What is romantasy exactly? Is it romantic fantasy? Fantasy romance? A new name for paranormal romance? A whole new subgenre or just another marketing term? I’ve seen all kinds of books given the label “romantasy”, from romance novels with fantasy elements to fantasy books with romantic themes to fantasy books where there just happens to be a romance subplot. Right now I think romantasy is more vibes than anything, so that’s what I’m bringing you this month. Here are five books with all the magic and swooning you could want.
Sunshine by Robin McKinley
Starting off strong with a classic. This is one of those novels that every reader obsessed with vampires gets around to at some point. A young baker, Sunshine, gets kidnapped by vampires and is set up as bait for Constantine, who is sentenced to death. She uses her sun powers to help them both escape. He needs her for her ability to let him move about in daylight, she needs him for his strength and protection. Cue romance. It’s been nearly 14 years since McKinley teased a second book set in the same world and even longer since she announced she would be open to writing a direct sequel, which probably means we’re never getting more Rae “Sunshine” Seddon. At least what we got is literary perfection. (Berkley Publishing Group, 2003)
Spectred Isle by K.J. Charles (Green Men #1)
Disgraced archaeologist Saul Lazenby tries to keep it together as magic and hearts collide in this historical romance by one of the reigning queens of the Romance genre. Saul gets tangled up with Randolph, an arcanist whose life is dedicated to protecting his country and his people from those who use magic for ill. Charles has a ton of historical romantic fantasies—The Charm of Magpies series is the big one that always makes the rec lists—but this is my personal favorite. If you want more in the way of Emily Tesh’s Greenhollow duology, here you go. (KJC Books, 2017)
Isle of Blood and Stone by Makiia Lucier (Tower of Winds #1)
Makiia Lucier is so good at writing YA fantasy romance novels. The fantasy is always creative and compelling, and the romance is sweet without being sugary. Her stories are complex and have a sharper edge than you expect, but the emotional beats are grounded in honesty. Mapmaker Elias and Mercedes the spy team up to untangle the mystery of what really happened the day King Ulises’ brothers were murdered. Their journey takes them across fantastical realms and through hard truths before the pair find their way to each other’s hearts. (Clarion Books, 2018)
Best Laid Plaids by Ella Stainton (Kilty Pleasures #1)
It took me a while to check out this series, mostly because I can’t stand puns and the series title is like nails on a chalkboard to me. But Cornell Collins is one of my favorite audiobook narrators so I decided to try it anyway. I’m so glad I did! Set in Scotland in 1928, the story is about Dr. Ainsley Graham, an academic who trashed his promising career by revealing that he could see ghosts, and WWI vet turned psychology student Joachim Cockburn who is using Ainsley as a bit of a test case. Supernatural occurrences and romantic scenarios ensue. (Carina Press, 2020)
Tim Te Maro and the Subterranean Heartsick Blues by H.S. Valley
Never going to not yell about this book to people. Sorry not sorry. I just love it so much! Tim is a Māori teen attending a secret magical boarding school in New Zealand. He’s assigned to raise an egg with his nemesis, Elliott. Romance tropes blend with teen fantasy drama in enchanting ways, but the real heart is Tim dealing with his anxiety and issues with his father. It’s often comped as Red, White, and Royal Blue crossed with The Magicians, but I’d put it closer to Carry On meets In Other Lands. (Hardie Grant Books, 2023)
I’m not sure how much it would count as romantasy (?) but I’ve always liked Graceling by Kristin Cashore. The romance is really elegantly done
I totally agree with your choice of Sunshine. In fact, you could easily argue that many of her other books also qualify.
Lore Olympus would 100% count for this list and blows these books out of the water
I’ll put in a recommendation for KJ Charles Secret Casebooks of Simon Feximal as well – it’s loosely connected to Spectred Isle, and is an homage to Victorian occult pulp fiction.
Huh. I thought Sunshine was much older, for some reason.
Arden Powell’s Flos Magicae series are loosely connected charming romances taking place in a magical 1920s England that would likely appeal to fans of KJ Charles
*adds to TBR*
I read Sunshine, and enjoyed it, but felt like it was half a story. The reason that a sequel is mentioned is because the story isn’t finished. It baffles me that the author considered the story finished, when there were so many plot threads left hanging.
I actually encourage people to skip this book, unless they are fans of unfinished stories. I suppose there are a lot of people who don’t mind that sort of thing, considering the enduring popularity of Game of Thrones and the Kingkiller “trilogy”. To each their own, but unfinished stories bother me.
Sunshine is not al all unfinished. It would be wonderful to have more of Sunshine, and the next chapter of her life, but the book works quite well as a stand-alone. It is one of my very best comfort books.
I do question it being listed as a romantasy. The relationship between Sunshine and Con is at most friendship. Her romance is with Mel.
Gasp how could you ignore Gail Carriger’s recent Tinkered Starsong trilogy? I wouldn’t consider it under or overrated just perfect in every way and 100% romantasy.
Gail Carriger’s San Andreas Shifters series is both spicy and hilarious – begins with Marine Biology where a merman and an unlikely nerd alpha werewolf meet cute, and the last one ii The Enforcer Enigma, which introduces otter shifters, bad country music, family drama, achingly good character development, and the most hilarious earpiece snark ever transmitted during a country music concert. VERY spicy!
Alex, you’ve done it again. Will be feverishly trying to read these as soon as my schedule allows.