“Bursting with angst, longing, and sizzling banter.”— Stacia Stark, New York Times bestselling author of We Who Will Die
“Heir of Illusion is a tale as smoldering, sensuous, and bloody as its protagonist. An incredibly impressive debut combining all that is best of the romantasy genre into something new, brutally violent, sizzling with tension, and utterly addictive to read. This is how you do romantasy!” —Brigitte Knightley, Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author of The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy
“Tension, angst, a delicious slow burn—I devoured this book. My top read this year!” —Geneva Lee, New York Times bestselling author of Filthy Rich Vampire and Filthy Rich Fae
Praise for The Romantasy Sensation of 2026
“Taylor’s spellbinding romantasy debut, the first in her Verran Isles series[…] delivers some genuine third-act surprises and makes Ivy’s desperate struggle for her freedom emotionally resonant.” — Publishers Weekly
“When I say this is a stay-up-all-night-because-you-have-to-finish-the-book type of read, I am 100% serious. Taylor absolutely bursts on to the traditional publishing scene with this dark, delicious novel, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next installment! It’s gritty, it’s sensual, it’s heartbreaking, it’s bloody, it’s action-packed and it’s downright captivating to read.” — Booktrib
★★★★★ “If you love enemies-to-allies, swoon-worthy tension, mind-blowing twists, and a romance that will consume your soul… mark your calendars for Feb 2026 and read this book. ASAP.”
★★★★★ “The end of this book had me gobsmacked??? I’m READY for book 2.”
★★★★★ “That whirlwind of an ending had me shocked to my core. A big round of applause to the author for that spectacular act of deception.”
★★★★★ “SALIVATING for the next book”
★★★★★ “This book changed me on a molecular level…. If this is how Madeline Taylor begins a series, I can only imagine the masterpiece that’s coming next.”
★★★★★ “obsessed. gagged. stunned. and feral for book two.”
★★★★★ “If you’re into messy emotions, high stakes, and a romance that burns slow but bites hard, add this one to your list immediately.”
★★★★★ “INCREDIBLE NEW ROMANTASY ALERT!! You do NOT want to sleep on Heir of Illusion! The plot is fast paced, the magic is so cool, the FMC is an absolute badass and this story is positively addictive!!! DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!!”
★★★★★ “I need thorne and his shadows like I need air. new book bf unlocked.”
★★★★★ “Every time I thought I had it figured out, this book slapped me in the face with another jaw-dropping revelation.”
★★★★★ “what an exciting and incredible debut for a high stakes and fast paced romantasy book!”
★★★★★ “I’m living for the twists and turns, the banter, the tension between Ivy and Thorne, and the unique magic system and world building.”
★★★★★ “I will not know peace until I have book 2 in my hands!”
★★★★★ “Six Stars. Stop everything and read this book.”
★★★★★ “jaw is ON THE FLOOR?? I need book 2 immediately.”
★★★★★ “Top five read of the year, hands down. The world, the characters, the dynamics – absolutely luscious!”
★★★★★ “This book is perfection on every scale.”
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