Romantasy 101: riveting romantasies from Sarah J. Maas, Rebecca Yarros, and more
In case you missed it, “romantasy” is all the buzz in the reading world. What exactly is it? It’s a portmanteau of romance and fantasy—think, world building in a magical realm plus an epic love story, and perfect escapist reading. In honor of the latest trend, the Amazon Book Editors are sharing some of our favorite romantasy titles by Rebecca Yarros, Sarah J. Maas, and more.
Check out our Best Romance Books of the Month for more romantasy titles, as well as our Best Books of the Month across all genres.
Fourth Wing was one of the buzziest books of 2023—and we named it one of the Best Books of the Year—along with the sequel, Iron Flame. It is compulsively readable and the perfect blend of fantastical world building and passionate, spicy romance. And let’s not forget the dragons. For those who grew up with Harry Potter and The Hunger Games, this series, which includes two books to date, is the adult version, thrilling and sexy. Threaded throughout the life-and-death stakes is an electrifying (literally) enemies-to-lovers romance between Violet Sorrengail and her family’s nemesis, Xaden Riorson. To say I’m impatiently waiting for book three is a dragon-sized understatement. —Kami Tei, Amazon Editor
Readers who are looking for a mix of fantasy, romance, and mystery with a feisty heroine, look no further than the Crescent City series. The first book, House of Earth and Blood, follows Bryce, a party girl living her best life with her wild group of friends, late-night clubs, and boy toys to play with. However, the mysterious death of a close friend sends Bryce on a path toward vengeance that has her joining forces with Fallen angel Hunt Athalar. Fierce and determined, Bryce will stop at nothing to get the answers she desires, even it if means pissing off some very powerful people. Suspenseful yet sexy, this is a whirlwind of a saga. The third book, House of Flame and Shadow, was just released, and Maas announced a fourth book is coming! —Kami Tei, Amazon Editor
The first in Maas’s beloved five-book series, this epic journey follows Feyre, a human thrust into the dangerous, magical world of faeries. She quickly becomes a pawn and must learn to navigate those who seek to use and destroy her. I consumed these books at a startling speed, ignoring family and friends and not regretting it for a second. I will no doubt do the same when the next book comes out, which Maas recently announced! Maas’s superpower is creating such smart, deft, confident world-building that you simply suspend disbelief completely, assured that you’re in the hands of a master storyteller. Her other strength, on display here, is her knack for putting her own distinctive riff on a trend. In this case, she puts a dark, sexy, volatile spin on the fractured fairy tale. —Vannessa Cronin, Amazon Editor
This two-book series follows Oraya, the adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king. In a world where she is prey, Oraya has learned to survive, relying only on herself and her father. But to do more than survive, she must win the Kejari—a legendary tournament held by the goddess of death. Oraya quickly realizes she’ll need an ally to make it through…at least until the final round. Enter Raihn, a ruthless vampire and maybe her greatest threat, but they’re drawn to each other on and off the bloody tournament stage. The gothic world-building in this series is lush and transporting, and the attraction between Oraya and Raihn is a delicious slow burn. Fingers crossed for the next book in the series. —Abby Abell, Amazon Editor
This one is more paranormal romance than romantasy, but it’s great if you want to dip your toe into the genre without committing to a 600-page, multibook series. I devoured this in one sitting (bad werewolf/vampire pun intended), and I couldn’t have had more fun. In a world where humans, vampyres, and werewolves tensely coexist, Vampyre Misery agrees to a political marriage to stranger and Alpha Werewolf Lowe, in the hopes of keeping the peace between the two species. But Misery has a deeply personal ulterior motive for agreeing to this precarious arrangement. As Misery and Lowe warily begin to trust each other and work together to solve a mystery, the attraction between them becomes as undeniable as it is forbidden. This story is filled with longing, passion, and intrigue. Misery is a witty heroine you’re rooting for from page one, and Lowe will make you temporarily forget (and resent?) mere mortal men. My only warning—prepare to lose sleep reading this book. It’s worth it. —Abby Abell, Amazon Editor
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