The Crown Jewels of June’s Digital Grimoire
The digital cauldrons of BookTok continue to bubble with otherworldly fervor as June 2025 unfolds its tapestry of literary sorcery. In the ever-shifting realm where algorithms dance with ancient magic, five particular tomes have risen from the depths of obscurity to claim dominion over the hearts and TBRs of fantasy devotees worldwide. These are not merely books—they are portals, each one crafted with the precision of a master enchanter and the cunning of a court politician.
The algorithmic spirits of TikTok have spoken, and their verdict echoes through the halls of digital libraries with the resonance of ancient prophecy. June 2025 has emerged as a month of particular potency in the fantasy realm, where established series reach their crescendo and new voices whisper promises of worlds yet unexplored.
1. Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros – The Dragon’s Final Gambit
The third installment in Yarros’s Empyrean series has descended upon BookTok like a storm of obsidian wings and desperate hearts. Having already claimed the title of fastest-selling adult novel in two decades, this continuation of Violet Sorrengail’s dragon-riding saga has proven that sometimes the algorithm’s favorite children deserve their golden pedestals.
What makes this particular volume so intoxicating to the BookTok masses is its masterful blend of romantic tension and high-stakes fantasy warfare. The story continues to explore the treacherous halls of Basgiath War College, where political intrigue dances with ancient magic, and where every shadow might conceal either salvation or doom. Yarros has crafted a narrative that feeds directly into the platform’s hunger for emotional devastation wrapped in the silk of epic fantasy.
The book’s success on BookTok stems from its perfect understanding of what drives viral content: characters whose emotional journeys feel as perilous as their physical battles, relationships that teeter on the knife’s edge of destruction, and a world rich enough to spawn countless fan theories and aesthetic posts. It’s fantasy as emotional experience rather than mere escapism—a distinction that has proven crucial in the platform’s ecosystem.
2. Grave Empire by Richard Swan – Industrial Sorcery Meets Political Intrigue
Swan’s latest offering represents a fascinating evolution in fantasy literature, where the clatter of machinery mingles with the whisper of ancient prophecies. Set in an empire on the brink of industrial revolution, this novel explores what happens when traditional magic must contend with the inexorable march of technological progress.
The BookTok appeal of Grave Empire lies in its sophisticated worldbuilding that feels both familiar and startlingly fresh. Swan has created a universe where arcane practices are outlawed, yet supernatural threats continue to manifest in ways that challenge both the established order and readers’ expectations. The story follows Renata Rainer, a low-ranking ambassador whose journey becomes a lens through which we examine themes of power, change, and the cost of progress.
What sets this title apart in the crowded fantasy marketplace is its willingness to engage with complex political and social themes while maintaining the epic scope that BookTok readers crave. The mysterious plague in the northern kingdoms and the Empire’s failing proxy war create a backdrop of tension that resonates with contemporary anxieties while remaining thoroughly fantastical.
3. A Song of Legends Lost by M.H. Ayinde – African-Inspired Science Fantasy
Ayinde’s debut represents one of the most ambitious entries in the science fantasy subgenre to capture BookTok’s attention this year. Set in the Nine Lands, this novel introduces readers to a world where noble clans summon ancestral spirits to battle creatures known as Greybloods—beings formed from a magical metal called techwork.
The story’s viral appeal stems from its fresh perspective on familiar fantasy tropes, infusing African cultural influences into a narrative that feels both ancient and futuristic. The protagonist, Temi, embodies the underdog spirit that BookTok readers consistently champion: an ordinary girl from the slums who unexpectedly calls forth a spirit and sets in motion events that will reshape her world.
Ayinde’s skillful handling of multiple perspectives creates a comprehensive view of the Nine Lands’ social hierarchy, allowing readers to engage with characters from various backgrounds and circumstances. The book’s success on the platform can be attributed to its perfect balance of accessible storytelling and complex worldbuilding, offering both immediate emotional engagement and deeper layers for those seeking more substantial fantasy literature.
4. Powerless (Series Conclusion) by Lauren Roberts – Dystopian Fantasy Reaches Its Climax
Roberts’s dystopian fantasy series has maintained its grip on BookTok’s collective imagination throughout 2025, with the final volume, Fearless, providing the emotional catharsis that readers have been desperately seeking. The series, which began with Powerless, has consistently delivered the kind of high-stakes romance and political intrigue that drives viral book content.
The story’s central premise—a world divided between the powered Elites and the Ordinary masses—provides a perfect metaphor for social inequality while maintaining the fantastical elements that allow for spectacular action sequences and romantic tension. Paedyn Gray’s journey from an Ordinary posing as an Elite to a revolutionary leader has provided BookTok creators with endless content opportunities, from character analyses to aesthetic boards celebrating her defiant spirit.
The series’ conclusion has generated particular excitement because Roberts has managed to maintain narrative tension across multiple volumes while developing complex relationships between characters whose opposing loyalties create genuine emotional stakes. The romance between Paedyn and Prince Kai, complicated by their opposing positions in a brewing civil war, exemplifies the kind of forbidden love story that BookTok readers find irresistible.
5. Emily Henry’s Genre Evolution – Great Big Beautiful Life
While not strictly fantasy, Henry’s latest novel represents a significant departure that has intrigued fantasy readers on BookTok who appreciate her storytelling craft. The book’s inclusion of intergenerational narrative elements and its comparison to works like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo suggests a complexity that appeals to readers seeking more sophisticated romantic literature.
Henry’s evolution as a writer has captured BookTok’s attention because it represents the kind of artistic growth that the platform’s more discerning readers appreciate. Her willingness to move beyond the successful formula of her previous novels demonstrates a commitment to storytelling that resonates with fantasy readers who value innovation over repetition.
