Fantasy romance (or romantasy) has become more popular in the recent years especially now with BookTok and Bookstagram. It is amazing to see the love of this genre bleed into bookshelves and into to general population hands.

I have always loved fantasy and I’m now OBSESSED with romantasy with the relationship spice that you get from different romance novels. Fantasy opens up new worlds and I really enjoy the romance sub plots of the books.

The books on this list change in level of spice and are young adult, new adult or adult romantasy books.

Here are some of my favourite romantasy books that are released or are upcoming next year. It includes books that I have read or that are high on my TBR list for the remainder of the year.

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This is one of my top romantasy books this year and one of the biggest releases for the romantasy genre. It was such a fun and engaging book – I read it within 8 hours.

You are transported into the cut throat world of a dragon-riding military academy where our main heroine is sent there by her mother and must survive. Forming alliances is important as well as surviving challenges and everyone trying to kill her. Definite must read.

I discovered the From Blood and Ash series last year and it is a constant reread for me! It is one of the main romantasy books a lot of people have read and definitely a series to pick up if you’re exploring the genre. If you loved ACOTAR, you will enjoy From Blood and Ash as well as A Shadow in the Ember.

Poppy has been chosen from birth to serve as the Maiden, tasked with ushering in a new era. Her life is solitary and strictly regulated, with no physical contact or pleasure allowed. Despite her longing for a different life, she must fulfill her duty for the kingdom’s future. Poppy’s destiny becomes entwined with a guard named Hawke, leading to a conflict between her responsibilities and her desires.

Meanwhile, a fallen kingdom seeks vengeance and threatens the stability of Poppy’s world. Boundaries between duty, desire, and forbidden choices become increasingly blurred, putting Poppy’s heart, life, and the fate of her kingdom at risk

Kerri Maniscalco is one of my favourite authors and I definitely had to pick up her new trilogy. I really enjoyed this book and the romance improves in the next book which moves it from YA to New Adult for me.

Emilia and her twin sister Vittoria, both witches living secretly among humans, face tragedy when Vittoria is found brutally murdered. Devastated, Emilia resolves to find the killer and exact vengeance, even if it means resorting to forbidden dark magic.

In her pursuit, she crosses paths with Wrath, a prince of Hell, who claims to be on her side in solving the island’s series of women’s murders. As Emilia delves into this dark alliance, she discovers that dealing with the Wicked involves navigating a complex and deceptive realm.

Divine Rivals is on my November TBR and I have heard great things about this book. The tropes in this book are right up my alley and I will be reading in shortly.

In a world where gods are at war, Iris Winnow, an eighteen-year-old journalist, strives to keep her family together amidst chaos. Her mother battles addiction, and her brother is missing from the war front. Seeking solace, Iris writes letters to her brother, which mysteriously reach her rival journalist, Roman Kitt.

Their anonymous correspondence develops into a magical connection, leading them into the heart of the divine conflict. As they navigate the war among gods, Iris and Roman must confront hellish challenges to seal their fate, all while striving for love and the well-being of Iris’s family and mankind.

One of my favourite retellings is Hades/Persephone and Scarlett St Clair has done a fabulous job. It is a modern retelling with a bit of spice.

Persephone, despite her title as the Goddess of Spring, has a unique power: flowers wither at her touch. Seeking an unassuming life, she moves to New Athens disguised as a mortal journalist. Hades, the God of the Dead, known for making impossible bets, crosses paths with Persephone.

In a fateful encounter, she finds herself in a contract with him, tasked with the impossible challenge of creating life in the Underworld to secure her freedom. The bet not only exposes her shortcomings as a goddess but also complicates matters as forbidden love blossoms between Persephone and the God of the Dead.

I discovered Katee Robert through her Wicked Villain series (still fantasy romance) but I adore her modern retelling of Hades and Persephone which is filled with spice- not for the faint of heart.

Persephone Dimitriou, a socialite, plans to escape the politics of Olympus but is thwarted when her mother arranges an engagement to Zeus. Desperate, Persephone bargains with Hades in the forbidden undercity, awakening to a hidden world. Hades, living in shadows, agrees to help for a price.

As they become entangled in a world of revenge and desire, Hades finds himself willing to defy Olympus to keep Persephone close, leading to a conflict that transcends the glittering facade of their city.

This is a Envy’s POV and I live for it! It’s on my TBR for November and one that I’m diving into after reading the Kingdom of the Cursed trilogy again.

The Prince of Envy, a self-proclaimed sinner, faces a deadly game that threatens his demon court. As he navigates cryptic notes and hexed objects, he encounters an unexpected challenge in the form of an artist who ignites his sinful desires. On the other side, Camilla Antonius, deemed virtuous, becomes entangled with a notorious rake who blackmails her.

To avoid scandal, she enters a devil’s bargain with Envy, setting off a perilous journey through the Underworld. Together, they must navigate demon courts, vampire realms, and more, all while trying to resist the dangerous trap of falling in love.

This book is on my radar as it is slanted as a Rylo fanfiction inspired and it has me intrigued.

