OUR STORE: SHOP HERE

ILONA ANDREWS

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author

You are here: Home / Blog / Book Recommendations Thread: The TKWNKM Support Group

Book Recommendations Thread: The TKWNKM Support Group

Blog, Recommended Read POST A COMMENT by

Welcome to Book Devourers Anonymous. Please pull up a chair. This is a safe space of no judgement.

I know we all tried our best to pace ourselves and make it last, and then This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me simply took the reins and happened to us. Intentions were noble, but a Horde can’t change its spots.

Your comments tell me we collectively have a serious case of book hangover. Whether you’ve tried rereads, continuous relistens, or have reached the point of “I tried two other books and neither of them took” confessions: you are not alone.

The cure prescribed is hair of the bookmark that bit you: another story, recommended by a fellow Devourer who understands exactly what we are missing.

Maybe it’s the intricate political games, the dangerous people making spectacular decisions, the found family, the competent heroes. Maybe it isn’t high fantasy or portal fantasy at all, and it doesn’t even have any dukes, but it has the same immersive feeling we’re yearning for as escapism.

Bring your suggestions and requests in the comments below, and let’s get each other through the w*it.

A few gentle guidelines

We’ve run enough of these threads now to know they work better with a little structure.

Please remember that the CTRL+F shortcut is your friend for checking whether your recommended author or title has already been mentioned. Here’s how to use the search on your mobile.

  • Keep it recent. We have a wonderfully well-read Horde, and previous threads have given our beloved classics a thorough airing. This time, please stick to books released in the last decade.  Everyone already knows of the fabulous Tamora Pierce, Mercedes Lackey and Anne McCaffrey. Let’s make room for discovery.
  • One recommendation per person. A focused comment is so much more useful to people than an intimidating wall of text. One book, a series, or an author. If someone’s already mentioned your pick, a +1 reply is more useful than a new thread.
    I have already removed 10 comments that broke this rule and the post has barely been live for half an hour. 1 book, 1 author or 1 series, please.
  • Stay on topic. If someone’s asking for something specific, such as a particular feel, a genre, triggers they want to avoid, please try to match that.

The comments are yours. Help a Hungover Horde: recommend your book cure!

Reader Interactions

Comments

    • OK, a series that I have gobbled up since October is Matt Dinniman’s Dungeon Crawler Carl. Very engaging.

      • +1 Really enjoyed this series! The audiobook narration is a must for me. One of the most talented and varied narrations I’ve ever heard.

        The one tiny downside of the audio is not having access to the maps in a couple of the books/ebooks. They’re just one page sketches to help the reader understand/visualize the level they’re on. This downside is easily circumvented by just googling for the image.

      • My sentiments exactly. Latest one in the series out tomorrow! This is the grownup version of Harry Potter, in the sense that it’s got multiple layers to explore under the surface, if you’re up for that.

        Or you can just read it for the ride, which is crazy good. I’m halfway through a reread and picking up stuff I was in too much of a hurry to notice the first time around. This series is a true classic, both heartrending and hilarious.

      • +1
        Carl is a tough guy with a heart of gold.
        He goes in the dungeon with a cat and they stick together, no matter what. They are very loyal and team up with the unlikely allies. Later they get a pet, a velociraptor and Donut, the cat, rides him.
        But there also is a greater plot, about aliens and intergalactic politics and reasons, why the dungeon is build on earth.
        It really is great and the Series is not finished yet.

      • +1 I recently started this series. It’s a very entertaining read. The audiobook is also good (I listen while mowing the yard).

      • +1 I just started it, it’s not The Inheritance, but it’s good. A little bit more gorie than I would like, but it’s interesting.

      • +1 for this series. I thought I didn’t like LitRPG, clearly I tried the wrong books. Book 8 dropped today.

      • +1 from me too! Working my way through the series now. Found family, lots of action. Very fun. Like others have said, it is more gory than I usually go for, but that is also part of its charm.

      • +1 for Dungeon crawler Carl. came for this comment. Surprisingly deep story. The new one came out today.

      • +1 “I am not wearing pants, Donut. I haven’t worn pants since the world ended.”

      • For all those who like Dungeon Crawler Carl, give Live, Love Level by MCA Hogarth a try.

        • Reminder for any Kindle Unlimited readers – the Carl books are ALL included including the brand new release

        • Per your recommendation, I started Dungeon Crawler Carl’s journey!
          I’m almost finished with #7!!
          I love it!!
          I’ve been reading and listening to them. The audiobooks are amazing!! Love them, love them, love them!!
          I now even follow Amber, the Irish Persian, who is so like Princess Donut, The Queen Anne Chonk!
          I may need to find me a Dolly Donut.
          @Pam R- Thanks for steering me true!

  4. Drew Hayes (all his books are great) and series called Beware of Chicken by Casualfarmer!

    • I love Beware of Chicken by Casualfarmer! Got it on audiobook and my husband is now a huge fan (he only does audio books).

    • +1 Fred the Vampire Accountant series is fantastic. The 9th and last book came out recently

    • Thank you for mentioning this. It made me go search to see when a new Fred book might be coming out and found I had somehow completely missed that there was a release in January. Now I have something to entertain myself with after rereading TKWNKM 3 times and the new Murderbot twice. 🙂

    • I love Beware of Chicken!!! Very wholesome. There are some extra chapters on Royal Road I think. And I love the Super Powered series by Drew Hayes.

  5. First?

    I’m a fan of changing gears completely to deal with hangover.

    Thus, my recommendation is the rather fabulous Sarah Pinsker, who writes novels, novellas and short stories – modern sci-fi, asking big questions about technology and human interaction (Song for a New Day, We are Satellites) and personal growth (Haunt Sweet Home, Then there was n+1).

    • Also in the SF/space opera category, Tanya Huff’s Valor series has a kick-ass competent heroine and one of the more unusual opponents. Little romance, lots of action.

      • One of my absolue favorites. It got me through a lengthy hospital stay and best of all, despite the use of the “f” word (which I don’t find offensive,plus it’s not used as a constant) you can listen to without upsetting others. I keep hoping for a new book!

      • I sometimes like to switch gears too. Lindsay Buroker’s Star Kingdom series is a space opera with a lot of depth while also being hilarious, even on multiple rereads.

      • I have reread the Valor series many many times. Torin Kerr is one of my favorite all time characters.

        I also love Tanya Huff’s Enchantment Emporium series.

  6. One isekai I found scratched the itch left by TKWNKM is a fanfic on Archive Of Our Own. It’s called Ad Infinitum, by Stormontheocean, in the dragon age fandom. The writing is very IA in places.

