Waytreader

by Megan Monte

Etarla can never return to the mundane village life she once embraced. Not when the path into the Domus now lives within her chest. Not when she masquerades as the powerful being whose strange eyes and knowledge she bears. And not when betrayal has strained her budding connection with the fierce Territory leader who broadened her world and awakened feelings she had never known.

While Etarla has reunited with Harthon, they’re only allied in wanting to access the life-saving resources within the Domus, which continues to deplete their divided land. But the way to salvation is fraught with challenge and treachery. When one threat is put to rest, new ones arise, both at Harthon’s Citadel and on the journey ahead. The line between friend and enemy is shaded grey, and strange happenings raise new questions about Etarla’s inherited knowledge.

And as Etarla searches for her footing, she finds herself ensnared by yet another trial—this one of the heart. For Harthon is not as unfeeling as he pretends to be, and the bond between them is very much alive.

398 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 5, 2026

About the author

Megan Monte’s first stories were born on the sidelines of her brother’s
soccer games as an elementary schooler. What began as a way to entertain
herself became an infinite obsession with getting lost in fictional worlds,
either through reading or writing them. Her go-to genre is anything with
a blend of slow-burn romance and high-stakes adventure. And, as much
as she loves getting lost in characters’ adventures, she also likes to create
her own in real life. When she isn’t writing, reading, or working her day
job, you’ll find her surfing, hiking, skiing, cooking, traveling, trying (and
failing) to handstand, or spoiling her pup in New England.

Reviews

[sam | sammylou.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

“Eyes on mine, carella.”

Harthon, MY MAN 😮‍💨 He's bringing all the dom energy in this one. Actually, they're both lowkey giving dom/brat vibes 🤣 To quote Etarla - he’s such a bullheaded ass.

THE BANTER!! & it's *good* banter, not the corny stuff, yk?? I was giggling and smiling so hard that my cheeks were actually hurting ☠️ It was RIDICULOUS. And the spicy scenes?? GOOD LAWD. Sure, I've read far spicier books, but the way Megan writes these scenes?? The build up and tension?? I was blushing so hard!! 🤣

“Because if the sailors here saw your skin, I’d have to do something about it. And then we wouldn’t have any crew left to guide our ship.”

& y'all know I'm feral for a hair washing/hair braiding moment, but *slight spoiler* he untangles her hair after a battle scene in this one 🥹🫠

The side characters are also great, the found family trope was executed perfectly - I loveeee me some Callen 😆👀

Highly recommend this series!! I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK.

Thank you to Megan for the ARC 🫶

[Reine Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waykeeper, book 1 of this series was my # 1 read from 2025..so it's fair to say I had hopes that this would be a great read. But my hopes paled in comparison to what I actually got to experience!

I'm just going to go ahead and say it that this is definitely going to be in my top 2 of 2026!! 👏🏆

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

It was everything I wanted and more. Frfr.

Spoiler-free review:

This is no normal book 2, this makes book 1 look like an opening bid in a story so expansive book 1 really was just the beginning! This was an adventure novel with every romantic trope that I wanted done to such a caliber I'll be needing to do a few rereads just to absorb everything this story has to offer!

It hit every mark touched on in book 1 and blew my expectations out of the water. The plot deepens, the world expands, and the spice is perfection! 🥵

The yearning was everything and I could not put this book down. Every chapter was balanced perfectly with the plot that I couldn't stop thinking about and characters so well written that I was gasping, sobbing and otherwise completely consumed.

I love the book 1 for so many reasons, but this book stands on its own and invites everything you think you know to be reconsidered. This is a bigger world and there's bigger messaging happening, book 1 was just starting the conversation, this one's demanding and impossible to stop reading.

I'm just going to say it Harthon is my more gritty Aragron. Like, I love that man. 😘 He really is all of the best parts of Aragorn with a depth of grit and conviction all his own!

I love how imperfect and emotional Etarla is, how it never stops her from being the best she can be but it shows just what a lovable and courageous human she is.💕

Grab book 1, if it's been on your TBR just get it right now so you can be prepared for the March 5th release date of this masterpiece.

Then you come right back here and message me so we can emotionally process that ending together....I'm not ok.

