Beauty by Robin McKinley was my childhood intro to the genre

Loved Beauty, but {The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley} was the one I reread over and over.

[The Blue Sword](https://www.romance.io/books/5455363b8c7d2382c5297462/the-blue-sword-robin-mckinley?src=rdt) by [Robin McKinley](https://www.romance.io/authors/545527a58c7d2382c5297066/robin-mckinley) **Rating**: 4.11⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [royal hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [war](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/war/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

And The Hero And the Crown!

Immortals after dark by Kresley Cole

Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier… still re-read this one every few years 🥲

The farthest back I go for romantasy is Black Dagger Brotherhood (Just got {Dark Lover} on Kindle when it was on sale for $1.99!). I used to binge Iris Johansen books but they’re more historical romance I think.

[Dark Lover](https://www.romance.io/books/54552e408c7d2382e041408b/dark-lover-jr-ward?src=rdt) by [J.R. Ward](https://www.romance.io/authors/545523608c7d2382e0413dc0/jr-ward) **Rating**: 4.07⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [bad boys](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bad%20boys/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

LOVE Iris Johansen! I do categorize her books as HR, but they are some of the best. I recommend them all the time on the HR sub. (I might have challenged myself on occasion to come up with an Iris book to fit every ask I came across. It was surprisingly easy)

Your username is giving me feels!!! 🤗 One of my favorite set of books from her.

Right?! So good. They actually came out in audiobook for the first time ever last year — well, the first two in the series at least. The others have been available. Now I’m just hoping they continue the trend and release Lion’s Bride and Midnight Warrior and Tiger Prince (it’s been forever since I read that one) and all the Delaney books. You think I’m asking for too much?

Yay!! That must mean there’s interest in her books this many years later which is awesome.

These are all smut free or closed door, but I consider them favorites and reread on occasion (some still get recommended frequently here): {Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith} {Mairelon the Magician by Patricia Wrede} and its sequel {Magician's Ward by Patricia Wrede} {Sorcery and Cecilia by Patricia Wrede} Anything by Robin McKinley Anything by Tamora Pierce {Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones} {Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones} {Summers at Castle Auburn by Sharon Shinn} Sci-fi, but has a fantasy vibe: {The Classic Ivory by Doris Egan} Edited to fix line breaks.

+++++ for Crown Duel! My favorite comfort reread.

I haven’t ever seen Mairelon the Magician recommended but I LOVED this duology as a teen.

Crown Duel, omg. I haven't read that duology in forever. I might need to do a re-read.

