A popular genre has been on the rise since the bookish community has grown on social media, and we have all labeled it “romantasy.” It is a fantasy book, where the plot holds more of a romantic story than an adventure fantasy story. They are the perfect light reads when you still want fantastical elements. Mythological creatures are also common within fantasy books, so what is better than romantasy books based around mythological creatures?
To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
The first book on today’s list is To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo. It was published in 2018 and is a young adult enemies-to-lovers fantasy novel based around sirens and humans. It is a standalone book, giving you a perfectly satisfying ending. Sirens in mythology are a type of mermaid with a captivating singing voice to lure sailors and pirates to the depths of the sea to kill them. This dark book is perfect if you are looking for a romance with not super intense spice.
The Siren Princess Lira has always been the most beautiful, respected, and deadly. With hearts from men she has trapped, no one has crossed her path until she killed one of her own. The Sea Queen forces her to be a human, something she hates the most, as punishment, but there is a twist. Capture the heart of the Prince who hunts sirens, without her song, and she may return as a siren. Fail? She remains a human forever, but does something more blossom between her and her biggest enemy?
Prince Elian is from the most potent human kingdom and the most revered siren killer. When he sees what looks to be a drowning human girl, he rushes to save her. She promises something that can’t pass up, the key to kill all sirens. How could he say no? But can he trust this seemingly random girl he met?
Lore by Alexandra Bracken
Alexandra Bracken, the author of the well-known book series The Darkest Minds, has given us a new story to fall in love with her lore. Lore was published in 2021, is based on Greek gods, and includes many of them. Lore is a standalone story and is the perfect easy read. With a romance blossoming between childhood best friends, it is for all the Greek mythology people who have a soft spot for childhood besties turned lovers. It is more fantasy than romance; however, the romance is still prevalent and worth the read.
Nine Greek gods and goddesses were punished for a rebellion they started; they had to walk among the earth as mortals. Divine beings of ancient worlds can hunt for them to gain power and immortality, with the hunts being organized. Lore has wanted nothing to do with the hunt, or anyone godlike, after the brutal murder of her family, no matter the power that comes with it. That is, until the next hunt arises and Greek goddess Athena asks for help, along with Castor, her childhood best friend, whom she swore was dead. Will accepting their offer and getting close with Castor again help her or destroy her?
King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair
Another prominent author, Scarlett St. Clair, has given us another brooding enemies-to-lovers book, King of Battle and Blood. The Touch of Darkness is her other series, following a retelling of Hades and Persephone. The author released King of Battle and Blood in 2021 as well and has released a second book in the series titled Queen of Myth and Monsters. Full of vampires and humans and a dark plot behind the romance that may or may not involve blood.
Isolde had one mission: kill the vampire king, Adrian Vasiliev. The only way to do that was to marry him, become his wife, and kill him while she was with him. Adrian was more brilliant than that, though. He threatened her, saying if she even attempted to kill him, he would turn her, make her become the thing she hates the most. However, her fear doesn’t lie in the turn, it lies in the question: why did he choose her? What could he possibly gain out of a human consort, and she isn’t prepared for the answer, or the feelings that arise.
Pestilence by Laura Thalassa
Pestilence by Laura Thalassa is a fun story, including the mythological creatures of the horsemen. The Four Horsemen series is four books long, with Pestilence as the first. It was published in 2018. Laura Thalassa is also known for her book Rhapsodic, a different romance series. Pestilence is a beautiful dark fantasy with a romance that no one wants to blossom, but maybe all the forces point that way.
The Four Horsemen have arrived on earth not only to wreak havoc but also to bring death. Pestilence arrives in Sara’s small town, ready to get it all down to the ground. While the other villagers are scared, Sara refuses to back down, and with her archery skills, she shoots him off his horse, despite how handsome he may be. Only problem? The Horsemen can’t be killed. Now, not only is Pestilence still alive, but he is livid. He takes Sara as a prisoner, ready to hurt her for what she did. However, Sara is… pushy, and she realizes their feelings might not be on her.
Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust
Melissa Bashardoust wrote a beautiful sapphic romance full of self-acceptance and growth. But don’t worry, there are still plenty of mythological creatures. It was published in 2020 and is another standalone book. Bashardoust used Persian mythology to heavily inspire the book, with divs (demons) and bird people. It is a beautiful story, and while it may focus more on self-love, the sapphic romance, and the love triangle, it is just as stunning.
Soraya has always needed to hide who and what she was. A Princess cursed with a poisonous touch, she stayed confined in her gardens away from her family, hating herself. But her brother’s wedding is coming soon, and she is forced to make the impossible choice to return to the light. Only an alluring Div lives in her dungeons, with the answers she needs and the freedom she craves. But above is a soldier who has always seen her for who she is, with no fear in his eyes. Soraya is stuck, trying to find out who she is and who she loves. Human… or demon?
What a beautiful genre, romantasy is! As a fantasy girl, sometimes I need a break from the heavy lore fantasy, but what should stay in my element, and what better way than this? With our favorite mythological creatures, romance is bound to pop up in the weirdest ways, and in ways that can only happen in a fantastical world. What is your favorite romantasy book?
Check out the team’s favorite myth retellings here!
Looking for some fae-based romantasy? Click here!