    Upside: free, complete.
    Downside: locked, so you need an AO3 account to read it.

    I am sure there are probably others in other fandoms that are just as good, so I would love recs, but I know this one!

  7. Well, for political intrigue, I’d go with Katherine Addison’s Goblin Emperor (my current re-read) and then her mystery sequels with Celehar. All are wonderful!

    • Came here to say this! Goblin Emperor is all about the political and court intrigue and it is an absolute joy to read. I love this book!

      • And not enough people realize she expanded this world! The rest of the books in The Chronicles of Osreth are super good as well, Goblin Emperor is followed by Witness for the Dead, Grief of Stones, and Tomb of Dragons. A feast for the hoard.

      • In addition to just being a wonderful book, the Gobelin Emperor a really interesting take on leadership!

    • glad I used the funds in page, I’ll whatever number confirm the above about the Katherine Addison books, I just finished book 1 and starting book 2 on the celhar spin off

    • +1 (billion) for Katherine Addison, for Goblin Emperor and the Tombs series.

    • I’m late to the thread, but I hugely recommend Katherine Addison’s The Orb of Cairado (novella, only 101 pages), if anyone who enjoys the Goblin Emperor missed it. It’s set in the Goblin Emperor and Celehar world but is not directly part of the series. The story only happens because the airship Wisdom of Choharo exploded, but has nothing to do with the royal family and takes place in a city not visited in the other books. It’s a gem of a story, currently with a hardcover jacket quote from T. Kingfisher: “As close to perfect as books can get.” It was such a joy to find another story in that world, and I love the author showing us something else the airship explosion caused, meshing with the way Maia/Edrehasivar keeps in mind all the other people who died leaving behind families and friends – – yet at the same time the story is completely unexpected and happens entirely without the Emperor or Celehar.

      • and for Goblin Emperor fans, may I suggest Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard, which is also all about friendship and kindness!

  8. Try Kelley Armstrong “A rip through time” series. Historical portal fantasy Canadian female cop gets stuck in Victorian Scotland solving crimes. Got some tropes Maggie mentions. A few books out.

    It’ll have to do while we wait.

    Also first? Probably not. 🙂

    But seriously. Thank you to mod R and house Andrews. I’ve been reading your books for the last decade and you always entertain.

  9. He who fights with monsters by shirtaloon. It’s also a portal fantasy and has a good audiobook.

    • I love Jason but my take from the reddit litrpg sub is that he is marmite. I have no idea why because I’ve read way sketchier. But readers be warned.

        • It’s a yeast based sandwich spread in the UK that’s famous for being either loved or hated.

          • I went right back into He Who Fights With Monsters after This Kingdom. With respect to marmite- ness….i (50+yr old committed member of the BDH) love HWFWM, my 16 yr old gamer son says it’s his most favorite book ever, and my husband who has not yet read a House Andrews book but loves epic fantasy also loves HWFWM.

    • +1 really enjoyed this series. The banter is great. Book 11 had me laughing out loud.

    • +1. HWFWM is a great serie, but warning: not complete and the author has been on a break due to health issues. My last big book hangover before Maggie was that one !

        • aAt lest Maggie isn’t standing on a box with a rope around her neck, waiting to be hanged, Miriam…

          • “At lest Maggie isn’t standing on a box with a rope around her neck, waiting to be hanged, Miriam…”

            Yet…

    • How about the Demon Overlords’s Retirement Plan, by M. H. Foster? It’s a calming bit of cozy snark, and the start of the A Gentle Apocalypse series. Book three just came out.

      It’s a fun detox series;)

      • It’s about Galornus Prime, a demon overlord who’s stuck in a loop lifetime of battling heroes, and is sick of it. He fakes his death and escapes to become a farmer who battles goats and keeps his head down, but parts of his old life keep finding him. Lots of misadventures. Sally is a hoot!

      • + 1 for the Demon Overloads retirement plan. Delightful! And if not mentioned Assistant to the Villian by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

      • +1
        This has been my comfort read and will be for a while. Just happiness and no worries but really interesting characters

      • +1 you all introduces me and i’m hooked. I’m goonna start book 3 now. I wish I could pace myself, but hopefully, this thread will help with withdrawal when the time comes.

        Murder Bot – I started with the audiobook. I think, maybe I need to revisit it.

        As a lot of comments have said it is a comfort read. I think we all need those.

        I think it will be ridiculous if I mention Jeaniene Frost here. Because duh !! But I love the point of view of Bones!!

        Ann Aguirre – Science fiction, romance, action.

        Light novels – Villains Are Destined to Die (Gwon Gyeoeul) [am i repeating ?]

        simple romance but oh so good – Abby Jimenez – Part of your World. [3 books]

        +1 Rivers of London – Ben Aaronovitch – magic in every day life. The first book is somthing. but lovely series [just did a find search]

        Dont Kiss and Spell by Camilla Isley – romance, witches, Magic in a magical town

        Shannon Mayer – magic and mystrey. portals, but for travel though. again magic in the real world. can be dark at times.

        Jayne Castle – Romance and magic. a new couple for every book. Human’s travelled through a portal, which closed unexpectedly and now are stuck in the new world. They’ve colonised it, and that’s why the story starts.

          • 🙂
            Jayne Castle, I just found out when I read “ quicksilver” is actually Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick. Another book recommended by the hood, I think last time.

    • I wasn’t a lit rpg reader until Dungeon Crawler Carl which I loved. I then read He Who Fights With Monsters (audiobooks for both) – it feels a lot more laid back and I love the Aussie and Kiwi slang. I didn’t loooove it, but somehow I found myself on book 12. Very more-ish. Laugh out loud funny in places. And found family who would die for each other. I think maybe that’s why I kept going back.

  10. The Tithenai Chronicles by Foz Meadows: diverse & well developed characters, politics, intrique, magic.

  11. Not sure if it’s my phone connection, but I don’t see any other comments. I will recommend Elizabeth Hunter. She has multiple series and several are completed. One is her Elemental Vampire series which is urban fantasy and has strong romantic subplots, and another series is actually a trilogy- the Shadowlands series. That one involves portals to a parallel world that can be crossed back and forth.

  12. Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan:

    It’s another isakai story and Book 2 (All Hail Chaos) releases May 12 (tomorrow!)

    • I was going to recommend this as well!! Hopefully others see and pick it up, especially if they liked the whole person falling into the start of a book and trying to fix/change things. They’re both SO good and hopefully not a long wait until book 3 🖤

      • Bride by Ali Hazelwood. Vampire/werewolf love story. Really entertaining and book 2 was just as good.

