Tag Archives: romantasy

Review: BLOOD BENEATH THE SNOW by Alexandra Kennington

BLOOD BENEATH THE SNOW (Blood and Souls Duology Book 1) by Alexandra Kennington

Publication Date: March 11, 2025

Genre: Romantasy 

A heart-pounding romantasy following a rebellious princess who must compete to the death against her siblings for the crown to ensure justice, while fighting her feelings for her country’s most powerful enemy by debut author Alexandra Kennington

Revna is no stranger to struggle. As the only member of the royal family without a magical ability, she is seen as an embarrassing mistake by her kingdom and a blight on her bloodline. Luckily, Revna has found family in other outcasts in her kingdom. But when her two closest friends’ lives are put in danger, she is determined to save them by any means necessary, no matter the cost. The Bloodshed Trials—a competition where the last sibling in the royal family standing takes the throne—might just be the ultimate price.

Revna turns down her arranged marriage and commits to competing for the throne only to be kidnapped by the mysterious and terrifyingly powerful Hellbringer, the general of her country’s greatest enemy. He has the ability to rend souls with the flick of his wrist and is every inch as intimidating as the war stories say he is. But Revna wonders if there may be some humanity left in him—especially when he reveals there are other parties who want her on the throne for their own secret reasons.

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I enjoyed this story. It had really epic fantasy world building. There was a lot to this story and I really want to see what happens next in this duology. There were a few parts of the story that dragged but there is a lot going on in the book. Some intrigue, action and romance. I don’t want to give anything away. If you like fantasy and romance this book is for you. Get swept up in Alexandra Kensington’s new world. I’ll be picking up the next book.

*Review copy provided by Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review.

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Kindle | Hardback

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Alexandra Kennington has been writing fantasy stories since she was young. Now, she’s living her dream as an author of fantasy and science fiction novels. When she’s not knee-deep in a world of her own creation, you’ll find her reading a book with the enemies-to-lovers trope or obsessing over Star Wars. She lives in Utah with her spouse and child.

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Review: CHARMING DEVIL (A Dark & Spicy Modern Dorian Grey) by Rebecca Kenney

CHARMING DEVIL (A Dark & Spicy Modern Dorian Grey) by Rebecca Kenney

Publication Date: February 11, 2024

Genre: Romantasy

SynopsisHe’s the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen…and the most dangerous. Eternally young and full of a brilliant passion that may ultimately be the end of me: my perfect Dorian Gray.

The painting that’s kept Dorian Gray flawless for over a century is beginning to fall apart, rotted by his life of reckless decadence. Desperate, he seeks out the only person who might be able to save him: a talented young painter descended from Dorian’s first love.

Baz may have the same magical gift as her ancestor, but she’s vowed never to paint anyone’s likeness again. Haunted by the memory of the terrible price her talent can exact, she swears she will not be swayed—not even by the seductive words dripping like venom from the lips of the most beautiful man she’s ever met.

Yet as Dorian tries to persuade Baz by any means possible, they become aware of a darker, deadlier magic awakening around them. Dangerous forces, long dormant, have been stirred by Baz’s presence…and are determined to have her no matter the cost. As tensions rise and desire flares ever-hotter, Baz and Dorian become trapped in a complex web of conflicting motives, messy emotions, and a growing, desperate passion that may well consume them both.

An addictive and truly original spicy New Adult retelling of The Picture of Dorian Gray with a magical twist.

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Cori 5 StarsI couldn’t put this book down. I got wrapped up in the story and loved the characters. If you’ve read Dorian Grey this is a retelling with spice. It’s the second book in the Gilded Monsters series but you don’t have to read the first book before picking up this one. I haven’t read the first book but plan on picking it up next. I have it and the next release on my TBR. I also recommend the paperback copy of this one because it’s so pretty. It has sprayed edges.  I thoroughly enjoyed Rebecca Kenney’s writing style and she’s going on my must buy list. This book is one of my favorites this year.

*Review copy provided by the Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review.

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Buy Links

KINDLE | PAPERBACK

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Rebecca F. Kenney writes spicy fantasy romance, paranormal romance, and retellings, including the Gilded Monsters series from Sourcebooks Casablanca. “Beautiful Villain” (Gilded Monsters #1) is a spicy Southern gothic retelling of The Great Gatsby with vampires, set near Asheville, NC. “Charming Devil” (Gilded Monsters #2) is a retelling of The Picture of Dorian Gray, set in Charleston, SC. Books 3 and 4 of the series are Southern gothic retellings of Wuthering Heights and The Phantom of the Opera.

Rebecca’s most popular indie books include the Wicked Darlings series (spicy Fae retellings of the Nutcracker, Wonderland, and Oz), the Merciless Dragons series (dragon shifters), the Dark Rulers series (standalone fantasy romance novels in a shared world), and the Beloved Villains series of genderbent fairytales. Other books include a post-apocalyptic vampire romance trilogy (The Vampires Will Save You), a demon romance duet, a dark mermaid fantasy duet, and other spicy retellings.

Rebecca is represented by Eva Scalzo of Speilburg Literary. She lives in upstate South Carolina with her handsome blue-eyed husband and two smart, energetic kids.

