Looking for great, slow-burn fantasy romance books? Plenty of fantasy books have romance sub-plots, but what about ones where the romantic aspect is balance almost equally to the fantasy plot?
Fortunately, authors have written just such novels over the years.
Here’s a list of the best slow-burn fantasy romance books to read:
- The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold
- Beguilement by Lois McMaster Bujold
- Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
- The Emperor’s Edge by Lindsey Buroker
- Star of the Morning by Lynn Kurland
- Rhapsody by Elizabeth Haydon
- Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith
I’ve chosen to include ones consistently recommended over time, not necessarily the newly released and currently popular fantasy books. So, you’ll see several that have been in print for more than a decade since their first publication. To put it differently: don’t let some of their older cover art styles chase you off!
Also, for a quick comparison, here’s a comparison.
The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold
Description
A man broken in body and spirit, Cazaril has returned to the noble household he once served as page. To his great surprise, he’s named as the secretary-tutor to the beautiful, strong-willed sister of the impetuous boy who is next in line to rule.
It is an assignment Cazaril dreads, for it will ultimately lead him to the place he fears most, the royal court of Cardegoss, where the powerful enemies, who once placed him in chains, now occupy lofty positions.
In addition to the traitorous intrigues of villains, Cazaril and the Royesse Iselle are faced with a sinister curse that hangs like a sword over the entire blighted House of Chalion and all who stand in their circle. Only by employing the darkest, most forbidden of magics, can Cazaril hope to protect his royal charge — an act that will mark the loyal, damaged servant as a tool of the miraculous, and trap him, flesh and soul, in a maze of demonic paradox, damnation and death.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 4.17
Most Common Rating: 5
Positive Comments
First on our list of slow-burn fantasy romance books is The Curse of Chalion. Readers who rated this fantasy book highly enjoyed how thoughtful the novel was and its focus on the nuances of Cazaril’s internal journey.
Cazaril isn’t a typical fantasy main character – he’s neither a valiant warrior nor mighty mage – but this is what made him more relatable to positive reviewers. They also remarked that the story had an enjoyable political intrigue plot and a fleshed-out religious system.
Negative Comments
Readers who didn’t rate the book highly essentially found the novel’s strengths to be its weaknesses. Most of these readers found the lack of action in the story disappointing. Without more action, these reviewers found that it made the story slow: The Curse of Chalion centers around relationship development, character growth and court intrigue.
Beguilement by Lois Bujold
Description
Troubled young Fawn Bluefield seeks a life beyond her family’s farm. Enroute to the city, she encounters a patrol of Lakewalkers. The necromancers armed with human bone knives fight “malices”, immortal entities that draw out life, enslaving humans and animals. Dag saves Fawn from a malice – at a devastating cost. Their fates are now bound in a remarkable journey.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 3.74
Most Common Rating: 4
Positive Comments
Readers who wanted a fantasy romance where the romance was more of a focus than the fantasy enjoyed Beguilement. The book focuses primarily on the relationship developing between the romantic leads. Readers mentioned how well fleshed-out the characters and their inner conflicts were.
Negative Comments
If readers didn’t rate the novel highly, they typically cited the heavy romance as their reason. The fantasy plot is mostly in the background. Another was the large age difference between the romantic leads: the female lead is 18 while the male lead is in his 50s.
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Description
Choose: A quick death…or slow poison…
About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She’ll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace — and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.
And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly’s Dust — and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison.
As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can’t control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren’t so clear…
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 4.15
Most Common Rating: 5
Positive Comments
Readers who enjoyed Poison Study often remarked that the romantic chemistry between Yelena, the tenacious and determined female lead, and Valek, the stoic assassin, was gripping. They also mentioned the exciting premise and the main character’s moral and psychological depth.
Negative Comments
Readers who didn’t rate the novel highly said that the language of the story jarred them by alternating between older ‘historical’ verbiage and a modern one. Along a similar vein, it also tended to be straight to the point – some readers felt that it made the emotions in the story feel flat. Others said that the slow-burn approach to the romance wasn’t their preferred style.
The Emperor’s Edge by Lindsey Buroker
Description
Imperial law enforcer Amaranthe Lokdon is good at her job: she can deter thieves and pacify thugs, if not with a blade, then by toppling an eight-foot pile of coffee canisters onto their heads.
