With anticipation at an all-time high for the next chapter in the series, many readers are searching for new fantasy worlds to explore in the meantime. The romantasy genre continues to grow in popularity among readers, drawing audiences with its magical universe, sweeping romances, and unforgettable characters.
Fans who are new to fantasy reading have countless stories to choose from and might just find their new obsession lies within one of these hit titles. Whether it’s the romance, action, or fantastical world-building that captures attention, there’s a book out there waiting to be picked up and loved by new readers.
One Dark Window
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig takes place in a mist-shrouded kingdom where sanctioned magic comes from a rare deck of Providence Cards. The book follows Elspeth Spindle, a young woman who survives by hiding the dangerous secret of an ancient spirit known as the Nightmare living within her mind.
When she joins a rebellious captain searching for powerful cards to break the kingdom’s curse, her fragile control begins to slip, risking losing her identity to the spirit inside her. One Dark Window is a duology that has a heavy, brooding atmosphere and dangerous magic that come together to create an immersive romantasy.
When the Moon Hatched
When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker takes place in a harsh, divided world where fallen dragons transform into moons that hang above the sky. When Raeve, a skilled assassin working for a rebel cause, crosses paths with Kaan Vaegor, a powerful king searching for moonshards, their lives collide in ways that reveal buried secrets about their world.
When the Moon Hatched is the first book in a high-fantasy, romantasy series that is best known for its expansive lore and morally gray characters. Fans who enjoy the forced proximity trope with a strong-willed protagonist will love Raeve and Kaan’s reluctant alliance throughout the epic fantasy series.
Serpent & Dove
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin follows Louise “Lou” le Blanc, a witch surviving in secret as a thief within a city where magic is ruthlessly hunted. After a carefully staged incident traps her in a scandal, she is forced into marriage with Reid Diggory, a devout member of the witch-hunting Chasseurs.
This is a YA, enemies-to-lovers trilogy full of emotional tension. As Lou hides her true identity from Reid, she must also evade her evil mother, leading to a high-stakes confrontation that could destroy everything. Readers who love a book with secrets, forbidden magic, and romance will find Serpent & Dove to be a thrilling story.
The Cruel Prince
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The Cruel Prince by Holly Black centers on Jude Duarte, a mortal girl taken to the High Court of Faerie after witnessing her parents’ murder. Growing up among immortal nobles who despise humans, Jude refuses to remain powerless, fighting for power and belonging to protect herself and gain status.
With intense plot twists and a dark world, The Cruel Prince is a must-read fantasy.
The Cruel Prince is a YA fantasy book that is driven by politics and intrigue, offering readers a darker look at fae courts. Jude’s determination and morally questionable choices create a compelling character arc, and her relationship with Prince Cardan is a true enemies-to-lovers dynamic. With intense plot twists and a dark world, The Cruel Prince is a must-read fantasy.
Kingdom of the Wicked
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco follows Emilia, a young witch secretly practicing magic in 19th-century Sicily alongside her twin sister, Vittoria. When she’s suddenly murdered, Emilia is torn apart and driven by vengeance, leading to her casting forbidden spells in desperation. When she summons Wrath, a prince of Hell, she forms a reluctant alliance to solve the murder.
Consisting of three novels and a spin-off series, Kingdom of the Wicked is known for its gothic atmosphere and simmering tension between the story’s leads. While the first book is classified as a YA, the second and third shift to New Adult. Fans who love murder mysteries, enemies-to-lovers, and dark themes will fall in love with the series.
Daughter of No Worlds
Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent centers on Tisaanah, a half-human, half-Valtain woman who escapes a life of enslavement by killing her master and fleeing to the magical land of Ara. There, she seeks out Maxantarius Farlione, a reclusive Wielder, to train her in mastering her latent powers in order to free her enslaved people.
Daughter of No Worlds is an adult romantasy title, known for the slow-burn partnership between Tisaanah and Max and its grumpy x sunshine dynamic. Paired with strong themes of trauma and freedom, the book is full of political tension and high-stakes war. The series consists of three books and is perfect for fans of character-driven stories.
The Book of Azrael
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The Book of Azrael follows Dianna, a mortal woman forced into servitude as a monstrous weapon to protect her sister. Bound to the dark king Kaden, she is forced to carry out deadly missions until a powerful exiled god, Liam, crosses her path. Their alliance is tense and becomes increasingly complicated as they fight to survive.
Amber V. Nicole’s story is perfect for fans of forced proximity and enemies-to-lovers dynamics. Paired with its morally complex characters and high-stakes magic, the series’s slow-burn tension blends effectively with dangerous adventure, offering readers a thrilling narrative they can’t put down. The Book of Azrael is planned to be a seven-book series.
The Serpent and the Wings of Night
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The Serpent and the Wings of Night follows Oraya, a human adopted by the Nightborn Vampire King, Vincent, who must survive the deadly Kejari tournament to secure her future. There, she competes against ruthless opponents from rival vampire houses and crosses paths with Raihn, a vampire she reluctantly allies with.
A Court Of Shaded Truths is rumored to be the title of the sixth A Court of Thorn And Roses book, but that is unlikely.
Also written by Carissa Broadbent, The Serpent and the Wings of Night is best described as a cross between The Hunger Games and A Court of Thorns and Roses, offering readers an action-packed story filled with an intense enemies-to-lovers romance that fans won’t be able to get enough of. The series has six main books, divided into three duologies, plus two prequels.
Fourth Wing
Fourth Wing centers on Violet Sorrengail, a scholar forced by her mother, a ruthless General, to train as a dragon rider at Basgiath War College. While there, she faces deadly trials, bonds with two dragons, and faces hostile rivalries, all while navigating the growing tension with Xaden Riorson.
Rebecca Yarros’s series will consist of five books, with three currently available. Fans who enjoy high-stakes, enemies-to-lovers romance, worlds filled with dragons, and are intrigued by competitive academic settings will find the story expansive, thrilling, and intensely charged.
From Blood and Ash
From Blood and Ash follows Poppy, a sheltered Maiden destined for a life of service to the Ascended gods, whose world unravels after she meets Hawke, her mysterious new guard. She quickly discovers that the kingdom is corrupt and Hawke is on a mission of vengeance, forcing her to confront the truth and choose between her duty and her desires.
Written by Jennifer L. Armentrout, the story is a romantasy packed with tension, supernatural elements, and political intrigue. With seven books and four prequels, the series is perfect for fast readers and fans who enjoy longer narratives and forbidden romance.
- Publisher(s)
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Bloomsbury Publishing
- Publication Date
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2015-05-05
- ISBN#
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9781619634442
- Genre(s)
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Fantasy, Romance