Brace yourself for a Romantasy season where poetic slow burns collide with Viking epics and gothic intrigue. From the electrifying enemies-to-lovers heat of Silver Elite by Dani Francis to the dark divine mysteries of When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker, these May releases breathe new life into classic tropes. Whether you crave dragon fuelled worldbuilding, ancient prophecies, or twist-filled dark fantasies, this lineup reminds us that we are still hungry for Romantasy’s emotional magic.
Enemies-to-lovers remains a genre defining force, and Silver Elite is proof. In a world where supernatural gifts are a death sentence, the stakes are brutal, the tension is electric, and the cliffhanger will leave you desperate for more. A promising start to what feels like a necessary series. May also delivered When the Moon Hatched, an instant hit for lovers of intricate worldbuilding and fierce female leads. Dragons, goddesses, and a glossary? Sign me up. The heroine is sharp-tongued, independent, and refuses to be controlled, echoing beloved figures like Aelin or Nesta, while carving out her own space.
A Curse Carved in Bone by Danielle L. Jensen, prequel to A Fate Inked in Blood, brings Viking lore to life with magic and divine gifts. If you were glued to Vikings (2013) or Vikings: Valhalla (2022), you will feel right at home with Freya and Bjorn. The story is brutal and beautiful, grounded in themes of legacy, sacrifice, and the gods’ unpredictable favour.
This month marked my first foray into Mariana Zapata’s writing with her newest release, The Things We Water. Known for her slow burns and detailed character arcs, Zapata’s storytelling is deliberate and emotionally rich. It’s easy to see why readers return to her books again and again for a five-star romance experience.
To wrap up May, The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig promises gothic vibes, fierce girls in armour, and a plot driven by divine mystery. Sybil Delling is a Diviner gifted with prophetic dreams from otherworldly Omens. As her time in the cathedral nears its end and her fellow Diviners begin to vanish, she must work with a rogue knight to uncover a truth the gods prefer to keep buried. It’s dark, dreamy, and I can’t wait to dive in.
This season proves that core Romantasy tropes—soulmates, found family, enemies-to-lovers, and magical trials—are still reader favourites, but it’s the subtle subversions that keep them fresh. Silver Elite leans into enemies-to-lovers while weaving in class politics and moral tension. Quicksilver by Callie Hart avoids typical vampire-and-fae clichés by digging into side characters, giving them narrative weight and foreshadowing bigger roles to come. Its immersive world and sharp pacing left me fully invested, and yes, the sequel’s already pre-ordered. Another under-the-radar gem is Briar Boleyn’s Bloodwing Academy series, a dark academia fantasy with layered POVs, secret realms, and a sharp, complex heroine.
Let’s be real, BookTok has changed the way we read. Aesthetic-driven content, trope tracking, and pre-release hype have created an atmosphere where expectations are sky-high. Think about it: Onyx Storm, the third book in Rebecca Yarros’s Empyrean series, set an impossible bar earlier this year. Many readers (myself included) are still riding that emotional hangover while awaiting Sarah J. Maas’s next ACOTAR instalment. In the meantime, BookTok has become a guide and sometimes a distraction. Honest takes matter by celebrating books while acknowledging their flaws. Some readers crave intricate worldbuilding; others want fast pacing and character chemistry. The beauty of the current landscape is that you can find both, though it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the hype machine.
So, what’s next? I want more twists. The kind that catches you off guard and forces you to physically close the book and scream. Few authors pull this off like Rebecca Yarros, who masterfully balances heartbreak and hope without ever losing momentum. I’m also hoping to see deeper character-driven plots, especially from lesser-known authors or indie publishers who aren’t afraid to take risks. The genre is evolving, and readers are asking for more. More morally grey characters. More high-stakes emotional payoffs. More attention to side characters who matter. And most importantly: more moments that make us feel. Because that’s the heart of Romantasy. It is not just the magic or the romance, but the emotional resonance that lingers long after the final page.
Words by Johanna Düring
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