For updates and information about upcoming novels, follow on Instagram @rebeccafkenneybooks and on TikTok @rebeccafkenney

BRIDE OF THE SHADOW KING by Sylvia Mercedes

IMG_3180BRIDE OF THE SHADOW KING by Sylvia Mercedes

Publication Date: November 12, 2024

Genre: Romantasy

SynopsisIMG_3164The viral TikTok fantasy romance, now in a special print edition with exclusive bonus material!

An outcast princess makes a political marriage with a reluctant king to save both their kingdoms in this first book in the viral Bride of the Shadow King series.

Though she is the oldest daughter, Princess Faraine lives in the background, shunned from court and kept out of sight. She’s told her gods-gift makes her a liability to the crown, and has learned to give place to her beautiful, favored younger sister in all things.

When the handsome and enigmatic Shadow King comes seeking a bride, Faraine is not surprised that her sister is his choice.

King Vor is not eager to take a human bride, but he is willing to do what is necessary for the sake of his people. When he meets the lively Princess Ilsevel, he quickly agrees to a marriage arrangement.

So why can’t he get the haunting eyes of her older sister out of his head?

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Cori 5 StarsThis book kept me up late. I couldn’t put it down. I got swept up in the world Sylvia Mercedes created. I really wanted to throw the book and reach in and shake the characters a few times but I love when the characters can create that much emotion in a story. The story is full of suspense, lots of drama, some spice and it ends with a powerful cliffhanger. The rest of the trilogy is available now though. It is being released in new paperback covers over the next few months. I recommend this book for fantasy romance lovers. I can’t wait to pick up the next book and to see what happens next.

*Review copy provided by the Penguin in exchange for an honest review.

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Buy Links

KINDLE | PAPERBACK

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Sylvia Mercedes makes her home in the idyllic North Carolina countryside with her handsome husband, numerous small children, and a menagerie of rescue cats and dogs. When she’s not writing she’s . . . okay, let’s be honest. When she’s not writing, she’s running around after her littles, cleaning up glitter, trying to plan healthy-ish meals, and wondering where she left her phone. In between, she reads a steady diet of fantasy novels.

But mostly she’s writing.

Sylvia is the author of more than 20 popular Fantasy Romance novels, including the internationally bestselling BRIDE OF THE SHADOW KING trilogy. She is represented by Amanda Jain at BookEnds Literary Agency.

Website | Amazon

 

Review: A FIRE IN THE SKY: A Novel by Sophie Jordan


A FIRE IN THE SKY: A Novel by Sophie Jordan

Publication Date: September 24, 2024

Genre: Romantasy

Synopsis

IMG_2688New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan returns to the high-stakes, sweeping world of dragons, romance, and drama first evoked in her bestselling young adult Firelight series, in a brand-new epic adult romantasy series.

Dragons are extinct. Witches are outcast. Magic is dying.

But human lust for power is immortal.

Dragon fire no longer blisters the skies over Penterra, but inside the lavish palace, life is still perilous…especially for Tamsyn. Raised in the glittering court alongside the princesses, it’s her duty to be punished for their misdeeds. Treated as part of the royal family but also as the lowliest servant, Tamsyn fits nowhere. Her only friend is Stig, Captain of the Guard…though sometimes she thinks he wants more than friendship.

When Fell, the Beast of the Borderlands, descends on her home, Tamsyn’s world becomes even more dangerous. To save the pampered princesses from a fate worse than death, she is commanded to don a veil and marry the brutal warrior. She agrees to the deception even though it means leaving Stig, and the only life she’s ever known, behind.

The wedding night begins with unexpected passion—and ends in near violence when her trickery is exposed. Rather than start a war, Fell accepts Tamsyn as his bride…but can he accept the dark secrets she harbors—secrets buried so deep even she doesn’t know they exist? For Tamsyn is more than a royal whipping girl, more than the false wife of a man who now sees her as his enemy. And when those secrets emerge, they will ignite a flame bright enough to burn the entire kingdom to the bone.

Magic is not dead…it is only sleeping. And it will take one ordinary girl with an extraordinary destiny to awaken it.

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I’m obsessed! I got so wrapped up in this story and the characters I didn’t get any sleep. I picked A FIRE IN THE SKY up because it has dragons and I like Sophie Jordan’s historical romance books. I wasn’t disappointed. The book had great world building I got swept up in and I’m going to be anxiously waiting for the next book. If you collect hardbacks this one is really pretty in person as well. I highly recommend this book for readers looking for a great Romantasy book. It’s one of my favorites this year. 

*Review copy provided by HaperCollins in exchange for an honest review.  

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Buy Links

Kindle | Hardback

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About the author

Sophie Jordan grew up in the Texas hill country where she wove fantasies of dragons, warriors, and princesses. A former high school English teacher, she’s the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of more than twenty novels. She now lives in Houston with her family. When she’s not writing, she spends her time overloading on caffeine (lattes preferred), talking plotlines with anyone who will listen (including her kids), and cramming her DVR with anything that has a happily ever after.

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