26 Most Anticipated Fantasy + Romantasy Novels Releasing in 2026 that You’ll Want on Your Shelf
A new year means incredible new reads to discover and a return to some of your favorite worlds. When I sat down to pull this list together, I realized there are so many highly anticipated sequels coming out this year again! I’m pretty excited about some debut authors to discover, as well as some sophomore offerings from debut authors I enjoyed last year, so there’s plenty to keep your TBR growing. I’ve collected 26 of my most anticipated reads in Fantasy and Romantasy coming out this year that I believe you’ll also potentially love. I’m sensing a trend of dragon shifters and continuing the historical fiction fantasy boom this year, and as it’s one of my favorite subgenres of fantasy, I’m not mad about it. My fellow book collector’s will also be pleased to see so many sprayed edges for the first edition print runs. This has completely become a standard thing now, and while I sometimes feel like it’s made it less special, it’s also made it a LOT more accessible to have beautiful books in your collection. Still thanking Red Tower Books for this craze in the U.S. and my shelves are certainly prettier for it.
The list below is organized by release date, and what a shocker, we get to start the year more DRAGONS as well as a dark fantasy for Cdrama lovers. What are you adding to your TBR this year?
A War of Wyverns by S.F. Williamson
Release Date: January 6th
The Sequel to A Language of Dragons, which I wasn’t even sure we were going to get, but I am so excited to be back in this world. Talking dragons, villains to loathe, and an alternate historical fiction set in London and beyond?! YES, please! Want to catch my review of book one? Read it here.
Synopsis:
“Rebellion happens in the shadows. In the sequel to the New York Times bestseller A Language of Dragons, language is the greatest weapon in a war between humans and dragons—and one translator has the power to change the world. Perfect for teen fans of Fourth Wing and Babel.
Who is Vivien Featherswallow?
It’s the question on the lips of every human and dragon in Britannia, and even she doesn’t know the answer. Is she the Swallow, the face of the rebellion against the corrupt government and invading Bulgarian dragons? Is she a brasstongue, a translator on the cusp of discovering a new dragon language? Or is she just Viv, the girl who lost the love of her life after playing spy?
Viv isn’t sure, but she knows she has to fight back.
Armed with a machine that allows her to listen to dragons’ thoughts, a diary with the clues of a never-before translated dragon tongue, and her own need to avenge her lost love, Viv seeks out the elusive Hebridean Wyverns. If she can find them and convince them to join the war, the rebellion might have a chance.
Viv will soon realize that while translation is a weapon, it might not help her on her journey to victory—or to finding herself.”
The Swan’s Daughter by Roshani Chokshi
Release Date: January 6th
This seems…like there’s going to be some good banter. Plus, I need a good romantasy standalone.
Synopsis:
“In this lush and enchanting novel from New York Times bestselling author Roshani Chokshi, a prince is only as good as his beating heart and a maiden is only as good as her honest word. But when love and the truth become impossibly tangled, the two must figure out how to survive together, or fall completely apart.
To find love is a curse ...
Prince Arris knows that marriage means murder. Thanks to a poorly worded wish to a sea witch, all one needs to rule the Isle of Malys is the heart and hand of the kingdom’s heir. Historically, this has been construed quite literally.
Thus, Arris expects that the day after his marriage and murder he will wake up as a sentient tree alongside the rest of his predecessors. His only chance at a long life is finding true and lasting love. When Arris's parents announce a tournament of brides to compete for his hand and heart, a slew of eligible, lovely and (possibly murderous) bachelorettes make their way to Rathe Castle. Amidst glittering balls in ozorald caves, strolls through menageries of daydream trees and pearl crocodiles, tea time on glass boats and kisses that leave his head spinning, Arris cannot tell who is here out of love for him…or lust for power.
Until he meets Demelza.
As a veritas swan, Demelza’s song wrings out the truth. Forced into hiding, Demelza strikes a deal. Arris will provide her with safekeeping in exchange for her truth-telling song to sort through his potential brides.
