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Katherine Heigl Gave Her Stamp to One of BookTok's Favorite Romantasy Series—and Inspired Me to Binge the First Book

It's like 'The Bachelor' meets 'The Hunger Games'

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I have a confession. Ever since I heard TikTok creator Gabikozreads describe Nisha J. Tuli's Artefacts of Ouranos romantasy series as "The Bachelor meets The Hunger Games" several months ago, I've had it sitting on my shelf just waiting (and waiting, and waiting) to be read. It was on my list of books I absolutely *had* to read in 2025, and little did I know, the four-book series was on Katherine Heigl's list, too.

Heigl recently took to TikTok to sing her praises of the series, saying the books are, "so good, so addicting, [I] can't put them down," also adding "I know I'm late to the game...but now I can binge them." And after finally picking up the first in the series, Trial of the Sun Queen, this past weekend, I can confirm this is easily one of the most gripping romantasy books I've read.

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The Artefacts of Ouranos series by Nisha J. Tuli is a completed four-book series that includes Trial of the Sun QueenRule of the Aurora KingFate of the Sun King and Tale of the Heart Queen. The series begins with Lor, a prisoner who is plucked away to take part in a deadly series of trials alongside nine other women, competing for the chance to become bound to the Sun King, taking the title of the Sun Queen. The trials are not only challenging, but deceptive, too, and if you're anything like me, you'll find yourself turning page after page to find out who survives.

After devouring the first book, I totally agree with the The Bachelor-meets-The Hunger Games comparison. The plot is addicting, filled with high stakes, magical elements and beings, romance (including a few spicy scenes) and, honestly, I still have no idea who to trust—which makes the reading experience all the more fun. Despite being a fantasy/romantasy book, the world-building in the story isn't too complicated, so it would make a great read for anyone new to the genre, too. Still, the TikTok creator mentioned above, Gabi, also shares in this video that the politics and character development progress into an epic story throughout the series, so more seasoned fantasy fans are sure to be entertained until the end.

Nisha J. Tuli

Like the first in any good romantasy series, Trial of the Sun Queen ends in a way that will have you immediately reaching for the next one (or downloading it before the bookstore opens like Heigl did) so I'd suggest preparing yourself and nabbing at least the first two in the series now. But honestly, considering how bingeable this series is, you might as well nab all four at once. Trust me, you'll be thanking Heigl for the push to pick it up.


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