The romantasy genre, which combines romance and fantasy, has been booming in popularity in recent years, and now readers have voted on the best books in the genre
‘Romantasy’, the enchanting blend of fantasy and romance, has been sweeping readers off their feet and into otherworldly love stories, becoming a viral sensation especially on TikTok’s #BookTok community.
Romancing the Data, a site dedicated to the heart-fluttering genre, crunched numbers from 53 top romantasy book lists to reveal the crème de la crème of these novels.
The A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas reigns supreme at the pinnacle of the list, a revelation that will hardly raise eyebrows among romantasy readers who are well-versed with its widespread acclaim.
The team at Romancing the Data wrote: “A captivating fantasy where a huntress enters a faerie realm, facing romance, danger, and a deadly curse. Beauty and the Beast meets dark magic.”
Sarah J. Maas proves she’s no one-hit wonder in the realm of romantasy, as her Throne of Glass series nabs the eighth spot, while Crescent City also graces the list at number 19.
Hot on the heels of Maas’s success is the Fourth Wing series by Rebecca Yarros, which boasts nearly three million ratings on Goodreads and an impressive average of 4.58 stars out of five, reports the Mirror US.
One glowing five-star review raves: “This book is a rollercoaster of twists and had me so hooked from the start! Not once did it feel boring or like I should just skim something, and for once, I know the hype was so worth it!”
Another reader exclaimed: “I am officially OBSESSED with this book! Having turned the last page over an hour ago, I’m still staring into the void, having no idea what to do with myself, and genuinely considering going back and re-reading it again straight away. It’s THAT GOOD.”
Jennifer L. Armentrout’s popular From Blood and Ash series was another fan favourite. The TikTok-trending series was summarised by the list-makers as follows: “A fierce maiden destined for divinity breaks free from duty, facing forbidden love, dark secrets, and a kingdom on the brink of war.”
Completing the top five roster were Carissa Broadbent’s The Serpent and The Wings of Night alongside Rebecca Ross’s Divine Rivals, the latter clinching the coveted Goodreads Choice Award for Young Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction in 2023.
The top 20 romantasy books/series
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
- Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
- From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
- The Serpent and The Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
- Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
- The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
- The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
- Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
- A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet
- Radiance by Grace Draven
- Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
- Bride by Ali Hazlewood
- One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
- Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
- Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa
- Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
- The Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole
- Gild by Raven Kennedy
- House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City) by Sarah J. Maas
- Uprooted by Naomi Novik