While Arris is used to dodging death threats and Demelza is accustomed to fighting for her voice to be heard, to survive the tournament of brides requires a different kind of bravery. And perhaps the bravest thing one can do is not merely protect one’s life, but find the courage to chase a life worth living.”
Dragon Cursed by Elise Kova
Release Date: January 6th
More dragons, you say?! Yes, please. P.S. This is a YA Romantasy from Entangled Publishing’s new YA imprint, Mayhem Books.
Synopsis:
”Since the dragons emerged–along with the scourge that ravaged our lands and people–there’s only one human city that remains standing: Vinguard.
But the hellfire from above is nothing compared to the threat from within. For there is no worse fate than being dragon cursed. Slowly and excruciatingly, you’ll be transformed into a mindless beast who destroys everything–and everyone–you love.
Any of us could be tainted. Any of us could be lying. Any of us could be caught and killed by the authorities.
And I’m terrified that I might be next.
There’s only one other person who might suspect my secret. He’s like my shadow, following me wherever I go. Part protector, part tormentor, fully annoying. Sometimes I think I am just one of the million unfathomable secrets he keeps hidden.
Because Lucan definitely knows something.
And if I’m dragon cursed, death might be the only mercy I get.”
Graceless Heart by Isabel Ibañez
Release Date: January 13th
My current read as I’m writing this blog post, and I’m having a great time so far. If historical fiction fantasy, and period dramas are your thing, I think you’ll enjoy it. Plus, this book is truly STUNNING in person.
Synopsis:
“LOVE IS THE MOST DANGEROUS MAGIC.
As a sculptress, Ravenna Maffei has always shaped beauty from stone but she has a terrible secret. Desperate to save her brother, she enters a competition hosted by Florence’s most feared immortal family, revealing a dark power in a city where magic is forbidden.
Now a captive in the cutthroat city of Florence, Ravenna is forced into a dangerous task where failure meets certain death at the hands of Saturnino dei Luni, the immortal family's mesmerizing but merciless heir. But as he draws her closer, Ravenna realizes the true threat lies beyond Florence’s walls.
The Pope’s war against magic is closing in, and Ravenna is no longer just a prisoner but a prize to be claimed. As trusting the wrong person becomes lethal, Ravenna must survive the treacherous line between a pope's obsession and the seductive immortal who might be the end of her ― or surrender her power to a city on the brink of war.”
The Poet Empress by Shen Tao
Release Date: January 20th
They had me at “for the Cdrama lovers…” I am SO excited to read this one. I’ve been binging Cdramas for MONTHS, and this seems like it’s going to be lots of political intrigue. AND it’s a debut author. I’ve heard it gets pretty dark, so check trigger warnings.
Synopsis:
“Debut author Shen Tao introduces readers to the lush, deadly world of The Poet Empress, a sweeping, epic and intimate fantasy perfect for fans of The Serpent & the Wings of Night, The Song of Achilles and She Who Became the Sun.
Wei Yin is desperate. After the fifth death of a sibling, with her family and village on the brink of starvation, she will do anything to save those she loves.
Even offer herself as concubine to the cruel, dissolute heir of the blood-gutted Azalea House―where poetry magic is power, but women are forbidden to read.
But in a twist of fate, the palace now stands on the knife-edge of civil war, with Wei trapped in its center. . . with a violent prince.
To save herself and the nation, she must survive the dangers of court, learn to read in secret, and compose the most powerful spell of all. A ballad of love. . . and death.”
A Stage Set for Villains by Shannon J. Spann
Release Date: February 3rd
This is another debut author, plus it’s the debut book for Entangled’s new imprint, Mayhem Books. And Villains?!
Synopsis:
“The gods are dead. All that’s left are the Players…
The performers of the Playhouse are as worshipped as they are feared, their enchanting shows bending hearts, minds, and even reality itself. Vicious, godlike, lethal. Eighteen-year-old Riven Hesper knows the dangers better than anyone, after her own encounter with a Player resulted in a curse that is slowly killing her.
When the Playhouse announces the spectacle of a lifetime―a chance for one mortal to steal a Player’s immortality―Riven sees her last chance to live. Desperate for answers, she infiltrates the competition. There, she finds Jude, the Playhouse’s brilliant, merciless Lead Player, whose charm is as dangerous as his Craft, and strikes a deadly bargain to save her life.
