The fantasy genre has always been an extremely popular category in literary fiction, serving a wide variety of readers through its many subgenres. The romance subgenre, in particular, has seen a rise in popularity in recent years, as readers enjoy an equal mix of classic fantasy elements alongside a strong romantic plot. Many popular books on BookTok fall into this category, but a large selection tends to lean heavily on graphic content that some readers don’t like in a fantasy book series.
Although romance is often an important element in fantasy adventures, there are those who prefer that the central plot of the book not be overshadowed by the inclusion of explicitly detailed scenes. In some cases, these scenes can build context for a character’s romantic arc, but they can also be detrimental to a book’s overall narrative if they’re focused on too much. Readers looking for books that seamlessly combine fantasy and romance can opt for some degree of ambiguity that will still provide compelling relationship dynamics with little to no spice included.
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Throne of Glass (2012)
Written by Sarah J. Maas
Maas’ Throne of Glass follows the journey of Aelin Galathynius (aka Celaena Sardothien), a skilled assassin and wielder of fire, as she seeks to reclaim her throne and defeat those who corrupted her kingdom. The series may focus heavily on its action sequences and political world-building, but There is still a strong romantic element found throughout much of the plot. And although Maas is known for her steamy romances both in Cutting thorns and roses and Crescent City series, she takes a more romantic approach behind closed doors for most of the Throne of Glass series.
This in no way diminishes the growing tension between each of its characters, with much of Throne of Glass being buoyed by some of the book’s sweetest, most tender moments. However, the last few books in the series – specifically Empire of Storms, Tower of Dawnand Kingdom of Ashes—include slightly hotter scenes. They go into more detail than the faint scenes found in the first few booksbut there are not many of them nor are they overly descriptive.
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Mistborn (2006)
Written by Brandon Sanderson
Born from the mists by Brandon Sanderson follows the characters of Kelsier and Vin, a powerful Mistborn and his protégé, as they attempt to overthrow the Lord Ruler’s tyrannical reign. While Sanderson Born from the mists Could be classified more as a classic or epic fantasy, the romance plot that is found throughout should not be ignored. Sanderson does an incredible job of using his characters’ relationships – like Vin and Elend’s – to add some levity to the complex political dynamics. and unique magic system built throughout the series.
The romantic elements may start off rather slow for some, as Vin and Elend don’t meet until Chapter 12 – but the resulting payoff is worth the wait. The romance written in the story is very smooth, like Sanderson prefers to allude to the intimacy of one character with anotherrather than exploring moments in descriptive detail. Although his writing is action-packed, he makes a point of delivering a swoon-worthy romance without any distractions from the main plot.
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Divine Rivals (2023)
Written by Rebecca Ross
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross tells the story of two young writers who fall in love with the magic of their typewriters, and their correspondence becomes a kind of therapeutic process for both of them. Most of the romance found in this duology is built on the foundation of trust each character finds in the other through their letters.adding a magical quality they feel in each other’s words. The level of intimacy that Ross is able to imitate through unspoken words is truly astonishing, and their romance begins long before anything physical happens.
The level of intimacy that Ross is able to imitate through unspoken words is truly astonishing, and their romance begins long before anything physical happens.
Their unique dynamic is incredibly captivating and makes the moment when they finally meet Divine Rivals even more special. Intimate scenes in this series are rare, with many of them being strictly kissing scenes, with very little else disclosed to the reader. Ross takes a more washed-out approach to his writing and alludes to the book’s most intimate moments without going into explicit detail.
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Once Upon a Broken Heart (2021)
Written by Stephanie Garber
Known for being an extremely popular choice on BookTok, Once upon a time there was a broken heart the trilogy is the epitome of a cozy, must-read fantasy novel. Once upon a time there was a broken heart is about a young woman, Evangeline, whose broken heart leads her to make some risky decisions – all of which trigger a series of events that leave her chasing true love. While the series definitely leans heavily on its romance plot, world-building fantasy elements are essential to moving the story forward.
THE Once upon a time there was a broken heart the trilogy was intended to be classified as a young adult series. However, many of the readers who enjoy this series are adults. The romantic scenes included are very softwith all three books in the series containing some kissing scenes, but Garber never expands on any additional intimacy. The overall writing is very clean, focusing on a healthier romance between its main characters – which only helps to make the book impossible to put down.
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The Prison Healer Trilogy (2021)
Written by Lynette Noni
The prison healer by Lynette Noni is a young adult fantasy series that follows Kiva Meridan, a young girl who is forced into a deadly prison at just 10 years old. The series begins with Kiva, now seventeen years old and a prison healer, who somehow finds herself entering a series of dangerous tests to save a woman’s life. The prison healer is a combination of the classic fantasy, dystopian and romance genreswith something unique to offer every type of reader.
