If you’ve been eyeing the romantasy genre from afar—curious but maybe intimidated by all the worldbuilding, magic systems, and fae politics—welcome. You’re in the right place. Romantasy, that glorious mashup of romance and fantasy, has exploded in popularity for good reason. It offers everything: sweeping adventures, intricate magical worlds, and love stories that make your heart pound.
But here’s the thing: not all romantasy works equally well when you’re just starting out. Some books throw you into the deep end with complex magic systems and seventeen POV characters. Others ease you in with addictive romance and just enough fantasy to keep things interesting.
The best romantasy books for beginners strike that perfect balance. They give you accessible worldbuilding, swoon-worthy chemistry, and plots that hook you from page one—without requiring a PhD in fantasy literature or a glossary to keep track of made-up words.
What is Romantasy?
Before we dive into the best books to start with, let’s talk about what romantasy actually is. Romantasy blends romance and fantasy in equal measure—it’s not just fantasy with a romantic subplot tacked on, and it’s not contemporary romance with a sprinkle of magic dust.
The best romantasy books treat both elements as essential to the story. You get epic worldbuilding, magic systems, fantastical creatures, and sweeping quests alongside deeply developed romantic relationships with emotional stakes that matter just as much as saving the kingdom. Think dragons and destiny meeting slow-burn tension and soul-deep connections.
The genre has exploded in recent years (thank you, BookTok) because it fills a gap that readers didn’t even know they had—we were tired of choosing between adventure and romance, between magic and feelings. Romantasy said “why not both?” and an entire generation of readers collectively lost their minds.
Why Start with Romantasy?
Here’s what makes romantasy such a brilliant genre for readers coming from either romance or fantasy backgrounds: it doesn’t make you choose. Love a good enemies-to-lovers arc but find contemporary settings a bit limiting? Romantasy gives you that tension with the added drama of magical powers and ancient prophecies.
More of a fantasy reader who’s tired of romance being an afterthought? These books put the relationship front and center, making it just as important as saving the kingdom.
The beauty of beginner-friendly romantasy is that the fantasy elements enhance the romance rather than overshadowing it. You’re not wading through fifty pages of lore before anything interesting happens. These books understand that you’re here for the butterflies, the banter, and yes, often the spice—but you also want dragons, political intrigue, and maybe some morally gray characters making questionable decisions.
What you can expect from the best romantasy books: deeply developed romantic relationships that actually matter to the plot, fantasy worlds that feel immersive without being overwhelming, and stakes that make you genuinely worried about whether these characters will get their happy ending (or at least survive). The genre has evolved beautifully from fantasy books with romance subplots into stories where both elements are equally vital.
Quick Round Up: The Best Romantasy Books for Beginners
For those of you who just want the list:
- From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
- A Deal with the Elf King by Elise Kova
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
- The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
- Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
- Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
- Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
- The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller
- Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
- House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
Top Picks for the Best Romantasy Books to Start Your Journey
And for those who want all the juicy details…
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
This is one of the most accessible entry points into romantasy. The story follows Poppy, the Maiden—a girl chosen from birth to live a life of duty, purity, and isolation until she’s ready to Ascend. Enter Hawke, her ridiculously attractive personal guard who absolutely should not be flirting with her but definitely is.
Armentrout’s accessible writing style and the immediate chemistry between Poppy and Hawke make this perfect for beginners. The tension starts on page one and doesn’t let up. The worldbuilding unfolds naturally through Poppy’s sheltered perspective, so you learn about the fantasy elements right alongside her.
This book has plot twists that make you gasp out loud and immediately text your friends in all caps. Fair warning: this starts a series, and once you begin, you’ll want the next book immediately.
A Deal with the Elf King by Elise Kova
If you’re looking for something cozy, magical, and absolutely swoon-worthy, Elise Kova’s A Deal with the Elf King is your book. Luella has spent years knowing she’s destined to be claimed by the Elf King as his queen—it’s a tradition, one human woman every generation to ensure the magic stays balanced.
This is beginner romantasy at its finest because it’s a standalone (bless). You’re not committing to a five-book series. The arranged marriage trope gives you that delicious slow-burn tension as Luella and the Elf King move from strangers to something much deeper.
Kova writes their growing connection beautifully—it’s tender and believable. Think Beauty and the Beast meets Hades and Persephone, with a human woman finding power in a magical realm. It’s the kind of book that makes you believe in magic while giving you all the romantic feels.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Let’s address the elephant in the room: yes, this is that book. The one that launched a thousand BookTok videos and inspired countless passionate debates. But here’s why ACOTAR deserves its spot—it’s genuinely one of the most beginner-friendly romantasy books out there, even if the fandom can be intense.
Feyre starts as a human huntress who kills a faerie and gets dragged into the magical realm as punishment. It’s a loose Beauty and the Beast retelling, and while Book One has its flaws, the series absolutely finds its footing.
