Ah, Romantasy.
If you're unfamiliar, this genre of books combines romance and fantasy into a single, exquisite reading adventure. You could say I'm a little biased in thinking this is one of the best types of books... and you'd be absolutely correct! The growing popularity of this genre tells me I'm not alone though, and if (like me) you're always on the hunt for your newest romantasy read, then this is for you!
So without further ado, here are my favourite romantasy books in no particular order (because they're all amazing!)
1. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Is it really a romantasy list without Throne of Glass? This was the first romantasy book I read when it first came out over 10 years ago (let's just say the wait in between book releases for this series nearly destroyed me). This is the true epitome of an EPIC ADVENTURE, and the journey you'll go on from the opening scene of an assassin in the salt mines of Endovier, through to the ending-of-all-endings in the last book is one you'll never forget. Our fierce female main character goes from strength to strength in each book, and the characters that join the series along the way are guaranteed to embed themselves in your heart. I personally don't like giving out spoilers, and I'll just say that one of the male characters introduced in Heir of Fire will live in my head rent free until the end of my days. There's a lot of contention around reading order, and here's my personal recommendation to have the best reading experience (yes it's a long series, and by the end of it, it will still feel like it's over too soon):
1. Throne of Glass
2. Crown of Midnight
3. Assassin's Blade
4. Heir of Fire
5. Queen of Shadows
6. Empire of Storms
7. Tower of Dawn
8. Kingdom of Ash
A lot of people tandem read Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn as they're set in the same timeline - this is one method I'd say is optional, and you'll still have an amazing experience reading EoS and then ToD (I definitely wouldn't do it the other way around, and please don't skip Tower of Dawn altogether, it's critical to the story!)
2. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Two SJM in a row? Well, yes! If you have "everything by SJM" on your reading list, I'd recommend reading Throne of Glass first, then A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR), and then Crescent City. Bonus points for reading Catwoman too!
ACOTAR is wildly popular and for good reason - it's a highly addictive series. Where I'd say Throne of Glass is adventure first, romance second, the reverse is true for ACOTAR - romance first, adventure second. There is a beauty in this series that is hard to find, and the relationships you'll build with the characters in your head will make these books all the more enjoyable. This is one I'd recommend for 16+, possibly 18+ by the time you get to A Court of Silver Flames (book 5) due to the spicier content, and the female main character journey in book 5 is exceptional too.
If there was one book I'd give a kidney to read again for the first time, it would be A Court of Mist and Fury (book 2), trust me - you'll get it once you've read it!
3. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
If you love ACOTAR, it's almost guaranteed you'll love Fourth Wing, and vice versa. I've read this book three times in the last 12 months, and I'll absolutely be reading it again before book 3 (Onyx Storm) comes out in January 2025.
We're talking sassy dragons, a female main character who is strong *despite* the fragility of her body, enemies-to-lovers, spicy romance, war academy, gosh the list goes on and wraps this entire story in a whole blanket of WOW. It's no surprise that this book became a global sensation after it was released - it absolutely deserves all the hype. There are some books that just give you the "THIS IS WHY I LOVE TO READ" feeling, and Fourth Wing is one of them. It's the feeling in your heart of pure joy at the reading experience, and as a reader I spend my life chasing this high. I was beyond thrilled to find this with Fourth Wing, and I don't know if I'll ever find a dragon book I loved more. And if you're thinking "eh, I don't read fantasy" or "I don't really like dragon books" - be prepared to have your mind changed in the best way.
4. The Bonds That Tie by J. Bree
We love home-grown talent, and as a fellow Aussie I am living for the love that J. Bree gets for her series The Bonds That Tie.
This was one of the first reverse-harem series I read (one girl/multiple guys), and while the romance is of course a large part of the series, the way it entwines with the overall storyline and magic of the main characters is nothing short of spectacular. Due to the spicy content, definitely recommend this for the 18+ audience.
Our female main character Oleander is full of secrets and dark magic, and she is a force to be reckoned with. You soon learn not to question her choices - she has a reason for what she does and why, and both the inner and magical strength she wields is awe-inspiring.
It's a rare author who can make you fall for more than one male main character, and to fall for FIVE? Yeah, J. Bree is a magician herself for this. I've read this entire series twice and have been hooked from start to finish both times. One of our male characters is especially polarising - you either love or hate him from the start, and by the end, it's almost unanimously LOVE. I didn't think there was any redeeming him after book one, and I have never been more thrilled to be wrong.
