★Darling, Olivia Rose. Fear the Flames. Delacorte. Sept. 2024. 384p. ISBN 9780593873892. $28.99. FANTASY

DEBUT Princess Elowen was blessed with the love and bond of five dragons but was cursed to leave them behind after her father imprisoned and tortured them all. But she was a child then, and now adult Queen Elowen has a mission. She has a duty to find allies to help her feed the people of her hidden kingdom. She also needs to get her dragons back, but above all, she must get revenge on her father, the king who stole her childhood and her birthright. She’ll bathe in the blood of her foes, fight betrayal at every turn, and do her damndest to protect herself from the enemy who her heart desperately desires to claim as its own. The political machinations are practically Machiavellian, the blood and guts are frequently hip-deep, and the enemies-to-lovers romance is as hot as dragon fire. VERDICT Originally self-published and now receiving a special edition with additional content from a big publisher, this debut novel and Book Tok sensation is highly recommended for romantasy lovers, especially fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas and The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros.—Marlene Harris

★Wang, M.L. Blood Over Bright Haven. Del Rey: Ballantine. Oct. 2024. 448p. ISBN 9780593873359. $29.99. FANTASY

Wang (The Sword of Kaigen) expertly blends discussions of sexism, xenophobia, and colonialism into an immersive dark-academia fantasy. Sciona Freynan is the first woman to be accepted into the elite ranks of magic-users in the history of Tiran, a gilded techno-utopia in which some humans are protected from icy winters and the Blight that strikes down Indigenous peoples. Eager to prove herself the equal of any man highmage, Sciona throws herself into her research to expand the magical barrier protecting Tiran lands from the dangerous outside world. Alongside her Kwen assistant, Thomil, Sciona pushes the boundaries of Tiran’s magical system and uncovers a secret about the nature of the power fueling all of Tiran’s technology and must confront what it means for the future of their society. With exquisite worldbuilding and characters, Wang delivers a tour de force of unflinching social criticism wrapped in a classic fantasy setting. VERDICT Vibrant, raw, and deeply emotional, this novel is a manifesto about justice as much as it is a thrilling work of fiction. This self-published title, picked up by a big publisher, will have wide appeal beyond fans of science fiction and fantasy.—Lydia Fletcher