Romantasy is having a moment like no other genre. Part romance, part fantasy, it’s 100% fun and it’s no wonder why romantasy books are climbing the bestsellers list.
One of the best parts about reading is being able to dive head-first into different worlds. In fantasy romance books, the worlds are jaw-dropping. The details, the characters, the plots—all of it combines to create an epic fantasy world you want to stay lost in.
And with so many romantasy novels being part of a series, you get to stay in the world for years at a time! The characters are so deep, the worlds so complex, and love stories so fantastically angst-ridden, it’s no wonder these books will leave you with a serious book hangover.
Whether you’re a hardcore romantic fantasy lover or just beginning to try out this genre, here are 10 books and series you have got to pick up.
1. “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros
If you were anywhere near BookTok in 2023, chances are you’ve heard of “Fourth Wing.” And if you have somehow put off reading it, do yourself a favor and pick it up NOW.
Violet is just trying to live her best bookish-academica life when she has to drop everything and train to be a dragon rider. If the competition wasn’t tough enough, she’s got a target on her back because her mom is the commanding general and everyone is out to get her (Violet may be a nepo baby but we like her). And if THAT’S not bad enough, she has to deal with Xaden, the strongest wingleader and the most infuriating (and infuriatingly hot) rival.
It’s dramatic, it’s fun, it’s spicy and it will keep you hooked page after page. The book ends on a cliffhanger but don’t worry—you can pick up “Iron Flame,” the second book in the series, and dive right back in.
2. “A Discovery of Witches” by Deborah Harkness
Set in modern times, this world has humans, vampires, witches, and demons. Magical creatures have to stay hidden from humans and so interactions between the groups (especially romantic interactions!) are expressly forbidden.
Diana is a witch but she doesn’t want anything to do with the supernatural. She’s just trying to live her life as a scholar when she accidentally pulls a magical text from the shelves of the library. She puts it back but it’s too late: Everyone in the magical world knows she pulled this book and they all want it, including Matthew, a vampire. If you loved the “Twilight” series but wish everyone was an adult instead of teenagers, “A Discovery of Witches” is for you! This is the first in the three-book series AND there’s a TV show on Amazon Prime.
3. “Forbidden Fruit” by Dipsea
Persephone and Hades are the definition of forbidden love and this audio series by Dipsea delivers all the exciting, tantalizing tension we love from this off-limits, unlikely pairing.
In this retelling, Persephone has just been inducted into the Pantheon, which is all she’s wanted. She ducks out from the party (it was getting rowdy, honestly who can blame her) and meets Hades, who shows her what a different life could be like. The series alternates between Persephone’s time in Mount Olympus and the Underworld and we get a front row seat as she learns what it is she truly wants and where she belongs.
The story is spread out over six chapters and then there’s bonus content, where you, the listener, take over the main role as Persephone. It’s romantic, it’s mystical, it’s spicy—run, don't walk!
4. “Neon Gods” by Katee Robert
Can’t get enough of Hades and Persephone? I don’t blame you! In this retelling, Persephone flees Olympus after being ambushed by an engagement to Zeus. She runs right to Hades, striking a deal. She’s society’s darling and he’s the bad guy—or is he just misunderstood?
This is the first book in the incomplete Dark Olympus series, with each of the eight-plus books devoted to a different retelling of Greek mythical figures. If you love Greek mythology, morally gray men, the good girl x bad boy trope, and a hefty dose of spice, you’ll love this.
5. “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas
Romantasy and Sarah J. Maas go together like peanut butter and jelly. If you want an introduction to the Maas Universe, look no further than “A Court of Thorns and Roses” (ACOTAR for short).
Feyre, a human, is trying to keep her family from starving. She’s out hunting near the border between her world and the land ruled by deadly faeries when she kills a wolf. The problem? The wolf was actually a faerie and now she’s being dragged against her will by Tamlin, another faerie, to this enemy land.