        • yes, really good, and there is a sequel with some of the same characters out, Mate, that is also good

        • I love Ali Hazelwood but that one was especially good.

          If Maggie leaves you needinf a respite from its intensity, I highly recommend John Scalze ‘Starter Villain’, it is hysterical.

          one technical note, if searching on a Mac it is cmd+f

    • +1 and bonus points for an excellent rationale for why the MC has fallen into this world and what the story means to her.

    • +1
      possibly the closest isakai to Maggie I have read recently, I read it because it was recommended by Jessie Mihalik.
      Uummm if you didn’t like Maggie’s cliffhanger, or if you hated certain parts of The Cruel Prince by Holly Black but kept reading anyway, be aware this series might provoke the Horde.

  13. I temporarily recovered from Maggie Fever by reading “Project Hail Mary” by Andy Weir. I thought the change to sci-fi would be a good change and it was! I highly recommend it and the movie released a couple of weeks ago.

  14. I just finished Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry, which is the sequel to Shield of Sparrows. Rites is slower than Shield, but there is a great payoff at the end!

  15. Assistant to the Villan series by Hannah Nicole Maehrer. It made me laugh out loud at parts and had an interesting world, magic system, and amazing cast of characters!

  16. How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying

    Davi is stuck in a Groundhog Day loop: everytime she dies, she wakes up in a pond, where an old wizard tells her she is the only hope to save the kingdom. Each time, she fails, and wakes up back in the pond. Davi’s had enough: she’s done trying to save the kingdom. She’s going to become the Dark Lord, and Die Trying.

    Bonus points: Isekai, hilarious, read the title literally, dark, repeat deaths, crazy shenanigans, and the author was one of the ones chosen to promote This Kingdom in publicity blurbs 🙂

  17. Not the TKWNKM vibes exactly but its very Kate coded books so I figure BDH will like it.
    The Ebony Gate by Julia Vee and Ken Beebele. Strong female character, huge world build in Asian Mythology. Its a very well done and satisfying series.
    Good reading BDH!

  18. Asked my local indie bookstore for high fantasy political intrigue recs for my tkwnkm hangover and boy they delivered. The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson. It’s up for the 2026 Hugo!

    • +1 Yes!! this 10000% The Raven Scholar is brilliant! definitely worth a read: fantasy, mystery, bit of romance, lots of poltical intrigue and twisty plot and some laughs.
      Never read anything by Antonia Hodgson before but I went for it and actually this is one of my fave books from last year (I’m really finding it hard to w*it for book 2 though!!).

    • I just finished The Raven Scholar, too. Loved it and looking forward to the rest of the trilogy!

    • +1
      I absolutely devoured this book. I then recommended it to a friend, who thought he was going to read it over the span of a week — he was done within 2 days. We then held a mini book club where we gushed about this book for two hours straight. So good.

    • Great read, and very fast moving. Also one particular plot point that was very similar to a part of TKWNKM, you’ll know it when you see it! 😉

  20. I coped with my Maggie hangover by changing directions a bit. The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett is a fantasy murder mystery that also has great worldbuilding and characters, also a sly sense of humor. The second book in the trilogy, A Drop of Corruption, is also quite good and book 3 is being published in August.

  21. Helen Harper’s Cat Lady Chronicles
    Pros: slightly older protagonist, new magic world
    Cons: only three titles currently plus a side novella, short and too easily devoured

  22. Cannot suggest By Blood Shadow and Fire by Orin Steele enough. The feminine rage and magic system made me obsessed.

  23. I would recommend The Raven Scholar (Antonia Hodgson)
    It’s got political intrigue, a main character whose strength is her intellect and knowledge of obscure lore, and an omniscient flock of ravens as a narrator. It has moments of humor in an otherwise grim setting, which does have a hair of the dog quality to it. 🙂

    • here was how I coped with my hangover! love all her work and guild hunter series just finished in May!
      +1

    • +1 Even though Archangel’s Eternity made me cry since I know this is the last Guild Hunter series book.

      • + 1

        LOVE! Just finished Archangel’s Eternity too! She said she left little crack for possible slip in haha

    • +1! I reread the Raphael &Elena-focused ones in preparation for the finale (Archangel’s Eternity), and honestly, this was one of my favourite series ending. It was like meditating myself back to normalcy.

    • +1
      I loved this series and the last book is such a gift to readers to wrap up a lot of threads throughout the series. The Psy-changeling series is also excellent and a darker, but with plenty of humer

  25. Seconding the shout outs for Goblin Emperor and Murderbot!

    Also by Martha Wells, City of Bones. I just read this for the first time and it’s fabulous and although it’s not a portal story, the intrigue and danger definitely echoes Maggie’s world.

  26. After an immediate reread I managed to get over my book hangover with help from The Will of the Many by James Islington. I love a thick book, so if you are not looking for a long or heavy read avoid this one, but if you like pseudo Roman Empires, political intrigue and interesting moral questions it might be worth a read. The second book recently got released and I finished Will of the Many on a Thursday and by Friday I was walking into a bookshop to get Strength of the Few because there was no way I was going to be able to wait for delivery.

    • Islington’s Licanius series is also very good. I recommend the audiobook versions. It’s the same narrator who does Brandon Sanderson’s books.

    • +1. I was checking to see if his books were already included. Both the Will of the Many and the Licanius series by him are excellent.

      Also +1 for TA White’s Firebird Chronicles!

  27. The Elantra Chronicles by Michelle Sagara. The latest in the series, Cast in Blood just recently released. I’m currently rereading through the entire series (plus spin-offs)

    • +1. I’m rereading the last several of these just to make sure I’m not forgetting a bunch of things and where they belong.

    • +1000 – just bought the new book. need to go back and reset my perspective in anticpation!

    • +1
      This is recommended multiple times by the Horde, I love it.
      For a simple breakdown, the series in this world are:
      The Chronicles of Elantra (19 books and a prequel)
      The Wolves of Elantra (2 books)
      The Academia Chronicles (3 books, pick up after book 15 of Chronicles of Elantra)

      A good entry point: The Wolves of Elantra, Book 1: The Emperor’s Wolves by Michelle Sagara. (She also publishes as Michelle Sagara-West and Michelle West.) It picks up near the beginning, but the world is already robust, and will give a sense of the world/writing, before you commit to 20 more books. That said, I love everything I’ve read by her.

      I see people on here calling The Chronicles of Elantra a slow burn. I would not categorize the series as a romance. Maybe epic high fantasy with politics and mystery? It has, in some books, small romantic moments. But the MC is (so far) focused on personal growth and healing. Her relationships with other characters center on that, more like a coming-of-age story.

