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You ever read a book that just wrecks you in the best way? That’s Reclaimed by Seth Haddon for me. Holy shit, I think I just found my new favorite romantasy—for the moment. But let’s be real, this one’s gonna be hard to top.

First off, if you thought you knew what a slow burn was, think again. Haddon doesn’t just play with the trope—he takes it all the way to the edge. I spent half the book worrying if I was ever going to get a sex scene. The tension was thick enough to stick a butter knife in and it would stand up straight. Watching the minutes tick down on my audiobook was some kind of smut torture. But when that sex scene finally hit? Worth. Every. Second. I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s one of the best I’ve ever read. Like, bookmark-for-later good. You’ll be screaming at the sexy voice in your earbuds like I was.

Before I get ahead of myself, let’s talk about Saba and Luan Zeke. Saba’s a trans man or possibly non-binary. It's a fantasy so the labels don't match one-to-one. He's a refugee from a country colonized by the Rezwyn Empire, and he’s been framed for murder. Enter Zeke—big, imposing, and very much part of the empire that ruined Saba’s life. Naturally, Saba hates him on sight. The enemies-to-lovers here isn’t just about romance; it’s about two people forced to navigate a world that’s actively trying to destroy them, all while dealing with their own baggage. And can we talk about the big vs. small dynamic? Because yeah, that’s a thing for Saba, and now a thing for me.

What I loved most about Reclaimed is how Haddon handles Saba’s identity. This isn’t just a fantasy world with queer characters slapped in for representation points. Saba’s journey—his struggles with self-acceptance, his resilience—feels deep and real. I'm very interested in hearing feedback from people in the trans and non-binary community about this representation. Certainly, everyone's experience is unique, but what resonates with me will be very different, and I'd love to know what resonates (or doesn't) for them. This is a story about figuring out who you are when the world keeps telling you you don’t belong. And honestly? That’s the kind of stuff I live for in books.

The world-building is better than many romantasies: just enough to make the place feel like a fantasy world without it being too complicated for the people who came for the romance. The Rezwyn Empire, the astral sea (which is as terrifying as it sounds), the political intrigue—it’s all so well-developed, but it never feels like a chore to read. Haddon gives you just enough to understand what’s going on without drowning you in lore. I'd say this is a hot take, but the advice you'll see in many reviews is that you can totally skip the first book in the series. Start with Reclaimed, then go back to Reborn if you’re hooked (and you will be hooked). The first book just doesn’t hit the same. He cut his teeth on book one and then honed his craft for creating political and sexual tension as he progressed.

I’m trying to prioritize reading queer books by queer authors. When I'm looking for good m/m slash, I dig deep to find books written by people who identify as male. I have no problem with people who identify as women writing m/m slash, but they aren't my priority. Seeing the world through the eyes of the writer is everything for me. Haddon’s work is a perfect example of that. And can we talk about the covers? Because damn. I need whatever he’s selling next.

So yeah, if you’re into romantasy—especially queer romantasy with depth, heat, and a world that feels alive—pick up Reclaimed. And then come back and tell me how obsessed you are, because I need to talk about this book with someone.

I posted a YouTube video discussing all this. Check it out.

Have the day you deserve!

/rae/