Thanks to cult-favourite and best-selling series like Fourth Wing (The Empyrean series) and A Court Of Thorns And Roses, a romantasy craze has taken over the world. BookTok member or not, you can’t deny that there’s nothing quite as enthralling as the escape these stories provide. There’s tension, love, fighting, dragons, fairies, and everyone’s favourite… smut.
Don’t act like you’re above the spicy stuff. Because you’re clearly not if you’ve devoured a series that’s left a gaping hole in your heart after the final chapter *cough* Onyx Storm *cough*.
No, I’m still not over that ending. Yes, I think of Violet and Xaden on a daily basis. Don’t question it.
And while ACOTAR author Sarah J. Maas has finally answered our prayers and announced a release date for not one, but two of the next books in the series, they’re not being released until the end of 2026 and beginning of 2027. As for Fourth Wing author Rebecca Yarros? She’s begun writing the fourth book in the five-book series, but we’ll be waiting for a good year or two before it’s finished and released.
If you’re anything like me, sitting impatiently and twiddling your thumbs while you wait for the next instalment of your favourite romantasy series, allow me to add a bunch of thrilling book recs to your ‘want to read’ pile.
Here are 14 of the best romantasy books to dive into if you’re feeling deprived of your spicy book content.
14 Romantasy Books For Those Of You Who Read For The Plot With A Side Of Smut
House Of Earth And Blood (Crescent City Trilogy) By Sarah J. Maas
If you’re itching for more of Sarah J. Maas’ work after devouring ACOTAR, you need to get your hands on the Crescent City trilogy. House Of Earth And Blood is the first book of the three and follows human Bryce Quinlan, who lives a perfect life… until a demon murders one of her best friends. Years later, murder strikes again, and Bryce is determined to avenge her friends’ deaths. Fallen angel Hunt Athalar teams up with her in a bargain: if he can help Bryce find the murderer, he will gain freedom from the Archangels he once attempted to overthrow.
There’s mystery, drama, spice, and sexual tension. Love!
Is the series complete? Yes.
From Blood And Ash (Blood and Ash Series) By Jennifer L. Armentrout
From Blood And Ash is a scrumptious forbidden love romantasy that’s the first instalment of the Blood And Ash series. Written by Jennifer L. Armentrout, it follows Poppy, a Maiden who has been confined to a lonely, solitary life. She is never to be spoken to, looked at or touched, and is waiting for the day of her Ascension — except it’s a life she’s not even sure if she wants. Only problem is, the future of the entire kingdom depends on her. However, when she meets Hawke, a hot guard who is supposed to aid her Ascension, she’s tempted by a life that was never supposed to be hers.
The Blood And Ash series comprises seven books, so you’ll be occupied with this one for a while.
Is the series complete? Yes.
A Stage Set for Villains By Shannon J. Spann
Romantasy books don’t all have to be series. A Stage Set For Villains is author Shannon J. Spann‘s debut novel, and is a standalone book that combines gods, humans and theatre — every drama kid’s dream. This YA romantasy follows Riven Hesper, who has been cursed by a Player (a godlike performer). She needs to infiltrate the Playhouse, compete against other mortals and find a way to kill a Player and steal its power in order to break the curse before her time runs out. But that’s until she meets Player Jude, who offers her a deal: win the competition, spare his life and he’ll free her from the curse.
This book only came out in February 2026, so get ahead of the BookTok curve so you can understand all the memes once they start rolling out.
Is the series complete? It’s a standalone book, so yep!
The Ruins Beneath Us By Sasha E Sloan
One of BookTok’s leading influencers, Sasha E Sloan, has officially entered the chat, releasing her debut novel on March 3. The Ruins Beneath Us combines love, betrayal, royalty and secrets as it follows main character Lyria and her mother, two elves who are on the run from human kingdom Verdinae. She’s gone her whole life being advised to stay hidden, especially because she runs the risk of losing control of her magic, but that goes out the window when she saves a human boy from being killed — who turns out to be the crown prince.
Offered a position at the royal apothecary, Lyria is determined to prove to her mother that she can control her magic. But the castle and noblemen and women aren’t as they seem, and it’s harder to keep her identity hidden from everyone than she first thought, especially the prince, who’s now falling for her.
Is the series complete? No, there will be a second book in the future.
Zodiac Academy: The Awakening (Zodiac Academy Series) By Caroline Peckham And Susanne Valenti
If you hate the creeping knowledge that your beloved series is coming to an end as you get deeper into it, you’ll love Zodiac Academy, which comprises nine books (and multiple spinoff books)! It follows twins and lost Fae princesses, Darcy and Tory Vega (lol for Victorious fans), as they learn to harness their powers at the academy. Oh, and the odds are against them — a trope we all love.
Is the series complete? Yes (with spin off series, too!).
When The Moon Hatched (Moonfall Series) By Sarah A. Parker
When The Moon Hatched follows Raeve, an assassin who is kidnapped by dragon riders — I’m invested already. It’s witty, fast-paced, and full of spice. This book is the first of a two-part series, with the second book, The Ballad Of Falling Dragons, set to release in February 2026.
Is the series complete? Yes.
