Give Me Your Book Recommendations Please! Talking Adult High Fantasy Romances

Hi friends! So I’m always looking for book recommendations, and this summer I’ve been on a massive adult high fantasy romance kick.

Do you know how difficult it is to find books in this particular subgenre?!!? [Very. Very, very very very very difficult.] There are a lot of YA fantasy stories… some are romance … but most “adult” high fantasy romances are more romantic elements than romances.

What is high fantasy? I took that definition from wikipedia.

High fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy, defined either by its setting or by the epic stature of its characters, themes, and plot. High fantasy is defined as fantasy set in an alternative, fictional (“secondary”) world, rather than “the real”, or “primary” world. The secondary world is usually internally consistent, but its rules differ from those of the primary world.

But yes – not set in the real world. It’s different from low fantasy, pararnormal, or magical elements. Although a lot of fantasy stories often have magical elements.

An example of high fantasy would be the A Song of Ice and Fire series, possibly better known as the Game of Thrones TV series. However, while it’s an adult high fantasy, it isn’t a romance.

I’ve read Grace Draven, Jeffe Kennedy, Elizabeth Hunter, Amanda Bouchet, C.L. Wilson, Elizabeth Vaughan, Maria V. Snyder, Kate Johnson, the ACOTAR trilogy by Sarah J. Maas, Lisa Blackwood, Diana Pharaoh Francis, Michelle Sagara West, Patricia Briggs, Robin McKinley, Anne Leonard, Tanith Lee, Amy Harmon, Jill Myles, and I’ve even gone so far as to read YA; Leigh Bardugo, Rae Carson, Robin LaFevers, as well as Erika Johansen – although this last was a mistake. I’ve linked each author to either the series I read or my favorite book/series by the author.

I’m currently reading Sharon Shinn, then I’m going to read book(s) by Melanie Rawn, and also have Sara Raasch on deck. There are a few more authors but I can’t think of them off the top of my head. Oh I’ve also read the Black Jewels books by Anne Bishop ages ago.

I’ve also read the Sevenwaters series by Juliet Marillier – although I wouldn’t say those are high fantasy exactly, as the books are set in Ireland, although it’s an alternate reality “Erin with magical creatures” and more romantic elements stories than romance in my opinion. (I didn’t read book three.)

So! Does anyone have adult high fantasy romance recommendations for me? I’m willing to read series too but only if they’re complete. The way I read I blow through books and I not only hate waiting, I’ll forget things, so I need to be able to glom all at once. 😀 I do also love twisted fairy tales, so those I might make a special exception for – it’s what made me start the Sevenwaters books.

I know – I’m difficult. I’m not looking for paranormal romances, or time travels either.

However – if you’ve read a romance novel lately that is OH MY GOD SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS AMAZING … I’d like to hear that as well, because as of a month ago I’ve also started reading some other romance subgenres as well.

Thank youuuu!! (And if you’d like to discuss any of the books I’d mention I’d love to chat too!)

11 thoughts on “Give Me Your Book Recommendations Please! Talking Adult High Fantasy Romances

  1. dholcomb1

    Sorry, the only high fantasy series I follow is the Fury Triad. It only has romantic elements and wouldn’t qualify as a romance, but it is an award winner. This Crumbling Pageant is the first; the next releases soon.

    denise

    Reply
    1. Limecello

      Denise, is the next release the final book, or no? I’ll look into it though and maybe add it to the list – if they’re strong romantic elements I’ll read it if it’s a good story – because basically I think I’m looking for book unicorns. 😛
      Thank you!

      Reply
      1. dholcomb1

        no, it’s the second. and, it’s a real triad in that they’re not meant to be standalones. probably doesn’t have enough romantic elements for you.

        (I tried to send this yesterday, but it didn’t work)

        Reply
          1. Limecello

            Oh cool, thanks Denise!!! I’ll look into it 🙂 I’m way more ok with romantic elements in high fantasy, but I am sick of books where the hero and heroine spend less than 5% of the book together and people tell me it’s a romance. (No it’s not if they don’t even know each other!!) I like waiting until a series is finished though so I can glom it 😀 … which I have a [bad habit] of doing with high fantasy.

            Reply
  2. Cassey

    Thank you for your list I’ve been looking for good fantasy romances to check out too! A fave of mine is Laura Thalassa’s Rhapsodic. I love how she writes her romances. It has been compared to ACOTAR because of the fae elements. But the series is not yet complete. The second book is out, the third book is planned to be released in January.

    Reply
    1. Limecello

      Ooooo thank you for that recommendation, Cassey, I’m definitely putting it on my list – I so loved ACOTAR. I know it’s marketed as YA but I didn’t really find it as YA. I think also with high fantasy since the implication is it’s more in the middle ages I’m more ok with a 17-18 year old heroine because they’re all being married off and expected to have children etc, so the timeline is different. (Although I’d love to see heroines in their 20s or even older, of course as well.)
      If you read any of the books I mentioned I’d love to know what you think! <3

      Reply
  3. Lydia

    This thread is somewhat old, but assuming you are like me, then you are always looking for a good adult, high fantasy romance book to read. One of my favorite series is Dragon Kin by G.A. Aiken. Each book in the series focuses on a different set of characters, but the stories intertwine. If you’re interested, the first book is called Dragon Actually. It’s humorous and has plenty of action.

    Reply
    1. Lydia

      The Broken Lands trilogy by T.A. White was another that I thoroughly enjoyed. The author does an amazing job at world building, and the character’s interactions were entertaining to read. It is not everyone’s cup of tea; however, I would be interested in hearing your opinion since the series has received quite a bit of criticism.

      Reply
      1. Limecello Post author

        Oh! Re: the White trilogy – I quite liked it! I definitely think there were editing issues, and I think one of the books may have dragged a bit? (Book one I think was my favorite of the three?) … But I can definitely see myself re-reading it and I REAAAALLLY wish the author would write more adult high fantasy!

        … >.> Also hire an editor to go over the Broken Lands books so I can wholeheartedly recommend them … :X
        🙂 And yes I definitely need to post an updated list as some point of other books in this subgenre – I’ve found some definite winners!

        Reply
    2. Limecello Post author

      Hi Lydia! I *am* in fact always looking for more recs, especially in this subgenre!! Also I don’t think I realized Aiken had a high fantasy series – I want to say I’d read one of her dragon books years and years and years ago and it was [low] fantasy so I thought all her books were. Thanks so much for this rec – I checked out the blurbs and will definitely give book one a try!
      I haven’t loved her Laurenston books – our humor just didn’t click, but again it’s been literally a decade if not more since I tried one I think so maybe my taste has changed – and I know her Aiken book(s) were different since I’ve definitely read one…

      Reply

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