Romantasy — a portmanteau of romance and fantasy — is one of the hottest new subgenres thanks to BookTok. Spicy romance fantasy books take it one step further: A sub-subgenre where the steamy scenes might just make you blush. (Are you keeping up? Good!)
The best spicy fantasy books follow fan-favorite recipes: an intricate magical system, political intrigue, a tense yet loving romance, and, of course, at least one scene where the characters go all the way (and then some), with no details spared.
With 14 spicy fantasy books for adults here (all of which kick off series), you’re bound to find a story that fits your particular tastes. Personally, I’m keen on The Witch Collector by Charissa Weaks. But below, I’ve provided a buffet for you to feast on.
1. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
If you’re a spicy fantasy fan, then you’re already intimately familiar with the queen of romantasy herself, Sarah J Maas. If you’re new to the genre, then your first taste has to be the A Court of Thorns and Roses series (it’s a rite of passage).
ACOTAR is a wildly addictive book. In an interview with SJM, Today described the appeal of her romantasy novels as “a majestic merger of this trio: the poetic romanticism of a Taylor Swift album, the extraordinary world-building of the Harry Potter series, and the jaw-dropping crossovers of the Marvel movies.”
Book one introduces Feyre, a young girl who’s taken on the responsibility of feeding her family after her father loses everything. Feyre is proud, fierce, loyal, stubborn, and clever. Her journey takes her from her human world into the fae world, where she’s forced to make impossible decisions that begin to change her world view.
Wildly inventive and deeply emotional, this retelling of Beauty and the Beast blends fantasy and a scorching love story to create a heart-pounding adventure. Fair warning: You’ll probably want to start the second book in the series, A Court of Mist and Fury, immediately after finishing ACOTAR.
2. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Now that we’ve discussed the queen of the genre, let’s touch on the princess of the palace: Rebecca Yarros, whose Empyrean series (Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, with more to come) has taken the world by storm.
Violet, the bookish daughter of a formidable mother, must put aside her fear to become a dragon rider. But first, she has to graduate Basgiath War College, where everyone and everything seems out to kill her — including Xaden, a respected wingleader. Naturally, their animosity soon evolves into undeniable attraction.
Fourth Wing will please anyone who grew up attracted to Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern series but wished it was softer, more of a fantasy romance than a romantic fantasy. (I’m not the only one who wished that, right?) And whereas the aforementioned ACOTAR takes a hot minute to ramp up on the spicy scale, Fourth Wing is steamy right from the jump.
3. Neon Gods by Katee Robert
The first book in Robert’s Dark Olympus series was one of the most hyped romance novels of 2021, and its popularity continues to grow thanks to the corner of BookTok known as SpicyTok.
Neon Gods uniquely imagines a contemporary world where well-known Greek characters like Zeus, Hades, and Demeter are power-hungry political figures rather than gods. Persephone, Demeter’s daughter, flees into the arms of Hades after an unwanted engagement to Zeus. But what starts as revenge turns into a romance that is equally erotic and emotional.
While the spiciness definitely comes through, there’s also a surprising amount of sweetness in this story, as well.
4. A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair
In this Greek mythology fanfiction, all the Greek gods live on Earth and are treated as lavish celebrities. Persephone hopes she can hide her failures as the Goddess of Spring by leading a normal life of a mortal, but instead she gets sucked into a bet with Hades, the God of the Dead. She doubles down when they develop romantic feelings for each other, but all bets are off on how it’ll turn out.
If you prefer vampires to Greek gods, but still like your romances extra spicy, check out St. Clair’s King of Battle and Blood instead. (Or, better yet, in addition! You can never have enough spice.)
5. River of Shadows by Karina Halle
Here’s yet another dark, spicy take on the Persephone and Hades relationship dynamic (are we in sub-sub-subgenre territory now?), this time flavored with Finnish mythology.
Hanna travels to Tuonela, the Realm of the Dead, to rescue her father, who’s being held captive by the God of Death himself. The lord of the underworld says perfect pickup lines like, “You can call me Death. And I will call you mine,” which captivate both Hanna and readers.
Despite its myriad inspirations, River of Shadows creates a wholly original story and atmosphere that are seasoned with off-the-charts spiciness.
6. Flames of Chaos by Amelia Hutchins
There are honestly not enough content warnings I can apply to this one, but if you’re looking for something supremely dark and breaking the upper bounds of the spiciness scale, then by all means, read Flames of Chaos.
