I'm no stranger to romance and smut books — thanks to my sister's secret stash — but I've finally given in to the "romantasy" genre that's floated around BookTok lately. And yet again, my sister is at the center of my newfound reading interest, gifting me (voluntarily this time) Fourth Wingand Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros. I know I may be a little late to the party, but these books are dominating my reading interests this summer. It's like I just can't get enough of all the romance, fantasy, challenges, and spicy scenes!
If this sounds like you, here are the top 10 romantasy books to jump start your journey into the genre. Just be sure to sit in front of a fan while reading some of them, though — they can get pretty hot and spicy! 🥵
The Best Romantasy Books
*Sigh* Where do I start? This book squeezed my heart and cradled it at the same time. It also stoked an inner fire that felt eerily similar to a couple of scenes in the book that I've bookmarked 👀.
Meeting Violet Sorrengail was like peeling back the layers of thoughts I had about myself as a child. She initially thinks she's too fragile to be a gifted dragon rider like her siblings Brennan and Mira, but her mother — General Sorrengail — isn't easily swayed. So, off Violet goes to train or die trying.
From enemies who are more than willing to kill her at a heartbeat to developing a deep bond with two dragons — something that's unheard of — Violet finds herself realizing she's more powerful than she's given herself credit for.
I'm still trying to make sense of the way Iron Flame took my emotions on the wildest ride. Although I'm still recovering and yearning for more, I have to commend Rebecca Yarros for giving us two of the best Romantasy books of our time.
When we catch up with Violet Sorrengail again, she's managed to enter her second year at Basgiath War College without dying. Although she's a lot more resilient than she gives herself credit for, she knows there's still so much to learn.
The lessons she's learning are harsher and it seems like she's still being targeted for several reasons. As she tries hard to navigate the things she needs to learn in order to survive, she begins realizing there's an internal threat that's far greater than anyone could've imagined.
It'll take all of her allies, her dragons, and her greatest love to eliminate this threat. The problem is that nothing will ever be the same once it's all said and done.
If you're looking for a romantasy book that's a little less spicy, Deep Is The Fen is a great read!
It centers around Merry's reluctant interactions with the magic she's been trying so hard to stay away from. When she finds out that her best friend Teddy is joining the Toadmen, she makes it her personal mission to stop him. What she doesn't think anyone knows is her ability to see the swirling magic that surrounds all life forms.
It's this same second sight that comes in handy as she joins forces with her sworn enemy Caraway Boswell. Together, they attend the famed Toad ritual in Deeping Fen and it's only until it's too late that Merry realizes the Toadmen are more sinister than she thought.
And they've been waiting for her.
If you have a taste for more magic, you'll love reading The Midnight Bargain.
Unlike our heroine in Deep Is The Fen, Beatrice Clayborn embraces that she's able to use magic, but she has keep it hidden lest she be confined by a 'marital collar.' If you just shuddered, I'm here to tell you it's as bad as it sounds.
Our dear Beatrice wants to become a Magus, but her family is more concerned with making sure she's prepared to secure an amazing marriage. In other words, women aren't supposed to be able to wield magic as powerfully as men. There's also the fact that her family isn't exactly wealthy so her getting married would truly help them.
Still, Beatrice decides to keep pursuing a desire to become a Magus though her plans are almost ruined when another sorceress steals the one thing that'll secure her position. Desperate to have it in her possession again, Beatrice does a bit of conjuring that leads her to a crossroads.
Will she choose her dreams over her family's future or will she give up everything — magic, who she is at her core, and her goals — to save them?
I highly recommend that you read The Foxglove King before starting this book, but it's on the list because it's my favorite out of the series!
The Hemlock Queen picks up after the twisted king August has died, but his influence is still felt among the royal court. They're not exactly thrilled that Prince Bastian and the trusted Lore are trying to change what they've become used to, creating a lot more unruliness than they were anticipating. It's in the midst of this that Lore can sense a coldheartedness growing in Prince Bastian that wasn't there before.
As time passes, something begins beckoning to Lore to pay more attention to things around her. It wants her to find the truth about herself and what's in front of her.
She'll have to race against the time to find the answers before she loses Bastian and everything else she loves.
Lark has spent years hiding from her overly domineering father and hasn't found a place to call home yet. The thing that's kept her safe is her ability to cause anyone to feel fear in her presence which has come in handy. With no other options, she decides to seek refuge among the trolls in Cagmar.
She's quickly accepted into their society because they realize she's not like most humans that are in Cagmar. The only rule she has to follow is to never kill a troll even though the most powerful one utterly despises her for being human.
She'll have to learn how to survive in a brand new way while figuring out things about herself, her past, and the family she grew up in.
I slipped and hit my head on a rock because I clearly forgot to add the first part of Sarah J. Maas' The Court of Thorns and Roses series to our 'romantasy' books roundup. I get it now and have one thing to say: Feyre was stressing me out in the beginning of the book. But, I know it's only because of the circumstances she was forced into.
Not only is she the youngest of three daughters, but she's also the only one who seems adept at making sure her family survives the life of poverty they've been forced into. As much as she wishes things would change, she didn't anticipate how drastically her surroundings would change after killing a lone wolf in the woods.
When a terrifying 'beast' comes searching for the killer of the wolf, Feyre accepts her fate and begins living where the once revered faeries live. She goes from plotting her escape to becoming fond of her captor — the highly beautiful and terrifying Tamlin.
As something much deadlier than he is threatens his world, Feyre must do everything she can to stop the threat before it spreads into the mortal world she used to inhabit.
I think it's clear we love a good series at Brit + Co, especially if it's one of several 'romantasy' books.
Oraya's not only adopted, but she's also the 'daughter' of the Nightborn vampire king. It's not lost on her that her humanness makes her a target, so she decides to compete in a deadly tournament that the goddess of death has put together.
Oraya's only shot at winning comes from an unlikely rival — the vampire Raihn. Besides his sheer killer instinct, he's also an enemy of the Nightborn vampire king and this makes things incredibly complicated. There's also the fact that's wildly attracted to him.
Despite the fact Raihn clearly reciprocates her feelings, the tournament is unforgiving and has no room for anyone who can't control their emotions.
If you love vampire folklore, you'll thoroughly enjoy reading The Serpent & the Wings of Night!
Poppy's Maiden path was chosen for her before she was able to form any thoughts and it's meant to be for a noble cause. Yet, it's a lonely task that essentially forbids her from interacting with others or forming intimate relationships. The problem is that Poppy doesn't want to ascend. She wants to fight.
Still, she's bound to her role as a Maiden and tries to do what's expected of her. It's just that her guard Hawke is so attractive and their desires are so hard to ignore underneath the tension that rests on their surfaces. If that wasn't enough to send her way off track, the rising threat of a once forgotten kingdom is looming.
Poppy will have to juggle her own ambitions and desires to make choices that will upend more than just her Maiden path.
Paedyn is an Ordinary girl which means a lot in the kingdom of Ilya. Decreed by the King, those who are Ordinary are essentially mortals who weren't gifted with any special powers and have a completely different reality than those who were — the Elites.
She's incredibly smart and knows how to pose as one of the Elites, but her abilities are put to the test when she saves a prince and is determined worthy to participate in the Purging Trials. It's meant for the Elites to show off their powers, but that's what Paedyn lacks.
As the walls close in on her, she'll have to figure out a way to continue her ruse or deal with the consequences that come once it's realized she's Ordinary.
What's your favorite romantasy book? Let us know in the comments, and check out our storefront for more fab reads!
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Lead images via Amazon
This post has been updated.
