Only problem I have with romance is when it becomes sex on every other page. That's not romance and I start rolling my eyes over it. I consider it a lazy piece of writing by the author.
Especially when it’s zero to one hundred. Like, they’ll have their first kiss and then immediately jump in bed. Like, guys what about the sweet, giddy in-between?? 😢 but I totally agree. The genre is sex saturated.
I think it's funny when everyone who reads those kinds of books also claims to be huuuge fantasy fans. Like no, you just enjoy reading smut in fake worlds involving 17 year-olds or immortal creatures who look 17.
I really hope you give the Captive Prince series a chance. Book 2 and 3 are so much better, both in the political aspect and the romance. The short stories are good as well.
Lol, iron flame is rough. The tone is all over the place. Sometimes, it's a war book; sometimes, it reads like an anime; and sometimes, it is high school drama. Not terrible, though. Some stuff is excellent, and some of it sucks. It has its charm. I DNF'd it when it first came out, but I am committed to finishing it now for Onyx Storm. I'm on page 45p now.
omg i agree with you on the grimdark aspect of book one of captive prince! and i'm glad you're giving the trilogy a chance!!! book two and three are much better imo and the tone shifts a bit so.. looking forward to hearing your opinion :)
I just finished Reign and Ruin and I’m so excited you agreed with the top tier nature. I loved it - the two main characters have such a healthy relationship and it was such a fun story. I was so stressed during so many of their interactions that external forces would come into play. 😂❤
I'm currently just finishing up the 3rd book in the Captive Prince trilogy, and the grim dark aspects of the 1st book are majorly turned down in the 2nd and 3rd books and the political intrigue is ramped up
What a great list! so many new suggestions (I haven't had a chance to read any of these, but some of these titles are familiar to me from my own TBR list and you have helped me rearrange it, thank you!)
I love tier rankings! I enjoyed this one as well as your video from last year. I'd love to know if you have read the Elements of Cadence duology by Rebecca Ross. I feel like it is overshadowed by Divine Vows/Ruthless Rivals. I have yet to read DR/RV. However, I read the Elements of Cadence duology earlier this year and the first book, A River Enchanted, was such an immersive experience for me. Definitely one of my favorite books of 2024 and the audiobook was soooo good! I'm not good at explaining why I like something but here I go! The setting was really interesting for me and I loved the characters. I also liked that music played an integral part in the duology. It's classified as a romantasy/fantasy romance on Goodreads. However, I think the world/character development has more weight than the romance. There are romantic moments but I do not feel it's the focus. Based on what I have seen of your tastes, I think you would enjoy it!
Divine Rivals is my favorite book by Ross so far. I loved it. But I was let down by Ruthless Vows. Because of that, Elements of Cadence is the better Duology imo. I also listened to the audiobooks and the narration in both duologies is great 🫶🏻
Before I finish the video a couple things: first, you have gorgeous eyes girl ❤ second, I’ve always been curious about your eye makeup, would you make a tutorial? 😂 Besides that, got my goodreads app ready to add your top tier books lol
Totally agree with Phoenix Keeper as cozy fantasy. I loved it so much because it was such a sweet, cozy read. The animal nerd in me was obsessed with the slice of life for a mythical zookeeper. The romance though was very underplayed (and I'm primarily a romance reader).
I really enjoyed the ashes and star cursed! It was slow at time and I was annoyed with the “love” but there were some amazing scenes that ranked the book high!
When the Moon Hatched was such a letdown for me. The world building seemed promising at first, but the FMC was written in such a cringe way. “My stabby hand was twitching to gouge their eyes out” type of writing was just angsty teen to me. Scaling 30 floors of a building like it was nothing, always being such a quippy smartass but conveniently soft hearted to innocents.. it was just too much. Anyways, thanks for the review!
I heald my breath when i saw Spark of the Everflame. I devoured that series to the point i am waiting very impatiently for the 4th book. I can't wait for you to read the other books and see what you think of them!
Agree with your assessment of Captive Prince, however books 2 and 3 are rewarding reads. The plot and politics are enjoyable, and the romance is achingly bittersweet and lovely.