The faerie world is brighter and more beautiful than she pictured, and Tamlin maybe isn’t as bad as she thought (it’s giving Beauty and the Beast). But as she settles in, she realizes this world miiiiiight not be as perfect as it appears on the surface.
Once you finish the first book, you’re going to want to read the rest of the series because each book is better than the last.
If you’ve been hearing about Maas’s other series, Crescent City and Throne of Glass, start with ACOTAR or Throne of Glass, which are great for fantasy beginners. Finish with the more complex Crescent City.
I personally suggest ACOTAR to start—it’s spicy, the worldbuilding isn’t too hard to follow, and the story is addictive. The books only get spicier as the series progresses. Throne of Glass is a longer series and the spice is much more tame. But truly, the only way you can go wrong is if you don’t read any of them.
6. “The Serpent and the Wings of Night” by Carissa Broadbent
Oraya is the human adopted daughter of a vampire king and in her world, everyone sees her as a snack. Still, she’s determined to carve a place for herself in this world and enters the Kejari, a Hunger Games-esque tournament.
Raihn is one of the many vampires she’s up against in this tournament and as a particularly powerful and dangerous vampire, Oraya doesn’t trust him one bit. But if she wants to win (and oh boy, does she want to), she has to form alliances, even if they’re with the smoking hot, dangerous rival that she should maybe stay away from but can’t help but be drawn to.
If you love a slow burn romantasy, this book series is for you.
7. “The Cruel Prince” by Holly Black
Jude has been through it: She was young when her parents were killed and she and her sisters were kidnapped and brought to live under the ruling of the High Court of Faeries. She’s spent the last decade trying to fit in and developing a thick skin so no one can see how much it hurts that the faes all hate her because she’s human.
Cardan is the faerie prince who hates humans, and Jude is no exception. If Jude wants a place in the High Court (and she does!), she has to go up against Cardan to prove herself. This is a great option for young adult readers or those who love the tension of a romance without the spicy scenes.
8. “Divine Rivals” by Rebecca Ross
An enemies-to-lovers romantasy where the enemies are actually anonymous pen pals? Sign me up!
A war among the gods is raging and if that wasn’t stressful enough, Iris is dealing with family troubles at home and her brother is missing from the war’s frontlines. To help cope with the stress, Iris writes letters to her missing brother and puts them under her wardrobe door. Through a twist of magic, the letters fall into the hands of her workplace rival, Roman, who writes back anonymously.
It’s got all the tension of enemies-to-lovers romances plus the drama and epicness of a romantasy. What’s not to love?
9. “Payback’s a Witch” by Lana Harper
This book may be a romantasy, but there’s a lot of contemporary romance flavor.
Emmy hasn’t been back to her hometown in ages and it has absolutely nothing to do with Gareth, heartbreaker extraordinaire. Zero at all. She comes back home for the spellcasting tournament her family judges (did I forget to mention Emmy is a witch?) and finds herself knee-deep in hometown drama.
Emmy, her bestie Linden, and Talia, a cool, mysterious, sexy witch, all bond over their shared hatred of Gareth (“John Tucker Must Die,” anyone?) and plot revenge. But as their plans unfold, Emmy finds her mind occupied, not with thoughts of Gareth but with … Talia. This book is as delightful and cozy as a hot beverage on a crisp fall day.
10. “From Blood and Ash” by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Poppy is destined to live a life of solitude as the Maiden, and she is not thrilled about it. She’s bored, restricted, and wants out. Hawke is a new guard assigned to protect her and when he shows up, Poppy isn’t bored for the first time in forever. He riles her up and makes her question everything she thought she knew.
The book starts a bit slow (worldbuilding takes time, OK?) but as it picks up speed, it gets better and better. The banter, the steam, the world, the characters—all of it makes for a book (and series!) you must read.
If you liked these books, check more spicy romantasy audiobooks on the Dipsea app.
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