Romantasy Binge
Like so many other millennial women, I re-ignited my love of reading through the ACOTAR books and the wave of romance/fantasy books that has taken over social media the last few years. It would be interesting to understand at a deeper level why we connect with this genre so passionately, but to state the obvious for so many of us, we love it because it’s an escape.
Give me a twisty plot line & complicated love story any day…especially when you know it will be the good gals winning in the end. Throw in a Shadow Daddy and I am double sold.
Here is a quick vibe check on my romantasy binge of late, and I hope it may help you decide where to go next if you are just dipping your toe in the water. I read 65+ books in this genre last year….
A Court of Thorns & Roses Series- Sarah J Maas. The gateway drug. Highly Recommend, just read it – don’t ask too many questions and enjoy!
Throne of Glass Series, Sarah J Maas. Major on plot + character development that keeps on giving. Slow burn and series commitment as there are 7 books + you need to read the Assassin’s Blade after Book 2/3 but this is such an enjoyable series especially if you love world building and empowering side characters.
Crowns of Nyaxia - Clarissa Broadbent. Pleasantly surprised & Vampires OH MY. Writing not quite as neat as SJM, but I liked the spice and some pretty shocking twists. Also, do read ‘Six Scorched Roses’ between books 1 and 2. It’s a light delight in between the main act. Songbird and the Heart of Stone, covering Mische's story was out in Nov 2024 and fell a bit flat for me - BUT sets us up beautifully for The Fallen and The Kiss of DUST (Aug 2025).
Blood & Ash Series, Jennifer L Armentrout. Spice from the start and I very much enjoy the world and character development in books 1-2. This is a series commitment as well with 5 books and a complimentary series and you need to read it as well for anything to make sense. I say give it a go and if you like the main character dynamic you can proceed with all the books. LAST BOOK - A Primal of Blood & Bone (Aug 2025)
Shadows of the Tenebris Court - Clare Sager excellent slow burn and a new perspective on FMC as she doesn’t have some godly like powers – much more average and older FMC. I also surprisingly enjoyed the side story ‘Slaying the Shadow Prince’ …a bit more brutal and aggressive enemies-lovers trope. NEXT BOOK - A Promise of Lies (OUT JAN 2025) did not disappoint and was a fabulous conclusion for Kat and Bastian. This is a not recommended enough in my opinion.
Legends of Thezmarr Series - Helen Scheuerer. Read all 4 of these very quickly and was impressed with the FMC, Thea as she isn’t annoying or a damsel in distress with her coming into her power separately from the MMC. I good level of healthy betrayal. Excellent friend banter and plot developments. NEXT BOOK featuring her sister - Iron & Embers (Out Feb 2025)
Faye and Alchemy Series - Callie Hart. Quicksilver was enjoyable with a good twist but I wasn’t as sold on the character development. Not true enemies to lovers…more like caught in the crossfire vibes. The ending sets us up well for the next in the series…Out NOV 2025
The Empyrean Series - Rebecca Yarros. Bit of a younger read as both characters are young, but I very much like the military school vibes + Dragons and I found the world building A+. The dialogue and character actions tallied with their ages, but extra points as I did enjoy the family drama. Onyx Storm was out in Jan and I thought this was much better and you can feel the writing is growing with the characters. Better friend banter as the books go on.
The War of Lost Hearts Series, Carissa Broadbent. There are some serious unexpected plot developments in this book and I can't say I actively enjoyed the entire series. It was dark but not in a flirty dark way - just kind of dark and I wanted to shake everyone. MMC (Maxantarius) is a goodie and I do like that there are 2 main story lines to follow. More light on the spice side as well but this one makes you think.
Flesh & Fire Series, Jennifer Armentrout (Aug 24) – necessary series if you enjoyed Blood & Ash, I also recommend you start this one midway through B&A. Very similar story arch and complex explanations as you get further into the books. Sometimes a bit too much dialogue that doesn’t drive the story, but needed to connect all the dots. This world is a commitment and Nyktos is THE Shadow Daddy. A few jaw drop moments.
Fear the Flames - Olivia Rose Darling. Good idea, but a bit bland in delivery. I liked the idea overall but the writing and execution seemed a bit rushed or maybe a few too many jumps in the story…I'm talking like actual holes where I don’t understand how we got from one moment to the next.
