I’m a lifelong fan of paranormal, sci-fi and thrillers in television and movies, and I’m your go-to-girl for romantic suspense in literature, but I’m not very well versed in the fantasy genre. Yet, over the last year or so, I find my interests are inadvertently broadening to include it.

I followed Lore Olympus from its first episode in 2018, which tuned me into other web comics, like Death Becomes You, The Croaking, and Sweet Paprika. This summer I discovered Under the Oak Tree on Manta, and then read (and enjoyed) its webnovel version. These fantasies reminded me how much I loved the romantic undertones in books and movies like The Lord of the Rings and Highlander. Clearly, I am late to the romantasy party. I have much work to do.

I’ve loved all of Juliette Cross’ Stay a Spell series, and I was excited to learn about the first book in her new Rise of Northgall series, The Wraith King, a gothic fantasy about the Wraith King Gollaya Verbane and the light fae Princess Una Hartstone of Issos. This is a dark, sexy and epic tale of love and loss, with much at stake for everyone involved. It’s violent and brutal and in your face, and it’s filled with palace intrigue and prophecy.

The tale of the wraith king is one we’ve read before, wherein the warrior kings of the past barter for the freedom and safety of a warring kingdom through marriage to its princess. But the similarities end there, for Una is a light fae and Goll is a dark fae, and their destinies were foretold before the story begins.

We first meet Una as a prisoner of the Näkt Mir, where the current demon king has brutally cut off her beautiful wings and is planning to feed her to the wights (sad zombie creatures under his control). She’s saved in a Hail Mary moment by Goll, son of the demon king, who is also imprisoned by the Näkt Mir because his destiny is to overthrow his father. Goll may have his own shit to deal with, but no way can he allow the ethereal creature before him to die. They escape, and don’t meet again for five years, when Goll captures the light fae princess. Their bargain – the prophesied heir who is both light fae and dark for the freedom of the Issos kingdom – is struck and Una’s lot is cast.

As you can see, I’m learning how to write about fantasy in regard to descriptions. This is, ultimately, a romance that just happens to occur in a fantasy world, where magic and power, and dragons and demons preside. Una and Goll are compelling characters with equitable strength, power, and sacrifice in their world. Goll is a conqueror in the beginning, intent on accomplishing his goal of overthrowing his father and uniting the kingdoms. Una is his path to success, and he must learn to see her as more than the vessel by which the prophecy will be fulfilled. Goll is her captor in the beginning, but she stands her ground and forces him to acknowledge her strength, changing their dynamic to one of equal footing. They are learning how to trust and to love, how to rule, and how to interpret and employ the prophecies that guide their world.

All the hallmarks of Cross’ romances are present, including dynamic, complex main characters with a deep cast of secondaries, sexy relationships that ebb and flow with the choreography of a sensual tango, robust world building, and secret twists that wrap around and getcha.

Whether you’re new to romantic fantasy, like me, or an old pro, The Wraith King will surely be one of your favorite books this year.