Romantasy books/series you need to read this year
- Camila Domingues
- Jan 7
- 6 min read
2024 was the year of many things, but it was also the year in which I entered my Bookish Era™. I didn’t just enter it, though - I hurled myself into it head-first.
It all started with a lovely book called Fourth Wing by the incredible Rebecca Yarros. This literary adventure basically saved me from being down the dumps by introducing me to a genre that would quite literally become my entire personality in just 6 short months (huge thank you to my beloved fiancée for getting me addicted to this series)! I began reading it on August 29th and, by December 31st, I went on to read a total of 14 books.
It was so nice to re-discover my love for reading. As a kid, I’d read all the time. The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Hobbit, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Twilight… I’d love to get lost in a good, solid story and write all the fan-fiction my little brain could produce. It’s nice to revisit that feeling once more. My favorite part about getting back into reading has been raving about the story or a particular scene or a character with a friend (or, in my case, an entire community) who’s reading said books. Literature, like any kind of art, unites folks of all walks of life - and that’s beautiful.
Now, with the Empyrean series (Fourth Wing) getting a deal with Prime Video for a show, a lot of folks are picking it up and reading it (apparently, there are HUNDREDS of people on waiting lists for online rentals like Libby) - which has sparked a wonderful influx of newbies to the realm of the fantasy romance genre, or Romantasy. This is exactly what happened to me as well.
Do yourself a favor and pick these up this year if you haven’t yet:
The Empyrean series, Rebecca Yarros
Ah, the series that started it all for me (and many others). The story takes place in the world of Navarre, where the brutal military college, Basgiath, is a thing and there’s definitely no shortage of death and conflict going around. Politics, romance, friendships - there’s literally never a dull moment. There are currently two volumes out - Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, with the third one, Onyx Storm, coming out in literally two weeks. The perfect time to start reading this series, my friends. The first book starts off in a very intense way and does not stop. The second book… also does not stop and the story only gets better. So much better.
Spice Level: 4/5
This series is definitely not for the immature or for children. There are plenty of explicit sex scenes divvied up between the only two books out at this moment.
Trigger Warnings: graphic violence descriptions, torture scenes, death, despair, relationship shenanigans.
With Onyx Storm’s release date approaching, expect a review as soon as I’m done reading it. I may have taken that day off from work so I can be dead to the world and read all. Day. Long.
Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas
I started this series on September 6th last year and sped through all eight excellently written masterpieces, finishing Kingdom of Ash on December 9th. Since then, Celeana Sardothien and Company have been living in my soul rent-free, and I constantly think of my favorite scenes from the books. Honestly, the Throne of Glass series has some of the best written female characters I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. Every single one of them were their own person, and their character arcs unfold in such a graceful way that it’s impossible to not love every single one of them.
Though I do have some issues with how the series ended (IYKYK), I highly recommend this incredible series that took Sarah J. Maas ten years to write. It is definitely an excellent comfort re-read, which I will be doing after I finish Onyx Storm (and probably will need some healing due to the impending emotional damage to be received by that book).
Spice level: 3/5
Yes, there are sex scenes. Though they’re definitely not as explicitly graphic as the ones in the Empyrean series, they do exist and they don’t happen for a very long time.
Trigger Warnings: graphic violence descriptions, torture scenes, death, despair, relationship shenanigans.
Shaedes of Power, Jenny Grimes
Last year, I had the honor of becoming an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) reader, which means I got to read a couple of incredible books before their release dates - and Shaedes of Power was one of them. I literally read it in under 24 hours because I didn’t want to put it down (and I was lucky enough to have the time to do so).
This will be indie author Jenny Grimes’ debut and the first of four books in the Soul Magic series - a s e x y story with deeply layered world-building and fun, lovable characters. There’s magic, political intrigue, and a whole lot of romance. Grimes does a wonderful job at immersing the reader by implementing the world-building through dialogue that does not snag anywhere and the magic system in the Soul Magic series is pretty fun and refreshing.
If you loved A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, this is definitely for you.
Shaedes of Power will be released on March 11th.
Spice level: 4/5
Much like Yarros’ Empyrean series, there’s some good spice in this book, and plenty of it - and it’s also explicitly graphic. There is also a love triangle in this series, but it does not involve cheating.
Trigger warnings: relationship shenanigans, violence, death, possible sexual abuse triggers.
Of Withering Dreams, Rowyn Adelaide
Where to even begin with this book?
I finished reading this book at precisely 7:58am yesterday. Another ARC I had the pleasure of reading, it’s set for release on March 20th. Of Withering Dreams is also the incredible debut for indie author Rowyn Adelaide and the first book in the Fate of the Embered series.
If you’re a fan of the Empyrean series, the Hunger Games series, Severance (the AppleTV show), Wicked, and the Throne of Glass series - this. This is what you want - no, need - to read this year. I am absolutely in love with the story and the world-building Adelaide sweeps us off to, the characters, the plot… This is going to be a series you’re not going to want to miss out on. Just trust me on this one.
Spice level: 4/5
Of Withering Dreams has graphic yet tastefully written sex scenes and probably one of my favorite romance plots to date. The romance is there, but it does not take over the plot, and it is written very, very well. There is somewhat of a love triangle as well, though I don’t think it counts for spoilery reasons.
Trigger warning: graphic violence, death, slight torture.
Keep an eye out for an interview with author Rowyn Adelaide about Of Withering Dreams and the Fate of the Embered series coming later this week!
The Witching Hour, Ashley Skolrud
Ever wonder if your favorite fairytale was told to you… inaccurately? What if the villains we’ve all come to know were actually… not that bad? Misunderstood? Exaggerated? Indie author Ashley Skolrud, who also happens to be a dear friend, shows us what that lovely universe would look like. A rather quick read, but a very entertaining one, The Witching Hour is fun and cozy, the perfect novel to read in this cold weather.
Unlike the series and books listed above, this book is the equivalent of a PG-13 movie. If you’re someone who enjoys fun twists on classic stories, timeless villains, and a good read, this book is for you. Make sure to grab your copy on Amazon!
As for what I’ll be reading this year, I did start Sarah J. Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses series last month and got through the first book before the year ended. I will be continuing the series once Onyx Storm has been read and reviewed.
What are you currently reading?
Comments