Sacred Stones Trilogy (Dawn of Dawn of Onyx, Promise of Peridot, Reign of Rose) -Kate Golden. Excellent banter and side characters. Good for those into Dragons and complicated court & family relationships.
House of Earth and Blood - Sarah J Maas. Started Strong…finished the first book in a single day (sorry boss) but went a bit downhill with each progressive book. I did enjoy the more casual tone (we aren't in high fae world) and it felt like a 20-something story…people commenting on the frequent use of the F-bomb must not hang with the kids these days.
Phantasma - Kaylie Smith. Interesting southern gothic setting and darker premise with trials and games with demons. I am more looking forward to her sister’s tale as I think she will be the saucier character. Enchantra is our April 2025
Fall of Ruin and Wrath - Jennifer L Armentrout. Fast pace and you dive right into some spice and danger. Minimal world building but there are hints to a wider plot play that loop back to JLA's other worlds and I think the story stands alone well. Key points, who doesn’t like a raven shifter with a wicked mouth. Book 2 - out late 2025.
Fey Spy Academy (Avalon Tower/ Vale of Dreams) - Alex Rivers and CN Crawford. This is sold as a King Arthur retelling - loosely, set in modern times and there is, of course, a Fey plotline intertwined. I enjoyed book one and really was hooked by book 2 which takes us away from modern times and into the fantasy element a bit more. Will be interesting to see how they wrap this up with Lady of the Lake (Apr 2025)
Bewitched/Bespelled - Laura Thalassa. Like reading a teeny-bop witch world with some spice, a deranged male lead but also the carefree whimsy of college students. If you are wanting happy-witchy vibes with a bit of a punch, this is for you…next book out late 2025, I'm a bit iffy if I will continue…
Nocticadia - Kerri Lake. Think gross parasite, mysterious university and an unhinged professor that has a taste for the devious. Though this technically is not Romantasy it’s a great introduction to darker romances in an otherworldly setting. 10/10 no notes. Chunky Stand Alone.
Nightshade/Infernium - Kerri Lake. If you want to go a little closer to the horror genre, without actually scaring yourself before bedtime, these is the duology for you. Its dark, there is a menacing bad boy who likes to tie people up and angels aren't the good guys. NOT recommend for the religious types.
Metal Slinger - Rachel Schneider. I was up until 3am finishing this story. People talk about that Law & Order style twist, but there is a lot of great world building, good for the water lovers and some pretty ace banter. Took me 3 business days to get over this…Light Wielder (Book 2/2) is out early 2025 and there is a small cult following who are going mad for it (guilty).
The Wolf King - Lauren Palphreyman. I picked this up after a reading a book where the werewolves did not win the girl…and this was just the tonic. Scottish, kilts, back talk and lots of clan politics with a very clear good/bad boy play. Book 2, The Night Prince is out March 2025 - Duology.
Touch of Gold & Madness - KL DeVore. This entire book is setting you up for the future reads…Interesting magic system using energy sources and light, but this wasn’t explored much as yet. Will need to put in some time reading all the books before the pieces come together - better if you are happy with a slow burn build.
When the Moon Hatched - Sarah A Parker. It’s a slow start, but really a love story and heartbreaking. The MMC is swoon worthy which helps you get through the beginning and well, dragons, those help too. Book 2 'Ballad of Falling Dragons' out late 2025. Keep going if you like to love so hard it hurts.
Road of Bones - Demi Winters. Norse warrior vibes with a slow build of plot that lets you get to know the characters. It was fast moving, but not fast-paced as such and I am set up for a really delightful book 2 when the man I am rooting for wins. Kingdome of Claw (book 2 of 5) is out 21 Feb 2025.
Court of Ravens (Shadows so Cruel/ Feathers so Vicious) - Liz Zander. Holy Hell what did I just read. LOVE the raven shifters, love the nastiness, not sure about the why choose. There are some very painful moments in this book…but I did enjoy it. Proceed with caution. Kaw kaw
Amid Cloud & Bones - Ella Fields. 10/10 for Vibes - twisty and dark and delightful. If you like wings, evil fae and fated mates this one will be a fan favourite. It’s a standalone too, so quick start and conclusion. Perfect for a one-sit read.
