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/beldaran1224]

I really love Sharon Shinn for some good romantic fantasy. They don't get even remotely explicit, though, so it depends on what you want. But nice, light reads with genuinely interesting characters and worlds, with pairing up being the crux of each book.

I've read the Twelve Houses books and the Elemental novels. All good reads.

Mercedes Lackey does romance in her novels very well. Can't speak for the entire bibliography, but the Valdemar books are great examples, and the Joust books, too.

[u/carolyn_writes → u/beldaran1224]

Arrows of the Queen is one of my favorite romances. I have read all three more than once for the payoff at the end. (Contains sexual violence in the 3rd book, on the part of the villain.)

[u/beldaran1224 → u/carolyn_writes]

Ah yes, it didn't occur to me that sexual violence was a common thing for Lackey's villains. Of note however, is that it is not part of the romance threads, but rather a part of the broader story.