But with time running out and the Playhouse’s secrets unraveling into a disturbing picture, Riven faces a grim possibility: she might not be the hero of her story after all. In fact, she may be the villain.
Because the Playhouse doesn’t just tell stories. It rewrites them.
And Riven’s might end in blood.
Caraval meets One Dark Window in this lush and dark fantasy.”
Dawn of the North by Demi Winters
Release Date: February 6th
It’s actually embarrassing that I haven’t read this series yet! It’s been so high on my TBR forever. Vikings? Romance? Quests? This is book three, btw, and I believe there’s going to be five when it’s completed.
Synopsis:
“The lost Volsik heir has finally returned to the people of Íseldur, and even with the warrior who’s captured her heart standing by her side, Silla’s task is monumental. She must earn the loyalty of the northern jarls to drive Ivar Ironheart from the throne and restore peace in the kingdom. But the secret she vigilantly guards threatens to ruin all her plans: A shard of a god lives in her mind, twisting her thoughts and deeds to His will.
Meanwhile, held captive on the mysterious isle of Zagadka, Saga Volsik fights to return to her sister in Íseldur. But when King Ivar sets his sights on the Zagadkians, she’s forced to make an impossible choice: fight for the man who stole her—and is now hell-bent on marrying her—or let the innocent people of his kingdom die.
As a poisonous mist threatens the realm, the sisters will delve into the unknowns of their magic to battle against evil. Return to the land of ice and fire, where a god awakens, a queen finds her power, and sisters must unite against the darkness threatening their realm.”
The Astral Library by Kate Quinn
Release Date: February 17th
I love a good portal fantasy, and especially books about books.
Synopsis:
”A gorgeously written fantastical adventure which poses the question: Have you ever wished you could live inside a book? Welcome to the Astral Library, where books are not just objects, but doors to new worlds, new lives, and new futures.
Alexandria “Alix” Watson has learned one lesson from her barren childhood in the foster-care system: unlike people, books will never let you down. Working three dead-end jobs to make ends meet and knowing college is a pipe dream, Alix takes nightly refuge in the high-vaulted reading room at the Boston Public Library, escaping into her favorite fantasy novels and dreaming of far-off lands. Until the day she stumbles through a hidden door and meets the Librarian: the ageless, acerbic guardian of a hidden library where the desperate and the lost escape to new lives...inside their favorite books.
The Librarian takes a dazzled Alix under her wing, but before she can escape into the pages of her new life, a shadowy enemy emerges to threaten everyone the Astral Library has ever helped protect. Aided by a dashing costume-shop owner, Alix and the Librarian flee through the Regency drawing rooms of Jane Austen to the back alleys of Sherlock Holmes and the champagne-soaked parties of The Great Gatsby as danger draws inexorably closer. But who does their enemy really wish to destroy—Alix, the Librarian, or the Library itself?”
The Ruins Beneath Us by Sasha E. Sloan
Release Date: March 3rd
I’ve followed Sasha on TikTok for years, and watched her Noble House of Black YT series with her family, so I was so excited to hear she was writing her own Romantasy novel. She’s been sharing her creative journey on Booktok, and I’m looking forward to seeing if the story lives up to the gorgeous cover and sprayed edges!
Synopsis:
“This first book in a romantasy duology by TikTok star Sasha E. Sloan combines a compelling love triangle, luscious worldbuilding, and spellbinding magic to deliver a debut with everything romantasy readers crave.
Young elf Lyria has spent her life in hiding while a dangerous war brews between the elven kingdom and human world. Now eighteen, she has grown restless hiding on the outskirts of the forest that surrounds the human world. One day, while her mother is away, Lyria hears a boy in the forest calling for help and rescues him from certain death. Unbeknownst to her, the boy, Finn, is the crowned Prince, and he wants Lyria to become the kingdom’s royal apothecary!