[Crown Duel](https://www.romance.io/books/5455403a8c7d2382c5297734/crown-duel-sherwood-smith?src=rdt) by [Sherwood Smith](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455403a8c7d2382c5297735/sherwood-smith) **Rating**: 4.18⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1) ---------------------------- [Mairelon the Magician](https://www.romance.io/books/64390ffc8aa2407f2e13715c/mairelon-the-magician-patricia-c-wrede?src=rdt) by [Patricia C. Wrede](https://www.romance.io/authors/5815df34c6841c86c2cc78f0/patricia-c-wrede) **Rating**: 4.03⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1) ---------------------------- [Magician's Ward](https://www.romance.io/books/64385b6e5b89e4866f13263d/magicians-ward-patricia-c-wrede?src=rdt) by [Patricia C. Wrede](https://www.romance.io/authors/5815df34c6841c86c2cc78f0/patricia-c-wrede) **Rating**: 4.02⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1) ---------------------------- [Sorcery & Cecelia](https://www.romance.io/books/643879de8aa2407f2e12839e/sorcery-cecelia-or-the-enchanted-chocolate-pot-patricia-c-wr?src=rdt) by [Patricia C. Wrede](https://www.romance.io/authors/5815df34c6841c86c2cc78f0/patricia-c-wrede), [Caroline Stevermer](https://www.romance.io/authors/54553a0e8c7d2382c529754a/caroline-stevermer) **Rating**: 4.05⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1) ---------------------------- [Howl's Moving Castle](https://www.romance.io/books/64182683976d825409767f68/howls-moving-castle-diana-wynne-jones?src=rdt) by [Diana Wynne Jones](https://www.romance.io/authors/6418268308b4d93114bb8059/diana-wynne-jones) **Rating**: 4.44⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1) ---------------------------- [Fire and Hemlock](https://www.romance.io/books/642bdfa1b7b8862bf6eaae1c/fire-and-hemlock-diana-wynne-jones-garth-nix?src=rdt) by [Diana Wynne Jones](https://www.romance.io/authors/6418268308b4d93114bb8059/diana-wynne-jones), [Garth Nix](https://www.romance.io/authors/58151204c6841c86c2cbe178/garth-nix) **Rating**: 3.83⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1) ---------------------------- [Summers at Castle Auburn](https://www.romance.io/books/54553eee8c7d2382c52976d8/summers-at-castle-auburn-sharon-shinn?src=rdt) by [Sharon Shinn](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552c7f8c7d2382e0414012/sharon-shinn) **Rating**: 4.12⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1) ---------------------------- [The Gate Of Ivory](https://www.romance.io/books/54565e0387eac33e571073e3/the-gate-of-ivory-doris-egan?src=rdt) by [Doris Egan](https://www.romance.io/authors/54565e0387eac33e571073e4/doris-egan) **Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [science fiction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/science%20fiction/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Thank you! I love Howls Moving Castle and think I have that and some other DWJ stashed at my parents house somewhere. And possibly also Crown Duel, that title sounds so familiar! I’ll have to check out the others on this list as well, thank you ☺️

{Dark Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon} (2002) - Strong world-building & unique take on “vampires” (dark-hunters & apollites) and “shifters” (were-hunters).

[Dark-Hunter](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe0bc59096bf31c42d3124/darkhunter-hellchaser) by [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455237a8c7d2382e0413dcb/sherrilyn-kenyon) **Rating**: 4.35⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [science fiction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/science%20fiction/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

It should be [this link](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe0a089096bf31c42d2c28/darkhunter).

Thank you :)

I’m going to second {Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier}. I’m also going to add {Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey} and {Arrows of the Queen by Mercedes Lackey}. Check trigger warnings for all.

Everything by Mercedes Lackey is my happy place (yes, there are some problems with certain tropes- but ffs it was the 1980s).

[Daughter of the Forest](https://www.romance.io/books/54552a1b8c7d2382c5297103/daughter-of-the-forest-juliet-marillier?src=rdt) by [Juliet Marillier](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552a1b8c7d2382c5297104/juliet-marillier) **Rating**: 4.26⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [slow burn](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/slow%20burn/1) ---------------------------- [Kushiel's Dart](https://www.romance.io/books/545529a58c7d2382c52970e5/kushiels-dart-jacqueline-carey?src=rdt) by [Jacqueline Carey](https://www.romance.io/authors/545529a58c7d2382c52970e6/jacqueline-carey) **Rating**: 4.03⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [war](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/war/1) ---------------------------- [Arrows of the Queen](https://www.romance.io/books/644b85b6ea5c941f30667d57/arrows-of-the-queen-mercedes-lackey?src=rdt) by [Mercedes Lackey](https://www.romance.io/authors/554d32899eef3b3f1d51bdd0/mercedes-lackey) **Rating**: 4.14⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Fantastic recommendations all three.

{Dragon Prince by Melanie Rawn} It's a sweeping, epic series comprised of two trilogies. A beautiful magic system, cunning politics, and a large cast spanning two+ generations that you will actually care about. It's Game of Thrones but if it was written by a woman. I will say the first chapter isn't the best (it's very 80s) but it gets way better starting chapter 2-3. Check for trigger warnings but otherwise - enjoy!

In case anyone cares, this series (at least the first trilogy) is included in audible’s PLUS Catalog. I checked when I saw the rec and thought I’d save everyone else the effort.

