Young Adult (YA) Fantasy Romance is a genre of books for those aged 14 and up. These novels generally tend to have protagonists in their teens; the romance/spice level is descriptive when it comes to kissing, but they don’t really go any further than that, and the stories are set in fantasy worlds.
Personally, this is one of my favorite genres to read, but there are so many fantastic books that it's hard to know where to start. So here’s a list of 7 different YA Fantasy Romance books with strong female main characters, their arrogantly charming male main characters, mild swearing, and lots of fun.
Top YA Fantasy Romance Books Which Are Part Of Completed Or Ongoing Series
Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
Book #1 in The Crimson Moth series
Publishing date: February 2024
Content Warnings (may contain spoilers):
Blood, Child death, Classism, Death, Death of a parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Murder, Physical abuse, Self harm, Torture, Violence, War (This list might not cover all content in this book. Please do your research before reading.)
“Every time Gideon looked at the young heiress, she reminded him of the sea: steal-your-breath beautiful on the surface, with the promise of untold depths beneath.”
Gideon isn’t supposed to develop feelings for Rune, but when they’re forced to spend time together because they’re “courting”… well, things may get a little complicated… in a fun way.
Heartless Hunter is a fake-dating YA fantasy romance about a witch and a witch hunter who go from enemies to lovers.
Throughout the book, you get to experience both of their point of view, which makes the entire reading experience that much more fun, and the cliffhanger at the end will have you staying up all night to finish the duology.
Sweethearts stole my heart
A not so heartless hunter
Kisses for her ex
- Heartless Hunter haiku
by Raigan Mao
This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede
Book #1 in The Last Finestra series
Publishing date: June 2022
Content Warnings (may contain spoilers):
Blood, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Violence, War (This list might not cover all content in this book. Please do your research before reading.)
“We have a bad habit of locking up people who scare us, and the thing that scares men with power most is a woman with more of it.”
This Vicious Grace follows Alessa, who needs lots of hugs. The only thing is that she can kill people with just a touch. After a couple of assassination attempts, she hires a morally grey bodyguard to keep her safe. The two aren't supposed to get to know each other on a personal level, and feelings are definitely off the table… right?
This story is full of mildly lewd banter, and I’m so here for it. If you want a romantasy book that’s more NA (New Adult) than YA with slow burn romance, this is the book for you!
Did I mention it’s set in a fantasy world inspired by Italy? How cool is that?!
Italian Words
The banter is everything
Died, cuz I hugged Al
- This Vicious Grace haiku
by Raigan Mao
This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi
Book #1 in This Woven Kingdom series
Publishing date: February 2022
Content Warnings (may contain spoilers):
Blood, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Violence, Xenophobia (This list might not cover all content in this book. Please do your research before reading.)
“I think I might fetch you the moon if only to spare your tears again.”
This Woven Kingdom is a gripping high fantasy romance inspired by Persian folklore.
The Devil whispers riddles into your ears. Alizeh’s blood does not stain. So what happens when a boy named Kamran holds a knife to her throat, and Alizeh gets a small cut, only for him to find the piece of fabric she held to her throat unmarked?
With dual POV, forbidden romance, morally grey characters, and warring kingdoms, I can guarantee you’ll be obsessed with this beautifully written book and find yourself wanting to re-read it as soon as you reach the last page before moving on to the next book in the series.
Lyrical writing
Masked girls are a distraction
Water is precious
- This Woven Kingdom haiku
by Raigan Mao
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Book #1 in The Legendborn Cycle series
Publishing date: September 2020
Content Warnings (may contain spoilers):
Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Car accident, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, War, Xenophobia (This list might not cover all content in this book. Please do your research before reading.)
“Love is a powerful thing, more powerful than blood, although both run through us like a river.”
Legendborn is a YA urban Arthurian retelling involving a love triangle, magic, and demons.
Trust me when I say everything about this book was amazing, from the main character to the dark academia fantasy setting.
After losing her mom, Bree tries to throw herself into the UNC-Chapel Hill program for bright high schoolers.
Following a demon attack that she witnesses, she gets her memory wiped by a hot guy with tawny eyes. Where could things go?
Thing one or Thing two?
Arthur, you slick mother… Sir
Girl, where’s your bloodline?!
