Wera's 2026 Q3 Arc Reviews
- Wera Niyom
- 1 minute ago
- 10 min read
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.
1A. ON SILVER WINDS by Ava Smiddy (out now!)
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC ahead of Book 2's review!
ON SILVER WINDS is an NA multiple-POV romantasy featuring elemental magic, ancient prophecies, unhinged villains, and a wintry blend of fairytales and Irish mythology. Royal tensions split the frozen lake and awaken a dark king within its depths. Secrets threaten to undo the prosperity the Silver Kingdom has found in eternal winter, and may cost Adeline and Kai their people’s futures. ON SILVER WINDS is perfect for readers searching for more books with mental health representation and human x mermaid romances through an underrated mythical lens.
The cover is absolutely breathtaking. It gives off the cool, magical feel of winter. I knew this story was going to be so good, but I didn’t think it’d become one of my favorite reads of all time. Smiddy’s worldbuilding is a winter wonderland celebration, capable of satisfying readers’ craving for fairytale-inspired stories. Adding Irish mythology was the icing on the cake!
Adeline is a wonderfully written character, one that anyone can relate to if they have ever felt misunderstood or ignored by their parents. My heart aches for her and made me even more excited to commit to her journey in finding herself. It’s invigorating to see a character develop their choices on their own, without letting others influence or change who she is. She remains an admirable princess with sharp banter, strong standards, and a suitable level of confidence throughout the story. Just when I thought perhaps I was over my princess romance phase, Smiddy pulls me back in!
Kai is a perfect foil to Adeline, helping her realize what she wants out of her lonely life, but also what he hopes to find for his people. He is nothing short of a green flag ML, always thinking of our FL with every decision weighing on his mind. There’s the right amount of initial mystery, intrigue, and attraction between this budding couple.
ON SILVER WINDS is a creative take on the Snow Queen fairytale, sure to entice fans of Frozen and Reign.
Rating: 🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇
1B. ON GILDED WATERS by Ava Smiddy (forthcoming, June 26, 2026)
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC ahead of this review!
ON GILDED WATERS is an NA romantasy sequel to ON SILVER WINDS. Picking up where we left Adeline and Kai, it serves as an exciting conclusion to the Duet of Snow and Silver.
ON GILDED WATERS is the perfect conclusion to an amazing duology. I enjoyed how there is room for side stories should Smiddy choose to venture down that path. Every loose end is tied in a perfect knot, and with the new developments in the characters’ growth arc, it’s easy to see/understand how that groundwork was laid in Book 1. Everything comes together in a satisfying way. The romance is written perfectly. It captures the difficulties in a relationship instead of just pure bliss. There was enough yearning/ruminating on both sides following the third-act breakup in the previous book. I appreciate the originality in common relationship pitfalls and how it related to the major conflicts in the story. I truly believe this was a well-thought out indie release that deserves so much love and attention.
Although the book is far longer than Book 1, I enjoyed this one just as much because every scene felt necessary and meaningful. There was a stronger focus on side characters, some we got to learn more about as their role in defeating the antagonist grew larger. Each character had clear goals, and the magic system had plenty of limitations and consequences, adding to its realism.
If any spin-offs are planned in the future, I hope I get the privilege of reviewing those ARCs as well because I would love to return to the Silver Kingdom again one day, or even explore other regions mentioned throughout this duology. Rating: 🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇
2. THE REVENANT OF SUROLIFIA by Florence Chien (forthcoming, July 7, 2026)
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC ahead of this review!
THE REVENANT OF SUROLIFIA is an adult political fantasy following Lucas Rhine’s mission to liberate his annexed island home through a diplomatic secession before usurped prince Faye Phlorik and violent revolutionaries seize control by force. A gripping tale of identity, empire, and freedom, THE REVENANT OF SUROLIFIA weaves an elegant web of betrayal through a Belle Époque aesthetic.
The cover caught my eye from the beginning, as it complements the novel’s sharp commentary on imperialism and intended setting aesthetic. I’m always an avid supporter of books written by Asian authors, and this one did not disappoint! Chien presents sophisticated dialogue, a carefully thought-out and interesting magic system with limitations, and raw emotions through well-rounded characters. Every word has been chosen so masterfully, making it an extremely compelling read. Lucas Rhine and Faye Phlorik are two sides of the same coin, offering valid reasons for the sides they’ve chosen and are perfect embodiments of diplomacy and revolution, respectively.
