Swoon-Worthy Fantasy Romance: 20 Romantasy Reads to Obsess Over
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Fantasy romance, or romantasy for short, is a growing genre – and for good reason. Its books feature captivating stories filled with magic, adventure, and breathtaking romance. In short, they are escapist delights, whisking you away from mundane reality to otherworldly lands brimming with excitement and passion.
While this list is primarily intended for those new to the genre, it is my hope that even seasoned romantasy readers might be introduced to a new book or two.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
For many romantasy readers, myself included, A Court of Thorns and Roses is the gateway book into the genre. With its compelling characters, engrossing plot, and slow-burn romance, it is unputdownable. Its sequel somehow manages to be even better. Read full review→
Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa
After you’ve finished A Court of Thorns and Roses and its currently published sequels, read Rhapsodic. Its morally grey, winged-fae love interest and steamy romance should help to alleviate your ACOTAR-induced hangover. Read full review→
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
As the Maiden, Poppy lives a life apart from all others. Maintaining her virtue is paramount; to be touched or to touch another would be to invite the gods’ wrath. When she meets her new guard, Hawke, she begins to wonder whether some things are worth defying the gods for. Read full review→
Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones
Have you ever found yourself wishing that there was a fantasy romance with a love interest reminiscent of Jareth from Labyrinth? If so, then this is the book for you. Read full review→
Of Goblins and Gold by Emma Hamm
This book should also scratch that David Bowie, goblin king itch. Read full review→
A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair
A Touch of Darkness is a fast-paced, modern spin on the Hades and Persephone myth that turns up the heat. Read full review→
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
Diana is a powerful yet reluctant witch. Matthew is a centuries-old vampire who believes Diana is the key to locating a long-lost magical manuscript. What begins as an unlikely allyship soon morphs into something altogether more, but relationships between witches and vampires are strictly forbidden. Read full review→
These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan
A fast-paced narrative, fantastical setting, love triangle, and plenty of twists and turns: These Hollow Vows will have you eagerly turning page after page. Read full review→
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
Not only does The Bridge Kingdom have a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance, but it also features a rich, lushly imagined world and nuanced, well-developed characters. Read full review→
The High Mountain Court by A.K. Mulford
This dazzling debut is pure escapist fun, taking you on an adventure rife with mystery, close calls, and of course, romance. Read full review→
Feather by Olivia Wildenstein
Full transparency: Feather didn’t knock my socks off. But the subsequent two books in this series are worth slogging through this Romeo and Juliet-inspired tale. Read full review→
The Wolf King by Lauren Palphreyman
Outlander meets A Court of Thorns and Roses in this wolf-shifter romance set in a realm inspired by the Scottish Highlands. Did I mention that there’s a love triangle, and the villain gives off Rhysand vibes? Full review forthcoming.
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
Stephanie Garber is the queen of whimsical fairytales, and Caraval is the first installment in the eponymous series centered around a magical, traveling game. Read full review→
Blood Mercy by Vela Roth
Blood Mercy is a tragically underrated book. It has everything you could want and then some in a fantasy romance. A swoon-worthy love interest? Check. A slow-burn, forbidden romance? Also, check. Intricate world-building and well-crafted characters? Yes, and yes. Full review forthcoming.
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace
Death is the love interest – need I say more? Full review forthcoming.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Arguably the most well-known romantasy book at the moment, Fourth Wing lives up to the hype. It is an addictive, adrenaline-pumping read filled with romance, danger, action, and dragons – lots and lots of dragons. Full review forthcoming.
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
If you were to take Caraval and add dark, gothic elements to it, plus crank up the spice, you would get something approximating Phantasma. Full review forthcoming.
Once upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
Speaking of Caraval, Once upon a Broken Heart is a spin-off of the series that reveals the fate of the enigmatic and fan-favorite Jacks, Prince of Hearts. It is just as good, if not slightly better, than Caraval. Read full review→
Lost Kingdom by Laurel Black
This spellbinding debut from Laurel Black might be more fantasy than romance, but I enjoyed it so much that I couldn’t not include it on this list. Lost Kingdom is a transportive read that takes you on a vicarious adventure through varied fantastical landscapes where danger lurks around every corner. Read full review→
The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh
Set in the storied city of New Orleans in 1872, The Beautiful is an atmospheric, gothic young adult novel that centers around the star-crossed romance between the mysterious Sébastien Saint Germain and newly arrived dressmaker Celine Rousseau. Read full review→
And so concludes my list of romantasy recommendations. Let me know in the comments section below if you have read or plan on reading any of these books!
-Julia
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