Fantasy books with romance subplots are a delightful combination of two of the most beloved genres in literature. These stories transport us to magical realms filled with adventure, intrigue, and unforgettable characters, while also tugging at our heartstrings with their captivating love stories.
Romance subplots add depth and complexity to the characters and the worlds they inhabit, making these books even more immersive and enjoyable.
In this post, we’ll explore 15 must-read fantasy books with romance subplots that will sweep you off your feet.
What is the Difference Between ‘Fantasy Romance’ and Fantasy with a Romantic Subplot?
For the sake of this post, a fantasy book with a romance subplot is a story primarily driven by elements of the fantasy genre, such as world-building, magic systems, and intricate plotlines, while incorporating a secondary romantic storyline that adds depth and complexity to the characters and their relationships.
In these books, the romance serves to enhance the overall narrative but is not the central focus of the story.
On the other hand, fantasy romance is a subgenre where the romantic relationship between the characters takes center stage, with the fantasy elements serving as the backdrop for the love story.
In fantasy romance, the development of the romantic relationship and the emotional journey of the characters often drive the plot, with the fantasy aspects enriching the setting and creating unique challenges for the characters to overcome as they pursue their love interests.
15 Incredible Fantasy Books With Romance Subplots
Now let’s dive into a list of 15 fantasy books with romance subplots, perfect for those who enjoy a little bit of romance mixed in with their fantasy adventures.
From epic quests to magical kingdoms, these books have it all. So, grab a cup of tea, curl up with a cozy blanket, and get ready to fall in love with these enchanting reads:
| Title | Description | Why Readers Loved It | Goodreads Rating | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas | A high fantasy book with fairies, magic, and romance. Feyre is taken to a magical land where she discovers that her captor is not truly a beast, but one of the faeries. | Readers loved the captivating romance, the intricate world-building, and the strong female protagonist. | 4.20 |  |
| A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab | Kell, one of the last Travelers, magicians with the ability to travel between parallel universes. Kell is a smuggler who carries monthly correspondences between the royals of each London. When he meets Delilah Bard, a cutpurse, she robs him, saves him from a dangerous enemy, and forces him to take her on an adventure. | Readers love the book for its world-building, complex characters, and the slow-burn romance between Kell and Lila. | 4.52 |  |
| The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson | Princess Lia flees on her wedding day and assumes a new identity in a distant village. She is pursued by two men: the prince she was supposed to marry and an assassin sent to kill her. | Readers loved the thrilling plot, the well-developed characters, and the unexpected twists. | 3.95 |  |
| The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen | Kelsea, a young princess, must reclaim her throne and save her kingdom from the Red Queen, a powerful sorceress who seeks to conquer the Tearling. | Readers loved the strong female protagonist, the political intrigue, and the unique world-building. | 3.99 |  |
| The Cruel Prince by Holly Black | Jude, a mortal girl, is raised in the High Court of Faerie after her parents are murdered. She must navigate the treacherous politics of the faerie court and protect her family from its dangers. | Readers loved the complex characters, the vivid descriptions of the faerie world, and the enemies-to-lovers romance. | 4.07 |  |
| The Black Witch by Laurie Forest | Elloren, the granddaughter of the last prophesied Black Witch, who is devoid of power in a society that prizes magical ability above all else. She joins her brothers at Verpax University to pursue her dream of becoming an apothecary, but soon realizes that the university may be the most treacherous place of all for the granddaughter of the Black Witch. | Readers loved the well-crafted world-building, the diverse cast of characters, and the themes of acceptance and redemption. | 4.11 |  |
| The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss | Kvothe, a musician and magician living under an assumed name, unspools his legendary life story of song and adventure and his search for the sinister entities that killed his family many years ago. The book interweaves ancient magic and world-building lore with character-driven drama, including Kvothe’s romantic relationship with Denna. | Readers love the book for its poetic language, complex characters, intricate world-building, and immersive storytelling. | 4.52 |  |
| The Shadow and Bone Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo | Alina, a young orphan, discovers that she has the power to summon light and is taken to the royal court to train as a Grisha, a magical elite. She must navigate the dangerous politics of the court and fight against the darkness threatening her world. | Readers loved the unique magic system, the well-developed characters, and the thrilling plot. | 3.94 |  |
| Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor | Karou, a young art student in Prague, is caught between two worlds: the human world and the world of the chimaera, creatures with animal and human features. As she uncovers the secrets of her past, she must choose between her loyalty to her people and her love for an angel. | Readers loved the beautiful prose, the imaginative world-building, and the star-crossed romance. | 4.00 |  |
| The Curse of Chalion by Louis McMaster Bujold | The book follows a former soldier and courtier who is forced to take on the role of chancellor to a cursed and dying princess. The book is praised for its complex characters, political intrigue, and exploration of themes such as faith and redemption. | Readers loved the complex characters, the political intrigue, and the exploration of themes such as faith and redemption. | 4.16 |  |
| The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater | Blue, the daughter of a psychic, has been told that if she kisses her true love, he will die. When she meets a group of boys from a local private school, she is drawn into their quest to find the sleeping king of the Welsh legend. | Readers loved the atmospheric writing, the well-drawn characters, and the slow-burn romance. | 4.05 |  |
| The Infernal Devices Trilogy by Cassandra Clare | Tessa, a young girl with the power to shape-shift, is caught between two worlds: the Shadowhunters, demon hunters who protect the human world, and the Downworlders, creatures with demon blood. As she uncovers the secrets of her past, she must choose between her loyalty to her people and her love for two Shadowhunters. | Readers loved the well-developed characters, the intricate world-building, and the emotional depth of the romance. | 4.50 |  |
| The Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas | Celaena, a deadly assassin, is offered a chance at freedom by the prince of Adarlan. She must compete in a tournament to become the king’s champion and carry out his bidding. As she uncovers the secrets of the kingdom, she must choose between her loyalty to her people and her love for the prince. | Readers loved the strong female protagonist, the thrilling plot, and the slow-burn romance. | 4.19 |  |
| The Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta | After the royal family of Lumatere is murdered and an imposter takes the throne, Finnikin is compelled to join forces with a young novice named Evanjalin who claims that her dark dreams will lead the exiles to a surviving royal child and a way to pierce the cursed barrier and regain the land of Lumatere. | Readers loved the well-drawn characters, the emotional depth of the romance, and the intricate world-building. | 3.90 |  |
| The Seven Realms Series by Cinda Williams Chima | Han, a street thief, and Raisa, a princess, are caught up in a dangerous game of politics and magic as they fight to save their kingdom from destruction. | Readers loved the well-developed characters, the intricate world-building, and the slow-burn romance. | 4.15 |  |
These 15 fantasy books with romance subplots offer a captivating blend of adventure, magic, and love. The romance subplots in these stories add depth to the characters and their worlds, making them even more immersive and enjoyable.
So, if you’re a fan of fantasy and romance, dive into these enchanting tales and let yourself be swept away by their spellbinding stories.
