Hey everyone, I’m back! So, sorry for the absence, but the summer months are always chaotic for us. Between the boys’ birthdays being a month apart, throwing their birthday party, and topping that off with an out-of-town wedding I was absolutely drained! But now I’m back, and I’ve got so much coming your way, starting with these new recommendations. As promised, they aren’t hockey-related (I know, shocking), but you can check those out here and here. For this round of recs, I’m bringing you my favorite romantasies! If you love fae, magic, and romance, these are the recs you’ve been waiting for! I admit my experience with fantasy, in general, is a bit mainstream, so if these aren’t new recs for you, I’m sorry. I’ll try to have some less popular recs for the next round!
If you’re looking for some explanation of some of the trope descriptions I use you can check out my blog post on Romance Book Tropes!
Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas
Main Tropes: High Fantasy, Badass FMC, Fight for Freedom/Survival, so many relationship tropes (Fake Dating, Enemies-to-Lovers, Grumpy x Sunshine, Black Cat x Golden Retriever, Forced Proximity)
“To whatever end, Fireheart.”
If you’re on BookTok, chances are you’ve heard of Throne of Glass. If I had to pick one series to read for the rest of my life, it would be this series. Sarah J. Maas will forever hold a special place in my heart because without reading all of her books, I don’t know if I’d be sharing this blog post or publishing my own writing. This series truly has everything: a fantastic (sometimes gut-wrenching) storyline, the most incredible and complex characters, and subtle romance (I didn’t even need smut to love these). I’m not really going to summarize this one because I don’t want to spoil anything, but with Throne of Glass you’ll get fae, magic, fated mates, and various other magic wielders. Just read it, please.
SIDE NOTE: There’s debate over where to read The Assassin’s Blade ,and I’m going to throw my opinion out there that reading it first in the series is the best way. Some prefer to read it after Crown of Midnight, others after Heir of Fire. I think reading it first gives you important background information and better highlights the character development that occurs throughout the series. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I’ll die on the hill that The Assassin’s Blade should be read as the first book in the series.
The Bonds That Tie Series by J. Bree
Main Tropes: Reverse Harem, Enemies-to-Lovers, Forced Proximity, Hurt/Comfort “TRIGGER WARNINGS”
“The road to hell for me is paved with everything I would do for you, and that list never f*cking ends.”
This one is for my reverse harem fans, those who like their fantasy with a whole lot of men and spice! This series was incredibly unique to me in terms of the magic system and the world-building J. Bree has done. The characters are complex, and you get so much development for each of them and their relationships throughout the entire series. Did I mention you get not one but TWO shadow daddies? If that isn’t enough to convince you, there’s also some shapeshifting, mind-reading, super strength, and a wide variety of other magical abilities. Some of the characters have experiences and backgrounds that can be triggering, so make sure to check any trigger warnings!
Powerless (The Powerless Trilogy) by Lauren Roberts
Main Tropes: High Fantasy, Rivals-to-Lovers, Slow Burn, Forced Proximity
“And I’ll save your life again and again, aimlessly hoping you will allow me to stay in it.”
Powerless is the first book of an ongoing trilogy; the second book, Reckless, has been released, and the third book, Fearless, will be released in April 2025! With Powerless, I HIGHLY recommend reading the novella Powerful in tandem, you can find the reading order on TikTok! In Ilya, the Elites have all the power and gifts believed to have been gifted to them by the Plague. On the other hand, those deemed the Ordinaries lack power and are exiled and hunted by the King and his guard. Paedyn was trained by her father to be overly observant and appear as a Psychic to ensure her survival in a world where she would be killed for lacking abilities. This ability has enabled her to go unnoticed in the slums of Ilya until she unknowingly saves one of the princes of Ilya. After her heroic act, she soon finds herself being thrown into the Purging Trials, a potentially deadly competition designed to showcase the talent of the Elites. Can Paedyn survive the Trials and her growing feelings for the prince, or will her secret cause it all to crumble around her?
Divine Rivals (Letters of Enchantment Series) by Rebecca Ross
Main Tropes: YA Fantasy, Enemies-to-Lovers, Found Family, Slow Burn
“In the meantime, I hope you will find your place, wherever you are. Even in the silence, I hope you will find the words you need to share.”
After being asleep for centuries, the gods have started a war against each other once again. Iris Winnow’s brother is missing from the front lines after leaving to fight, and her mother is battling addiction, struggling to cope with her son being gone. Iris dropped out of school and began an internship at the Oath Gazette, and her only hope is to win the columnist position. Despite not hearing from her brother, she continues to write him letters that disappear when she slips them under her wardrobe, giving her hope that he knows she’s waiting for him to return. What Iris doesn’t realize is that her letters are actually landing in the bedroom of her rival at the Oath Gazette, Roman Kitt. One night, Roman begins writing back to Iris anonymously, and they begin to form a connection through their words without Iris realizing she’s falling for her rival. Will Iris and Roman survive the front lines of war and the secret Roman is keeping?
Rhapsodic (The Bargainer Series) by Laura Thalassa
Main Tropes: Urban Fantasy, Fated Mates, Morally Grey MMC, Slow Burn
“I’ll be at your side, till the darkness dies.”
For the last seven years, Callypso has been collecting black beaded bracelets, symbols of her bargains made with the Bargainer, and the favors she now owes him. The only way out is death or repayment. The Bargainer can give you anything you want for a price, and he always collects. One night, Callypso finds the Bargainer waiting in her room, and she knows it’s her turn, but seeing him awakens a more significant fear inside her than the fear of the favors she owes: her attraction to him. The Bargainer is after more than Callypso; he’s after answers because something strange is happening in the Otherworld. His fae warriors have been going missing, but the women are the only ones returned, laid in a glass casket, clutching children to their chests. The Bargainer believes Callypso might be the key to solving the mystery. Can the Bargainer convince Callypso to forgive him for his past rejection, and can Callypso ignore her still-existent attraction to help his people?
I really hope you guys check out these recs! They’re all friendly to those new to the fantasy or romantasy genres! All of these are books I find myself constantly thinking about, and I’m forever jealous of anyone who gets to read them for the first time. The Bonds That Tie Series, Divine Rivals, and Rhapsodic can all be found on Kindle Unlimited or purchased where you typically buy books! The Throne of Glass Series and Powerless can be purchased as eBooks or physical books.
Do you have any fantasy or romantasy recommendations to share? Drop them in the comments below! I’m newer to the genre, but absolutely love it, so I’ll take any and all recommendations!
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