Terrified that Finn is going to discover she’s an elf and she used magic to heal him while he was unconscious, Lyria struggles to fit in with the human kingdom while also hiding her identity. At court, she meets the jaded Head Healer, Cygnus, who is cold, highly suspicious of her, and constantly questions her abilities. But earth-shattering secrets can’t lay dormant forever, and after Lyria and Cygnus discover a dark and sinister world hidden underneath the palace, Lyria must decide once and for all who—if anyone—she should trust.”
The Book of Fallen Leaves by A.S. Tamaki
Release Date: March 17th
I’m sorry…’Shogun meets Game of Thrones’? Immediately yes. Epic fantasy and historical fiction? Vengeance? I could not be more excited for this read.
Synopsis:
“Sen Hoshiakari is an exiled prince of a clan that lost everything in his father's failed rebellion. Deprived of his birthright, Sen is determined to restore his family's lands and honor at any cost. Rui is a peasant girl who saved Sen's life on the night his family were put to the sword. But now, she is adrift and unsure of her place in the world, not knowing that the gods themselves have plans for her …
As civil war throws the empire into chaos, and demons seek vengeance on the living, Sen and Rui must fight for both their clan and their shared future … But vengeance demands a bloody price.”
Wolf Worm by T. Kingfisher
Release Date: March 24th
At this point, I am officially a T. Kingfisher stan. They’re 100% an autobuy author for me and I’ve yet to read one of their books that I didn’t enjoy. Not sure what to expect, but I know it’ll probably be slightly creepy, definitely unique, and have characters I’ll completely fall in love with.
Synopsis:
“Sonia Wilson is a talented scientific illustrator―but she is only able to follow her dream because of her father’s reputation as a renowned scientist. Such is the lot in life for a woman in science in 1899. And after his death, she is left without work, prospects, or hope.
So when the reclusive Dr. Halder offers her a position illustrating his vast collection of insects, Sonia jumps at the chance to move to his North Carolina manor house and put her talents to use.
Once there though, she encounters dark happenings in the Carolina woods, and even darker questions come to light, like what happened to her predecessor? Why are animals acting so strangely, and what is behind the peculiar local whispers about “blood thiefs?”
With the aid of the housekeeper and a local healer, Sonia discovers that Halder’s entomological studies have taken him down a twisted road. His ground-breaking discoveries come with a cost―one that Halder is paying with human flesh.”
Empire of Flame and Thorns by Marion Blackwood
Release Date: March 31st
The first book in a new Romantasy series with dragon shifters and fae?! Do I think it’s going to be super original? Probably not. But it sounds like a good time.
Synopsis:
“Trapped in the Seelie Court by a forest of thorns, Selena Hale lives at the mercy of the dragon shifters. Her only chance to gain her freedom is by entering the Atonement Trials: a deadly competition that pits fae magic users against each other. Only three people can win, and Selena intends to be one of them.
There is only one problem. Draven Ryat, the ruthless commander of the dragon shifter army, is determined to make her lose.
He symbolizes everything that she hates, and if he finds out that she is also a member of the secret fae rebellion, he will not only mess with her chances to win, he will kill her. But the more time she spends with him, the more she finds herself inexplicably drawn to him.
And nothing is more dangerous in a lethal trial than a distracted heart.
Especially one that beats for the enemy…”
Bloodsinger by Juliette Cross
Release Date: April 7th
The first book in this series was somewhat of a controversial release last year. It does contain dark subject matter, including slavery in ancient Rome, so keep that in mind before reading. But if dragon shifters in ancient Rome, revenge plots, and romance are your thing, you might enjoy this spicy Romantasy series.
Synopsis:
“A spellbinding gift...
A plea answered by the gods...
An unforgiving world where dragons rule Rome.
Lela Bihari’s village was invaded on her wedding night, her betrothed murdered right in front of her. While her sisters were either dragged away or escaped, Lela was sold to Valerius, a consul of Rome.
When she tried to kill Valerius her first night as his slave, her bloodsinger gift manifested… and she was punished for it. Now she’s paraded in front of the other senators for their amusement.
But Trajan Tiberius, the newly elected tribune to the senate, is different. He has no love for the brutality around him. When he frees Lela from enslavement and hides her, Lela is set on a path of vengeance, and using her gift puts her in more danger than ever before.
