2 New Romantic Fantasy Novels

by MK French

Do you have a long weekend coming up? If so, these are two great romantic fantasies to pick up. Shadowplay is a sequel, so if you haven't read Pantomime, you'll want to grab it too.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Shadowplay by L. R. Lam

November 2025; DAW; 978-0756420291
audio, ebook, print (352 pages); romantic fantasy

Micah Grey and Drystan fled the circus, and must use Glamours to disguise themselves and hide in the once-grand Kymri Theatre, run by once-renowned magician Jasper Maske. Drystan claims Maske’s stage magic is fake, but Maske's arch-nemesis challenges them all to a duel that will seal their fates.

Shadowplay is the second book in the Micah Grey series, after Pantomime. The Shadow is a malevolent presence coming after Micah, and it's here in this second book as well. Picking up after the events of the first book, Micah and Drystan hide and learn sleight of hand magic to earn their keep. Maske and his arch-nemesis had battled over the right to perform particular tricks and use vestiges to power them. Maske had lost the original battle, but Micah suggests that he, Drystan and Maske's other protégé Cyan learn tricks and battle in his stead. All the while, Micah and Drystan do their best to avoid police notice.

The team coming together to learn stage magic is a fun one, especially when they have actual gifts and use them at various times throughout the book. We find out more about the Shadow following Micah and who hired him, and there are more mentions of the blurred man. Anisa's shared memories are heartbreaking, and the grief she feels makes her more approachable. As the middle book in the trilogy, there are more questions raised and something of a cliffhanger on the last page. We're gearing up for something big, and it should be fascinating to see. 

Buy Shadowplay at Amazon

Queen of the Dead by Sarah Broadway

November 2025; Angry Robot; 978-1915998927
audio, ebook, print (288 pages); Romantic fantasy

Lou ran away from her ability to speak with the dead and lives as a normal person. When a cult of necromancers enters her small town and a ghost tells her "the Veil is thinning," she can't ignore it anymore. Lou has allies where she didn't entirely expect, including a man who isn't afraid of her darker aspects. To save the people she's grown to care about,  Lou must learn to accept who she is and embrace her true abilities, no matter where they might take her.

Lou always had the ability to speak with ghosts, and had to tailor her life around it: no electronic use for any extended period, biking everywhere, no TV, and a job stocking groceries for a boss who doesn't ask questions about her ducking out when she talks to ghosts. They're starting to get even more creepy and enigmatic than before. From there, it gets more intriguing with an odd book showing up, more people with gifts than her helpful neighbor, and the necromancers that show up. She has a burgeoning romance as well, which is adorable to see unfold.

The development of psychic abilities is fairly gradual, but we get glimpses of Lou having more power than others long before it becomes obvious. It feels like a realistic progression, and she doesn't automatically win the day. She has to learn what others want with that power, as well as how to stop the necromancers. The final third was a rollercoaster ending that I really enjoyed. The story had its creepy elements, and the fight for the souls of the town. It's a great story, and I look forward to reading it again. 

Buy Queen of the Dead at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

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