If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Where can I find the absolute best of romantasy without falling into a three-hour TikTok black hole?” Or “I need a new romantasy book, but I’m emotionally wrecked, sleep-deprived, and one morally gray man away from a personality crisis,” the congratulations – you are exactly who this Best of Romantasy guide was made for.
Romantasy in 2025 is at its chaotic, magical peak. Exploding. Unhinged, even. Between fae kings with commitment issues, dragon academies run by unhinged instructors, and vampires who definitely need therapy, this genre is thriving. And because the best of romantasy is constantly evolving, I created a guide to help simplify the best of the BEST romantasy books.
This guide breaks down the best of romantasy by mood, spice level, and how prepared you are for emotional destruction.
Buckle up, or don’t… depending on the vibe of the chapter.
What Makes a Romantasy Book Part of the "Best of Romantasy" List?
To earn a spot on the best of romantasy list, a book must deliver the exact elements that romantasy readers like you and I obsess over, spiral over, and build our entire personality traits around. These are the ‘non-negotiables’...
Worldbuilding that makes you forget your real-world obligations
If your laundry sits untouched because there’s a fae uprising happening → best of romantasy energy.
Romantic chemistry that feels borderline dangerous
The kind of tension you can feel in your soul — the “do not speak to me while my face is in this chapter” kind of chemistry.
Emotional turmoil
If a book doesn’t absolutely punch you in the feelings at least three times, it can NOT qualify as the best of romantasy.
Here, we strictly require tears. Shouting. and wall-staring… but preferably all three.
Holy trinity of book tropes
Fated mates (AKA: the universe shipped them harder than anyone else)
Enemies to lovers (they hate each other… until they don’t)
Morally gray men (your favorite red flag)
If a book nails one, we perk up.
If it nails all three? Well, we quite literally can’t function for at least 2-3 business days.
The Romantasy Room 5-Level Spice Scale
(Yes, this also determines placement on the best of romantasy list.)
1 Flame = “Wholesome With a Wink.”
For when you want magic, romance, and zero risk of needing to turn off your Kindle in public.
2 Flames = “Warm Fuzzies & Closed Doors.”
There is tension. There is a vibe. There is yearning. But right when things start to get interesting, the door closes… and you’re left screaming, “Okay, but what happened next???”
3 Flames = “Open Door, But Everyone Behaves (Mostly)”
Welcome to mid-spice! It’s the “I can read this on a flight if no one is sitting too close to me” level.
4 Flames = “You Might Need to Hydrate”
Alright, now we’re cooking. This is detailed, emotional, occasionally feral, and definitely not safe to read at work. Your standards for real relationships will plummet.
5 Flames = “Brain Chemistry? Permanently Altered.”
This is TOP tier. Extremely rare. Steamy x10. One scene, and suddenly you’re staring at a wall, mouth dropped, silently reevaluating everything.
Already know what romantasy category you’re looking for? Use the Romantasy Room Book Generator below to skip the nonsense and find your perfect recommendations!
✨ Romantasy Room Book Generator
Choose your vibe and let fate pick your next books.
The Best of Romantasy 2025
Now that we’ve laid out the sacred romantasy criteria and decoded the spice level scale, we can finally get to the good stuff. Below, each romantasy category features the top two books that absolutely dominate their lane and earned their rightful place on the Best of Romantasy list.
Fae Courts
A Court of Silver Flames — Sarah J. Mass
The Serpent & The Wings of Night—Carissa Broadbent
Spice
Spice
Tropes: Enemies to lovers, found family, trauma healing, warrior/mentor dynamic, and close proximity
Best For: Readers seeking great emotional depth, significant character development, and intense romantic chemistry.
Why It’s the Best of Romantasy: This book shines above the rest because of its combination of emotional depth and romance that is both passionate and genuine. As a character, Nesta makes her way through life in such a messy manner that is all too relatable on a human level, and that authenticity makes the story grounded in a world full of magic. The relationship between her and a certain warrior (no name… we respect the spoiler-free lifestyle) creates tension, support, and just enough softness. This romantasy brings an abundance of emotion, character development, and connection while sprinkling the perfect amount of surprises throughout.
Tropes: Forbidden romance, deadly trials, political conflict, and equal-power dynamic
Best For: Readers looking for a high-stakes plot, dangerous romance, and deep-rooted vampire court politics.
Why It’s The Best of Romantasy: The challenges Oraya faces while fighting to overcome the Kejari Trials create constant “tension” for the reader, and the building relationship between her and (no name… we honor the spoiler oath) is packed with danger, emotion, and proper world-building development. The backdrop of their story is an ancient world filled with competing vampire factions and ancient clans, creating a mix of suspenseful action and heartfelt drama.
Dragon Riders
Fourth Wing — Rebecca Yarros
Iron Flame — Rebecca Yarros
Spice
Spice
Tropes: Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, academy setting, and highly reluctant allies
Best For: Readers who love an adrenaline rush, dragons with personality, and high-stakes romantic tension.