The series, while action-packed, spends an incredible amount of time building trust and tension between its main love interests. The tension built in book one of The prison healer the series is taken into the second book and constantly teases the reader about what will happen. Due to the series being written for young adults, nothing other than a few kissing scenes will be mentioned in detail—But the limited intimacy doesn’t diminish the romance of the books in the slightest..
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What the River Knows (2023)
Written by Isabel Ibañez
What the river knows is a historical fantasy novel set in the late 1800s, following the journey of Inez, a young girl who sets off alone to Egypt to discover more about the mysterious disappearance of her parents. Ibañez does an incredible job building a magical element to the story and tying it into what is a very accurate historical representation of Egypt at the time—mixing fact and fantasy perfectly.
Like many fantasy romances, the main love interest proves taciturn and difficult to work with. Although their relationship may start out hostile, the two discover they have more in common than they initially believed and watching their love story unfold is incredibly captivating. The book only includes a single intimate moment between the couplebut it is not overly descriptive and is quite short. Now that the sequence, Where the library hides, is published, we’re sure we’ll see more of their romance develop.
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Gray (2012)
Written by Marissa Meyer
Gray by Marissa Meyer focuses on a young mechanic named Cinder, who is half-human, half-cyborg, as she tries to solve a mysterious disease that has taken over the Earth. The first book in the series is inspired by the original classic fairy tale, Cinderellabut it gives a futuristic/fantastic touch. As the series continues, every book in The Lunar Chronicles takes creative liberties with some other fairy talesincluding little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzeland Snow White.
Although each book in the series focuses on a new heroine and a love story, The books do an amazing job of switching between each character’s romantic arcs and giving them the time they need to grow. While The Lunar Chronicles makes a point of focusing on the romance between his characters, Meyer keeps the romantic scenes to a minimum, with scenes only depicting a few kisses or hugs.
3
Powerless (2023)
Written by Lauren Roberts
Powerless by Lauren Roberts has quickly become one of BookTok’s most popular reads. The story follows Paedyn Gray, an ordinary young woman without any power, who finds herself involved in a brutal competition with the most powerful elite in the world. THE Powerless the series quickly grew in popularity not only due to its entertaining storyline, but through Roberts’ ability to create romantic tension and banter with ease.
The romantic plot found in the story is a strong focus, with tension brewing between more than one character. However, with so much banter and tension that Roberts has infused into her writing, it will come as a surprise to readers to discover that no characters engage in any kind of intimacy throughout the first book. While this may seem unusual for a fantasy series with a heavy romantic plot, helps keep readers engaged and builds anticipation for what’s to come in subsequent books.
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The Cruel Prince (2018)
Written by Holly Black
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black is one of the best enemies-to-lovers fantasy books, and one of the only series that uses the popular trope correctly. The book follows Jude, one of the only humans living in the Fairy High Court, as she tries to rise to power and finds herself embroiled in political intrigue with her worst enemy. And as the title suggests, she hates said prince, Cardan, more than anyone. Romance all around The People of the Air the trilogy begins very slowly, with subtle details that suggest the romantic tension between its two characters.
Since this is a true enemies-to-lovers story, much of the first book tiptoes around its romantic plot.
Since this is a true enemies-to-lovers story, much of the first book tiptoes around its romantic plot. However, the first book does an amazing job laying the foundation of their relationshipwhile the rest of the series explores this in more depth. Most of the intimate scenes throughout the books are quite lighthearted, with a few kisses. However, in Queen of nothing there is one more detailed romantic scene that adds value and helps develop the relationship.
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A Dark Window (2022)
Written by Rachel Gillig
A dark window by Rachel Gillig is a dark fantasy romance duology that follows Elspeth, a young woman with an ancient, fickle spirit trapped inside her head. Elspeth is quickly thrown into a quest to save Blunder from dark magic alongside the king’s nephew and captain of the guard, Ravyn. The Shepherd King The duology’s world-building lends itself to its unique magic systemand helps create a believable threat against its main character’s romantic travels.
The romantic tension between Elspeth and Ravyn is conveyed throughout most of the A dark window, but as things progress in their relationship, Gillig adds more intimacy to their dynamic. Most of the first book only includes a few kissing scenes, but Gillig later adds a scene that might be categorized as steamy for some. While the language used isn’t overly explicit, it’s not a washed-out romantic encounter either – as Gillig conveys the situation in a bit more detail than the film’s earlier romantic scenes. fantasy book.