Waytreader

by Megan Monte

Etarla can never return to the mundane village life she once embraced. Not when the path into the Domus now lives within her chest. Not when she masquerades as the powerful being whose strange eyes and knowledge she bears. And not when betrayal has strained her budding connection with the fierce Territory leader who broadened her world and awakened feelings she had never known.

While Etarla has reunited with Harthon, they’re only allied in wanting to access the life-saving resources within the Domus, which continues to deplete their divided land. But the way to salvation is fraught with challenge and treachery. When one threat is put to rest, new ones arise, both at Harthon’s Citadel and on the journey ahead. The line between friend and enemy is shaded grey, and strange happenings raise new questions about Etarla’s inherited knowledge.

And as Etarla searches for her footing, she finds herself ensnared by yet another trial—this one of the heart. For Harthon is not as unfeeling as he pretends to be, and the bond between them is very much alive.

Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 5, 2026

About the author

Megan 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.

Reviews

[Reine Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waykeeper, book 1 of this series was my # 1 read from 2025..so it's fair to say I had hopes that this would be a great read. But my hopes paled in comparison to what I actually got to experience!

I'm just going to go ahead and say it that this is definitely going to be in my top 2 of 2026!! 👏🏆

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

It was everything I wanted and more. Frfr.

Spoiler-free review:

This is no normal book 2, this makes book 1 look like an opening bid in a story so expansive book 1 really was just the beginning! This was an adventure novel with every romantic trope that I wanted done to such a caliber I'll be needing to do a few rereads just to absorb everything this story has to offer!

It hit every mark touched on in book 1 and blew my expectations out of the water. The plot deepens, the world expands, and the spice is perfection! 🥵

The yearning was everything and I could not put this book down. Every chapter was balanced perfectly with the plot that I couldn't stop thinking about and characters so well written that I was gasping, sobbing and otherwise completely consumed.

I love the book 1 for so many reasons, but this book stands on its own and invites everything you think you know to be reconsidered. This is a bigger world and there's bigger messaging happening, book 1 was just starting the conversation, this one's demanding and impossible to stop reading.

I'm just going to say it Harthon is my more gritty Aragron. Like, I love that man. 😘 He really is all of the best parts of Aragorn with a depth of grit and conviction all his own!

I love how imperfect and emotional Etarla is, how it never stops her from being the best she can be but it shows just what a lovable and courageous human she is.💕

Grab book 1, if it's been on your TBR just get it right now so you can be prepared for the March 5th release date of this masterpiece.

Then you come right back here and message me so we can emotionally process that ending together....I'm not ok.

[Shelby Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be chosen as an ARC reader for this sequel, and I’m so happy to say it lived up to all my expectations. I loved the first book, but this one really took things to the next level. The world is so unique, and just when I thought I could predict what would happen next, it completely changed.

I’m a sucker for a good found family trope, especially when all the side characters are interesting, witty, and feel just as important as the leads. And the tension between the FMC and MMC? Perfectly done. It had me squealing one moment and wanting for more the next.

I genuinely couldn’t put it down. 10/10 recommend this series!

[Katie Dunlop · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars ✨
I really enjoyed this. The book delves deeper into the relationship between Harthon and Etarla. I loved the banter between them and seeing their relationship change.
The story moves at a good pace however I would’ve liked to it more high stakes. There is a bit more adventure and time at sea which was fun.
The romance in this hit for me and I’ll definitely continue the series with the final book!