The Ultimate Romantasy Starter Guide (2026 Edition)
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If you’ve ever wanted dragons and devotion in the same story… you’re in the right place.
Romantasy — the intoxicating blend of fantasy and romance — has surged in popularity because it delivers two powerful things at once: epic worldbuilding and deeply emotional connection.
You get magic systems, ancient curses, political intrigue, dangerous quests and kingdoms on the brink of collapse. But you also get longing. Tension. Slow burns that ache. Love stories that shift loyalties, reshape destinies, and sometimes rewrite entire worlds.
At The Enchanted Spine, we often say we read these books to feel all the feels.
Romantasy isn’t just about plot.
It’s about emotional intensity.
And if you’re new to the genre — or wondering where to begin — this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
What Is Romantasy?
At its core, romantasy is fantasy where the romantic relationship is central to the story.
That’s the key distinction.
In traditional fantasy, romance may exist as a subplot.
In romantasy, the emotional arc between the characters is woven directly into the main narrative conflict.
The love story matters as much as the war.
The tension between two characters can be as pivotal as a battle scene.
You’ll typically find:
Magic systems and mythic creatures
High-stakes quests or political intrigue
Curses, bargains, or destiny-driven plots
Emotional growth through romantic connection
The romance doesn’t sit beside the fantasy.
It drives it.
That’s why romantasy readers often describe the genre as immersive and addictive — it engages both the imagination and the heart.
Is Romantasy Spicy?
One of the most common questions new readers ask is: how explicit is romantasy?
The honest answer is: it depends on the book.
Romantasy exists on a wide spectrum.
Some stories are emotionally intense but closed-door when it comes to intimacy. Others are explicit and unapologetically on-page. Neither is “more” romantasy than the other — it simply depends on tone, audience, and author.
You can think of it like this:
🌿 Low Spice – Romance-forward, minimal explicit content, focus on yearning and emotional tension.
🔥 Medium Spice – On-page intimacy balanced with strong plot and worldbuilding.
🌶 High Spice – Explicit scenes that are central to character development and relationship dynamics.
Part of discovering romantasy is discovering your comfort level — whether you prefer simmering tension across a throne room or a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers arc that eventually ignites.
Common Romantasy Tropes You’ll Encounter
Romantasy thrives on emotional tropes — the story devices that help us, quite literally, feel all the feels.
Some of the most beloved include:
Enemies to Lovers
Two characters begin on opposing sides — politically, morally, or personally — and their relationship evolves through tension, banter, and reluctant attraction.
Morally Grey Hero
A love interest who operates in the shadows — ruthless, protective, sometimes dangerous — but deeply loyal once his heart is engaged.
Fated Mates
A supernatural or destiny-driven bond between two characters that ties their futures together.
Forced Proximity
Characters are compelled to work, travel, compete, or survive together — heightening tension and accelerating emotional intimacy.
Found Family
A chosen circle of allies who become as important as blood relatives — often forming the emotional backbone of the story.
Slow Burn
Romantic tension builds gradually across hundreds of pages before finally resolving.
Touch Her and Die
Protective devotion dialled up to dramatic levels — loyalty expressed through action.
These tropes aren’t clichés.
They’re emotional architecture.
They are the reason romantasy readers stay up until 2am turning pages.
Best Romantasy Books for Beginners
If you’re new to romantasy, start here to browse our New to Romantasy collection.
These are the books that have shaped the genre — the gateway reads that turn curiosity into obsession. Some are sweeping and political. Some are dark and seductive. Some are pure emotional slow burn.
All of them will make you feel all the feels.
🐉 For Dragons, Danger & Devotion
Set in a brutal war college for dragon riders, this is the modern entry point into romantasy. High-stakes trials, deadly politics, and a romance that begins with tension and evolves into something fiercely protective.
Tropes: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, training academy, touch-her-and-die
Spice Level: 🔥 Medium to 🌶 High
👑 For Fae Courts & Iconic Slow Burn
One of the defining romantasy series of the last decade. What begins as a Beauty and the Beast-inspired tale expands into political intrigue, shifting loyalties, found family, and one of the genre’s most discussed morally grey heroes.
Tropes: fae courts, enemies to lovers (later books), found family, morally grey hero
Spice Level: 🔥Medium in book one, increasing to 🌶 in later books
🩸 For Dark Power & Addictive Tension
If you’re drawn to intense enemies-to-lovers dynamics and morally complex characters operating in the shadows, this series delivers. It leans darker, sharper, and unapologetically seductive, with tension that coils tightly before it strikes.
