The best romantasy books to start with (and get hooked)
Romance and fantasy in equal measure: the genre that took over every shelf. Where to start depending on the vibe you're after — spoiler-free.
Updated for 2026 · 11 books · Sorted by entry point
The list
From the big gateway books to the quieter gems.
Fourth Wing (The Empyrean #1)
Rebecca Yarros
The phenomenon that changed everything: a brutal war college for dragon riders where the weak die, and Violet Sorrengail isn't supposed to survive. If you only try one romantasy, make it this one.
+ Add to my libraryA Court of Thorns and Roses
Sarah J. Maas
The series that defined modern romantasy. Starts as Beauty and the Beast with fae, becomes something much bigger — nearly everyone agrees A Court of Mist and Fury is one of the genre's high points.
+ Add to my libraryThrone of Glass
Sarah J. Maas
A teenage assassin competing for her freedom under a king she despises. Eight books that grow into full-blown epic fantasy. For readers who want a long-term commitment.
+ Add to my libraryFrom Blood and Ash
Jennifer L. Armentrout
A Maiden sworn to the gods, a guard with secrets, and tension you could cut with a knife. One of the spicier picks on this list, with one of the most devoted fandoms around.
+ Add to my libraryThe Cruel Prince
Holly Black
Jude, a human raised in the fae court, decides to earn her place through cunning and betrayal. Less explicit romance, more deliciously venomous politics. Ideal if you love morally grey characters.
+ Add to my libraryDivine Rivals
Rebecca Ross
Two rival journalists writing each other enchanted letters without knowing who's on the other side, with a war of gods in the background. The most tender, best-written entry here. Perfect if you're coming from romance.
+ Add to my librarySerpent & Dove
Shelby Mahurin
A witch and a witch hunter forced to marry. The enemies-under-one-roof trope executed with humour and outrageous chemistry.
+ Add to my libraryHouse of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1)
Sarah J. Maas
Adult urban fantasy: parties, demons, a murder investigation and a broken heroine rebuilding herself. Maas's third series — for many, her most mature.
+ Add to my libraryUprooted
Naomi Novik
An immortal wizard who takes a village girl every ten years, a corrupted forest, and magic that feels genuinely ancient. A standalone — no five-book wait — and gorgeous.
+ Add to my libraryWhen the Moon Hatched
Sarah A. Parker
The self-published sensation: a world where dragons fall as moons, and a rebel assassin with a past she can't reach. Intricate, weird in the best way, and everywhere on BookTok for good reason.
+ Add to my libraryQuicksilver
Callie Hart
A thief with a gift she doesn't understand and a lethal, insufferably attractive fae. Dark, fast, and home to one of the most talked-about slow burns of recent years.
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What is romantasy?
Romance and fantasy blended in equal measure: the love story doesn't work without the fantasy world, and vice versa. It's publishing's fastest-growing genre, driven by The Empyrean and ACOTAR.
Which one should I start with?
Action and dragons → Fourth Wing. Fae courts and slow burn → A Court of Thorns and Roses. Gentle and beautifully written → Divine Rivals.
What order do I read ACOTAR in?
Publication order: A Court of Thorns and Roses → A Court of Mist and Fury → A Court of Wings and Ruin → A Court of Frost and Starlight → A Court of Silver Flames.
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