      Sagara writes a wonderfully imaginative world (dragons, mages, ancient gods, lost worlds, sentient buildings), and her characters undergo emotional journeys while navigating politics and solving mysteries, finding inner strength and friendship. Themes include found family, forgiveness, redemption, sacrifice and duty, self-love, and personhood. This is not a chill read, Horde. Like Maggie, it has dark moments and some mature themes.

      • +1
        This is a good read of the series. I was disappointed that what I thought was a “slow burn” wasn’t going anywhere. Largely solo identity journeys with detective plots.

  28. Heather Fawcett’s Emily Wilde series, starting with Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faerie. So much fun and smart to boot.

  29. This is a Graphic Audio book recommendation, the Leveling Up series, starting with Magical Midlife Madness.
    MFC: A regular, average human woman 40’s,recently divorced and taken to the cleaners in the process. Discovers she is the chosen heir to a sentient, magical house and a latent gargoyle.
    MMC: A hunky shape shifter who runs the local bar in self-imposed exile.
    There is a lot of self-discovery, humor, action, and of course romance.

    The house comes with a hilarious cast of characters, including a vampire gardener and ancient butler, who become her new family.

    I laughed so much while listening to the wonderful portrrayals that I snatch up each new release – 11 so far.

    • Magical Midlife is a series on Kindle Unlimited if you want to read them. The first one is Magical Midlife Madness, and it’s about a 40something heroine who develops magic. Great characters, great action, slow-burn romance, and very very funny!

      • +1 for Magical Midlife Madness and the entire series. Not dark or deep or super complicated, but super fun and laugh ’til I cry funny. I really didn’t expect to enjoy anything with “midlife” in the title, but I love every one of these and have reread multiple times.

      • Seriously the BEST series. ai have looked like an absolute loon while shopping or being out and about because I have been listening to the audiobook while doing so. It is pee in your pants hilarious! The cast of characters is so out there – I love these books.

    • +1000 The voice actors are excellent! The stories are hilarious! I listen with my headphones on and I get these weird looks from people when I suddenly burst out laughing 🙂

        • Her father’s ‘fart blanket’? I have read this series 5 times! The personalities are so clearly encapsulated in these books. The real world disappears, and I dance into an intoxicating world. I read over 300 books yearly for decades. It’s rare that any writers stand out. I highly recommend these books.

    • I’ve tried to read this series 2 separate times but can’t get past the FMC saying she’s sooo old all the time when iirc she’s like 40 something? Does that get better as the series goes? 😅

      • @Kah To be fair, when I hit 40 I got stuck in that “I’m so old” mindset. She does move past it, as I did! 🙂

        It gets better, I swear! ♥

    • +1000 for Leveling Up!!!

      I adore this series and the Graphic Audio is well done! Definitely one of my comfort reads!!! (and re-reads and re-listens!)

    • This author KF Breene is one of two I was thinking of recommending. Her Demigods of San Francisco is a really cool series to. I am currently listening to the Graphic Audio version.

      • There’s a very good reason for that incredibly slow burn. She’s working through a sh*tload of past history, without psych…

        • The slow burn has caught me like a fish.
          In this final book we’ve got confirmation for one (S) instead of (flower guy), which is awesome.

          Now in the next 5 books we might get there!!

          • I guess maybe I’ll try to get back in. I’m also rather confused about how back to back the current plots in the books are. And I understand the reason for the slow burn but to me it never feels like we get enough S+K/E time I honestly want more of like their beats and patrols. What is a normal day for them? Where they don’t need to go to x place to talk to x all mighty character.

            • + 10000 agreed. I felt exactly the same and lost traction after book 9? but after this thread and hopeful news I’ll jump back in.

    • I’m 100% slow rolling through the latest – Cast in Blood

      my husband got to hear me do lots of Squee-ing when I got to parts that tied back to the Severn Prequel spinoff books

  31. It’s hard to keep track of Lois Bujold’s Penric series since she pretends to be retired so she only writes when an idea comes to her and doesn’t promote in any way as far as I can tell. She just announces on Goodreads that there is a new story and it is out. Then she lets her fans disseminate the information.

    The newest one “Darksight Dare” was released in Mid-April.

  32. Weavingshaw by Heba Al-Wasity.
    Fresh of the printing press (Feb 2026) – an incredible debut imho.
    Fantastic Gothic story that weaves in themes of immigration, class, belonging, with a very slow-burn romance.
    Word of warning – first novel of a trilogy and there is a cliffhanger (I personally don’t mind either if the book is well crafted and this one is)

  33. I recently finished Rise from Ruin by Melissa Olthoff. Leading Dragon Academy cadet gets derailed, has to start over. She perseveres. Fun story that sucks you in (as a former military academy grad, I can say the author gets the feel of that part right). Also, the sequel is due in only a couple months, so no W-word!

  35. Galactic Merc series by Chris Kennedy is an ongoing series about an author that gets kidnapped by aliens and rescued by a mercenary group where in each book he has to Level Up like he is gaming.

  36. Empire of the Stars by Melissa J Cave! The 4th book was just released this month, and book 5 will be released in November. Very intricate political intrigue, incredible world-building, and overall impressive depth to the story and characters.

    • +1. Cozy light fantasy murder mystery. While the fantasy part is light and probably a spoiler, the characters are funny and there is a cat. Gobbled them up.

    • +1
      These were a delight, with a cast of characters that spanned the age range. And they all learn from & support one another. I get so sick of people treating labeled generations like some kind of cult.

  38. Thank you for this post! I just started Winter World by AG Riddle. New author for me. It’s a Hail Mary type book with less science. I’m loving it so far! Will be checking back here for more good recommendations 🧐

  39. Anne Bishop’s has published the first book in a new series, Turns of Fate, an Isle of Wyrd novel and it has captured my imagination. Destiny Park is the residence of the Arcana, paranormal beings. Humans meet with the Arcana to make bargains and to change their fate. The main story is about a detective, Beth Fahey who goes to Destiny Park to inquire about a “ghost gun”. It’s a mixture of mystery, dark fantasy and urban fantasy, and now that I’ve told you all about it, I’m going to re-read it.

  40. Lady Tremaine by R. Hochauser

    I read it yesterday, and it is on my reread pile!

    It is a retelling of the Cinderella fairy tale from the stepmothers perspective. It has an older FMC who makes decisions that make sense. The book explores the concepts of motherhood. It was a perfect read on mothers day.

    A side character has to deal with SA, but it is handled respectfully and not graphically.

