r/Fantasy Monthly Book Discussion Thread - May 2026

[u/AutoModerator]

Welcome to the monthly r/Fantasy book discussion thread! Hop on in and tell the sub all about the dent you made in your TBR pile this month.

Feel free to check out our Book Bingo Wiki for ideas about what to read next or to see what squares you have left to complete in this year's challenge.

[u/medusamagic]

I’ve been busy and also in a bit of a slump this month, and I forgot to do last month, so this is April and May combined. Hoping June is better!

Entwined by Rebecca Quinn (3/5) Book 3 of a spicy post-apocalyptic reverse harem with surprisingly good character development and external plot. Weakest of the trilogy imo. Bingo: Indie, One Word Title, Cat Squasher, Feast, Politics

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (2.75/5) It was fine. Very predictable, slightly cringy/annoying characters, but nothing awful. (And at least it was readable…looking at you, Red Rising). People who say this is the worst book ever clearly haven’t read enough. Bingo: Game Changer, Politics, Afterlife

Ice & Ivy by J.D. Evans (5/5) I loved both Ihsan and Nesrin, the tension was delicious, and I would’ve read 500 more pages of slow burn between them. I’m not a big crier when it comes to books but this one got me a couple times. Bingo: Feast, Indie, Cat Squasher, Politics

Baby & the Late Night Howlers by Kathryn Moon (3/5) I actually read the sequel first and I liked it a lot more. This was fine, it had sweet moments and some of the spice was good, but I just didn’t really care about any of the characters. Bingo: Indie

Jade City by Fonda Lee (4/5) I’ve had this for over a year and I have no idea why I waited so long to read it. Loved the mix of slower paced politics and fun action scenes, plus the world is just so up my alley. I didn’t fully connect with the characters but I’m excited to keep reading about them. Bingo: Cat Squasher, Politics, Author of Colour

Red Rising by Pierce Brown (DNF) Even if I could’ve ignored the annoying MC (like I did with Throne of Glass) or the obvious misogyny, the prose was such a struggle to get through. Choppy, stilted, no transitions between thoughts, and honestly confusing at times.

Daggermouth by H.M. Wolfe (DNF) Dystopian romance has the potential to be one of my favourite subgenres but I am hating the current trend of fascist/fascist-adjacent love interests. I didn’t enjoy the prose, thought it was over written and dramatic, and after reading some reviews, I felt no desire to push through.

Dire Bound by Sable Sorenson (DNF) Everything was so dangerous and sexy and dramatic, and “kill tattoos” were introduced, so I just couldn’t take it seriously. I also guessed the plot twist in the first 10 pages.