Top Romantasy Books to Get You Started

I don’t like fantasy or romance novels so nobody was more surprised than me when, last summer, I fell for romantasies. Fast becoming one of the most popular new literary genres, the books often combine fantastical, mythical worlds, enemies-to lovers tropes, strong female leads (it’s no coincidence that the majority are written by female authors) and a series of adventures strewn with witty banter and more often than not, some pretty graphic sex scenes. I started with Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros on the whispered recommendation of a friend. Then, however, I couldn’t stop. A word of warning – these books are real page turners and you’ll find yourself reading until the early hours of the morning.

Upending the traditional publishing industry, many of the authors started out being self published and, once their books had been recommended by thousands of readers via Booktok or Instagram, were picked up by established agents and publishers. Sarah Maas, author of The Throne of Glass and A Court of Thorns and Roses series, has sold nearly 40 million books worldwide in 38 languages and is one of the best selling authors of 2024. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros has sold over 3 million copies globally and the third book in the series, Onyx Storm, released today, 21st January, is already number one on the Amazon book charts. To be frank, these novels are not the most literary works you’ll ever read (they often come with a cliche map at the beginning and don’t get me started on the book covers) but they are fun escapism – if you’re new to the genre, I’ve picked my top five books/series to start with.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (First book in the Empyrean Series, followed by Iron Flame and Onyx Storm, released January 21st 2025)

If you liked the Harry Potter series, you’ll love Fourth Wing. There are dragons, a ‘school’ setting in the form of a war college and a feisty heroine, Violet Sorrengail, who suffers from what Yarros has identified as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a connective tissue disorder which Yarros herself also has. Yarros’s husband served for the US army in the Iraq war where he was injured (they met when she was 19 and have 6 children together) so she writes about being a ‘soldier’ with particular passion. Violet, originally destined to become a library scribe like her deceased father, is enrolled to become a dragon rider by her mother, a feared general, and must overcome a number of physical and psychological challenges to survive. As well as being number one on the New York Times BestSeller list, Fourth Wing is also being made into an Amazon tv series so prepare to hear even more about this phenomenon.

A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J Maas

This series (also known as ACOTAR) is one of the most popular in the world of romantasy and with good reason.  Book one is fun, book two and three are even better and there are plenty of great plot twists to keep you hooked in this five book series (with another book on the way). What starts out as a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, when 19 year old Feyre is forced to go and stay with a wolfish Faerie in order to save her family, turns into a world of warring Fae from different courts, where nothing is quite what it first seems, with the heroes turning into villains and vice versa.

Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas

Finished ACOTAR?  Then next on your TBR list is this eight book series by Sarah J Maas (including a prequel) which follows the adventures of 18 year old assassin Celaena Sardothien who tries to win her freedom from a corrupt King in a series of trials but finds that further adventures await her. The plot development is strong, as is the fantasy world-building and I particularly liked the friendships that Celaena (or Aelin) develops along the way with various fae, witches and royalty.

Quicksilver by Callie Hart

This is book one in a two part series (Fae & Alchemy book two by Callie Hart is released 18th November 2025) and has a brilliant plot twist/cliff hanger at the end of the first book. The heroine is Saeris Fane, an alchemist, who mistakenly binds herself to a fae warrior after she finds herself transported to a world of warring fae and vampires. It’s part gothic with a lot of repartee and interesting supporting characters or ‘found family’. If you like this, you’ll also like Road of Bones by Demi Winters, a viking romantasy duology and One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig, a gothic duology:

Zodiac Academy series by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

This is a 12 book book series (including the more standalone books) and in my opinion, it’s at least three books too long. However, it’s a fun and very gripping read, if you’re looking for something more Young Adult (although it’s not for young teenagers). About two sisters who suddenly find themselves transported from the mortal world to a school of dragon shifters, werewolves, sirens and vampires, think ‘Hogwarts, if everyone was in Slytherin’. If you’re looking for something a little more grown up, then try the From Blood and Ash series by Jennifer L. Armentrout, a six book series about a maiden, her guard and a world of mythical gods: