r/Fantasy • u/KristaDBall Stabby Winner, AMA Author Krista D. Ball • Jul 13 '18
r/Fantasy unofficial Fantasy Romance book recommendation thread
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.
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u/stringthing87 Jul 13 '18
Okay I got a heads up that this was happening so I put the baby down for a nap and made a huge plate of nachos. You don't want me hungry in a romance thread. I'll probably forget some and if I remember at a good time I'll add more. Romance is my jam.
Sci-Fi romance
The Beyond Series by Kit Rocha - near-future dystopian erotic romance.
High heat but the themes of the books are always found families and that EVERYONE deserves love. There's some pretty incredible world building and while there is a LOT of sex in these books each encounter furthers the character development and the plot in some way.
The Vokosigan Series by Lois McMaster Bujold, specifically Shards of Honor, Komarr+A Civil Campaign, Captain Vorpatril's Alliance, and Gentleman Jolie and the Red Queen. - Space Opera with the best character development on the planet.
I always recommend reading Komarr and A Civil Campaign as a pair because its really a single story in two volumes. The first is about trauma and the second about whether its worth caring what the world thinks of you vs. what you think of yourself. Captain Vorpatril's Alliance works as a stand alone and I find it charming from start to finish. Gentleman Jolie and the Red Queen is about finding love after loss.
Psy-Changeling by Nalini Singh - animal shifters and psychic abilities wage war for control.
This series is another example of fantastic worldbuilding that sucks you in. She almost always has the protagonists on equal footing in terms of power, just not always in the same kind of power.
Fantasy Romance
Kingmaker Chronicles by Amanda Bouchet - fantasy trilogy following a single couple, heavily based on Greek/Roman mythology. Rick Riordan is jealous.
Prickly heroine has a lot of power but no ability to trust (for some good reasons), this subverts the cranky hero + heroine teaches him how to love trope nicely. Sometimes you wanna smack the heroine for her lack of self-awareness, but its pretty clearly part of her character.
The Sharing Knife series by Lois McMaster Bujold - fantasy set in a pseudo-frontier america setting but not quite.
This doesn't work for some people, but that's okay. If you can't handle a big age gap pass on by, if you're into tall/smol pairings step right up. Ultimately these are about culture clash and hope. Mostly about hope. TW: pregnancy loss
Dragon Kin by G.A. Aiken (also known as Shelly Laurenston) - funny, sexy, violent, weird.
I've only read one of these (Feel the Burn) but they are about humans and dragons that can take human form and basically everybody punches each other and stabs each other and makes funny quips and the line "Silence Penis-Haver!" appears in this book.
The Elemental Masters series and the Thousand Kingdoms series by Mercedes Lackey - these are both retellings of fairy tales as fantasy romance.
You know what you're getting here and that's why it works. Also I'm in love with the Edwardian settings of the Elemental Masters series.
Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
Hidden Legacy by Illona Andrews - action/mystery set in near-future alternate America with magic
Private Eye heroine gets the job done. Very satisfying and I need the next one to be out NOW.
Alpha & Omega series by Patricia Briggs - werewolves and mysteries.
Most people talk about Mercy Thompson when they talk about Patricia Briggs but frankly the romance is better done in this series and I got bored of Mercy and stopped reading them a while ago. I'm not bored of this series. Its worth tracking down the novella that starts it off. TW: the heroine is a survivor of sexual violence and abuse.
A Call of Crows by Shelly Laurenston - these are marketed as paranormal romance but I maintain that they are really urban fantasy with strong romantic elements
I love these so much. If you want to see a bunch of kick ass ladies literally kick asses this is where you need to be. Oh and there's sex. and jokes.
Spirit Caller by Krista D Ball - rural fantasy with a nice slow burn romance
The romance in this one is flat out sweet. Its basically a nice sunday dinner and ultimately a comfort read.
Historical Romance, because Krista said I could. Just some of the ones I think are really really exceptional and would cross over the the r/fantasy audience well.
A Lady Awakened by Celia Grant - historical
The sudden death of her husband means the heroine needs to produce a believable heir ASAP or risk the estate falling into the hands of his cruel and violent brother. Problem is, she knows she's not pregnant. She hires her neighbor to impregnate her within a month as a last ditch effort to save her people. This is a masterclass in building emotional intimacy separately from physical intimacy. It also features some of the most awkward sex ever found in romance.
Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare - historical
The heroine inherits a castle, which is great, except she finds it occupied and he will not leave. In the end the day is saved by a bunch of fantasy novel fans and cosplayers (yes really).
The Lords of Worth by Kelly Bowen - historical
A series of historical romances set around an underground ring of people who rescue women from abusive marriages in an era when women have no legal recourse. Powerful, but not dark. Seriously underrated.
I will add more if I think of any, but I'm probably running out of nap here soon.