Courtney has been reading and collecting books almost as long as she's been alive. She holds a B.A. in Theatre and Creative Writing. Courtney has been writing with Book Riot since 2019, and is a Bibliologist with TBR: Tailored Book Recommendations. She's currently brainstorming for her next creative project. You can follow her on Instagram.
Have you ever promised yourself that you would read just ONE MORE PAGE and ended up finishing the entire story in one sitting? Or, have you ever closed a book and dreamed that you too would one day FALL IN LOVE & SAVE THE WORLD? If your answer to either question is yes, these two charming sticker books are for you! Filled with over 500 book-themed designs that are perfect for decorating e-readers, journals, water bottles, and more, ONE MORE PAGE and FALL IN LOVE & SAVE THE WORLD will help you showcase your voracious reading spirit with pride!
Romantasy has had a big year, dominating bestseller lists and sparking trends on social media. Big brands like ColourPop are even catching on to its popularity, releasing a romantasy-inspired collection. Romantasy offers readers a double dose of escapism, so it’s understandable why it’s grown so quickly in popularity in the last few years.
Fantasy and romance have always gone hand-in-hand. In the 2000’s, we had Twilight and The Mortal Instruments series. Traditional fairytales are full of princesses, magical creatures, and romance. Romantasy hit the mainstream with books like A Court of Thorns and Roses and Fourth Wing, drawing readers who might not ordinarily read fantasy.
Romantasy can feel intimidating, especially if you’re primarily a romance reader or fantasy reader. The tropes and standards of both genres can exist within romantasy, but it’s important to remember that romantasy books are romances, first. There must be a Happily Ever After, or Happy For Now ending. Just as with contemporary and historical romances, sex scenes are not required with romantasy books. The fantasy settings, magical beings, and magic are features of the story, but not the main plot. The romance must drive the plot. If fantasy is adventure, then romantasy is falling in love while on an adventure.
These particular romantasy books were chosen to highlight different kinds of romantasy stories perfect for readers who are new to the subgenre.
The Knight and The Moth by Rachel Gillig
This romantasy is perfect for fans of adventure fantasy and gothic aesthetics. In the land of Traum, girls like Sybil dedicate their lives to the great cathedral as Diviners. They plunge into the murky waters to receive visions from the Omens. When her Diviner sisters begin to disappear, Sybil must seek the aid of Sir Roderick, a handsome and heretical knight. Together, accompanied by a cranky gargoyle, they travel across Traum to find the answers and confront the gods.
Last of the Talons by Sophie Kim
For YA readers and the romantasy-curious, this trilogy blends romance with Korean mythology. Shin Lina becomes a weapon for the kingdom’s most dangerous crime lord after the destruction of her Talon gang. Lina’s devotion to her sister is the only thing keeping her from betraying her cruel master. When Lina is at a Dokkaebi temple to steal a priceless artifact, she finds herself caught in an unwinnable game with the emperor Haneul Rui. Lina’s mission becomes tangled with growing tensions between herself and Rui.
Swordcrossed by Freya Marske
To restore his family’s wealth, Mattinesh must go through with an arranged marriage. He hires Luca Piere, a swordsman and troublemaker, to serve as his best man and protection at the ceremony. Luca’s plan for reinvention certainly did not include giving a handsome wool merchant like Matti sword-fighting lessons. As the wedding draws closer, Matti and Luca are drawn into a plot that could ruin both of them. Full of hijinks, yearning, and political intrigue, this novel is a great stepping stone for fans of historical romance.
The Daughters of Izdihar by Hadeer Elsbai
Waterweaver Nehal and earthweaver Giorgina are brought together by a radical women’s rights group fighting to give women a say in their own lives. After giving up their dreams, Nehal and Giorgina find their true calling together. Tensions in a neighboring country rise, with a call to put restrictions on magic use. To protect themselves and each other, Nehal and Giorgina must defend their precariously won freedom. This sapphic novel is inspired by modern Egyptian history.
Quicksilver by Callie Hart
This Fae romance is for those who love a tall and broody hero. After stealing an artifact, Saeris is forced to open a portal to the Fae realm. Inside the Fae realm, she is confronted with Kingfisher, a Fae male whose life is now bound to hers. Saeris’ unique ability to manipulate Quicksilver is the tether between her desert homeland and the icy world of the Fae. This book packs every romantasy trope there is into 624 pages, including vampires. The sequel, Brimstone, comes out on November 18, 2025.
Her Soul for a Crown by Alysha Rameera
Anula Ramanayake of Anuradhapura began planning her ascent to the throne the moment her village was burned to the ground and she was left an orphan. Her plan was to marry and poison the raja. When a coup ruins her plans, Anula offers her soul to the cursed god Reeri the Blood Yakka in exchange for the crown. Their souls tethered, Reeri and Anula fight divine and human enemies side by side. Inspired by Sri Lankan mythology, Her Soul for a Crown is a slow-burn epic.
Now that you’ve got a taste for romantasy, explore the subgenre with YA romantasy and romantasy comics.
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