Romantasy Book Recommendations for Readers New to Romantasy!

If you are even remotely a part of the online book community, chances are you have seen some romantasy book recommendations flooding your feed. Romantasy book series have absolutely exploded over the past couple of years, and this genre has become more popular than ever thanks to TikTok.

If you’re new the genre, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out where to start which is why I created this guide to the best romantasy books for adults. I emphasize for adults because this post will not contain any YA (young adult) recommendations. These books contain explicit romantic scenes, so if you are not into that, I will link my YA romantasy recommendations list once I post it. For all of my spicy romance lovers, this one is for you!

If you’ve ever searched for the best romantasy books for adults, it’s nearly impossible that you didn’t find ACOTAR on the list. This series was one of the big catalysts behind the romantasy boom a few years ago, and its popularity hasn’t slowed down since.

ACOTAR is a great entry point into fantasy because the first book doesn’t have as much world-building as some other series, making it a little easier to jump into. Plus, if you’re about to dive in, I’ve got a spoiler-free A Court of Thorns and Roses guide to help you get started!

The premise of ACOTAR actually kicks off similarly to Beauty and the Beast, so if you’re familiar with that story, the series will feel pretty accessible. This was my introduction to romantasy books for adults, and I was instantly hooked.

There are currently five books out, and while a sixth book is on the way, there’s no word yet on the release date.

Fourth Wing is probably going to top any romantasy recommendations you come across, no matter who you ask. These books have been firmly planted on the New York Times Best Seller list since Fourth Wing came out, and it’s easy to see why—they’re completely addicting.

Some might say Fourth Wing is just like any other romantasy series, but I have to disagree. I’ve yet to read another series where dragons are main characters. They have their own agendas, personalities, and actually drive the story forward, rather than just being sidekicks to their humans.

The world-building in book 1 is pretty light compared to the next two, which is great for fantasy newbies. And if you need a little help navigating the world, I’ve got a Spoiler-Free Fourth Wing Series World Guide for you!

This is Rebecca Yarros’ first fantasy series (she’s known for her contemporary romances), and it’s truly incredible. I’d recommend it to anyone interested in diving into fantasy. So far, three out of five books have been released: Iron Flame (book 2) and Onyx Storm (book 3). As for book 4? No release date yet, but the series is definitely worth the wait!

Let’s take a quick break from series and dive into some standalone romantasy books, starting with Bride by Ali Hazelwood. Much like Fourth Wing, this was Ali’s first fantasy romance book (she’s better known for her contemporary romances, like Rebecca Yarros).

If you’ve read ACOTAR or Fourth Wing, you’ve been introduced to faeries, dragons, and plenty of exciting magic. But Bride is perfect for all the vampire lovers out there. The story follows Misery, the daughter of vampire royalty, who’s forced into an arranged marriage with an alpha werewolf. In this world, vampires and werewolves are fierce rivals, so if you’re into enemies-to-lovers tropes, this one’s for you.

It’s a pretty quick and easy read that had me hooked from the very start. Sure, there are a few cringy moments (which I’ll admit are in most of Ali’s books), but they’re totally worth it for the story!

Once you’ve dived into the previous three books/series, you’ll have enough fantasy world background to jump into Serpent and the Wings of Night.

This series does a bit more world-building upfront compared to the others, but trust me, it’s totally worth it. Carissa Broadbent is an incredible romantasy author (you’ll find a few of her books on this list!), and Serpent and the Wings of Night is definitely one of my favorites.

What’s really cool about this series is that it’s split into two separate duologies, making it a total of four books. So, after finishing the first two books, you’ll have a complete story, but then you get to explore the world even more in the Songbird and the Heart of Stone duology. And if that’s not enough, there are also several standalone romantasy books in the Crowns of Nyaxia series to enjoy!

The final book in this series, The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk, is set to release in August 2025—so there’s still plenty of time to get caught up before it drops!

Still in the Crowns of Nyaxia world, we have Six Scorched Roses—a romantasy novella that might just be one of the best adult romantasy books out there. At less than 200 pages, it’s a quick read, but it packs a full, beautiful story and some seriously swoon-worthy romance into just 187 pages!

If you’ve been powering through long fantasy books or series, this one is the perfect “bite-sized” break. If you’re already familiar with the Crowns of Nyaxia world, you’ll slip right in with no problem, and the romance will definitely leave you swooning. It’s honestly one of my all-time favorite romantasy reads!

I couldn’t leave out Slaying the Vampire Conqueror from the Crowns of Nyaxia series! While it’s not exactly a must-read if you’re new to fantasy, it’s a fun pick if you’ve already read the other books in the series. If you’re looking to keep riding the vampire wave, this one’s a great way to continue the vibe.

It’s a quick, standalone read that’s just as exciting as the rest of the series—perfect if you want more vampire action without diving into something too long!

Shifting gears from vampires (but still keeping Carissa in the mix) is the War of Lost Hearts trilogy. This series is already complete, which is a big plus—it means you won’t be left hanging for years, wondering how it all ends! At just three books, this series feels more approachable compared to those lengthy, multi-book epics. It’s a manageable commitment, and you can dive in without worrying about an overwhelming number of pages.

While other series I’ve mentioned so far dive into mythical creatures like vampires, fairies, and dragons, War of Lost Hearts is all about magic. It’s a unique and refreshing take, blending elements of fantasy with powerful magical humans.

If you’ve already read ACOTAR and fallen in love with Sarah J. Maas’ world of romantasy, you’re in luck—she’s got two other series to dive into, and I’d recommend starting with Crescent City. I know it’s a bit of a controversial opinion, but it’s one I stand by when it comes to a Sarah J. Maas reading order.

The first book in the Crescent City series, House of Earth and Blood, offers a much more futuristic take on fantasy. It’s set in a world with cell phones, electricity, cars, and all the modern conveniences, which makes it feel more like a “normal” society than the traditional medieval-inspired settings you see in other fantasy series (no candlelit dinners or inns here!).

Crescent City can be a bit confusing at first, which is why I put together a Spoiler Free Crescent City World Gide to help you out. And seriously, avoid Googling anything about the series—you don’t want to accidentally spoil any surprises.

One thing that often intimidates readers is the length of each book in the series—they’re almost 800 pages each! But I do think Crescent City is a great series to dive into after finishing ACOTAR. It’s a bit of a commitment, but totally worth it.

Rounding out the Sarah J. Maas world, we have Throne of Glass. I’m putting this one last on the list because it’s technically considered YA, unlike the rest of the books on here. But honestly, it’s such a foundational series in the romantasy world that leaving it off would feel like a crime.

With 8 books in the series, it’s definitely a big commitment, but Throne of Glass is what I’d consider an epic fantasy. It’s kind of like Game of Thrones in the sense that it gives you so much story, with characters who change and grow over the course of these 8 books. The stakes are sky-high, and the plot twists just keep coming.

And if you’re thinking, “Claudia, do you have a Spoiler-Free Throne of Glass world guide?” Well, yes I do! It’s ready to help you dive in without any spoilers!

And those are my romantasy book recommendations for anyone new to the genre! I can’t wait to share some YA romantasy recommendations with you soon. Happy reading!