Shop Romantasy books, films, & more
One of the most popular genres to grow in the last several years has been Romantasy, the combination of romance and fantasy. Romance and Fantasy are hardly new genres, but this newfound love has left readers hungry for more. Who wouldn’t want to escape into a world full of dragons, elves, or faeries? I don’t like heights, but I would be first in line to try my hand (and most likely fail) at riding a dragon. But really, the idea of exploring other worlds with creatures we can only dream about is more than enough to keep this genre growing.
This winter, your patrons are more than likely waiting for the third installment in the Empyrean series, Onyx Storm, which is sure to leave them in need of new titles while they wait for their holds. And whether they’re waiting for holds or already longing for the next book in the series (or even the Fourth Wing TV show in the works at Amazon), libraries will want to be stocked with some extra Romantasy titles to keep on everyone’s radar.
Books you should know about
A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson
From your OverDrive DCL: Having just finished this within the last week, I have to say this is one of the most well written and engaging debuts I’ve read and sets a high bar for 2025. Think Fourth Wing meets Babel with a little dark academia mixed in and you’ll have summarized A Language of Dragons perfectly. It’s a must read while you wait for Onyx Storm.
From the Publisher: Dragons soar through the skies and protests erupt on the streets, but Vivien Featherswallow isn’t worried. She’s going to follow the rules, get a summer internship studying dragon languages, be smart, be sweet, and make sure her little sister never, ever has to risk growing up Third Class. She just has to free one dragon. By midnight, Viv has started a civil war. With her parents and cousin arrested and her sister missing, Viv is brought to Bletchley Park as a codebreaker—if she succeeds, she and her family can all go home again. If she doesn’t, they’ll all die. As Viv begins to discover the secrets of a hidden dragon language, she realizes that the fragile peace treaty that holds human and dragon societies together is corrupt, and the dangerous work Viv is doing could be the thread that unravels it.
Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland
From the publisher: It’s the season for treason. The king of Yusan must die. The five most dangerous liars in the land have been mysteriously summoned to work together for a single objective: to kill the god king Joon. He has it coming. Under his merciless immortal hand, the nobles flourish, while the poor and innocent are imprisoned, ruined … or sold. And now each of the five blades will come for him. Each has tasted bitterness—from the hired hit man seeking atonement, a lovely assassin who seeks freedom, or even the prince banished for his cruel crimes. None can resist the sweet, icy lure of vengeance. They can agree on murder. They can agree on treachery. But for these five killers—each versed in deception, lies, and betrayal—it’s not enough to forge an alliance. To survive, they’ll have to find a way to trust each other … but only one can take the crown. Let the best liar win.
Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. Tuli
From the publisher: Lor has endured twelve long years of torment under the Aurora King’s rule. Her only desire is to escape and pay him back for every moment of misery she’s endured. When a surprise release finds her in the hands of the rival 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 removed from the competition, permanently. Now Lor must win, because if she loses, she dies. Or worse, she’ll be returned to the evil—and now vengeful—Aurora King.
The North Wind by Alexandria Warwick
From your OverDrive DCL: If you’re looking for something a little more mythology based but with a similar enemies to lovers romance, this is an excellent book to dive into while you wait.
From the Publisher: Wren of Edgewood is no stranger to suffering. With her parents gone, it’s Wren’s responsibility to ensure she and her sister survive the harsh and endless winter, but if the legends are to be believed, their home may not be safe for much longer. For three hundred years, the land surrounding Edgewood has been encased in ice as the Shade, a magical barrier that protects the townsfolk from the Deadlands beyond, weakens. Only one thing can stop the Shade’s fall: the blood of a mortal woman bound in wedlock to the North Wind, a dangerous immortal whose heart is said to be as frigid as the land he rules. And the time has come to choose his bride. When the North Wind sets his eyes on Wren’s sister, Wren will do anything to save her—even if it means sacrificing herself in the process. But mortal or not, Wren won’t go down without a fight.
