I did NOT like ACOTAR and Fourth Wing and Cruel Prince and The Wicked and all those extremely popular books on social media.
They read like they were written by a 16 year old publishing on Archive of Our Own. They’re great for people finding a love for reading again, and I love that for them.
But I’d love something that grips me and makes my brain work.
Thank you, fellow book lovers ❤️
by pixie12E
5 Comments
Try Starling House by Alix E Harrow! Gothic romantasy
Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan, Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan
ETA: dammit. I read “romance”, not “romantasy”. These definitely don’t have the fantasy element but still good romance reads!
{Lord of the Fading Lands by C.L. Wilson} Fae fated mates story.
{Paladin’s Grace by T. Kingfisher} If you’re interested in characters older than 21, the whole Paladins series is great.
{Phoenix Unbound by Grace Draven} Kidnapping/forced proximity tropes, really well written but also quite a bit of smut compared to some series.
{Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent} Slow burn, the plot really picks up in book 2, but this is an all time favorite of mine.
ETA – All of the ones you mentioned as not enjoying are YA/NA. I avoid books tagged as those for exactly the same reason. Also, check out recs in r/fantasyromance
Kushiel’s Dart – Jaqueline Carey
*Uprooted* by Naomi Novik is excellent; I say that as someone who also does not like any of the YA romantasy books you listed. I think you’ve likely just aged out of reading YA, so I would start looking to adult fantasy. And *Uprooted* is spectacular!