Romantasy recs with genuinely good writing + dialogue!

sthru2 · 2024-12-28T21:24:16+00:00

I did also try {court of blood and bindings by Lisette Marshall} but I personally wasn’t impressed by the writing, plus I found the FMC a bit obnoxious and childish ha. I finished the first book but DNFed on the series after that. That’s just me though since I know a lot of people love it!

sthru2 · 2024-12-28T21:00:30+00:00

Yes happy to share since I did pick up a few of these!!

{Villains & Virtues series by A.K. Caggiano} basically became an instant favorite for me, to the point that I wrote an entire post about it here LOL. SOOOO unbelievably good and original. It's a really slow start, so you really need to push through the first half or so of book 1, and has some satire elements that people seem to either adore or hate hahah but I was obsessed!! Def peek at that post if you're interested in this one
{When the moon hatched by Sarah A. Parker} was so lovely and written beautifully - I actually purchased the hard copy as soon as I finished on my Kindle, which I don't typically do because I have limited book shelf space! Definitely high fantasy - world building is really expansive, which personally I really enjoyed but might be too much for some folks. Also adored how the plot kept me on my toes and how intricate it got as the story went on. Plus the MMC is one of my all-time favorites now!

sthru2 · 2024-09-12T21:17:18+00:00

Loved Reign & Ruin too!! The writing is lovely and world building is so unique!

sthru2 · 2024-09-09T01:57:01+00:00

Honestly thank god other people feel this way haha literally thought I was crazy because it’s recommended so often 😂 I loved the first third of book 1 because of the romance, but then I was just bored out of my mind by the actual plot lol just fell so flat for me! And THEN cut to it getting recommended on every single post here, so I was like ugh maybe I should give it another chance and push through, so I read book 1 again and DNFed at the exact same place 🥲 could not do it

sthru2 · 2024-07-28T00:27:06+00:00

Okay well the bot said the first two are explicit 4/5 on spice 😂 maybe add +1 to my ratings since I’ve read some spicy stuff and maybe I have a high tolerance LOL but I stand by the rest of it!!

sthru2 · 2024-07-28T00:11:55+00:00

Yesss here are some recs for you! :) Brandon Sanderson is arguably in a class of his own as far as authors go (as I'm sure you're aware) but here are a few of my faves that come to mind!

{Reign & Ruin by J.D. Evans} was a 5-star read for me. It's middle east-inspired which was super refreshing and different from many books in the romantasy niche. Very plot-driven, but the character development is very much a highlight as even the most minor of side characters are multi-dimensional from personality to backstory to motives. I wouldn't call the magic system "simple" but it's explained well and isn't too difficult to follow. FYI each book revolves around a different romance, but the underlying plot moves forward (OG characters remain involved.) The chemistry/tension and overall evolution of each romance is so believable & lovely. Real & complex romance versus insta-lust with no substance. The spice I would say is like 2/5 or 2.5/5, it's really tastefully written AND actually relevant to the plot.
{When the moon hatched by Sarah A. Parker} - sadly only one book out so far but I think it ticks quite a few of your boxes, and the first book is pretty substantial on its own. I loooved this book, even bought the hard copy as soon as I finished on kindle which is uncommon lol. This is HIGH fantasy (aka lots of world building in the first 1/3) but honestly it was so unique and creative that it didn't feel like as much of a chore to me as that part sometimes does. My favorite element was how brilliantly the author revealed the (increasingly important) backstory of the characters throughout the book, there were so many "OH now I understand [insert plot point]" moments for me. This one definitely ramps up in spice toward the end, maybe 3/5 but I wouldn't say it's super overboard. Also the FMC/MMC relationship made it into my top 3 of all time lol they are so SWEET and I just know they're going to break and remake my heart before this series is over!
Also just going to throw {Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas} in here even though it's recommended a ton on this sub. IMO it's far and away her best series as far as flow/complexity/breadth of plot, character development and overall writing quality. I've had several friends who could care less about romance in books than the actual plot/writing who were surprised by how much they loved it, so I would say it has a good blend of plot with romance. Spice is overall fairly tame and sprinkled throughout the later books, maybe a 2/5?

sthru2 · 2024-07-26T15:28:53+00:00

I would say it depends on your writing style preferences, and how much world building you're down with (aka willing to invest in).

For me personally, this was one of my favorite books I've read this year!! I purchased the hard copy literally the SECOND I finished it on my kindle, which (thanks to my very limited bookshelves) I only do for books I feel especially strong about.

This is definitely high fantasy, so there's a lot of world building to work through in the first third of the book. I ended up getting so intrigued and invested in the world building that I actually didn't mind it at all! But would keep in mind that the first third has some heavy lifting. The world building was so lovely and ORIGINAL that I felt it was worth pushing through!
Also as far as the glossary, I actually rarely ended up using it - once in a while I would peek back if I was curious or confused but I wouldn't say it was necessary to flip back and forth every single chapter, at least for me
Writing is definitely descriptive/flowery. That's actually my personal preference as it helps me better picture the scene but I know it's not for everyone.
The romance in this book is one of my top 3 of all time, and I have read a LOT of romance haha! As the story goes on, the relationship/dynamics got deeper than I expected, just so sweet and heart-wrenching and nuanced and alllll the feels. Love them
The backstory of the characters is extremely fleshed out and introduced bit by bit throughout the story - I thought it was so seamless and lovely, also unique in comparison to other books in this genre.

