[PRE-ORDER] Drown the Bones by Alexandra Kennington

Release Date: 11/03/2026

rivals-to-lovers • slow-burn romance • enemy prince • ghostly love interest • romantasy

A grieving princess. A murdered enemy prince. And a forbidden connection that refuses to let death have the final word.

When Merridan, the spare heir to the Rothian throne, loses her twin brother, she is determined to uncover the truth behind his murder. But when a forbidden ritual meant to reach her brother's spirit instead summons Phoenix Darragon, the arrogant crown prince of rival Nova, Merridan finds herself bound to the very person she should have every reason to hate.

The Vibe

Merridan has always been content to live outside the spotlight, devoted to her Goddess and her sacred ability to guide the dead to the Afterworld. But her brother's death forces her into a role she never expected, sending her on a dangerous search for answers that challenges everything she believes.

Phoenix is a prince from the kingdom Merridan has been taught to distrust, and even as a ghost, he is impossible to ignore. Their connection begins with suspicion and sharp banter, but the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to deny the pull between them.

Set against rival kingdoms, opposing faiths, forbidden magic, and the looming threat of war, Drown the Bones combines an atmospheric fantasy world with a deliciously restrained romance. The result is a haunting, emotional romantasy filled with yearning, grief, mystery, and the kind of chemistry that makes readers desperate for two people who technically cannot touch.

Perfect for readers who love enemies-to-lovers tension, ghostly romance, magical intrigue, and slow-burn relationships wrapped in a high-stakes fantasy adventure.

Tropes & Tags

• Fantasy romance
• Romantasy
• Rivals-to-lovers
• Enemies-to-lovers
• Slow burn
• Forbidden romance
• Ghost love interest
• Enemy prince
• Princess heroine
• Royal intrigue
• Forbidden magic
• Rival kingdoms
• Opposing faiths
• Murder mystery
• Necromancy
• High-stakes romance
• Grief and healing
• New Adult fantasy

Please note: This is a pre-order item and will not be available for pickup or shipment until the official release date. You’ll receive a notification as soon as your order is ready.