I get why Booktok and Bookstagram are going feral for When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker. On the surface, it’s got it all: dragons, elemental magic, a high fantasy setting, a badass FMC with a tragic, mysterious past, and a broody, protective love interest. Sounds perfect, right?

We’ve all picked up a book because of a gorgeous cover. But it’s always a treat when the actual story matches the gorgeous exterior. It’s been a while since a book has captured the same feeling of tragic romanticism like that of The Night Circus.

For the second year in a row (I’m calling it now), Red Tower Books has published the fantasy/romantasy read of the summer.

I almost DNF’d this one, but I’m glad I stuck with it. I think. For some reason, this book, while not being very lengthy, took me forever to finish.

After some mediocre reads this month while attempting to whittle my physical TBR down, I’ve been desperate for a solid read. Do not be fooled by the creepy cover, because Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto was just that.

Why is the world of the Vikings always so fascinating? Is it their desire for battle fame? The finicky and trickster gods conniving and changing fates? Only living for the protection of your family and surviving in a brutally harsh climate and raids?

As a first time reader of Hafsah Faizal, who’s heard only amazing things about her other fantasy duology (We Hunt the Flame and We Free the Stars—still very high on my TBR), I had a lot of high hopes going into this.

We’ve all been waiting for this Romantasy book for over two years, so there was a LOT of anticipation surrounding the release of House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas.

Give me some emerald spheres and call me Stormblessed, I’m obsessed. Now be warned, this is a tome. At just over 1000 pages, The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson is not for the faint of heart.

If you’re curious about how a woman-only founding team started one of the largest bookstores in Cairo, read this memoir…

There’s so much to unpack with Ava Reid’s A Study in Drowning. I’ll be honest, I was skeptical on whether I would like this book because…

After absolutely devouring book one, and the novella, I had to jump right in to book two. Now reminder, book one was like if Kate Beckinsale’s Underworld had a baby with a vampire Hunger Games…

I’m admittedly late to the part on this one. Everyone and their mother has been telling me I need to read The Serpent and the Wings of Night, and they were right.

I not even ashamed a little bit for seeing this cover and immediately adding this book to my TBR last year without knowing anything about it.

This story is precious. If you haven’t picked up Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher, and you love dark fairytale retellings, make this one a priority.

Can I just say? I am SO grateful for Rebecca Ross for bringing this stunning story to life. Divine Rivals is one of my favorite reads of the year.

At this point, Brandon Sanderson is on my autobuy list of authors. If you’re new around here, you might not know I started my Cosmere reading journey rather recently, at the beginning of 2023…

An apprentice with a powerful master who’s trying to protect the empire from evil? Battles and political machinations? Sign me up. If grimdark traditional fantasy is your thing, this is definitely a series I’d recommend.

If you’re looking for a quick Romantasy read to get you out of a reading slump, These Hollow Vows and These Twisted Bonds might be the perfect duology to pick up.