Why It’s The Best of Romantasy: Violet’s evolution from an unsteady student to a fierce rider is edge-of-your-seat gripping and very fulfilling. Her character development, paired with the relationships she builds (yes, that one too), will have as much of an emotional effect as the action-filled plot. The story is driven by the characters at a quick, cinematic pace, making it easy for readers to connect with them.
Tropes: Secrecy, rebellion, emotional angst, found family, and political intrigue
Best For: Readers who are looking for deep and descriptive world-building, an emotional rollercoaster, and darker themes.
Why It’s The Best of Romantasy: Violet again? Well, yes. The sequel was too good to make an honorable mention on the list. This is the sequel to Fourth Wing, which expands the universe and raises the stakes politically and romantically. Violet learns shocking truths that turn her world upside down, but her relationship with (no name, respecting the boundaries) grows deeper yet more complicated under impossible pressures.
Paranormal Romantasy
Crave — Tracy Wolff
City of Gods and Monsters — Kayla Edwards
Spice
Spice
Tropes: Paranormal, mortal-immortal romance, love triangle, damsel in distress, and found family
Best For: Readers who want a bingeable paranormal romance with high emotion, dramatic storytelling, and academia vibes.
Why It’s The Best of Romantasy: This book introduces Grace to Katmere Academy, an academy for the supernatural, so the book has dramatic tension from the start because how often is a mortal thrown into a school full of werewolves, witches, and vampires? Readers can relate to Grace, her interactions with others, her self-expression, and her navigation of the daily student struggles. Plus, the tension between her and Jaxon Vega… slow burn…mortal and a vampire… I won’t reveal too much, but check out my post “Falling For the Bad Guy: What Jaxon Vega Teaches Us About Spicy Romantasy Books” if you want a vampire to boyband level crush over. Anyways, this book has all the characteristics for a bingeable read: character growth, love interests, relatable values, all within a paranormal universe.
Tropes: Paranormal academy, MMC, fated mates, damsel in distress, and found family
Best For: Readers who want a slower world build, dramatic storytelling, and a very slow-burning, mature romance.
Why It’s The Best of Romantasy: Witches, werewolves, vampires, hellhounds… Oh, and the devil! This book is the epitome of a monster-filled world. Loren, our mortal FMC, is resilient and truth-filled. Her loyalty and values provide a clear understanding of herself; who she is has made her an ideal person to guide the reader through a fantasy world, complete with treachery, danger, friendships, and romance, and might I mention the devil…again. In this book, the romantic relationship between Loren and her interest is an incredibly slow burn, with both characters providing each other with acts of respect and safety while they allow their vulnerabilities to surface slowly yet surely.
Cozy Romantasy
Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea — Rebecca Thorne
Divine Rivals — Rebecca Ross
Spice
Spice
Tropes: Sapphic romance, cozy slice-of-life, small-town magic, and found family
Best For: Readers seeking some comfort, warmth, and low-stakes magic.
Why It’s The Best of Romantasy: This story’s essence comes from Reyna’s yearnings to live a simple, yet fulfilling life. Her life decisions describe a world that feels peaceful, welcoming, and unrealistically low-stakes. The romance between her and her interest is consistent and provides a source of strength, which results in a book that resembles and feels like a warm embrace, gentle and comforting, making it perfect for when you need a book to lift your spirits.
Tropes: Anonymous letters, war atmosphere, enemies to lovers, hidden truths
Best For: Readers who want a soft, poetic, and heartfelt romance with steady emotional depth.
Why It’s The Best of Romantasy: Iris brings deep but soft depth to this story, especially through her connections she forms. She is emotionally vulnerable in the way she expresses herself, which gives the romance a sense of closeness and authenticity. It’s a soft and beautifully crafted connection and story.
Gothic & Dark Romantasy
One Dark Window — Rachel Gillig
The Dragon’s Promise — Elizabeth Lim
Spice
Spice
Tropes: Gothic atmospheric, forbidden magic, slow-burn romance, and reluctant allies (heavy emphasis on reluctant)
Best For: Readers who want an eerie and atmospheric fantasy with subtle yet meaningful romance.
Why It’s The Best of Romantasy: Elspeth’s voice creates an eerie inside and makes you feel more intensely connected with the characters. Her emotional battles, along with her allegiances, provide a gradual and tense buildup that’s incredibly satisfying. This story has an atmospheric quality that is darkly beautiful, which is quite appealing if you love a more somber theme.
Tropes: Quest-based romance, emotional longing, mythology-infused, and destiny
Best For: Readers who love folklore-inspired storytelling and delicately threaded romance.
Why It’s The Best of Romantasy: Shiori’s determination and loyalty are the grace and heart that give this story momentum. The depiction of her connections to others (yes, including romantic) provides an emotional resonance to the mythological and magical setting of this story. This is truly an adventurous, descriptive, and beautifully crafted book
Dystopian Romantasy
The Grace Year — Kim Liggett
Shatter Me — Tahereh Mafi
Spice
Spice
Tropes: Survival of the fittest, dystopian, subtle romance, rebellion, and dark coming-of-age
Best For: Readers who want strong social commentary that’s woven into a haunting, emotional narrative.
