Introduction
Published as a paperback in March 2024, this overlooked fantasy shrouded in Japanese mythology is an undiscovered gem for those craving something new in the romantasy space. Saints and Monsters is the first novel in the Hearts of Ezo Series, which has yet to be given its deserved praise on Booktok.
A Summary
Princess Meera was never meant to be queen, and everyone knew it. When her sister is cursed right before the coronation, she’s pushed into a role she’s completely unprepared for. In Ezo, taking the throne isn’t simple - you have to survive bonding with a sea dragon that would rather tear you apart than accept you. Meera tries to get through the ritual and accidentally turns the dragon into a mortal, ending up with his heart beating inside her chest. Now she’s stuck sharing a life with someone who can’t stand her flaws, while invaders close in and her kingdom teeters on disaster.
Writing Style
The prose is full of descriptions, leading it to feel more so like a high fantasy steeped in mythologies than a regular romantasy novel typically does. The chapters are not particularly long, and the reading experience is an immersive but fast one.
My Thoughts
The descriptions in Saints and Monsters are vivid, and the Japanese‑inspired fantasy setting gives the world a fresh edge. The opening hooked me right away and set things up beautifully. Things slipped for me toward the end. The final showdown gets messy, the action piles up, and a few plot holes sneak in. Characters suddenly know things they were never told, and the logic doesn’t always keep up with the pace. I also felt the characters themselves went a bit flat at times, especially when the plot needed them to move rather than feel. I wanted more clarity around the magic system too. The dragons, their trials, their moral code - none of it felt fully explained, and I kept waiting for answers that never quite arrived. And even though this is a clean fantasy, the cheating subplot didn’t work for me. The main character kissing someone else while engaged is a hard line I don’t enjoy crossing, cold feet or not. Overall, it’s an interesting world with cool ideas, even if the magic, characters, and ending needed more depth. I’d still pick up more from this author to see how her worlds develop, but this one left me wanting sharper explanations and stronger character work.
Recommendation
To my knowledge, Ellen McGinty is an independent author, so I would definitely recommend to those wanting a good fantasy and the ability to support a non-traditionally published author - especially those craving some Japanese mythology.
