We're passionate about young adult fiction here at Hodderscape and with such a wealth of books to explore, it's a difficult genre to navigate. So we've pulled together a list of our favourite YA Fantasy Romance titles, because no love ever feels like the first love. And for further help, don't miss our separate YA Fantasy list!
The Ones We Burn by Rebecca Mix
Starting off with a bang The Ones We Burn is an ultra-sapphic mix of magic, witches, princesses and enemies-to-lovers ...
Ranka, a blood-witch tired of death, seeks peace with her coven, hoping to forget her dark past. But when she's named Bloodwinn, the next treaty bride to the kingdom of Isodal, her coven sends her with one task: kill the prince. Yet, the prince is kind and terrified of her, and his sister, the beautiful but cunning Princess Aramis, is the true threat. As witches are killed by a magical plague, Aramis offers Ranka a deal: help find a cure, and she'll teach Ranka to control her deadly magic. But loyalty and trust are harder than they seem, and Ranka is soon forced to make a choice between what she knows and what she wants.
We think you’ll fall in love with Ranka, Aramis and The Ones We Burn.
Sing Me to Sleep by Gabi Burton
In the mood for another dark fantasy romance in a world filled with fae? Look no further than Sing Me to Sleep.
Saoirse Sorkova is a Siren, which is illegal in her kingdom. She passes as a fae but at night works as an assassin. Nobody knows she is a Siren, or that, sometimes, she isn’t in control of her deadly powers. When someone threatens her sister, Saoirse must infiltrate the palace and pass as the Prince’s bodyguard. As Saoirse works to help her sister, she and the Prince become closer and closer until the Prince tasks her with finding a notorious killer. Except, the killer is Saoirse.
Featuring an all Black and Brown cast of characters and a forbidden romance, Sing Me to Sleep is seductive and captivating.
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Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahim
Spice Road is set in an Arabic-inspired world with a strong FMC and a healthy dose of magic!
Imani is highly skilled with a dagger and is on her way to becoming a legendary Shield, able to fight all desert monsters. Her brother was found stealing the magic spice and escaped into the Forbidden Wastes. Discovering that her brother may have survived, Imani joins a mission sent to recapture him, but she secretly aims to protect him. On this mission is an enigmatic and annoying beastseer named Taha. On the journey to find her brother, Imani must decide where her loyalties lie.
Adventurousand epic, Spice Road is the gripping beginning in a magical series.
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The Monstrous Kind by Lydia Gregovic
An atmospheric gothic historical fantasy romance, set in an Regency-inspired world.
When Merrick Darling’s father dies, she must return to her family’s ancestral home, and the sister she left behind. But there are deadly secrets lurking in the manor, which could threaten everything she holds dear.
The borders – their main defence against the toxic mist that has claimed much of their nation, and the deadly monsters that lurk within – have been failing for unknown reasons. And when Essie goes missing, it’s clear that Merrick needs help. But who can she trust when everyone seems to be scheming, and all she holds true feels like it’s slipping out of her grasp?
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Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim
Set in the same world as Six Crimson Cranes, Lim brings us a story of courage, loyalty and the deep bonds of sisterhood.
Channi was not born a monster. But when her own father offers her in sacrifice to the Demon Witch, she is forever changed. Cursed with a serpent's face, Vanna, her beautiful sister is the only person in the village who looks at Channi and doesn't see a monster.
Now seventeen, Vanna is to be married off. Only Channi, who's had to rely on her strength and cunning all these years, can defend her sister against the cruelest of the suitors. But in doing so, she becomes the target of his wrath - launching a grisly battle royale, a quest over land and sea, a romance between sworn enemies, and a choice that will strain Channi's heart to its breaking point.
Brilliantly written, gorgeous world-building and heart-wrenching characters.
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Daughter of the Drowned Empire by Frankie Diane Mallis
Looking for some forbidden love and courtly drama? Look no further than Daughter of the Drowned Empire.
Lady Lyr is third in line to the Seat of Power in Bamaria, a kingdom under the Emperor who controls what magic is allowed and what is illegal. Her betrothed is master mage Lord Tristan. When Lyr discovers she has no power, she must instead accept a deadly offer: she can train to become a brutal warrior, a Sotrui – if she survives training at the academy. Lyr must train with Lord Rhyan – who she has been in love with since she was a girl – but he is absolutely forbidden to her. Surviving training may mean sacrificing her own heart.
Book one in the Drowned Empire series, Daughter of the Drowned Empire is mesmerising and heart-wrenching.
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Belladonna by Adalyn Grace
The first in a YA fantasy romance trilogy, Belladonna is a steamy, slow-burn romance and gothic historical fantasy you don’t want to miss.
19-year-old Signa’s life has been plagued by death – orphaned, moving from guardian to guardian as Death claims them all. She settles with her distant relatives, the Hawthornes, in their dark but beautiful estate, while they mourn the mother of the family. When Signa uncovers that her distant aunt was in fact murdered, she enlists the help of a short-tempered stable boy to find the killer. To do so, Signa must ally herself with the alluring but cold-hearted shadow of Death – and finds him irresistible.
Addictive and mysterious, with an enemies-to-lovers story to die for, we'd better put a bit of a spice warning on this one.
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These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
A fierce, heart-pounding and achingly romantic fantasy retelling of Romeo and Juliet.
The Scarlets and the White Flowers are two rival gangs who run 1920s Shanghai. Juliette Cai is about to fulfil her role as the heir of the Scarlet Gang, opposing her counterpart Roma Montagov, the heir to the White Flowers – and her first love who broke her heart.
A fever-inducing contagion is sweeping the streets of Shanghai, disrupting both gangs. Rumours are rife of a monster in the shadows. The gangs, and Shanghai itself, are threatened, and Juliette must learn to trust Roma again in order to save everyone.
These Violent Delights is an unputdownable, political yet beautiful retelling of an infamous story.
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Court of the Undying Seasons by A.M. Strickland
Court of the Undying Seasons is deliciously dark, romantic and a pitch perfect modern take on the classic vampire tale.
When Fin takes her secret lover’s place in the village’s Finding, she’s whisked away to Castle Courtsheart, a notorious vampire school, where human students either become powerful vampires or spend the rest of their lives as a lowly human. But Fin has no intention of becoming a vampire – she intends to kill them.
Fin is quickly swept up in her new world and its inhabitants – particularly Gavron, her handsome and hostile vampire maker, whose blood is nothing short of intoxicating. As she uncovers a string of murders and a deadly ritual that threatens both vampires and humans.
A lush, queer YA dark fantasy novel to sink your teeth into.