It’s no secret that the fae romantasy genre has seen a surge of popularity within the past couple of years. Its popularity is in large part because BookTok has championed the romance genre, and subsequently the fantasy romance books with fae. You have probably heard of the A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas or the Folk of the Air series by Holly Black. These are fae romantasy staples. But today, we want to focus on the lesser-known, but still amazing fae romantasy novels you might not have heard of. This list is perfect for veterans of the genre and readers who are looking for something new.
Blackthorn by Emily Eve
After an injury leaves her unable to read or learn new languages, Bonnie is trained as an assassin for the Amlucen rebellion. She has devoted her life to killing King Aborn to avenge the murder of her family. After a plan to plant evidence on Lord Frederick Stonewood goes wrong, she must work with the enemy to save rebel lives. This recent indie fae romance is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros.
The Exorcism of Faeries by J.L. Vampa
Atta is the daughter of morticians studying at Trinity College. Sonder is her anatomy professor. They are the only ones who can exorcize the fae that have been possessing the people of Dublin. While they work together, they must resist forbidden feelings for each other. The Exorcism of Faeries incorporates great Irish folklore with secret societies and mortuary scenes, which makes for unique vibes you can’t miss.
A Kiss of Iron by Clare Sager
Kat is a penniless noblewoman estranged from her husband and forced to become a thief to make ends meet. She’s on the verge of ruin until she’s offered a well-paying job she can’t refuse: spy on the Night Queen’s shadow, a.k.a Bastian Marwood, a powerful fae lord. With the court life, everyone is a pawn on the board, and she can’t afford to fall in love. But Bastian has a hold on her, one that she isn’t sure she wants to resist.
Bound by Ravens by Jesikah Sundin
Bound by Ravens is a short, dual POV novel that follows Finn and Taryn, rival thieves, who are forced to work together after a heist goes wrong. They are cursed to be no further than 15 feet apart and must embark on a quest together to earn their freedom. It’s a quick, fun read perfect for those seeking a rivals-to-reluctant-allies, to lovers dynamic.
Beneath the Cursed Stars by Lexi Ryan
Beneath the Cursed Stars is a companion novel to the These Hollow Vows duology. In this novel, we follow Princess Jasalyn, who is living a double life: a princess by day and assassin at night. Meanwhile, Felecity has been using her shape-shifting abilities to evade a prophecy that says she’s fated to kill her father. Felicity and Jasalyn strike a deal that will allow Jas to kill the evil King Mordeus while Felicity will assume her form. To help her accomplish her mission, Jasalyn teams up with Kendrick, while Falicity gets closer to the Wild Fae King, Misha. It’s recommended that you read These Hollow Vows before reading this spin-off novel, but it’s not required.
The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith
In an alternate England, every citizen is given one bargain for their immortal fae queen. For high-society girls like Ivy Benton, they are expected to use their beauty to give them qualities that will appease suitors. When Ivy comes of age, though, a competition is held, and the winner will have Prince Bram’s heart. If she wins, she’ll also save her sister and family from ruin, but as she delves further into the competition, a sinister truth has her questioning the cost of victory.
Unseelie by Ivelisse Housman
Twin sisters Iselia and Isolde are both on the run, but couldn’t be more different if they tried. Iselia is an autistic changeling who is having difficulties fitting in with those around her. Isolde is a professional rogue. After a heist that went wrong, both sisters work together to unravel a mystery of history and humans and fae. This is the first book in a YA fae fantasy series.
Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana
In Duskmere, the ruthless fae rule, and Lore Alemyu’s village is trapped, unable to escape. But when her village is in danger, Lore makes a deal with a fae lord to organize and catalog an enchanted library that no fae can breach. She convinced the fae lord she’s simply after wealth, but in truth, she wants magic of her own to protect her people. On the outside, she must rely on two very attractive fae men to protect her.
We hope this mixture of traditional and self-published fae fantasy romance novels gives you many options for your next great, and maybe spicy, read!
Want to learn about the history of the romantasy genre? Click here!
Check out our Fantasy Lovers Paradise shelf on Bookshop for more!