    • Victoria Hanley – start with The Seer and the Sword.
      The whole trilogy is excellent, each a standalone that intertwines.

  41. L.E. Modesitt’s Grand Illusion series — there are currently four books available, Isolate, Councilor, Contraian and Legalist [this one is a prequel]. The final book, Premier, is due for publication release in November. It’s a very interesting look at political landscapes and parties. The characters are engaging and the story moves along on several threads.

  42. T A White, the fire bird chronicles, The new book came out recently and I’m doing another re read

    • Oh! Yes, was thinking of rec-ing this series. LOVE it. Wish GA would adapt these.

    • Echos of Insurrection by TA White is the latest “Edge of your seat” exciting installment with ongoing follow-up GUS snippets/chapters on the blog website-totally worth it.

    • +1000! Any of her series are fabulous and they are such different worlds. Firebird Chronicles is my favorite, but followed closely by her Pathfinder series.

      • +1000 Love all of her books. There are hints she is starting a new world/series soon too. Also I love her pathfinder and alien travers series too.

    • +1000! I came here say this. Bad ass heroine, strong, sexy male lead who is perfectly content with letting her handle herself. I got KD/Beast Lord vibes after I read the first few books.

    • I came to say this, too!! The Firebird Chronicles hit all my favorite notes of Kate Daniels, while also being their own thing. They’ve been added into my regular reread rotation, which is a high bar to clear!!

    • +1! Love and have re-read The Firebird Chronicles, and enjoyed the main 3 books of The Broken Lands. I wasn’t able to get into Aileen Travers.

    • I love her fire bird series, can’t wait to June for her Gus novella. I also love her Broken lands and Dragon Ridden Chronicles

    • I haven’t read the new book in the Fire Bird Chronicles, but it’s on my to be read list. The earlier books were great.

  43. For anyone looking for isekai + fan, I’ll recommend the webcomic For My Derelict Fave. She’s thrown into her favorite novel as a nobody and watches the book play out, only to see everything go horribly wrong after the Happily Ever After. She is given another chance as time rewinds to save her favorite character, the secondary love interest, by asking for his hand in marriage.

    Super funny, lovely artwork, and Hestia plays politics all while defending her fave until he’s ready to get back on his feet. Very charming and highly recommend!

    • I was scrolling trying to figure out if recommending a webtoon would be okay, glad I’m not the only one who deals with book withdraws this way.

      My Derelict Fave is really funny! I’d like to suggest The Knight Only Lives Today. It’s a fantasy world setting wherein the main character is a talentless warrior embroiled in an ongoing war. He wants to be better, to be a great knight, but doesn’t have any natural skills. He ends up with what most people would consider a terrible curse, but uses it to his advantage.

  44. I highly recommend The Dark Lord’s Guide to Dating (and other War Crimes) by Tiffany Hunt.
    Be warned book#2 (The Dark Lord’s Guide to Honeymooning(and other Villainous Deeds) doesn’t come out until Sep 8 2026. sigh.

  46. While waiting for Maggie to come out I found Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff. One of a trilogy of 3 huge books, earth adjacent, snarky hero, lots of unexpected twists, totally new type of vampire book. Myself & my husband both loved it!

    • This was recently recommended to me and I have it in my queue to read next. I’ve heard so many good things about Jay Kristoff’s books!

  47. The Incandescent by Emily Tesh – magical boarding school, as told by the teacher in charge, rather than any of the students. The writing is lovely. Every time I thought I knew where the story and worldbuilding was going it would shift and reveal a new layer. And following the story from the eyes of the grown up at school who has to teach and manage a bunch of teen wizards, maintain the ancient school infrastructure no one has the money to replace, and manage departmental squabbles, while preventing major demonic incursions, makes for a really fun and unique view.

  48. I highly recommend Melissa J Cave’s: Empire of the Stars books. I am being intentionally vague with names and the plot so you can have the experience for yourself. I tried not to give spoilers.

    It is wonderfully written with mystery and intrigue, royal and noble court manipulations, flawed characters making bad judgments and regretting them, but then rectifying them for the better. Lots of humor and POV’s. Lots of smart decisions and very cool world building.

    The First Book is Traitors Son which sets the scene with a 17 year old squire of an extinct house (note the word Conspiracy, and pay attention when it is brought up) getting a boon from the king and he claims a vast region of land, a river (its cool when you realize why he names the river in his boon) and the king’s daughter ( sad reason but smart). The king agrees, but gives his bastard daughters hand in marriage and there are underlying issues between her family and the male main characters’ family that have to do with the events of the Conspiracy.

    One caveat: I am an urban planner, and I absolutely love seeing the foundations of the city of Tressingale built with all its problems and solutions figured out in the books. It really adds a lot of depth and emotional meaning into the series.

    • The level of planning and logistics is something just not seen in other books. As the author is a military brat and veteran herself, I have to wonder is she was involved in military logistics.

      • I was wondering if she took sociology or urban studies potentially because her city problem solving skills are amazing. and I like some of the creative and funny solutions.

        ex: lets measure the capital cities blocks at night while drunk to see how much space each house needs.
        ex: there will be no bad section in my city.

        I also stayed up way to late thinking of the politics and how I hope I can replicate them so well and deviously.

    • I’m obsessed with this series. I discovered it last year. I just read the fourth book and that ending! Thankfully we’ll get the next book in 6 months.

      • Yes, the endings for three and four kept me awake at night. I was not expecting what happened either time, although there were hints.

        I love how authors hint at things, and it comes together, and you are like wowww I should have known or OMG.

  50. I’ll add Vanessa Nelson. If you like TA White (Firebird Chronicles), I think you’ll also enjoy Vanessa. Really nice world building. She’s got a number of completed series out. Taellaneth and Grey Gates are my favs so far — although I’ve enjoyed all of them. I’m waiting on the last book of her most recent series before glomming it — err, I mean reading at a sedate pace.

    • +1 I loved Grey Gates but Taellaneth is a go to re-read. Nelson’s female protagonists often struggle, frequently with not knowing their own self-worth. They fight on for what they believe in and earn the respect, support and affection of those around them. Nelson’s world building is terrific and her development of her characters is wonderful.

    • Yes! Found her earlier this year and has great world building and characters. And Mod R thanks for the snippet of how to find on mobile phone. That was as good as anew author selection 🙂

    • +1 for Vanessa Nelson. I love how each series is so different to the others in world-building

    • Yes +1 to Vanessa Nelson! I’ve read the Taellaneth and The Hundred and liked both series!

