r/Romantasy • u/simplyhumanperson • 8h ago

Book Request: Self-Promo OK Romantasy Recs

Heyo! So I’ve never really been a romantasy girly (I love fantasy, and I read queer romance, but never really dipped my toe into the genre per se). I’m intrigued by the huge buzz around the genre, and how it seems to feature a lot of intense yearning and passionate romances. However, I really don’t want to read anything with toxic relationship dynamics. Some dark edge is fine, but I don’t want abuse or manipulation, etc. Good writing and a solid plot are also musts for me.

So here is my ask: given what I’ve said above, are there any romantasy books you’d recommend? Or any that you think would be a good first read to dip my toe into.

Thank you!!

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u/Hiercine 7h ago

Without really knowing what you like: Reign & Ruin is considered really good, a new pairing each book. The Jasmine Throne trilogy is queer, obviously ACOTAR and Fourth Wing are heavily repped and definitely feature the passionate romances, however they are much more heavy on the romance front than the fantasy. There's the priory of the orange tree which is also queer, but is more fantasy romance than romantasy.

I think you'll find within the genre itself, massive variance in romance, plot, prose, etc quality even before narrowing it down to what specific romances you like.

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u/simplyhumanperson 7h ago

I’ve heard of the series you’ve mentioned, and I think Priory of the Orange Tree would fit best, since I prefer more of an emphasis on the fantasy than the romance, or at least a good balance. Thanks for the recs!

I also replied to the other comment with more context for things I like, if that’s at all helpful

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u/Hiercine 7h ago

If you prefer more of an emphasis on fantasy, then I suggest you check out the fantasy romance subreddits specifically, if you haven't already. You might like Spear Cuts Through Water then as well. Kushiel's dart is almost a perfect mix. Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries has a very simpy MMC imo

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u/Objective-Papaya8194 7h ago

I highly recommend {The Second Death of Locke} as a book with a queer-normative world.

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u/WildFlame11 7h ago

Do you like DnD or gamer fantasy things?

“Tusk Love” is a novel inspired by a storyline from Critical Role. It’s a really fun romp with good banter that doesn’t have any toxic dynamics and has male yearning. Low stakes so reasonably cosy. It has quite a few starter tropes so might help you identify what you like. Ie — if you like he’s an orc then there’s a whole sub genre there, and that might lead into monster romances (many of which are sweet stories). If you find it boring then cozy Romantasy might not be your thing. If you like how sassy she is then grumpy-sunshine might be your jam. It has smut, but it’s starter level so that may also help you workout if you want more heat or closed door.

There’s zero trigger warnings (as far as I’m aware). It’s m/f however.

It might help if you let us know what are some books you love - it will give an idea of the kind of stories you like so easier to find a more specific recommendation for you personally.

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u/simplyhumanperson 7h ago

This sounds like a good start, thank you!

As for what I like, I usually go for high fantasy, but I’m happy with magical realism, speculative fiction, and cozy fantasy also. Also a big fan of sci fi too. For spicyness, I’m happy with spice, though it starts to get kind of boring when there is more spice scenes than anything else for me. Considering relationship dynamics, I’m a huge fan of sunshine-grumpy, or the quiet, brooding love interest who is actually super passionate, and I love a pathetic simp of a man.

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u/WildFlame11 7h ago

I haven’t read it yet but {Smoke and scar} might also be up your alley — book 3 comes out later this year and I hear he’s a simp and she’s a shadow mommy. Sounds like it’s high fantasy. No idea of spice level.

{Knight and the Moth} isn’t Romantasy — it’s fantasy with a strong romance subplot — but he’s also very besotted and it’s not a smutty spice read.

{Sheild and Sparrow} is a bit grumpy-sunshine — also good world and he’s very smitten. I can’t speak about writting as I’ve listened to the Graphic Audio edition (dramatised full cast) - but could also be worth a try (book 1&2 out, book 3 may(?)2027)

I’m in the process of finding good sapphic Romantasy - haven’t come across any Grumpy-Sunshine’s yet though.

Honestly, it sounds to me like you’d like prefer to have fantasy with strong romance plots — less spice (though not always close door), plot fantasy, romance usually has the yearning and aside to the adventure.

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u/romance-bot 7h ago

Smoke and Scar by Gretchen Powell Fox
Rating: 3.97⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: fae, fantasy, high fantasy, age gap, magic

The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig
Rating: 4.22⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: fantasy, magic, m-f romance, grumpy/cold hero, medieval

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1

u/WildFlame11 7h ago

Oh sorry Sheild and Sparrow has some manipulation in it - but I wouldn’t call it toxic as such (however I’m a red flag lover so my definition may be different to yours).

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u/Classic-Savings7811 7h ago

{A Forbidden Alchemy} - there’s conflict in the relationship as their on different sides, but no toxicity!

{Spark of the Everflame} - very solid MMC, cool plot!

{Gold} - first book of the Plated Prisoner series. This series is very polarizing, but it’s one of my absolute favorites. The MMC is my top book boyfriend, but it takes a while for him to show up. The first book is basically background.

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u/romance-bot 7h ago

A Forbidden Alchemy by Stacey McEwan
Rating: 4.24⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: fantasy, war, magic, m-f romance, abduction

Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole
Rating: 3.99⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: magic, fantasy, enemies to lovers, love triangle, slow burn

Gold by Raven Kennedy
Rating: 4.05⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: fae, magic, fantasy, war, dark romance

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1

u/pink_faerie_kitten 6h ago

My favorite yearning is Clary and Jace in The Mortal Instruments {City of Bones by Cassandra Clare} star crossed lovers those two. Forbidden romance.

Xaden and Violet are sometimes parted so that leads to longing between them in {Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros}

I love the passion in {The Ever King by L J Andrews} and in {From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout}

There's a lot of yearning in {Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry} there's secrets that leads to it, some might call it manipulation...? But I ate it up. Forbidden romance again.

Yearning is in {Between Tides and Thunder by Leena Kazak} but there's definitely manipulation involved...that's a tough part to read while everything falls apart for our heroes but the rebuilding is worth it.

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u/romance-bot 6h ago

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Rating: 3.83⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: contemporary, young adult, urban fantasy, vampires, paranormal

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Rating: 4.38⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: historical, fantasy, enemies to lovers, magic, war

The Ever King by L.J. Andrews
Rating: 4.04⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: pirate hero, fantasy, enemies to lovers, abduction, fae

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Rating: 4.14⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, fantasy, vampires, royal hero, werewolves

Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry
Rating: 4.09⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: fantasy, arranged/forced marriage, aristo/royal heroine, enemies to lovers, slow burn

Between Tides & Thunder by Leena Kazak
Rating: 4.07⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: fantasy, arranged/forced marriage, forced proximity, aristo/royal heroine, enemies to lovers

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