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Waykeeper
Twenty-two-year-old Etarla Torlanne’s entire life has been shaped by the Domus—and the withering land, divided Territories, and suffering that resulted from its shimmering walls. Content to never leave her village, Etarla cares solely about her caretaker and survival. That is until an encounter in the woods makes her the most important asset in the six Territories…and leaves her with the violet and gold irises to prove it.
From the moment her eyes change, Etarla is hunted by the most feared Territory leaders for reasons she doesn’t understand. It’s only when she’s captured by Harthon, the fierce former mercenary with a ruthless reputation, that she learns of her newly acquired value. She doesn’t merely have new eyes; she now holds the knowledge that could save her world or magnify its suffering. Knowledge that could make someone king. Knowledge Harthon fully intends to use.
Unwillingly thrust into a new reality of high politics, perilous danger, and weighted consequences, Etarla must grapple with her unwanted responsibility and the dangerous man who’s far more than he appears.
From the moment her eyes change, Etarla is hunted by the most feared Territory leaders for reasons she doesn’t understand. It’s only when she’s captured by Harthon, the fierce former mercenary with a ruthless reputation, that she learns of her newly acquired value. She doesn’t merely have new eyes; she now holds the knowledge that could save her world or magnify its suffering. Knowledge that could make someone king. Knowledge Harthon fully intends to use.
Unwillingly thrust into a new reality of high politics, perilous danger, and weighted consequences, Etarla must grapple with her unwanted responsibility and the dangerous man who’s far more than he appears.
418 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2025
183 people are currently reading
981 people want to read
About the author
Megan Monte
2 books35 followersMegan Monte’s first stories were born on the sidelines of her brother’s
soccer games as an elementary schooler. What began as a way to entertain
herself became an infinite obsession with getting lost in fictional worlds,
either through reading or writing them. Her go-to genre is anything with
a blend of slow-burn romance and high-stakes adventure. And, as much
as she loves getting lost in characters’ adventures, she also likes to create
her own in real life. When she isn’t writing, reading, or working her day
job, you’ll find her surfing, hiking, skiing, cooking, traveling, trying (and
failing) to handstand, or spoiling her pup in New England.
soccer games as an elementary schooler. What began as a way to entertain
herself became an infinite obsession with getting lost in fictional worlds,
either through reading or writing them. Her go-to genre is anything with
a blend of slow-burn romance and high-stakes adventure. And, as much
as she loves getting lost in characters’ adventures, she also likes to create
her own in real life. When she isn’t writing, reading, or working her day
job, you’ll find her surfing, hiking, skiing, cooking, traveling, trying (and
failing) to handstand, or spoiling her pup in New England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
July 24, 2025
4.5⭐️
I was scrolling KU & randomly came across this book & I’m so glad I gave it a chance!! I was hooked within the first few chapters & couldn’t put it down!!
The slow burn is slowwww and it’s delicious. It had me giggling and kicking my feet so many times!! I love that he has a nickname for her, but it’s not cringe or used every other sentence. The world building was easy enough to follow. It was also so refreshing having a FMC who is just a regular ol’ gal without powers or isn’t an assassin.
I will definitely be ordering a trophy copy for my shelves & stalking the author’s Insta for updates on book 2 🫡
What to expect:
- Enemies(ish) to lovers
- Ordinary villager FMC
- Warrior/leader MMC
- Adventure & action
- Slow burn
- 1st person POV
“I’ll have you know I’m gracious company when I want to be.”
“And how does one sway you to be so gracious?”
"Not kidnapping me is usually a good start.” His chuckle was a warm, potent rumble.
“Since that appears to be off the table, is there anything else?”
“No. It’s a lost cause now.”
“Perhaps, or perhaps not. You just laid down a challenge, and I can never resist one. You might find I’m rather good at overcoming them.”
I was scrolling KU & randomly came across this book & I’m so glad I gave it a chance!! I was hooked within the first few chapters & couldn’t put it down!!
The slow burn is slowwww and it’s delicious. It had me giggling and kicking my feet so many times!! I love that he has a nickname for her, but it’s not cringe or used every other sentence. The world building was easy enough to follow. It was also so refreshing having a FMC who is just a regular ol’ gal without powers or isn’t an assassin.
I will definitely be ordering a trophy copy for my shelves & stalking the author’s Insta for updates on book 2 🫡
What to expect:
- Enemies(ish) to lovers
- Ordinary villager FMC
- Warrior/leader MMC
- Adventure & action
- Slow burn
- 1st person POV
“I’ll have you know I’m gracious company when I want to be.”
“And how does one sway you to be so gracious?”
"Not kidnapping me is usually a good start.” His chuckle was a warm, potent rumble.
“Since that appears to be off the table, is there anything else?”
“No. It’s a lost cause now.”
“Perhaps, or perhaps not. You just laid down a challenge, and I can never resist one. You might find I’m rather good at overcoming them.”
February 9, 2025
For romantasy fans searching for their next obsession, Waykeeper delivers. Monte's first published work masterfully weaves together the beloved elements of the genre while bringing fresh energy to familiar tropes.
🌙 About the book (no spoilers)
The chemistry between Etarla and Harthon sizzles from their first encounter, but Monte lets the slow-burn romance unfold naturally amidst the trials the characters face, creating a perfect balance of tension and anticipation. Harthon embodies the brooding warrior archetype we all love, while Etarla is the face of the underestimated female protagonist who proves her strength to herself and others along the way.
🌙 What I Loved
- A romance that builds naturally and keeps you hooked.
- Great pacing that maintains momentum.
- Monte’s writing style—it’s immersive, vivid, and absolutely perfect for the genre.
🌙 Who Should Read This?
If you love romantasy, especially with slow-burn tension, well-developed characters, and classic tropes done right, this book is for you. Fans of SJM and Yarros will devour this one.
*I received a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
🌙 About the book (no spoilers)
The chemistry between Etarla and Harthon sizzles from their first encounter, but Monte lets the slow-burn romance unfold naturally amidst the trials the characters face, creating a perfect balance of tension and anticipation. Harthon embodies the brooding warrior archetype we all love, while Etarla is the face of the underestimated female protagonist who proves her strength to herself and others along the way.
