Romantasy is the exciting blend of romance and fantasy that has taken the reading world by storm. Readers everywhere are falling in love with magical worlds, swoony characters, and epic love stories all wrapped into one book.
Goodreads ratings help us figure out which books are truly worth our time, and these 19 titles have earned seriously impressive scores from hundreds of thousands of readers. If you are looking for your next great read, this list is a perfect place to start.
1. Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1) by Rebecca Yarros
Few books have taken the romantasy world by storm quite like Fourth Wing. With a jaw-dropping Goodreads rating of 4.56, it is one of the highest-rated books in the genre.
The story follows Violet Sorengail, a young woman who enters a deadly war college for dragon riders.
The tension between Violet and the brooding Xaden Riorson keeps readers glued to every page. Dragons, magic, and a slow-burn romance make this an unforgettable read.
2. Iron Flame (The Empyrean, #2) by Rebecca Yarros
Picking up right where Fourth Wing left off, Iron Flame delivers even more action, heartbreak, and romance. Readers gave it an impressive 4.36 on Goodreads, proving the sequel lived up to enormous expectations.
Violet and Xaden face new dangers that test everything they thought they knew about each other.
The world-building gets richer, the stakes grow higher, and the emotional punches land hard. Fans of the first book will not be disappointed by this thrilling follow-up.
3. A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR, #1) by Sarah J. Maas
Sarah J. Maas practically defined modern romantasy with A Court of Thorns and Roses.
Inspired loosely by Beauty and the Beast, the story pulls readers into a stunning fae world packed with secrets and forbidden feelings. Feyre, a mortal huntress, finds herself trapped in a magical land ruled by dangerous creatures.
The slow-burn romance between Feyre and Tamlin sparked a devoted global fanbase. A solid 4.15 Goodreads rating reflects just how many readers adored this enchanting story.
4. A Court of Mist and Fury (ACOTAR, #2) by Sarah J. Maas
Many fans consider A Court of Mist and Fury the crown jewel of the entire ACOTAR series. Feyre escapes one dangerous situation only to be pulled into a far more complicated world of Night Court politics and powerful magic.
The romance that unfolds here is widely considered one of the best in all of romantasy fiction.
Rhysand quickly became a fan-favorite character for good reason. Emotional depth, stunning world-building, and a love story for the ages make this sequel absolutely unmissable.
5. Spark of the Everflame (Kindred’s Curse, #1) by Penn Cole
Penn Cole burst onto the romantasy scene with Spark of the Everflame, earning a respectable 4.17 on Goodreads. The story centers on Diem, a young woman who discovers she carries a forbidden magical power in a world where magic means death.
Every chapter builds suspense as she tries to hide her gift while navigating a dangerous royal court.
A forbidden romance adds even more heat to the story. Readers who enjoy magic-fueled tension and complex heroines will absolutely love this debut series opener.
6. Daughter of No Worlds (The War of Lost Hearts, #1) by Carissa Broadbent
Carissa Broadbent crafted something truly special with Daughter of No Worlds, a romantasy that earned a 4.02 rating on Goodreads. The story follows Tisaanah, a former slave with a rare magical talent, as she fights for freedom and power in a war-torn world.
Her relationship with the reluctant mage Maxantarius is layered, complicated, and deeply satisfying.
The magic system is creative and the emotional storytelling is genuinely moving. Fans of character-driven romantasy will find this series a hidden gem worth discovering.
7. Gild (The Plated Prisoner, #1) by Raven Kennedy
Raven Kennedy reimagined the myth of King Midas in a bold and unexpected way with Gild. The protagonist, Auren, is Midas’s prized possession, literally gilded in gold and kept in a luxurious cage.
What sounds like a fairy tale quickly becomes a gripping story about power, control, and the desire for freedom.
The writing is lush and atmospheric, drawing readers deep into this glittering world. A 3.62 Goodreads rating reflects a passionate fanbase that grew steadily with each new installment.
8. One Dark Window (The Shepherd King, #1) by Rachel Gillig
Gothic atmosphere and a deliciously dark romance make One Dark Window stand out from the romantasy crowd. Rachel Gillig created a world where a mysterious illness plagues the land and magic comes at a terrifying cost.
Elspeth shares her mind with a dark entity called the Nightmare, and that internal conflict drives the story in fascinating directions.
The slow-burn romance between Elspeth and Ravyn is tense and brooding. Readers who enjoy darker, moodier romantasy will feel right at home with this atmospheric debut.
9. Divine Rivals (Letters of Enchantment, #1) by Rebecca Ross
Rivals-to-lovers romance gets a magical twist in Divine Rivals, one of the most beloved romantasy releases in recent years. Two ambitious journalists compete for the same job while secretly exchanging letters through an enchanted typewriter, not knowing who is on the other end.
Rebecca Ross layers the story with themes of war, loss, and the courage it takes to love someone fully.
The writing is lyrical and deeply emotional. This book has earned a devoted following for its heartfelt storytelling and unforgettable romantic tension.
10. The Serpent and the Wings of Night (Crowns of Nyaxia, #1) by Carissa Broadbent
Carissa Broadbent proves her range with this thrilling vampire romantasy set in a deadly tournament world. Oraya, the only human contestant in a competition designed for vampires, must fight to survive while navigating an unexpected and dangerous attraction to her most formidable rival.
