Romantasy novels have taken the world by storm. Look around any plane or coffee shop and you’ll see so many people (mainly women) engrossed in a thick paperback, its bold cover art featuring the genre’s hallmarks: Red or black roses; swords crossing crowns; dragon wings engulfed in flames; a thorny vine dripping artfully in blood. Sometimes there are beautiful, otherworldly figures with angular, intense expressions and clothes that are vaguely medieval (only much, much sexier).
What is romantasy? You can probably guess from the name, but it’s a blend of romance and fantasy. Think dragons, fairies, and magic, with romantic plot lines and varying levels of spiciness.
“What is romantasy? You can probably guess from the name, but it’s a blend of romance and fantasy.”
I’ve always been a fantasy bookworm, it’s even better if there’s a healthy dose of smut mixed in! It’s beautiful being able to dive into another world, create emotional connections with characters, and tap into your creativity.
This new era of romantasy novels with strong female leads is inspiring for countless women. I have had numerous conversations with friends who, after reading these books, felt more confident, open, and empowered, especially when it came to their pleasure.
The books on our list of 99 romantasy novels are here to inspire you, crack you open, and transport you to another realm. Many of these books are part of a series so we encourage you to start from book one to get to know the characters and feel the romance build. They’re ranked from mild to medium to hot — some of our mild choices only contain PG love stories — so you can choose your own adventure when it comes to how spicy you want it!
Mild 🌶️
1) Circe by Madeline Miller
2) The Last Dragon on Mars by Scott Reintgen
3) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
4) Bewitched by Laura Thalassa
5) Zodiac Academy 1: The Awakening by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
6) The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
7) Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
8) Heaven Official’s Blessing by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
9) Thief by Syliva Mercedes
10) The Vampire’s Mail Order Bride by Kristen Painter
11) Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
12) Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge
13) Emperor’s Edge by Lindsay Buroker
14) Written in Red by Anne Bishop
15) Fierce Heart by Tara Grayce
16) Star of the Morning by Lynn Kurland
17) This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
18) Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
19) Uprooted by Naomi Novik
20) The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
21) Dragonfall by LR Lam
22) Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater
23) Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge
24) Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
25) To Kill A Kingdom by Alexandra Cristo
26) Hunted by Meagan Spooner
27) Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
28) Taming Demons for Beginners by Annette Marie
29) Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
30) Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
31) The Elf Tangent by Lindsay Buroker
32) Paladin’s Grace by T. Kingfisher
33) Beauty: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley
Medium 🌶️🌶️🌶️
34) A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
35) From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
36) Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
37) The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
38) Powerless by Lauren Roberts
39) The Ashes and The Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent
40) The Vikings Witch by Holley Trent
41) Orion by Ruby Lionsdrake
42) Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
43) The Book of Azrael by Amber Nicole
44) Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout
45) Legends & Lattes: A Novel of High Fantasy and Low Stakes by Travis Baldree
46) The Unseelie Crown by Kathryn Ann Kingsley
47) The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
48) Between Ink and Shadow by Melissa Wright
49) Master of Crows by Grace Draven
50) Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
51) Swordheart by T. Kingfisher
52) Throne in the Dark by A.K. Caggiano
53) King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St Clair
54) The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
55) Storm and Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout
56) When Wishes Bleed by Casey L. Bond
57) Kingdom of The Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
58) The Traitor Queen by Danielle L. Jensen
59) Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Mass
60) Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
61) Air Awakens by Elise Kova
62) The Winter King by C.L. Wilson
63) Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent
64) Goddess of Spring by P.C. Cast
65) Heart of Fire by Bec McMaster
66) A Kiss of Iron by Clare Sager
Hot 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
67) The Crescent City Series by Sarah J. Maas
68) Flames of Chaos by Amelia Hutchins
69) A King So Cold by Ella Fields
70) Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
71) A Shadow in The Ember by Jennifer L. Armentrout
72) A Ruin of Roses by K. F. Breene
73) Four Psychos by Kristy Cunning
74) The Song of The Marked by S.M. Gaither
75) Broken Bonds by J. Bree
76) Beautiful Nightmares by K. J. Sutton
77) Helfyre by Mariel Pomeroy
78) Atonement of the Spine Cleaver F. E. Bryce
79) Reign & Ruin by J.D. Evans
80) The Vixen’s Lead by Tate James
81) Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
82) Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa
83) River of Shadows by Karina Halle
84) The Witch Collector by Charissa Weaks
85) Straight on ‘Til Morning by K. J. Sutton
86) Kingdom of Villains by Ella Fields
87) Court of Blood and Bindings by Lisette Marshall
88) For The Hell of It by Cate Corvin
89) Promise of Darkness by Bec McMaster
90) Taken by Fate by Shannon Mayer
91) Rising from Flames and Starlight by Ava Thorne
92) Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana
93) The Savage and The Swan by Ella Fields
94) The War of Two Queens by Jennifer L. Armentrout
95) Gild by Raven Kennedy
96) A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair
97) A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
98) Silk and Steel by Ariana Nash
99) Bound by Sophie Oak
Natasha Weiss is a Pacific Northwest-based health and wellness copywriter and full-spectrum doula. When she’s not typing away, she loves immersing herself in bodies of water, wandering through ancient forests, and anything and everything to do with food. You can learn more about her work on natashaweiss.com or connect on Instagram.
