There are many enticing romantasy books on the market, but not all of them manage to stay gripping from start to finish — and that makes the ones that do all the more memorable. It can be great to pick up a slow-burn story every once in a while, but a novel that manages to hook you in the first couple chapters is special.
It’s even better when it keeps that momentum going, delivering non-stop action, suspense, and chemistry as the story unfolds. The best romantasy books benefit from having high stakes and plenty of action, as well as great character dynamics. These titles capitalize on those strengths to keep readers fully immersed, making it nearly impossible to put them down.
10
The Knight And The Moth
By Rachel Gillig
Rachel Gillig’s The Knight and the Moth is already poised to become one of the best romantasy books of 2025, and it’s not difficult to understand why. The novel immediately draws readers in with the mysterious disappearance of the heroine’s Diviner sisters, and it never lets up from there.
There’s a reason it’s receiving so much hype on BookTok.
The Knight and the Moth keeps things moving with the many plot twists and action sequences scattered throughout its run — and with the undeniable chemistry between the main character and her broody love interest. That makes it difficult to put Gillig’s latest novel down, and it continues to be surprising and emotional until the very end. There’s a reason it’s receiving so much hype on BookTok.
9
Five Broken Blades
By Mai Corland
Five Broken Blades wastes no time throwing readers into the characters’ plot to overthrow the king of Yusan. And the book’s morally complicated cast makes it a mesmerizing read from the very beginning. Readers will want to know why these characters are in the circumstances they are, and they won’t be able to put the story down as it delivers twist after twist.
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Add in the romantic tensions, found-family dynamics, and promise of lies and betrayal, and Five Broken Blades is certain to hold readers’ attention throughout its 400+ pages. It’s the sort of romantasy book you’ll read in one sitting — and you’ll be reaching for the sequel not long after.
8
Assistant To The Villain
By Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Assistant to the Villain is the romantasy book to pick up if you’re looking for a good laugh, and the novel’s opening is sure to hook readers based on that strength alone. The very first chapter promises a hilarious and fascinating dynamic between the main character and the titular villain. And things only get more bonkers from there.
Even with Assistant to the Villain leaning into its out-there premise, it manages to deliver a heartfelt story with endearing characters.
Even with Assistant to the Villain leaning into its out-there premise, it manages to deliver a heartfelt story with endearing characters. There are darker elements beneath the surface, but these only make it harder to turn away. Hannah Nicole Maehrer maintains an engaging story throughout this book, and it continues to get more interesting in the sequels.
7
Faebound
By Saara El-Arifi
Saara El-Arifi’s Faebound is another novel that immediately throws readers into the action, sending its main character into combat very early in the book — and seeing her face the consequences of that confrontation not long after. Faebound masterfully introduces its setting, cast, and stakes without ever hitting a lull. It’s impressive how easy it is to immerse oneself in its world.
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And El-Arifi’s 2024 romantasy book packs a surprising amount of politics, lore, and romance into a relatively short amount of space. Despite its fast-paced and gripping narrative, it never feels like any of these areas are lacking. Needless to say, Faebound is a great choice for readers who want an opening that grabs them and doesn’t let go.
6
Divine Rivals
By Rebecca Ross
Divine Rivals is a romantasy book that’s pretty light on the fantasy, and that might be what makes it so easy to fall into. Rebecca Ross creates a world that has just enough magic to be intriguing, but it’s the journalism focus, wartime correspondence, and dynamic between its leads that really pulls readers in.
The book delivers a huge gut punch at the end, following many smaller ones throughout.
It helps that Divine Rivals is incredibly charming, lulling readers in with this strength, then throwing them into a much higher-stakes scenario. As the book’s main characters go from the newsroom to the battlefield — and from rivals to lovers — things get increasingly more intense. And the book delivers a huge gut punch at the end, following many smaller ones throughout.
5
Lore Of The Wilds
By Analeigh Sbran
Analeigh Sbran’s Lore of the Wilds is an underrated addition to the romantasy genre, and it’s one that will appeal to fans of A Court of Thorns & Roses. Its immersive world and Fae lore are intriguing, and the characters are charming enough to get readers invested quickly. Its fast pacing also ensures it stays gripping, leaving little time to slow down or lose interest.
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And Lore of the Wilds packs a punch with its twisty ending, ensuring readers won’t put the book down until the very last page. It’s a novel that can easily be read in one sitting, though it will leave readers aching for book two. The good news is that Lore of the Tides is out on July 8, 2025.
4
Heartless Hunter
By Kristen Ciccarelli
Heartless Hunter has one of the most unique takes on witches I’ve seen in the romantasy genre, and it introduces its brutal world and blood-based magic system in a way that’s both easy and interesting. This is another story that opens with action at the very beginning, and there’s rarely a quiet moment from that point onward.
Even when the characters aren’t engaged in confrontation or practicing magic, the tensions between Heartless Hunter‘s main characters keep the story gripping. Emotions are high throughout the novel, and its ending will leave readers desperate for book two. Thankfully, the duology is complete, so they can pick up Rebel Witch right after.
3
Bloodguard
By Cecy Robson
Cecy Robson’s romantasy novel, Bloodguard, wouldn’t live up to its gladiator premise without plenty of action — and its male main character gets thrown into the arena at the very start of the story. There are many surprising turns from there, as the characters are forced to grapple with the deep-seated corruption and cruelty of the kingdom they live in.
It’s not to be missed, especially for those who enjoy fast-paced, one-sitting reads.
Bloodguard creates a compelling dynamic between its two POV characters, too, balancing its darker themes and bloody action with great romantic tension. The twists and turns ensure you won’t want to put it down, and its premise really does make it stand out in the romantasy genre. It’s not to be missed, especially for those who enjoy fast-paced, one-sitting reads.
2
Throne Of Glass
By Sarah J. Maas
Most of Sarah J. Maas’ fantasy series balance gripping plots and compelling characters, but Throne of Glass is likely to draw readers in the fastest. It’s impossible to look away as accomplished assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged from the gruesome prison camp of Endovier and forced to compete in a series of trials for the king.
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The fact that Celaena is incredibly compelling — she’s both a badass and painstakingly human beneath her hard exterior — makes it easy to become invested in Throne of Glass. Of course, Chaol and Dorian add to the appeal, and the trio’s dynamic in book one is enough reason to power through it.
Throne of Glass’ many action sequences, big twists and turns, and underlying mystery all make it gripping from start to finish.
Throne of Glass’ many action sequences, big twists and turns, and underlying mystery all make it gripping from start to finish as well. And for those who enjoy Maas’ 2012 novel, there are six sequels that are just as addictive. It’s a great series to become fully wrapped up in.
1
Fourth Wing
By Rebecca Yarros
It’s no secret that Fourth Wing is one of the most popular romantasy books out there, and Rebecca Yarros’ 2023 novel knows how to leave an impact. It opens with high stakes as its heroine is forced to pass the first deadly test to become a dragon rider: crossing a parapet in the rain. This immediately drives home the stakes of Yarros’ world, and it’s a great way to hook readers.
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While Fourth Wing does slow down in the middle, it’s never so much that readers will want to put the book down. There are many exciting sequences scattered throughout the story, from the first years facing the Gauntlet to the Threshing. However, Fourth Wing‘s wild ending cements it as the sort of romantasy book you won’t be able to put down, with the book closing as powerfully as it opens.