Tropes: enemies to lovers, morally grey hero, forced proximity, high-stakes power struggle
Spice Level: 🌶 High
🩶 For Emotional Devastation & Redemption Arcs
A darker, more psychologically layered romantasy inspired by myth. This series explores trauma, survival, power imbalance, and the slow reclaiming of agency — with a romance that unfolds gradually and intensifies over time.
Tropes: slow burn, morally grey hero, trauma healing, found family
Spice Level: Increases across the series (from 🌿 to 🌶)
🩸 For Prophecy, Desire & High Emotional Stakes
For readers who want longing, secrecy, and a bodyguard dynamic layered into prophecy and rebellion. This is romantasy that leans heavily into desire and emotional intensity, with twists that reshape the romantic arc entirely.
Tropes: forbidden romance, bodyguard dynamic, chosen one, morally grey hero
Spice Level: 🌶 High
🔥 For True Slow Burn (Closed Door)
If you crave tension that simmers rather than explodes, this is your starting point. The relationship unfolds deliberately, built on trust, conflict, and emotional weight rather than explicit scenes. The fantasy world develops alongside the romance, creating a deeply immersive slow-burn experience.
Tropes: slow burn, emotional tension, layered character arcs
Spice Level: 🌿 Low / Closed Door
How to Choose Your First Romantasy Book
If you want dragons and high stakes → start with Fourth Wing.
If you want fae courts and iconic genre foundations → start with ACOTAR.
If you want dark, seductive enemies-to-lovers energy → try Quicksilver.
If you want emotional healing and layered growth → explore The Plated Prisoner Series.
If you want intensity and spice from the start → choose From Blood and Ash.
If you want true slow burn with emotional payoff → pick A Kiss of Hammer and Flame.
There is no wrong entry point.
Only the story that pulls you in hardest.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romantasy
What is the difference between fantasy and romantasy?
Fantasy focuses primarily on worldbuilding, magic systems, quests, and external conflict. Romance may exist, but it is usually secondary.
Romantasy, on the other hand, places the romantic relationship at the centre of the story. The emotional arc between characters drives the narrative just as much as the political intrigue, war, or magical stakes. In romantasy, love changes the world — and the world changes the love story.
Is romantasy the same as fantasy romance?
The terms are often used interchangeably, but many readers use “romantasy” to describe modern fantasy novels where romance is central and emotionally intense, often with higher stakes, darker themes, and stronger trope structures (such as enemies to lovers or morally grey heroes).
Fantasy romance can sometimes lean more traditional or romance-first in structure, whereas romantasy often balances epic fantasy plotting with romantic development.
Are romantasy books usually part of a series?
Yes — many romantasy books are part of multi-book series. Expansive worlds, evolving political dynamics, and slow-burn relationships often unfold across several books.
However, there are standalone romantasy novels and duologies for readers who prefer a contained story.
Is romantasy appropriate for younger readers?
It depends on the specific book.
Some romantasy titles are written for young adult audiences and contain minimal or closed-door romance. Others are specifically adult romantasy and may include explicit scenes, darker themes, or mature content that is intended for adults only.
Please do reach out to us in the chat or send us an email if you have any questions about whether a book is appropriate for a young reader. We are always happy to help!
What are the most popular romantasy books right now?
Some of our bestsellers right now include:
Quicksilver and Brimstone
These books have helped define the current wave of romantasy popularity.
What tropes are most common in romantasy?
Romantasy frequently features emotionally charged tropes such as:
Enemies to lovers
Morally grey heroes
Forced proximity
Found family
Fated mates
Slow burn romance
Protective devotion (“touch her and die”)
These tropes heighten emotional intensity — which is why readers often say romantasy lets them feel all the feels.
Where should I start if I loved Fourth Wing?
If you loved Fourth Wing for its dragon riders, tension, and high-stakes academy setting, look for romantasy that includes:
Training environments
Political intrigue
Enemies-to-lovers arcs
Protective, morally complex heroes
Titles like The Serpent and the Wings of Night, On Wings of Blood, Firebird or From Blood and Ash may appeal for similar emotional intensity.
Why is romantasy so popular right now?
Romantasy resonates because it combines escapism with emotional catharsis.
Readers get immersive fantasy worlds — but they also get relationships that explore trust, power, vulnerability, and transformation. In uncertain times, stories that balance danger with devotion feel both thrilling and comforting.
Romantasy doesn’t just offer adventure.
It offers emotional release.