The most excitingromantasybook of summer 2025 is from a beloved fantasy author and has the coolest concept behind it, making it a must-read for every fan of the genre. Many of2025’s newest romantasy releasesso far have set BookTok abuzz, each one giving audiences a wide variety ofperfect beach reads for summer 2025.
Some of these new romantasy releases, such asThe Knight and the MothandShield of Sparrows,have truly stood outfor their great world-building and strong storylines that have kept readers guessing. Other released and upcoming titles have reinvented the classicromantasy deadly trials trope, adding new twists to an already-tense format.
Other romantasy releases add in elements of different genres, drawing in new readers from across the book community. One particular novel, though, is set to do all three, making it the biggest release of the summer considering the buzz already surrounding it and its fascinating premise:Katabasisby R.F. Kuang.
Katabasis Is Poised To Become Summer 2025’s Biggest Romantasy Book
R.F. Kuang’s New Book Comes Out On August 06, 2025
Kuang’s upcoming romantasy book is gearing up to become the biggest release of summer 2025, with BookTok audiences already hyping up the novel and its dark academia aesthetics. Though readers are currently more focused on theromantasy books coming out in July,Katabasisis already getting a lot of attention on the internet — and has been for months now.
One draw of the book is its dark academia setting, which is often a hit in the fantasy genre but isn’t as prominent in romantasy. Many books in the subgenre lean into high and urban fantasy with their world-building and plots. While that makes them more immersive and atmospheric, it’ll be fun to add heavy romance elements to these strengths.
Of course,the other reason for the buzz aroundKatabasisis the author herself, as Kuang is beloved in fantasy spaces. HerPoppy Wartrilogy has become one of the greats, andBabelwas one of the biggest new releases of the past few years. EvenYellowface,which falls outside the fantasy genre, still gets a ton of attention from avid readers.
Katabasiswill see Kuang entering the romantasy sphere for the first time, making this new release even more exciting.
Katabasiswill see Kuang entering the romantasy sphere for the first time, making this new release even more exciting. Given how masterfully crafted the author’s previous fantasy and dark academia narratives are, there’s little doubt she’ll do a great job. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of spins she puts on the genre’s tropes, especially consideringKatabasis’great premise.
The August 2025 Book Will See Poppy War Author R.F. Kuang Tackling The Subgrenre
Kuang’s Fantasy Focus Makes Her Entrance Into Romantasy All The More Thrilling
Katabasisis Kuang’s highly anticipated foray into romantasy, her engaging prose and compelling themes amplifying excitement for her next novel.Kuang has largely stayed within the fantasy and literary fiction spaces, her novelYellowfaceearning a Goodreads Choice Award in 2023 and her seriesThe Poppy Warbeing one of many10/10 fantasy series.
Kuang’s books mostly tackle themes of war, identity, and the power of history, all of which are covered in a number of big romantasy titles as well. Combined with her powerful yet engaging prose, fans of Kuang’s work are excited to see her play with these ideas while leaning into romantasy’s conventions and tropes.
AsKatabasisis meant to be a romantasy novel, its categorization already suggests that some of readers' favorite tropes will be included within. That said,Katabasis’concept is probably the greatest thing to look forward to, as it promises to take us on a wild and fun journey.
Katabasis Has One Of The Coolest Fantasy Concepts In A Long Time
Kuang’s Romantasy Work Combines Dark Academia With Classical Ideas
Katabasistakes aspects of other dark academia works and combines them with concepts from classic literature to create a wholly unique romantasy narrative. According toGoodreads,Katabasistells the story of Alice who, after losing her magical mentor in an accident, must descend down into Hell with her academic rival Peter in order to retrieve his soul.
Katabasisis set to shake up the romantasy genre and add another great story to readers' TBR piles.
Both students of magic are forced to rely on each other and their skills to survive, their enemies-to-lovers arc made all the more fascinating by their battle between ambition and desire. The use of a layered Hell only makes it better, twisting the classic idea fromDante’s Infernoto fit modern expectations.
In a similar vein, the dark academia tropes are set to only make each moment and discovery more tense as the two battle their way through Hell in classic high fantasy fashion.Ultimately,Katabasisis set to shake up theromantasygenre and add another great story to readers' TBR piles.