🌙 What I Loved
- A romance that builds naturally and keeps you hooked.
- Great pacing that maintains momentum.
- Monte’s writing style—it’s immersive, vivid, and absolutely perfect for the genre.
🌙 Who Should Read This?
If you love romantasy, especially with slow-burn tension, well-developed characters, and classic tropes done right, this book is for you. Fans of SJM and Yarros will devour this one.
*I received a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
February 18, 2025
Waykeeper is an addictive and captivating fantasy romance that will have you ravenously flipping the pages to find out what happens next. Mystery, action, violence, political intrigue, and the tension of a slow burn romance propels the story forward and are woven together in a way that leaves you hungry for more.
Six territories drained of its power for one king to hold his power. The Domus, a magical reflective barrier, was formed around Centralis twenty-five years ago and sucked the life out of the surrounding land and skies. Centralis became an isolated world veiled in mystery as no one could go in or out, but it is presumed to be thriving while the territories suffer.
We see the beginnings of a beautiful and powerful character arc for Etarla, an ordinary village girl that has never experienced life beyond her caretaker and routine for survival. Suddenly finding herself with PURPLE EYES and forced into a role she never expected or asked for, she will have to grow immensely and find the power within herself to help put an end to widespread suffering. Our broody MMC, Harthon, sees it within her and protects, uplifts, and empowers without coddling her while he teaches her to hold her own — and that was my favorite part.
Monte’s writing is immersive yet still easy to digest. This is a low fantasy with a touch of magic, and the world building is very natural and not overwhelming while still being adventurous and action-packed.
This book held my attention and kept me glued to the pages. I devoured it in two sittings which is very unusual for me. It gave me that *feeling* where you don’t want to eat, sleep, drink - all you want to do is keep reading. I am constantly yearning for that feeling and I am so happy to have found it. Getting to experience that is the reason why I read 💜
This first installment was setting the stage for all that is to come in what I predict to be an incredible trilogy.
RATING BREAKDOWN (credit to kris.and.mads)
Overall: 4⭐️
———————
Characters: 4⭐️
Setting: 5⭐️
Plot: 4⭐️
Themes: 5⭐️
Romance: 4⭐️
Emotional impact: 2⭐️
Personal enjoyment: 4⭐️
Thank you so much to the author for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!
Six territories drained of its power for one king to hold his power. The Domus, a magical reflective barrier, was formed around Centralis twenty-five years ago and sucked the life out of the surrounding land and skies. Centralis became an isolated world veiled in mystery as no one could go in or out, but it is presumed to be thriving while the territories suffer.
We see the beginnings of a beautiful and powerful character arc for Etarla, an ordinary village girl that has never experienced life beyond her caretaker and routine for survival. Suddenly finding herself with PURPLE EYES and forced into a role she never expected or asked for, she will have to grow immensely and find the power within herself to help put an end to widespread suffering. Our broody MMC, Harthon, sees it within her and protects, uplifts, and empowers without coddling her while he teaches her to hold her own — and that was my favorite part.
Monte’s writing is immersive yet still easy to digest. This is a low fantasy with a touch of magic, and the world building is very natural and not overwhelming while still being adventurous and action-packed.
This book held my attention and kept me glued to the pages. I devoured it in two sittings which is very unusual for me. It gave me that *feeling* where you don’t want to eat, sleep, drink - all you want to do is keep reading. I am constantly yearning for that feeling and I am so happy to have found it. Getting to experience that is the reason why I read 💜
This first installment was setting the stage for all that is to come in what I predict to be an incredible trilogy.
RATING BREAKDOWN (credit to kris.and.mads)
Overall: 4⭐️
———————
Characters: 4⭐️
Setting: 5⭐️
Plot: 4⭐️
Themes: 5⭐️
Romance: 4⭐️
Emotional impact: 2⭐️
Personal enjoyment: 4⭐️
Thank you so much to the author for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!
November 7, 2025
I want to like this. The premise seems entertaining.
But either the author thinks the audience is very stupid or the FMC is very stupid because we’re getting explanations about really simplistic actions and ideas. The FMCs banter isn’t clever. She’s apparently too dumb to take care of her own wounds. It’s worse than that. Technically she knows the importance of taking care of wounds (infection, loss of limbs, death). She just doesn’t do it. The very idea of horse training is mind blowing for her.
Yes, I picked up a romantasy book so the MMC could mansplain basic animal training to me.
I acknowledge that this is petty and that it might improve in a chapter or two and go on to be an excellent story. My tolerance for female stupidity in romance books is very low though so I’m out.
I might try again someday though.
But either the author thinks the audience is very stupid or the FMC is very stupid because we’re getting explanations about really simplistic actions and ideas. The FMCs banter isn’t clever. She’s apparently too dumb to take care of her own wounds. It’s worse than that. Technically she knows the importance of taking care of wounds (infection, loss of limbs, death). She just doesn’t do it. The very idea of horse training is mind blowing for her.
Yes, I picked up a romantasy book so the MMC could mansplain basic animal training to me.
I acknowledge that this is petty and that it might improve in a chapter or two and go on to be an excellent story. My tolerance for female stupidity in romance books is very low though so I’m out.
I might try again someday though.
February 25, 2025
This book is written simply and allows you to immerse yourself into the world. There is plenty of violence, political intrigue, slow burn romance, and main character growth to keep yourself fully engaged in the story.
The world in this book is broken into 6 territories with a central city, Centralis, that is cut off from the rest with a protective barrier that no one can get in or out of. Centralis is rumored to thrive at the expense of the surrounding territories. It draws energy from those territories leaving them barren. Think trees with no leaves and constant gray skies.
Etarla was an ordinary girl living a challenging, but simple life until she went beyond the boundaries of her lands to find better hunting grounds. There she encounters a strange woman and finds herself with purple eyes and in a whole new world with political leaders seeking to capture her to extract knowledge that she doesn't have access to... she struggles to grasp her role in potentially helping to save the suffering in the territories.