Once readers pick this book up, it'll be hard to put down. This is by far one of my top reads of 2026 and maybe of all time. I look forward to purchasing the physical edition when it releases so I can rediscover the amazement I felt during my first read-through.
Rating: 🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇
3. THE TRUTH-TELLER'S BARGAIN by Camille Wolfewood (forthcoming, July 7, 2026)
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC ahead of this review!
THE TRUTH-TELLER'S BARGAIN is the first book in a planned duology featuring enemies-to-lovers, dangerous bargains, found family, a slow-burn romance, and morally gray rebel leaders. Alethea is an Oracle who can speak only the truth, bound by her ruthless mother. When she crosses paths with Nakir Hasan, the cursed leader of the rebellion, she discovers freedom isn't an impossible dream. But walking away from the one who promises it may be what breaks her.
First off, the cover is GORGEOUS. When I saw it, I knew I had to read it, and I’d regret it if I didn’t at least sign up to be part of the ARC team. I was NOT disappointed. The premise contains some of my favorite tropes with a delightful level of spice.
Alethea is a protagonist many can relate to. Throughout the novel, she ponders whether she’s strong enough, not realizing the strengths she actually possesses. Watching her come into her oracle powers and discover how she wants to use them (not how her mother would prefer she would) is an inspiring journey. Her beginnings may be grim, but she rises out of the ashes of her prison to become someone that everyone needs. And what makes it so much more rewarding is that she does it on her own. While she finds a family who accepts her for who she is, she uncovers those strengths on her own terms, rather than being helped by the ML.
The worldbuilding is quite intricate and can initially be overwhelming with the number of characters and terms mentioned in the chapters prior to Chapter 1, but I implore readers to stick with this story. Once you unravel the Wolfewood's intentions for the Alethea layer by layer, you'll struggle to put the book down. Epic fantasy always takes some time to acclimate to, but I never once felt that I needed more than a couple of pages to acclimate to THE TRUTH-TELLER'S BARGAIN. Positions of power, magic types, kingdoms—all are explained with the right amount of brevity and simplicity. I commend the Wolfewood for crafting a magic system that makes sense. There are consequences for using it and I love that she's not a master of it and we get to watch how that magic develops as the plot unfolds.
The romance is absolutely SWOONWORTHY. Camille Wolfewood has ruined me because it set my standard for romantasy books so high. The ML is a patient, teasing fellow that I fell in love with from the very beginning. He respects Alethea’s choices and complements her well. Steamy scenes are written so viscerally, I clutched my pearls more than once. My greatest regret is that I wish I could read the second book now, but much like Alethea and her desire for freedom, it’s a series worth waiting for.
Rating: 🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇
4. THE DRAGON HAS SOME COMPLAINTS by John Wiswell (forthcoming, July 14, 2026)
Thank you to Netgalley and DAW Books for providing an ARC ahead of this review!
THE DRAGON HAS SOME COMPLAINTS is a cozy fantasy following Garrodigh, a once four-headed dragon, who sneaks into an elite dragon rider academy for a place to sleep and free food. As he recovers from his injuries under rider Rania Albright’s care, their bond strengthens. Together, they hope to withstand the coming invasion. Readers will enjoy the humorous narration and found family.
I struggled to connect with this story and I love throwing in a cozy fantasy between my epic fantasy reads. Rania’s thought processes behind her decisions lacked the logic I needed to truly connect with her. Garrodigh’s narration is certainly entertaining, and I appreciated how consistent their characterization was throughout the story. I also wanted more out of the world! This was one world where I couldn’t see the wonder and immerse myself in completely. Finally, I’m not entirely sure if this is “cozy.” Invasions/war/battles feel very epic fantasy. While I thought both parts had their strengths individually, as a whole, it didn’t come together and created a disjointed structure.
Rating: 🐇🐇
5. FISHBONE CINDERELLA by Elizabeth Lim (forthcoming, July 28, 2026)
Thank you to Netgalley and Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for providing an ARC ahead of this review!
