It is difficult to determine the most romantic fantasy book as it is a matter of personal preference and depends on an individual’s definition of romance. Some may consider a fantasy book to be romantic if it features a strong emotional connection between characters, while others may look for more intense passion and adventure in their romantic fantasies.
Based on their popularity though, readers may consider one of the following the most romantic fantasy book:
- The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold: This standalone fantasy novel is set in a world inspired by medieval Spain, and follows the story of Cazaril, a man who has survived torture and slavery, as he becomes embroiled in a political intrigue and falls in love with the powerful and independent Lady Iselle. The book is known for its complex and nuanced portrayal of romance, as well as its rich world-building and complex characters.
- A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas: The second book in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series follows the story of Feyre, a young woman who is caught up in the dangerous world of the Faerie courts, and Rhysand, a powerful and mysterious faerie lord. The book is known for its steamy romance and intense passion between the main characters, as well as its immersive world-building and compelling plot.
- Outlander by Diana Gabaldon: This epic series follows the time-traveling adventures of Claire Randall, a nurse from the 20th century, who is transported back to 18th century Scotland where she falls in love with Jamie Fraser, a warrior from the Scottish clan of Fraser. The series is known for its strong emotional connection between the main characters and the sweeping historical and fantastical elements.
- The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern: This standalone novel is set in a magical circus that only appears at night, and follows the love story between two young magicians who are competing in a mysterious and deadly competition. The book is known for its dreamy and ethereal atmosphere, as well as the intense passion between the main characters.
Ultimately, the most romantic fantasy book will depend on the individual reader’s preferences and what they consider to be romantic in a fantasy story.
However, while that might be a list applying to overall fantasy, what about the most romantic fantasy books in specific sub-genres?
If you’re curious to know reader favorites, read on!
What Are the Most Romantic Young Adult Fantasy Books?
Alright, we’ve discussed popular romantic fantasy books overall, but let’s break them down by genre. What are the most romantic fantasy books in the young adult genre?
Again, this is a matter of personal preference, but here are popular stories readers loved:
- The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer: This series follows the story of Cinderella, Rapunzel, Red Riding Hood, and other classic fairy tale characters who are re-imagined in a futuristic world where they must team up to defeat an evil queen. The series features a number of romantic subplots, including the love story between Cinder and Prince Kai.
- The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare: This trilogy is set in Victorian London and follows the story of Tessa, a young woman with the ability to shape-shift, who becomes embroiled in the dangerous world of the Shadowhunters, a group of half-human, half-angel warriors. The series features a number of romantic subplots, including the love triangle between Tessa, Will, and Jem.
- The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo: This series is set in a world where magic exists, and follows the story of Alina Starkov, a young woman who discovers that she has the power to summon light. The series features a number of romantic subplots, including the love triangle between Alina, the Darkling, and Mal.
- The Selection by Kiera Cass: This series is set in a dystopian society where a group of young women compete in a televised competition to win the heart of a prince. The series features a number of romantic subplots, including the love triangle between America, Maxon, and Aspen.
- The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater: This series follows the story of Blue, a young woman who comes from a family of psychics, and her friends as they search for a mysterious Welsh king who is believed to be buried in their town. The series features a number of romantic subplots, including the love triangle between Blue, Gansey, and Adam.
- The Five Factions by Veronica Roth: This trilogy is set in a dystopian society where people are divided into five factions based on their personality traits, and follows the story of Tris, a young woman who defies the rules of her society and falls in love with Four, a member of a rival faction.
- The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye: This standalone novel is set in a fantasy version of Imperial Russia, and follows the story of two young enchanters who are chosen to compete in a deadly magical competition to become the next imperial enchanter. The book features a number of romantic subplots, including the love triangle between the main characters, Vika, Nikolai, and Pasha.
What Are the Most Romantic High Fantasy Books?
Many of these stories focus predominately on the ‘fantasy’ side of romantic fantasy, making the romance more of a sub-plot.
