Wera's 2026 Q2 Arc Reviews
- Wera Niyom
- Apr 6
- 10 min read
Updated: May 11
Hello, fellow eggs!
I had the privilege of reading the following advanced reader copies (ARCs) and offering a review prior to release. To contribute to a successful release, my reviews for these ARCs do not contain spoilers.
1. THE HEART OF WAR by Olivia Snow (forthcoming, April 7, 2026)
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC ahead of this review! The following feedback is my own opinion.
THE HEART OF WAR is an enemies-to-lovers historical romance with a regency backdrop that focuses on Helena Weston’s fierce battle for survival amidst the collapse of her family’s fortune and a budding rivalry with a handsome noble.
I began my search for more historical romance books with the idea that I wouldn’t delve into a regency romance for a long, long time. However, when I saw Sun Tzu’s The Art of War in this book’s blurb, I knew I had to forgo that just to read this. I am pleased to say I wasn’t disappointed! The romance is full of so much drama, pride and prejudice (yes, I made that pun), betrayal, and opulent high society balls. The Pride and Prejudice vibes are so strong in this book, which made for a very entertaining and addicting read. I liked how, despite it being a regency romance, it was an accessible read that didn’t require a dictionary or multiple takes of the same line.
The author did an excellent job of showcasing the romance evolving and had that deliciously satisfying amount of push and pull. Green flags and mutual yearning for the win! It is also easy to become invested in the story’s B plot without it overshadowing Helena’s journey. Although I often questioned Helena’s decisions, I appreciated how she didn’t compromise her morals just to get ahead. This is one of the best historical romance novels I’ve ever read and would happily devour it again and again.
5 Jade Rabbits / 5
2. HEIR OF GRIEF by Allison Blanchard (forthcoming, April 14, 2026)
Thank you to the author and Varus Publishing Core Readers for providing an ARC ahead of this review! The following feedback is my own opinion.
HEIR OF GRIEF is a YA slow-burn romantasy that follows Mari Pollard as she navigates forbidden magic fueled by grief, death, and blood, an unseen war between Bloodwright and Stonebound, and a romance with an enigmatic classmate. It features an academic setting, secret bloodlines, and a morally gray love interest. Readers looking for more no-spice slow-burn books will enjoy this story.
I first came across HEIR OF GRIEF during the author’s ARC promos on Instagram and was instantly interested in magic nurtured through grief. Coming out of pandemic restrictions and the ever-changing world we live in now, I thought it’d be a rejuvenating read to connect with a fictional character who has experienced loss and is now struggling to figure out where they go from there. Although it helps to have a support system, I was relieved to discover that Mari coped with her loss in her own way, instead of relying on another person to do it for her. There’s a quiet strength in her that many can draw from as they navigate through their own personal turmoil. I believe the cover perfectly reflects the melancholy tone of the story, never romanticizing loss. The practice of healing one’s grief is quite poetic, and that’s why it was such a compelling premise for me.
While the story tackles grief in a respectable, real way, I had difficulty connecting with the story’s prologue and epilogue. I really wanted to dig in, so it felt like it delayed my immersion. Some sentences are quite long and contributed to the initial and ending disruptions. In terms of setting description, I wanted more details, as some scenes were harder to visualize, though the author displayed attentiveness regarding character appearances. Aside from that, the world felt very real, and the magic concepts were easy to understand.
The romance had several cute moments, though it felt slightly underdeveloped. It’s unclear when like transitions to love. Other emotions are chaotic and sudden. Rather than building slowly, it’s explosive and often makes the pacing jarring. There were times I wanted more interiority because Mari has such a relatable perspective!
3 Jade Rabbits / 5
3. BETWEEN SUN AND SHADOW by Laura Genn (forthcoming, May 5, 2026)
Thank you to Netgalley and Peachtree Publishers | Peachtree Teen for providing an ARC ahead of this review! The following feedback is my own opinion.
BETWEEN SUN AND SHADOW is a sapphic reimagining of Hades and Persephone that follows Shadowlands queen Adria and the Daylands heiress Kori as they navigate the complex dynamic between their two worlds and a romance full of delightful yearning. Readers will enjoy the perfect blend of science and magical wonder in this YA science fantasy.
