If you are looking for edgy stories laced with fantasy and sexual tension, the world of spicy romance fantasy books, or as the portmanteau goes, spicy romantasy books, will captivate you. Loaded with mythical and magical elements, fierce battles and conniving characters, these books are hard to resist.
Spicy romantasy is one of the hottest subgenres taking over BookTok (the book wing of TikTok) where fantasy romance stories are laced with erotic themes and steamy scenes that will make you go pink.
Like any other genre, these fantasy books also have several recurring underlying tropes. These include an intense world-building system with magical elements, political intrigue, a tense and engrossing love story, and, of course, at least one detailed steamy scene where the characters live in the moment.
Wondering where to enter the enticing realm of these spicy romantic books? New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas’ books can be a great starting point. Some of her most popular titles include A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury and Crescent City books. Then there are Jennifer L. Armentrout, Charissa Weaks and Rebecca Yarros who also have some of the best spicy fantasy books with incredible love stories to their credit.
Note: Since these books contain graphic descriptions, parental guidance is advised.
These are some of the best spicy romantasy books you won’t be able to put down
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Synopsis: Young Feyre has to look after her family after her father loses everything. One day, she saves a deer from a predating wolf, which turns out to be a faerie (dweller of the magical Fae world). Feyre has to pay a hefty price for its death. She is taken from the human world to the fae world where she’s forced to make certain life-altering decisions. Her captor is a handsome faerie lord with piercing green eyes peeking from under a bejewelled mask. Feyre’s hatred turns into something else. Her attachment grows, and the attraction becomes stronger as Feyre fights to save the faeries from an ancient curse.
About the book: This fantasy romance book is an imaginative retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It was nominated for Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction (2015) at the Goodreads Choice Awards. A Court of Thorns and Roses series comprises a total of five books, each more riveting than the other.
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A Court of Mist and Fury
Synopsis: The second book in A Court of Thorns and Roses series follows Feyre in the fae world where she is granted the status of a High Fae. However, the past keeps haunting her, reminding her of the time she performed terrible deeds to save Tamlin and his people. As her marriage with Tamlin approaches, she finds herself losing to insanity. She splits into two personalities — one who upholds her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court, and the other who lives out her life in the Spring Court with Tamlin. She must navigate a web of grave politics, rising romance, deceit and power play to survive the action-packed world.
About the book: It won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction (2016).
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Synopsis: Bryce Quinlan is a fun-loving young girl with a perfect life — working hard and partying. However, it all screeches to a halt when a demon murders her close friends. Despite the accused behind bars, the murders begin again, and she becomes the prime suspect. Bryce must cooperate with a group of detectives who are handsome fallen angels to clear her name and find the killer. Hunt Athalar, a notorious fallen angel once enslaved by the Archangel, is assigned to keep an eye on Bryce throughout the investigation. As they both dive into the dark secrets of the Crescent City, an evil power threatens to destroy dear to them. A passionate romance grows between Bryan and Hunt, which could only set them free if they let it.
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The Witch Collector
Synopsis: The first book of the Witch Walker series follows the mute witch, Raina Bloodgood. She communicates using a form of sign language and weaves spells using her hands. She is looking to avenge her sister’s kidnapping by the witch collector Alexus Thibault who has stolen her to make her a witch who stands by the Frost King. Raina plans to attack on the witch collecting day, but instead of killing him, she kisses Alexus. Lines between good and bad blur when an ancient myth threatens to destroy her village, and Raina finds herself getting close to the person she vows to kill.
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From Blood and Ash
Synopsis: Young Poppy has been chosen from birth to be The Maiden and usher in a new era in her kingdom. She must live solitarily, never to be touched or spoken to. The entire kingdom’s future rests on her. But she is only a girl after all who has longings. On the day of her ascension, Hawke, a golden-eyed guard of honour, is entrusted to protect Poppy and ensure a smooth ceremony. However, Poppy falls for him and the walls between destiny, duty, desire and need crumble. He incites her anger, makes her question everything she believes in, and tempts her with the forbidden.
About the book: This spicy romantasy book is the first instalment of the six-part Blood and Ash novel series by the New York Times and International bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout.
