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Tag: romantic fantasy

  • Our 3 Favorite Things About Rings Of Fate By Melissa de la Cruz

    We can always rely on Melissa de la Cruz to deliver. And her new romantasy novel, Rings of Fate, is no exception! Our 2026 reading lists have officially kicked off, and THP’s book team is beyond stoked to start our year with this iconic release, which is the first book in the Curses and Crowns series!

    Rings of Fate by Melissa de la Cruz follows Aren Bellamore, a barmaid who dreams of leaving her small town and exploring the world. Her dreams don’t include marriage and princes like in the fairytale books. Enter Dietan, a prince carrying a cursed magic who happens to need a bride to carry out his plans.

    As Aren and Dietan travel across towns to reverse the curse, they face political tension, thievery, and terrifying monsters of lore. Oh, and feelings for each other that neither of them want to admit. Here are three of our favorite things about Melissa de la Cruz’s Rings of Fate!

    Rings of Fate by Melissa de la Cruz
    Image Source: Entangled Publishing

    Book Overview: Rings Of Fate

    Content warnings: graphic violence, blood, injury, drugging, attempted assault, kidnapping, imprisonment, torture, whipping, execution, perilous situations, fire, sexual activity, drinking, mentions of war and death of family (Read at your discretion!)

    Summary: She’s a barmaid who doesn’t believe in fairy tales. He’s a prince cursed to live one.

    Aren Bellamore has no interest in being anyone’s princess. She’s too busy running the Raven’s Beak tavern, fending off unwanted marriage proposals, and dreaming of escape. But when a brush with death and a dangerously handsome stranger upend her life, Aren finds herself bound to a bargain that could change everything.

    Prince Dietan has carried the cursed Rings of Fate—ancient weapons of devastating power—since childhood. The magic is killing him, and the enemies are closing in. To make the journey to reverse his curse, he needs a bride to hide his secrets. Aren wants freedom. Pretending to be his fiancée should give them both what they want.

    But as their perilous journey pits them against political schemes, monstrous Kilandrar, and a growing attraction neither can deny, the line between make-believe and destiny begins to blur. And the fate of two kingdoms may depend on whether a cynical barmaid and a cursed prince are willing to risk their hearts.

    Aren’s Stubborn Streak

    Naturally, Melissa de la Cruz’s newest romantic fantasy has a strong and stubborn female main character at the helm. Aren is the foundation of her family, caring for her father and younger twin sisters. She keeps the tavern running and uses her earnings to buy quality material for her sisters’ dresses. And she has learned to develop thick skin from the many drunk patrons she serves. Aren does what she wants no matter what anyone says, especially if it’s Prince Dietan saying it. And honestly? We respect it. That’s our girl boss!

    Their Chemistry

    From the first encounter to the first kiss, Aren and Dietan’s romance in Rings of Fate has chemistry steeped into it! As he’s on his search for a bride, Dietan turns on all the charm for the ladies. And Aren’s seemingly unimpressed attitude does more than pique his interest. We enjoyed reading their banter and pining so much, leading up to the super tense and electrifying confession scene. Aren and Dietan stop at nothing to protect each other while simultaneously putting themselves into the most dangerous situations possible.

    The Story’s Pacing

    Another one of our favorite things about Rings of Fate is the pacing. We’re big Melissa de la Cruz fans at THP, and she absolutely inspires us with her storytelling. Split into four parts, this romantasy took ample time introducing the characters and romance. It created a montage of moments from the Wedding March wherever needed. Then came Aren and Dietan’s arrival to their destination and the final battle. We could connect with and simply get lost in the fantasy, which is one of the best things about reading, hands down.

    Melissa de la Cruz has delivered a romantasy we couldn’t peel our eyes from with Rings of Fate! From the romantic chemistry to awe-inspiring storytelling, it was everything.

    Rings of Fate by Melissa de la Cruz comes out January 6th, and you can order a copy of it here!

    What do you think of Melissa de la Cruz’s new romantasy novel? Is Rings of Fate on your 2026 TBR? Let us know on Twitter! You can also find us over on Facebook and Instagram!