Now trapped inside the walls of Rome while deathriders circle the skies, how can she possibly trust a Roman dragon? Especially when it is clear Trajan has ulterior schemes of his own? As her powers grow stronger, danger draws closer, and Lela realizes it isn't just her life at stake, but also her heart.
Bloodsinger is an adult romantasy novel that contains dark themes, including slavery in Ancient Rome and self-injury, which may be uncomfortable for some readers.”
The Thorn Queen by Sasha Peyton Smith
Release Date: April 14th
The sequel to The Rose Bargain (catch my review of book one here). I’m looking forward to this YA alternate history with magic sequel. There’s also going to be a limited edition deluxe version!
Synopsis:
“Having won the hand of the faerie King Bram, Ivy is now Queen of England.
But with his ascension to the throne, Bram unleashed the fae into the human world. After hundreds of years of being kept from their favorite playthings, the Others are looking to make up for lost time—and they do, with wicked revelry that sweeps through the country.
To survive, Ivy acts the sweet, devoted wife. Behind the smile, she plots to banish her husband, save her sister Lydia, and reunite with the love of her life, Emmett.
Yet Emmet and Lydia are trapped in the Otherworld, where fae games are deadlier than ever—and a queen must play most viciously of all. Or see herself dethroned.”
Bloodbound by Ellis Hunter
Release Date: April 28th
Ok, aside from the gorgeous reversible cover and sprayed edges, this is apparently the year of dragons (I know, I know, it’s actually the year of the Horse), but there are so many dragon romance books coming out.
Synopsis:
“You duel or you die.
Astrid has always known she is destined to die. She is the last Nachstern witch and heir to the Queendom of Arturea, cursed by a centuries-old covenant to duel the heir to the Kingdom of Vatra for the source of all magic: the Heart. And now Astrid’s time is up. She is heading into enemy territory to face Prince Zryan, the most powerful dragon rider in eons, with only her familiar, her potions, and her wits to aid her. She is going to die, and any chance her queendom has of curing the Blight that’s ravaging the lands and killing her people will die with her.
Meanwhile, deep in dragon country, Skylar and her travelling troupe arrive in Vatra’s capital, ready to profit off the legions of spectators swarming to the city ahead of the duel. She despises the royals and all they stand for, especially as the King’s guard murdered her mother. But when her best friend disappears, suspected to have been taken in the conscription, her search takes her closer to the royals than she ever could have imagined.
As the duel looms over the kingdom, Skylar and Astrid’s fates intertwine. They must battle a growing rebellion, their inner demons, and ultimately, those they love most, to determine if together they will save—or doom—their world.”
The Tricky Business of Faerie Bargains by Reena McCarty
Release Date: May 5th
If you’ve been following this book blog for a while, you know I struggle with cozy fantasy and it’s very hit or miss for me. But that doesn’t keep me from reaching for them over and over again. I’m hopeful this one will be great!
Synopsis:
“A former changeling must return to the land of the Fae in this delightful debut packed full of wit, charm, adventure and heart, with a dash of magical bureaucracy and a sprinkling of romance.
When Poppy Hill was a child she was stolen from her family's Montana homestead and taken 'Otherside' to the land of the fae, where she spent more than a century as a cook in the Wild King's castle. Now back in the human world, she works for a company that brokers fairy bargains, looking for loopholes in their contracts.
But when a bargain that Poppy is negotiating goes disastrously wrong she has to return to the world she grew up in to try to rectify her mistake, facing danger, intrigue and a pesky ex-boyfriend along the way.”
The Tapestry of Fate: An Amina al-Sirafi Adventure by Shannon Chakraborty
Release Date: May 12th
This is motivation for me to finally pick up The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi from my shelf! Lady pirates?! Enough said.
Synopsis:
“New York Times bestselling author Shannon Chakraborty sets sail into the second adventure of pirate Amina al-Sirafi as her quest to track down magical artifacts brings her to the island lair of a sorceress whose woven enchantments are impossible to flee.