Blood Of Hercules (Villains Of Lore Series) By Jasmine Mas
What if you thought you were completely normal, only to find out you’re not just destined to be a warrior, but basically a god? That’s the fate of Alexis Hart, who discovers she’s been blessed with immortality in Blood Of Hercules, book one of the two-part series, Villains Of Lore by Jasmine Mas. The plot follows her as she is honed into a warrior, fights off monsters, and fights for survival.
Filled with dark romance, Gods, gladiators, and warriors and prophecies, this is an enthralling read for anyone who loves an extreme enemies-to-lovers arc and morally gray alpha heroes.
Is the series complete? Yes.
Quicksilver (Fae And Alchemy Series) By Callie Hart
Miss your daily dose of shadow wielder Xaden Riorson? Allow me to introduce you to another shadowy, morally gray tortured love interest in Quicksilver, the first book of the Fae And Alchemy series.
It follows Saeris Fane, a 24-year-old alchemist with hidden powers who accidentally re-opens a gateway between realms when she faces Death head-on, transporting her to a land of ice and snow. It’s here where she discovers Fae are not only real, but are nothing like the myths explain them to be, especially one particularly good-looking Fae warrior, Kingfisher.
This is the first book of what Callie Hart has said will be a trilogy. The second book was released last year, and the final book has a tentative 2026 release date. She also wants to release two additional side character books once the series is complete, so there’s heaps to look forward to!
Is the series complete? No.
Powerless (The Powerless Trilogy) By Lauren Roberts
You know how every heroine in a romantasy book has an innate power that trumps all and conquers evil? Yeah, Powerless isn’t that. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. In a world where ‘Ordinary’s’ are shunned and only the Elite thrive, protagonist Paedyn poses as a Psychic in the city of Elites, attempting to blend in so that she can stay alive. All of this gets complicated when she finds herself in The Purging Trials, the competition that showcases the Elites’ powers. Survival, as well as fighting falling for the prince that’s caught her eye, are the only way forward.
Is the series complete? Yes (but two novellas from the same universe are on the way).
Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass Series) By Sarah J. Maas
If you’re an ACOTAR fan, Throne Of Glass is probably already on your ‘to read’ list, or you’ve read it already. While TOG and ACOTAR exist in the same megaverse, they’re not directly connected, so you don’t have to read one before the other. Some people say to read ACOTAR first, while others say TOG is the way to go, so really, it’s up to you which one you pick.
TOG follows Celaena Sardothien, a prisoner of the king who has to kill 23 opponents to win her freedom. But when they start dying one by one, Celaena has to fight not only for her release, but for her survival.
It’s an eight book series, so you’ll be preoccupied for months. Go forth, my friend!
Is the series complete? Yes.
The Serpent And The Wings Of Night (Crowns of Nyaxia Series) By Carissa Broadbent
If you love Twilight, this will be right up your alley. The Serpents And The Wings Of Night by Carissa Broadbent is kinda like if a vampire fantasy and The Hunger Games had a baby.
It follows Oraya, the adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, as she enters the Kejari, a tournament held by the goddess of death. It’s her only chance to prove that she’s more than prey, but in order to survive, she has to make an ally of the mysterious Raihn, enemy of her father’s crown. It’s juicy, and the kind of romance that’s definitely not supposed to happen, but you’re rooting for them anyway.
The Crowns of Nyaxia series will be six books total, divided into three duologies (but the overarching plot of the series spans across all six books).
Is the series complete? No (four books are out, two more are yet to be released).
The Prison Healer (The Prison Healer Series) By Lynette Noni
The Prison Healer is more of a YA romantasy, so the spicy scenes are less graphic, but it’s a thrilling story nonetheless. It follows 17-year-old Kiva Meridan as she fights for survival in Zalindov, a notorious death prison. She enters the Trial By Ordeal in an effort to save the terminally ill Rebel Queen, who she’s been assigned to protect. If she succeeds? Freedom for herself and the Queen will follow. But if she fails? Death awaits. And no one has ever survived.
Is the series complete? Yes.
Once Upon A Broken Heart (Once Upon A Broken Heart Series) By Stephanie Garber
Good things come in threes. Once Upon A Broken Heart pushes the boundaries on how far people would go for love. Protagonist Evangeline Fox is desperate to win back the love of her life after she discovers he is destined to marry someone else, so enlists the help of the wicked Prince of Hearts. In exchange, the prince makes Evangeline promise him three kisses, which he can cash in whenever he chooses — and he may not have her best interests at heart.
Is the series complete? Yes.
Crier’s War (Crier’s War Series) By Nina Varela
The Crier’s War duology is for the girls and gays. This queer romantasy book is full of politics, forbidden love and rebellion — all the good stuff. The plot follows Automa ruler and a human girl whose fates become hazardously linked, especially as their world edges closer to a revolution.
Protagonist and human servant Ayla wants to murder the Sovereign’s daughter, Lady Crier, to avenge her family. Lady Crier is supposed to inherit her father’s kingdom, but is discovering her father may have had ill-intentions. When they meet, everything goes haywire, including Lady Crier’s betrothal to the shady Scyre Kinok.
Is the series complete? Yes.
Now go forth and enjoy your escape, my fellow bookworm!
Image Credit: @fayreadsfantasy / @sashaesloan / Etsy
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