Romantasy Readers Are About to Have the *Best* Summer—Here Are 8 Books to Have on Your Radar

In case you haven't already seen Devney Perry's Shield of Sparrows all over your own social feeds, allow me to introduce you to this start of a new trilogy that plenty of readers are already calling their favorite of the year so far. In this story, we follow Princess Odessa who is unexpectedly set to marry a prince of another kingdom. After being pulled away from her family and home, Odessa must train with a fierce warrior to prepare to defend herself against the many monsters ravaging the land, all while trying to navigate her new role as queen to a land she doesn't know.

If you love training tropes and hidden identities, I have a feeling you're going to devour Shield of Sparrows like so many readers already have since its May 6 release—it did debut at number one on the New York Times best seller list, after all. (BTW, it's going to be a movie, too, so it's the perfect time to read it before it hits the screen.)

Confession: I read an early copy of this book a few months ago and it hasn't left my mind since. The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy is the start of a new duology from Brigitte Knightley that follows Aurienne Fairhrim, a Haelan (a sort of healer), and Oscric Mordaunt, an assassin, after Osric realizes only Aurienne can help him attempt to find a cure to a fatal illness. The two couldn't be more opposite, but after Osric offers a large sum of money to fund research at the Haelan headquarters, they have no choice but to work together.

Honestly, I'm convinced there is *no one* who can write a slow burn romance the way Knightley (who you might also know as isthisselfcare) can, and this read only proves my point. It releases on July 8, but trust me when I say you'll want to get your preorder in now to start reading it ASAP.

If I'm being honest, it doesn't take much to sell me on a romantasy about sirens, but when I saw that one of my favorite authors, Rachel Gillig, said In the Veins of the Drowning was "an absolute riptide of a book" that swept her away, I hit that preorder button fast.

This story—which is the first in a new duology and publishes July 15—follows Imogen, a siren hiding from a cruel kingdom, who meets a visiting king who offers protection. Together, they work against a bigger evil and, because this is romantasy after all, deal with their growing attraction to each other.

This read that combines two of my favorite sub-genres, cozy fantasy and romantasy, is obviously at the top of my list this summer. Set in a small town in Scotland, this book follows witch Sloane McGregor as she's summoned to help her grandmother and sisters break a centuries-old curse. Unfortunately, the grumpy mayor of the town doesn't want her and her curse in the space he's worked so hard to make a safe haven—but will he be able to resist his old crush on her? I think you probably know the answer to that.

Love's a Witch is set to come out August 26, so it'll be perfect to transition to spooky season reads, too.

You know the feeling when you can just tell you're going to like a book from page one? That's exactly how I felt when I opened up The Deathless One (out August 5 and the start of a new trilogy) and I'm happy to report that feeling was right.

This is a unique plot line that follows Princess Jessamine who, after being murdered by her betrothed, is revived by the "Deathless One," an undying god. They make a deal—he will bring her back to the realm of the living to seek her revenge and take back her kingdom, and she will resurrect him through witchcraft. The chemistry that grows between them is undeniable and, though some might consider it a betrayal, they just can't seem to fight it.

In my opinion, this book would make a great introduction to romantasy if you're new to the genre thanks to its easy-to-follow worldbuilding and not-too-large cast of characters.

Julie Soto is on a roll this year after publishing her first young adult book, The Thrashers, in early May (which I listened to on Libro.fm and can't recommend enough—especially if you loved the TV series Pretty Little Liars) and the upcoming Rose in Chains, out July 8.

This enemies-to-lovers dark romantasy (be sure to check the trigger warnings to prepare for darker themes) follows Princess Briony Rosewood after evil prevails in a long-fought war and her castle is taken over. Survivors are being sold at auction, with Briony expected to achieve the highest price. The princess ends up with none other than Toven of the cruel Hearst family and, while experiencing this new horror-filled world, has to learn how to play her new role—until help arises from an unlikely source (maybe you can guess who that might be?!).

I have a feeling this deluxe limited edition with sprayed edges is going to sell out fast, so I'd suggest ordering now if you want to make sure you get one. (And, yes, this is a rework of *that* auction from Soto—AKA lovesbitca8—IYKYK.)

From the second I saw author L.K. Steven describe this book as an epic story that features wands and cloaks in a dark, lush world with a magic system fueled by pleasure and pain, I was immediately sold. But in case you want a little more information, you should know that Silvercloak, which releases July 29 and kicks off a brand new series, follows Saffron Killoran who is out for revenge after her parents were murdered. Saffron ends up working undercover to tear down the Bloodmoons from the inside at Silvercloak Academy. At this elite detective training ground she has to do anything to keep her identity secret—even when she starts falling for the kingpin's son who is foretold to die at her hand. Sounds totally binge-worthy, right?

In case you missed all of the hype when Metal Slinger was independently published by author Rachel Schneider last summer, don't worry. It's being traditionally published on June 17, and this new paperback even includes a sneak peek at book two of the series.

This suspenseful read follows Brynn, who has spent her life training in the hopes of attending an annual market that's a rite of passage for all young guards, only to find herself breaking a 100-year peace treaty when she finally does. Now, the fragile coexistence of the Kenta and Alaha people is at risk and Brynn's loyalty is tested after an enemy soldier reveals a world-changing truth about her identity.

I've heard via TikTok that Metal Slinger features one of the best plot twists out there when it comes to romantasy, and since creators like Emma Halbrook say it's "worth all the hype," I can't wait to get my hands on this one—and you probably should, too.