Harthon is a mysterious, dark, and intimidating (former) mercenary turned leader of his territory. He has one main goal: get into Centralis and take over. He is patient and understanding with Etarla as he allows her the opportunity to make mistakes and creates opportunities for her to learn new skills. He protects her from harm while helping encourage in ways that lead to empowering her.
and booooy am I a SUCKER for a big, scary man tending to the wounds of a lady.
It wasn't fast paced, but it wasn't quite slow either. It's like the goldilocks of pacing. It felt right. This book ends in a way that makes you eager for the next one.
The world in this book is broken into 6 territories with a central city, Centralis, that is cut off from the rest with a protective barrier that no one can get in or out of. Centralis is rumored to thrive at the expense of the surrounding territories. It draws energy from those territories leaving them barren. Think trees with no leaves and constant gray skies.
Etarla was an ordinary girl living a challenging, but simple life until she went beyond the boundaries of her lands to find better hunting grounds. There she encounters a strange woman and finds herself with purple eyes and in a whole new world with political leaders seeking to capture her to extract knowledge that she doesn't have access to... she struggles to grasp her role in potentially helping to save the suffering in the territories.
Harthon is a mysterious, dark, and intimidating (former) mercenary turned leader of his territory. He has one main goal: get into Centralis and take over. He is patient and understanding with Etarla as he allows her the opportunity to make mistakes and creates opportunities for her to learn new skills. He protects her from harm while helping encourage in ways that lead to empowering her.
and booooy am I a SUCKER for a big, scary man tending to the wounds of a lady.
It wasn't fast paced, but it wasn't quite slow either. It's like the goldilocks of pacing. It felt right. This book ends in a way that makes you eager for the next one.
March 5, 2025
{4.75/5}
CW: violence, gore, references to familial death, some others
Thank you to the author for allowing me to be a part of the ARC team! “Waykeeper” is available now!
You know it’s good when you finish the book and immediately want to demand the next one.
When Etarla encountered the strange woman in the woods, she knew she should have turned around and left immediately. Following the encounter, Etarla’s entire world is upended. Hunted, held captive, and told she has knowledge she never learned, all she wants is to go home. The world is dying, though, and it seems that Etarla may have inadvertently become a way to save them all.
Don’t mind me, I’m just absolutely screaming over the variation of the ‘reluctant chosen one’ trope. Does our FMC want anything to do with all this? Absolutely not. Does she have any skills whatsoever that might be helpful with all of this? Not really, no. But does every single moment of this book make me completely delighted to be reading it? Yes, yes it did.
Where do I even start? From page one, I knew this was going to be seriously enjoyable. I completely devoured this story, and I was so upset it ended because I was entirely ready to just sit and read for another week (or two). The characters are amazing, but I specifically adored our FMC. Why? Because she has an entirely reasonable reaction to almost every aspect of her situation. She’s terrified without becoming a completely useless lump, she’s clever enough to know when she doesn’t have the right information, she’s aware of herself to know where she’s lacking in skills and to not do reckless things because of it. Even when she gets around to training and learning things, it was very much ‘I hate this, but I’m going to do it, because I hate not having these skills more.’ 10/10 on writing an enjoyable, realistic character that made it easy to connect to the story. We haven’t even started on the MMC, and that’s exclusively because I want you all to go read this story and discover him for yourselves. Thank me later.
How about the world building? While subtle and mainly used for background, it was still solid. This world is dying, there’s a giant magical dome, and outside of that there’s really no magic to speak of, just men doing terrible things in the name of power. It paints a very clear picture of what Etarla’s life has been like, and it’s just built out enough to ground the action while it’s occurring. I’d very much like to see more of this world, but I have a feeling that’s coming more in book 2 for *reasons*.
Last but not least, the plot. I’m telling you, it’s amazing. Full send from the start, and it never got boring or repetitive. As I mentioned before, our FMC is fairly realistic, and so a solid portion of this book was ‘oh look, life is suddenly very different, am I prepared for this?’ (She was not, and she recognized it, and the character development was putting in the work here) While we didn’t spend the majority of the time in action sequences, even the travel and development sections were easy to stay immersed in, and it was almost impossible to put the book down. There’s also a delightful little side plot that deals with some slowwwwwwwww burn between our MCs. The number of w’s directly correlates to the buildup. It was a nice break from some of the insta-love/insta-lust stories I’ve read more recently, because the whole thing had to be built from the ground up. Kidnapping a woman can only get a guy so far before both parties have to actually have a conversation. Without spoilers, I really liked how that development was handled, and by the end of the book I had *feelings* about the whole thing.
The more I write about this book, the less pleased I am that I have to wait for the next one. I absolutely loved this story, and I cannot emphasize enough how much I think y’all should check it out. It’s a little bit magic, a little bit action, and a whole lot of a good read. I really don’t know how else to explain it, because it doesn’t have a lot of those key markers for current fantasy— no fae, no big magic system, no ethereal deities quietly guiding everything along. But everything about it solidly feels like a fantasy, just from the viewpoint of a completely normal human who just wanted to be left alone. I love it.
CW: violence, gore, references to familial death, some others
Thank you to the author for allowing me to be a part of the ARC team! “Waykeeper” is available now!
You know it’s good when you finish the book and immediately want to demand the next one.
When Etarla encountered the strange woman in the woods, she knew she should have turned around and left immediately. Following the encounter, Etarla’s entire world is upended. Hunted, held captive, and told she has knowledge she never learned, all she wants is to go home. The world is dying, though, and it seems that Etarla may have inadvertently become a way to save them all.
Don’t mind me, I’m just absolutely screaming over the variation of the ‘reluctant chosen one’ trope. Does our FMC want anything to do with all this? Absolutely not. Does she have any skills whatsoever that might be helpful with all of this? Not really, no. But does every single moment of this book make me completely delighted to be reading it? Yes, yes it did.
