Thea Guanzon was born and raised in the Philippines as the eldest of three siblings. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in international politics with a minor in peace studies and she has previously worked in governance and women’s rights. Aside from being a writer, she is an avid traveller, an enthusiastic fangirl, a Dungeon Master, a voracious reader of fantasy and science fiction, an iced coffee junkie, and a horror podcast aficionado.
She currently resides in Metro Manila with two turtles named Dumpling and Potato Chip, an evil cat named Darth Pancakes, and a rather alarming amount of houseplants.
Dominion (2026) (Silk and Iron Trilogy, book 1) Jean Kwok "From the very first line of Dominion, I knew that I was in the hands of a master wordsmith; by the end, I knew that I would be thinking about this book for the rest of my life. This scintillating romantasy from literary superstar Jean Kwok cuts to the quick, equal parts tense and thrilling, each page filled with boundless imagination, evocative prose, and gut-wrenching stakes. I was mesmerized."
Rose in Chains (2025) (Evermore Trilogy, book 1) Julie Soto "Dark and steamy, beautifully written, magical and nuanced, and completely unforgettable. Julie Soto has established herself as a force to be reckoned with."
Goodbye, My Princess (2025) Fei Wo Si Cun "Goodbye, My Princess wraps around the reader's heart in layer upon layer of soul-searing angst, suspenseful political intrigue, and scorching romantic tension, underscored by deft touches of wry humor and an unearthly mystery that steadily chips away at the gilded settings until they crack. This book is a masterclass in addictive plotlines, star-crossed relationships between compellingly flawed characters that one can't help rooting for, atmospheric writing, and tragedy on a classical scale. I suffered, but I was happy about it."
The Wind Weaver (2025) (Reign of Remnants, book 1) Julie Johnson "The Wind Weaver is a masterful fusion of epic fantasy and heart-pounding romance, equally relentless in its examination of dark themes as it is in bringing hope and magic to life. Julie Johnson's rich worldbuilding leaves no stone unturned, and her gripping prose takes no prisoners."
House of Blight (2025) (Threadmender Chronicles, book 1) Maxym M Martineau "Wrenching, thrilling, and wildly imaginative, House of Blight will surely hit the spot for all lovers of dark fantasy and sensual, complicated romance. Maxym M. Martineau's elegant prose leaves the reader breathless at the same time that it fuels strikingly nuanced characters as they move through a richly crafted world with a unique magic system and a hauntingly pervasive sense of danger and mystery. This is the kind of story that you just can't put down."
Blood Beneath the Snow (2025) (Blood & Souls Duology, book 1) Alexandra Kennington "Raw, compelling, and darkly beautiful, Blood Beneath the Snow is everything I love about romantasy. Alexandra Kennington effortlessly balances a suspenseful, action-packed plot with rich lore, tearjerking angst, and riveting character dynamics. This story had me hooked from the first fiery sentence to the poignant, epic last."
The Starlight Heir (2025) (Starlight Heir, book 1) Amalie Howard "Vivid, gripping, and intensely romantic, The Starlight Heir is pure addictive delight. Amalie Howard has an electric way with beautiful words and an incomparable knack for lush worlds. This is a gorgeously crafted fantasy that will leave an indelible mark on the soul."
The Legend of Meneka (2025) (Divine Dancers Duology, book 1) Kritika H Rao "Lush, haunting, and utterly intoxicating, The Legend of Meneka reimagines an ancient tale without losing sight of what makes it timeless. Kritika H. Rao's writing is a feast for the senses, elegantly whisking you off to a dreamlike world where every corner glitters with magic, and the sensual and the sacred collide. With its themes of divinity and humanity and passion and power, this is an unforgettable story that leaves you aching for Meneka as she is torn between two realms and tries to snatch a star-crossed love back from the jaws of doom."
Servant of Earth (2024) (Shards of Magic, book 1) Sarah Hawley "Servant of Earth is a darkly enchanting page-turner laden with sensuality and intrigue. Sarah Hawley's haunting prose deftly guides readers through twist after heartstopping twist in a world as dangerous as it is richly built, featuring fascinatingly complex characters and the more sinister side of magic - and of love. I could not put this down."
The Last Dragon of the East (2024) Katrina Kwan "Katrina Kwan bursts onto the fantasy scene with this stirring tale of fate and loss and hope. Epic in its scope, poignant in its prose, and profound in its themes, The Last Dragon of the East is an exciting adventure and a wrenching love story rolled into one."
