So You Want to Start Reading Fantasy: Part Two — Romantasy Recs, Sorted by Trope

Now that you've made it here from Part One (and hopefully done your homework), I'm gonna hit you with the same line all your past, present, and future situationships have and will use on you: we don't need labels. The beauty of any form of art is you don't have to choose one and stick with it. You can love two things at once, despite what anyone says. But, if there were ever a time where someone hits you with, "so what do you like to read?" You could give them the answer. You're a fantasy reader now. (Is it weird that I'm a little proud?)

A Fantasy Readers Treasure

The best part about this genre is there's a million different ways to go with it, depending on what you actually loved about the books you've already read.

Was it the enemies-to-lovers? The romance? The found family trope? The plot, even? This is where you really get to narrow things down based on your own preferences instead of just grabbing whatever's trending.

For me, my kryptonite is a slow burn enemies-to-romance with a healthy plot behind it. Bonus points if there are micro tropes I'm obsessed with, like one bed, or "who did this to you" energy. Call me basic, idc, it just does it for me.

Here are my recs, with their trope/vibe so you can pick your own adventure. Still mostly living in the romantasy genre.

Cruel Prince - Holly Black

This is YA, but I love the magical side of this one. It's proper fairy-like, resembling the fairytales from when you were a kid... but with a little more killing and action thrown in. No smut, but great writing and a genuinely fun time.

★ Ultimate Enemies to (VERY SLOW BURN) Lovers

★ Morally grey characters

★ Human & faerie

★ Political intrigue & betrayal

Bonds That Tie - J.Bree

This is what I tell people to read as a palette cleanser / easy read. Smutty, funny, outrageous, with more of an urban fantasy, magic realism vibe. Oh, and it's reverse harem... x5... do with that information what you will.

★ Why choose

★ Found family

★ Rebellion/war plot

Quicksilver - Callie Hart

The alchemy magic system in this one was so refreshing after reading approximately a thousand romances with elemental magic. And a good morally grey boyfriend, which we luuuuurv.

★ Enemies-to-lovers

★ Forced proximity

★ Touch her and die

Spark of the Everflame - Penn Cole

Another one I devoured after ACOTAR (which is genuinely hard to find, IYKYK). This does the slow burn impeccably. If you'd rather get to the spice quicker, this might be torture for you, but the characters, writing, and story are so good.

★ Ultimate slow-burn tension

★ The deadly touch trope

★ Sacrifices

★ Hidden magic

Lady of Darkness - Melissa K. Roerich

Basically a smuttier version of Throne of Glass. Very similar themes, but with that extra spice some people wish TOG had.

★ Enemies-to-lovers

★ Badass trio

★ Burn the world for you

Book of Azrael - Amber V. Nicole

I didn't think I liked urban fantasy much, but this one changed my mind. Genuinely some of the best writing I've read, the first book especially. I like writing that gets straight into the action instead of describing a door handle for five pages, without sacrificing readability.

★ Morally Grey FMC

★ Touch HIM and die

★ Found family & forced proximity

One Dark Window - Rachel Gillig

Another unique magic system, and I really loved the gothic vibe. Easy read, good concept, a bit different from the rest of the list. It's more closed-door on the spice front, but if you don't need smut to stay interested, it's absolutely worth the read.

★ Intense slow-burn

★ Fade-to-black spice

★ Distinct type of magic

Anathema - Keri Lake

Another gothic pick, and a really entertaining one. Great atmosphere and a story and characters that keeps you hooked.

★ The outcast trope

★ Morally grey assassin MMC

★ 'I was sent to kill you but can't'

★ Slowest of burns

When (or IF) You Need a Break From Romantasy

At some point, you might crawl out of the romantasy trenches and want something with a bit less romance and a bit more... war councils. Enter: high fantasy. Think LOTR, Game of Thrones, Wheel of Time, Assassin's Apprentice - the classics. Or if you want something a bit newer, you could go the Brandon Sanderson route. I'd love to know any bangers that I've missed, drop them in the comments that make you think - 'you're not a real fantasy reader until you've read this.' (Even if my TBR list is already longer than how many years I have left on this Earth).