This Week in Fantasy — Week of May 18, 2026

New Fantasy Releases

Fury Bound by Sable Sorensen

Published: May 5, 2026

In just one week, "Fury Bound" has amassed an astounding 17,408 new ratings, marking a dramatic increase of 282.78% that underscores its breakout potential. As a sequel to "Dire Bound," it captures the tumultuous aftermath of Meryn Cooper's ascension to power in a war-torn kingdom, and readers are clearly eager to dive back into the story. Its performance indicates a strong word-of-mouth momentum, likely fueled by reader excitement for the continuation of the series.

Stats: 6,156 → 23,564 (+17,408)

Broken Dove by Dani Francis

Published: May 12, 2026

"Broken Dove" has shown remarkable growth this week, with an influx of 4,220 ratings, escalating its visibility significantly as a new release. Positioned as a sequel in the "Silver Elite" series, its themes of conflict and loyalty resonate well in the current fantasy landscape, indicating that readers are drawn to ongoing narratives that mix romance with high stakes.

Stats: 198 → 4,418 (+4,220)

Crown Me Yours: A Dark Fantasy Romance by Liv Zander

Published: April 16, 2026

This dark fantasy romance has climbed by 5,983 ratings, illustrating a solid growing interest in its grim storyline and complex characters. The juxtaposition of violence and romance captures a niche audience that seems keen on exploring darker themes, which may signal a growing trend towards more mature narratives within the fantasy genre.

Stats: 4,966 → 10,949 (+5,983)

Crown Me Dead by Liv Zander

Published: April 10, 2026

"Crown Me Dead" has generated 7,040 new ratings this week, alongside a respectable growth rate of 114.08%. This title, with its emphasis on dark romance and fantasy elements, demonstrates how readers are increasingly gravitating towards morally ambiguous characters and high-stakes plots, contributing to Liv Zander's rising profile in the fantasy genre.

Stats: 6,171 → 13,211 (+7,040)

Fantasy Backlist Risers

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

Published: August 27, 2024

While not a new release, "Dungeon Crawler Carl" saw a solid increase of 13,685 ratings this week, indicating sustained interest in the series. Its unique blend of humor and apocalyptic adventure resonates strongly with readers, positioning it as a long-term favorite in the genre.

Stats: 365,765 → 379,450 (+13,685)

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

Published: January 21, 2025

This title continues to show steady performance with an increase of 9,586 ratings. The blend of dragons, romance, and fantasy adventure appeals to a wide audience, making it clear that established titles maintain their relevance and capacity to attract new readers.

Stats: 1,796,109 → 1,805,695 (+9,586)

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

Published: March 18, 2025

With an increase of 9,402 ratings, "Sunrise on the Reaping" confirms its position within a prominent backlist, drawing established fans of the "Hunger Games" series into new stories. Its capacity to draw such a large audience reflects ongoing reader engagement with familiar narratives, especially in the context of a well-loved franchise.

Stats: 1,181,325 → 1,190,727 (+9,402)

The Takeaway

This week, new Fantasy releases are thriving, with "Fury Bound" leading a surge that highlights strong excitement for fresh narratives — notably, it achieved the highest rating increase among new titles. Conversely, backlist books like "Dungeon Crawler Carl" also continue to perform well, showcasing that reader interest in established titles remains robust. Overall, while new releases are driving considerable interest, the continuous growth of older titles suggests that fantasy readers are enjoying both new entries and cherished favorites in equal measure.