Romantasy Books for Teens: 9 Romantic Fantasy Recomendations
Bev Humphrey
Literacy & Digital Media Consultant
www.bevhumphrey.com
Social media – https://linktr.ee/BevHumphrey
Romantasy or romantic fantasy fiction has become phenomenally popular with teenage readers, with A Court of Thorns and Roses being one example of this. If you browse TikTok’s BookTok community you could almost be forgiven for thinking that books from this sub genre are the only books that exist!
In my opinion anything that encourages young people to read avidly can’t be a bad thing but I do admit to feeling slightly uncomfortable when I see students from years 7/8 reading books that I know include a lot of explicit ‘spice’ and I’m really not sure I would have had these books on my shelves when I was a school librarian, at least not available for loan to younger year groups. However, we do want to capitalise on this wave of interest so here’s some suggestions of great romantasy reads that will spare everyone’s blushes!
Six of Crows & Crooked Kingdom, Leigh Bardugo
Welcome to the grishaverse, a world of charismatic thieves, magic and romance with a light touch. Main protagonist Kaz Brekker has bad boy vibes but is also intelligent and inspires empathy.
Costumes for Time Travellers, A R Capetta
A cosy time travelling LGBTQ+ adventure that I thoroughly enjoyed, a charming and sweet romance with an amazing shop base that serves customers who are travelling to different times and need clothes to blend in.
The Mistborn Trilogy, Brandon Sanderson
This is an epic series that starts with a brilliant heist and then quietly morphs into something much deeper, great for your students that like to continue characters stories over several books.
Of Flame and Fury, Mikayla Bridge
A punchy fantasy that pulls you straight into the action and does not let go. I loved the fact that it is all about phoenixes, a mythical creature that doesn’t often get the spotlight. The romance simmers in the background, messy and intense but never explicit.
Thieves Gambit & Heist Royale, Kayvion Lewis
An enemies to lovers duology about highly skilled young thieves and a competition that they each need to win. Fast paced, cinematic and a fun read.
Powerless trilogy, Lauren Roberts
A BookTok favourite this trilogy is definitely romantic with slow burning tension building between more than one couple. Lots of flirtatious banter that made me smile, the plot’s reminiscent of the Hunger Games but is different enough to not feel derivative.
The Lunar Chronicles series , Marissa Meyer
Each book in this series is based on a different fairytale with the first Cinder , riffing on the Cinderella story and book 2 Scarlet, focussing on Little Red Riding Hood. Every new story builds the world and the friendships while letting the romances grow naturally.
A Language of Dragons, S F Williamson
One of my favourite 2025 reads and I’m very excited to read the next one A War of Wyverns which has just been published. Set in Bletchley Park in 1923 with dragons on almost every page with a slow burn romance, intrigue and adventure.
A Wish So Deadly, Marilize Loxton (publishing March 26)
Talia, the female protagonist in this fast moving, exciting fantasy steals jewels from a powerful Soulreaper and in doing so causes harm to her beloved sister and is forced to enter a deadly tournament to try and win back her life. She is forced to work with Taron, who is definitely not someone who makes friends easily but has a dark allure nonetheless. Ends on a real ‘what the heck’ cliffhanger, a great debut and I’m looking forward to reading what happens next.
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