So you finished a book with a dragon in it and now your entire personality is dragons. I know because it happened to me too. Romantasy is the genre that ate BookTok alive, and if you are here because everyone keeps yelling about Fourth Wing and ACOTAR and you want to know where to actually start, you are in exactly the right place. Pull up a chair, ideally near a window with dramatic lighting.
Below is my romantasy starter map: what the genre is, where to begin, which books are sweet and which ones will emotionally relocate you, and the tropes that make each one worth the book hangover. New to my spice scale? Here is what 1 to 5 chillies actually means, and if the trope language is new, start with the romance tropes guide.
What is romantasy?
Romantasy is romance and fantasy fused into one genre, where the love story and the magic system matter equally. You get dragons, fae courts, magic and high-stakes world-building, plus a central romance with real tension, slow burn or spice, and a fictional man who is usually morally grey and emotionally unavailable until chapter thirty. It is escapism with fangs.
Where should I start with romantasy?
Start with Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros if you want fast pace, dragons and enemies to lovers, or A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas if you want fae courts and a slow-building world. Both are the most popular entry points, both are widely available on Kindle Unlimited, and both come with a fandom ready to catch you. Pick the vibe, not the difficulty.
Dragons, war college and enemies to lovers
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (The Empyrean #1)
Tropes: enemies to lovers, dragons, deadly war college, morally grey love interest, touch her and perish. Spice: 🌶🌶🌶
The one that turned “I don’t really read fantasy” people into people who own a dragon-scale bookmark. Violet gets forced into a war college for dragon riders where the cadets are actively trying to not die, and Xaden is the brooding threat who becomes the whole point. It is fast, it is high stakes, and the banter is doing the absolute most. I did a full reread on audio and lived to tell the tale in my Fourth Wing spicy chapters review. Book four of the Empyrean is one of the releases I am not normal about, which you can see in my upcoming romance releases.
Fae courts and morally grey High Lords
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas
Tropes: fae, fated mates, court politics, slow burn to devastating, morally grey High Lord. Spice: 🌶🌶🌶
The ACOTAR series is a slow build that pays off spectacularly, and yes, the general consensus is that book two is where the whole thing detonates in the best way. Rhysand is the morally grey blueprint an entire generation of readers now measures fictional men against, and Velaris lives rent free in a lot of us. Sweet start, dangerous middle, permanent damage.
Crescent City by Sarah J Maas
Tropes: urban fantasy, found family, slow burn, partners to lovers. Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
If you want your fae with a modern city, a nightclub and a genuinely devastating friendship at the centre, this is your next step after ACOTAR. It is a chunky commitment, but the payoff is exactly the kind of thing that makes you text a friend at midnight in all caps.
What are the spiciest romantasy books?
For higher spice, reach for From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout (forbidden guardian, four chillies) and Crescent City by Sarah J Maas. Fourth Wing and ACOTAR sit around a comfortable three chillies, building rather than constant. If spice level is your deciding factor, always check the trope and content notes first, then pick your fighter.
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout
Tropes: forbidden romance, chosen one, guardian and ward, slow burn then spice. Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Poppy is not allowed to be touched. Hawke is the guard assigned to protect her. You can see the problem, and the problem is delightful. A cracking gateway for readers who want the fantasy but also want the tension turned up.
Dress your shelf like you summer in Velaris
The easiest way to carry a whole fantasy world with you is digital: browse the bookish Kindle inserts collection and dress your e-reader in the vibe, an instant download with no shipping. More romantasy insert designs are on the way, so keep an eye on the collection.
Want something physical for the shelf and car too? For the Fourth Wing side of your personality there is the Basgiath War College bookmark, the Marked by the Spice Wing car coasters and the Neon Dragon earrings. For the Night Court in your soul there is the Velaris View sign, Team Rhysand car coasters, the Starfall Celebration bookmark, and the Midnight Plumage and Celestial Goddess earrings. Can’t pick a court? The Romantasy Lane bookshelf sign covers the whole genre.
And because a fae court deserves a scent, let your car smell like the story with Tamlin’s Tears (watermelon, citrus, unbothered) or Starfall Nights (citrus, pomegranate, warm amber, main character energy).
Use code PLOT10 for 10% off your first order.
Join The Fictional Boyfriend Report
One email a month with reading recs, exclusive discount codes, and slightly unhinged book thoughts. If you would move to a fictional fae city given half a chance, this newsletter was made for you. No spam, just a monthly hit of chaos and a lot of dragons.
Romantasy FAQ
What does romantasy mean?
Romantasy is a blend of the words romance and fantasy. It describes books where a central love story and a fantasy world (magic, fae, dragons, other realms) are given equal weight, so the romance is not a side plot and the fantasy is not just a backdrop.
What are the best romantasy books for beginners?
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros and A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas are the two most beginner-friendly romantasy books. Fourth Wing is faster and dragon-led, ACOTAR is more of a slow-building fae saga. From Blood and Ash is a great third pick if you want a little more spice.
Are romantasy books spicy?
Some are, some are not. Fourth Wing and ACOTAR sit around three out of five chillies with spice that builds across the series rather than appearing constantly. Crescent City and From Blood and Ash lean spicier. Always check the trope and content notes if spice level matters to you.
What order do you read the Empyrean (Fourth Wing) series?
Read the Empyrean series in publication order: Fourth Wing, then Iron Flame, then Onyx Storm, with the next instalment continuing the same characters. They are sequential, so start at Fourth Wing and do not skip ahead.
Keep Going
- Fourth Wing Spicy Chapters: My GraphicAudio Reread Review
- Romance Book Tropes Explained: The Complete Guide
- Upcoming Romance Releases I’m Excited For
Tell me in the comments: are you Team Dragons or Team Fae Court? And more importantly, which fictional man do you need me to stage an intervention about? No judgement, I have several.