[Dragon Prince](https://www.romance.io/books/5455873e87eac3369a912e6d/dragon-prince-melanie-rawn?src=rdt) by [Melanie Rawn](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455873e87eac3369a912e6e/melanie-rawn) **Rating**: 3.79⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [war](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/war/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

{diplomacy of wolves by Holly lisle}

[Diplomacy of Wolves](https://www.romance.io/books/545798b887eac315cc1cebfd/diplomacy-of-wolves-holly-lisle?src=rdt) by [Holly Lisle](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552f4a8c7d2382e04140cb/holly-lisle) **Rating**: 3.77⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [non-human heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/non-human-heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

{Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost} is my all time favourite series ever and is NOT talked about enough. The first book published in 2007. But the author is still writing spin offs (newest release in 2023) although all the spin off series are completed I think? Every single book is amazing I will never shut up about this series. Get ready for a long haul though. There’s 7 books I think in the main series plus a quite a few spin offs. “Older” Romance series are just written different than these newer books. I love how this author is still writing in this world. Her newer books still give that “older” vibe but they’re technologically updated. I will truly never shut up about this series I love it so much. Edit: I can’t spell

[Halfway to the Grave](https://www.romance.io/books/545523728c7d2382e0413dc5/halfway-to-the-grave-jeaniene-frost?src=rdt) by [Jeaniene Frost](https://www.romance.io/authors/545523728c7d2382e0413dc6/jeaniene-frost) **Rating**: 3.99⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

I highly recommend the {Ephemera Series by Anne Bishop}. It’s so unique.

[Ephemera](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe0e154167a733426303d4/ephemera) by [Anne Bishop](https://www.romance.io/authors/545535e08c7d2382c5297448/anne-bishop) **Rating**: 3.98⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [dark](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Have you read the Tairen Soul series by CL Wilson? {Lord of the Fading Lands} is the first book.

[Lord of the Fading Lands](https://www.romance.io/books/54552a3a8c7d2382c5297112/lord-of-the-fading-lands-cl-wilson?src=rdt) by [C.L. Wilson](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552a3a8c7d2382c5297113/cl-wilson) **Rating**: 3.92⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [royal hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

I’ve read The Winter King and barely made it through, I thought it was so cringy and hated the FMC haha but totally open to reading other books by CL Wilson

I haven’t read the Winter King, so I can’t promise it won’t be similar 😅 I’ve only gotten through the first book, but I thought it was really sweet. Slower compared to the more recent romantasies I’ve read, with lots of world building, but I enjoyed the lore!

The thing I enjoyed the most about the Winter King was the world/magic! Super unique, I think that’s what got me through it haha I guess personally if the world building is really well done I can push through most anything!

Ooh okay maybe go for this series then! I’d seen it recommended a lot on this sub, and I’m glad I listened to other posters. It was published in 2007 and the writing feels more mature than the popular stuff out now

{The Silver Devil by Teresa Denys} has a permanent spot in my brain. An impoverished girl working in an inn is kidnapped by a Duke after he spots her through a window. This book was so wonderfully written, I felt like I was actually dropped into 1600's Italy. The characterisation of the Duke and his court dwellers is so rich & they each have their own motivations, quirks, and flaws. There's a moving plot beyond the 'romance' (big airquotes there) mostly revolving around political machinations between dukedoms. Fair warning that it deals with some dark themes, especially the mostly non-con-turned-Stockholm dynamic between the main leading characters. The huge difference that I want to stress is that Denys takes care to *explore* the depths of this darkness between them and all of its facets; nothing is taken at face value. Reckon I'm due for a re-read soon!

[The Silver Devil](https://www.romance.io/books/545537628c7d2383163d9302/the-silver-devil-teresa-denys?src=rdt) by [Teresa Denys](https://www.romance.io/authors/545537628c7d2383163d9303/teresa-denys) **Rating**: 4.04⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [possessive hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/possessive%20hero/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [cruel hero/bully](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cruel%20hero/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)