For those with a love of kick-ass heroines, amazing world-building and fast-burn romance. This genre includes fae creatures, magic, and sword-fighting action.
When a mermaid is taken from her home, she knows she’s in trouble. But she has no idea how dangerous her sabotage will be. This YA fantasy features a forbidden enemies to lovers romance and a thrilling adventure.
Here’s a list of 23 Fantasy Romance Books of 2023 that should also be a fun read.
Cassandra Clare
Cassandra Clare is an author who knows how to create a world that is both captivating and immersive. Her books are a great choice for readers who want to get lost in the pages of a fantasy romance. Her writing style is a little heavy with descriptions, but she does an excellent job of creating characters that will draw you in.
She has also done well at establishing relationships between her characters that feel natural and not cringe-worthy. Although some of the plot in her books can be a bit convoluted, it is still an enjoyable read.
Born Judith Remelt to American parents in Tehran, Iran, Clare spent her childhood traveling with her family and always had a book under her arm. She later attended high school in Los Angeles, where she wrote stories to amuse her classmates. Her first novel, City of Bones, became a New York Times bestseller and launched her career as a writer.
Katee Roberts
Known as ‘Brenhines ein Llen’ (Queen of our Literature), Kate Roberts was the foremost Welsh prose writer of her day. She is credited with the modernization of the Welsh-language short story. This volume contains a selection of stories, many previously untranslated, that span her writing career. Joseph P. Clancy’s translations convey the intensity, insight, and distinctive style of her work.
She was also active in politics, participating in Plaid Cymru reunions and acquiring the printing business Gwasg Gee in Denbigh in 1928. She and her husband Morris T. Williams bought Y Faner (The Banner) in 1935, and were close to its editor, E. Prosser Rhys.
Some lines should never be crossed—not even for love. NYT bestselling author Katee Roberts delivers the first installment of a smoking-hot series about two feuding families in this scorching hot novel. Content warnings include domestic abuse, murder, size difference, and explicit sex.
Kristin Lavender
A former college professor, Kristin Lavender is a popular writer of romance novels and nonfiction. Her writing style is humorous and intelligent, making her books hard to put down. She is also an accomplished essayist and has written for a number of academic publications. She lives in Little Rock, Arkansas with her husband, Kristopher Ryan Lavender. She is currently working on a book about her own experiences in the world of high society and wealth. Kristin Lavender is a member of the PEN American Center. Free public records show that she has lived in a few different locations. She was born in November of 1979 and is 43 years old.
Jennifer Armentrout
Jennifer Armentrout is the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Lux Series, Dark Elements Series, and Wicked Series. She also writes adult and New Adult contemporary romance under the pen name J Lynn.
Her writing style is light and fluffy with entertaining, witty banter that makes her characters feel more like old friends than fictional creatures. Her characters go through a variety of emotions that allow the reader to form a deep connection with them.
Maas has mastered the art of constructing complex and relatable female characters. From Throne of Glass’s Celaena Sardothien to ACOTAR’s Acheron sisters and her latest Crescent City heroine Bryce Quinlan, Maas has created many a memorable female lead that can stand on their own and be appreciated for their uniqueness and talents.
Her biggest accomplishment to date was reaching the top spot on the Digital Book World Ebook Best Sellers list. This is an accomplishment that not many authors, especially self-published ones, can achieve.
How Fantasy Romance Books Can Help Children Develop Emotional Intelligence
Fantasy romance is a sub-genre that combines the elements of a romance novel with fantasy settings. These settings are usually fictional and often include a battle of good versus evil.
A fae woman and her mortal protector must uncover a deadly secret in this enchanting M/M fantasy enemies-to-lovers romance set in a rich world of magical twists and unforeseen betrayals.
Children’s Emotional Intelligence
Children who are emotionally intelligent can effectively manage their emotions, make healthy decisions and develop meaningful relationships. Reading books with characters that display emotional intelligence encourages kids to empathize with the problems book characters are experiencing and can help them understand that feelings like sadness, fear and anger are normal.
The fantasy genre allows readers to escape into unique and exciting book settings. Whether it is a fully magical alternative world or one that co-exists with our own, these fascinating settings serve as the perfect backdrop for thrilling plots and exciting romances.
Often times, romance in a fantasy novel symbolizes a larger theme of good versus evil or human struggle. The romance can therefore become an important tool for establishing children’s empathy with characters in the story. For example, the raccoon in The Kissing Hand who was afraid to go to school is comforted by his mother’s loving reminder that she will always be with him, even when he cannot see her.
Children’s Interest in Reading
Children’s interest in reading can be encouraged by providing books on topics of their interest. These may include dinosaurs or other animals, world geography and history, or even science fiction. They will also be interested in books that have a storyline that has adventure, humor or romance.
Fantasy romance books often depict stories of good versus evil and contain magical elements that are beyond this earthly realm. These can be high fantasy stories that are set in entirely different alternate worlds or low fantasy tales that are closer to the earth as we know it.
Educators can also teach students about the literary elements of these types of stories by having them create an original fantasy picture story book and examining it for use of these motifs and literary devices. This can be done in literature circles where students will work in small groups and the teacher will provide a checklist of what to look for in the stories.
Children’s Emotional Development
The Fantasy Romance sub-genre is steadily gaining literary respect, as readers of all ages and genders gobble it up. This genre does not stray far from the typical romance storyline, but rather provides a lush, magical setting that makes it more exciting and fun.
These stories could be high fantasy epics set in fully imaginary alternate worlds, or low fantasy tales closer to the world we know with fantastical elements bleeding deliciously into it. Danger or suspense often balance out the romance – think swashbuckling pirates and sword-wielding knights.
It is not uncommon for authors to create multiple book series in this category, as the world building and battle between good and evil takes up a lot of page space. However, it’s worth investing the time because these books have incredible character arcs that are well-worth the read.
Children’s Social Development
Children can develop social skills by using fantasy play and books to imagine alternate realities. Imagining different scenarios can help kids to better understand other people’s emotions. Research also suggests that fantasy can improve children’s emotional regulation.
Fantasy romance has risen in popularity as readers of all ages and genders gobble up this addictive genre. The story is often high-stakes with action, suspense, and danger woven in. The characters delve into dark magic, medieval kingdoms, or even historical crusades.
Whether it’s a YA urban fantasy or adult historical fantasy, the worldbuilding and character arcs in these novels are deep. Secondary plot lines like a curse, a war between rivals, or a class difference can drive the romance forward.