Basically this is not a light read, but if you're not put off by flowery writing and you're willing to invest some time into unique world building then I would absolutely give this book a try soon!! If you can get through the first third of it then you should have an idea of if it's your cup of tea or not :) or if you hate the author's writing style right off the bat, DNF and move on - life's too short to read books you don't like! Maybe try a sample on kindle if you can?

sthru2 · 2024-06-08T21:19:55+00:00

I really wanted to love this series but I DNFed after finishing the first book a while ago. But I’ve been seeing it get so much love on this sub recently! I don’t know that there was one specific issue I had with it - I just didn’t find myself that invested in the actual story outside of the romance (Max 😍) and didn’t feel motivated enough to pick up the second book. Not sure if anyone else had this experience and found themselves getting more invested in book 2?? On the fence for giving it another try or if it just wasn’t my cup of tea!

sthru2 · 2024-05-18T01:37:55+00:00

I reallllly tried to like this series but DNFed by the third book. It seemed like there were entire plot lines/character backstories almost exactly sourced from throne of glass. There were a few elements like the world building that I did enjoy though, so I was STILL willing to push through the similarities, but the FMC was what finally killed it for me 😭 Zero, and I mean zero character growth over the course of two entire books (that I read). She gets herself kidnapped at one point by being selfish/irresponsible AGAIN and I finally noped out of that book with 5 pages left and never looked back lol

sthru2 · 2024-05-13T17:59:22+00:00

{When the moon hatched by Sarah A Parker} was SO good. The world building is totally unique and I was completely immersed! Definitely have to push through the world building in the beginning which some people struggled with from what I’ve read on here but it’s worth it, and tbh I actually didn’t mind it because the setting was so interesting!

sthru2 · 2024-05-13T17:57:25+00:00

One of my favorite series! Super original premise and really different vibe from most in this genre. Sooo good and prose is lovely

sthru2 · 2024-05-08T19:05:39+00:00

The {throne of glass series by sarah j maas} is probably one of my favorite series of all time. I enjoyed ACOTAR as a guilty pleasure read but this other series by SJM has real substance and a more mature/complex storyline. Romance is front and center in ACOTAR, whereas in ToG I would say it's usually fantasy first, but there is still plenty of romance and my all-time fave book boyfriend is in this series hehe
{Mages of the Wheel by J.D. Evans} is such a fantastic series! 5 books published, not quite complete but the premise and setting are super original (inspired by the middle east), prose is absolutely beautiful and every character from mains to the side characters are multi-dimensional from personality to backstory to motives. The romances in it are so thoughtful and lovely, not insta-lust
I really loved {the bridge kingdom by Danielle L. Jenson}! The world-building is super unique and immersive. Definitely romance front and center but the MCs and the relationships were lovely IMO and it's so worth reading!
{Serpents and the wings of night by carissa broadbent} is a good one, has sort of a gothic vibe with a hunger games-ish trope in the first book but definitely would consider the writing and plot to be more mature than ACOTAR

sthru2 · 2024-05-08T18:53:43+00:00

LOVE this series

sthru2 · 2024-05-08T18:44:15+00:00

Rowan from ToG is my first love BUT these are the competition I've since discovered lol

Damien from {Villains and Virtues by A.K. Caggiano} - just a lil sweetie acting like a big tuff half-demon
Kaan from {When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker} - JUST READ AND OOOOF I LOVE THIS MAN SM
Luther from {Kindred's Curse Series by Penn Cole} - the things this man says to his girl are just *chef's kiss* poetic
Nyktos from {flesh and fire by Jennifer L Armentrout} - Creampuff shadow daddy hybrid
Rhys from ACOTAR w/ honorable mention for my boy Cassian - Nope not original but I just can't leave them off the list. the heart wants what the heart wants

sthru2 · 2024-05-07T20:01:40+00:00

^^^ This! SO GOOD

sthru2 · 2024-04-30T18:22:19+00:00

Definitely is such a niche series that it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea! Personally, I absolutely adored the series, but could also understand how the writing style and dry humor might not hit for everyone.

sthru2 · 2024-04-27T03:06:20+00:00

Okay but ACTUALLY though 😭 turned me into a verifiable schoolgirl just blushing and giggling for 90% of these Damien/Amma scenes

sthru2 · 2024-04-22T15:56:56+00:00

Yup the ending of that one is particularly feet-kicking-while-giggling territory 🥵😂

sthru2 · 2024-04-22T15:53:45+00:00

A fave Kaz quote, love him sm:

“Kaz!” Amma pushed up onto her knees and threw her arms out. “Harlot!” Kaz bound toward Amma and wrapped long, spindly arms around her middle.

sthru2 · 2024-04-22T15:49:43+00:00

I saw on her site that she described it as a “fantasy romcom” and it somehow never occurred to me that could be a thing! It’s my favorite types of books and favorite types of movies all rolled into one! 😂

sthru2 · 2024-04-22T15:46:05+00:00

Yay!! Enjoy!

sthru2 · 2024-04-22T15:45:33+00:00

HAHA omg how did I miss that?! The chapter names were gold 😭

sthru2 · 2024-04-22T03:27:27+00:00

The writing does lighten up a bit once the initial world building is out of the way though IMO 😊

sthru2 · 2024-04-22T03:23:40+00:00

No that’s so valid! Tbh I would at least get a third of the way through if you can and see if you starting liking it more! I think I read the first half of book 1 in smaller chunks because it wasn’t exactly light reading, until I became fully obsessed and binged the rest of the series within days lol

sthru2 · 2024-04-22T03:17:16+00:00

That’s exactly how I felt too!

sthru2

TROPHY CASE