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Angela Montoya writes young adult fantasy-romance (often marketed as romantasy). Her novels are not one continuous series, so you can choose based on vibe. The only time “order” really matters is when you want to follow her growth as an author or keep her longer works separate from anthology appearances.
At a glance: the best place to begin
- Start with Sinner’s Isle if you want pirates, captivity stakes, and a big romantic-adventure setup.
- Start with A Cruel Thirst if you want a darker supernatural romance angle.
- Start with Carnival Fantástico if you want a magical-carnival setting and second-chance tension.
Main novels in publication order
- Sinner’s Isle (2023): A powerful witch trapped on a remote island gambles on a notorious pirate as her best shot at escape.
- A Cruel Thirst (2024): A dangerous attraction unfolds alongside supernatural rules that make survival, and trust, feel costly.
- Carnival Fantástico (2026): A runaway posing as a fortune-teller joins a magical carnival, only to face old feelings and new danger when a past love returns.
Notes on continuity: These are best treated as separate stories rather than numbered installments.
Optional anthologies and group projects
These aren’t required for understanding the novels. Read them anytime, especially if you enjoy sampling different authors in one book.
- Monsters in Masquerade (2025, anthology): A collection of dark-leaning fantasy stories where romance and horror share the stage.
- Jingle These Bells (2025, anthology): A holiday romance collection with multiple contributors and a seasonal, short-form focus.
Reading orders that fit real life
If you want the clean “author journey” experience
- Sinner’s Isle
- A Cruel Thirst
- Carnival Fantástico
- Add the anthologies whenever you want shorter bites between novels.
If you want to pick by mood
- Pirates + escape plot: Sinner’s Isle
- Supernatural romance with sharper edges: A Cruel Thirst
- Magic carnival + second-chance feelings: Carnival Fantástico
Latest release status
- Most recently published novel: A Cruel Thirst (2024).
- Next novel on the schedule: Carnival Fantástico (February 2026).
(Anthology appearances are optional and don’t change the best starting point.)
FAQs
Do Angela Montoya’s novels spoil each other?
No. They’re best treated as separate stories with their own casts and rules.
Are the anthologies part of the same worlds as the novels?
Not in a way you need for reading order. Think of them as side projects.
If I only read one book, which is the safest pick?
Sinner’s Isle is the clearest “first taste” of her romantasy voice and big-plot momentum.
Frank is the editor of BookSeries.blog, focusing on publication order, chronological timelines, and spoiler-free reading guides for book series and fictional universes.