[Miranda Nicely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Where to even begin. I thought Waykeeper was elite storytelling (and it is) but Waytreader is truly a work of art. Immediate 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The world and story that began to unfold in Waykeeper evolves beautifully in Waytreader. We are given action, banter, longing, and moments of doubt followed by great character development. The challenges faced in order to find and enter the Domus become very real as Etarla embraces her role in trying to make their world better.

Woven within the greater purpose and plan driving our characters is the relationship that continues to deepen between Etarla and Harthon. The banter is at a premier level. Between the two of them, there is such a delicious mix of stubbornness, longing, and care. Not to mention that the spice is done so well and perfectly placed throughout the story. For someone who says he isn’t good with words Harthon is smooth 🤭😏

I highly recommend you read Waykeeper and pick up book 2, Waytreader when it releases on March 5th!

[Anayah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly read the first book as a total happenstance and then could not put it down, finished it so fast that I actually begged the author for an arc and she was so kind because I could not get over the book. Now I legit gasped at the ending of book 2 I don’t know what I’m gonna do with myself. If I can’t read book 3 this is just pure magic. I love this romantasy series and it’s just gets better and better. The female main character remains steady and grows according to the story, the male main character is just drool worthy. The story is just unique enough that it keeps you interested it’s not a fantasy that has like too much magic but just enough that you’re curious. Everything feels fresh and new. I absolutely love it. When can I get book 3???

[Shelby Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be chosen as an ARC reader for this sequel, and I’m so happy to say it lived up to all my expectations. I loved the first book, but this one really took things to the next level. The world is so unique, and just when I thought I could predict what would happen next, it completely changed.

I’m a sucker for a good found family trope, especially when all the side characters are interesting, witty, and feel just as important as the leads. And the tension between the FMC and MMC? Perfectly done. It had me squealing one moment and wanting for more the next.

I genuinely couldn’t put it down. 10/10 recommend this series!

[Lacey Dippold · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing and does end on a cliffhanger. But it’s very well written and the characters are believable. I very rarely adore side characters but this one I do. Stefano is amazing, the looters boy has a world of hurt and grit, Joris and Callem. They’re just amazing and with personality and interactions with Etarla that create connection and depth. Loved it. Now Hearthon…that man. Just great. I cannot stress enough how well written these characters and how human they all feel. Megan is a phenomenal author. I read her first book and in the first three chapters I knew I was going to love her book and then checked to see when the second one was going to be released. It was that good.

[Jocelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 10/10 read. I'm a big fan of romantasy books, but I find they often fall flat in the maturity of the characters in lieu of smuttiness. This book is different. Although ratcheted up a notch (or more...), Etarla and Harthon's chemistry is palpable but also refreshingly well developed. I loved that the storyline kept me guessing with twists and turns that don't disappoint. I'm not going to spoil the ending, but to say I'm ready for book #3 is...an understatement.

I love, love how easy it is to get into and obsessed with this series. It has quickly become my re-read series of choice. I highly recommend making this series your next read!!

[Petunia reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5-5⭐️ Fantasy. Waytreader by Megan Monte.
Book two, ARC did not disappoint - the adventure was never ending with danger at every turn. For the romantic reader, the slow-burn was splendid, with all the hot and cold moments between our violet eyed heroin and her quest partner/warrior hero. Etarla and Harthon are the perfect combination of driven and loyal to what matters most in a dying world, and to protecting each other the best way they can - especially in moments when the choices oscillate between bad and worse. Love a cliff hanger when you do not see it coming but know it will be a doozy. Release date March 5th, 2026.

[Katie Dunlop · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars ✨
I really enjoyed this. The book delves deeper into the relationship between Harthon and Etarla. I loved the banter between them and seeing their relationship change.
The story moves at a good pace however I would’ve liked to it more high stakes. There is a bit more adventure and time at sea which was fun.
The romance in this hit for me and I’ll definitely continue the series with the final book!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the honor of reading this as an ARC. What an amazing sequel! Waykeeper was a top 5 read for me in 2025, and Waytreader is on its way for that title in 2026! The writing style was easy to follow, and the plot continued to surprise and thrill me. Etarla is such a strong female character, yet also relatable since she often doubts her abilities. I loved seeing her romantic and platonic relationships grow throughout this book. And that ending!!!!