Kingdom of Waves by Melissa de la Cruz Review: A Breathtaking YA Fantasy You Need This Summer
- Joao Nsita
- Jun 13
- 7 min read
Kingdom of Waves by Melissa de la Cruz Review: A Breathtaking YA Fantasy You Need This Summer
There are books that transport you — and then there are books that drown you, beautifully, in a world so richly imagined that surfacing back into your own life feels slightly jarring. Kingdom of Waves by Melissa de la Cruz is absolutely the second kind. From the moment you step into the sunken history of Ophir and the glittering, oppressive streets of Lacon, you'll feel the salt air and the sting of injustice and the tentative, electric spark of something that might just be love — and you will not want to leave.
This is one of the best new YA fantasy books 2026 has delivered, and if you've been waiting for the next YA romantasy to consume you whole, your wait is officially over.
About the Book
Title: Kingdom of Waves Author: Melissa de la Cruz Genre: YA Fantasy / Romantasy / Heist Target Age Group: 13–18 years Publication Date: June 2026 Series: Kingdom of Waves Duology (Book 1) Publisher: Roaring Brook Press (Macmillan) Amazon: Buy Kingdom of Waves on Amazon Author Website: melissa-delacruz.com
Opening Hook: Two Thieves. One Treasure. A Kingdom Waiting to Rise.
The kingdom of Ophir was once the most luminous place in the known world — a land of extraordinary beauty and ancient magic. But after Lacon's brutal invasion, Ophir sank beneath the waves of history, and its people were left to survive as second-class citizens in a land that stole everything from them: their culture, their dignity, their sense of home.
Two bands of Ophir thieves are about to change all of that — though neither knows it yet.
If you're looking for YA fantasy books with diverse characters, YA heist novels, or simply the best romantasy books for teens 2026, Kingdom of Waves delivers on every single count. This is a story about colonisation, resilience, hope, and the dangerous, intoxicating way that hate can curdle into something entirely different when you spend enough time with the right person.
Story Summary (No Spoilers)
Gin Strong and Eban Sadreal are both thieves. Both are Ophir. And both, entirely independently of each other, have their sights set on the same priceless relic — an artefact so significant to their people that recovering it might just be the first step toward reclaiming everything that was taken from them.
When their paths collide in the rough-and-tumble backstreets of Lacon, neither is particularly pleased about it. Gin is sharp, determined, and used to operating on her own terms. Eban is magnetic, unpredictable, and carrying secrets that could complicate everything. Together with their respective crews, they're forced to figure out not only what to do with a relic that turns out to be far more powerful than either of them anticipated, but also what to do with feelings that are proving equally inconvenient.
The heist at the heart of the story — and the ancient magic the relic unlocks — sets off a chain of events that feels genuinely high-stakes without ever losing sight of the human (and romantic) story at its core. De la Cruz understands that the best YA fantasy adventure isn't just about the world-building; it's about the people navigating it, and the fragile, complicated bonds that form when unlikely allies are forced to depend on each other.
About the Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Melissa de la Cruz is a Filipino-American author with an extraordinary back catalogue spanning The Blue Bloods series, The Witches of East End, and many more beloved titles across multiple genres. She is a veteran of YA fiction in the best sense of the word — she understands her readers, she knows how to pace a story for maximum emotional impact, and she has an instinctive gift for balancing action, romance, and ideas.
With Kingdom of Waves, she steps into territory that feels fresh and urgent. The colonial backdrop — Ophir and Lacon as a reflection of real historical patterns of invasion and cultural erasure — brings a political weight to the story that elevates it beyond standard fantasy fare. De la Cruz handles these themes with the confidence and care of a writer who has thought deeply about why they matter, and who trusts her readers to do the same.
For fans of Filipino YA authors or YA books about colonisation, Kingdom of Waves is both a gift and a revelation.
Themes: What Kingdom of Waves Is Really About
Colonial legacy and cultural resilience. At its core, Kingdom of Waves is about what it means to live in the aftermath of conquest — to carry the memory of a home you've never seen, and to fight for a future your ancestors could only have dreamed of. This theme is woven through every aspect of the world-building, and it gives the story an emotional texture and political intelligence that sets it apart.
Identity and belonging. Both Gin and Eban are Ophir, but their experiences of that identity — what it demands, what it means, what it costs — are deeply different. Watching them navigate their shared heritage while coming from very different places is one of the book's richest ongoing conversations.
