Some of you might’ve recently celebrated the release of Onyx Storm, and there are probably many of you who have already breezed through the book looking for your next romantasy read.
For those of you who are completely confused by the term “Onyx Storm,” the novel is the third book in Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean series. The series is another beloved cult classic in the romantasy genre that’s been taking the literary world by storm lately. Many readers have been enjoying the genre for its escapist epic stories with a blend of romance (a little spice never hurt anyone) and often the depiction of empowering female leads.
So whether you’re looking to dive into the genre and need a few places to start, or you’re a seasoned romantasy reader looking for new recommendations, we’ve consulted with some of our favorite romantasy readers to add new books to your TBR list.
A Court of Thorns and Roses - If you haven’t picked up this book yet, consider this your sign. The ACOTAR (the more commonly known acronym) series needs no explanation, the memes you see on your Booktok or Bookstagram page say it all. The first book is like a retelling of the Beauty and the Beast story in the Faerie universe that takes more of a twist as you get into the series. While some have criticized the book for its pacing in the beginning, as it goes on it’s the perfect balance of storytelling, spice, and all things that make a Romantasy book nice.
Crescent City - If you enjoyed ACOTAR, many have also loved the Crescent City series. Sarah J. Maas has created a whole Fae universe full of Romantasy epics. This one in particular follows Bryce Quinlan, a half-human half-fae girl who goes on an adventure with a fallen angel to avenge her best friend who was killed. Like most of Maas’ work, it's full of twists and turns that leave readers hooked every step of the way.
Throne of Glass - The final addition to the Fae world of Sarah J. Maas's stories is the Throne of Glass series. The book follows a young assassin who gets the opportunity to work directly for the king. To do so, she has to compete against other trained thieves for the role, and uncovers the greater mysteries of the kingdom throughout her trials. Many readers suggest that while ACOTAR is more of a romance book with some fantasy, Throne of Glass is the opposite with more fantasy mixed in with some romance.
Powerless - Powerless follows Paedyn, a street thief, outlawed because she is a powerless “ordinary” in a world of “elites” who are gifted with powers. She finds herself thrown into a competition where she has to prove her power to the “elites” even though she has none. While many have compared the dystopian nature of the fantasy world to the Hunger Games, the dynamic between Pae and Kai, the main love interest and elite prince, is reminiscent of Darcy and Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice, snappy and poetic at the same time. There’s no doubt you’ll still be clutching this book at three in the morning.
The Cruel Prince - I first fell in love with Holly Black's writing when I was a kid and she wrote The Spiderwick Chronicles. Her stories are now geared towards more YA fantasy, with books like The Cruel Prince. This book follows Jude, a human in the High Fae Court.s As she fights for a place in their court to fit in, she has to defy the High King’s son, a cruel prince who despises humans. What the book gets most of its praise for is world-building. Think of more traditional folk tales centered around fae culture, and that's exactly the kind of world this book builds and immerses you into.