    • Talleneth is my absolute favorite of hers. I’ve read all 5 books and listened to all 5 books. It is a slower pace, but she does a great job world building. Her books have magic with an underlying mystery that the lead has to solve. I recommend the Fracture Conclave (with the 6th and final book out later this year) or Ageless Mysteries. Each book’s mystery is resolved, but there is an over arching storyline that runs through all of them.

  51. I really like the “Magical Midlife” series by K.F. Breene. 12 books and counting so if someone needs a longer series to help with the w*it, this might do it. I also appreciate the protagonist is in her late 30’s early 40’s! Very funny characters and read.

    • I love the midlife recorder series.In my opinion it has some similarities to innkeeper. I also love that the character is in middle age instead the 18 to 24 demo.

  54. K.B. Wagers “A Pale Light in the Black” (2021) first in the NeoG series.

    Military SF with found family, mystery, fantastic characters, sword fights and snarky dialog. Very Firefly vibe.

    Maxine Carmichael is the new XO on Zuma’s Ghost, part of the space coast guard that helps out stranded spaceships and apprehend smugglers and the like.

    Sword fighting is a must skill because bullets + spaceships = decompression = bad.

    Max is trying to be herself separate from her powerful and controlling family who wanted her to join the space navy.

    There’s an intense mystery and lots of awesome characters that you will love. So far 4 books so binge via your library or favorite book seller.

  55. I discovered Dick Wybrow’s Kane this year. It is the opposite of the werewolf. He is a wolf were. Born a wolf but bitten by a werewolf so he turns into a man. He has a very unique view of humanity.

  56. Strange Animals by Jarod K. Anderson. It’s a quick read, and it is so beautifully written (after reading it, I was not surprised to discover that Anderson has also published poetry). Beauty was not something I expected from a modern fantasy about choices and cryptids.

    • +1 with enthusiasm. The audio is good, the animals are very strange and I was caught up in the world. The writing is lovely and every time I thought we were appro+1 with enthusiasm. The audio is good, the animals are very strange and I was caught up in the world. The writing is lovely and every time I thought we were approaching a tired old trope, the story would twist away from it. aching a tired old trope, the story twists away from it.

  58. I’ve been rereading the October Daye series by Seanan McGuire (there’s…. 19 total so far? I’m rereading the 17th at the moment). I love the characters, and the world building, and the relationships – I highly recommend them to anyone! fantasy, some mystery, political drama… it’s all great.

  59. Here to VEHEMENTLY recommend Mask of Mirrors by M.A. Carrick and the two follow ups, a COMPLETE TRILOGY as far as I can tell though I’m not quite done yet (together, Rook & Rose). Found them a week or two ago on a reddit post for worldbuilding like IA after the original poster finished TKWNKM.

    Genuinely, first brand new author I’ve been this excited about in a long time. The series is so fun, great worldbuilding, great group of characters. I don’t want to spoil anything except to say I struggled with maybe the first 50 pages or so while I was feeling the world out, and it’s been such a fun ride from there.

    • +1000

      I’ve read and re-read the trilogy and am currently on another read for my book hangover. It has political intrigue, a female main character pulling a con, a masked vigilante, and divination. One of my favorite series outside of House Andrews’ catalog.

    • Read a sample on Libby and just bought the trilogy. Thanks for the recommendation.

    • Absolutely LOVE this trilogy. I browse a lot of “best of” lists and never see Mask of Mirrors, so I was going to post it here for sure. It’s such an intricate story, with great characters and world building. And yes, a COMPLETE TRILOGY (no people left hanging 😉 I wish there was more by this author.

    • +1 So much yes. Intricate well imagined world, smart sensible characters, humor, slow burn, satisfying ending to trilogy. Will reread while I w*it for Maggie 2.

  60. The Pun Farmer by Autumn Dawn, not as good as IA but nonstick read of character dropped into another world/game

  61. Try Precise Oaths, by Paige E. Ewing. The FMC is “Spider-kin” and a Seer and also neurodivergent but expands her friends, family and romantic relationship over 3 books so far. Fae Colonel who’s also a Fae Prince, wolf-kin, etc. in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Excellent series.

  62. The Things We Water by Mariana Zapata (May 2025) will definitely appeal to the Kate & Curran crowd. It is a thick original fantasy set in the modern world but with mythical gods and shapeshifters. The protagonist adopts a demon puppy who needs to be hidden from the normal world because the tip of his tail is a fire hazard. Re-read it soon after to savor the experience and appreciate the storytelling.

  63. With the same vibe as this kingdom will not kill me (both in length and genre) I’d recommand “The wandering inn” from pirateaba : it starts with the same premise as TKWNKM but focuses more on the impact you’ll have over it and how it’ll change you.
    It’s big and you can try it for free on the author website

    • It’s a portal fantssy with levels and everything. a completely different vibe than IA. But both me and my husband are big fans.

    • +1 The Wandering Inn is a lovely series, with 18 volumes on Audible, and more available on the site if you read the web serial. There is a lot of entertainment available (it’s long and ongoing). For portal fantasy/isekai lovers that don’t mind multiple story threads ongoing at the same time.

    • +1 i’ve returned to the wandering Inn over and over again over the years. I think it’s over like 20 million words at this point so it’s hard to read straight through. Better to pick it up, Read for a while, Put it down when you want to move onto other things and then return again and again.

    • +1 if you aren’t reading The Wandering Inn series you’re missing out on the best world and character building currently being written

  64. The legend od William OH by Macronomicon. It’s funny romp thru Tower world.
    Also we know William OH never met Chuck Norris. Such a meeting would have had unprecedented consequences. The world would have split and be remade better. If they fought then they would have never stopt becouse there couldn’t be a winter. And if they become friends they would destroy all evil together.

  65. Magic and the Shinigami Detective. The Case Files of Henri Davenforth. Honor Raconteur. Excellent series.

  66. The Wizard’s Butler and The Wizard’s Cat by Nathan Lowell.
    Not my usual cup of tea, but it hit the spot perfectly.

    • Oh wait, is that the author that wrote the Quarter Share series?

      Nothing ever happens in those books, but it’s SO damn satisfying to my ADHD brain, it’s like the literary equivalent of white noise, because he does a lot of cleaning and inventory.

      I will have to give these a go and hope for the same effect!

      • They’re wonderful but no big happenings. Just a fine explanation of how you live with a wizard.

      • Yes. A magical House. Found Family. A Veteran who finds new purpose. Competence. What‘s not to like?

      • Yep, same one. He also wrote the Tanyth Fairport series, which was amazing as well.

