Orbit Ambassador: Bethan’s Five Favourite Orbit Books

Hi, I’m Beth, also known as doriansbooks! For the past three years, I have been making book-related content online, establishing myself as a seasoned bookworm and reviewer (if I do say so myself). When I started this journey back in 2020, I was using books as a form of escapism to get away the unsettling state of the world at the time. Among all the book genres, fantasy (thanks to Orbit) brought me the most comfort. Being able to immerse myself into a new world with a whole new cast of characters helped me through a really hard time, and I aspire to offer the same comfort through my recommendations.

Read on to discover Bethan’s five favourite Orbit books!

Wild and Wicked Things by Francesca May

Two words: gothic and gay! Wild and Wicked Things is a mesmerising fusion of gothic allure, sapphic enchantment and spellbinding storytelling that will leave you yearning for more. In this reimagined, gender-flipped retelling of The Great Gatsby meets Practical Magic, Francesca May takes you on a captivating journey through post-WWI England, weaving together a tapestry of dark magic, scandal, and romance. This book is perfect for anyone looking for a witchy fantasy romance, that is not at all what it seems.

Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater

Imagine a Jane Austen novel set in the realm of the Faeries. Do I have your attention yet? Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater is a cosy, regency fantasy romance that has every single trope you could possible want – we are talking slowburn, grumpy x sunshine, found family, the list goes on. This is one of those books that when you pick it up, you will not be able to put it down until you’ve finished.

The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen

Imagine if Howl’s Moving Castle had an enemies to lovers storyline – do I have your attention? The Undertaking of Hart & Mercy can only be described as an emotional rollercoaster as nothing can prepare you for the whirlwind of emotions you will feel when reading this book – I laughed, I cried, I paced my room on multiple occasions. It was truly an experience. But what I loved most about it was the romance – Hart and Mercy are the perfect fictional couple, with their witty banter and undeniable chemistry leaking from every single scene. So, if you want to read a book that has talking animals, a rather worrying amount of dead bodies, and one of my all time favourite enemies to lovers storylines then you need this book.

Ithaca by Claire North

I couldn’t curate this list without including at least one feminist greek mythology retelling. Ithaca by Claire North is a clever and at times comical retelling of The Odyssey, focusing not on Odysseus, but on his wife, Penelope. It takes you through her multiple schemes to keep her kingdom from ruin whilst her husband was away on his 10-year voyage, including battling her many suitors. What I loved most was that this story was told from the point of view of the goddess Hera, meaning we don’t only get one new perspective through Penelope, but two. If you loved Circe by Madeline Miller, you will for sure adore this book.

For The Wolf by Hannah Witten

For The Wolf is a woodsy, enchanting folk retelling of the timeless classic ‘Beauty and the Beast’. This was one of those times where one of my most highly anticipated books actually delivered and gave me a story worth reading. It follows Red, the Second Daughter, bound by a sacrificial fate to the Wolf residing within Wilderwood. I loved the eerie setting of Wilderwood as it created a haunting and mysterious essence, especially seeing how some of the characters gradually descended into madness as a result. I could talk for hours about my love for this book, but I honestly think it is best to go in blind – you won’t regret it!

CLICK HERE TO SHOP BETH’S LIST!