    Want to hear some of our audiobook recommendations? Here’s the latest!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MELISSA DE LA CRUZ:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | WEBSITE

    Julie Dam

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  • THP’s Top 5 Fantasy & Romantasy Novels Of 2025

    We at THP cannot fully believe how incredible this year has been with all new book and audiobook releases. Our reading list continues to grow month after month. But today, we wanted to take a moment to recognize our favorite fantasy and romantasy novels of this year.

    From a “why choose?” romantasy to a queer paranormal fantasy, there is something for everyone. Along the lines of diverse books and representation, we also got fantasies inspired by Ancient Egyptian mythology, Vietnamese folktales, Chinese folktales, and so many more!

    We won’t keep you waiting any longer. 2025 is almost done, and here are the top five fantasy and romantasy novels we’ve read this year.

    Content warning: The Honey POP encourages mindful reading and checking the author’s website for content warnings.

    The Never List By Jade Presley

    Image Source: Entangled Publishing

    Starting off our roundup of top 2025 romantasy novels is Jade Presley’s The Never List! It is absolutely the spiciest book on this list and features a reverse harem, “why choose?” romance between Rylee Gray and the four immortal princes of Lumathyst. We loved this romantasy so much that we felt inspired to make a character quiz matching you with your ideal love interest. Between Kal, Axl, Pierce, and Jax, we can understand why Rylee didn’t want to choose!

    Order The Never List here!

    Content warnings: sexual harassment, death, torture, violence, mentions of family member deaths, disappearance of a loved one, sexually explicit scenes with one or multiple consenting partners

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JADE PRESLEY:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | WEBSITE

    Love At Second Sight By F.T. Lukens

    Love at Second Sight by F.T. Lukens
    Image Source: Simon & Schuster

    Our next favorite fantasy novel is F. T. Lukens’ Love at Second Sight! It’s part supernatural fantasy and part mystery. With a diverse cast and a queer romance at its core, we ate this book up. F.T. Lukens’ latest novel follows Cam Reynolds, a clairvoyant teen whose first glimpse shows a girl on the verge of death. He and his chaotic, paranormal friend group set out to rescue her and find the perpetrator before they’re too late. Cam faces not only a potential murderer, but also shocking betrayals and his parents’ prejudice.

    Order Love at Second Sight here!

    Content warnings: violence, blood, serious injury, racism, vomiting, forced captivity, hospitalization

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT F.T. LUKENS:
    INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE

    His Face Is The Sun By Michelle Jabès Corpora

    His Face is the Sun by Michelle Jabes Corpora
    Image Source: Sourcebooks

    This next novel is a series starter for an epic fantasy trilogy inspired by Ancient Egypt called the Throne of Khetara. We would argue that His Face is the Sun by Michelle Jabès Corpora is one of the best fantasies we’ve read since THP’s book team started! It’s got multiple points of view between four key players who are fated to fulfill a dark and ancient prophecy: Princess Sita, the priestess Neff, a rebel named Rae, and a thief named Karim. The author does a beautiful job of weaving their tales together, and we cannot recommend it enough!

    Order His Face is the Sun here!

    Content warnings: deaths of loved ones, murder, decapitation, graphic violence and gore, corpses, animal violence, human bones and skulls, childbirth, serious injury, poisoning, vomiting, drinking, hunting, weapons

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MICHELLE JABÈS CORPORA:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE

    The Lost Queen By Aimee Phan

    The Lost Queen by Aimee Phan
    Image Source: Penguin Random House

    It wouldn’t be a list of our top five fantasy novels of 2025 without a diverse fantasy on it! Aimee Phan’s The Lost Queen is a Vietnamese-inspired fantasy blended with a contemporary coming-of-age story. When social outcast Jolie Lam befriends Huong Pham, the most popular girl in school, her entire world changes. With reincarnation, dream realms, magical dragons, and a heroic tale of two sisters, The Lost Queen is everything we’ve been waiting for. And the best part is that it’s only the first part of a duology!

    Order The Lost Queen here!

