Weekly Book Recs 34-2025: Dark Destinies & Hidden Truths

WEEKLY BOOK RECS: 12 book suggestions every week

Alright, let's get into this week's weekly book recs. We've gotten a lot of submissions from authors these last few weeks––which is incredible, we love the interest in our little weekly recs initiative––which is why we expanded our editions to include twelve instead of six books. Most are self published authors, all of whom told us they have not used AI in their writing process (but please let us know if you think one of our features looks AI made because we want these recommendations to be AI free).

This week's book recs theme is Dark Destinies and Hidden Truths. It is a combination of genres, we don't want to just pick one genre each week––it would get repetitive––so we're creating broader, more vibe-based categories. A lot of the recs this week are fantasy or romantasy, but we have some really good different genres too, a mix for everyone. Give the authors some love!

1. “Reign” by R.I. Aryn

Tropes/Genre: Romantasy

Fate’s arrow has struck. Now comes the reckoning.

With the unveiling of her mother’s secret, Nyra takes on the burden of a treacherous queen, where she stands before her kingdom with blood that could destroy worlds. The breaching of the Fatum Treaty demands an inevitable war bound to ruin everything she holds dear—her land, her people, her empire.

But will war remain a lingering thought in her when the truth of a curse surfaces? One that links to the death of her brother and is just as deadly. To cure it means treading into a realm of enemies, but more dangerous than them is concealing the symbol that now marks her arm for eternity in an immortal promise.

Across an ocean, the vampires face a dilemma that threatens the collapse of Xaedor. The vampire prince, amidst all this, battles a curse of his own. Kaeden Castillo will stop at nothing to vanquish his Curse, even if it is the feye who possess what he needs, and even if it shatters the fortified walls Xaedor has erected around itself as a shield from the world. But is death truly what he should fear when Aelora Mairi stands beside him as his wife, as lethal to him as any curse? Kaeden knows better than to get too close. That is, until dangerous intrigue overpowers any trace of self-restraint.

Xaedor and Elantris hold too much history and betrayal between the two to ever be amiable. Fate, however, always knows how to nock her arrow—and this time, she aims straight for their hearts.

2. “Bound by Fate and Loyalty” by S.G. Darley

Tropes/Genre: Dark romantasy

Raven Ilandi spent her first hundred years in solace, living out the beauty of the Renaissance while learning from her mother. Now, four hundred years later, she’s survived torturous abuse from her father, Duke of the Slavic Vampire Court. Searching for refuge, Raven escapes to a small sanctuary in Mongolia, only to realize her father’s reputation precedes her own.

When her roommate goes missing, Raven finds herself kidnapped—except her “rescuer” is another captor who knows more about her than Raven knows about herself. With so many people vying for her allegiance, who can she trust? And if she’s not a Vampire, who—or what—is she?

Sylvanor Trisdove, crown prince of the Aur Elves, is plagued by ancient, dark magic that makes him a master manipulator. He walks the tightrope between obligations and desires, but betrayal forces him to make a choice—between the land that truly understands him and the life his parents shaped him into.

Is family more than blood, after all?

3. “Phoenix Raised” by Breanna Atkinson

Tropes/Genre: Romantasy

In the mythical country of Markandeya resides the Landing, four distinct districts, and an entire hoard of secrets. As phoenix and humans populate the land with a unique alliance that serves both sides, Abbigail finds herself and her phoenix, Brigid, in a predicament after being called to the Landing by the Queen due to safety concerns.

This will be her first time leaving her home district where she received a spotty education. Even worse, her phoenix is in a moult, affecting her ability to fly. Joined by her childhood best friend, Abbigail must forge new relationships while navigating an arranged marriage, an impending war, and the fate of Markandeya itself.

How is she supposed to manage all of this without burning out?

4. “A Legend in the Sky” by Faye Oliander

Tropes/Genre: NA Epic Fantasy

Odd things shadow Naila Groenhart’s life. Her touch can bring a flower to bloom and sometimes her eyes flash with gilded flames. For as long as she can remember, she believed this power to be a figment of her imagination.

Until they find her. Ruthless hunters. Their prey? Her flames. When they lure her from Earth to an archaic world, everything she thought a lie turns out to be a dangerous truth. Until a prince—an heir to the very people who see her power as their heritage—offers to help her find a way home.

With her hunters tailing her every move, Naila must decide what sacrifice she’s willing to make to find a way back. Especially since her presence put something long feared into motion… and ancient secrets, dormant for ages, are starting to stir.

5. “Girl on Fire” by Eden Hart

Tropes/Genre: Dystopian sci-fi fantasy, Romance

On her 16th birthday, Kassia is condemned to death—twice. Already battling a fatal disease, Kassia Madison somehow survives an apocalypse that kills billions. Only a tiny percentage of people are immune to the strange red mist—but not all of them are human.