- Legendborn haiku
by Raigan Mao
Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare
Book #1 in The Last Hours series
Publishing date: March 2020
Content Warnings (may contain spoilers):
Death, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Violence (This list might not cover all content in this book. Please do your research before reading.)
“That's everyone's dream, isn't it, really? Instead of many who give you little pieces of themselves-one who gives you everything.”
Chain of Gold was my introduction to the realm of Shadowhunters, and let me tell you, it was an amazing experience.
A couple of years ago, I fell down a rabbit hole of Jordelia (James Herondale and Cordelia Carstairs) fanfics and eventually ran out of fics to read. That’s when I reached for this book, and I couldn’t get enough.
Set in 1903 in London, this YA historical fantasy romance has glittering ballrooms, assignations, and salons full of supernatural beings. It’s popular among bookworms for a reason (many reason actually!), and you’ll need to read it for yourself to understand the hype. All I can say is I promise it’ll be worth every minute of your time!
Many secret meets
Ew gross, exploding demons
The Whispering Room
- Chain of Gold haiku
by Raigan Mao
We Hunt The Flame by Hafsah Faizal
Book #1 in Sands of Arawiya series
Publishing date: May 2019
Content Warnings (may contain spoilers):
Child abuse, Child death, Death, Death of a parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Violence, War (This list might not cover all content in this book. Please do your research before reading.)
“A thousand leagues and a thousand sands. For you, a thousand times I would defy the sun.”
Zafira is The Huntress. Everyone else knows her as The Hunter. Nasir is a Prince... And Death. Nasir’s father uses Nasir to assassinate those he feels get in the way of him ruling Arawiya.
Forced to journey together, Nasir and Zafira began to develop feelings toward each other. Feelings that they won't admit to themselves, let alone to each other.
We Hunt the Flame is a high fantasy romance set in a realm inspired by ancient Arabia, which I loved explore alongside Zafira.
If you end up enjoying this book as much as I did, book 2 in the series has plenty more waiting for you as the stakes get higher.
Hunter or hunted
Oh look, I won our fight. Mwah
Voices in my head
- We Hunt the Flame haiku
by Raigan Mao
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
Book #1 in An Ember in the Ashes series
Publishing date: April 2015
Content Warnings (may contain spoilers):
Abandonment, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Colonisation, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Trafficking, Violence, War, Xenophobia (This list might not cover all content in this book. Please do your research before reading.)
“I stare at her, realize I’m staring, tell myself to stop staring, and then keep staring. My breath falters, and my body, traitor that it is, tugs me forward until there are only inches between us.”
An Ember in the Ashes is an upper YA fantasy romance set in a world inspired by Rome with rebellion, deadly trials, and plot twists throughout the story.
Laia sells herself into slavery so she can infiltrate Blackcliff Military Academy in hopes of saving her brother. There she meets Elias, the school’s best and most ruthless student — at least that’s what everyone thinks.
As Elias and Laia are forced to interact, feelings begin to develop… but not all stories end with a happily-ever-after.
Sweet rebellion
Mommy issues are a thing
Forbidden lovers
- An Ember in the Ashes haiku
by Raigan Mao
BONUS RECOMMENDATION: If You Don't Want To Commit To A Series Check Out This Standalone...
A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft
Publishing date: January 2024
Content Warnings (may contain spoilers):
Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Classism, Colonisation, Homophobia, Racism, Xenophobia (This list might not cover all content in this book. Please do your research before reading.)
“Love is what makes life worth living. Love is what makes us act when we most need to. That’s what your legacy is.”
A Fragile Enchantment is a Regency-inspired forbidden romantasy with forced proximity and, dare I say, a match made in secrecy.
Niamh’s life is fading. The magic in her veins, which gives her the ability to stitch feelings into fabric, is turning her hair silver.
So when the opportunity arises, Niamh jumps at the chance to design wedding clothing for the royal family. Soon she meets the prince, who’s reluctant and arrogant, and doesn't know how to knock on doors.
An enchanting read
Banter, bi, secrets kept? Yes
Relatable words
- A Fragile Enchantment haiku
by Raigan Mao
And there you have it, 7 YA Fantasy Romance books that will have you so invested you’ll be buying the other books in the series in no time. I know there’s a lot to choose from, but in my opinion, all of these books are worth a read at least once in your life, so go with what sounds interesting and I guarantee you'll have a good time. Happy reading!
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