Amina al-Sirafi thinks she’s struck gold. Tasked with hunting down arcane artifacts for the council of immortal peris, she can savor the occasional rollicking adventure on the high seas with her cherished criminal companions while still returning home to raise her beloved daughter, Marjana. But when Raksh, the spirit of discord with whom she is reluctantly wed, provokes the council’s wrath, Amina is charged with a seemingly impossible quest: steal a spindle capable of rewriting fate from a mysterious sorceress on an island no one can escape.
Forced to leave Marjana—who is increasingly frustrated at being peddled what are clearly lies about her mother’s life and her own past—Amina finds her mission almost immediately thrown into peril. But deadly storms, an erratic poison mistress, and old enemies are the least of her worries. For the peris’ story is unraveling, hinting at a far deadlier game whose rules Amina must swiftly puzzle out. A game that sets her against an adversary more cunning and powerful than she has ever faced.”
A Kiss of Crimson Ash by Anuja Varghese
Release Date: May 26th
I’ve really been enjoying non-Western fantasy books the past few years, and I’m SO excited for this one! Found family and Romance?! Yes, please.
Synopsis:
“Inspired by medieval India’s most epic love stories, this debut Romantasy blends rich storytelling, lush worldbuilding, and spice of every variety. Perfect for fans of Nisha J. Tuli and Tasha Suri.
Nandapore is a city of secrets and spellcasters where seduction reigns and a power-hungry king is never satisfied, plotting to unleash a weapon that has only lived in myth… until now.
To stop him, an ancient goddess seeks out a newly crowned queen, a heartsick prince, a common thief, and a courtesan with magic in her blood. Together, they chart a course through brothels, temples, taverns, and palaces, setting a trap for the empire’s most powerful men.
Linked by desire, destiny, and a dangerous foe, they each must decide...
What will they risk for a weapon worth dying for, and a love worth staying alive?”
Seek the Traitor’s Son by Veronica Roth
Release Date: May 12th
Have we forgiven Veronica Roth for the Divergent ending yet? I didn’t have the best luck with Dystopian Romantasy last year, so I’m hoping this one is better!
Synopsis:
“An epic, romantic dystopian fantasy begins in Seek the Traitor's Son, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth
Elegy Ahn did not ask for destiny to find her.
She is happy with her life as a soldier, defending her small country from the Talusar, a powerful nation who worships a deadly Fever. A fever that blesses half of its victims with mysterious gifts.
But then she’s summoned to hear a prophecy–her, and the most ruthless of Talusar generals, Rava Vidar. Brought face to face, they learn that one of them will lead their people to victory over the other…but they don’t know which. And at the center of both of their fates: a man. A man that, Elegy is told, she will fall in love with.
In just one day, Elegy’s old life–her job, her purpose, and her future–is over. She and Rava are destined to collide, with the fate of their nations hanging in the balance. And when they do, only one will be left standing.
Elegy intends to make sure it’s her.”
The Ballad of Falling Dragons by Sarah A. Parker
Release Date: October 7th, 2025 Update: Delayed until May 19th, 2026
They’re keeping pretty mum on the details about this sequel to When the Moon Hatched. We FINALLY got a cover reveal, but there have been numerous delays, so we’ll see. Haven’t read book one yet? Check my full review of it here.
Synopsis:
“Moonbeam. A moonfall is coming.”
Raeve’s thirst for vengeance continues to burn, as does her love for Kaan Vaegor—a staunch beacon from a past she’s yet to face. With Rekk’s blood still fresh on her hands, she learns the world will face its most devastating moonfall yet, forcing her to pick a path:
Chase death. Or life.
Desperate to save his kingdom from ruin, Kaan’s crown has never felt so heavy. His many larks to scattered friends and family remain unanswered, and time is running out.
As allies merge and enemies surge with bloodlusting agendas of their own, secrets brew hot enough to burn, but none so mighty as the truth nesting within the icy depths of Raeve’s long forgotten past.
Something…Other. Something with the knowledge to change it all.”
The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden
Release Date: June 2nd
I mean, the UK cover is GIVING everything! But I really enjoyed Arden’s previous folklore-inspired trilogy, so I can’t wait to read this.