Where do I even start? From page one, I knew this was going to be seriously enjoyable. I completely devoured this story, and I was so upset it ended because I was entirely ready to just sit and read for another week (or two). The characters are amazing, but I specifically adored our FMC. Why? Because she has an entirely reasonable reaction to almost every aspect of her situation. She’s terrified without becoming a completely useless lump, she’s clever enough to know when she doesn’t have the right information, she’s aware of herself to know where she’s lacking in skills and to not do reckless things because of it. Even when she gets around to training and learning things, it was very much ‘I hate this, but I’m going to do it, because I hate not having these skills more.’ 10/10 on writing an enjoyable, realistic character that made it easy to connect to the story. We haven’t even started on the MMC, and that’s exclusively because I want you all to go read this story and discover him for yourselves. Thank me later.
How about the world building? While subtle and mainly used for background, it was still solid. This world is dying, there’s a giant magical dome, and outside of that there’s really no magic to speak of, just men doing terrible things in the name of power. It paints a very clear picture of what Etarla’s life has been like, and it’s just built out enough to ground the action while it’s occurring. I’d very much like to see more of this world, but I have a feeling that’s coming more in book 2 for *reasons*.
Last but not least, the plot. I’m telling you, it’s amazing. Full send from the start, and it never got boring or repetitive. As I mentioned before, our FMC is fairly realistic, and so a solid portion of this book was ‘oh look, life is suddenly very different, am I prepared for this?’ (She was not, and she recognized it, and the character development was putting in the work here) While we didn’t spend the majority of the time in action sequences, even the travel and development sections were easy to stay immersed in, and it was almost impossible to put the book down. There’s also a delightful little side plot that deals with some slowwwwwwwww burn between our MCs. The number of w’s directly correlates to the buildup. It was a nice break from some of the insta-love/insta-lust stories I’ve read more recently, because the whole thing had to be built from the ground up. Kidnapping a woman can only get a guy so far before both parties have to actually have a conversation. Without spoilers, I really liked how that development was handled, and by the end of the book I had *feelings* about the whole thing.
The more I write about this book, the less pleased I am that I have to wait for the next one. I absolutely loved this story, and I cannot emphasize enough how much I think y’all should check it out. It’s a little bit magic, a little bit action, and a whole lot of a good read. I really don’t know how else to explain it, because it doesn’t have a lot of those key markers for current fantasy— no fae, no big magic system, no ethereal deities quietly guiding everything along. But everything about it solidly feels like a fantasy, just from the viewpoint of a completely normal human who just wanted to be left alone. I love it.
October 10, 2025
WAYKEEPER was a very impressive debut and I found the worldbuilding to be particularly unique and engaging. I really enjoyed Etarla's journey as she found her purpose and sense of duty and grew from a villager only focused on survival to a strong woman fighting for what's right. As the only POV character we learn through her eyes and I liked how level-headed she was and the way she thought through her actions and reflected on her motivations.
Etarla's love interest Harthon was also a great character though it takes much of the book to learn about his history and who he really was behind his deadly reputation. While he did kidnap Etarla and plans to use her newfound knowledge to become a king, he had noble intentions and a desire to make the world a better place. He was tough and ruthless when needed but ultimately fair to his people. And I loved the way he cared for Etarla, encouraged her to learn to fight and ride a horse, and empowered her to be a strong force in the world.
The romance was on the lower side with WAYKEEPER though there were some great swoony moments in the beginning as Harthon cared for an injured Etarla. But from halfway to about two-thirds felt slow with nothing really happening, both in plot and the romance as Harthon and Etarla barely spent any time together. They did have some good banter and I liked the back and forth, but to me it didn't really build tension in the romantic relationship because Harthon had the same level of banter with his close friends. Maybe this is a symptom of only having one POV, but I needed a bit more from Harthon in the second half to believe he was falling for Etarla.
However, this is obviously just the start of their romance (we only got some kissing) so I'm hoping the swoon and feelings will ramp up in book 2. This does end with a bit of a cliffhanger and things are barely a HFN for Etarla and Harthon but I'm very much looking forward to reading more.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
"I'll have you know I'm gracious company when I want to be."
"And how does one sway you to be so gracious?"
"Not kidnapping me is usally a good start."
- - - - -
"You're telling me you've stabbed people with your crown?"
"It makes quite the statement."
Etarla's love interest Harthon was also a great character though it takes much of the book to learn about his history and who he really was behind his deadly reputation. While he did kidnap Etarla and plans to use her newfound knowledge to become a king, he had noble intentions and a desire to make the world a better place. He was tough and ruthless when needed but ultimately fair to his people. And I loved the way he cared for Etarla, encouraged her to learn to fight and ride a horse, and empowered her to be a strong force in the world.
The romance was on the lower side with WAYKEEPER though there were some great swoony moments in the beginning as Harthon cared for an injured Etarla. But from halfway to about two-thirds felt slow with nothing really happening, both in plot and the romance as Harthon and Etarla barely spent any time together. They did have some good banter and I liked the back and forth, but to me it didn't really build tension in the romantic relationship because Harthon had the same level of banter with his close friends. Maybe this is a symptom of only having one POV, but I needed a bit more from Harthon in the second half to believe he was falling for Etarla.
However, this is obviously just the start of their romance (we only got some kissing) so I'm hoping the swoon and feelings will ramp up in book 2. This does end with a bit of a cliffhanger and things are barely a HFN for Etarla and Harthon but I'm very much looking forward to reading more.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
"I'll have you know I'm gracious company when I want to be."
"And how does one sway you to be so gracious?"
"Not kidnapping me is usally a good start."
- - - - -
"You're telling me you've stabbed people with your crown?"
"It makes quite the statement."
January 19, 2026
got me out of a book slump
I read this book because I happen to see a random TikTok on it and it intrigued me which is really rare. But I’ve been on a book slump for several months now and I needed something that wasn’t too intense but at the same time could hold my attention. This book is that it’s not a very new concept in terms of storyline however, it was well put together very easy to read, and the connection between the characters grew organically and did not seem forced. I really like the FMC as she seemed to keep growing on her strength rather than becoming weak in front of a capable MMC. Even when she makes a stupid mistake near the end, she gets herself out of it, which is brilliant. She does not wait for him to come.