The book’s structure, weaving together contemporary romance with historical elements and family saga dynamics, offers the kind of layered narrative that generates discussion and analysis—crucial elements for BookTok success. While it may not feature dragons or magic systems, its exploration of legacy, secrets, and the stories we tell ourselves about our lives carries its own form of enchantment.
RPGStoryTellers Recommends: The Licanius Trilogy’s Enduring Mystique
In the shadowed corners of fantasy literature, where complexity dwells like an ancient dragon guarding its hoard, James Islington’s Licanius Trilogy stands as a monument to the art of intricate worldbuilding and temporal sorcery. While BookTok’s algorithmic winds may favor the immediate gratification of emotional devastation, there exists a deeper magic in works that demand patience and reward contemplation.
The Architecture of Wonder
The Licanius Trilogy—comprising The Shadow of What Was Lost, An Echo of Things to Come, and The Light of All That Falls—represents fantasy literature at its most architecturally ambitious. Islington has constructed a world where time itself becomes a character, where the consequences of actions ripple both forward and backward through the centuries with the inevitability of fate and the precision of clockwork.
What sets this trilogy apart from the immediate pleasures of BookTok’s current favorites is its commitment to the long game of storytelling. Where other series might reveal their secrets with the breathless urgency of a romantic confession, Islington meters out his revelations like a master chess player, each piece moving according to a pattern that only becomes clear when viewed from the vantage point of completion.
The Temporal Tapestry
The trilogy’s handling of time travel and predestination creates a narrative complexity that rivals the greatest works of fantasy literature. Davian’s journey from a struggling student at a magical academy to a figure of cosmic significance unfolds across a timeline that folds back upon itself like an origami crane made of destiny. The Augurs’ ability to manipulate time and Essence creates a magic system that feels both ancient and innovative, grounded in consequences that extend far beyond individual actions.
The series’ exploration of fate versus free will resonates particularly strongly in our current cultural moment, where questions of agency and determinism feel more pressing than ever. Islington doesn’t offer easy answers; instead, he crafts a narrative where characters must navigate the terrible burden of knowledge, understanding that their choices matter even—or perhaps especially—when those choices seem predetermined.
Why June 2025 Demands This Trilogy
As BookTok celebrates the immediate pleasures of emotional manipulation and aesthetic perfection, the Licanius Trilogy offers something rarer: the satisfaction of intellectual engagement married to emotional depth. This is fantasy for readers who appreciate the genre’s capacity for philosophical exploration, who find pleasure not just in the destination but in the complexity of the journey.
The trilogy’s recently released paperback editions make this the perfect moment for new readers to discover Islington’s masterwork. With The Will of the Many, his new series set in a different universe, having garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, there has never been a better time to explore the author’s earlier achievement. The Hierarchy series proves that Islington’s talent for complex worldbuilding and intricate plotting was not a fluke but a fundamental aspect of his storytelling DNA.
For fantasy readers seeking something that will challenge as well as entertain, that will reward rereading and discussion, the Licanius Trilogy represents an investment in literary satisfaction that extends far beyond the fleeting pleasures of viral content. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most rewarding magic requires patience, attention, and a willingness to trust in the author’s vision even when the path seems obscured by shadows.
The Alchemical Formula of BookTok Success
The success of these five titles reveals the subtle alchemy required to capture BookTok’s notoriously fickle attention. Each book offers a carefully calibrated blend of emotional intensity, visual appeal, and narrative complexity that translates perfectly to the platform’s unique ecosystem.
The common threads weaving through these selections include protagonists who embody the underdog spirit, romantic relationships complicated by larger conflicts, and worldbuilding rich enough to support endless fan creativity. These are books that don’t merely tell stories; they create universes that readers want to inhabit, discuss, and ultimately, share with others.
As we navigate the middle passages of 2025, the fantasy genre continues to evolve in response to both digital culture and timeless human desires for wonder, escape, and meaning. These five titles represent not just the current state of BookTok’s preferences but the ongoing dialogue between traditional fantasy storytelling and the demands of contemporary media consumption.
The true magic of June 2025’s fantasy offerings lies not in any single title but in the collective spell they cast—a reminder that in an age of infinite digital distraction, the ancient art of storytelling continues to hold power over human hearts and imaginations. Whether through dragon wings or industrial smoke, ancestral spirits or forbidden romance, these books prove that fantasy literature remains as vital and necessary as ever, capable of both entertaining and transforming those brave enough to turn their pages.
LINKS & SOURCES
Book Riot: 10 Terrific New Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books Out in June 2025
https://bookriot.com/new-sci-fi-and-fantasy-books-june-2025/
Big booktok books of 2025 – Bookshop
https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/big-booktok-books-of-2025
The Licanius Trilogy by James Islington – Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/series/136308-the-licanius-trilogy
2025 Adult Fantasy Books You Won’t Want to Miss – Rachel A. Greco
https://www.rachelagreco.com/2025-adult-fantasy-books-you-wont-want-to-miss/
The Will of the Many – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Will_of_the_Many
Onyx Storm – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onyx_Storm
Emily Henry on Great Big Beautiful Life – She Reads
https://shereads.com/emily-henry-on-great-big-beautiful-life/
Acquisition Announcement: GRAVE EMPIRE by Richard Swan
https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/orbit-books/acquisition-announcement-grave-empire-by-richard-swan/
A Review of James Islington’s Licanius Trilogy – Reddit
https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/188rkrg/a_review_of_james_islingtons_licanius_trilogy_i/