Synopsis:
“With her country’s future and her own life at stake, an orphaned duchess must journey into a world of myth and there discover a power that may be her salvation—or her demise—in this enchanting historical fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of The Bear and the Nightingale.
Anne of Brittany was a child when her realm was invaded, her home besieged, and her royal father driven to his death.
Now her treasury is empty, her land occupied by her enemies, and she is ordered, under threat of renewed war, to become queen of her conquerors and marry the King of France.
This marriage means her country’s annexation. But Anne promised her father that Brittany would never be conquered.
Defiantly, she betroths herself in secret to France’s greatest enemy. But in a world where courts may spy on each other by magic, there is only one way to solemnize this illicit union.
Anne takes her court deep into a legendary forest, where the court diviners’ skill cannot reach. The world thinks they are only a hunting party, coursing after unicorns. But that is a lie, a trick, a feint. No one in living memory has seen a unicorn. All Anne wants is this secret wedding, which is her only hope of salvation.
But when against all hope a unicorn appears and a stranger out of legend stumbles from the trees and falls at her feet, Anne is plunged into a world of enchantment where a doomed sovereign might find the power to change her own and her country’s destiny—or be lost in the shadows forever.”
Light Wielder by Rachel Schneider
Release Date: June 9th
I’m gnawing at the bars of my enclosure for this sequel to Metal Slinger! It was such a brutal cliffhanger and I NEED to know what happens. This was one of those viral Booktok books that I went into with pretty low expectations, but had an amazing time reading. It worked for me. Y’all I had to cut down the synopsis because there were massive spoilers everywhere in it, so please read book one ASAP!
Synopsis:
“It’s been four years since _____ betrayed _____ (ummm spoiler alert!). The Kenta and Strou forces ally against the Roison and Alaha, with Maile perched dangerously on the edge of their battles.
When he discovers the chilling reason behind the return of his father's magic, as well as Edmond’s dangerous new alliance, Acker must finally decide which war he wants to fight: the one for his king or the one for his heart.
Green City Wars by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Release Date: June 23rd
I’m such a sucker for animal books, and they had me the second they said Redwall and noir tale. Are you kidding me?! And there’s a raccoon?! Of course, I’m picturing Guardians of the Galaxy now.
Synopsis:
“Philip Marlowe meets Redwall in this superior adult noir tale, where all the characters are animals, fighting for survival in the city underneath the humans. In the solar cities of the future, the humans relax in the sun and the animals work in the shadows. Genetically engineered Little Helpers, serving humanity―unseen, unheard.
Meet Skotch. Raccoon, PI―yours for a few buttons as long as the job isn't too illegal, whatever that means.
A mouse has gone missing. Normally this wouldn't raise any hackles, nor any alarms, but this mouse has something that everyone seems to want, though nobody appears particularly eager to say what that something is.
The fee is good―perhaps too good. Certainly not something Skotch can easily turn down.
If only Skotch can work out where the mouse is hiding, what he’s hiding, and why his secrets are upsetting a lot of animals caught up in the Green City wars.”
The River She Became by Emily Varga
Release Date: June 30th
I thoroughly enjoyed Varga’s debut novel, For She is Wrath, which was a Count of Monte Cristo retelling, so I can’t wait to read this one. Plus, fae and The Mummy inspired?! It’s now on your TBR too, isn’t it? ;)
Synopsis:
“Yaseema is a brilliant scholar and loyal servant of the Empire―or so they think. By day, she catalogs the fae relics of her conquered kingdom. But by night, she reclaims the artefacts in secret to restore magic to her dying land.
Until she finds the long lost key to cross the River into the fae world and save her people. But a ruthless realm awaits her there, ruled by monsters wearing beautiful skin―especially the cold-eyed captain who sees through her lies. But even he isn’t what he seems―under the guise of upholding a cruel regime, he works to overthrow it from the inside. To succeed, he needs the same lost relic Yaseema seeks: the crown of an ancient Fae Queen.