      • +1000

        The Wizard’s Butler books are great! Mod R’s description of the Trader’s Tales books is spot on. Never thought of the connection to my ADHD, and why I find the series so satisfying.

    • i like everything I’ve read by Nathan Lowell. It’s like cosy sci-fi (or cosy fantasy, in The Wizard’s Butler’s case!)

    • I love all Nathan Lowell, but especially the quarter share stories. After cancer treatment and recovery, Nathan is writing again. yay!

    • +1 I LOVED The Wizard’s Butler! I didn’t expect to like it so much!! The 2nd book was good, too, but the 1st one is wonderful!

    • +1 on both both books and lots of pluses for the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper series. I have fallen in love with Nathan Lowell’s writing style.

  67. The Legends & Lattes series by Travis Baldree. A series about starting over, making a new life. Enjoyable

  68. Seana Kelly – The Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore & Bar and her Sea Wicche Chronicles. Absolutely love both series. Slaughtered Lamb is about Werewolf Sam, the booknerd in charge. She runs her business by one simple rule: everyone needs a good book and a stiff drink be they demon, wicche, fae or vampire. No wolves though, never ever wolves… she has her reasons..

    The Sea Wicche is about Arwyn, a cassandra Wicche who can read objects by touch. She is an artist with a strong affinity for water. She gets roped into murder investigations by police so desperate to catch their culprit they would even turn to a so called psychic…

    Both series are full of adventure, fantasy, stong female heroine and slow burn romance (comparable to build up of romance in Innkeeper series).

  69. I have thoroughly enjoyed Christina Dodd’s A Daughter of Montague series. The heroine is Rosie(Rosalind) the sensible eldest daughter of Romeo and Juliet (they bumbled the suicide attempts in the tomb). There are 2 books and 2 novellas and the third comes out in June. They are funny and very engaging. Totally different from TWWNKM and help with withdrawal symptoms we all are experiencing.

    • OMG YES!!!! Christina Dodd is hilarious ,the retelling of Romeo and Juliet where they don’t die and have umpteen children because they can’t keep their hands off each other…..so funny.Great comedic murder mystery with some slow burn romance. The whole series is excellent. +1000

  70. It’s a completely different genre, but I loved Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. It’s about family, found and otherwise, friendship, and the human experience. I loved it and devoured it in one day. It’s definitely worth a read!

  71. I’m reading ”A rip through time”- series by Kelley Armstrong. About Mallory, a Canadian detective who are in Edinburgh visiting her sick grandmother. On a jog one night M gets attacked and when she wakes up she is in a the body of a 19 year old Victorian house maid. Her boss is a very interesting man rich, a bastard, POC and an undertaker/forensic scientist with a detective best friend and a chemist sister . She tries to figuring out how to survive in this strange new body and world, find out how to get back from 1869 to 2019 while also solving a murder.

    It’s a great series, fun to see Victorian Edinburgh and Scotland through modern eyes, the slow burn is slow burning to the max!

    • I love this one too, especially once they finally confirmed that slow burn 🙂

  72. Sometimes after a book like that I need a change of pace and one of my recent favorite series is by Megan Bannen, first book is The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy- it is fun fantasy with a unique world, zombies and maybe dragons! (And the second book has older mc)

  73. There are a lot of authors I would recommend, but since Mod R is only letting us choose 1 author for the post, I highly recommend Jennifer Estep’s Galactic Bonds series. The series starts with Only Bad Options.

    The series is about two people creating a truebond while fighting for their lives. When they find out about the bond, they try to reject it, only to find out that the bond is alive a well. There are other interesting situations in the series that I won’t spoil it for anyone.

    The next book in the series, Only Bright Destines, will be out February 16, 2027. House Andrews also recommends this series. They did a review on the first book. 😊

  74. If the horde is craving a little more romance with their adventure, highly recommend Kacey Ezell’s Magelight series!! First two books are out. Think D&D adventuring party with a Why Choose romance 💙🔥

  75. A Plague of Magic by Marisa Wolf is a gritty adventure tale of a thief who finds a cursed treasure in a post-magical-apocalypse world. She thinks her life is about to change forever…and she’s right, but not in the way she thinks.

    I could. not. put this one down.

  76. Archangel’s Eternity by Nalini Singh. Sigh, the final book in the Guild Hunter series. Very satisfying but hoot not the end

  77. I am going to toss in John Scalzi – he’s more sci-fi than fantasy.

    I have read many of his stand-alone books and enjoyed them all. I think When the Moon Hits Your Eye is my favorite (timeliness of idiot rich men going into space probably) but all of them are worthy.

    I have only read book 1 of his Old Man’s War series but I will be continuing that as they come up on my TBR.

  78. The Scholomance series by Naomi Novak- a total change in series type but I could not put it down. Like a cross between Harry Potter and a Series of Unfortunate Events, written for adults. Also, it’s a complete trilogy, so no waiting!

    • Annette Marie’s Three Mages and a Margarita series wrote several other series intertwining in that world, so something like (off the top of my head) 25 books in four or five series, each with a different main and secondary characters that make cameos in the other series. Great fun. Another one just came out.

      • Wonderful series she’s penned. Favorite is Demonized series which ties into the other one.

        • I loved all of these intertwining series but I don’t feel like these were her best work. Some of her earlier works were super stellar.

    • +10000 I love her books, and the guild codex series is actually several intertwining series with different main characters. Plus her Spell Weaver series is also good.

  80. I really loved “Hench” by Natalie Zena Walschotz and the sequel, “Villain” is out soon. Extremely snarky and less cozy than “Assistant to the Villain” – think “The Boys” (show).

    • I really enjoyed Assistant to the Villain also. I really liked the humor of the author in these books.

  81. Highly recommend the New Protectorate series by Abigail Kelly. Start with Fragile Beings (a collection of 3 short stories) and Book 1: Consort’s Glory.

    • +100%!!! I’ve devoured everything Abigail Kelley writes—and her fabulous art—it’s one of my most reread authors. Incredibly different world-building, lot of change in character growth, romance and spicy times—liked her books so much I joined her Patreon and get new books early, serialized. Love her! 💜💜💜

    • I know we were suppose to keep it recent so I want to point out that it has a Spinoff (Book 1 Unpredictable Magic) series coming out July 14 so the perfect time to start the series if its new to you and get all the background intime for the new release

  83. The Ashen series by Demi Winters. It’s set in a Viking-esque world and full of great warriors (the Blood Axe Crew!) and female characters who aren’t conventionally strong but are wonderful. The audiobook narrator is incredible.

