasy and romance. Check out one of these books today and lose yourself in the captivating worldbuilding of a fantasy book, familiar romance tropes, and steamy love stories. 

Rebecca Yarros creates a rich world in Fourth Wing where people train to become a dragon rider at the deadly Basgiath War College. Violet is pressured by her mother, General Sorrengail, to join the Riders Squadrant. Violet is warned to be careful around wingleader, Xaden Riorson. Her mother oversaw Xaden’s father’s execution, and he is dangerous. As they spend more time together, Violet’s respect and attraction for Xaden grows. Violet must prove that she has what it takes to survive. She is faced with a difficult choice when she realizes that her mother and the military are keeping treacherous secrets. Fans of A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik will love the worldbuilding and strong characters in Fourth Wing. [e-book | print | audiobook]

The Hurricane Wars is an exciting debut novel by Thea Guanzon. Talasyn has spent her entire life fighting against the Night Empire. When she learns the truth about her family, she is thrown into a world of political subterfuge. Talasyn must work together with Prince Alaric of the Night Empire to face an unseen enemy. Guanzon’s novel is full of an imaginative world, an enemies-to-lovers romance, and a classic slow-burn. If you enjoyed The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma, you won’t want to miss Guanzon’s fantasy novel. [e-book | print | audiobook]

Jennifer L. Armentrout blends romance and fantasy in From Blood and Ash. Poppy is a Maiden who is destined to live a solitary life, and the future of the realm is in her hands. Her friendship with a guard named Hawke causes her to reevaluate her beliefs and dreams for her future. As the political and religious leaders fight for power, Poppy has to decide if she will do her duty. This action-packed book is full of worldbuilding and strong characters. Fans of Sarah J. Maas will fall in love with this series. [e-book | print]

In The City of Stardust by Georgia Summers, the Everly family is cursed by the mysterious Penelope. The curse causes one talented member of each generation of the Everly family to disappear. Violet Everly is given the chance to break the curse; she is given ten years to find her mother. As Violet explores the underworld searching for her mother, she meets magical and dangerous creatures. When Violet meets Aleksander, Penelope’s assistant, she finds herself growing close to him even though she knows he is dangerous. Will Violet ever discover the truth about what caused the curse and save her mother? [print]

Fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout will enjoy The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten, a dark romantasy set in a world where death magic, religion, and politics are intertwined. Lore’s life of anonymity and relative safety vanishes when her power to raise the dead is discovered. The powerful religious sect called the Presque Mort imprisons Lore and manipulates her into working for them. Lore is given a fake identity as the cousin of Gabriel, member of the Presque Mort and an ex-duke, to help her with the ambitious task of spying on Prince Bastian. Readers will be immersed in this series with an unforgettable heroine and a classic love triangle. [e-book | print]

In A Fate Inked in Blood, Danielle L. Jensen creates a rich world set in Skaland where individuals born with the blood of a god are granted powers. Freya has to hide the fact that she is a child of Hlin to protect her family. When her husband betrays her to Jarl Snorri, she has to activate her powers for the first time to survive a fight to the death with Bjorn, Jarl Snorri's son. Freya has to navigate her new situation as Jarl Snorri’s prisoner and try to hide her forbidden attraction to Bjorn. Freya finds herself being used by the men in her life to fulfill a prophecy that was foretold about the daughter of Hlin. Will Freya be able to make her own fate? This action-packed book is perfect for fans of Lilith Saintcrow. [e-book | print]

⏤Jessica