Maas eases you into the fantasy elements through Feyre’s human perspective, which makes this work for beginners. The romance develops naturally, and the world is lush and accessible. I’ll be honest: ACOTAR gets better as the series progresses, but stick with it through the first book because the payoff is absolutely worth it.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Holly Black’s The Cruel Prince is deliciously dark, politically complex, and features one of the most satisfying enemies-to-lovers dynamics in the genre. Jude is a human girl raised in the treacherous world of Faerie, where she’s constantly reminded that she’s mortal, weak, and doesn’t belong.
Prince Cardan, cruel and beautiful and absolutely insufferable, seems to take particular pleasure in tormenting her. Naturally, they’re going to fall in love, but the journey there is anything but straightforward.
I love this as a beginner pick because it’s technically YA, which means it’s shorter and more accessible than some chunkier adult romantasy. But don’t let the YA label fool you—this book is dark and morally complex. The romance builds slowly, with every interaction crackling with tension. By the end, you’ll finally understand why people lose their minds over Cardan.
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
Imagine this: a witch hiding in plain sight and a witch hunter sworn to destroy her kind are forced into a marriage of convenience. That’s Serpent & Dove, and it’s as fun and chaotic as it sounds. Lou is a witch on the run, while Reid is a devout witch hunter dedicated to his cause.
When circumstances force them into marriage, neither is thrilled—but the forced proximity and undeniable chemistry make for absolutely delicious reading. Mahurin sets her story in a fantasy version of France, giving it a historical romance vibe with magic.
The banter between Lou and Reid is chef’s kiss—she’s snarky and irreverent, he’s uptight and earnest, and watching them slowly realize they’re perfect for each other is endlessly entertaining. It’s trope heaven: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, forbidden romance, opposites attract—basically everything you want in a romantasy wrapped up in one package.
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Full disclosure: Red Queen has a love triangle, and I know that’s divisive. But this is still one of the best romantasy books for beginners because it blends familiar dystopian elements with fantasy in a way that feels accessible and addictive.
Mare Barrow lives in a world divided by blood: Silvers with god-like powers, and Reds who serve them. When Mare, a Red, discovers she somehow has powers of her own, she’s thrust into the Silver world and forced to navigate deadly politics while hiding what she is.
The fast pacing and political intrigue keep you hooked, which makes this work for beginners. The magic system is straightforward—different people have different elemental or mental powers. Yes, Mare is caught between Cal and Maven, and yes, you’ll have strong opinions, but the romance doesn’t overwhelm the larger story of rebellion and power. Think X-Men meets The Hunger Games with royal intrigue.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Before ACOTAR, there was Throne of Glass, and it remains one of the most beloved romantasy series for good reason. Celaena Sardothien is an assassin—the best in the land—who’s been imprisoned in a brutal labor camp. When she’s offered a chance at freedom by competing in a deadly competition to become the king’s champion, she takes it.
What starts as a straightforward fantasy adventure slowly evolves into a rich, complex world where romance becomes increasingly central. Here’s why Throne of Glass works for beginners despite being an eight-book commitment: it eases you in.
The first book reads more like fantasy with romantic elements. You’re not thrown into the deep end of complex romantic tension right away. You get to know Celaena and become invested in her journey. The worldbuilding unfolds gradually, and the romance builds beautifully across the series with relationships that develop and change in ways that feel earned.
The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller
Listen, if you’ve ever wanted to read a romance where the heroine literally says, “They’ve never found the body of the first and only boy who broke my heart,” in the opening line, this is your book. The Shadows Between Us is deliciously dark and morally gray: Alessandra wants to seduce the Shadow King, marry him, and then kill him so she can rule the kingdom herself. Simple, right?
I love recommending this for beginners because it’s a standalone. You can read it in a weekend, get your romantasy fix, and move on. Levenseller writes Alessandra as unabashedly ambitious and ruthless, which is such a breath of fresh air.
The Shadow King is exactly the kind of dark, powerful, mysterious figure you want in a romantasy, and the cat-and-mouse dynamic between them is incredibly entertaining. The banter is sharp, the romance is swoon-worthy despite the morally questionable foundation, and the plot moves quickly.
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
If you want romantasy that leans more literary and less fae-and-dragons, Divine Rivals is an absolute gem. Iris Winnow and Roman Kitt are rival journalists competing for the same columnist position at a newspaper, trading barbs and trying to outdo each other.
But Iris has been writing letters to her brother who’s away at war, pouring out her heart—except her letters are magically being delivered to Roman instead. Meanwhile, an actual war between gods is tearing their world apart.
This book is different from most romantasy because it’s quieter, more focused on character and emotion than action or political intrigue. Ross writes beautifully—her prose is elegant and evocative. The epistolary element is incredibly romantic in that old-fashioned, heartfelt way that makes you ache. It’s You’ve Got Mail meets wartime fantasy. The fantasy elements don’t require extensive worldbuilding knowledge, keeping the focus on Iris and Roman’s developing relationship through their letters and eventual face-to-face interactions.
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
I’m putting this last with a warning: House of Earth and Blood is a commitment. It’s over 800 pages, the first third is slow, and you’re going to wonder if you should DNF it. Don’t. The payoff is absolutely worth it, but I want to be honest about what you’re getting into.