I read this book because I happen to see a random TikTok on it and it intrigued me which is really rare. But I’ve been on a book slump for several months now and I needed something that wasn’t too intense but at the same time could hold my attention. This book is that it’s not a very new concept in terms of storyline however, it was well put together very easy to read, and the connection between the characters grew organically and did not seem forced. I really like the FMC as she seemed to keep growing on her strength rather than becoming weak in front of a capable MMC. Even when she makes a stupid mistake near the end, she gets herself out of it, which is brilliant. She does not wait for him to come.
February 12, 2025
I absolutely loved this book! The writing drew me in from the first page, and the world-building was natural and easy to understand. Etarla is a wonderful main character, and it was awesome to see how she evolved.
May 17, 2025
Waykeeper was truly a breath of fresh air!! Echoing sentiment shared by other reviewers, Monte pulls you into a truly captivating story that subverts expectations amid well loved romantasy tropes. I cannot wait to see what comes next for this series and author!!!
February 26, 2025
Waykeeper
By Megan Monte
Finding indie authors is what I love to do. This Romantasy debut novel by Megan Monte should be your next read.
Megan’s writing made this book come to life with her descriptive and informative pacing. Waykeeper is addictive and captivating.
Six territories drained of its power for one king to hold . The Domus, a magical reflective barrier, was formed around Centralis and sucked the life out of the surrounding land and skies. Centralis became an isolated world veiled in mystery as no one could go in or out, but it is presumed to be thriving while the territories suffer.
Etarla, an ordinary girl thrusted into a new world territory leaders and how she might be able to help their dying world.
Harthon is a broody mercenary turned territory leader who takes Etarla and brings her to his land to hopefully get her to help him.
This slow burn fantasy had me holding my breath with the will they..won’t they..
Book two are you ready bc I am!
#ArcReview #WayKeeper #MeganMonte #FantasyReaders #Romantasy #SlowBurnRomance #Bookstagram #BookReview #BookLover #Fantasy #DebutNovel #IndieAuthor #ARC
By Megan Monte
Finding indie authors is what I love to do. This Romantasy debut novel by Megan Monte should be your next read.
Megan’s writing made this book come to life with her descriptive and informative pacing. Waykeeper is addictive and captivating.
Six territories drained of its power for one king to hold . The Domus, a magical reflective barrier, was formed around Centralis and sucked the life out of the surrounding land and skies. Centralis became an isolated world veiled in mystery as no one could go in or out, but it is presumed to be thriving while the territories suffer.
Etarla, an ordinary girl thrusted into a new world territory leaders and how she might be able to help their dying world.
Harthon is a broody mercenary turned territory leader who takes Etarla and brings her to his land to hopefully get her to help him.
This slow burn fantasy had me holding my breath with the will they..won’t they..
Book two are you ready bc I am!
#ArcReview #WayKeeper #MeganMonte #FantasyReaders #Romantasy #SlowBurnRomance #Bookstagram #BookReview #BookLover #Fantasy #DebutNovel #IndieAuthor #ARC
February 21, 2025
You know those books where you start reading the first couple of chapters and you think “yeah I’m going to love this”? Well that was how it was with me for this book
This is Megans debut and honestly I think she’s already made it to the “I’ll read anything by this author” category.
Etarla, an ordinary girl thrusted into a new world territory leaders and how she might be able to help their dying world. Etarla grew so much in this book, I can’t wait to see how much more she grows in the next book. At moments she had me questioning her choices and the next had me rooting for her but given if I was in her situation I probably would have done the same things 😂
Harthon is a broody mercenary turned territory leader who takes Etarla and brings her to his land to hopefully get her to help him. Harthon is able to help Etarla by getting her to train who was able to help empower her without coddling and making her feel less than (which we all love).
This is an actual slow burn, Megan had me BEGGING for them to kiss the whole book. I need the second book immediately especially after that ending 😭
This is Megans debut and honestly I think she’s already made it to the “I’ll read anything by this author” category.
Etarla, an ordinary girl thrusted into a new world territory leaders and how she might be able to help their dying world. Etarla grew so much in this book, I can’t wait to see how much more she grows in the next book. At moments she had me questioning her choices and the next had me rooting for her but given if I was in her situation I probably would have done the same things 😂
Harthon is a broody mercenary turned territory leader who takes Etarla and brings her to his land to hopefully get her to help him. Harthon is able to help Etarla by getting her to train who was able to help empower her without coddling and making her feel less than (which we all love).
This is an actual slow burn, Megan had me BEGGING for them to kiss the whole book. I need the second book immediately especially after that ending 😭
December 8, 2025
Trying to slog through this one but the writing is too amateurish. Has some of the ingredients of a good book but needs an editor badly.
February 16, 2025
Several years ago, a king brought up the domus - a shimmering, magical wall that separates Centralis from its six surrounding territories and drains the land of its power to maintain his seat. His hidden lands said to thrive while the territories deteriorate. Etarla swiftly becomes the key to unlocking the secrets of Centralis and hopefully overthrowing this king who would allow the people to suffer. The writing is immersive. The characters are complex. The tension is delicious. I loved it! In fantasy fashion, the last 100 pages, give or take, are a roller coaster.
November 29, 2025
I enjoyed the beginning of this book and then the plot just stopped about halfway through. Not much happened. The main character did not make sense to me. I know the author wanted to write her as being fierce, but her snarky comments felt foolish most of the time.
December 31, 2025
Slow! Slow plot pace and slow slow slow burn. The plot conception was unique but not intricate and I was bored by the repetition of the skirmishes. Spice level was 0.5… ugh and it took forever to even get to that. I will read book 2 but this book lacked in relationship and plot depth for me.
September 12, 2025
I have been in a reading slump of sorts mainly because asian tv dramas have captivated my entire attention but after starting two other books and not getting into them, I tried this one and it grabbed me and wouldn't let go til the end. To start, purple is my favorite color so the cover automatically wins in that department. I don't know how to describe the world the author built and I honestly don't quite understand it yet however I'm definitely interested in where this story goes.
