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A book convention can look like simple shopping from the outside, but once you’re on the floor it’s really a live map of what readers want right now. We’re back from Villains and Vixens 2026 in Orlando, Florida, and we’re breaking down what surprised us most: the heavy lean toward dark romance across categories, the pockets of monster romance and sentient object romance we practically stumbled into, and the way the event’s layout made discovery feel effortless instead of chaotic.

We talk logistics that matter if you’re planning your own trip to a romance book convention, especially an 18+ event. Think wide aisles that can handle book carts, fast registration, volunteers who ask about ADA accommodations without you prompting, and the confusing side of communication when updates live across Facebook, apps, and last-minute posts. We also unpack the schedule, the long lunch break, and why a two-day badge can save you from FOMO when some authors aren’t there both days.

You’ll also hear quick chats and spotlights from the con floor with creators like DJ Russo, B. Northwick, JD Netto, Kara Reynolds, KR Fryett, Lauren Sinatra, Jessica Lee, Jenny Hickman, and Kelsey Lee, plus our real-world buying lessons: limited stock goes fast, and the last stretch of the day can turn into surprise markdowns. If you like dark romance, fantasy romance, gothic horror, folklore horror, or monster romance, this recap is packed with leads for your TBR.

Subscribe for more fantasy and sci-fi with romance, share this with your favorite con buddy, and leave a review so more readers can find us. What’s the one genre alley you’d beeline for first?

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If you’ve ever finished a romantasy and realized you remember the sex scenes way more clearly than the plot, we’re right there with you. We’re Mari, Kelly, Ashley, and JP, and we’re back with a high-heat, high-chaos conversation about Architecti by Ruby Roe, a spicy sapphic fantasy romance set against contracts, demon favor, secret cults, and the threat of celestial war.

Before we dive into the book review, we hit the fantasy and sci-fi romance news that’s on our radar: John Wiswell’s The Dragon Has Some Complaints (a dragon rider story from the dragon’s POV), The Seven and the Swift cover reveal that closes out Daphne Perry’s Shield of Sparrows trilogy, and Sarah Beth Durst’s next book, Magical Cheese Emporium release. We also talk adaptations and hype, from the upcoming Hunger Games film centered on Haymitch to why prequels are tough to pull off when you already know who survives and how you still create real stakes. And yes, we unpack the murky Children of Blood and Bone movie situation and the questions it raises for readers.

Then it’s time for Architecti. The premise is delicious: Mercedes “Midnight” is a reaper in debt with one year left before hell collects, Lucy Corvine is the devil’s daughter locked into a contract she never agreed to, and their bargain could either free them or damn them. We talk about what we loved (more sapphic romantasy that isn’t just cozy, a surprisingly perfect ghost cat side character) and what didn’t work for us (plot gaps, confusing worldbuilding, time jumps that skip major scenes, and a romance arc that struggles to keep up with the spice). We close with our signature question: is this a kissing book?

Subscribe for more fantasy romance reviews, share this with your favorite romantasy reader, and if you enjoyed the conversation, please leave a rating and review so more listeners can find us.

Links from the News Segment and Show:

• New John Wiswell book out - The Dragon Has Some Complaints
  • A dragon rider book from the viewpoint of the dragon
  • Instagram Link
• Cover reveal for Seven and the Swift
  • Final book in the Shield of Sparrows trilogy by Devney Perry
  • Releasing March 09, 2027
  • Instagram Link

Follow us:
Instagram - @ofswordsandsoulmates

TikTok - @of.swords.and.sou

Fable BookClub - https://fable.co/club/of-swords-and-soulmates-with-mari-391738504099

Send us Fan Mail

Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, we’re heading back to 1986 for a rewatch of Labyrinth, the musical fantasy cult classic directed by Jim Henson and starring Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie. The movie didn’t dominate the box office at release, but its practical effects, puppetry, and fully textured worldbuilding helped it grow into the kind of comfort-watch that people return to for decades. We’re not all coming in with the same nostalgia, either, which makes the conversation way more fun.

Before we dive into goblins, we share quick fandom news: Villains and Vixens updates (including ticket timing, panels, merch, and those looming pre-order deadlines), plus a little ranty moment about matching editions and the newest Avatar hardcover box set announcement. Then we get into why Labyrinth still holds up, what feels dated, and what hits harder as an adult, especially the themes of consequences, forgiveness, and choosing who you want to be.

We also nerd out over behind-the-scenes details and filmmaking craft: the crystal ball juggling illusion, the amount of coordination required to puppeteer characters like Hoggle and Ludo, and why practical effects can age better than early CGI. And, because we’re us, we ask the big question: is Labyrinth a kissing movie, or are we just projecting fairy-tale vibes onto the Goblin King? We wrap with Labyrinth-inspired book recommendations across cozy fantasy, romantasy, and darker adult reads.

If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who still quotes “You have no power over me” on a regular basis. What’s your take, kissing book or absolutely not?

Links from the News Segment and Show:

• Villains and Vixens updates
  • 2027 Dallas tickets go on sale 08/07/26 at 6pm CDT
    • Instagram Post
  • DJ Russo will be at Villains and Vixens 2026 now!
    • Instagram Post
• ACOTAR hardcovers boxes rereleasing to match the colored paperbacks
  • Instagram Post
• Jim Henson Collection in Atlanta
  • Center for Puppetry Arts website

Follow us:
Instagram - @ofswordsandsoulmates

TikTok - @of.swords.and.sou

Fable BookClub - https://fable.co/club/of-swords-and-soulmates-with-mari-391738504099