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Synopsis: Jennifer L. Armentrout’s world-building technique continues to expand the fantasy romance of the Blood and Ash series. The second book continues Poppy’s journey as she realises that the man she has fallen for is The Dark One, the Prince of Atlantia. She is resolute that he may have conquered her, but he will never have her. Casteel Da’Neer is the nemesis she hates to get attached to. His world brings her immense pain but also pleasure that she can’t resist. However, he is the only way Poppy can find her brother Ian.
Meanwhile, unrest grows in Atlantia as they await the return of their Prince. Rumours of war gain ground and Poppy is at its centre. The King wants to use her to send a message while the Descenters want her dead. Dark secrets surface as the two kingdoms inch towards a bloody outcome.
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Synopsis: Oraya is the adopted human daughter of the nightborn Vampire King. She has grown up into a beautiful young woman fully aware that the world around her is made to kill her. The only way to become immortal is to participate in the Kejari tournament held by the goddess of death. Here she has to face dangerous opponents from other vampire houses. To win, Oraya is forced to join hands with a mysterious rival — Raihn. He is a roguishly handsome vampire, an excellent killer and, most importantly, a threat to Oraya’s father’s crown. Yet, the human belle cannot help but get drawn towards him. But she must remember there’s no mercy in Kejari or the vampire world.
About the book: This spicy fantasy romance is the first book in the Crowns of Nyaxia series.
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Kingdom of the Wicked
Synopsis: Set in a world of dark magic and demons, this fantasy romance story revolves around twin sisters Emilia and Vittoria who are witches living in disguise among humans. When Vittoria is found dead and her body brutally defiled, Emilia takes it upon herself to find the killer and avenge her death — even if it requires breaking the rules and using dark magic in the mortal world. She uses her powers to summon Wrath, the demon prince of hell, someone she was always warned against. Here on, the story shapes into an enemies-to-lovers tale, as Wrath claims to be on her side and would help solve the murders occurring on the island. However, everything is not as it seems, and Emilia might be losing herself to him.
About the book: This spicy romantasy book is the first instalment of the Kingdom of the Wicked trilogy.
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Fourth Wing
Synopsis: Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to lead a quiet life until her formidable mother orders her to graduate to become a dragon rider. But things are not as easy for her as dragons are not horses. They are not for fragile bodies. To some of the other cadets, Violet is an easy fodder. However, some despise her for being her mother’s daughter. This includes Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless leader in the Riders Quadrant. What begins as hatred at the Basgiath War College soon turns into an undeniable attraction between the two. But she will have to be cautious and use her wit at every step to stay alive.
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Rhapsodic
Synopsis: Siren Callypso Lillis, aka Callie, wears a bracelet of black beads with magical elements to protect her. Everyone in the realm knows that if you want something, the bargainer is the go-to person who can make anything happen, albeit at a price. He doesn’t collect it right away but doesn’t forget it either.
After years of being indebted, the bargainer Desmond Flynn comes to Callie, wearing an insidious grin, Callie knows he has come to collect the price. At first, it is a simple truth — acknowledge their attraction, which costs a bead. But that’s not all. Desmond has a purpose of rekindling this old romance. Meanwhile, trouble is brewing in the Otherworld where faerie warriors are going missing and women and children are being killed. The bargainer can save his people only with the help of a siren he was involved with.
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Serpent & Dove
Synopsis: For the past two years, Louise le Blanc has forsaken all her magical powers and has been living in the city of Cesarine. It is a place where witches like her are hunted and killed. On the other hand, chasseur Reid Diggory has one motto: to find each and every witch. But when a strange turn of events ties Louise and Reid in holy matrimony, it leads to a flurry of confusion. What happens when she is unable to suppress her feelings makes this an interesting spicy fantasy romance book?
About the book: It was nominated for Best Debut Novel (2019) and Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction (2019) at the Goodreads Choice Awards.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Good spicy romantasy books include ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’, ‘Serpent & Dove’, ‘Kingdom of Flesh and Fire’ and ‘Kingdom of the Wicked’.
‘Kingdom of the Wicked’, ‘The Serpent and the Wings of Night’ and ‘Fourth Wing’ are some of the best spicy enemies-to-lovers books.
Romantasy is a portmanteau combining romance and fantasy. These are passionate love stories with mythical, magical or supernatural elements.
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Trinetra is an ardent foodie and bibliophile who writes about films, travel, food and lifestyle. As a writer and literature student, slam poetry and storytelling are her go to jam. When not working, Trinetra is busy looking for her next place to visit or binge-watching Instagram videos for travel inspiration.
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