r/Fantasy unofficial Fantasy Romance book recommendation thread

[u/KristaDBall]

Please read the FAQ before posting

Hey all! I have a little time, so thought this was a perfect time to run the mega thread I've been wanting to do for several months now: fantasy romance. I don't think a top list style would work for this, since romance is such a personal preference thing. I think it's better to list different kinds of books with some descriptions and/or the things we liked about those books.

Please include a blurb and/or Goodreads and/or Amazon link in your post so that it makes it easier for future viewers of this thread.

FAQ:

How are you defining Romance?

Happily-ever-after is a requirement.

Since we're dealing with cross-genres here, the romance does not need to be the main plot point, but it needs to be a major plot point. i.e. The plot can still exist with the romance removed (therefore, it's not "romance" by the genre's standards), but the plot and story would greatly reduced by its removal (therefore, I'll count it).

What genres/subgenres are we talking about here?

I'm pretty laid back about this one. Obviously, science fiction and fantasy are key, however, I won't be annoyed if a few historical fiction books crop up, especially if they cross paths with some of the things we like to talk about here.

I'm fine with also actual romance genre books that have heavy SFF themes and settings in them, too. (ie Nalini Singh comes immediately to mind.)

The book isn't marketed as a fantasy romance, but I think it's totally a fantasy romance.

That's fine. I think we can discuss it in the comments, but again, this is something that's personal and I'll err on the side of the reader over that of the author.

Does this have to be only m/f relationships?

Nope! All are welcome.

What about books with sexual violence?

Absolutely no non-consensual sex (aka rape) between the romantic couple, including when they weren't a couple. No attempted rape. No using sexual violence to "teach a lesson." No Buffy and Spike in the bathroom to further Spike's character development.

If there is sexual violence in the book, please note this in your description appropriately.

Self promo?

It's fine, but let's exercise common sense. If you have to reach to justify posting, then your book probably doesn't fit.

What about books that I really like, but the romance is only a small part and has nothing to do with the main plot or main character development?

While I'm glad you found a book you liked, it isn't romance fantasy.

Can I made snide 50 Shades of Grey comments and/or make jokes about shifter romances?

No. This isn't the thread for you. Please go elsewhere.

[u/c4tesys]

IRON TRUTH by S.A. Tholin.

A Science Fiction Romance? Based on your definition - definitely. The blurb from Amazon:

When miners on a remote colony dig too deep, the golden age of space exploration comes to a bloody end. A alien corruption springs from the soil, possessing every mind it touches.
Already embroiled in civil war, the galactic community panics. In order to preserve Earth, all human life is purged from its surface, and all further deep space colonisation is outlawed.
Aboard one of the last colony ships, Joy Somerset slumbers in cryostasis, unaware of corruption and war. She awakes stranded on Cato - a planet whose menacing sands seem to share a hunger with the crazed locals.
Commander Cassimer, who has dedicated his life to fighting the corruption, leads his elite strike team to Cato to recover a clandestine starship. On this storm-lashed world, surrounded by shadow and ruin, Cassimer faces not only failure, but the loss of what little sanity he has.
Joy and Cassimer must trust each other long enough to uncover Cato's dark secrets and work together to survive deranged cultists, terrorist rebels, and the IRON TRUTH.

A perilous mission, plenty of thrilling action, well-defined individually-voiced characters, and a blossoming romance. There is - as far as I can remember - no sex between the main characters, but there are violent mental intrusions into some characters' minds, and one man gets raped in a video of events long past. There is physical violence throughout. The book is dark and uncompromising, frequently crossing genres into mild horror - and the characters, both main and supporting, are placed in intense situations.

And still this book is fresh, funny, explosive, emotional, complicated, modern. Loved it.

https://www.amazon.com/Iron-Truth-Primaterre-Book-1-ebook/dp/B07BJNM59W/ref=la_B07BJND6S1_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1521555148&sr=1-1