Romantasy Books I Recommend Reading
Ah romantasyâŠthe genre containing all my favourite fantasy and romance-related tropes. Itâs beautiful, compelling, and can be cleverly written in so many ways. Some of my favourites are a combination of other sub-genres (think gothic, dystopian or academia), and ones I think need to be appreciated more! Here is a list of fantasy romance books for your next read, or if you want to try something different:
The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig
The Knight and The Moth is a gothic romantasy inspired by the Romance era and medieval chivalry. It follows Sybil Delling (known as âSixâ), a Diviner part of a cathedral and who begins to question her faith and her own identity when the other prophetesses start to go missing. A mysterious knight makes an appearance in her life too, which makes staying loyal to the church a little difficult.
My favourite thing about this book is Gilligâs writing! Itâs poetic, beautiful and thus very compelling. The narrative is also well-written; it is reinforced by the consistent pacing. There is enough room for action and movement, but also the development of several characters.
I can tell you for sure that you will love the MMC in this. He has become one of my favourite book boyfriends because heâs so kind and sweet towards Sybil!
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
Divine Rivals is a young adult historical romance fantasy that follows eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow, a journalist at the Oath Gazette who does whatever she can to search for her missing brother. Rivalling her is Roman Kitt, a wealthy and exceptionally talented writer and who gets on Irisâ nerves. Both characters also build a connection by writing anonymous magic letters, not knowing the letters they are writing to are each other.
This book is perfect if you want your heart to be ripped out of your chest because it will touch you emotionally and might even make you ugly cry. I remember reading it for the first time back in 2024 and not wanting it to end because of what the main characters go through. Itâs both heartwarming and heartbreaking, and you will want to pick up the second book by the time you finish this one!
Wicked Onyx by Debbie Cassidy
Wicked Onyx is a dark academia romantasy where the main protagonist, Anamaya Onyx, last heir of a cursed bloodline, enrols at Nightsbridge Academy to reclaim her powers and unravel the secrets and truth about her family. During her time there, she discovers many monstrous creatures, creates forbidden alliances and constantly fights against the unjust school system. It mainly focuses on Anamayaâs survival and identity, but also with a touch of forbidden romance, intrigue and desire on the side.
This was a book I remember picking up and could not put down. Its biggest strength are its characters and the dynamic they have towards each other. Anamaya is a favourite; sheâs sassy outspoken and fearless but can also be vulnerable and understanding. Vitra, the morally grey male lead, serves as Anamayaâs mentor and guardian, whose protective nature and attractiveness to her makes their relationship complicated and sexy. Anamayaâs classmates are proof that the âfound familyâ trope is superiorâwitnessing Anamaya build a friendship with Dori, Clary and Benedict was wholesome, and they remind me so much of Scott McCallâs pack in Teen Wolf.
If you want a book that feels like a crossover between Harry Potter, Divergent, The Hunger Games, Teen Wolf and The Vampire Diaries, then Wicked Onyx is for you!
To Cage a Wild Bird by Brooke Fast
To Cage a Wild Bird is a dystopian fantasy romance set in Dividium, a world where the elite and rich profit from hunts in which wealthy citizens hunt inmates for sport (Endlock). When Raven Thorneâs younger brother gets wrongly arrested, she intentionally gets herself into Endlock with hopes of getting him out. Along the way, she discovers a collective alliance and a prison guard named Vale who may or may not harbour some romantic feelings for her.
The premise of this is amazing; itâs everything youâd want in a dystopian. I like to describe it as a mix between The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner and Divergent, as well as containing the vibes of the lower levels of Coruscant in Star Wars. Definitely worth a read if youâre into these kinds of things!
SCORCHED by Reese Sherron
SCORCHED is a romantasy that focuses on Serene, a woman from Alaska who gets dragged into the realm of Azure after entering a forbidden mountain, where she learns she is the one to rescue it from chaos.
I initially read this book as an ARC in 2025, and it easily became my favourite romantasy of the year. To me, this is one of those rare books where everything I look for in a romance is phenomenally written (the world-building, lore, characters, the action etc.). Everything flows so well that you wonât even remember that youâre reading!
I love the characters in this book too. Serene is stubborn but absolutely headstrong, a complete fighter and survivor wherever she is. Sheâs absolutely fearlessâa testament to how you can come into your own when the whole world is against you. We also have Koen, whose relationship with Serene is beautiful yet heartbreaking; it is a forbidden love mixed with lots of yearning. Their witty banter, heated tension and the intimate brooding are probably the best parts about all of this.
If you love Fourth Wing, Outlander, Viking, and Reign, then SCORCHED is one to pick up.
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
Daughter of the Moon Goddess is a myth-inspired romantic fantasy that follows Xingyin, the daughter of the Moon goddess, who grew up in secret on the moon. When her magic is discovered, she is forced to flee and enters the Celestial Kingdom, where she trains in combat and embarks on a quest to free her imprisoned mother.
Tanâs writing is breathtaking; leave it to her to immerse you in The Celestial Kingdom and The Demon Realm with her words. And as someone who loves the Mid-Autumn Festival, it was nice to read a story about it.
I love the characters in Moon Goddess, too! If you enjoy reading about female leads that remind you of Mulan and a young Ahsoka Tano from Star Wars: The Clone Wars, then youâll like Xingyin. Thereâs also a love triangle between her and two male main characters, too (Crown Prince Liwei and Captain Wenzhi), so if this trope makes you squeal and kick your feet, then I highly recommend you pick it up!
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
The Bridge Kingdom is a romantic fantasy that follows Lara, a princess trained to be a spy and assassin. She infiltrates her enemyâs kingdom pretending to marry King Aren when in reality, her real mission involves informing her homeland of the kingdomâs secrets and defences so they can monopolise the trade routes. As this mission is underway however, Lara canât help but fall for the man she is pretending to marry.
This book (and series) contains most of the tropes you would expect in a romantasy: enemies to lovers, slow burn, a strong FMC, politics, etc. If youâre craving something within the same genre and similar tropes to other fantasy romances youâve read, then this might be for you.
Youâll also enjoy the pacing of the narrative because I remember it being absolutely wild; a lot of action happens as soon as you read the first page! I kid you not, I was on the edge of my seat every time I picked it up.
Lara is also one of the coolest female main characters out there, and often reminds me of Celaena from the Throne of Glass series. We love a woman who can infiltrate a whole kingdom or operation by herself!
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
If youâre craving something on the whimsical side of fantasy with magical world-building and quirky characters, then Once Upon a Broken Heart may be for you!
The storyâs premise revolves around Evangeline Fox, who is a hopeless romantic and believes sheâs cursed from having a happily ever after when the man she loves is engaged to her stepsister. In an attempt to stop the marriage and wedding, Evangeline reaches out to Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, whose touch and kisses are fatal to those around him. Evangeline and Jacks make a deal, but under one condition: Evangeline needs to kiss three people he chooses before stopping the wedding.
Garberâs writing is incredibly compelling and is reminiscent of your favourite fairytales. Youâll feel as if youâre being whisked away into your favourite worlds you dreamed of when you were younger, or experiencing the Disney magic at Disneyland.
Evangeline (Eva) and Jacks have my whole heart too, and their personalities remind me of Persephone and Hades in a wayâperfect for those who love a sunshine x grumpy fantasy. Eva and Jacks are often compared to Belle from Beauty and the Beast and Klaus Mikaelson/Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries respectively, so if you love these kinds of characters, then I think youâll love these two MCs as well.
Red City by Marie Lu
This one isnât technically a romantasy, but it contains a really strong romance sub-plot that shouldnât be missed.
On the whole, Red City is an urban fantasy based in an alternative version of Los Angeles where two rival magic (and criminal) syndicates have an ongoing war over a drug called âsandâ that gives users extraordinary beauty and charisma. The narrative focuses on Sam, the female protagonist who possesses photographic memory and raised by a struggling immigrant mother, and Ari, the male protagonist from India and is known for being charismatic. Both are childhood friends and find themselves being caught in this war, each fighting for opposing sides. As the magical warfare worsens, both characters are forced to confront their loyalties, beliefs, and their feelings for one another.
The dynamic between Sam and Ari is childhood friends to rivals/enemies to lovers, which I think hits very differently, and in some ways more impactful than your typical romantasy enemies to lovers and/or slow-burn romance. Itâs simultaneously beautiful and tragic; a story so dark, gritty and full of angst, yet filled with soft love, pain, and so much grief. If you love a good Romeo and Juliet type of forbidden love, then this is worth picking up to read.
The political intrigue, magic system and world building in this is also absolutely incredible, so if youâre not too fond of the romance, at least stay for the alchemy and the conflict.
And there we have it, some of the fantasy romance books Iâve read with different sub-genres that I think you might like. I really enjoyed all of them and canât wait to hear your thoughts if you decide to pick one of them up!