I so appreciate your input! As a fantasy reader to dabbles in romantasy a lot recently. I'm finding it hard to find a book that I either don't hate the MC or is fleshed out well. I bought the hatched moon book and was so in love with the first chapter but haven't gotten to the rest of it. And now I'm thinking I'm not going to like it
For me, "grim dark" implies a hopeless world. I wouldn't personally call Capri grim dark because although the book and content is dark it doesn't feel hopeless or that "life is a struggle and then you die" is the message that I see in other more stereotypically grim dark styled books.
I love that you included "A Curse for True Love"! I enjoyed that series, but I definitely think the 3rd book of that trilogy was the weakest. It felt kind of disappointing because the previous books establish this interesting kind of dark and twisted fairytale fantasy world, and then the 3rd book stops exploring that focuses more on a lot of romance tropes (plus character regression for the sake of drama...). I really appreciate how you rank romantasy books (here and in other videos) by reviewing how well fleshed-out the fantasy elements are (especially worldbuilding & magic). Frustrating to pick up a book that appears so promising only for the world & relationships to be neglected for instalust. (Although I don't mind smutty books, just not usually what I want from my fantasy reads.)
If you enjoyed Danielle L.. Jensen's work, definitely check out one of her older series, a Stolen Songbird. I far preferred it to the Bridge Kingdom books, imo. Still need to read Fate Inked in Blood, but I definitely was a fan of Stolen Songbird for the fantasy romance aspect, so definitely check that out!
I would have ranked The Prisoner's Throne above A Curse for True Love. ACFTL really let me down. Oh you hurt my heart. Daughter of No Worlds is one of my top series ever. I didn't like Belladonna at all and never continued the series. I felt the same about When the Moom Hatched.
I'm more of a romance reader but with fantasy romance I prefer actual worldbuilding( ala, c.l. wilson) over this is a romance in a wallpaper fantasy setting, so this list is preferable to me.
Agree with your list mostly! Besides Holly Black, Julie Kagawa has made the best fae depictions - with Shakespearean King Oberon, Queen Mab, Titania . Her book series the Iron King very VERY 2010s YA, but her worldbuilding of the fae world and politics is better than 99% of these books you just listed.
I have no idea how Spellshop is classed as Fantasy Romance, other than it was written by a woman. The romance is a side plot, it doesn't really drive anything.
I adore the war of lost hearts trilogy, probably one of my faves from the list as well as Radiance which you put in the same category (you really should read the 2 books almost as 1 to get their full story, they are such a sweet respectful couple and I adore them, but yeah the fantasy is kinda just pretty trappings not a fleshed out world)
I’m so glad there is someone else on booktube who dislikes when the moon hatched. I just don’t get the hype at all. The prose is painful and the world building feels rushed. Fourth wing was similar. I hope we see some better dragon romantasty books in the new year!
I agree with her mostly, but that was a HUGEEEEE miss for me. The main character had a personality of a box and don't get me started how the male love interest was just....there. I would have taken Edward Cullen over him. And I loved Bridge Kingdom a lot.
Iam really trying to like fantasy romance. I DNF’ed a super super popular one and then have been kinda afraid to pick anymore back up. This is a helpful video because I think I have similar book taste to you in general and I always like books you recommend. So maybe I’ll check some of these out
Random question; has the Jen Williams book, “Talonsister,” been released? I can’t find it on Barnes and Noble or Amazon. I know you had made a video about it. TIA. 🖤
I read 3 from this list: Reign and Ruin, I thought it was great at the time but looking back I barely remember the characters so it kinda lost me. Daughter of whatever I DNF'ed towards the end bc it was too damn predictable and I wasn't in the mind space to deal with that. Also the male narrator was not it and was the nail in the coffin, doubt I'll pick it up again. And lastly Iron Flame which surprised me tbh, because I really disliked the first book, but I actually loved the second. The way some emotions were explored really resonated with me and I liked the plot well enough. I think the author definitely evolved from the first book and did a decent job of explaining most of my qualms. I think the book itself reads like a tv show though, very episodic. It works really well as an audiobook but I think people struggled with the physical reading. I definitely want to read more fantasy romance though, but maybe fewer fae/elves/hot humans with pointy ears who live a long time.
