An upcoming romantasy novel, set to release in early 2026, has already outscored Onyx Storm on Goodreads—well before hitting shelves—suggesting it’s poised to be the next big BookTok sensation. The romantasy genre thrived in 2025, with breakout titles like Shield of Sparrows quickly becoming viral hits and dominating conversations across book communities. Meanwhile, established series have remained strong, particularly Fourth Wing, which continued to make waves following the January 2025 release of Onyx Storm and the intense discussions it sparked.
Still, the romantasy genre continues to flourish with new releases that rival the likes of Fourth Wing, and even more are slated for 2026. One standout contender is A Vow in Vengeance by Jaclyn Rodriguez, published by romance imprint Slowburn, which is already generating major buzz on BookTok. While its ultimate success will depend on various factors, its strong early showing on Goodreads suggests it could hold its own alongside genre heavyweights like Fourth Wing.
A Vow in Vengeance Doesn’t Have Many Goodreads Reviews Yet — But It’s Already Outscoring Onyx Storm
Despite having relatively few reviews, A Vow in Vengeance has already surpassed Onyx Storm on Goodreads—hinting at a promising future in the romantasy genre and on BookTok. With a current rating of 4.28 out of 5 stars from just 25 early reviewers, Jaclyn Rodriguez’s upcoming release is generating early excitement. In comparison, Onyx Storm—the latest installment in Rebecca Yarros’ popular romantasy series—holds a 4.22 rating from over 160,000 reviews, marking the lowest score among her books in the genre.
Upon release, Onyx Storm saw significant fluctuations in its Goodreads score, falling from a pre-release high of 4.56 to its current 4.22—despite generating intense discussion across the book community. If A Vow in Vengeance can sustain its early buzz and enthusiasm from romantasy readers, it’s well-positioned to thrive across major book platforms. Given its compelling premise and parallels to two fan-favorite BookTok series, the early momentum is likely not only to hold but to grow even stronger post-publication.
A Vow in Vengeance Combines the Best of Fourth Wing and One Dark Window — Making It a Guaranteed BookTok Hit
By merging the magical academia vibes made popular by Fourth Wing with the haunting, tarot-based magic system of Rachel Gillig’s One Dark Window, A Vow in Vengeance is poised to become a breakout romantasy hit on BookTok. The story follows Rune Ryker, chosen by the enigmatic Immortals to train at the Forge—their elite college of magic. When it’s discovered that Rune wields the rarest form of tarot magic, she’s assigned an unlikely partner: Prince Draven. But as their reluctant partnership intensifies, so does the pull between them—threatening Rune’s carefully guarded plans for vengeance.
The magical school setting in A Vow in Vengeance draws clear inspiration from Fourth Wing’s Basgiath War College, which helped popularize the trope of an academy fraught with danger and hidden threats. Yet it’s the book’s unique magic system that truly stands out. Much like the Providence Cards in One Dark Window, Rodriguez’s story features a tarot-based power structure—though notably, it incorporates real-world tarot cards, adding a fresh twist. While these parallels are likely to attract fans of both series, A Vow in Vengeance promises even more for BookTok readers, offering original elements that go beyond familiar romantasy comparisons.
Rodriguez’s A Vow in Vengeance Ticks All the Popular BookTok Boxes — Plus Adds Fresh Twists
Rodriguez’s A Vow in Vengeance embraces the ever-popular romantasy enemies-to-lovers trope, a sure way to capture BookTok’s attention. Yet it also introduces fresh elements rarely seen on the platform. The story centers on the tense and conflicted relationship between Rune and Prince Draven, clearly echoing the dynamic fans love in Fourth Wing. This familiar trope gives the book a solid edge, especially as it weaves in other beloved staples like “only one bed” scenarios and fake dating—adding extra layers to an already captivating storyline.
What will truly make A Vow in Vengeance stand out to many readers, myself included, is its deep exploration of feminine rage. While some BookTok favorites touch on moments of female anger, they often don’t delve as deeply as they could—despite their broader feminist themes. Rodriguez’s novel has the potential to fill that gap, offering a powerful and nuanced portrayal that not only embraces beloved BookTok tropes but also pushes the romantasy genre into new, compelling territory.