Love as revolution. The romance here is not incidental to the plot — it is, in many ways, the most radical act either character undertakes. Choosing to trust, to love, when everything in your world has taught you that trust is a luxury the colonised cannot afford: that is its own kind of bravery.
These are the qualities that make Kingdom of Waves not just a great YA romance fantasy but a genuinely important piece of storytelling.
Writing Style
De la Cruz writes with warmth and velocity. Her prose is accessible without being simple — she has a gift for the telling detail, the image that makes a world feel real without overwhelming the reader with exposition. The action sequences are kinetic and clear; the quieter moments between Gin and Eban have a slow-burn tension that is incredibly satisfying. This is the kind of YA slow burn romance that fans of the genre crave — the kind where every small exchange crackles with awareness and restraint.
The world-building is atmospheric rather than encyclopaedic, which works beautifully in a first volume: you know enough to feel grounded, and the mysteries you haven't yet unlocked pull you forward.
Strengths
Compelling, fast-moving plot — the action never stalls
A slow-burn romance that genuinely burns — the chemistry is electric
Important thematic substance — colonisation explored with nuance and care
Vivid world-building — Lacon and the memory of Ophir feel tactile and real
Strong dual protagonists — both Gin and Eban are fully realised characters with clear, contrasting voices
A perfect duology opener — satisfying enough to stand alone, tantalising enough to leave you desperate for book two
Critiques
Some readers may find that the heist itself — while thrilling — resolves fairly quickly, with the book pivoting from heist narrative to quest/road narrative in its second half. Those expecting a sustained, Ocean's Eleven–style planning-and-execution story may want to adjust their expectations accordingly. That said, where the book goes after the heist is arguably more interesting and emotionally richer.
The ending also sets up the duology's second book in ways that leave some threads deliberately open. Readers who prefer complete, self-contained narratives might find this slightly frustrating — though the emotional resolution within this volume is sufficient and genuinely affecting.
Similar Books
Looking for books like Kingdom of Waves? Try these:
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin
These Hollow Vows by Tracy Wolff
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang (for older teens/adults)
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
Target Audience
Kingdom of Waves is ideal for readers aged 13 to 18, with particular appeal to:
Fans of YA fantasy romance and YA romantasy
Readers interested in books with diverse representation
Teens who enjoy heist stories or adventure narratives
Anyone looking for YA books about culture and identity
Parents seeking age-appropriate fantasy books for teens
The themes of colonisation and identity are handled thoughtfully enough to make this excellent for classroom discussion of YA fantasy, while the romance and action make it deeply entertaining as pure reading pleasure.
Personal Reflection
I read Kingdom of Waves over two evenings, which is to say I could not put it down. There's something about stories set in the aftermath of empire — stories about people trying to reclaim what was taken from them, not through rage alone but through ingenuity, love, and sheer stubborn hope — that feels deeply necessary right now. Melissa de la Cruz has written a book that is fun and romantic and action-packed, and that is also, quietly, about something real.
Gin and Eban feel like people I've met — or people I want to meet. Their romance unfolds with the careful, tentative rhythm of two people who've learned not to trust easily, and the moments when that guard drops are genuinely moving.
This is what great YA fantasy looks like. Can't wait for book two.
Final Verdict
⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
Pulse-pounding, politically intelligent, and genuinely romantic, Kingdom of Waves is a brilliant start to what promises to be an exceptional duology. Melissa de la Cruz at the absolute top of her game. A must-read for every YA fantasy fan.
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FAQs About Kingdom of Waves
Q: Is Kingdom of Waves part of a series? A: Yes — it's book one of a planned duology. The story reaches a satisfying emotional resolution but sets up a second volume.
Q: What age is Kingdom of Waves suitable for? A: Recommended for readers 13 and up. The romance is age-appropriate, and the themes are handled with sensitivity.
Q: Is there a lot of romance in Kingdom of Waves? A: Yes — a beautifully written slow-burn romance is central to the story. Perfect for fans of YA romantasy.
Q: Who would enjoy Kingdom of Waves? A: Fans of The Gilded Wolves, heist narratives, YA fantasy with diverse characters, and stories about cultural identity and resilience.
Q: How long is Kingdom of Waves? A: Approximately 320 pages — a satisfying length that moves at a great pace without overstaying its welcome.
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