However, if we were to decide on which is the most romantic high fantasy book, these stories would be contenders:
- The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan: This epic series follows the story of Rand al’Thor, a young man who is destined to save the world from the Dark One, and his relationships with several strong and independent women, including Elayne, Aviendha, and Min. The series is known for its complex and nuanced portrayal of romance, as well as its immersive world-building and compelling plot.
- The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss: This series follows the story of Kvothe, a young orphan who becomes a powerful wizard, and Denna, a mysterious woman who is always just out of reach. The series is known for its intense and complex romance between the main characters, as well as its immersive world-building and compelling plot.
- The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini: This epic series follows the story of Eragon, a young farm boy who discovers that he is a Dragon Rider, and his relationships with several strong and independent women, including Arya, Nasuada, and Roran’s wife, Katrina. The series is known for its complex and nuanced portrayal of romance, as well as its immersive world-building and compelling plot.
- The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks: This classic fantasy series is set in a world where magic has returned after being lost for thousands of years, and follows the story of Shea Ohmsford, a young man who is chosen to wield the powerful Sword of Shannara and save the world from an evil warlord. The series is known for its epic world-building and compelling plot, as well as its romantic subplots, including the love story between Shea and the princess Amberle.
- Star of the Morning by Lynn Kurland: This standalone fantasy novel is set in medieval Scotland and follows the story of Robert MacDougal, a laird who is cursed to live as a ghost, and Gwyneth, a young woman who is the only one who can see him. The book is known for its emotional and intense romance between the main characters, as well as its immersive world-building and compelling plot.
- Elvish by S.G. Prince: This standalone fantasy novel is set in a world where elves and humans coexist, and follows the story of Elvish, a young elf who is chosen to be the bride of a human prince. The book is known for its steamy and passionate romance between the main characters, as well as its immersive world-building and compelling plot.
- Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones: This standalone fantasy novel is set in a world where magic exists, and follows the story of Sophie, a young woman who is turned into an old lady by a witch’s curse, and Howl, a powerful and mysterious wizard who takes her in. The book is known for its charming and sweet romance between the main characters, as well as its immersive world-building and compelling plot.
- The Winter King by C.L. Wilson: This fantasy romance novel is about Wynter Atrialan, a handsome and powerful man who seeks to marry Khamsin Coruscate, the Princess of Summerlea, as revenge against her father, the king. Khamsin, who has been exiled to the shadows of her father’s palace, finds freedom and passion in her marriage to Wynter, but also yearns for his love. As the two grow closer, they face challenges and betrayals that test their relationship.
What Makes a Fantasy Book Romantic?
Fantasy books can be romantic for a variety of reasons, depending on the individual reader’s preferences and definition of romance.
Some common elements that contribute to making a fantasy book romantic include:
- Strong emotional connection between characters: Romance often involves a strong emotional connection between characters, and this is often depicted in fantasy books through the development of deep and meaningful relationships between the main characters.
- Intense passion: Romance can also involve intense passion and desire, and this is often depicted in fantasy books through steamy love scenes and the depiction of strong feelings between the main characters.
- A sense of adventure: Romance can often involve a sense of adventure and excitement, and this is often depicted in fantasy books through epic quests and dangerous missions that bring the main characters closer together.
- Setting and world-building: The setting and world-building of a fantasy book can also contribute to the romance by creating a sense of immersion and atmosphere that enhances the emotional connection between the characters.
- Use of magic or otherworldly elements: Fantasy books often feature magical or otherworldly elements, and these can enhance the romance by adding an element of mystery and intrigue to the relationship between the main characters.
Conclusion
Determining the most romantic fantasy book is a subjective matter and will depend on the individual reader’s preferences and definition of romance. However, popular romantic fantasy books include Star of the Morning by Lynn Kurland, Elvish by S.G. Prince, high fantasy books such as The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan, and darker fantasy books like The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss.
Ultimately, there is a wide range of romantic fantasy books to choose from, and readers are sure to find a book that speaks to their romantic interests and preferences.