Why It’s The Best of Romantasy: With her gentle yet powerful portrayal of an individual’s emotional journey within an intense and quite unsettling world, Tierney gives readers a consistent theme of strength, which feels wholesome and instills confidence. It feels as though this book resonates more through feeling than plot. It has a unique formula of being simplistic, haunting, and beautifully executed: three characteristics rare to find in a book.
Tropes: Enemies-to-lovers, love triangle, redemption arc, rebellion, and damsel in distress
Best For: Readers who love high-level angst, emotional storytelling, and a romance built around multiple character development.
Why It’s The Best of Romantasy: This one holds a special place in my heart. This is the first book to get me into reading as a hobby. Juliette has a heartbreaking story that makes this narrative distinct, combining emotional fragility with emotional strength through her character growth. The several different relationships Juliette experiences to develop her character do not detract from the narrative but rather enhance it. Now… if you are a sucker for a love triangle, then THIS is the one for you. Right when you think you know who she will end up with… I can assure you your mind will change at least 10 times throughout. The romance is rich and raw, creating a beautifully structured story that’s deep and unforgettable.
Beginner-Friendly Romantasy
From Blood and Ash — Jennifer L. Armentrout
Shatter Me — Tahereh Mafi
Spice
Spice
Tropes: Forbidden romance, the “chosen one,” and bodyguard dynamic
Best For: Readers who want all the drama, twists, action, and addictive romance.
Why It’s The Best of Romantasy: Combining curiosity, courage, and vulnerability, Poppy quickly makes herself a compelling FMC. The interaction between Poppy and (no name…sorry, not sorry) creates lots of energy, humor, and tension, as you also have a very fast-paced life in this world. This story is dramatic in all the ways that it needs to be, and provides a perfect starting point to those readers who are new to romantasy.
Tropes: Enemies-to-lovers, love triangle, redemption arc, rebellion, and damsel in distress
Best For: Readers who love high-level angst, emotional storytelling, and a romance built around multiple character development.
Why It’s The Best of Romantasy: Now, you may be thinking, “Hey, you did in fact already praise Shatter Me, I’d like another rec”, and to that, I say, this book is just too good and easy to read that it’d be a crime not to have it as a beginner-friendly book. I first read this book at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic when I was in high school, and when I tell you I binged the series… Oh, I BINGED it. The love triangle, character growth, world-building, and speed make this an easy-to-follow and likeable book, making it perfect for anyone looking for a great find in the romantasy genre!
The Best of the BEST Romantasy Series
The Plated Prisoner Series — Raven Kennedy
The Empyrean Series — Rebecca Yarros
Spice
Spice
Tropes: Recovering from trauma, dark fantasy, slow-burn romance, and empowerment
Best For: Readers who want a raw, emotional transformation and high-intensity romance.
Why It’s The Best of Romantasy: The emotional core of this book is Auren’s evolution as a character. As she matures, she also changes how she sees her relationships with those around her. This creates a very engaging and powerful story focused on character development as each new book comes out. It is incredibly intimate, and each of the books has a bold storyline that lingers long after reading. How did Raven Kennedy manage to do that? I don’t know, she’s a magician, but all I can say is add this to your TBR list.
Tropes: Fated tension, dragon riders, forbidden love, and rebellion
Best For: Readers who want quite a cinematic and explosive romance, intricate worldbuilding, and tension-filled character bonds.
Why It’s The Best of Romantasy: Disregard for a moment, I recommended Fourth Wing and Iron Flame as standalones because in reality, you should just read the whole series, which includes the first two and Onyx Storm. Violet’s voice brings heart and clarity to a world that is constantly evolving, which adds depth to the larger conflicts throughout the series. Her relationships feel natural and only add to the tension of the conflicts throughout. From each book, the stakes get higher, the action gets more thrilling, and the satisfaction is just great, and well, satisfying.
Final Thoughts: Your Next Romantasy Obsession Awaits
Whether you’re drawn to fae courts, vampire academies, cozy magical towns, or the darker, gothic corners of romantasy, every book on this list brings something unforgettable to the genre. These books stand out not just because of the magical elements, but because of the characters that feel real in all their relatability.
If even one of these books made you pause, smile, and whisper “ah yes, now this, now THIS is getting added to the TBR list,” then congratulations — you’re officially in the Best of Romantasy era.
Happy reading — and may your fictional men always be morally gray and emotionally unavailable to you. Drop a comment if you have a romantasy read you think deserves a place on the Best of Romantasy Guide.
Want more romantasy reads? Check out the rest of the blog!
Gillian
Self Proclaimed BookwormHi, I'm Gillian—college student by day, hopeless romantasy reader by night. I started Romantasy Room to fangirl over the books I love—from Booktok-famous hits to underrated gems you've probably never heard of. Consider me your tour guide to an ever-growing TBR list full of dragons, faeries, princes...and obviously laughs, tears, and dangerously good heartbreaks.