Romantasy (romance + fantasy) is exactly what it sounds like: a fantasy story where the love story is central, not a side plot. Expect fae courts, dragons, deadly trials, magic systems and plenty of yearning. Popular tropes include enemies to lovers, forced proximity, slow burn and "who did this to you?" protectiveness.
A quick note on spice
Romantasy ranges from sweet young adult books with kissing only to adult books with explicit scenes. Below, we give each book a rough spice level (lower, moderate or higher). It's our general take, not an official rating, so check content notes and reviews if it matters to you. Many series also get steamier or darker in later books.
Romantasy books to start with
- No. 1
Fourth Wing
by Rebecca Yarros
A young woman who expected a quiet life as a scribe is forced into a brutal war college for dragon riders. Fast-paced, high-stakes and packed with rivals. Spice: higher.
Find it on Bookshop.org - No. 2
A Court of Thorns and Roses
by Sarah J. Maas
A huntress is taken into the dangerous faerie lands after killing a wolf in the woods. A dark twist on Beauty and the Beast that opens a hugely popular series. Spice: moderate, and higher in later books.
Find it on Bookshop.org - No. 3
The Cruel Prince
by Holly Black
A mortal girl raised in the High Court of Faerie is determined to win a place there, even if it means clashing with a cruel prince. Twisty political scheming. Spice: lower (young adult).
Find it on Bookshop.org - No. 4
From Blood and Ash
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
A sheltered young woman chosen by the gods chafes against her rules, until a new guard arrives. Secrets, adventure and slow-building romance. Spice: higher.
Find it on Bookshop.org - No. 5
Uprooted
by Naomi Novik
A village girl is taken to serve the wizard who protects her valley from a dark, corrupted wood. A standalone fairy tale with rich folklore and a prickly love interest. Spice: lower to moderate.
Find it on Bookshop.org - No. 6
Divine Rivals
by Rebecca Ross
Two rival young journalists in a world where the gods are at war start exchanging letters through a magical typewriter. Heartfelt, with a lovely slow burn. Spice: lower.
Find it on Bookshop.org - No. 7
The Serpent and the Wings of Night
by Carissa Broadbent
The human daughter of a vampire king enters a legendary, deadly tournament to prove herself. Dark, lush and full of tension. Spice: moderate.
Find it on Bookshop.org - No. 8
Spin the Dawn
by Elizabeth Lim
A talented young seamstress disguises herself to compete for the role of imperial tailor, then sets out on a quest to make three impossible dresses. Spice: lower (young adult).
Find it on Bookshop.org - No. 9
The Bridge Kingdom
by Danielle L. Jensen
A princess trained as a spy marries the king of a rival nation with one goal: bring down his kingdom from the inside. Enemies to lovers with political stakes. Spice: higher.
Find it on Bookshop.org - No. 10
Powerless
by Lauren Roberts
In a kingdom that exiles anyone without powers, a quick-witted thief hides her secret and ends up in deadly royal trials alongside a prince. Spice: lower (young adult).
Find it on Bookshop.org
Romantasy tropes to know
Half the fun of romantasy is recognizing the tropes. Here are the ones you'll see most:
- Enemies to lovers: they start on opposite sides and can't stand each other, at first.
- Forced proximity: a quest, a shared room or a magical bond keeps them together.
- Slow burn: the romance takes its sweet time, and the tension builds for chapters.
- Fated mates or soul bonds: magic insists they belong together, whether they like it or not.
- Deadly trials: tournaments, academies and competitions that raise the stakes.
- Morally gray love interest: charming, dangerous and hard to read.
- Chosen one (with complications): a heroine with a destiny she never asked for.
Keep a trope checklist in your reading journal and tick them off as you go. You'll quickly learn which ones you can't resist.
Where to start based on what you like
- Want lower spice? The Cruel Prince, Divine Rivals, Spin the Dawn or Powerless.
- Love fae? A Court of Thorns and Roses or The Cruel Prince.
- Want dragons? Fourth Wing.
- Deadly competitions? The Serpent and the Wings of Night or Powerless.
- Prefer a standalone? Uprooted tells a complete story in one book.
Planning your romantasy binge
Many romantasy books are part of long series, and the books are often chunky: 500 pages or more is common. If you want to catch up on a series before the next release, our reading goal calculator and pages per day calculator make it easy to plan. A reading journal with a series tracker helps you remember where you left off, and a trope list is half the fun.
Want to go further? Try cozy fantasy for something gentler, or add "a book with a dragon in it" to your reading challenge.
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Open the reading goal toolQuestions people ask
What is romantasy?
Romantasy is a blend of romance and fantasy where the love story is as central as the fantasy plot. It often features fae, dragons, magic and tropes like enemies to lovers.
What is the best romantasy book for beginners?
It depends on your spice comfort. Fourth Wing and A Court of Thorns and Roses are very popular starting points; The Cruel Prince and Divine Rivals are great lower-spice options.
Are romantasy books appropriate for teens?
Some are written for young adults and are lower in spice, like The Cruel Prince and Spin the Dawn. Many popular romantasy books are adult books with explicit content, so check before choosing for a teen.
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