Settle in with your cuppa and biscuits, because this week we're venturing off the beaten path. If you've already devoured the big names and you're craving something fresh, these five romantasy reads are generating serious buzz without the oversaturation. Each one offers something a little different, from celestial prophecies to Viking battlefields, and they're all worthy additions to your ever-growing TBR pile.
Heavenly Bodies by Imani Erriu
Genre: Romantasy, Greek Mythology, Enemies-to-Lovers
In a world ruled by cruel and merciless Stars, Elara has been cursed by fate. A prophecy promises she will fall for a Star, but that it will kill them both. When Ariete, Star of Wrath, War and Chaos, descends to wreak havoc on her kingdom, Elara flees to the neighbouring Kingdom of Light and finds herself in the arms of an enemy prince. Forced to train as a weapon against the tyrannical Stars, Elara discovers there are shadows even within the Kingdom of Light, threatening to reveal the darkness in Lorenzo's past and the ancient magic slumbering in her veins.
This BookTok viral sensation has sold over 100,000 copies and earned comparisons to ACOTAR meets Zodiac Academy. Imani Erriu delivers a fresh take on celestial mythology with her debut, weaving shadow magic with breathless romantic tension.
Why You Should Read It
Greek mythology meets shadow magic in a richly imagined world
Enemies-to-lovers romance with a doomed prophecy twist
BookTok viral hit with over 100k copies sold
Perfect for readers who loved the aesthetic of Zodiac Academy
Features a fierce heroine who refuses to surrender to fate
Stunning celestial world-building that feels fresh and original
Never the Roses by Jennifer K. Lambert
Genre: Epic Fantasy Romance, Rivals-to-Lovers, Epistolary Romance
The Dread Sorceress Oneira has retired. After fighting endless wars for ambitious rulers, she's exiled herself to seek peace in a remote forest. But solitude proves boring, so on a whim she sneaks into the most extensive library in existence, belonging to her greatest rival, the sorcerer Stearanos. When she recklessly steals a book on rare roses, she inadvertently initiates a forbidden correspondence. Taunting notes and clever retorts reveal a connection neither has found in any other. But when Stearanos is called to war against the queen Oneira once served, a relationship between them becomes far too dangerous to pursue.
Compared to Circe by Madeline Miller meets The Serpent and the Wings of Night, this USA Today bestseller stands out for its mature protagonists and lyrical prose. Katherine Heigl herself praised it on BookTok, calling it "just beautiful."
Why You Should Read It
Mature protagonists offer a refreshing change from young adult heroines
Exquisite epistolary romance built through stolen letters
Lyrical, literary writing praised by reviewers and celebrities alike
Rivals-to-lovers slow burn with centuries of history between them
Unique "villain retirement" angle rarely seen in romantasy
Starred reviews from Booklist and Library Journal
Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. Tuli
Genre: Fae Fantasy, Competition Romance, Enemies-to-Lovers
Lor has endured twelve long years of torment under the Aurora King's rule. When a surprise release finds her in the hands of the rival Sun King, she's thrust into the spotlight competing against nine other Tributes for the role of queen. If she wins his heart, she'll earn her freedom and finally get her revenge. But Lor doesn't belong in the Sun Queen Trials. She isn't a citizen of the Sun King's court, and the other Tributes will stop at nothing to ensure she's removed from the competition permanently.
This indie-to-traditional publishing success story has sold over a million copies and caught the attention of A-list celebrities including Katherine Heigl and Rebecca Yarros, who called it "utterly enthralling." Often described as The Bachelor set in a fantasy world with life-or-death stakes.
Why You Should Read It
Over one million copies sold worldwide
Competition romantasy with deadly stakes and fae intrigue
Strong heroine who's survived trauma and refuses to break
Endorsed by Rebecca Yarros and featured by Katherine Heigl
Started as self-published and became a BookTok phenomenon
Four-book series with a dedicated fanbase still growing
A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
Genre: Viking Fantasy, Norse Mythology, Forbidden Romance
Bound in an unwanted marriage, Freya spends her days gutting fish but dreams of becoming a warrior. When her husband betrays her to the region's jarl, she's thrust into a fight to the death against his son, Bjorn. To survive, Freya reveals her deepest secret: she possesses a drop of a goddess's blood, making her a shield maiden with magic capable of repelling any attack. Now the jarl believes Freya is the key to uniting the clans under his rule, and he forces her into marriage. Tasked with training and protecting her is Bjorn, the handsome warrior she cannot stop thinking about, no matter how forbidden their connection.
