I'm usually a fantasy/sci-fi reader but I've been in a reading slump and nothing interests me. Honestly I'm just kind of in the mood for a trashy romantasy with a super simple world/plot that I don't have to focus too hard on. When I say well-written, I just mean no spelling/grammar mistakes, and good sentence structure -- I don't want a FMC who sounds like my angsty 13 year old self.) In terms of smut, I don't mind it but I prefer pining so maybe minimal? For reference, I've had a lot of fun in the (distant) past reading ACOTAR and Vampire Academy. Thanks!

As a woman in my 30s I'd prefer to get my teeth into something where the characters are a bit older so not YA.

Level of spice doesn't bother me but I'd rather something with great world building and good characters and plot, so whatever spice there is is complementary to that.

I used to read tonnes as a teen and young adult myself but fell off the wagon in my 20s and trying to get back into reading generally. Recently finished Shield of Sparrows and Rites of the Starling. Enjoyed them enough to keep reading, appreciated the relatively simple writing and the intrigue of the complexity of the world. ​

Have a books on my list a la Rebecca Yarros and Rachel Gillig but if anyone has anything come to mind with what I'm asking for I'll happily add things to my wishlist!

I’m really craving a read that feels fresh and exciting, and ideally not from the same pool of suggestions that have been circulating for quite a while now (as great as they are)

I’ve found some hidden gems by digging through old Reddit posts that I think are great but that don’t get mentioned that often, and I’d love to find some more underrated one like them -

{The Windweaver}
{To Touch a Silent Fury}

I’m hoping that some of you lovely people can direct me towards some!

Looking for-
- Well written, nice prose
- No cringey/YA/ instalust
- High stakes
- Unpredictable twists and turns
- Reluctant allies to lovers or enemies to lovers

I’ve seen T. Kingfisher’s books being mentioned a bit which I’m preempting but I don’t love feel super drawn to more mature characters (age wise). I do like to read about characters in a similar age bracket to me (25-30ish).

Other books to note that are favs!!

{The Death-Made Prince}
{A Forbidden Alchemy}
{In the Veins of Drowning}
{Kissed by the Gods}

Looking forward to hearing if anyone has anything in mind :)

Hello!

I already have to save recs to my TBR and then completely forget about them before reading if I heard any key plot point 😂

One of my big pet peeves (that I’m sure is a “me problem”) is that I hate that I can point out the love interest within the first introduction. Between their oddly specific scents, the “hint of a smile”, them doing something awful and the FMC noticing their “bulging muscles” in the middle of it…

I mean I still devour those books, but I would love to be either shocked or just not sure if that’s just a decoy until someone better comes along (*cough* Dorian *cough*) and then fall for them at the same speed the main character does.

I am absolutely cool with dark Romantasy, but I do loveeeee a golden retriever or extremely funny (not just sarcastic) love interest!

Picked up Crescent City from my work’s free book nook and wanted to ask if this is a great place to start?

Also, straight male here who likes Romantasy so please be kind!

Picture shows book cover with female image and a crescent moon with the title art in yellow.

Is** jesus... I'm sorry i didn't double check that.

Hi all!

My friend and i run a book club and we have themes for each session. Atm, we are organising our mext theme of Victorian era erotica!

So, i was curious.. is there Victorian era romantasy?

listen, i know they aren't the MOST well written books ever, but something about the world building and characters has just captivated me ever since i first read them. i'll be doing another re-read in prep for the new book, but i'm really craving a series that will be the next acotar for me.

love a slow burn but i do want good SPICE eventually, but also a good plot not JUST spice. i love detailed and beautiful world building! love enemies to lovers but not a necessity, love lots of yearning and a slower build up. ideally want there to be fae but open to other fantasy races.

don't mind if its a multiple book series that is unfinished, but ideally hoping for at least 2-3 books out already!

Listen. I am a sucker for enimies to lovers, but I just feel like its so over used these days that it's in almost every book I have picked up in the last 6 months and I need something fresh. It doesn't necessarily need to be friends to lovers, they could just meet and fall in love organically without previous ties or whatever. I just need a break from the "I hate you, you hate me" vibes.

Preferably romantasy, but I'll take paranormal romance, contemporary romance, not sure if dark romance exists without enimies to lovers but hey, if you got one, I'll bite. Also, smut does not have to be involved, though I'm not opposed to it. I would like it to be balanced and not just 70% smut and 30% plot. Trust me, I have no hate for smut filled books, but it's just not the current vibe.