    Content warnings: deaths of family members, suicide, violence, slight gore, bullying, cyber bullying, warfare, weapons, vomiting, natural disaster, plague

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT AIMEE PHAN:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | WEBSITE

    A Forgery Of Fate By Elizabeth Lim

    A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim
    Image Source: Penguin Random House

    To round out our top five 2025 fantasy and romantasy novels, we have A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim! This romantic fantasy draws inspiration from classic fairytales like “Beauty and the Beast,” along with Chinese folktales like “The Magic Paintbrush.” A Forgery of Fate tells the story of Tru, a quick-witted girl with the ability to paint prophecies. She enters a marriage contract with Elang, a dragon prince who needs her help overthrowing the Dragon King. They travel between the mortal and dragon realms, revealing family secrets and fated encounters that we live for!

    Order A Forgery of Fate here!

    Content warnings: blood, violence, animal death, animal violence, forced captivity, serious injury

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ELIZABETH LIM:
    INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE

    Did your favorite 2025 fantasy and romantasy novel make the list? What are some of your top picks? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

    Want to hear some of our audiobook recommendations? Here’s the latest!

    Need some more book recs? We got them!

    Julie Dam

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  • Romance Reviews: Samantha Joyce’s Not Today, Satan & H. Leighton Dickson’s Ship Of Spells

    THP’s book team has been booked and busy all season, but we’re not complaining! From fall roundups to romance recommendations, we’ve got everything you need and then some. Be sure to check out all of our latest book reviews here!

    If you’ve been looking for a pair of complementary new romance novels to crack open, we got you! These two books will go on sale on the same day: November 4th. (Convenient for when you load up your shopping cart!)

    Set in Hell, Samantha Joyce’s Not Today, Satan is a YA romance between the devil’s daughter and a newly minted sinner. While H. Leighton Dickson’s adult romantasy, Ship of Spells, takes us to the high seas aboard a magical ship. We loved both these books, and here’s why!

    Book Overview: Not Today, Satan

    Not Today, Satan by Samantha Joyce
    Image Source: Entangled Publishing

    Content warnings: death, murder, graphic violence, gore, torture, poisoning, stabbing, hospitalization, serious injuries, guns, weapons (Please read at your discretion!)

    Summary: Think your life is hell?

    Try being the Prince of Darkness’s only daughter―a seventeen-year-old born and raised in Hell, destined to inherit the throne, and constantly enduring the (literal) eternal moans and screams of souls who had it coming.

    The only thing worse than ruling the Underworld is working here. Day after day, it’s me, a bunch of demons who are too intimidated by my dad to befriend me, and an endless lineup of sinners. Until Nathan Reynolds shows up, with a smile that could turn brimstone to butterflies, claiming he’s innocent.

    I don’t question the system; it’s never wrong. But Nate’s pleading eyes have me doubting everything I’ve ever known.

    So, I’m going to do the one thing I’m not supposed to do: I’m going to help him break out. Even if it means showing Nate exactly who I am. Metaphorical horns and all.

    Because if we don’t make it out of here?

    We’re not just damned. We’re doomed.

    Our Review

    Fate works hard, but the devil’s daughter works harder! Samantha Joyce’s Not Today, Satan absolutely charmed us from the get-go. With Devica set to inherit the throne from her father Lucifer, she faces so many conflicting thoughts. After a shocking discovery, she sets out to find her mother…on Earth. And the only person who can help her is Nathan “Nate” Reynolds, a sinner who’s convinced his judgement was a mistake. Their journey to escape takes them through the realms of Hell, facing punishments, demons, and too many near-death experiences. Though technically, Nate already died.

    We loved the budding romance between Devica and Nate. Nate’s cheesiness is endearing, and his kind nature eventually wins over Devica. Hell’s Princess still has a heart, after all. Her character development primes her for the throne just in time. And though we have yet to meet the devil himself, the cliffhanger ending tells us we might well be introduced in the next installment. We’ll keep our eyes out in the meantime!

    Not Today, Satan by Samantha Joyce comes out November 4th, and you can order a copy of it here!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SAMANTHA JOYCE:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE

    Book Overview: Ship Of Spells

    Ship of Spells by H. Leighton Dickson
    Image Source: Entangled Publishing

    Content warnings: war, battle, perilous situations, blood, intense violence, brutal injuries, death, drowning, physical torture, and sexual activity (Please read at your discretion!)