Alone, Kassia searches for her family in a dying New York filled with extraordinary dangers. After she meets a dynamic resistance leader fighting for humanity’s future, she faces a devastating choice. Meanwhile, in the shadows, someone not fully human has taken a special interest in Kassia. Raised as an emotionless Outrider, this hybrid records the destruction of civilization in New York. As he coolly observes Kassia’s desperation and courage, he decides to turn her struggle into a scientific experiment.

Elsewhere, the other Outriders are planning their next move. Brutal and relentless, they are intent on eradicating the remaining human survivors… including Kassia.

6. “AVA” by Lydia Baker

Tropes/Genre: Dystopian sci-fi

First, MTech came for the city and we allowed it. They put up the Barrier and we stayed quiet, silenced by the fear of what was beyond. Our elderly were next and still we didn’t cry out; then they came for the women, removed their fertility and stole our future, so I hid. I became Alec and I turned my back on my true self, Ava.

Ava can’t live as Alec any longer. The lie is killing her. The world beyond MTech’s Barrier calls to her and she can’t ignore it. She has to know what, if anything, survived the terrible day that tore her family apart fourteen years ago.

But what if the Outside is far more dangerous than anything Ava has ever faced on the Inside?

7. “Still Waters Run Deep” by M.G. Hunt

Tropes/Genre: YA Fantasy

In a world where elemental magik is forbidden, Asta has a secret. Living in the peaceful village of Laugar, she keeps her water affinity hidden from everyone—including those closest to her.

Her life changes forever when she is kidnapped by Velum, a hidden group of elemental affinities who embrace their powers rather than conceal them. But Velum’s creator, Gatira, has darker plans—seeking to enhance her followers’ gifts while serving her own ambitions.

Caught between loyalty, rebellion, and the blossoming friendships she forms, Asta must decide whether to serve Velum—or fight against it.

8. “Shattered Lives” by Vineet Verma

Tropes/Genre: Thriller, psychological suspense

Bestselling author Daniel Geraldi has it all—a beautiful wife, loving kids, and a thriving career. At least he thinks he does until he faces betrayal of the worst kind. Still reeling from the shock, he’s tempted into a relationship with a flirtatious fan.

Soon his family becomes the target of disturbing incidents, and Daniel suspects the fan, Penelope, is behind them. But as tragedy strikes and things spiral out of control, he realizes the truth is far more dangerous than he imagined.

9. “The Unwanted Stranger” by Flavia Labre

Tropes/Genre: Thriller, Psychological

When Angela, a woman with her own hidden past, arrives at the picturesque Hotel Alpino in the Italian Dolomites, she’s determined to leave it all behind. But perfection shatters on day one when she notices a woman with eerily familiar eyes watching their every move.

As this stranger’s gaze locks onto her husband, Carlo, his behavior transforms from carefree to paranoid. Angela realizes two terrifying truths: this woman’s presence is no coincidence, and Carlo knows exactly who she is.

In this idyllic mountain retreat, the most dangerous threats aren’t strangers—sometimes they’re the secrets kept by those we trust most.

10. “Lie Ever So Quietly” by Michael David

Tropes/Genre: Mystery

The past never truly stays buried.

Charlie Dalton is haunted by memories he thought he had resolved long ago. Thirty-four years after a traumatic childhood event, his life is thrown into turmoil when someone close to him is murdered.

As suspicion falls on him, Charlie is forced to confront the night that changed everything—and the missing person he’d hoped the world had forgotten. Can he protect his loved ones, or will anger and fear drag him back into the darkness?

11. “Pursuing Perdition” by Albert Lorraine

Tropes/Genre: Historical Fiction, Western, Thriller

It’s 1878, and outlaws walk into banks all over the United States and leave with almost fifty thousand dollars each. A bounty hunter is tasked with hunting them down, as well as the mastermind behind these daring robberies.

Along the way, he crosses paths with Harriet Tubman, Wyatt Earp, and Doc Holliday. But as the chase stretches on, he must ask himself: will he collect his rewards, or will the pursuit of justice cost him his life?

12. “Paoletta: An Eye for an Eye” by J.R. Powell

Tropes/Genre: Historical Fiction, Thriller

Exiled to a Caribbean island, Paoletta Cadoville clings to the hope of one day returning to her Parisian home. But tragedy shatters that dream, leaving her scarred and alone.

Determined to uncover the truth, she embarks on a perilous quest through revolutionary Paris, entangled in political intrigue, secret societies, and dangerous alliances.

Will she achieve justice for her family, or lose herself to the darkness that threatens to consume her?

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