  86. I’m going to suggest B.R.Kingsolver. The Crossroads Chronicles is the series that came to mind in Mod R’s post.

  87. Alice Degan who also writes as A.J. Demas. All her books are quite good, but I particularly liked her Boukos novels: One night in Boukos and the Sword Dance trilogy.

    Kind of cozy mysteries with MM romance, though On Night has an MF couple as well, that take place in a no magic alternate world based on Ancient Greece and Rome.

  88. **** Soooo Hear me out****
    Sometimes when I have book hangovers I go back to old faithfuls. Because of my ADHD I need something super engaging (maybe chaotic) but with strong plots and lots of possible theories for my brain to track and think about.

    After searching the thread I have not seen this series nor the author listed. So without further ado, I humbly suggest the following.

    ****Kresley Coles – Immortals After Dark Seris****
    A contemporary urban fantasy based in New Orleans following the world of preternatural beings that live amongst humans undetected..ish. Fall into the chaotic shenanigans of the Valkyrie, “business ventures” of the witches and general hilarity and heart that follows in these stories.

    There are currently 25 books in the series, with the last book “Shadow’s Heart” being published last year. We are currently pending a supporting spin off book this summer.

    Each book can be read as a stand alone but benefits from reading the series. All books have their own complete plots, with a focus on the FMCs overcoming both internal and external battles. FULL DISCLOSURE – These are fairly smutty books, that being said if you’re not into it skipping those scenes does not overly impede the plot.

    Happy Reading – sending love to all during our book hangover slumps.

    • +1 Thanks for bringing these books up, its been a while and I didn’t realize there was a new one out – going to get it now!!

    • +1000!

      IAD is FANTASTIC! When I am feeling spicy, these are my go-to.

      Each book is standalone, but they are all threaded together nicely if you’re into that. You can skim past the spicy bits and not miss anything important. Excellent story telling and lore. ♥

  89. The Queen’s Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner is my absolute go to for political intrigue (and romance in later books). The first book came out in the nineties, but the final one came out in 2020, so hopefully it counts.

    • One of my favorites! Such an amazing series, the plot, the characters, the worlbuilding, the author used of narrator in each book…

      Funny thing, my first reading was after “A Conspiracy” was published. Since then I done several rereding, always finding new stuff. Only a couple of years ago I found out there are two more books. It was the complete opposite experience than Maggie had reading Kair Toren.

      • I first read them after King of Attolia, and I thought that was the final book! Very exciting when she wrote more.

  90. Raiders of the Arcana series by Jacquelyn Benson.

    It’s a combination of the classic Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters and the Indiana Jones movies with a bit of magic thrown in. It’s a lot of fun.

    There are three books in the series with a fourth due to be released in 2027.

    1. Empire of Shadows
    2. Tomb of the Sun King
    3. Arrows of Fortune
    4. Mountain of Songs

    • I have the first one in audio waiting to queue it up soon. good to know it might be as good as i hoped it would be

  92. The Wren in the Holly Library by K. A. Linde

    Enemies to lovers romance, political intrigue, immersive unique world, monsters, magic, ties to folklore, heists, and a door stopper of a book! The second one comes out next month, and there is also a prequel series. The audio production is also good.

    This one got me through the worst of the book hangover after my third time through TKWNKM.

    https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-wren-in-the-holly-library-deluxe-limited-edition-an-enemies-to-lovers-romantasy-in-a-post-monster-war-new-york-city-k-a-linde/8cc4e5a8f68761e7

    • +1 this was good! I need to finish the rest of the series – thanks for the inadvertent reminder 🙂

    • Eh. I’m going to -1 this one. The editing (or lack thereof) really kept interrupting the flow of the story for me. It’s an interesting premise and overall storyline, but the editing was a glaring distraction for me.

  93. Jennifer Estep – Galactic Bonds series.

    Brainy female lead, smart characters, crazy good space adventures, one or two out of five for spice. 🚀📚
    (Books #1 – 5 out now, #6 coming in February 2026.)

  94. “Dungeon Crawler Carl” it’s a crazy story about a guy and his ex girlfriend’s cat! I laughed, I cried, I screamed and I can’t wait for more! (Btw, if you’re into audiobooks, this one is an absolute gem)

  95. I’ve read about eight books since Maggie but the first one that really gripped me was Alchemised by SenLinYu. Different vibes entirely – the main characters meet during the war where the ‘good’ side is hopelessly loosing. The story is set against the background of fighting for a lost cause, revenge, war trauma, manipulation. It’s long but I thought it works well for the plot – as a reader you really feel caught up in the atrocities of the war and feel hopeless just like the main characters do. Do read trigger warnings though as there is some seriously dark sh*t happening.

    • +1 I really enjoyed that one plus I love the cover. Definitely an impulse buy based on the cover alone. I’m just glad the book was actually worth the read!

    • I enjoyed Alchemised, but it’s very dark. Not something I’d recommend to everyone.

  96. Silver and Blood by Jessie Mihalik

    – Fantasy, Magic, Romance, and political intrigue…. Book 2 in the duology comes out In December and I have it preordered already

  97. This round I will go with The Deathmade Prince by Lisette Marshall.

    It’s on kindle unlimited. 1st in the series. 2nd comes out in October. I read it last year and somehow it kept scratching at the back of my head to read it again – rarely happens. Just reread it and was irritated that I didn’t double check the second one was out because it left me in another book hangover before I even recovered from Maggie.
    Great character arc, slow burn with some spice, interesting dual magic system – rune/fire based, and enough world building to be interesting and seed the wider world for future books.

  98. The demon overlords retirement plan by M H Foster – it was nothing like this kingdom but was really funny.

    Answers that age old question, what would happen if a demon overlord got bored of taking over the world and decided to become a turnip farmer…

  99. If you are looking to get in on the ground floor with a new author/series then I can absolutely recommend Witch Queen Rising by Savannah Stephens. Its not out long and I stumbled into reading it after TKWNKM and was very very pleasantly surprised.

    There’s witches, vampires, shapeshifters and fae all in an alterna-New Orleans, so classic urban fantasy vibes (rather than romantasy). Our heroine is equally powerful and despised/denigrated (with all the angsty emotional baggage). Lots of family drama as well as drama-drama. Much like the first Kate book 1, plenty of action and world building, not so much romance (but some possible future options). Its not a perfect book but I consumed it in one go and will be keeping an eye out for the next one.

  100. I recommend The Witch Roads duology by Kate Elliott for fellow fans of House Andrews. The first book is The Witch Roads, and the sequel is The Nameless Land. It’s an adventure fantasy with magic, lots of world-building and a dash of romance.