If I had to describe this, it's almost dystopian I feel like. The politics are very modern even though we travel the world on horseback and take baths (sometimes in streams) but the ideals of community and being respectful of everyone regardless of their status in this world are prominent. Harthon is one of a couple Princeps who has gained a reputation for being ruthless when in actuality he's multifaceted. The ruthless side only comes out for people who absolutely deserve it. Etarla lives a life thats solely focused on survival. She accidentally tries to help a magical being who completely changes the trajectory of her entire existence and she's in a constant battle with herself about who to trust and what to do. Her character felt really relatable to me.
Harthon and Etarla together..... !!! I enjoyed every single second of their page time and I mean every second. It was the slowest of frustrating burns but the way they spoke to one another was everything I love in an adult fantasy romance. I think the author did a damn good job showing them go from casual "i guess we're in this together" to "I think I actually like you a lot". The banter is top tier, their chemistry is on fire and I can't wait to see where this relationship goes. I also really loved the side characters including the villains. The ending was a little bit rushed but it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment and I'll be seated for Book 2.
If I had to describe this, it's almost dystopian I feel like. The politics are very modern even though we travel the world on horseback and take baths (sometimes in streams) but the ideals of community and being respectful of everyone regardless of their status in this world are prominent. Harthon is one of a couple Princeps who has gained a reputation for being ruthless when in actuality he's multifaceted. The ruthless side only comes out for people who absolutely deserve it. Etarla lives a life thats solely focused on survival. She accidentally tries to help a magical being who completely changes the trajectory of her entire existence and she's in a constant battle with herself about who to trust and what to do. Her character felt really relatable to me.
Harthon and Etarla together..... !!! I enjoyed every single second of their page time and I mean every second. It was the slowest of frustrating burns but the way they spoke to one another was everything I love in an adult fantasy romance. I think the author did a damn good job showing them go from casual "i guess we're in this together" to "I think I actually like you a lot". The banter is top tier, their chemistry is on fire and I can't wait to see where this relationship goes. I also really loved the side characters including the villains. The ending was a little bit rushed but it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment and I'll be seated for Book 2.
March 4, 2025
How on Earth am I going to wait for book two? This book is easily in my top 3 of 2025 so far. Once I picked it up I could not put it down. All I thought about was Etarla and Harthon as they underwent intriguing challenges and visited unique landscapes throughout the book.
Monte did a beautiful job with the character development in this novel. Each character that was encountered had such an intriguing and unique story. I quickly found myself falling in love with numerous side characters, along with our main characters. Additionally, her ability to curate such a unique and barren landscape is admirable. I have no idea how she did it, but I found myself seeing the beauty in the cursed (if you will) landscape due to her prose and articulation.
Not to mention, my absolute favorite part of this novel was the slow burn. It has been a minute since I read a novel that pulled off a SLOWWWWWW burn so well. There was no instalove about this romance, yet not a single moment between the love interests was boring. When I tell you the banter was bantering, I mean, I am blushing right now just thinking about it. Maybe it is just me, but this is the kind of love story that I am here for.
Overall I absolutely loved this book, it is filled with fantastically written tropes such as one horse (my FAVE), slow burn, and a splash of that enemies to lovers many of us know and love. I cannot recommend this novel enough!
Monte did a beautiful job with the character development in this novel. Each character that was encountered had such an intriguing and unique story. I quickly found myself falling in love with numerous side characters, along with our main characters. Additionally, her ability to curate such a unique and barren landscape is admirable. I have no idea how she did it, but I found myself seeing the beauty in the cursed (if you will) landscape due to her prose and articulation.
Not to mention, my absolute favorite part of this novel was the slow burn. It has been a minute since I read a novel that pulled off a SLOWWWWWW burn so well. There was no instalove about this romance, yet not a single moment between the love interests was boring. When I tell you the banter was bantering, I mean, I am blushing right now just thinking about it. Maybe it is just me, but this is the kind of love story that I am here for.
Overall I absolutely loved this book, it is filled with fantastically written tropes such as one horse (my FAVE), slow burn, and a splash of that enemies to lovers many of us know and love. I cannot recommend this novel enough!
March 23, 2025
I *swooned* hard and haven't stopped...
---Read this book.
I had the true pleasure of having this recommended to me a few weeks ago and I did myself and the lovely human that introduced me to it a disservice by not immediately reading this and daring to put it on my TBR for any length of time.
For real, this needs to be on your TBR but it needs to be read ASAP!
Another question is do you savor it or blow through it because you're going to want to do both and it's going to tear you apart.
My recommendation is you read this book!
This is what I mean when I'm looking for a perfectly paced story that gives me tropes I know and love but with a level of intelligence and emotional maturity that takes the characters up a notch.
(Read this book)
We ducked away from easily redundant miscommunication tropes into deeper understanding and the ability to explore what vulnerability looks like in uncertain relationships. Beautiful commentary on what growth looks like in the face of trauma but also how important community and supporting each other really is.
(Read this book)
I also swooned harder than I've swooned in a long time..🥰🥰😵🤩😍 I will only be accepting this level of -save the damsel and distress but also empower the hell out of her- from now on!
I'm ready for book two....🥺🙏
---Read this book.
I had the true pleasure of having this recommended to me a few weeks ago and I did myself and the lovely human that introduced me to it a disservice by not immediately reading this and daring to put it on my TBR for any length of time.
For real, this needs to be on your TBR but it needs to be read ASAP!
Another question is do you savor it or blow through it because you're going to want to do both and it's going to tear you apart.
My recommendation is you read this book!
This is what I mean when I'm looking for a perfectly paced story that gives me tropes I know and love but with a level of intelligence and emotional maturity that takes the characters up a notch.
(Read this book)
We ducked away from easily redundant miscommunication tropes into deeper understanding and the ability to explore what vulnerability looks like in uncertain relationships. Beautiful commentary on what growth looks like in the face of trauma but also how important community and supporting each other really is.
(Read this book)
I also swooned harder than I've swooned in a long time..🥰🥰😵🤩😍 I will only be accepting this level of -save the damsel and distress but also empower the hell out of her- from now on!
