Romantasy books with yearning so exquisite they make you believe in true love

I’ve been thinking a lot about romantasy (the sub-genre combining fantasy and romance); specifically, what makes a good one. For me, it boils down to two points: the fantasy-world plotline needs to be equally as strong as the romantic one, and the romance should be carried by a heavy, slow-burn, borderline-pathetic amount of yearning.

Because I’m feeling generous, I will share five(ish) books that fit this mold exactly. Prepare to have your life changed.

Rebecca Ross’s entire bibliography

I did say five-ish books. Here’s your ish.

If you love Hozier’s cover of “Do I Wanna Know?” by the Arctic Monkeys, then you will love Ross’s books.

Whether you’re reading Ross’s adult “A River Enchanted” or her young adult (YA) “Divine Rivals” duology, Ross simply does not miss. Her world-building is nothing short of magical, and her compelling plots, while romance-heavy, absolutely stand on their own. And, of course, the main characters yearn like it’s their sole purpose in life.

My personal recommendation is to start with “Divine Rivals” and work your way out from there.

‘Shades of Magic’ Trilogy — V.E. Schwab

This is for those who like their romantasy to be heavy on the fantasy. Most, in fact, would not even count this as a romantasy — they’re more of a high fantasy with several romance subplots.

Still, the books are a shining example of characters who are so pathetically and secretly obsessed with each other, you’ll take the crumbs and beg for more. This trilogy follows several characters as they fight, steal and pirate their way through inter-dimensional, magical Londons.

An addictive, dark and lush read.

‘The Everlasting’ — Alix E. Harrow

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I have a thing for fantasy interwar-era nerds and their scary medieval girlfriends, apparently.

This is a plot that I feel is best to go into blind, but “The Everlasting” not only serves a heartbreaking romance, but delivers clever commentary on war, nation-building and mental health.

Read at the risk of tears.

‘This Woven Kingdom Series’ — Tahereh Mafi

Don’t let the first book fool you; this series features one of the most potent yearners I have ever read — I’ll let you discover who.

Set in a decadent world inspired by Middle Eastern mythologies, this book follows a lost Jinn queen as she sets out to reunite her oppressed and scattered people, all while being haunted by the devil himself — and no, the devil is not a romantic interest and is actually scary.

‘Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries’ — Heather Fawcett

What if faeries were scary, researchable and occasionally worked at Oxford? This unique series is written in a diary format, which I know can be a daunting change for some readers. However, the result is a delightful look into a neurodivergent woman’s head as she sets out to write the first comprehensive encyclopedia of faeries.

And yeah, she’s engaged in a just-as-whimsical rivalry with her annoyingly attractive colleague. Does it get any better than that?

greenpt@miamioh.edu

Parker Green is a junior English literature and strategic communication double major with a minor in political science. When she’s not at one of her nine extracurriculars, you can usually find her reading, reviewing food with her roommates or generally dilly-dallying.