Bryce Quinlan lives in Crescent City, a modern urban fantasy setting where humans, fae, angels, shapeshifters, and various other species coexist. When her friends are brutally murdered, she’s forced to team up with Hunt Athalar, a Fallen angel, to solve the case.
The first chunk is worldbuilding-heavy. It introduces you to a complex magical society with its own politics and rules. But somewhere around page 300, everything clicks. The mystery gets darker, the romance starts heating up, and you suddenly realize you’re completely invested.
By the end, you’ll understand why people lose their minds over this series. Maas creates an urban fantasy romantasy that feels different from her other work, with modern sensibilities alongside magic and danger.
What Makes These The Best Romantasy Books for Beginners?
Accessible Worldbuilding That Doesn’t Overwhelm
So what do all these books have in common that makes them perfect entry points into romantasy? First: accessibility. The best romantasy books for beginners don’t assume you’ve been reading fantasy since you were ten or that you’re already familiar with common fantasy tropes and terminology.
They ease you into the worldbuilding naturally, often through a protagonist who’s also learning about the magical world alongside you. Whether it’s Poppy discovering the truth about her world in From Blood and Ash, or Luella being introduced to the Elf King’s realm, or Feyre learning about fae politics, you’re never left floundering, trying to remember what a particular magical term means or how the hierarchy works.
Romance Takes Center Stage (Finally)
The romance in these books is central, not secondary. In traditional fantasy, romance might be a subplot—a nice bonus, but not the main event. In romantasy, and especially in these beginner-friendly picks, the relationship is just as important as the fantasy plot.
The romantic tension drives the story forward. The character development is tied to the relationships, and you genuinely care whether these people end up together. These books understand that familiar romance tropes—enemies to lovers, forced proximity, arranged marriage, forbidden love—can actually help ease you into an unfamiliar fantasy setting.
When you recognize the romantic beats, the fantasy elements feel less overwhelming. You know how enemies-to-lovers works, so even if it’s happening between a witch and a witch hunter or a human and a faerie prince, you can follow along because the emotional arc is familiar.
The Gateway Drug Effect
Here’s what I’ve learned from my own journey through romantasy: starting with beginner-friendly books doesn’t mean starting with lesser books. It means starting with books that understand how to balance both elements effectively, that don’t expect you to work too hard to enjoy them.
These books are addictive, well-written, and emotionally satisfying. They’re also gateway drugs (in the best way). Start with A Deal with the Elf King and suddenly you’re ready for more complex fae politics. Read Serpent & Dove and find yourself seeking out more witchy romantasy with morally gray characters.
Finish The Cruel Prince and realize you’re ready for the intricate political machinations of Six of Crows. That’s the beauty of beginning with accessible romantasy—it builds your tolerance for complexity while hooking you with stories you can’t put down.
Pacing That Hooks You Immediately
Pacing in beginner romantasy is crucial. These books understand that you need to be hooked early. They don’t waste time with fifty pages of prologue or extensive lore dumps before anything interesting happens.
The chemistry starts immediately. The stakes are clear, and the plot moves at a pace that keeps you turning pages. You can pick up any of these books and know within a few chapters whether it’s working for you, which is exactly what you want when you’re testing out a new genre.
And because these books have passionate fanbases and active communities, once you finish one, you’ll find endless recommendations, fan art, discussions, and other readers who can guide you toward your next read. The romantasy community is incredibly welcoming to newcomers—we all remember the book that pulled us in, and we’re always eager to share our favorites and help people find their next obsession. Check out our romance trope 101.
Where to Go After These
Where do you go after you’ve conquered these beginner books? That’s when things get really fun. You’ll be ready for the complexity of Fourth Wing with its dragon bonding and war college politics. You’ll tackle the intricate heist plotting of Six of Crows and appreciate how the romantic relationships develop alongside the criminal scheming.
You might dive into Daughter of No Worlds for that soul-deep slow burn or pick up Kingdom of the Wicked for gothic Italian vibes and demon princes. The beautiful thing about starting with the best romantasy books for beginners is that they open up this entire massive genre, with endless subgenres and variations to explore.
Dark romantasy, cozy romantasy, spicy romantasy, romantasy with dragons, with vampires, with gods, with pirates—once you know you love the genre, the options are limitless. But you have to start somewhere, and these ten books? They’re the perfect place to begin your journey into magical worlds where love is just as powerful as any spell. You can also check out our Romantasy recommendations.
Ready to dive into even more magical worlds? If you’ve fallen in love with romantasy and can’t get enough of epic adventures and swoon-worthy romance, it’s time to explore the world of web fiction. These serialized stories offer fresh, addictive reads that update regularly—perfect for when you’ve devoured your latest book and can’t wait for the next release.
Check out my guide on Finding the Best Web Fiction: Top 5 Apps to Replace Your Bookshelf where I review the top platforms bringing thousands of stories right to your phone. I especially recommend MistNovel, which features an incredible selection of fantasy romance that’ll keep you hooked chapter after chapter. Your next obsession is just a download away!