When I first came across BETWEEN SUN AND SHADOW, I was blown away by the cover’s unique color scheme and the premise’s retelling told through a diverse lens. I’m always on the hunt for more sapphic fantasy, and it ticked off all the boxes I have when searching for something new to read. The world is absolutely wondrous, spinning several figures and creatures of Greek mythology in a completely new way. For any myth lover, identifying those easter eggs is the greatest joy I find in reading any retelling/reimagining. It stays true to the source material while becoming an exciting adventure that can stand on its own.
Queen of the Shadowlands, Adria, resonated with me the most in the story as she navigates the pressure of being the queen everyone wants her to be, while aspiring to be someone she can be proud to see in the mirror every day. I really enjoyed her banter with Lori and watched as it grew into something more. Each word is written with such care and depth. AND THE YEARNING!! The yearning is so visceral, it left me hungry for more.
4 Jade Rabbits / 5
4. THE RAINSHADOW ORPHANS by Naomi Ishiguro (forthcoming, May 26, 2026)
Thank you to Netgalley, Simon & Schuster, and Saga Press for providing an ARC ahead of this review! The following feedback is my own opinion.
THE RAINSHADOW ORPHANS is an adult mythic fantasy that follows the Kawakami siblings’ battle against the corruption of an underground criminal organization, the Lucky Crows, as they race to save their people. The first in a forthcoming trilogy, it blends sci-fi concepts, political intrigue, and rich Japanese folklore to create a tight-knit adventure.
I’ve read many multiple POV stories, but never come across one where it swaps between perspectives in a single chapter. It is an interesting choice, though takes away the tension Ishiguro masterfully builds in every scene. For this reason, I came very close to DNF-ing multiple times. The cuts felt abrupt, and all I wanted was to return to the action. Going from dramatic battle to cozy exploration made for a confusing read and kept me from connecting with the MCs fully before we’re thrust into another storyline. In the initial pages, I liked Toshiko because she served as this embodiment of feminine rage that I’m absolutely vibing with in my books lately. As the story progressed, I wanted more character development, more distinguishable voices. All the ideas were interesting, but I felt it was too much for one book and it severely slowed its pacing.
The magic system is very whimsical and has a spiritual feel to it, but I don’t know if I would equate it to Pokemon. Ishiguro has a magical touch with integrating the reader into the world she’s created, and it’s part of what encouraged me to finish this book. I love the level of detail that goes into the characters’ day-to-day lives, the snippets of Japanese culture woven into their decisions.
While I didn’t fall in love with the book, others may feel differently.
2 Jade Rabbits / 5
5. THE ICE IN OUR VEINS by T. René Thornhill (forthcoming, May 30, 2026)
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC ahead of this review! The following feedback is my own opinion.
THE ICE IN OUR VEINS is an adult fantasy that follows Elin, a selkie living between two worlds. When the pirates kidnap her twin brother, she offers to trade her pelt for his life, only to lose both. Filled with vengeance, she joins the Silvamari army to hunt down the man who uprooted her life. As she’s pulled into a kingdom on the verge of collapse, she finds comfort within Lieutenant Edward Graves. Please note that while this story contains romance; it does not have a happy ending.
Selkie stories will always hold a place in my heart (thank you L.K. Madigan for The Mermaid’s Mirror), so the fact that this one does not have a happy ending did not deter me from my desire to delve in. Elin is a character I can really relate to, given all the struggles she’s had with her family. I resonated so strongly with her plight and enjoyed the playful dynamics with her friends and twin brother. I loved how Thornhill integrated multiple mythologies into the world and the poetic prose.
The romance pacing felt disjointed—the meet-cute happened later than I expected, and several beats were skimmed over. To be invested in a love story, even if it ends tragically, the reader needs to see the characters growing closer, how their goals may align/conflict, and how that relationship changes over the course of the book. I wanted to see the wall between Elin and Edward break down over time to believe in their love. Given that Elin is reeling from grief and likely unwilling to trust someone after what the pirate did to her brother, I expected more resistance instead of just hesitation.
About 50% through the story, there was massive head-hopping with inconsistent markers. It became jarring because I questioned who held priority in the scene and created visualization difficulties. Around this time, the romance also comes together and Elin has satisfied her revenge, which throws off the flow for the rest of the book because it feels like the story has fulfilled its purpose/premise and there’s nothing left for the characters to develop. I understand this is a prequel, but the story’s pacing really needed a stronger structure and character growth arcs, and clearer overarching goals, to drive forward a more cohesive plot.