    Summary: When Ensign Bluemage Honor Renn is rescued from the wreckage of her first naval post, she expects death or disgrace. Instead, she wakes aboard the Touchstone, a mythic vessel whispered of in dockside ballads and royal war rooms alike. With a crew of misfits. A mysterious, elven captain. And a mission tied to the Dreadwall, the crumbling barrier that has kept the Overland and Nethersea from open war for a hundred years.

    But the tragedy that sank her last ship didn’t just take lives―it left something behind.

    Now Renn carries a secret everyone wants. A magik that’s chimeric, arcane…and slowly killing her. But the captain’s mission may be her only chance to survive, even if he still doesn’t trust her.

    Caught between privateers, princes, and spies, Renn knows each choice could sink her future―or set the sea on fire.

    Our Review

    H. Leighton Dickson’s new adult romantic fantasy, Ship of Spells, completely transports us to the high seas! Aboard the Ship of Spells, or the Touchstone, mage-in-training Honor Renn must reluctantly sail under a captain who’s a sworn enemy of her and her people. She possesses a rare ability to channel an ancient magic, which she uses on a perilous mission to repair the Dreadwall.

    The Touchstone crew was one of our favorite things about Ship of Spells. From the kindhearted ship doctor Echo to the loudmouth quartermaster Smoke, we grew to love this found family of pirates. As for the romance of this book, it’s a super slow burn between Honor and Gavriel with so many “almost there” moments that get cut short. But the wait was worth it. The open ending got us good, and we can’t wait to read more about Honor and Gavriel’s nautical journey!

    Ship of Spells by H. Leighton Dickson comes out November 4th, and you can order a copy of it here!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT H. LEIGHTON DICKSON:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE

    Did you enjoy our latest review duo? Which pair of books should we review next? Let us know on Twitter! You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram.

    Catch up on our latest audiobook recommendations here!

    Need some more book recs? We got them!

    Julie Dam

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  • Find Your Deadly Ever After With Brittany Johnson’s Romantasy!

    It’s the start of a new month, and we already can’t wait for the book releases we have in store for November. Just a hint: we have a highly anticipated historical fiction sequel, multiple YA romances, and a swashbuckling adult romantasy!

    For today, we’re focusing on a sapphic YA romantasy debut. Brittany Johnson’s Deadly Ever After tells the story of two dead princesses on a journey to find true love and get their lives back. Have we won you over yet? Here are three of our favorite things about Deadly Ever After!

    Deadly Ever After by Brittany Johnson
    Image Source: Penguin Random House

    Book Overview: Deadly Ever After

    Content warnings: murder, graphic violence, death of loved ones, child abuse, verbal, emotional, and physical assault, poisoning, serious injuries, blood, weapons (Read at your discretion!)

    Summary: Amala has spent her whole life trying to be the perfect princess: delicate, quiet, obedient. But when she’s murdered on the night of her wedding, her story is cut short before it begins. 

    Kha’dasia has been told her whole life that she is too rough, too loud, too much. She’s no ordinary princess but a ruthless warrior on a quest to fulfill her late brother’s dying wish. Except she dies before reaching her destination.

    When both girls wake up in a cursed forest, the gods offer them a second chance at life—if they can find true love’s kiss. But there’s a catch, the gods warn. While the right kiss will save you, the wrong kiss will kill you.

    On their journey, the princesses must overcome challenges that force them to face the truth of their lives…and their deaths. And as Amala and Kha’dasia grow closer, they can’t help but wonder if true love has been standing right in front of them all along.

    Strength In Different Forms

    One of the main things we love about Deadly Ever After is how well our two main characters complement each other’s strengths. Amala and Kha’dasia must work together and make it through the cursed landscape of the dead if they want the chance to get their old lives back. Though they have a rough start, these princesses grow into their strengths and face their past traumas. Amala offers emotional and mental strength, while Kha’dasia brings physical strength and even teaches Amala how to fight and protect herself.

    The Romance Buildup

    Deadly Ever After will sweep you away with the romantic tension between Amala and Kha’dasia! Amala thinks that finding her way to her new husband Vincent can satisfy the condition of true love’s kiss. On the other hand, Kha’dasia hasn’t ever been in love. That is, until she grows closer to Amala. We absolutely loved reading about their growing attraction and affection, hidden in the stolen glances and injury inspections. Then when neither character could deny their feelings by the end? That’s the good stuff!

