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ICYMI: Apropos Books’ September 2026 Bestsellers

By Jaime Rasplicka
Published October 8, 2026

The books our readers bought most last month.

Missed a few of our daily deals? These were Apropos Books’ September 2026 bestsellers. The books our readers bought most during the month.

Fantasy and romantasy took up plenty of room, from Fairydale and The Wolf King to Gardens of the Moon. But readers also made room for the unsettling Survivor Song and the investigations in The Kept Woman. Browse the picks below if you’re still deciding what to read next.

These books were featured throughout September, so their original sale prices may have changed. Check the current retailer price before buying.

"Apropos Books is an affiliate marketer, which means we may earn advertising fees from qualifying purchases. These fees are paid by the retailer or affiliate partner, not added to your purchase price, so there’s no extra cost to you."

Fairydale

Veronica Lancet

Dark Romance, Gothic Romance, Paranormal Romance, Romantasy

Two men haunt Darcy O’Sullivan—one who tempts her by day, the other by night. In Fairydale, secrets run as deep as the shadows, and Darcy’s inheritance may cost her more than she ever imagined. Dark romance, dangerous mysteries, and a legacy that threatens to consume her—Fairydale awaits.

We Hunt The Night

G. Bailey

Paranormal Romance, Romantasy

From USA TODAY bestselling author G. Bailey, We Hunt The Night follows a witch at Bloodstone Academy who accidentally bonds with four hostile dragon shifters in a deadly world of magic, war, cursed dragon witches, and unwanted fated bonds, with a 4.4-star rating from more than 3,700 Amazon reviewers. A strong match for readers drawn to dark academia romantasy with enemies to lovers tension, forbidden romance, forced proximity, and dragon shifters.

Web of Vows and Vengeance

Aria Ashbrook

Epic Fantasy, Romantasy

Called “I loved this book, but I am NOT okay” by Eliza Raine, Rose must compete in a deadly magical tournament against Prince Kyor, whose lie caused her family to lose their powers, to win a goddess's blessing and save her sister, with a 4.4-star rating from more than 2,200 Amazon reviewers. Good for readers who like dark slow-burn romantasy, deadly trials, enemies-to-lovers tension, and underdog heroines.

Ruthless Villains

Marion Blackwood

Romantasy

Ruthless Villains by Marion Blackwood: Poison mage Audrey Sable and fellow dark mage Callan Blackwell would rather kill each other, but when their enemies move to wipe out the remaining dark mages, they are forced to work together as hatred turns toward attraction, with a 3.5-star average from more than 6,200 Goodreads ratings. A strong match for readers drawn to dark romantasy with villain protagonists, lethal magic, and true enemies-to-lovers tension.

To Tame a Shifter Complete 5 Book Series

A.K. Koonce

Romantasy

A runaway mage is forced to travel with three dragon shifters hired to bring her back while hiding the fact that she is the dangerous mage they are hunting, with a 4.3-star rating from more than 700 Amazon reviewers. A strong match for readers who like dragon-shifter romantasy, reverse-harem relationships, hidden identities, and M/M themes.

The Wolf King

Lauren Palphreyman

Romantasy

A sheltered princess spares a condemned werewolf and is claimed by the alpha who should have killed him. Carried north into a brutal war, Aurora finds desire tangled with danger as enemies close in on every side, while loyalties fracture and violence escalates. Readers rate this forbidden romantasy 4.4 stars on Amazon and 4.1 on Goodreads.

The Shattered King

Charlie N. Holmberg

New Adult, Romantasy

Charlie N. Holmberg’s The Shattered King delivers a beguiling blend of dark fantasy, romance, and court intrigue. Summoned to heal a mysterious, reclusive prince, Nym uncovers secrets that tie her fate to his—and to the survival of the kingdom. With 4.5 out of 5 stars, this Wall Street Journal bestselling author spins a tale of danger, desire, and deception.

Bonded to the Fallen Shadow King

Jen L. Grey

Fairy Tale, Romantasy

Taken from Earth and forced into a ruthless bridal competition in a fae realm, a human contestant must survive deadly rivals, fated magic, and the unwanted pull of Vad, heir to the Shadow Fae Kingdom, with a 4.3-star rating from more than 3,900 Amazon reviewers. Good for readers who want royal fae romantasy with enemies-to-lovers tension, political intrigue, morally gray characters, and dangerous trials.

Survivor Song

Paul Tremblay

Dystopian, Psychological Fiction

A rabies-like virus with a one-hour incubation period sends society into collapse as a pediatrician races to save her pregnant friend before time runs out. Quarantines fail, fear spreads, and every mile carries new dangers. Survivor Song has earned 4.1 stars on Amazon, with Stephen King calling it “absolutely riveting.”