But when ravaged bodies show up on the waterfront, an arson covers up human sacrifices, and a powerful business coalition plots to kill the emperor, she feels a tad overwhelmed.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 4.03
Most Common Rating: 4
Positive Comments
Readers who enjoyed The Emperor’s Edge mentioned how colorful, witty and entertaining the characters were. They also liked the tone of this steampunk epic fantasy, which they characterized as fun. The slow-burn romance between the two leads had plenty of humor and extends throughout the series.
Negative Comments
It seems like the same fun tone that appealed to some readers did the opposite for others. The Emperor’s Edge doesn’t take itself too seriously, which meant that positive reviewers didn’t mind that the political backdrop and technology weren’t further detailed. Negative reviewers, though, felt that without more explanations, it was difficult to accept some aspects of the plot.
Star of the Morning by Lynn Kurland
Description
Darkness covers the north, since the black mage has begun his assault on the kingdom of Neroche. Legend has it that only the two magical swords held by Neroche’s king can defeat the mage. Now the fate of the Nine Kingdoms rests in the hands of a woman destined to wield one of those blades…
In this land of dragons and mages, warrior maids and magical swords, nothing is as it seems. And Morgan will find that the magic in her blood brings her troubles she cannot face with a sword-and a love more powerful than she has ever imagined.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 3.87
Most Common Rating: 4
Positive Comments
Readers who enjoyed Star of the Morning frequently commented on how much they liked Morgan, the main character and a highly accomplished swordswoman. They also mentioned that the romance between her and Miach was well-developed, transitioning from distrust to trust and affection believably and charmingly.
Negative Comments
Readers who didn’t rate the book highly had a couple of comments. First, the romance is light and more on the chaste side, which disappointed readers who wanted it to be a larger and ‘spicier’ presence in the story. Second, others remarked that Morgan struck them as judgmental, especially in regards to gender roles.
Rhapsody by Elizabeth Haydon
Description
Rhapsody is a woman, a Singer of some talent, who is swept up into events of world-shattering import.
On the run from an old romantic interest who won’t take no for an answer, Rhapsody literally bumps into a couple of shady characters: half-breeds who come to her rescue in the nick of time.
Only the rescue turns into an abduction, and Rhapsody soon finds herself dragged along on an epic voyage, one that spans centuries and ranges across a wonder-filled fantasy world.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 3.95
Most Common Rating: 5
Positive Comments
Readers who rated Rhapsody highly often remarked on the vivid world-building as well as the varied and developed cast of characters.
Negative Comments
If readers didn’t rate the novel highly, they typically mentioned that the main character seemed too idealized and that the middle of the story was slow-paced.
Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith
Description
Over their father’s deathbed, young Meliara Astiar and her brother Branaric promise to lead their people against the evil King. The impoverished count and countess discover that even when the cause is right, leading a war is much tougher than it appears.
When Meliara falls into the hands of the elegant Marquis of Shevraeth, the enemy commander, she knows she has to either escape or die. After a desperate chase across country, she discovers that she and Bran are not alone—but the alliance is offered by the person she hates the most.
Once the king is gone, she faces a new type of battlefield: not muddy fields and sharpened steel, but marble palaces. The weapons now are fashion, manners, and the subtle and secret language of fans.
Finally, there is the toughest challenge of all, courtship. For how do you defend yourself when the one who draws your eye, and your heart, is your worst enemy?
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 3.98
Most Common Rating: 5
Positive Comments
And the final story in our slow-burn fantasy romance books list is Crown Duel. Readers who enjoyed this YA fantasy novel remarked that they loved the fast pace of the plot, Meliara’s growth over the course of the story, and the romance between the two leads.
Readers who want a romance that doesn’t feature the common ‘bad boy’ love interest or a love triangle are also in luck!
Negative Comments
Readers who didn’t rate the novel highly mentioned that they found it unrealistic how many times Meliara ended up unconscious during battle. They also found her quick temper and stubborn grudge against the male lead frustrating.
7 Slow-Burn Fantasy Romance Books to Read
How Do These Fantasy Novels Compare?
7 Slow-Burn Fantasy Romance Books to Read
- The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold
- Beguilement by Lois McMaster Bujold
- Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
- The Emperor’s Edge by Lindsey Buroker
- Star of the Morning by Lynn Kurland
- Rhapsody by Elizabeth Haydon
- Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith
Related: Fantasy romance books