    Shattering Reality

    On a more serious note, Deadly Ever After addresses topics like child abuse on a verbal, emotional, and physical level. We see the effects of having grown up in a hostile and unloving environment in how Amala views and reacts to the world, her mistakes, and especially her father. It takes Kha’dasia and Mya, a divine being, to help Amala unlearn the things her father forced her to believe. She finally allows herself to feel the rage she rightfully deserves to feel, no longer internalizing her father’s insults and lies.

    Different forms of strength. Killer romantic tension. And a tale of female rage and empowerment. Brittany Johnson’s sapphic romantasy debut, Deadly Ever After, has us in a chokehold.

    Deadly Ever After by Brittany Johnson goes on sale November 4th, and you can order a copy of it here!

    What do you think of Brittany Johnson’s debut novel, Deadly Ever After? We want to know your thoughts on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

    Want to hear some of our audiobook recommendations? Here’s the latest?

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BRITTANY JOHNSON:
    INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | WEBSITE

    Julie Dam

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  • Take A Peek At THP’s Fall Book Roundup!

    We hope everyone’s enjoying their autumn festivities and gearing up for THPloween with our themed articles and fall playlists! A tradition we started earlier this year was to round up a few books that make up a solid reading list for each season. We’ve done spring and summer already, now let’s get into our new fall book roundup!

    This fall has been jam packed with fantasy and contemporary novels we can’t help but love, in both print and audiobook format. Here are three more fall books to add to your TBR!

    Content Warning: The Honey POP encourages mindful reading and checking the author’s website for content warnings.

    Flip By Ngozi Ukazu

    Image Source: Macmillan Publishers

    Our first fall book is Ngozi Ukazu’s newest graphic novel, Flip! High school senior Chi-Chi Ekeh keeps crushing on rich white boys who don’t know she exists. Her life completely flips around (get it?) when she sends Flip Henderson—AKA the most popular guy in school—a video promposal and gets publicly rejected by him. By some force of nature, Chi-Chi and Flip start to switch bodies, forming an unexpected friendship and possibly something more. This graphic novel speaks on self-worth and how our perspectives can change once we see ourselves through other people’s eyes.

    Release date: September 23
    Order Flip here!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT NGOZI UKAZU:
    INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | WEBSITE

    An Ocean Apart By Jill Tew

    An Ocean Apart by Jill Tew
    Image Source: Penguin Random House

    The next book in our fall roundup is Jill Tew‘s new dystopian romance, An Ocean Apart! Set in 2190, Miami has become the flooded Marshes region. Eden Lowell and the Marshers fight for survival each day. Meanwhile, the corporate elite, or “Cruisers,” have taken to sailing the seas rather than face the environmental damage they’ve caused. When one Cruiser family hosts a dating competition for their heir, Theo Desjardins, Eden makes it her mission to infiltrate the show, break Theo’s heart, and bring the prize money back to her community. That is, until Theo turns out to be the change maker Eden’s been wishing for all along.

    Release date: October 14
    Order An Ocean Apart here!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JILL TEW:
    INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE

    Moth Dark By Kika Hatzopoulou

    Fall book: Moth Dark by Kika Hatzopoulou
    Image Source: Penguin Random House

    The final fall book we recommend is Kika Hatzopoulou‘s romantasy, Moth Dark! You may know her from her Threads That Bind duology, and this new novel is just as rich in storytelling. Ever since her world collided with the world of the Dark, Sascia has been intrigued with it. She somehow pulls a person out of the Dark, Nugau, who also happens to be the heir to the Darkworld and set on delivering her death sentence. Sascia and Nugau share a bond spanning countless timelines neither one understands. Just as they grow ever closer in their love, so too do their worlds tread closer to war.

    Release date: October 28
    Preorder Moth Dark here!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT KIKA HATZOPOULOU:
    INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE

    Did any of these fall books speak to you? Which ones are you adding to your TBR? Let us know on Twitter! You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram.

    Need some more book recs? We got them!

    Catch up on our latest audiobook recommendations here!

    Julie Dam

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