Oh and also, North Draven. I rest my case.
5. The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
Let's just quickly clarify that the book featured (The Traitor Queen) is book two in this series, and you're going to want to have it on hand for a fast-follow after you've read book one.
It wouldn't be a romantasy recommendation list without Danielle L. Jensen, and the Bridge Kingdom series is one that every romantasy lover should read. I've yet to meet someone who loves this genre and didn't enjoy this series, and for good reason - it's amazing!
Our female main character Lara pulls you in from the first chapter with her lethal strength and is one of my favourite characters across any series, ever. This adventure is full of secrets, lies, slow burn romance, and the timeless favourite "I wasn't supposed to fall in love you with." Need I say more? *insert heart eyes and grabby hands here*
6. Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
Again, let's just quickly clarify that the book featured here is *from* the series, just not the *first* book (this is book three in the trilogy).
Do yourself a favour and just get all three books up front. I read these back-to-back with exactly zero regrets except that I didn't have a time machine to go back and read them for the first time again.
Steph Garber's writing is unlike any other author I've read - it's like whimsical magic dipped in stardust and sprinkled with dreams. It feels like immersing yourself in a fairytale that you never want to leave.
If you haven't read Steph's Caraval trilogy, I'd highly recommend doing so before venturing into Once Upon a Broken Heart (this is a spin-off series of Caraval).
Our female main character Evangeline Fox (I mean come on, even her NAME is everything), is the type of character you can pour your heart into throughout this series. And as for our male main character Jacks... the obsession for him started in Caraval, and has grown out of control in Once Upon a Broken Heart.
7. When The Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker
Where do I even begin with the masterpiece that is When The Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker? This epic fantasy brings IT ALL. We're talking fierce female lead, slow burn romance, incredible world-building, found family, and of course dragons. The magic system is incredible and the way its wielded by magic users is done brilliantly. The entire world (and the magical creatures in it) are nothing short of beautiful, and the ending? Yeah, let's just say I am already counting down to the release of book two in 2025.
The way the story is unveiled quite literally kept me guessing until the last page, and the excitement you feel in reading each revelation as it unfolds makes this one of the most memorable fantasy romances you will likely ever read!
8. A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair
I am a sucker for a Hades & Persephone retelling, and this series by Scarlett St. Clair tops my list for this category. This is heavier on the spice so would definitely recommend for the 18+ audiences.
Goddess of Spring meets God of the Underworld and ends up in an unbreakable bargain - I mean, need I say more? This series is entirely binge-worthy, so be prepared to stay up late reading! It does not surprise me that A Touch of Darkness has over 100,000 5-star ratings on Goodreads, and I have a feeling Scarlett will continue to bless us with more incredible books in the future.
9. Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
Secret Witch meets Prince of Hell - SIGN ME UP. I don't even think I need to say more, but I will! This trilogy follows Emilia, a witch hidden amongst the humans who enlists the help of Wrath (one of the princes of Hell) to help solve a series of murders. Naturally the story only *starts* here, and by the time you get to the end of this trilogy, you'll have gone on an epic adventure through the Seven Circles of Hell and back again.
The spice definitely heats up in this series to put the ROMANCE in ROMANTASY (I know, the spelling doesn't exactly match up, you get what I mean though), and these books are a clear must-have on any romantasy list.
10. Bride by Ali Hazelwood
Okay okay so *technically* this is paranormal romance, HOWEVER it absolutely needs a spot on your reading list. This is hands down one of my favourite reads of 2024, and cemented Ali as one of my all-time favourite authors.
Bride is a vampire-werewolf romance set in modern-day times, with THE BEST BANTER. Our female main character Misery (vampire) is fantastic, and I have no doubt I'll be reading this book for a third time before the year is out.
If you took everything you love about the romance genre, add in a vampire+werewolf arranged marriage, sprinkle it with addictive storytelling, you'll come up with the perfection that is Bride.
And that's a wrap on this reading list!
If you need any more recommendations, keep an eye on the Charlie & Fox Instagram as I'm quite often posting my reading adventures on there.
Until then, happy reading!
Jess @ Charlie & Fox
