The genre that ate the bestseller list this decade, sorted from the series everyone already knows to the smaller-press titles readers actually finish and immediately reread. (Note: This list contains affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission...
The fourth ACOTAR book, following a side character's own romance after the main trilogy ends.
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
A standalone magical-academia romantasy praised for subverting the genre's usual chosen-one arc.
Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
The penultimate Throne of Glass book, where the series' central romantic arcs come to a head.
Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5) by Sarah J. Maas
Widely considered the best entry in the ACOTAR series and the point where most readers get fully hooked.
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Royal court politics tangled with a high-stakes romantic subplot in a fully built fantasy world.
Crown of War and Shadow (Kingdoms of the Compass, #1)
A darker fae-court romance with a slower burn than most current romantasy releases.
The Night Prince (The Wolf King, #2) by Lauren Palphreyman
A forbidden-romance-meets-chosen-one plot that launched an entire multi-book series.
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Book two in the Blood and Ash series, where the plot and the romance both escalate significantly.
A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout
A vampire-court romance with genuine world-building depth beneath the romantic tension.
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
War-correspondent letters between rival journalists, wrapped in gods and myth. Gentler than most romantasy on this list.
Divine Rivals (Letters of Enchantment, #1)
A forbidden romance between a powerless girl and a powerful prince in a kingdom that persecutes magic.
The Powerless Trilogy #1 - Lauren Roberts
The third entry in the Empyrean series, released to one of the largest single-day sales in the genre's history.
Onyx Storm (The Empyrean, #3) by Rebecca Yarros
A prequel entry in the Blood and Ash universe, recommended after finishing the main series first.
A Shadow in the Ember (Flesh and Fire, #1)
An urban-fantasy romance with a modern setting, a departure from Maas's more traditional fantasy worlds.
House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City, #1)
The final Throne of Glass book, for readers who have already worked through the earlier entries.
Kingdom of Ash
Faerie-court intrigue with a morally grey protagonist, often cited as a gateway into the genre for YA readers.
The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, #1) by Holly Black
A modern-world-meets-magical-realm romantasy with a strong voice-driven protagonist.
Wings of Ebony #1 - J. Elle
A later entry in the Blood and Ash series for readers already invested in the world.
A Fire in the Flesh - Jennifer L. Armentrout
The direct sequel to Divine Rivals, continuing the letters-across-war-lines romance.
Ruthless Vows (Letters of Enchantment, #2)
A lighter, comedic romantasy entry for readers wanting less grimdark and more banter.
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
A darker, spicier vampire-court romance for readers who want the genre's more explicit end.
Court of the Vampire Queen by Katee Robert
Arthurian legend reimagined with a Black protagonist navigating a secret magical secret society.
The Legendborn Cycle #1 - Tracy Deonn
Dark academia mixed with magical rivalry, for readers who want less romance and more scheming.
The Atlas Six (The Atlas, #1) by Olivie Blake
The direct sequel to Powerless, continuing the forbidden romance and rebellion plotline.
Reckless (The Powerless Trilogy) eBook
An enemies-to-lovers political marriage plot with genuine tactical intrigue underneath the romance.