Ruthless Vows barely had any romance compared to book 2. Fate Inked of Blood was so predictable in every way.. Feel flat for me halfway through. Hoping book 2 gets better. Interesting how my picks are flip flopped with your choices😅
same here! my interest are on the "eh" and "No" tier 😅I enjoyed Ruthless Vows but I struggle to finish it once the war kicked in and it became a heavy and quite sad journey
Only problem I have with romance is when it becomes sex on every other page. That's not romance and I start rolling my eyes over it. I consider it a lazy piece of writing by the author.
Especially when it’s zero to one hundred. Like, they’ll have their first kiss and then immediately jump in bed. Like, guys what about the sweet, giddy in-between?? 😢 but I totally agree. The genre is sex saturated.
Oh thank god I’m not the only one who feels this way
I think it's funny when everyone who reads those kinds of books also claims to be huuuge fantasy fans. Like no, you just enjoy reading smut in fake worlds involving 17 year-olds or immortal creatures who look 17.
Right! I dont need those details😭
Thank youuuu. I agree with all these comments! Snaps for everyone 🫰🏼🫰🏼🫰🏼
I love your emphasis on the element of respect in relationships between characters, something that is sometimes overlooked in this genre
I really hope you give the Captive Prince series a chance. Book 2 and 3 are so much better, both in the political aspect and the romance. The short stories are good as well.
Lol, iron flame is rough. The tone is all over the place. Sometimes, it's a war book; sometimes, it reads like an anime; and sometimes, it is high school drama. Not terrible, though. Some stuff is excellent, and some of it sucks. It has its charm. I DNF'd it when it first came out, but I am committed to finishing it now for Onyx Storm. I'm on page 45p now.
It is so chaotic but I can't help it I do love it
@EntirelyBonkerss thanks for replying i thought I was crazy for liking that book. It definitely tested me in some spots though.
I think it’s fun but not a book to think to hard for, just go with it you’ll have more fun
omg i agree with you on the grimdark aspect of book one of captive prince! and i'm glad you're giving the trilogy a chance!!! book two and three are much better imo and the tone shifts a bit so.. looking forward to hearing your opinion :)
So happy you loved Reign and Ruin! I finished it yesterday and LOVED it!
Same, Mages of the Wheel is my GOAT series.
The Spellshop is one of my 6 fav books2024🥰 and agree, romance is almost non existing there, which i prefer😅
I just finished Reign and Ruin and I’m so excited you agreed with the top tier nature. I loved it - the two main characters have such a healthy relationship and it was such a fun story. I was so stressed during so many of their interactions that external forces would come into play. 😂❤
The spellshop is absolutely adorable and would 100% recommend for a nice fall read.
Historical Fantasy? I don't think I've encountered those yet (unless you mean Outlander..) Will you a do a video about those?
There’s quite a lot set in an alternative victorian world.
I'm currently just finishing up the 3rd book in the Captive Prince trilogy, and the grim dark aspects of the 1st book are majorly turned down in the 2nd and 3rd books and the political intrigue is ramped up
What a great list! so many new suggestions (I haven't had a chance to read any of these, but some of these titles are familiar to me from my own TBR list and you have helped me rearrange it, thank you!)
I love tier rankings! I enjoyed this one as well as your video from last year. I'd love to know if you have read the Elements of Cadence duology by Rebecca Ross. I feel like it is overshadowed by Divine Vows/Ruthless Rivals. I have yet to read DR/RV. However, I read the Elements of Cadence duology earlier this year and the first book, A River Enchanted, was such an immersive experience for me. Definitely one of my favorite books of 2024 and the audiobook was soooo good! I'm not good at explaining why I like something but here I go! The setting was really interesting for me and I loved the characters. I also liked that music played an integral part in the duology. It's classified as a romantasy/fantasy romance on Goodreads. However, I think the world/character development has more weight than the romance. There are romantic moments but I do not feel it's the focus. Based on what I have seen of your tastes, I think you would enjoy it!
