The best romantasy book recommendations start with A Court of Thorns and Roses for slow-burn romance, The Bridge Kingdom for enemies to lovers, and Fourth Wing for a highly rated series opener. Start at the first book of whichever matches your trope.
This guide sorts popular picks by trope and mood and names a clear starting book for each. For wider reviews across genres, browse our best books to read.
What romantasy is and why sorting by trope helps
Romantasy, short for fantasy romance, is described by the review site Bookish Wayfarer as a growing genre that blends magic, adventure and romance. The romance and the fantasy plot share the same story, so the relationship is not a side thread.
The scale of the genre explains why recommendations need a filter. Goodreads’ romantasy shelf lists 48,864 titles. Browsing that cold is impractical, so decide three things first:
- The relationship dynamic you want. Slow burn, enemies to lovers and forbidden romance each produce a different reading experience.
- How much series commitment you will accept. Some entry points are single openers of long series, so check how many books follow before you start.
- Whether you want a safe consensus pick or a niche one. Rating counts show how large a title’s audience is, and the next section lays them out.
The most-shelved romantasy books and their Goodreads ratings
The table compares nine widely rated titles on the Goodreads romantasy shelf. It shows where each sits in its series, when it was published and how readers have scored it. Series positions follow the shelf’s own labels.
| Title (series position) | Author | Published | Goodreads average (ratings) | Planning use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1) | Rebecca Yarros | 2023 | 4.56 (4,027,956) | Highest-rated series opener in this table; the place to begin The Empyrean |
| Iron Flame (The Empyrean, #2) | Rebecca Yarros | 2023 | 4.36 (2,936,898) | Read directly after Fourth Wing |
| Onyx Storm (The Empyrean, #3) | Rebecca Yarros | 2025 | 4.22 (1,980,118) | The most recent Empyrean entry on the shelf |
| A Court of Thorns and Roses (#1) | Sarah J. Maas | 2015 | 4.14 (4,656,212) | Gateway pick with the largest ratings pool in this table |
| A Court of Mist and Fury (#2) | Sarah J. Maas | 2016 | 4.63 (3,530,067) | Highest average in this table; continue here after book one |
| From Blood and Ash (Blood and Ash, #1) | Jennifer L. Armentrout | 2020 | 4.21 (913,442) | Armentrout’s series opener, for readers who want a different author |
| House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City, #1) | Sarah J. Maas | 2020 | 4.45 (1,372,032) | A second Maas world that does not require reading ACOTAR first |
| Divine Rivals (Letters of Enchantment, #1) | Rebecca Ross | 2023 | 4.14 (808,306) | Smallest ratings pool in this table, so a less crowded pick |
| The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, #1) | Holly Black | 2018 | 4.00 (1,889,928) | Lowest average in this table, but still a large audience |
Ratings, publication years and series positions come from the Goodreads romantasy shelf.
The averages fall in a narrow band, from 4.00 for The Cruel Prince to 4.63 for A Court of Mist and Fury. Use them as a tie-breaker between two books you already like the sound of, not as a verdict. They also move in both directions inside a series. The Empyrean averages drop with each book, while A Court of Mist and Fury scores well above the first ACOTAR book. A lower sequel average is therefore no reason to stop a series you enjoy.
Romantasy picks sorted by trope and mood
Match the trope to your mood first, then use the table to judge how big a commitment the book is.
Slow burn: for readers who like the payoff earned
Slow-burn romances build over many chapters, so they suit readers who enjoy anticipation more than quick resolution. A Court of Thorns and Roses is the standard recommendation here. Bookish Wayfarer calls it unputdownable and credits its compelling characters, engrossing plot and slow-burn romance. The same review site describes Blood Mercy as a slow-burn, forbidden romance, which makes it a good second choice if forbidden love appeals as much as the pacing. Choose these when you are in the mood for a longer immersion rather than a quick escape.
Enemies to lovers: for rivalry that turns into trust
The Bridge Kingdom is the clearest enemies-to-lovers recommendation in the reviewed material, and Bookish Wayfarer notes that it pairs this with a slow-burn romance. Pick it if you want hostility to give way gradually. Do not expect a quick turn from rival to partner, because the two tropes together mean tension builds slowly.
Series momentum: for readers who want to stay in one world
If you would rather settle into a long run than sample one book, the Goodreads figures help. The Empyrean runs from Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, both published in 2023, to Onyx Storm in 2025. That makes it the series with the most recent release among the picks above. Armentrout’s Blood and Ash and Rebecca Ross’s Letters of Enchantment are good if you want authors beyond the two best-known names.
Where to start reading romantasy
Pick your starting book by the kind of reader you are, and always begin at the first volume of a series.
- You want the genre’s gateway. Start with A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, a title listed on the Goodreads romantasy shelf. Its slow-burn romance and wide readership make it the safest first pick. The ACOTAR reading order runs through five books: A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin, A Court of Frost and Starlight and A Court of Silver Flames.
- You want the highest-rated recent opener. Start with Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, which has a strong average rating on Goodreads. Read Iron Flame next, then Onyx Storm.
- You want a different Maas world. Try House of Earth and Blood, the first Crescent City novel. The same AOL guide says it is not necessary to read A Court of Thorns and Roses first, though doing so may be more rewarding. You can therefore start here if ACOTAR does not appeal.
- You want a different author. Try From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout, first in the Blood and Ash series, a series opener listed on the Goodreads romantasy shelf.
If you cannot decide, A Court of Thorns and Roses is the starting book. It has the largest ratings pool in the table and a clear next step in A Court of Mist and Fury, which scores highest of the titles compared.
Choosing your next romantasy and testing the fit
A recommendation only helps if the book suits your taste, so check a few things before buying. Read the opening pages to see whether the voice works for you. Compare the blurb’s trope language with what you want, such as rivalry, forbidden love or a slow build. Skim recent reader reviews for recurring praise or complaints, and look for content notes if certain themes bother you. Libraries and bookshops with fantasy or romance displays are good places to browse before committing to a long series.
When you finish a series and want a change of pace, other genres reward the same habit of choosing by mood. Readers who want something darker and more idea-driven can try Books Like 1984: The Best Dystopian Novels To Read Next (2026 Guide). For older books with lasting influence, try 10 Must-Read Classics That Will Change How You See The World.
Frequently asked questions
Is romantasy the same as fantasy romance?
Yes. Bookish Wayfarer uses “fantasy romance, or romantasy for short” to describe the same growing genre of magic, adventure and romance.
What is the Crescent City reading order?
According to AOL’s guide to Sarah J. Maas’s books, Crescent City began in 2020 and has two sequels. Read House of Earth and Blood, then House of Sky and Breath, then House of Flame and Shadow.
How long is the Throne of Glass series?
AOL’s Maas guide says she expanded Throne of Glass into an eight-book series. It began when she was a teenager, so it suits readers who want a long commitment to a single world.