The tension is electric from the very first chapter.
Broadbent builds a rich and original mythology around the goddess Nyaxia that feels fresh and exciting. Fans of high-stakes competition arcs paired with sizzling romance consistently rank this among their all-time favorites.
11. Powerless (Powerless, #1) by Lauren Roberts
Lauren Roberts flipped the typical romantasy script with Powerless, where the heroine has absolutely no magical abilities in a world that demands them. Paedyn Gray must fake her way through the Purging Trials, a brutal competition that eliminates those without powers.
Her dynamic with the elite and arrogant Kai Azer crackles with sharp wit and undeniable chemistry.
The pacing is fast and the banter is genuinely fun to read. Powerless became a massive BookTok sensation and earned its spot among the most-read romantasy novels of recent years.
12. Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1) by Sarah J. Maas
Before ACOTAR, Sarah J. Maas introduced readers to Celaena Sardothien, one of the most iconic heroines in all of fantasy fiction.
Throne of Glass follows the world’s deadliest assassin as she competes in a tournament to win her freedom from a brutal prison. The blend of political intrigue, action, and romance hooked readers from page one.
Celaena’s sharp personality and hidden vulnerabilities make her feel genuinely real. An eight-book series followed this debut, and it all started with this one unforgettable opening chapter.
13. From Blood and Ash (Blood and Ash, #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Jennifer L. Armentrout created a romantasy phenomenon with From Blood and Ash.
Poppy is the Chosen, a sacred maiden forbidden from being touched or truly known by anyone, until her guard Hawke enters her life and changes everything. The forbidden romance is intense, the plot twists are genuinely shocking, and the world-building is layered and immersive.
Armentrout writes chemistry between characters better than almost anyone in the genre. Millions of readers have devoured this series, and it all begins with this explosive first installment.
14. House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City, #1) by Sarah J. Maas
Sarah J. Maas blended urban fantasy with romantasy in a fresh and exciting way with House of Earth and Blood.
Set in the glittering, modern-feeling city of Crescent City, the story follows Bryce Quinlan as she investigates a string of brutal murders while wrestling with grief and unexpected feelings for Hunt Athalar, a fallen angel. The world feels unlike anything else in the genre.
Maas balances humor, heartbreak, and high-octane action effortlessly throughout. Fans of her other series will find plenty to love here, along with some truly epic surprises.
15. Onyx Storm (The Empyrean, #3) by Rebecca Yarros
Rebecca Yarros returned to the world of Navarre with Onyx Storm, the third chapter in the Empyrean series and arguably its most ambitious entry yet. Violet faces threats that go far beyond anything she encountered in the war college, and the stakes for the entire world have never been higher.
New alliances, shocking revelations, and heart-pounding action fill every chapter.
The romance between Violet and Xaden reaches new emotional depths here. Fans who were already obsessed with this series found Onyx Storm to be a deeply satisfying and thrilling continuation.
16. A Discovery of Witches (All Souls, #1) by Deborah Harkness
Long before the current romantasy boom, Deborah Harkness captivated readers with A Discovery of Witches. Diana Bishop, a historian and reluctant witch, accidentally uncovers a bewitched manuscript in Oxford’s Bodleian Library that draws every creature in the magical world to her door.
Her relationship with the centuries-old vampire Matthew Clairmont is both tender and thrillingly dangerous.
The story weaves history, science, and magic together in a way that feels genuinely intelligent. Fans of slower-paced, richly detailed romantasy will find this trilogy deeply rewarding from start to finish.
17. Quicksilver (Fae and Alchemy, #1) by Callie Hart
Callie Hart’s Quicksilver generated serious buzz when it released, quickly earning a devoted following among romantasy readers everywhere. The story follows Saeris Fane, a young woman pulled into the dangerous and beautiful world of the fae against her will.
A morally complex fae lord and a mystery tied to ancient alchemy keep the plot moving at a breathless pace.
The world Hart builds feels genuinely original, with a magic system rooted in transformation and precious metals. Readers who love fae romantasy with a darker edge consistently rave about this series opener.
18. When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker
When the Moon Hatched arrived with enormous anticipation and fully delivered on its promise. Sarah A.
Parker built a world where dragons sleep as moons in the sky and hatch in cycles that shape the fate of civilizations below. The romance between the two leads unfolds across timelines in a way that is both heartbreaking and deeply satisfying.
Parker’s prose is lyrical and lush, making every scene feel vivid and emotionally resonant. Readers who crave romantasy with truly unique world-building have called this one of the most imaginative books they have ever encountered.
19. Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg
Not every great romantasy has to be dark and dangerous. Charlie N.
Holmberg delivers a warm and cozy experience with Keeper of Enchanted Rooms, set in a sentient haunted house in 1800s New England. Merritt Fernsby inherits a magical home that seems to have a personality all its own, and the BSBA wizard sent to help him becomes someone far more important than expected.
The slow-burn romance feels natural and genuinely sweet. Readers who prefer their magic with a side of charm and whimsy call this book an absolute comfort read.