This was actually my first read of 2026 and I couldn't have asked for a better one! The fantasy vibes were immaculate, and the writing style really drew me in and kept me turning pages. The FMC's backstory (although gut-wrenching) gave her so much depth and relatability. This is a fantastic start to the series.
A former slave fighting for justice. A reclusive warrior who no longer believes it exists. And a dark magic that will entangle their fates.
Ripped from a forgotten homeland as a child, Tisaanah learned how to survive with nothing but a sharp wit and a touch of magic. But the night she tries to buy her freedom, she barely escapes with her life.
Desperate to save the best friend she left behind, Tisaanah journeys to the Orders, the most powerful organizations of magic Wielders in the world. But to join their ranks, she must complete an apprenticeship with Maxantarius Farlione,…
This book was such a fast and thrilling read! The premise of the hooked me from the very beginning with the slightly unhinged "Dear Debbie" letters. The plot twist was one I wasn't able to predict (which is always very much appreciated to be surprised as a reader), to the point where it had me thinking one thing and it ended up being something else. Highly recommend if you're looking for a fast-paced thriller!
Named one of the TIME100 Most Influential People of 2026
"I enjoy Freida McFadden...The books are engrossing and her sense of humour is sharp and dark. Vengeance comes with a twist and is satisfying" - STEPHEN KING
"McFadden is a writer at the top of her game-and the undisputed mistress of the psychological thriller." - E.L. James
"Take the propulsive darkness of Gone Girl, the prolific output of Colleen Hoover, and the addictive twists of Harlan Coben, and you have something close to Freida McFadden." - The Independent
I started reading this book in the fall and, even though some people might disagree, the dark academia vibes were definitely present throughout this book. The journey into Hell kept me turning pages, along with the lore, the intellectual magic system, and the relationship between the two main characters. Their backstory was woven in so seamlessly and was revealed at the perfect point in the book. This book made me laugh, it made me tear up, and it made me think about existence far beyond the physical plane. A masterful piece of work -- I highly recommend this one if you're looking to challenge your world views while enjoying a solid plotline with relatable characters!
What if the concept of karma wasn't just wishful thinking, but an actual duty that's guaranteed to be fulfilled?
For 30-year-old Maren Cordeau, it is. Having been through multiple incarnations and a daunting number of past lives, she's finally landed among the ranks of the Noires—karmic vigilantes who carry out the eternal sentences of those who have ultimately chosen to "sell their soul", be it for riches, fame, power, or something much, much darker. It's no surprise that invoking nightmares to carry out said sentences has become one of her favorite pastimes... How could it not when she's exacting justice for the innocent and defenseless?
Such a dangerous role requires the protection of a Sigard, assigned to all Noires at the time of incarnation. It's a shame it's Brant Colborn, her rival from previous lifetimes; but, regardless of their blatant animosity toward one another, they always find a way to work together—and actually grow to do a little more than tolerate each other this time around. But when Maren receives her next assignment, a trip into the underbelly of the shopping district to gather supplies turns into a nightmare of her own—her go-to shopkeeper, the Elder Witch of a coven, turns up murdered, in which she's the number one suspect.
With so many things working against her, Maren can't help but wonder if this is her own twisted rendition of karma playing itself out. But, as she revisits past lifetimes, what she discovers is much more than she'd bargained for... and could alter the very fabric of reality of years past and subsequent years to come.