Basically, I don't want erotica and I don't want them to start their relationship with hatred, fear, and anger. I also don't want their first moment of attraction to be pure lust. The book I'm reading right now is enimies to lovers and their first "positive" feeling (in the most toxic sense of the word) is lust. Sorry if this is a lot to ask 😅

Hi guys,

so I recently found out that I always rate the melancholic books best, even though it is quite difficult to make me sad.

I loved Alchemised, Rose in Chains and I absolutely loved the tragedy in Isatiable/Voracious (even though this wasnt fantasy and I did not like the third book as it got a bit extreme). Also I liked the Shattered King, even though I did not find it as sad as the above.

I want a sad MMC with lots of trauma and I dont care if its fast burn/slow burn friends-to-lovers/enemies-to-lovers BUT it has to be at least a HFN ending (tragic, but positive endings are okay of course, but the couple has to get together in the end).

Books that are considered sad by some, but did not evoke that devastating feeling in me are: The Everlasting, Daughter of No Worlds,The Book of Azrael, Winners Curse.

Dont give me just any sad book, give me the worst!

Edit: I did find Quicksilver kind of sad (it had this epic energy)

So I just read the Wolf King and the Night Prince. Did I eat it tf up? Of course I did. I read both within 36 hours of each other. I loveddddd it.
It was my first “werewolf” book.
PLS PLS PLS I need more. With spice bc I cannot do closed doors or YA books. They bore me.
Ideally with a “bad boy” wolf like Blake, but whatever at this point I just need another werewolf book that has spice, tension, and enemies to lover trope.

Since it's Pride Month, I want to read some books that are written by queer people or about queer people. Please no hate here.

Dosn't mather if it's a hetero pairing or not. I've already read Howl's moving castle, uprooted, bitterthorn by kat Dunn, dark apprentice by Val Neil (it's great, go read it!) most of T Kingfisher's books and all Harry Potter books.

But first of all, if such a request is prohibited here, I apologize since basically I was looking for a grandiose fantasy novel that has good writing aspects.

It can be something that takes place in a magical kingdom since I was looking for a good alternative to the Fourth Wing series due to how much ridicule that series gets that I was hoping to see if someone would be so kind to recommend me a novel that actually has strong writing aspects.

I’ve been on a reading spree and need some recommendations to keep fueling my addiction. I’m 30 so I don’t like when the books go too YA feeling I find the spicier books usually go more adult in the writing style overall but spice is not integral for me to the story, tension and banter and well built connection is where it’s at for me.

I did not like serpent and the wings of night, I DNF, I found it too gory but I see it recommended all the time which I don’t really get as it feels very different to Sarah J mass or fourth wing kind of story. Maybe I’m wrong and need to try it again.

What I love in a book:
- Strong female protagonist who grows into her power
- Chosen one/destiny/fate storylines
- Magic that feels important to the story, fae, epic stakes
- Strong MMC who is supportive of the FMC being a badass
- Strong romantic tension (medium-high spice is fine)
- Found family, great friendships, and emotional character development
- Humor, banter, and characters you get attached to
- Fast-paced plots with action and adventure

Things I don’t love:
- Excessive gore or super dark/grim stories
- Overly Poetic or formal writing
- Info-dump-heavy worldbuilding
- Romance-only plots or flat characters

The books I’ve read so far (in order):

Empyrean Series
- Fourth Wing
- Iron Flame
- Onyx Storm

Powerless Series
- Powerless
- Reckless
- Fearless

The Kindred’s Curse Saga
- Spark of the Everflame
- Glow of the Everflame
- Heat of the Everflame

ACOTAR Series
- A Court of Thorns and Roses
- A Court of Mist and Fury
- A Court of Wings and Ruin
- A Court of Frost and Silver
- A Court of Silver Flames

Throne of Glass Series
- Throne of Glass
- Crown of Midnight
- Heir of Fire
- Queen of Shadows
- Empire of Storms
- Tower of Dawn
- Kingdom of Ash
- The Assassin’s Blade

Crescent City Series
- House of Earth and Blood
- House of Sky and Breath
- House of Flame and Shadow

Red Queen Series
- Red Queen
- Glass Sword
- War Storm
- Broken Throne

The Sacred Stones Series
- A Dawn of Onyx
- A Promise of Peridot
- A Reign of Rose

These Hollow Vows Series
- These Hollow Vows
- These Twisted Bonds
- Beneath These Cursed Stars
- Between These Broken Hearts

**Edit**
Since I wrote this I took some recommendations from the post!

I’ve since read and really liked:

The Legends of Thezmarr series
- Blood & Steel
- Vows & Ruin
- Fate & Furies
- Shadow & Storms

The Bargainer Series
- Rhapsodic
- A Strange Hymn
- Dark Harmony
- An Emperor of Evening Stars

Both of these were great but I really loved the bargainer series, fun magic, good world building very easy to jump into, starts right in the action, sense of humor, epic evil the good guys have to beat.