When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill
From the Publisher: In the first adult novel by the New York Times bestselling author of The Ogress and The Orphans, Alex Green is a young girl in a world much like ours, except for its most seminal event: the Mass Dragoning of 1955, when hundreds of thousands of ordinary wives and mothers sprouted wings, scales, and talons; left a trail of fiery destruction in their path; and took to the skies. Was it their choice? What will become of those left behind? Why did Alex’s beloved aunt Marla transform but her mother did not? Alex doesn’t know. It’s taboo to speak of. Forced into silence, Alex nevertheless must face the consequences of this astonishing event: a mother more protective than ever; an absentee father; the upsetting insistence that her aunt never even existed; and watching her beloved cousin Bea become dangerously obsessed with the forbidden.
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
From the Publisher: Growing up on the moon, Xingyin is accustomed to solitude, unaware that she is being hidden from the feared Celestial Emperor who exiled her mother for stealing his elixir of immortality. But when Xingyin’s magic flares and her existence is discovered, she is forced to flee her home, leaving her mother behind. Alone, powerless, and afraid, she makes her way to the Celestial Kingdom, a land of wonder and secrets. Disguising her identity, she seizes an opportunity to learn alongside the emperor’s son, mastering archery and magic, even as passion flames between her and the prince. To save her mother, Xingyin embarks on a perilous quest, confronting legendary creatures and vicious enemies. But when treachery looms and forbidden magic threatens the kingdom, she must challenge the ruthless Celestial Emperor for her dream—striking a dangerous bargain in which she is torn between losing all she loves or plunging the realm into chaos.
Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley
From the Publisher: Kenna Heron is best known in her village for being a little wild—some say half feral—but she’ll need every ounce of that ferocity to survive captivity in the cruel Fae court. Trapped as a servant in the faeries’ underground kingdom of Mistei, Kenna must help her new mistress undertake six deadly trials, one for each branch of magic: Fire, Earth, Light, Void, Illusion, and Blood. If she succeeds, her mistress will gain immortality and become the heir to Earth House. If she doesn’t, the punishment is death—for both mistress and servant. With no ally but a sentient dagger of mysterious origins, Kenna must face monsters, magic, and grueling physical tests. But worse dangers wait underground, and soon Kenna gets caught up in a secret rebellion against the inventively sadistic faerie king. When her feelings for the rebellion’s leader turn passionate, Kenna must decide if she’s willing to risk her life for a better world and a chance at happiness. Surviving the trials and overthrowing a tyrant king will take cunning, courage, and an iron will… but even that may not be enough.
More lists of great fantasy and romantasy readalikes:
Must-Watch Films
The Water Horse (2007)
From the Studio: A sweeping epic rooted in one of the most enduring and intriguing legends of our time. Set in the desolate landscape of the Scottish Highlands during World War II, The Water Horse tells the story of Angus, a 12-year old boy who anxiously awaits the return of his father who is serving in the military overseas. Spending his days exploring the shores of a nearby loch, he stumbles across a mysterious egg. Taking it home he watches as the egg hatches into an amazing creature, the mythical “water horse” of Scottish legend.
Labyrinth (1986)
From the Studio: David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly invite you into a magical universe where nothing is what it seems! Babysitting infant stepbrother Toby on a weekend night isn’t young Sarah’s (Connelly) idea of fun. Frustrated by his crying, she secretly imagines the Goblins from her favorite book, Labyrinth, carrying Toby away. When her fantasy comes true, a distraught Sarah must enter a maze of illusion to bring Toby back from a kingdom inhabited by mystical creatures and governed by the wicked Goblin King (Bowie).
The Animal Kingdom (2023)
From the Studio: In this French fantasy drama, the world is thrown into turmoil as a mysterious phenomenon causes people to transform into animal-human hybrids. Romain Duris stars as Francois, a father traveling through a chaotic landscape with his son, who is slowly undergoing a transformation. As his son’s metamorphosis accelerates, Francois must make an impossible choice to protect him.
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Thank you for joining us on this week’s round up of Romantasy materials! Reach out to your Digital Content Librarian or Account Manager for more information on how to provide the best content for your community.
About the author: Sarah spent 10 years in public libraries answering reference questions, providing community outreach to seniors, and even helping run Nerf nights for teens. At OverDrive, she spends most of her time helping public libraries utilize their digital collections and making some of the fun lists you see on Libby! In her spare time she loves to read, cross stitch, and crochet. She can also be found spoiling her 4 year old lab mix, Buddy, and his brother, a 4 year old cat, Franklin.