Arrogant, alpha a-hole Knox has declared himself ruler of Haven Falls, the realm of humans. Sassy, cutting witch Aria hates Knox and wants to dethrone him. This being a fantasy romance, however, the two make bedrooms their preferred battlefield. The plot is just an excuse to heap on the spice.
7. From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Armentrout is clearly a scholar of fantasy and paranormal romance tropes, as she puts a masterful spin on vampires, werewolves, and forbidden love in From Blood and Ash.
Poppy, a Maiden who has to ignore her own desires for the sake of family and kingdom, falls for Hawke, a guard who makes his way past her defenses and is willing to abandon his duties to the kingdom to be Poppy’s. Queue the angst and steamy sex in between stunning action sequences and lush worldbuilding.
8. The Witch Collector by Charissa Weaks
Raina Bloodgood’s sister was taken by The Witch Collector, Alexus Thibault, years ago to be one of the witches that stands at the immortal Frost King’s side. Since her sister’s reaping, Raina has wished to be collected, too, so that she can kill The Witch Collector and the Frost King. She hardly expects to wind up kissing Alexus instead of killing him.
When the blog Sadie’s Spotlight asked author Weaks what her favorite part of the book is, she responded “totally the love scene. I adore that neither Alexus or Raina know where their burgeoning feelings will lead them, but they can’t resist the desire to find out.” A ringing endorsement of the spice from the author herself.
9. Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey
Some have likened Kushiel’s Dart as a mix of Game of Thrones with a dash of BDSM. We say Kushiel’s Dart is for those who like the sexual tension in A Court of Thorns and Roses and want even more.
Carey’s world-building is exquisite, and her heroine Phédre is special (she can experience both pleasure and pain simultaneously). She’s trained in the “bedroom arts,” but also takes up spying, unearthing a conspiracy that threatens her world.
10. These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan
A YA book? On a spicy fantasy list? Yes. Ryan, who usually writes adult romances, adds more spice than usual for the YA age range in These Hollow Vows, which is billed as a “sexy, action-packed fantasy.”
Brie finds herself romancing fae men, despite the danger being a human in the faerie world presents. She’s determined to save her sister and will do whatever it takes to accomplish her goals — even betraying those she comes to love.
With whispers of ACOTAR in its take on faeries and the central love triangle, These Hollow Vows still holds a magic all its own.
11. Beauty in Darkness by Elizabeth Briggs
Did I mention already that the Fae are also hot right now (and forever)? Beauty in Darkness adds a Fae element to a tale as old as time: It’s a Beauty and the Beast retelling that contains a fair amount of spice.
In exchange for peace across the land, Rose agrees to marry the Fae King, Raith. Despite their loathed forced proximity, the two wind up in a smoldering romance that can’t be snuffed out by Raith’s defenses, political strife, or magical curses.
12. Blood & Steel by Helen Scheuerer
Althea Zoltaire knows she’s going to die in the near future, but she’s not going down without a fight. All she wants is to become a warrior — but women aren’t allowed to be warriors in this world. Not that laws or impending death can stop her.
Wilder Hawthorne is skeptical of a woman’s capability to be a warrior, but immediately his heart is at the mercy of Althea. There’s only one spicy scene, but it’s well worth it.
With a cast full of wonderful characters and a vast world to explore, this kickoff to the The Legends of Thezmarr series promises a good time.
13. The Song of the Marked by S.M. Gaither
If you look at the cover and get Throne of Glass vibes, well, your gut isn’t leading you astray. This one will definitely please anyone who enjoys Maas’ early YA work.
Casia Greythorne has cheated death once before, having survived the Fading Sickness, which left her with white hair and gray eyes. In order to escape punishment for her life of crimes as a mercenary, Cas agrees to work with secret-softie Captain Elander to find a cure.
The Song of the Marked has an excellent crew of characters and the romance between Cas and Elander is top-notch, but like with Throne of Glass, what makes the Shadows and Crowns series stand out is the portrayal of everyday issues that are often seen as taboo to talk about. (Cas has anxiety and openly discusses its effects on her life, plus her coping methods.)
14. A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet
Bouchet’s exhilarating Kingmaker Chronicles begins when Griffin, a warlord, captures Catalia (“Cat” for short), a woman whose magic rests in her ability to discern truth from lies. Cat’s tried to hide away to avoid her destiny — and her murderous mother — but Griffin won’t let her.
Their romance is epic, and the world-building is also top-tier. While it might not be the spiciest book on this list, it’s still a highly satisfying read.