From the bestselling author of The Bridge Kingdom comes a Norse-inspired romantasy that offers something completely different from the usual fae-filled fare. The sequel, A Curse Carved in Bone, released in May 2025 to eager fans.
Why You Should Read It
Viking and Norse mythology setting stands out in the romantasy genre
Forbidden romance with the jarl's son whilst married to his father
Action-packed with battles, raiders, and shield maiden training
From the beloved author of The Bridge Kingdom series
Witty banter and sizzling chemistry between Freya and Bjorn
New York Times bestseller with a recently released sequel
Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent
Genre: Epic Fantasy Romance, Slow Burn, Found Family
Tisaanah is a former slave with a dangerous secret: she possesses powerful magic in a world that fears it. After escaping captivity, she's determined to fight for justice and protect others from the horrors she endured. Maxantarius is a reclusive warrior haunted by his past, no longer believing justice exists. When their paths collide, they form an unlikely alliance that challenges everything they thought they knew about themselves and each other.
Before Carissa Broadbent became a household name with The Serpent and the Wings of Night, she wrote this indie gem that took BookTok by storm. It's a complete trilogy with devoted fans who consider it superior to her more famous work, praised for its incredible character development and slow burn romance.
Why You Should Read It
From the author of The Serpent and the Wings of Night, before she was famous
Complete trilogy so you can binge the entire story
Excruciatingly good slow burn romance spanning 80+ chapters
Former slave protagonist fighting for justice with hidden magic
Character-driven story with exceptional development and depth
BookTok obsession that readers call "god tier" romantasy
Time to Start Reading
There you have it; five hidden gem romantasy reads to fuel your TBR this week. Whether you're drawn to the celestial mythology of Heavenly Bodies, the literary elegance of Never the Roses, or the Viking battlefields of A Fate Inked in Blood, there's something here for every romantasy reader looking to discover their next obsession.
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Books Featured in This Article
Heavenly Bodies
by Imani Erriu
OVER 100,000 COPIES SOLD. AN INSTANT INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER. A runaway TikTok sensation, Heavenly Bodies is the first book in a dazzling new romantasy series that blends Greek mythology and shadow magic with a tantalizing enemies-to-lovers romance that will rewrite the stars.“You know the most dangerous kind of villain? A woman with nothing left to lose.”In a world ruled by the cruel and merciless Stars, Elara has been cursed by fate. A prophecy promises she will fall for a Star, but that it will kill them both.So when Ariete, Star of Wrath, War and Chaos, descends to wreak havoc on Elara’s kingdom, she flees her home—the Kingdom of Night—for the neighbouring Helios, Kingdom of Light.And strides straight into the arms of an enemy prince.Fearing that Ariete might turn his sights to Helios next, Prince Lorenzo is forced to train Elara as a weapon—one worthy of battling against the tyrannical reign of the Stars. But there are shadows even within the Kingdom of Light—and they threaten to reveal the darkness in Lorenzo’s past and the ancient magic that slumbers in Elara’s veins. And with it all comes an undeniable, star-crossed pull between Elara and Lorenzo that neither can seem to resist...
