Between creatures, crowns, and charming love interests, romantasy has it all. Blending stunning romances with ethereal elements is no easy feat, but masters of the genre continue to deliver. Read on to learn about books that conjure up classic romance tropes and fascinating fantastical plotlines for this week’s Three to Read!
HOT PICK
The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig
SYNOPSIS:
For the last nine years, Sybil Delling has served as a Diviner, someone who receives visions from the six unearthly figures called Omens, for a home in the great cathedral. The visions come through her dreams, enabling her to predict terrible events before they occur for people all across the kingdom. As the Diviners near the end of their service, a mysterious man named Rodrick arrives, a rude yet devilishly handsome and heretical knight. When the Diviners start vanishing, Sybil is forced to enter into an uneasy alliance with Rodrick to find them, despite his dismissal of her visions.
WHY:
The first book in The Stonewater Kingdom series, The Knight and the Moth will put a spell on readers. As seen in the popular duology The Shepherd King, author Rachel Gillig’s worldbuilding has been described as masterful and vivid. The romance between Sybil and Rodrick is a classic tale of opposites attract, and their story is woven with magic that is sure to keep you on your toes, especially as you await the release of the sequel, coming sometime in 2026.
BEACH READ
A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna
SYNOPSIS:
Formerly a powerful witch in Britain, Sera Swan has recently resurrected her great aunt Jasmine, lost most of her magic, and been banished from her Guild. She now spends her days helping Jasmine run an inn in Lancashire and yearning for the future she thought she’d have. Sera soon discovers an ancient spell that could restore her power, and handsome, magical historian Luke Larsen might know how to unlock the spell’s secrets. Despite not being interested in the quirky activities at the inn or the bewitching innkeeper, Luke surprises himself by agreeing to help Sera with the spell after all.
WHY:
The British Indian author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, Sangu Mandanna specializes in writing about magic, monsters, and myths, and she’s just as humorous and whimsical in her latest novel. In A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping, Mandanna delivers a slow-burn romance with a unique group of characters that are ultimately the heart of her story.
DARK HORSE
A Theory of Dreaming by Ava Reid
SYNOPSIS:
The second book in the A Study in Drowning series, A Theory of Dreaming follows Effy and Preston as they embark on a new escapade. Effy may not know what happened at Hiraeth, but she’s now writing a thesis with Preston and making history as the first woman at the literature college. Her aspirations are complicated, with everyone waiting for her to fail, and Preston is plagued day and night by dreams of an underwater kingdom. In the midst of an intensifying war, Effy and Preston are caught up trying to navigate their contrasting dreams.
WHY:
Ava Reid delves into the injustices of academia, school politics, and even themes of xenophobia in A Theory of Dreaming. If you love dual perspectives and intense worldbuilding, let this recently released sequel be your sign to dive into Effy and Preston’s journey.
That’s it for this week’s Three to Read. Thanks for tuning in to read about these heartwarming and enchanting romantasy books! Don’t forget to join us next week for more curated recommendations.
To read more about books blending magnetic connections and magical plots, click here!
Browse these books and more reads handpicked by the Bookstr team on our Three to Read bookshelf on Bookshop!