Throughout reading, I kept waiting for that wow factor that would set it apart from other books in its genre. I wish there were more creativity in how the selkies were presented to the reader, and it went beyond what the myths have told. As the author’s first story, it is a good first and honest attempt. I commend Thornhill’s bravery for publishing a book, as it’s difficult to open yourself up to possible critique. Nevertheless, I am grateful for the opportunity to review this ARC and explore someone else’s world.
2 Jade Rabbits / 5
6. HOPELESS NECROMANTIC by Shiloh Briar (forthcoming, June 9, 2026)
Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit Books for providing an ARC ahead of this review! The following feedback is my own opinion.
HOPELESS NECROMANTIC is an adult paranormal romantasy about the all-powerful necromancer Sikras 'Catseye' Nikabod and his reluctance to enter a war against one of his closest friends while still coping with the loss of his wife and friends. HOPELESS NECROMANTIC is perfect for fans of macabre humor mixed with romance and a side of skeleton friends.
The opening scene pulled me in from the very beginning! HOPELESS NECROMANTIC is a prime example of how to write third person with layered interiority. Both MCs have different quirks about them that make their voices distinguishable and leave a lasting impact on the reader. I loved Sikras’ playfulness and his precious friendship with his skeleton best friend, Benjamin. He’s a troubled soul who raises the dead for a living, so I thought it made sense for Briar to experiment with the stages of grief.
The story follows through on everything the premise promises: a complicated romance, an unethical necromancer with a penchant for disregarding the law, and endearing macabre humor. The narration isn’t over-inflated with worldbuilding terms, and we’re told just enough to form a picture in our mind, while also leaving room to explore in the sequels/prequel. I was also incredibly impressed with the languages Briar created for spell-casting and the demons. I can sense the amount of passion that went into this project, and it made it even more enjoyable. I can’t wait to read the sequel!
5 Jade Rabbits / 5
7. FATED by Cosette Verga (published)
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review! The following feedback is my own opinion.
FATED is the first book in a complete seven-book adult romantasy series featuring fated mates, found family, emotional slow-burn, and magic. It follows Areya, who uncovers a magical world after she awakes in a jail cell with her mother’s blood on her hands.
As a longtime fan of the fated mates trope, I knew I had to give this series a chance. The elements provide an interesting premise, but the execution did not meet my initial expectations. The story begins with a prologue that details Areya’s emotional state after her mother is brutally murdered. I usually take no issue with prologues so long as they help push the story forward and start it in the right place with a strong opening hook. Unfortunately, chapters 1 and 2 start way before the night of the murder, then chapter 3 returns to where the prologue left off. In this case, the prologue may not have been necessary, or it could have simply begun with the murder instead of showing so much of Areya’s day-to-day life. By spreading out the inciting incident in this manner and overusing short, choppy sentences, it took away a lot of tension and fell into the typical tone we see in YA novels, where the MC has a perfect life, then it’s ripped away. I hoped to see more nuanced word choices and stronger emotional subtext in a series marketed as adult. For that reason, I often forgot this is an adult romantasy series, and not YA.
As a protagonist, Areya has flaws, but not in a way that improves her character. She instantly figures out how to use her magic early on. It’s lacking a try/fail cycle that we really needed to see early, as she had been cut off from magic for her whole life. She also feels too perfect—like she was given every possible form of plot armor to increase her standing as the ML’s partner. Her background continues to expand as the story progresses, and it ultimately becomes overwhelming.
In terms of the romance, the enemies-to-lovers aspect ended too quickly that it didn’t provide the satisfaction I usually receive. When internal goals are satisfied too rapidly, the emotional payoff isn’t as huge as it could be. I wished there were more push-and-pull between Areya and Ash, especially considering all the terrible things Ash did early in the story. Nevertheless, I kept coming back to finish this book because there are many cute, wholesome moments. As a whole, the story’s chaotic opening, slow middle, and rushed ending make for a disjointed read. Evaluating it by individual scenes, it has what I love to see in a romantasy series. However, the best thing about being an author is that we are always working on our craft. It’s hard work, but sometimes issues are improved upon as a series progresses. I’m intrigued to see how Verga tackles new conflicts in the next book.
2.5 Jade Rabbits / 5
Are any of these books on your list to read in 2026? Let me know in the comments!
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