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Fantasy and Romantasy 2026

35 replies

CoubousAndTourmaIet · 04/01/2026 15:42

A thread for discussion or sharing recommendations.

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8
CrystalSingerFan · 07/01/2026 01:28

Nisse1 · 04/01/2026 16:27

Kushiels Dart by Jaqueline Carry. One of my favourite series ever. Recently read Alchemised and enjoyed that.

Goodness, yes! Love the Phèdre books.

She seems to have written new stuff which I must read! Thanks, MN, https://jacquelinecarey.com/

RayofSunshine18 · 14/01/2026 12:13

I am currently reading through the Zodiac Academy series, which is not for everyone but I am really enjoying. School for Fae with lots of trials and tribulations (and smut!) thrown along the way. There are a lot of books as well so a series to get into. It's not written as well as some of the others but its definitely a good read !

Fasterthan40 · 06/04/2026 14:51

BeverleyBrooks · 05/01/2026 22:19

Following with interest! I loved the Naomi Novik books mentioned on the previous thread, and the ‘Winternight’ trilogy by Katherine Arden.

If you like a bit of myth / history woven in, I enjoyed ‘The Story Spinner’ by Barbara Erskine - set in Wales, and the main character is definitely not a teenager.

The Adventures of Amina al-Siradi by Shannon Chakraborty was good too.

I think we like similar books, including RoL. Have you read the Betrayals by Bridget Collins? I think it‘s much better than the Binding. I asked AI for recommendations similar to Naomi Novik’s Spinning Silver & Uprooted. Recommendations were duffers as turns out AI doesn’t really read… so I would recommend that you avoid For the Wolf and Deathless.

AthenaWhite · 08/04/2026 19:33

Came on to recommend Naomi Novik, particularly Uprooted and Spinning Silver.

RhaenysRocks · 11/04/2026 08:06

Honnomushi · 04/01/2026 17:01

My favourite read of 2025 was The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson. Great characters & great writing.

I thought that was great too. Currently reading Katabasis by RF Kuang. Bit more cerebral than some but similar to Raven Scholar.

Honnomushi · 20/04/2026 10:20

RhaenysRocks · 11/04/2026 08:06

I thought that was great too. Currently reading Katabasis by RF Kuang. Bit more cerebral than some but similar to Raven Scholar.

Show quote history

How did you get on with Katabasis? I really enjoyed it but its seems to be her most divisive book

3flyingducksarrive · 20/04/2026 10:25

DrMadelineMaxwell · 06/01/2026 23:50

I always recommend Ilona Andrews.

The Magic Bites series is excellent. There's romance in it (eventually) but it's not shoved in your face from chapter 1.

The Innkeeper series is lovely and q light. Very interesting concept.

And the most Mills and Boon type is the series all named after different gemstones. Ruby Fever/Emerald Blaze etc are all v enjoyable.

She has excellent world-building and frequently writes about well known fantasy species (Vampires/Werewolves) but with a completely different take on them.

Their latest This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me is great once you get past the first few info-dumping chapters. I nearly gave up but then it got good.

DrMadelineMaxwell · 21/04/2026 18:15

I liked it well enough. I read it quickly once then read it again straight away and it was interesting to then read it and pick up some subtle bits when you knew what one of the main twists was in advance.

I also very much enjoyed The Inheritance which also came out recently.

KatyMac · 21/04/2026 18:27

Im going to have to look at some of these

My three favourites recently have been:

The Inn Side Shop: A Cozy LitRPG Adventure (The Inn Side Shop Series Book 1) Gil Hess (annoying as they have only written 1)

Ink & Intent The Glyphwright chronicles Jeremy Fabiano (most of the series is out)

Midlife in Gretna Green: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel (Midlife Recorder) linzi Day (might reread as i liked it so much)

But im not sure if they are the right genre

RhaenysRocks · 21/04/2026 18:57

Honnomushi · 20/04/2026 10:20

How did you get on with Katabasis? I really enjoyed it but its seems to be her most divisive book

Show quote history

Im not loving it. Nearly done and I thought Id love it but I don't really like the main character, I don't really get why she's doing what she is. I teach philosophy so was really looking forward to it but....yeah. I don't know.

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