Divine Rivals is my favorite book by Ross so far. I loved it. But I was let down by Ruthless Vows. Because of that, Elements of Cadence is the better Duology imo. I also listened to the audiobooks and the narration in both duologies is great 🫶🏻
I adore the setting and mythology in the Cadence Duology, much more my thing than wars and typewriters
I love your ranking system. Hi Luna...🐕
Before I finish the video a couple things: first, you have gorgeous eyes girl ❤ second, I’ve always been curious about your eye makeup, would you make a tutorial? 😂
Besides that, got my goodreads app ready to add your top tier books lol
Totally agree with Phoenix Keeper as cozy fantasy. I loved it so much because it was such a sweet, cozy read. The animal nerd in me was obsessed with the slice of life for a mythical zookeeper. The romance though was very underplayed (and I'm primarily a romance reader).
Getting my TBRs right here!
I really enjoyed the ashes and star cursed! It was slow at time and I was annoyed with the “love” but there were some amazing scenes that ranked the book high!
This ranking built my trust for your taste so much! I’ll be taking your reviews with no grains of salt from now on. 😄
I love your list! And I actually have some new books I added to my list so I cannot wait
When the Moon Hatched was such a letdown for me. The world building seemed promising at first, but the FMC was written in such a cringe way. “My stabby hand was twitching to gouge their eyes out” type of writing was just angsty teen to me. Scaling 30 floors of a building like it was nothing, always being such a quippy smartass but conveniently soft hearted to innocents.. it was just too much.
Anyways, thanks for the review!
I heald my breath when i saw Spark of the Everflame. I devoured that series to the point i am waiting very impatiently for the 4th book. I can't wait for you to read the other books and see what you think of them!
Love the love for The Spellshop but I agree I wouldn't consider it fantasy romance. Still one of my faves of the year!
I really enjoyed your ranking and especially enjoyed the format of this tier video. Very nice.
Agree with your assessment of Captive Prince, however books 2 and 3 are rewarding reads. The plot and politics are enjoyable, and the romance is achingly bittersweet and lovely.
I so appreciate your input! As a fantasy reader to dabbles in romantasy a lot recently. I'm finding it hard to find a book that I either don't hate the MC or is fleshed out well. I bought the hatched moon book and was so in love with the first chapter but haven't gotten to the rest of it. And now I'm thinking I'm not going to like it
I love how your list is my list but backwards hahaha thanks to this i'm picking Radiance I think it will be right by my alley
For me, "grim dark" implies a hopeless world. I wouldn't personally call Capri grim dark because although the book and content is dark it doesn't feel hopeless or that "life is a struggle and then you die" is the message that I see in other more stereotypically grim dark styled books.
I love that you included "A Curse for True Love"! I enjoyed that series, but I definitely think the 3rd book of that trilogy was the weakest. It felt kind of disappointing because the previous books establish this interesting kind of dark and twisted fairytale fantasy world, and then the 3rd book stops exploring that focuses more on a lot of romance tropes (plus character regression for the sake of drama...).
I really appreciate how you rank romantasy books (here and in other videos) by reviewing how well fleshed-out the fantasy elements are (especially worldbuilding & magic). Frustrating to pick up a book that appears so promising only for the world & relationships to be neglected for instalust. (Although I don't mind smutty books, just not usually what I want from my fantasy reads.)
I would highly recommend Ilona Andrews Innkeeper Cronicles!
I want to read spark of the everflame so bad ahhhh
I'm on the 3rd book. It's so good but will leave you in emotional turmoil at least half the time 😂
5:58 Daughter of No Worlds and Radiance: Totally agree!
If you enjoyed Danielle L.. Jensen's work, definitely check out one of her older series, a Stolen Songbird. I far preferred it to the Bridge Kingdom books, imo. Still need to read Fate Inked in Blood, but I definitely was a fan of Stolen Songbird for the fantasy romance aspect, so definitely check that out!
I would have ranked The Prisoner's Throne above A Curse for True Love. ACFTL really let me down. Oh you hurt my heart. Daughter of No Worlds is one of my top series ever. I didn't like Belladonna at all and never continued the series. I felt the same about When the Moom Hatched.
