The 10 Most Popular Romantasy Books On Goodreads For Your Next Page-Turning Read

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Is it any surprise that A Court of Thorns and Roses made the list? Probably not, since Sarah J. Maas' series took TikTok by storm. Still, if you're a newbie, here's what you need to know.

The story centers on Feyre, a 19-year-old who's punished by a creature after killing a wolf in the woods. She's brought to a strange land she has only heard about through legends, but soon realizes the creature holding her hostage, Tamlin, isn't just some beast. Rather, he's an immortal faerie who once dominated Feyre's world, and she starts to catch feelings.

"But something is not right in the faerie lands. An ancient, wicked shadow is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it, or doom Tamlin–and his world–forever," per the synopsis.

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

Since we're already on a Sarah J. Maas kick, it makes sense to continue through the rest of the five A Court of Thorns and Roses novels, all of which made Goodreads' top romantasy books list.

A Court of Mist and Fury is the second novel in the series. The sequel picks up with Feyre after she's given the lifespan and powers of a High Fae. However, she's still reeling from the time she spent "Under the Mountain," as well as the acts she executed to save Tamlin.

Spoiler alert: their marriage is on the horizon, too, but Feyre isn't in the best head space and finds herself torn.

"While Feyre navigates a dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms. She might just be the key to stopping it, but only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future–and the future of a world in turmoil," the book's synopsis reads.

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Wings and Ruin is definitely a thrilling third installment to the ACOTAR series. Readers get to follow Feyre as she goes back to Spring Court to get information about Tamlin, as well as what she can do to stop an invading king.

Still, this is a challenge, as the mission rests on her ability to be deceptive. Otherwise, everything she cares about will be at risk.

"As war bears down upon them all, Feyre endeavors to take her place amongst the High Fae of the land, balancing her struggle to master her powers–both magical and political–and her love for her court and family," per the synopsis.

Plus, she and Rhysand have to figure out who they can trust (and who they can't) out of the High Lords.

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

The fourth book in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series sees Feyre and the gang as they try to recover from the war and work to rebuild the Night Court. Thankfully, it's nearly the Winter Solstice, and they should finally catch a break. But old ghosts still remain.

"As Feyre navigates her first Winter Solstice as High Lady, her concern for those dearest to her deepens. They have more wounds than she anticipated–scars that will have a far-reaching impact on the future of their court," the synopsis reads.

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

Sarah J. Maas's most recently published book in the series, A Court of Silver Flames, takes on a new angle. Readers who have stuck around for Feyre's journey now get to follow her sister, Nesta Archeron.

She's quick to anger, a bit boastful, and was forced to become a High Fae against her wishes. So, Nesta is having a tough time finding her footing in the world, in addition to struggling with old scars from the war with Hybern.

There's one warrior, though, who gets her blood boiling like no one else: Cassian. And I don't just mean anger; there's plenty of hot passion, too.

At the same time, there are "treacherous human queens" who are putting the realm's peace at risk. And Nesta and Cassian just might have to team up to stop it.

"Against the sweeping backdrop of a world seared by war and plagued with uncertainty, Nesta and Cassian battle monsters from within and without as they search for acceptance–and healing–in each other’s arms," per the synopsis.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Now, it's time to move on to another bestselling romantasy series, The Empyrean by Rebecca Yarros. All the novels from the trilogy made it into the top 10 on Goodreads, and it makes sense to start with book one: Fourth Wing.

Violet Sorrengail is the protagonist of this tale. She's 20 years old and had planned to live a life of solitude, but her mother is forcing her to attend a war college among hundreds of other candidates to become a dragon rider.

The issue? Violet is tiny, and dragons don't exactly bond with "fragile humans." So, she has to rely on her cleverness to stay alive.

"Yet with every day that passes, the war outside grows deadlier; the kingdom's protective wards are falling; and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret," the synopsis reads.

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

In Iron Flame, the second book in The Empyrean series, we pick up with Violet, who everyone thought wouldn't make it through her first year at war college. But now that she's entering her second year of training, things are getting even more real.

Forget about the brutal, painful nature of the training itself. Violet is also up against a new vice commandant, who seemingly has a vendetta against her and wants to show Violet how "powerless" she is unless she stabs the man she loves in the back.

"Although Violet's body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else's, she still has her wits–and a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most important lesson Basgiath has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules," per the synopsis.

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

Onyx Storm is the third installment of The Empyrean series, and Violet has definitely grown a lot. She's spent almost 18 months at war college, and now, enemies are finally getting closer.

Violet doesn't know whom she can trust, and she's pushed to find allies in other regions. Her voyage outside the Aretian wards will undoubtedly be taxing, but she's determined to save everyone she cares about.

"Even if it means keeping a secret so big, it could destroy everything. They need an army. They need power. They need magic. And they need the one thing only Violet can find–the truth. But a storm is coming...and not everyone can survive its wrath," the synopsis reads.

The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

Published by Carissa Broadbent in August 2022, The Serpent and the Wings of Night is the first installment of her Crowns of Nyaxia series. In this fantasy world, Oraya is a human who has been adopted by the Nightborn vampire king. And her only chance at surviving amongst creatures who want to kill her? It's entering a tournament known as Kejari, which is hosted by the goddess of death.

Oraya won't just be able to win easily against competitors from the three vampire houses, though, which is why she has to ally with a rival named Raihn. He's a calculated killer and her biggest enemy. Yet, to Oraya's surprise, she's still charmed by him.

"But there's no room for compassion in the Kejari. War for the House of Night brews, shattering everything that Oraya thought she knew about her home. And Raihn may understand her more than anyone, but their blossoming attraction could be her downfall, in a kingdom where nothing is more deadly than love," per the synopsis.

Powerless by Lauren Roberts

Last but certainly not least is Powerless by Lauren Roberts, the debut novel in her trilogy of the same name. It takes place in the kingdom of Ilya, where members known as the Elites were gifted powers by the Plague decades ago. Meanwhile, other members are born Ordinary.

Aside from lacking powers, the Ordinary are also up against discrimination, as the king claimed that they all have to be exiled to "preserve his Elite society." So, an Ordinary girl named Paedyn Gray does everything she can to blend in and stay alive in the slums.

"When Paeydn unsuspectingly saves one of Ilyas' princes, she finds herself thrown into the Purging Trials. The brutal competition exists to showcase the Elites’ powers—the very thing Paedyn lacks," the synopsis reads.

"If the Trials and the opponents within them don’t kill her, the prince she’s fighting feelings for certainly will if he discovers what she is–completely Ordinary."