Never the Roses
by Jennifer K. Lambert
The most powerful sorceress in all the world comes face to face with her greatest rival in this enchanting and seductive fantasy romance debut from Jennifer K. Lambert.The Dread Sorceress Oneira has retired. She’s fought and won endless wars for her ambitious queen and has finally exiled herself, seeking peace in a remote forest where the mountains meet the beach. There, in the peculiar company of a wolf, a kestrel, and a cat, she comes to accept that her death would be the beginning of a better world. But she has one last curiosity to satisfy. Oneira makes a reckless trip from her hidden fortress to the most extensive library in existence: the collection of her most powerful rival, the sorcerer Stearanos.Perhaps at the behest of fate, a book on rare roses catches her eye. With little to lose, she steals it and returns to her self-imposed exile. As the subject takes root, she initiates a forbidden correspondence with her once-enemy. Taunting notes and clever retorts reveal a connection neither has found―nor could ever find―in any other.But Oneira soon learns that Stearanos, bound to a vile king, is called to war against the queen she once served. A relationship with him is far too dangerous to pursue despite their mutual desire―and yet, Oneira can’t seem to stay away. A bond with the only person who’s ever really understood her is too tempting to ignore. But not all dreams were meant to come true and not all budding romance blooms. Exquisitely crafted and bewitchingly lyrical, Never the Roses is like Circe by Madeline Miller meets The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent. “[A] fresh take on enemies to lovers that will have readers swooning. A must-add for any romantasy shelf.” —Booklist, starred reviewExpect: - Rivals to lovers- Forbidden love- Slow burn- Starcrossed lovers- Tragic romance- Dark past- Redemption- Unexpected ending
Trial of the Sun Queen
by Nisha J. Tuli
"Lor has endured twelve long years of torment under the Aurora King's rule. Her only desire is to get free and pay him back for every moment of misery she's endured. When a surprise release finds her in the hands of the Sun King, Lor is thrust into the spotlight as she competes against nine other Tributes for the role of queen. If she wins his heart, she'll earn her freedom and finally get her revenge. But Lor doesn't belong in the Sun Queen Trials. Not only does she not understand why she was freed, she isn't a citizen of the Sun King's court. The other Tributes resent her presence and will stop at nothing to ensure Lor is wiped off the gameboard, permanently. Now Lor must win, because if she loses, she dies. Or worse, she'll be sent back into the hands of the Aurora King."--Back cover.
A Fate Inked in Blood
by Danielle L. Jensen
A shield maiden blessed by the gods battles to unite a nation under a power-hungry king - while also fighting her growing desire for his fiery son - in this Norse-inspired fantasy romance from the bestselling author of The Bridge Kingdom series. Bound in an unwanted marriage, Freya spends her days gutting fish, but dreams of becoming a warrior. And of putting an axe in her boorish husband's back. Freya's dreams abruptly become reality when her husband betrays her to the region's jarl, landing her in a fight to the death against his son. To survive, Freya is forced to reveal her deepest secret- she possesses a drop of a goddess's blood, which gives her magic capable of repelling any attack. A magic that was foretold would unite the fractured nation of Skaland beneath a king-the one who controls the shield maiden's fate. Believing he's destined to rule Skaland, the fanatical jarl binds Freya with a blood oath and orders his son, Bjorn, to protect Freya from their enemies. Desperate to prove her strength, Freya must train to fight and learn to control her magic, all while facing perilous tests set by the gods. Except the greatest test of all may be resisting her forbidden attraction to Bjorn. If Freya succumbs to her lust for the charming and fierce warrior, she risks not only her own destiny but the fate of all the people she swore to protect.
Daughter of No Worlds
by Carissa Broadbent
Her life for freedom. Her blood for love. Her soul for vengeance. Ripped from a forgotten homeland as a child, Tisaanah learned how to survive with nothing but a sharp wit and a touch of magic. But the night she tries to buy her freedom, she barely escapes with her life. Desperate to save the best friend she left behind, Tisaanah journeys to the Orders, the most powerful organizations of magic Wielders in the world. But to join their ranks, she must complete an apprenticeship with Maxantarius Farlione, a handsome and reclusive fire wielder who despises the Orders. The Orders' intentions are cryptic, and Tisaanah must prove herself under the threat of looming war. But even more dangerous are her growing feelings for Maxantarius. The bloody past he wants to forget may be the key to her future...or the downfall of them both. But Tisaanah will stop at nothing to save those she abandoned. Even if it means gambling in the Orders' deadly games. Even if it means sacrificing her heart. Even if it means wielding death itself. Fans of romantic high fantasy like Sarah J. Maas and Miranda Honfleur will devour this tale of dark magic, passionate romance, and a powerful heroine fighting for justice.(Note: This book contains adult material.)