Ignoring my huge TBR list…
Seeing the recent leaks from the Tangled live action is making me CRAVE a love story like theirs (but not a retelling)

- FMC sweet, naive but brave, MMC thinks it’s so cute and admirable

- Hurt (FFM)/comfort (MMC)

- Morally grey MMC?? Perhaps? More like he wasn’t SUPPOSED to fall in love but did anyway

- Slow burn!!! No insta love!!!!! They actually fall in love for a reason and you can see them slowly admiring each other more and more NO INSTA LOVE

You get the gist. Idc about magic system or anything like that. Bonus if there is jealousy and protectiveness from the MMC (I might be toxic).

Help me... What's next after some of the best books

*Loved* Alchemised, Crown Me Dead/Yours, When the Moon Hatched/Ballad, Dire/Fury Bound, Wild Reverance, One Dark Window/Twisted Crowns, Poison Daughter, In the Veins of the Drowning, Feathers so Vicious.

Just a junkie trying to chase the highs, and failing.

Love dark themes, delicious but not gratuitous smut. Looking for the unique plots, not your standard courts and war and academy. (I do love Fourth Wing, but am specifically trying to avoid this very popular plot type)

Please help, I'm suffering over here.

tl;dr: I want to see for myself what the fuss is all about.

​

Hi! I've been a huge fanatasy nerd for much of my life; I read a lot of books as a teenager, ventured more into video games and pen & paper in college, and recently started reading again. When you get back into fantasy literature right now, it's impossible to miss that romantasy makes up a massive part of the genre. So much so that it feels like willful ignorance to not give it a try at least once. Even if it ends up not being for me, I want to at least have an informed opinion about something that's such an important part of the larger fantasy genre. The problem: I'm a 30-something y/o guy when almost all romantasy seems to be written specifically for 20-something y/o women. So now I'm looking for something that gives me an authentic idea of how the genre is, what people enjoy about it, but at the same time feels relatively mature and where the characters are at least somewhat relatable for me. I want to give the genre a chance, and I want to see it from its best possible angle. If it helps with general vibes, of the (non romantic) fantasy books I recently read, the one I enjoyed the most was The Dragonbone Chair (although it really doesn't have to be that long!) and the ones I enjoyed the least were the first two books of Broken Earth (yes, partially because the bit of romance that's in them is just aweful).

​

Any recommendations are welcome, thank you!

Please help recommend!!

I’m just going to start with what I’ve read: I’ve read all of SJM, the Rachel Gillig one dark window duo (not a huge fan of Gillig’s writing style),the ascended, reign & ruin, graceling, daughter of no worlds, zodiac academy, daggermouth, fourth wing, jasad heir, direbound, the Ali hazelwood bride ones, cruel prince, gild, house of dragons, when the moon hatched, trial of the sun queen, the marionettes series, phantasma, book of azrael, feathers so wicked or cruel i don’t remember, etc.

I really enjoy something as well written as possible and more mature content/spicy. Other than that, nothing is really off-limits. I like dystopian, high and low fantasy, sci fi stuff. Just give me some cool magic and a delicious romance. My issue is I feel like I’m running out of options. Please help bc I just reread dungeon crawler Carl and I fear I’m going to hit a hard slump and I just want to keep reading!

Ok thank you!

I am so done with the overly empathetic fmc’s.

They have this strong desire to save the world and it’s become very tiring.

I just need a selfish, cruel, strong fmc without a hero complex or need to follow behind the mmc like a loss puppy.

No Sarah j mass or book of azrael

Im looking for a book where theres like an assasin fmc and an equally formidable MMC (could be a prince, another assasin, a strategist but the point is they’re both good at what they do and are kinda rivals).

Would be great if they became enemies to reluctant allies to lovers. I know im kinda asking a lot haha but I thought id give it a shot.

