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Thanks to cult-favourite and best-selling series like Fourth Wing (The Empyrean series) and A Court Of Thorns And Roses, a romantasy craze has taken over the world. BookTok member or not, you can’t deny that there’s nothing quite as enthralling as the escape these stories provide. There’s tension, love, fighting, dragons, fairies, and everyone’s favourite… smut.
Don’t act like you’re above the spicy stuff. Because you’re clearly not if you’ve devoured a series that’s left a gaping hole in your heart after the final chapter *cough* Onyx Storm *cough*.
No, I’m still not over that ending. Yes, I think of Violet and Xaden on a daily basis. Don’t question it.
If you’re anything like me, sitting impatiently and twiddling your thumbs while you wait for Rebecca Yarros or Sarah J. Maas to get a move on with the next book in their respective viral series’, don’t fret. Allow me to add a bunch of thrilling book recs to your ‘to read’ pile .
Here are 11 of the best romantasy books to dive into if you’re feeling deprived of your spicy book content.
11 Romantasy Books For Those Of You Who Read For The Plot With A Side Of Smut
Zodiac Academy: The Awakening (Zodiac Academy Series)
If you hate the creeping knowledge that your beloved series is coming to an end as you get deeper into it, you’ll love Zodiac Academy, which comprises 12 books (and multiple spinoff books)! It follows twins and lost Fae princesses, Darcy and Tory Vega (lol for Victorious fans), as they learn to harness their powers at the academy. Oh, and the odds are against them — a trope we all love.
When The Moon Hatched (Moonfall Series)
When The Moon Hatched follows Raeve, an assassin who is kidnapped by dragon riders — I’m invested already. It’s witty, fast-paced, and full of spice. This book is the first of a two-part series, with the second book, The Ballad Of Falling Dragons, set to release in February 2026.
Blood Of Hercules (Villains Of Lore Series)
What if you thought you were completely normal, only to find out you’re not just destined to be a warrior, but basically a god? That’s the fate of Alexis Hart, who discovers she’s been blessed with immortality in Blood Of Hercules, book one of the two-part series, Villains Of Lore. The plot follows her as she is honed into a warrior, fights off monsters, and fights for survival.
Filled with dark romance, Gods, gladiators, and warriors and prophecies, this is an enthralling read for anyone who loves an extreme enemies-to-lovers arc and morally gray alpha heroes.
Quicksilver (Fae & Alchemy Series)
Miss your daily dose of shadow wielder Xaden Riorson? Allow me to introduce you to another shadowy, morally gray tortured love interest in Quicksilver, the first book of the Fae & Alchemy series.
It follows Saeris Fane, a 24-year-old alchemist with hidden powers who accidentally re-opens a gateway between realms when she faces Death head-on, transporting her to a land of ice and snow. It’s here where she discovers Fae are not only real, but are nothing like the myths explain them to be, especially one particularly good-looking Fae warrior, Kingfisher.
This is the first book of what Callie Hart has said will be a trilogy, with the second book to be released on November 18, 2025. She also wants to release two additional side character books once the series is complete, so there’s heaps to look forward to!
Powerless (The Powerless Trilogy)
You know how every heroine in a romantasy book has an innate power that trumps all and conquers evil? Yeah, Powerless isn’t that. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. In a world where ‘Ordinary’s’ are shunned and only the Elite thrive, protagonist Paedyn poses as a Psychic in the city of Elites, attempting to blend in so that she can stay alive. All of this gets complicated when she finds herself in The Purging Trials, the competition that showcases the Elites’ powers. Survival, as well as fighting falling for the prince that’s caught her eye, are the only way forward.
Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass Series)
If you’re an ACOTAR fan, Throne Of Glass is probably already on your ‘to read’ list, or you’ve read it already. While TOG and ACOTAR exist in the same megaverse, they’re not directly connected, so you don’t have to read one before the other. Some people say to read ACOTAR first, while others say TOG is the way to go, so really, it’s up to you which one you pick.
TOG follows Celaena Sardothien, a prisoner of the king who has to kill 23 opponents to win her freedom. But when they start dying one by one, Celaena has to fight not only for her release, but for her survival.
It’s an eight book series, so you’ll be preoccupied for months. Go forth, my friend!
Taming the Alpha (Crescent Moon Series)
If you like Twilight, you’ll LOVE Taming The Alpha and the Crescent Moon series. It’s by Savannah Stuart, following werewolf pack-leader Grant struggle to win back the only woman who he’s ever cared about, Talia. But there’s two problems: 1. She’s his employee, 2. He’s broken his no-involvement-with-humans rule. He’ll do anything to get her back, including using sex to his advantage. On top of all this, he has to do it without exposing his back — and the fact that he’s not entirely human.
The Crescent Moon series is hot, spicy, and full of twists. A must read!
The Serpent And The Wings Of Night (Crowns of Nyaxia)
Again, if you love Twilight, this will be right up your alley. The Serpents And The Wings Of Night by Carissa Broadbent is kinda like if a vampire fantasy and The Hunger Games had a baby.
It follows Oraya, the adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, as she enters the Kejari, a tournament held by the goddess of death. It’s her only chance to prove that she’s more than prey, but in order to survive, she has to make an ally of the mysterious Raihn, enemy of her father’s crown. It’s juicy, and the kind of romance that’s definitely not supposed to happen, but you’re rooting for them anyway.
The Prison Healer (The Prison Healer Series)
The Prison Healer is more of a YA romantasy, so the spicy scenes are less graphic, but it’s a thrilling story nonetheless. It follows 17-year-old Kiva Meridan as she fights for survival in Zalindov, a notorious death prison. She enters the Trial By Ordeal in an effort to save the terminally ill Rebel Queen, who she’s been assigned to protect. If she succeeds? Freedom for herself and the Queen will follow. But if she fails? Death awaits. And no one has ever survived.
Once Upon A Broken Heart (Once Upon A Broken Heart Series)
Good things come in threes. Once Upon A Broken Heart pushes the boundaries on how far people would go for love. Protagonist Evangeline Fox is desperate to win back the love of her life after she discovers he is destined to marry someone else, so enlists the help of the wicked Prince of Hearts. In exchange, the prince makes Evangeline promise him three kisses, which he can cash in whenever he chooses — and he may not have her best interests at heart.
Crier’s War (Crier’s War Series)
The Crier’s War duology is for the girls and gays. This queer romantasy book is full of politics, forbidden love and rebellion — all the good stuff. The plot follows Automa ruler and a human girl whose fates become hazardously linked, especially as their world edges closer to a revolution.
Protagonist and human servant Ayla wants to murder the Sovereign’s daughter, Lady Crier, to avenge her family. Lady Crier is supposed to inherit her father’s kingdom, but is discovering her father may have had ill-intentions. When they meet, everything goes haywire, including Lady Crier’s betrothal to the shady Scyre Kinok.
Now go forth and enjoy your escape, my fellow bookworm!
Image Credit: @gracykall / @thtgrlreads / @kaylahuchko