I'm ready for book two....🥺🙏
December 6, 2025
I don’t give 5***** easily, but this was just awesome 👏 thank you for this book 📕 I devoured it in one evening and I am so exited that the sequel that will be released in 3 month 💫🥲
What I loved most is the character growth and the not-pretending to be someone she is not of the FMC. She ist fierce but not badass and she is funny but not annoying. The development of the situationship with the MMC is relatable and doesn’t happen in 3 chapters. It actually takes about 80% of the book when it gets a little more handsy and she actually THINKS about the abduction in the meantime of their time together and doesn’t forgive him just because he is hot (happens in too many romantasy books).
The slow burn is burning 🔥 and the yearning is yearning. My heart skipped a beat every time he said “Carella”🥹
I loved the plot and the world building, it is a dystopian setting and maybe nothing you haven’t read before but I loved the use of romance tropes which where different of the insta-lust. It was refreshing!
Tropes :
-only one horse
-slooooooooow burn 🔥
-political intrigue
-banter and yearning
-reluctant enemies to lovers ?
(Maybe even fated mates - but it wasn’t mentioned in this book)
-hidden identity
-brooding vanilla gray MMC - cinnamon roll for our FMC
Do yourself a favor and Read it !! 🫶
What I loved most is the character growth and the not-pretending to be someone she is not of the FMC. She ist fierce but not badass and she is funny but not annoying. The development of the situationship with the MMC is relatable and doesn’t happen in 3 chapters. It actually takes about 80% of the book when it gets a little more handsy and she actually THINKS about the abduction in the meantime of their time together and doesn’t forgive him just because he is hot (happens in too many romantasy books).
The slow burn is burning 🔥 and the yearning is yearning. My heart skipped a beat every time he said “Carella”🥹
I loved the plot and the world building, it is a dystopian setting and maybe nothing you haven’t read before but I loved the use of romance tropes which where different of the insta-lust. It was refreshing!
Tropes :
-only one horse
-slooooooooow burn 🔥
-political intrigue
-banter and yearning
-reluctant enemies to lovers ?
(Maybe even fated mates - but it wasn’t mentioned in this book)
-hidden identity
-brooding vanilla gray MMC - cinnamon roll for our FMC
Do yourself a favor and Read it !! 🫶
January 23, 2026
4.5 Rounding Up! I stumbled across Waykeeper on KU and decided to give it a chance and I’m so glad I did. I could tell fairly early on that this was a book I was going to enjoy, but it completely hooked me as the story unfolded. I kept finding myself thinking about it when I wasn’t reading and genuinely didn’t want to put it down.
I don’t like to overhype books or say too much because I don’t want to create unrealistic expectations, but that said… this was really good. The story is interesting and engaging without being overwhelming. The world-building is easy to follow so there are no long explanations, yet everything is easy to understand and feels natural. Great in its own right but definitely would be a good pallet cleanser / get you out of a slump.
I love the characters. While we do not get to know them too well, they are charming and I find I want to know them more (making me very invested). There is a found family element, and I am really looking forward to more of that. The relationships feel earned, and the slow burn is done just right. Love the banter!
Overall, Waykeeper felt refreshing and original, not like the same familiar story with minor tweaks. I can’t wait for book two and am very excited to see how this story continues to unfold. I’ll absolutely be continuing this series!
I don’t like to overhype books or say too much because I don’t want to create unrealistic expectations, but that said… this was really good. The story is interesting and engaging without being overwhelming. The world-building is easy to follow so there are no long explanations, yet everything is easy to understand and feels natural. Great in its own right but definitely would be a good pallet cleanser / get you out of a slump.
I love the characters. While we do not get to know them too well, they are charming and I find I want to know them more (making me very invested). There is a found family element, and I am really looking forward to more of that. The relationships feel earned, and the slow burn is done just right. Love the banter!
Overall, Waykeeper felt refreshing and original, not like the same familiar story with minor tweaks. I can’t wait for book two and am very excited to see how this story continues to unfold. I’ll absolutely be continuing this series!
March 28, 2025
I absolutely devoured the pages of Waykeeper by Megan Monte. It’s one of those books where you just can’t put it down once you get started. For a first book in a series, I was impressed with how well it introduced the world—there’s just enough world-building to pull you in without overwhelming you with too much at once. It felt like I was discovering the details naturally as the story progressed, which I really appreciated.
The thing that stood out to me the most was the FMC’s gradual shift in how she saw the MMC as a leader. At first, she’s really skeptical of him, and I totally understood why. But as the story moves forward, you can see her start to realize that he’s not just a good leader, but a genuinely good person. It wasn’t an instant “aha” moment but more of a slow, believable discovery, and I loved seeing that change in her character.
I also really enjoyed the character growth in this book. The FMC goes through so much personal growth, not just in understanding the MMC but in finding her own strength and making tough decisions. It felt really empowering to watch her evolve. Overall, Waykeeper was such a fantastic read, and I’m really looking forward to what comes next in the series. I will absolutely be following this author.
The thing that stood out to me the most was the FMC’s gradual shift in how she saw the MMC as a leader. At first, she’s really skeptical of him, and I totally understood why. But as the story moves forward, you can see her start to realize that he’s not just a good leader, but a genuinely good person. It wasn’t an instant “aha” moment but more of a slow, believable discovery, and I loved seeing that change in her character.
I also really enjoyed the character growth in this book. The FMC goes through so much personal growth, not just in understanding the MMC but in finding her own strength and making tough decisions. It felt really empowering to watch her evolve. Overall, Waykeeper was such a fantastic read, and I’m really looking forward to what comes next in the series. I will absolutely be following this author.
September 21, 2025
Overall, Waykeeper is a strong debut with vivid world-building, a layered heroine, and a slow burn romance. If you enjoy slow-burn romantasy with political intrigue, danger, and complicated characters, I highly recommend it. I loved that Etarla doesn’t start with magic or special powers, rather she becomes the chosen one at random and her strength comes from her resilience, choices, and growth. Overall, the quest that drives the characters is a more unique take and I enjoyed that immensely.
