Hey guys! I like reading romantasy in the fall seasons but am struggling to find a new book.
Some things I LOVE are:
– smart & morally grey characters
– slow burn but tons of tension
– enemies/rivals to lovers
– low fantasy/not TOO complex magic
– forced proximity
– power dynamics & banter
– bonus if there's pirates or dungeons or knives lol
For example, I always find Tricia Levenseller's books fun (The Shadows Between Us 1&2, Daughter of the Pirate King 1&2), and I LOVE The Prison Healer and The Kinder Poison trilogies (both YA). The dynamic between Kell & Lila in A Darker Shade of Magic, Tessa & Corrick in Defy the Night, Jacks & Eva in Once Upon a Broken Heart, etc.
Things I hate in books:
– fae, werewolves, or vampires
– 300 year age gap
– overbearing political plotline
– sci-fi
– your basic trials plotline (Red Queen, Hunger Games, Powerless)
– tiktok books that aren't written that well (don't hate me but Chloe Gong's books, Lightlark)
So not acotar, I didn't really like Serpent & Dove and ones like that. Kingdom of the Wicked had good tension and spice, but the magic got convoluted.
I often find the right style of story in YA books, but I'm looking for a bit more spice and tension and/or just older characters. It doesn't have to have all the criteria I listed but pleaseee if you know any good books lmk!
by binbonspls