The Crimson Crown (2024) (Crimson Crown Duology, book 1) Heather Walter "It's always a pleasure to read a villain origin story that makes you go 'Good for her,' and Heather Walter pulls this off masterfully in The Crimson Crown. This is a lush, dark, riveting tale about all the things that can lie in a woman's heart-power, rage, grief, vengeance - and it is spun in such haunting prose that it kept me on the edge of my seat all throughout. Simply gorgeous."
The Night Ends with Fire (2024) (Night Ends with Fire, book 1) K X Song "The Night Ends with Fire is what blessedly happens when the themes of Hua Mulan's legend are combined with wuxia principles and a powerful new voice in adult fantasy. K.X. Song's soaring, emotive prose takes the reader on an unforgettable adventure in a painstakingly realized world, laced with fascinating characters that effortlessly play off of one another and twists that leave us reeling. I devoured every page of this truly epic tale."
Saints of Storm and Sorrow (2024) (Stormbringer Saga, book 1) Gabriella Buba "Gabriella Buba writes the way the ocean moves: rhythmic and rolling, with dark currents and a powerful grace. Saints of Storm and Sorrow elegantly weaves the rich tapestry of Filipino folklore into a poignant, harrowing tale of magic and rebellion and sacrifice. Every page is drenched in the pain and hope that characterized our centuries-long struggle. This is fantasy at its finest, but it's also a story about us, and about how my love for you is one with our love for the motherland."
Road to Ruin (2024) (Magebike Courier, book 1) Hana Lee "Road to Ruin is an electrifying tale that proves impossible to put down. Hana Lee's thrilling prose hauls the reader headlong into an epic adventure, laden with striking characters and world-building as deft as it is fearless. I'll be thinking about this book for a long, long time."
To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods (2024) (Gods Beyond the Skies, book 1) Molly X Chang "A fantasy rich with heart and rooted in ancestral memory, a romance that will leave readers on the edge of their seat, a story that will take one's breath away - this book is the complete package."
A Feather So Black (2024) (Fair Folk , book 1) Lyra Selene "Darkly enchanting and beautifully written, A Feather So Black is the perfect mix of atmospheric fantasy, heart-stopping action, and delicious romance."
Hope Ablaze (2024) Sarah Mughal Rana "In Sarah Mughal Rana's scintillating debut, poetry moves through every page, from the deftly melodic prose to the rawly furious verses scattered between. Hope Ablaze is a POIGNANT, HONEST tale of two Americas, contrasting the warmth of community with the brutality of the institutions that seek to suppress it. Rana doesn't hold back, and the reader smiles at the touching relationships, laughs at the hilarious banter, salivates over the rich cuisine, yearns to bridge the generational divide, critically examines age-old systems rooted in prejudice, and cries out for justice along with her. The overarching theme throughout centers on the power of words to wound, to heal, to start a revolution-and Rana has done all of that in this EXQUISITE, LIFE-CHANGING story. A must-read."
Unbound (2024) (Queens of Eire, book 1) Christy Healy "Unbound is a decadent eldritch fairy tale that ensnares the reader in its dark and tangled web. Healy's sumptuous prose brings Celtic myths to life and retains a dreamlike quality even while plunging into the nightmares that lurk within the human heart. Hurray for monstrous protagonists and the men that love them!"
Faebound (2024) (Faebound, book 1) Saara El-Arifi "Immersive, inclusive, and impressive - this fantasy takes hold of your heart and refuses to let go."
My Roommate Is a Vampire (2023) (My Vampires, book 1) Jenna Levine "If the world is against Frederick J. Fitzwilliam, then I am against the world. Wildly entertaining, delightfully steamy, laugh-out-loud hilarious, wrenchingly romantic, Levine's debut folds a charming cast of characters into a deftly written supernatural love story for the ages. Don't miss the chance to sink your teeth into this!"
Forged by Blood (2023) (Tainted Blood , book 1) Ehigbor Okosun "Forged by Blood is an intense, spellbinding debut from a vivid new storyteller. Ehigbor Okosun's lyrical prose effortlessly loops readers into a breathtaking adventure that keeps you on your toes and is set in a land as suffused with wonder as it is with heartbreak. Featuring a striking cast of characters with unbeatable chemistry, an inventive magic system, and rich, folkloric worldbuilding, Forged by Blood confronts history and captures the imagination with a gripping tale of tangled love, political intrigue, ancestral pain, and things worth fighting for."
Bear with Me Now (2023) Katie Shepard "I didn't even have to play dead, because this book already killed me. Shepard's nuanced wit and vibrant prose sparkle off of the page. Readers will go wild for this sexy and heartfelt romance between two unforgettable characters as they help each other make it out of the woods of life."
