We are spoilt with the amount of fantasy and romantasy books that are out there, and yet in the second half of the year we have even more to get excited about. Here are 5 books you should make sure to pre-order now!
There about a million sequels on the way for romantasy and fantasy series that I love (hello a very busy second half of the year, make sure to go check out Sacha's blog on Everything You Need to Know About ACOTAR before the next ones arrive!). To help keep your TBR fresh, with some new exciting books and authors on there, these are 5 of the pre-orders that are either standalone books or the start to a brand new series!
1. Steelborn by Taylor J. La Rue
Steelborn is about a world ruled by tyrants and thieves and Reya, our Crimson Dagger, is the most notorious thief in a place where magic is outlawed and dangerous things are brewing below the surface.Her story gets tangled with an immortal warrior, Carlan, who's is relying on this unlikely heroine.
This enemies to lovers slow burn style romantasy is perfect if you've enjoyed Quicksilver or When the Moon Hatched!
Lizzy's Thoughts:
This one takes top place because I've already been lucky enough to read an ARC (advance readers copy) and I had the BEST time. I was hitting a point of feeling a bit burnt out on romantasy (oh what a tough life) and this reminded me how much I enjoy an excellent fantasy adventure story along with a well paced romance.
I also love a female main character who is smart and confident and although may make questionable decisions at times is quite different to the women we often encounter in stories like these.
2. Theodora's Tea Shop by Christy Anne Jones
Theodora's Tea Shop is a unique debut fantasy novel set in a 1920s inspired city where secrets hum below the city streets, shops hide witches, and unlikely friends come together in a tea shop peddling magic spells.
If you love the quirky characters and action of Howl's Moving Castle then this is worth adding to your TBR!
'Theodora's Tea Shop doesn't hold back its punches or its hugs. A tale full to bursting with vibrant, achingly struggling (and prevailing!) characters, and a landscape of spirits and spells that weaves together a delightful and whimsical world.' Lynn Buchanan, author of The Dollmakers
Lizzy's Thoughts:
I have followed Christy Anne Jones and her writing journey since the first days when she was drafting this novel, so it's extremely exciting to have an ARC in my hands which I am currently half way through!
This has moments of coziness but really it's quite a harrowing story about a young witch trying to find the help she needs to learn magic and deal with her past. It's full of a cast of really rather beautifully imagined characters, and the whole atmosphere of the novel feels unique and full of texture. It's a stunning debut, and I'm so excited for more people to be reading it.
3. Castle and the Cloister
The first in a political fantasy duology (Daughters of Light) The Castle and the Cloister is a novel that follows a wet nurse, a priest, and a heretic queen, whose lives intertwine as they try to alter the future of their continent.
Perfect if you love High Fantasy like The Priory of the Orange Tree with its beautifully complex world building or the character driven stories from Robin Hobb.
Edd's Thoughts:
All in all, a rich, satisfying read and I'm already keen for book two
This one reminded me a lot of The Priory of the Orange Tree, but with a bit more breathing space to let the story unfold. The world-building is a real strength, communicating the history and politics of the region without ever tipping into heavy exposition, instead unfolding naturally as you read. This is paired with genuinely believable characters navigating layers of political manoeuvring, all told through beautiful prose and dialogue.
The setting itself can be a bit grim, but that's nicely balanced by viewpoint characters who are all fundamentally good people trying to do the right thing, which gives the book a surprisingly uplifting feel despite the darker backdrop.
There's a strong romance subplot with a touch of spice, which added a nice extra layer without overtaking the main plot. All in all, a rich, satisfying read and I'm already keen for book two.
4. Runebreaker
Runebreaker is for all the ACOTAR girlies,
One of our wonderful community reviewers, Jade, read the ARC for this and as soon as I saw her 5 star review come through I added it on to my own wishlist!
Jade's Thoughts:
Runebreaker by Mila Finch is a fast paced action packed read in the romantasy genre. A debut novel that left me speechless at the end. I couldn’t stop reading this. Just one more chapter turned into me closing the book and finishing it in less than a day!
I loved the rune magic system, I found it quite unique and I was intrigued. The FMC Aelie, can break runes in a fae based world, which no one else is able to do. I feel like there could have been a little bit more world building but I think this may come in book 2! This is a book you want to go into without knowing too much about it.
The book has many tropes, consisting of enemies to lovers, forced proximity, slow burn, touch her and die to name a few, but I am a sucker for these and just honestly devoured this book. I haven’t felt this way about a book in a long time, it definitely reminds me of ACOTAR.
This is the romantasy of the year!
5. A Time of Witches
A mesmerizing story about two witches who are bound together by magic across centuries. A dual perspective fantasy where one character lives in the 1600s during the English Witch Trials, and the other lives in the present-day and is being plagued by unexplained dreams.
If you like books by Deborah Harkness, Alix E. Harrow's The Once and Future Witches, or Emilia Hart's Weyward, A Time of Witches is one you should add to your own TBR (or pre-order!).
Lizzy's Thoughts:
As someone who loved Alice Hoffman's historical witchy novels this sounds right up my alley. I immediately moved it up my TBR after reading about the huge amount of research that author, Madeline Martin, did during the writing of this story. Traveling to both Savannah USA, and the UK, she explored the two main settings for this story and asked many questions to really create the depth and detail required of an excellent interwoven historical fantasy.
I love reading about the Witch Trials but sometimes straight up historical fiction can be a bit much for me so the combination of history, fantasy, and a contemporary storyline too about Lilith who is dealing with the death of her mother and the strange magical things that keep happening to her (along with the recurring nightmare about being burnt at the stake!) sounds like the perfect combo for me.
Honorable Mentions
There were far more than 5 new exciting fantasy and romantasy titles on the way so below are some of my honourable mentions!
I am very intrigued by E L James (of Fifty Shades fame) getting into the world of romantasy/paranormal romance with Land of Ghosts, and Hopeless Romantic by Shiloh Briar looks like a fun debut romantasy full of fun as well as tenderness.
The Emperor's Enemy by Jasmine Mas is the first in a new duology that sounds right up my alley with the promise of enemies to lovers romance and a gorgeous cover. Apparently he's a royal mage with a body count and she's a stubborn, skilled hunter who is out to destroy the empire. Sold.
Lovers of the Plated Prisoner series (Same!) will also be excited to hear that we are getting a brand new series from Raven Kennedy, this time inspired by the Pied Piper?? The Sweetest Fiend is a dark romatasy full of romance and mature themes (yes please) that comes out in September.
Which one is calling your name? Let us know what is jumping on to your TBR list!
Lizzy makes sure the Book Hero bookstore is an integral part of our local Hobsonville community, welcoming readers of all ages with a genuine kindness and love of books. The Fantastic Mr Fox ignited her passion for books as a child, and now she’s read thousands of books and loves matching the right book to the right reader - both in our bookstore and online. When she’s not recommending her next favourite read, she’s enjoying life’s small joys and adding to a home library so large her husband Edd is constructing a massive bookshelf to try and keep up.