The best romantic fantasy books

Ruthless crime bosses and a shadow, magical Manhattan, create the perfect setting for this most devastating example of a truly murderous enemies-to-lovers story. The Antonova sisters are beautiful, cunning and ruthless; their mother the elusive supplier of premium intoxicants. Their rivals, the influential Fedorov brothers, serve their crime boss father, whose enterprise dominates the shadows of magical Manhattan. A fraught twelve-year stalemate between the two families breaks, just as internal conflicts could destroy each of them from within, and fate draws two from each family together. Will anyone survive?

A magnetic ‘will they, won’t they’ gay romance and intriguing mystery plot, entangled in the courtly politics of an Ottoman Empire-inspired world, where myth runs hand in hand with history. When the Queen’s brother, Kadou, finds himself under suspicion of attempted murder, he endeavours to rescue his reputation by taking over the investigation of another, apparently unrelated, incident. Accompanied by his handsome but distant new bodyguard, Evemer, he uncovers a complex crime network with a powerful, dangerous leader.

If you like your fantasy romance with a healthy dose of humour, or love Bridgerton and Downton Abbey but would like to introduce a little magic to your country (and reading) pile, then Freya Marske is for you. In an alternative Edwardian England, a Baronet and a magician must unravel a murder mystery together, whether they want to or not. The first in a trilogy, A Marvellous Light is a hugely entertaining comedy of manners, manor houses and hedge mazes.

Already hoovered up A Marvellous Light? Then you’re probably on the lookout for this. The second in the series features Maud Blyth, who had been hoping for an adventure until the adventure started happening, an ocean liner, and a dead old lady. Throw in a rude parrot and outrageous partner-in-(solving)-crime-come-love-interest and you’ve got another hilarious murder mystery. Think Titanic, but make it magic. And sapphic. 

Agnieszka’s village is blighted by the enchanted forest that lies beyond it, and relies on an ageless wizard, the Dragon, to protect them from it. But his help comes at a horrible price – every ten years a woman must leave the village and live with him. Agnieszka fears her dearest friend Kasia – beautiful, graceful and brave – will be chosen next. But when the Dragon comes, it's not Kasia he takes. The perfect read for those who like fantasy worlds built on traditional tales: Uprooted adds a new flavour to classic folk stories without losing their dark faerie aftertaste. 

How far would you go for the person who saved your life? After inadvertently releasing a storm of ancient magic, and reviving a sleeping warrior and their thousand-year-old war, Csorwe and Shuthmili face jeopardy at every turn. The soldier has bound Csworwe to her cause, and whilst Shuthmili is desperate to protect the woman she loves, she fears embracing the eldritch powers she knows she must use to do so. Expect priestesses, assassins, sorcerers, dark gods, giant snakes, underground temples, and, of course, romance. 

The first in this YA series is a searing epic inspired by ancient Arabia. The Hunter and the Prince of Death are both legends in their kingdom – but wish they weren’t. The Hunter’s real name is Zafira, and, forced to disguise herself as a man, she risks everything for her people. The Prince of Death is actually Nazir, bound to command of the sultan, his father. Both are sent on a quest to return magic to their fracturing land, when an ancient evil (and a few feelings) begin to stir. . .