With magic that is a mystery even to her, Yaseema can help him find the crown and save his family from a fate worse than death. Unless she steals it first to help her own.
To survive, they must work together to outwit ancient curses, battle creatures born of nightmares, and find a power that could resurrect their worlds. But as secrets unravel and loyalties blur, they face the greatest danger of all: losing their heart to each other.
Perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince and The Mummy, this thrilling start to a new fantasy duology bursts with dangerous romance, heart-stopping twists, and a heroine who dares to steal back her future.”
The Witch Below the Dreaming Wood by H.G. Parry
Release Date: July 11th
I completely fell in love with H.G. Parry’s writing last year when I read A Far Better Thing (A Tale of Two Cities historical fiction fantasy retelling) so this was automatically going on my 2026 TBR. The way they write historical fiction fantasy is superb, and King Arthur legends in this one?! I can’t wait.
Synopsis:
“From the author of The Magician's Daughter comes a historical fantasy where dreams come to life and Arthurian legends are reborn, perfect for fans of The Everlasting and The Once and Future King.
Wales, 1941. As the second world war ravages the globe and bombs fall from the sky, people all over the world begin to dream of King Arthur. The dreams spread like a fantastical plague, flooding people's sleep night after night. Whispers arise of wonders and unexplained sights—dragons in the London Underground, and strange lights over Stonehenge. Self-proclaimed prophets claim they are miracles, heralding Arthur's return at the time of Britain's greatest need.
Elaine Ambrose has never dreamed of Arthur, and she doesn't believe in miracles. A librarian at the British Museum, she wants only to protect the museum's collection from the London Blitz, and is frustrated to be sent instead to catalogue a reclusive professor's private library on the coast of North Wales. But all is not as it seems. Soon Ellie must confront what she's tried to ignore: she dreams not of Arthur, but of Nimue—the Lady of the Lake. And her dreams promise not salvation, but a return to the darkness of the last days of Camelot.”
The Knave and the Moon by Rachel Gillig
Release Date: September 1st
If you also adored book one, The Knight and the Moth (catch my review here!), this is already on your TBR and you’re counting down the days. Once again, we were dealt a somewhat brutal cliffhanger, and I’m missing Bartholomew so much! Can’t wait to be back in this gothic world.
Synopsis:
“Aisling Cathedral is in ruins. Rodrick Myndacious, Bartholomew, and Maude Bauer are rumored to be dead—and the king has taken Sybil Delling as his bride. To show off their union and solidify his power over Traum, Benji proposes a series of tournaments throughout the hamlets. Captive and drugged, Sybil remains determined to vanquish him as she once did the Omens, even if she destroys the kingdom’s faith—and herself—in the process.
But then a mysterious knave rises to the top of the tournament lists, a man with no name and no memory who may just be Sybil’s ticket to undoing Benji’s power. For in a land where stories repeat themselves, where a king can prove as cruel as a god, the only way to truly destroy the Stonewater Kingdom’s faith is to save it.”
Victorious by V.E. Schwab
Release Date: October 6th
No cover reveal yet, but I am SO excited they decided to write another book in this world! I loved Vicious and Vengeful last year. If you like XMen and the complicated relationship between Magneto and Professor X, you will love these.
Synopsis:
“The triumphant conclusion to the Villains series from V.E. Schwab, the #1 New York Times Bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil.
The ExtraOrdinary of Merit City, a secret group of individuals gifted with a power connected to their manner of near-death experience, have been keeping a low profile, avoiding the ever-watchful eye of EON in the wake of the showdown with Marcella and Eli.
But when EON―and its relationship to the ExtraOrdinaries― begins to change under the leadership of a new director with a terrifying agenda, the time for hiding is over. The path to the truth of what happened to EON leads Victor, Sydney, Mitch and the rest into the enemy’s lair at EON headquarters, where they encounter unexpected allies, shocking new abilities, and the ultimate confrontation.
Against all the years, the betrayals, and the odds―the arch rivals and their allies will meet for a final time, on a chess board laid out by a rival they didn’t expect.”
Have a most anticipated read you’re looking forward to that’s not on the list? Help the community out and share it below in the comments!
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