Stormbringer

Michael Moorcock

Epic Fantasy, Fantasy

Elric, the brooding emperor of Melniboné, must decide what he is willing to sacrifice as he wields the powerful sword Stormbringer against forces pushing his world toward Armageddon, with a 4.5-star average from more than 100 Goodreads ratings. A strong match for readers drawn to dark sword-and-sorcery fantasy, doomed heroes, supernatural conflict, and apocalyptic stakes.

Crush the King

Jennifer Estep

Romantasy

Queen Everleigh Blair takes the fight to her enemies at the Regalia Games, where a new threat forces her to draw on her growing magic to protect her throne and kingdom, with a 4.1-star average from more than 7,600 Goodreads ratings. A strong match for readers who like epic fantasy with warrior queens, political intrigue, magic, and romance.

House of Earth and Blood

Sarah J. Maas

Paranormal Romance, Romantasy

A #1 New York Times bestseller, House of Earth and Blood follows half-Fae Bryce Quinlan as she joins enslaved Fallen angel Hunt Athalar to investigate a wave of demon murders in Crescent City. Their search exposes a dark power beneath the city, with a 4.7-star rating from more than 158,500 Amazon reviewers. For readers who like urban fantasy with revenge, danger, and searing romance.

Witch Fire

Lyra Mishon

Paranormal Romance, Romantasy

Raven is a sheltered witch sent to Starfall Academy after her unstable magic draws attention, only to discover four soul-bonded mates while hellhounds hunt her, with a 4.0-star average from more than 5,400 Goodreads ratings. A strong match for readers who like why-choose paranormal academy romance, fated mates, mixed supernatural species, and cliffhanger endings.

The Wicked in Me

Suzanne Wright

Romantasy

Something ancient wants Wynter Dellavale dead, but the thing inside her may be even more dangerous. In The Wicked In Me, a hunted witch takes refuge among immortal outcasts and strikes a risky bargain with Cain, a powerful Ancient who wants far more than her allegiance. This is a dark fantasy romance built on hidden power, supernatural politics, and a heroine who came back from death changed.

Gardens of the Moon

Steven Erikson

Epic Fantasy, Fantasy

The Malazan Empire is exhausted by war, but Empress Laseen turns her attention to Darujhistan, drawing Sergeant Whiskeyjack, the Bridgeburners, mage Tattersail, powerful sorcerers, and the gods into a widening conflict, with a 3.9-star average from more than 144,000 Goodreads ratings. Best for readers who like sprawling epic fantasy with military conflict, political maneuvering, a large cast, and complex magic.

The Devil and Mrs. Davenport

Paulette Kennedy

Historical Fiction, Historical Thriller, Horror, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Thriller

A murdered girl, a fever, and voices no one believes are a great way to ruin the illusion of a perfect 1950s marriage. In The Devil and Mrs. Davenport, Loretta’s growing psychic abilities pull her toward the dead and away from the rigid life her husband expects her to keep. It fits readers who want gothic historical fiction with supernatural tension, domestic control, and a woman clawing her way toward her own power.

Buried in the Woods Below

Daniel G. Miller

Psychological Thriller, Thriller

Called “gripping, tense, and absolutely unputdownable” by Noelle W. Ihli, this thriller from USA Today bestselling author Daniel G. Miller follows Charlotte back to the island where tragedy shattered her life eighteen years ago. Threatening notes, whispered ghost stories, and new deaths suggest someone lured her home for a reason. Ideal for readers who enjoy atmospheric psychological suspense, isolated settings, and buried secrets.

A Breaking of Realms

Jasmine Young

Epic Fantasy, Fantasy

When the wrong dragon chooses the wrong rider, their bond threatens to reshape a continent divided by war, political corruption, and conflict between humans and elves, with a 4.2-star average from more than 1,800 Goodreads ratings. A strong match for epic fantasy readers who enjoy dragon riders, morally gray characters, complex politics, and large-scale battles.

The Crimson Shadow: The Complete Series

R. A. Salvatore

Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Fantasy Adventure

Called “Fine adventure” by Terry Brooks, The Crimson Shadow: The Complete Series follows Luthien Bedwyr as he becomes the Crimson Shadow and fights a wizard-king, dragons, and cyclopean armies to free Eriador. Best for readers who like classic sword-and-sorcery fantasy with rebellion, magical weapons, dangerous quests, and large-scale battles.

The Kept Woman

Karin Slaughter

Police Procedural, Thriller

Will Trent investigates the murder of an ex-cop at an abandoned Atlanta construction site, where bloody evidence points to a second victim who has disappeared and a case tied to his own troubled past, with a 4.6-star rating from more than 29,600 Amazon reviewers. This will appeal to readers who want dark police procedurals, psychological suspense, violent crimes, and complicated personal connections.

Catch the next round of finds

There’s always a book we meant to look at before the month got away from us. If you’d like to catch more of our picks as they’re featured, join the Apropos Books daily deals newsletter and choose the genres you actually read.