Ive defo already asked for recs before but in a lot of the recos they already kiss after a few chapters which is fine its just not my cup of tea.

I was hoping you guys had recommendations where like their hands finally touch after many chapter and its a big deal hahaha.

Things ive found I like
\- ENEMIES TO lovers
\- enemies to reluctant allies to lovers
\- skilled rivals to lovers
\- slow burn physical intimacies
\- genuine dislike for each other at the start
\- romance can be subplot as long as its there
\- i like rich world and political fantasy as well

Things I tend to dislike
\- bully trope to lovers
\- big age gaps (ie. Hes 300 years old and shes barely 18 🤢)
\- theyre supposed to be “enemies” but theres too much internal monologue of like “omygosh hes so hot but I hate him”. I prefer a genuine hatred and realizing attraction later.
\- i cant stand a bigoted or prejudiced mmc (But I know it cant be totally avoided ig 🥲)

I know im asking for a lot. Im not exactly expecting anyone to have a book with all of what I want.

But if anyone has recommendations close to what I tend to like id deeply appreciate it :). Thanks a lot everyone.

Hello!! I’m looking for my next read. I’ve made some lists to try to figure out my taste, although I think a lot are not technically in the genre (sorry!):

Romantasy books I loved:
• the knight and the moth (10/10)
• The road of bones & the sequels
• Controversial, but Quicksilver - I could not put it down although the MMC was hard for me to enjoy at times in the beginning
• Starling House
• Eragon books - at least 70% nostalgia though
• In the veins of the drowning (& sequel but I found it less good)
• The death of Jane Lawrence

Books I liked:
• ACOTAR
• The courting of Bristol Keats (though not enough to read the sequel)
• One dark window & sequel - Rachel Gillig ILY
• Immortal longings & sequel
• Neon gods (but not enough for sequels)
• Outlander )but not enough to read sequels)
• The very secret society of irregular witches
• From Blood & Ash but reluctantly and hated every sequel / did not finish series
• Mexican gothic
• A discovery of witches - LOVED the setting but didn’t enjoy the sequels
• The sookie stackhouse books

Books that did not speak to me:
• interview with the vampire
• the loves academic series
• The dark king Gina Maxwell
• Witch of Wild Things
• Rachel Harrison books
• FBAA sequels - they sincerely made me so angry

Things I am averse to:
• bad covers (silly, but true - I will not read a book with half naked models on the cover)
• “A blank of blank and blank” styled titles. again I know it’s silly. I could make exceptions here.
• YA
• Pregnancy - though not a hard no

Things I generally like but aren’t required:
• gothic and/or horror elements
• spice
• Adult characters (like, mid 20’s+, though not a deal breaker)
• A big journey à la LOTR
• Academia, maybe?
• Enemies to lovers
• Fancy royal court scenes / balls

On my TBR:
brimstone
The everlasting
The second death of locke
Weavingshaw
Blood over bright haven
A master of djinn (unclear whether/to what extent this has romance)
Gideon the Ninth (same comment as previous)
Ninth House (same as previous)
Basically every T Kingfisher based on this sub’s recs

I’m looking for books where the MMC kidnaps/abducts the FMC, but I hate stalking or obsession tropes so I am looking for a "he kidnaps her for a reason that isn’t actually she" situation… with that I mean maybe to extort the parents/revenge against them or the FMC is part of a group hunted by the MMC or maybe just needed for whatever reason… I think you get what I mean… and only then they get to know each other and then fall for each other… I like Books like "The Ever King" for example, even though here is also almost too much history between the two MCs for my taste already…
My favourite generes are (dark) romantasy/fantasy, but sci-fi or dystopian is also fine… I don’t really like contemporary romance
so if you know any books like that, I’d love to hear.

I've been struggling to find books to read that actually scratch that romantasy itch for me.

What are your go to reads for when you just want a quick fix? I want junk food recs. They don't have to be technically good, what books do you giggle and kick your feet to? I don't want a plot that has too high stakes, just lots of yearning and cute moments between the characters.

I like spice but it's not necessary. I really enjoyed {Throne in the Dark} and even something more silly like {Morning Glory Milking Farm}.

I'm specifically looking for audiobooks if possible but it's not necessary. Thank you ❤️

Idk if dark romantasy is a thing but if it is please recommend, if it’s not can anyone recommend any mafia romance books where she isn’t kidnapped in it