Talasyn, raised amidst the Hurricane Wars in a nation besieged by the Night Emperor, conceals a dangerous secret—she possesses light magic, believed to be extinct. Meanwhile, Prince Alaric, the emperor’s heir, is a formidable weapon fueled by Shadow magic. Their paths cross on the battlefield, and a clash of light and dark ensues, creating an unprecedented force.

As they realize the war can only end with their confrontation, a greater threat looms. Forced into an uneasy alliance, Talasyn and Alaric must harness their combined magic to confront the secrets of the war and face a passion that could either save or doom their world.

A recent release by Katee Robert which has my interest. I’ve been reading cosy fantasies set at sea with pirates so I’m definitely looking forward to reading a book with pirates and more romance.

Evelyn, a witch with a penchant for risky choices, steals from her vampire ex and ends up in another realm after falling through a portal. Rescued by a group of seafarers led by Bowen, a telekinetic captain, she faces a choice: join them or face death. Bowen, bound by a vow as part of the Cŵn Annwn, has no memory of his past.

As he and his pirate crew patrol the magical sea between realms, Bowen unexpectedly finds himself drawn to Evelyn, a bold pickpocket. However, tensions rise as Evelyn’s intentions diverge from the crew’s vows, putting both her and Bowen in peril with potentially dire consequences.

A River of Golden Bones is releasing next month on the 5th and I can’t wait. I always a good shifter romance and I’m keen to read a Sleeping Beauty retelling.

Twins Calla and Briar, living in hiding from a sorceress who destroyed their kingdom, have distinct roles—Briar must marry a prince to save the Golden Court, while Calla remains a secret backup plan. Only Prince Grae knows Calla’s true identity.

When they venture out for Briar’s weddingo s, plans unravel as the sorceress returns with a new curse. Calla, previously in the shadows, must step forward to save her sister, kingdom, and legacy. As she embarks on a quest, Calla, living as a human, discovers a world beyond the confines of Wolf society and begins to question her true potential.

The last book in the Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy which I can’t wait to how their stories ends. Hopefully with happy ending.

Evangeline Fox ventured to the Magnificent North in search of her happy ending, and it seems as if she has it. She’s married to a handsome prince and lives in a legendary castle. But Evangeline has no idea of the devastating price she’s paid for this fairytale. She doesn’t know what she has lost, and her husband is determined to make sure she never finds out . . . but first he must kill Jacks, the Prince of Hearts.

She doesn’t know what she has lost, and her husband is determined to make sure she never finds out . . . but first he must kill Jacks, the Prince of Hearts.

I’ve seen this book around Bookstagram and I’m interested to read it. It seems like it is a true enemies to lovers so it is definitely on my TBR list.

A thousand years ago, Dianna sacrificed her life to save her sister, unknowingly summoning a monstrous being named Kaden. Now, bound by his demands, she retrieves an ancient relic from creatures that hunt her. Meanwhile, a figure thought long dead and forgotten, known as Samkiel in the old world and Liam in the new, resurfaces as the World Ender.

After the Gods War, he retreated, shirking his responsibilities. However, an attack on his loved ones forces him back into action, facing an ancient enemy he thought imprisoned. Now, these age-old enemies must overcome their differences and collaborate to save not only their world but every realm in existence. The narrative promises a tale of cooperation, ancient conflicts, and the salvation of multiple realms.

This Hades and Persephone retelling has got me interested even though I dont necessarily read dark romance but I will definitely be picking up this book.

Upon the death of her estranged father, Hanna Heikkinen travels to Northern Finland for the funeral. Discovering that her father’s body is missing, she learns from Rasmus, a mysterious man, that her father is held captive in Tuonela, the Realm of the Dead, by Tuoni, the God of Death.

In a desperate attempt to save her father, Hanna embarks on a perilous journey with Rasmus into the mythical underworld. Along the way, they face dangerous creatures and the living dead, ultimately reaching the kingdom ruled by Death and his family. However, Hanna’s ordeal takes an unexpected turn when she is captured and held prisoner by the God of Death himself.

To free her father, Death proposes a deal: if Hanna becomes his wife and spends eternity in the Realm of the Dead, he will release her father. The narrative unfolds as Hanna navigates the challenges of the underworld, facing the complexities of sacrifice and the unexpected involvement of her heart.

This is my first book of K.A. Tucker’s that I’m reading but I’ll definitely going to be picking up her contemporary romances.

Gifted thief Romeria, accustomed to stealing under a New York City crime boss, is abruptly thrust into a world of vengeful gods, monsters, and elemental magic when an enigmatic woman transports her through swordpoint. Awakening in the body of a treacherous elven princess, Romeria realizes she’s entangled in a deadly plot and must conceal her identity, especially from the princess’s betrothed, King Zander, who despises her.

Forced to act as the smitten princess, Romeria and King Zander reluctantly collaborate to uncover the surrounding danger. As their enemies close in and Romeria grapples with her growing feelings for the king, she embarks on a journey to discover her true identity in a world filled with opposing thrones and warring elven societies.

Have you read any of these romantasy books? What are some that you would recommend?