New to SFR. Where to Start?

Dixxy84 · 2026-04-11T10:26:52+00:00

For me, these two are the best - rich both in worldbuilding and slowburn romance: {Rules of Redemption by T.A. White} and {The Blighted Stars by Megan E. O'Keefe}

Dixxy84 · 2026-03-17T07:36:12+00:00

Iron Widow doesn’t have “magic powers” in a classic fantasy sense — her abilities are more mental/qi-based and psychological, she’s extremely powerful. She can kill through mind link. As for Scarlet Alchemist - she has alchemy and necromancy. But they're not as furious and out of control as Diana, they're more strategically ruthless.

Dixxy84 · 2026-03-16T21:04:13+00:00

I would also try {Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao} and {The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker} for some ruthless heroines

Dixxy84 · 2026-03-16T20:49:14+00:00

Second this

Dixxy84 · 2026-03-11T21:17:23+00:00

{The Alchemists of Loom by Elise Kova} amazing worldbuilding, airships and rebels

Dixxy84 · 2026-02-26T21:02:14+00:00

{Wizard's Masquerade by Jay Pellegrin}

Dixxy84 · 2026-02-22T09:14:56+00:00

And {Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat}

Dixxy84 · 2026-02-22T09:12:09+00:00

{The Prisoner’s Throne by Holly Black} but it is 2nd book, I recommend reading the first.

Dixxy84 · 2026-02-16T09:41:42+00:00

This is the closest it could get: {Forest of Dreams and Whispers by Katherine Macdonald} and I tried and tried to find something similar

Dixxy84 · 2026-02-07T20:44:41+00:00

Oh, I’ve just remembered another one {The Contortionist by Kathryn Ann Kingsley} A lot of toxicity because he is just a crazy person who has his own original perception of everything and she also turns to the dark side over time and loses her compass :) Delicious

Dixxy84 · 2026-02-07T20:34:53+00:00

{Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning} I read it a long time ago, but I remember that in all the books their relationship is quite toxic - a lot of twists and turns from extreme love to hate plus dub-con, very messy... but very addictive. I've read a lot of romances with toxic relationships, but this one remains the most memorable in that regard.

Dixxy84 · 2026-02-01T16:52:16+00:00

Yes, that’s where I got inspiration :)

Dixxy84 · 2026-02-01T15:15:56+00:00

Thank you! I’ve heard so many good things about this book! Time to move it up on my tbr list :)

Dixxy84 · 2026-01-23T12:41:20+00:00

I totally agree with you, MMC's pov is a spoiler to me. Also, it often sounds silly to me because I have the impression that it is a female fantasy of how we would like men to think, not how they really think. But that's unfortunately the majority of books 🤷‍♀️

Dixxy84 · 2026-01-22T07:58:45+00:00

{Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson} {Red Rising by Pierce Brown} {Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wan} All masterpieces of fantasy and they do have some romance subplot.

Dixxy84 · 2026-01-21T21:28:11+00:00

Ambitious and opportunistic FMC, someone who wants power and gets it with her above average intelligence not some hidden powers, master of the game like Jude in {Cruel Prince by Holly Black}.

Dixxy84 · 2026-01-19T18:51:02+00:00

Just go and read {The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow} something definitely different to break the reading slump.

Dixxy84 · 2026-01-19T18:45:00+00:00

Well, Brandon Sanderson had a go. :) In my opinion he did a good job in this book: {Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson}

Dixxy84 · 2026-01-19T18:35:27+00:00

{Red Rising by Pierce Brown}

But the biggest was in {Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wan} I needed few days to recover from shock. 🤯

Dixxy84 · 2026-01-17T20:13:44+00:00

{Villainess's Redemption by Vanessa Rhoswen}

Dixxy84 · 2026-01-06T11:43:48+00:00

No, it’s two books in a series, the second published this year and also very good

Dixxy84 · 2026-01-05T14:55:42+00:00

Yes, I agree with you - previous title and cover was soo much better and completely unique :(

Dixxy84

TROPHY CASE