This Upcoming 2026 Romantasy Book Already Beat Onyx Storm's Goodreads Score & BookTok Is So Ready For It

One upcoming romantasy book slated for release in early 2026 has already beaten Onyx Storm's Goodreads score long before its publication date, indicating that it will be another BookTok success. 2025 has proven to be a great year for the romantasy sphere, as novels like Shield of Sparrows became immediate BookTok hits and are often the top points of discussion across book platforms. Mainstay series, though, have also hung on, with Fourth Wing especially standing its ground with the publication of Onyx Storm back in January 2025 and the subsequent discussions surrounding its narrative.

Even so, other romantasy books as good as Fourth Wing have continued to be published and populate the space, with even more already set to be on their way in 2026. One specific contender comes from the romance publisher Slowburn in the form of A Vow in Vengeance by Jaclyn Rodriguez, which already promises to climb high on BookTok. While its success rests on a multitude of factors, it already has a promising start on Goodreads, highlighting its strengths against romantasy staples like Fourth Wing.

A Vow in Vengeance has already beaten Onyx Storm on Goodreads despite not having that many reviews, showcasing its likely strong future on BookTok and in the romantasy genre. According to Goodreads, A Vow in Vengeance has already been rated a 4.28 out of 5 stars, and yet it only has a total of 25 reviews so far from excited audiences. By contrast, Onyx Storm sits at a 4.22 out of 5 with over 160,000 reviews, the lowest rating any of Rebecca Yarros' romantasy books have received.

Onyx Storm's Goodreads score largely fluctuated upon its release, dropping steadily from its original 4.56 rating from before its debut despite the overwhelming levels of discussion it has created. If A Vow in Vengeance can maintain this momentum and excitement from romantasy audiences, it is likely to find abundant success on various book platforms. Considering its premise and the similarities between two beloved BookTok series, that stability is very likely to not only stick around but even grow beyond what it was before publication.

By blending the magical academia setting popularized by Fourth Wing with the magic system from Rachel Gillig's One Dark Window, A Vow in Vengeance is set to be a guaranteed romantasy BookTok hit. The premise of A Vow in Vengeance details the story of Rune Ryker, who, after being selected by the Immortals, must master her tarot magic at the Forge, the Immortals' college of magic. When it is revealed that she has the rarest type of magic among the students, she is forcefully paired with Prince Draven, his personal agenda and their growing attraction threatening her desire for revenge.

BookTok is ignoring two fantastic book boyfriends from this series despite the fact that they are better than Rhysand and Xaden in many ways.

A Vow in Vengeance's magical school setting seems to be mirroring aspects of Fourth Wing's Basgiath War College, which largely popularized the idea of a magical school that constantly holds dangers within its walls. However, its magic system is what is truly intriguing to me, as Rodriguez's book's magic seems to work similarly to One Dark Window's Providance Cards, albeit with the distinction that the former uses tarot cards from our world. Both of these elements will help its popularity among audiences who liked them, but Rodriguez's book has more to offer BookTok beyond the comparisons to other romantasy works.

Rodriguez's book features the ever-popular romantasy enemies-to-lovers subplot, which will help its popularity on BookTok, but it also plays with elements rarely seen on the platform. As mentioned, the premise of the book highlights the discordant beginnings of Rune and Prince Draven's relationship, which clearly parallels Fourth Wing's enemies-to-lovers romance. That particular trope is very popular within romantasy, which gives A Vow in Vengeance another advantage against other upcoming works, especially as it will also feature staples like only one bed and fake dating within its already fascinating storyline.

Some BookTok books do have moments of feminine rage within their stories, but more often than not, it is not as deeply explored as it could have been despite their overall feminist themes and messages.

That being said, what will truly let A Vow in Vengeance stand out to some audiences, myself included, is the focus on feminine rage. Some BookTok books do have moments of feminine rage within their stories, but more often than not, it is not as deeply explored as it could have been despite their overall feminist themes and messages. Rodriguez's book could resolve that, allowing it to really stand out in the romantasy genre even as it caters to and expands on our favorite BookTok tropes.

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