I'm more of a romance reader but with fantasy romance I prefer actual worldbuilding( ala, c.l. wilson) over this is a romance in a wallpaper fantasy setting, so this list is preferable to me.
Traitor Son by Melissa Cave was a surprisingly cozy historical fantasy romance I read this year.
Agree with your list mostly! Besides Holly Black, Julie Kagawa has made the best fae depictions - with Shakespearean King Oberon, Queen Mab, Titania . Her book series the Iron King very VERY 2010s YA, but her worldbuilding of the fae world and politics is better than 99% of these books you just listed.
I have no idea how Spellshop is classed as Fantasy Romance, other than it was written by a woman. The romance is a side plot, it doesn't really drive anything.
I just wanted to pop in and say your video quality is 🤌 crispy and I love it. I appreciate all the work you do to give us top tier videos!! 💜
Amazing timing
I adore the war of lost hearts trilogy, probably one of my faves from the list as well as Radiance which you put in the same category (you really should read the 2 books almost as 1 to get their full story, they are such a sweet respectful couple and I adore them, but yeah the fantasy is kinda just pretty trappings not a fleshed out world)
I enjoy the romance as much as the fantasy plots so I’m happy with a really heavy fantasy leaning book or romance heavy
I loved Radiance so much ❤❤
I think you should read c.l wilson tairen soul series. It has great world building
I read fantasy, I read contemporary romance, but I have yet to find fantasy romance that really works for me.
Try Reign and Ruin if you haven't already 😃 It was the perfect blend for me xx
If you are seeing this comment, it might be a sign to check out hidden signs of the universe by olivia cooper, much love and thank u ❤
I’m so glad there is someone else on booktube who dislikes when the moon hatched. I just don’t get the hype at all. The prose is painful and the world building feels rushed. Fourth wing was similar. I hope we see some better dragon romantasty books in the new year!
Nice video!
Please do continue captive prince the payoff is so good
I plan on reading A Fate Inked in Blood soon and I'm glad to see you liked it. That makes me hopeful.
I agree with her mostly, but that was a HUGEEEEE miss for me. The main character had a personality of a box and don't get me started how the male love interest was just....there. I would have taken Edward Cullen over him. And I loved Bridge Kingdom a lot.
I listened to the audiobook and the I think the narrator helped me love it more than if I were to have read it myself. You could try that? Lol
"instalust" lol
Iam really trying to like fantasy romance. I DNF’ed a super super popular one and then have been kinda afraid to pick anymore back up. This is a helpful video because I think I have similar book taste to you in general and I always like books you recommend. So maybe I’ll check some of these out
Was it ACOTAR?
Random question; has the Jen Williams book, “Talonsister,” been released? I can’t find it on Barnes and Noble or Amazon. I know you had made a video about it. TIA. 🖤
First! Hope everyone who reads this has a great day! ❤
Thank you for ranking Iron Flame appropriately. Lol
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I read 3 from this list: Reign and Ruin, I thought it was great at the time but looking back I barely remember the characters so it kinda lost me. Daughter of whatever I DNF'ed towards the end bc it was too damn predictable and I wasn't in the mind space to deal with that. Also the male narrator was not it and was the nail in the coffin, doubt I'll pick it up again. And lastly Iron Flame which surprised me tbh, because I really disliked the first book, but I actually loved the second. The way some emotions were explored really resonated with me and I liked the plot well enough. I think the author definitely evolved from the first book and did a decent job of explaining most of my qualms. I think the book itself reads like a tv show though, very episodic. It works really well as an audiobook but I think people struggled with the physical reading.
I definitely want to read more fantasy romance though, but maybe fewer fae/elves/hot humans with pointy ears who live a long time.
Ruthless Vows barely had any romance compared to book 2. Fate Inked of Blood was so predictable in every way.. Feel flat for me halfway through. Hoping book 2 gets better. Interesting how my picks are flip flopped with your choices😅
Ruthless Vows is book 2
same here! my interest are on the "eh" and "No" tier 😅I enjoyed Ruthless Vows but I struggle to finish it once the war kicked in and it became a heavy and quite sad journey