FISHBONE CINDERELLA is a historical fantasy that follows Ha Yut Ying and her grapple with a family curse—her mother’s dreams tell the future, her talents turn her invisible. When she is sent to live with her father and his second wife, her new stepmother becomes jealous of her evolving beauty and sends her to work in the family’s shoe factory. Told between two perspectives—Yut Ying and her daughter, Marigold, FISHBONE CINDERELLA offers interesting parallel, yet later converging storylines, weaving past issues into the present.
Elizabeth Lim is one of my top three favorite authors, so when I discovered she was branching out from her usual mythic fantasy, I absolutely had to request this ARC. I had high hopes going into this story, and it didn’t disappoint. The cover is absolutely breathtaking. The premise falls within Lim’s brand of weaving fairytales with Chinese mythology and lush storytelling. The characters’ personalities jump off the pages. They’ll make you cry with them, laugh with them, and appreciate the importance of family. FISHBONE CINDERELLA’s themes of family, love, sacrifice/loss, and war will resonate with any reader who picks up this book, but especially with any diaspora individual who finally returns home.
I eagerly await the release, so I may re-read this masterpiece a thousand times more.
Rating: 🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇
6. FLICKERSTATE by F. A. Davidson (forthcoming, July 28, 2026)
Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for providing an ARC ahead of this review!
FLICKERSTATE is a YA Fantasy with a complex, intriguing magic system based on foretelling, high-stakes competitions, an academic setting, and a rivals-to-lovers romance. When Norah Sullivan discovers she is a navigator, a person capable of manipulating probability, possibility beasts swarm her and her father. When a possibility beast bites a person, the chances of death increase. She enters the Academy of Navigation in search of a cure, but the only way into the archives is by defeating other students in a high-stakes team trial.
It was very easy to become absorbed in the story. A magic system based on possibility is unique, though its complexity lent to confusion at times. A deck of cards is used as a motif to demonstrate how far a navigator looks into their future, but beyond that, I didn’t quite understand cards as a symbol for foretelling. I wanted more elaboration in certain situations beyond the character entering flickerstate and summoning cards in a suit. The latter half of the book grew lax with the magic, summarizing key moments the reader waited to see. However, I still found the author’s creation gripping enough to follow the characters.
Norah is an admirable main character. Any character who’ll risk anything to ensure the safety of their loved ones creates empathy for the reader. Although she will resort to less than sportsmanlike tactics, she still carries guilt over the choices she will have to make. Her moral compass makes her a compelling character. Regarding the romance, I wish Vik was a little more developed, as sometimes he gave very little reaction to certain situations. The story is told mostly through Norah, but she observes Vik so closely from the very beginning, I expected her to notice more of his emotional cues and question those. Her overconfidence is a bit frustrating, but overall, I thought how the characters handled the conflicts was very much in line with its YA tone.
Rating: 🐇🐇🐇🐇
7. THE DEMON STAR by Jesse Aragon (forthcoming, July 28, 2026)
Thank you to Netgalley and DAW Books for providing an ARC ahead of this review!
THE DEMON STAR is a science fantasy/space opera debut with complex worldbuilding, character arcs, and chilling action sequences. It is an incredibly brutal world fraught with judgment, violence, and countless deaths. Its heavy topics required me to pick up a lighter read to enjoy alongside this, but a world built around gods and demons is hard to turn away from. I connected more with Jacen Kheris as he grappled with his addiction and guilt over past choices. The mystery surrounding his past motivated me to continue. Ysira is an admirable character as well, as she merely wishes to protect her estranged, god-killing demon-possessed son. Aragon leaves plenty of room for the reader to interpret the characters’ actions freely without concern of predictability or over-telling the stakes. I appreciate that there isn’t necessarily a hero in this story; it’s more of an analysis of what’s wrong and what’s necessary.
Although I’m not one for space operas and did not fall in love with the story, I can’t deny that this is a bold and compelling debut. I wish there was more elaboration on how the people in this society come into their powers, the physical consequences for utilizing the power of a demon, and slower development on the romance. I also found it chaotic when the demons were speaking through their vessels and the dialogue swapped based on who was in control of the body.
Rating: 🐇🐇🐇🐇
Are any of these books on your list to read in 2026? Let me know in the comments!