That said, some tropes felt overused and ultimately kept me from giving it a full five stars. At first, she assumes Harthon is power-hungry, but as the story unfolds, he proves to be more complex and unexpectedly fair. There’s an attempted SA scene that results after her poor choice to haphazardly escape and harthon saves her. And there are many more tropes and micro-tropes that just seem to get used over and over again in this genre. I also would’ve liked some more natural and original dialogue.
I will definitely be picking up the next book and hope the author grows and takes the story in fun and unexpected directions!
There is light spice that I’d expect to blossom in the next book.
4.3 ⭐️
That said, some tropes felt overused and ultimately kept me from giving it a full five stars. At first, she assumes Harthon is power-hungry, but as the story unfolds, he proves to be more complex and unexpectedly fair. There’s an attempted SA scene that results after her poor choice to haphazardly escape and harthon saves her. And there are many more tropes and micro-tropes that just seem to get used over and over again in this genre. I also would’ve liked some more natural and original dialogue.
I will definitely be picking up the next book and hope the author grows and takes the story in fun and unexpected directions!
There is light spice that I’d expect to blossom in the next book.
4.3 ⭐️
April 22, 2025
I loved every bit of this book. I loved Megan's writing style, it was easy to digest and understand while still wrapping you up in good writing about a new world. The world was unique without being overly complex. It was a world I could see, with politics I could follow.
But my favorite part of the story is the personal growth. Etarla's inner dialogue is so strong, I could follow every train of thought, and every bit of self doubt turned to realization. I believed all of the character arc for her individually, as well as the relationship between her and Harthon. Their interactions were full of great banter and building, and it never felt forced or trope-driven. The tension is much more a character evolution into revelation than a classic romantascy slow burn, which speaks to the YA character of Etarla, leaving it feeling natural and understandable in every way.
Needless to say, I can't wait for book 2!
But my favorite part of the story is the personal growth. Etarla's inner dialogue is so strong, I could follow every train of thought, and every bit of self doubt turned to realization. I believed all of the character arc for her individually, as well as the relationship between her and Harthon. Their interactions were full of great banter and building, and it never felt forced or trope-driven. The tension is much more a character evolution into revelation than a classic romantascy slow burn, which speaks to the YA character of Etarla, leaving it feeling natural and understandable in every way.
Needless to say, I can't wait for book 2!
December 24, 2025
THIS is everything a perfect romantasy should be! I picked this book up because of KU recommendations & wow. I could't not put it down. Plot and the story was unfolding at a great pace - I didn't get bored at all. It didn't feel like there is any filler, but the system of the world was explained perfectly.
This book is perfect for those who looove slow burn. I can't get enough of it & it was perfect for me. A lot of the situations and plot getting the characters closer as well as understanding of each other and whats at stake.
I also questioned morally grey MMC but in a way that makes you think just as the FMC would - the uncertainty of it all, but deciding what is right, what is wrong.
I CANNOT wait for the second book. This was my best 2025 read, I was entertained the whole way through & loved both characters.
Chef kiss. 10/10
This book is perfect for those who looove slow burn. I can't get enough of it & it was perfect for me. A lot of the situations and plot getting the characters closer as well as understanding of each other and whats at stake.
I also questioned morally grey MMC but in a way that makes you think just as the FMC would - the uncertainty of it all, but deciding what is right, what is wrong.
I CANNOT wait for the second book. This was my best 2025 read, I was entertained the whole way through & loved both characters.
Chef kiss. 10/10
September 25, 2025
What a fun read! Megan Monte is a fabulous story teller. I could so easily visualize all the tense action scenes - and there were many. The main characters, Etarla and Harthon had interesting back stories that were slowly revealed. I was just as curious as Etarla to learn why Harthon acted as he did. The love story is slowly developing but then what would you expect for a virgin. Etarla barely understood her own feelings. Megan did a wonderful job developing the side characters. especially the villain. This villain is vile! There are many gory scenes which are not gratuitous but develop the story. I am anxiously waiting for book 2!
December 10, 2025
I’m mad that I read this before knowing the second book wasn’t out! I hate waiting. The writing is so good, I was hooked right away and stayed that way thru the whole thing and now I want more!
Maybe a spoiler but probably not…..?….
It ends on a cliffhanger but not one where it leaves me full of excruciating anxiety which I REALLY appreciate when authors do. I get cliffhangers are needed and I hate it when it’s in such a horrible moment that it makes you want to just throw the book across the room. This one leaves you wanting more without the crippling nerves.
So yay hugs to this author!
Maybe a spoiler but probably not…..?….
It ends on a cliffhanger but not one where it leaves me full of excruciating anxiety which I REALLY appreciate when authors do. I get cliffhangers are needed and I hate it when it’s in such a horrible moment that it makes you want to just throw the book across the room. This one leaves you wanting more without the crippling nerves.
So yay hugs to this author!
April 30, 2025
I just so happened to stumble across this book and I am SO GLAD I did. I fell in love with the witty, enchanting characters, and the book is incredibly well-written-- I could not put it down for the life of me and am harassing all my book girlies to read it ASAP. I can't wait to read the rest of the series and keep obsessively checking for news about book 2! Add this to your list of series to look forward to :)
October 1, 2025
romantasy, warrior/king x villager, dislike to almost love. It was a slower start but I can see the vision of where this could go. The vibes were so good and all of the characters were perfect. Harthorn is a new book bf for sure and he will only get better with time. I loved Etarla because she like actually used her brain unlike other fantasy fmcs. She understood where harthorn came from and listened to him and used logic not just anger. I can’t wait to see how their relationship continues.
February 27, 2025
I would absolutely give more stars if I could. I was an ARC reader for this book and leaving my honest review voluntarily. The slow burn was burning, the plot is magical, I fell in love with the MMC, Harthon, and we have a badass FMC, Etarla, who has such great character growth. Am I mad about a cliffhanger ending? Absolutely but absolutely worth it! I’m on the edge of my seat for book 2.
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