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 books, because no love ever feels like the first love. And for more reading inspiration, don't miss our separate YA Fantasy list!
The Swan's Daughter by Roshani Chokski
A gorgeous fairy tale fantasy brimming with cursed love, magic, hope and belonging, The Swan's Daughter is the lush YA Fantasy Romance from a New York Times bestselling author.
A poorly worded wish has led to Prince Arris being doomed to die on his wedding day. His only chance at a long life is finding true and lasting love. When his parents announce a tournament of brides to compete for the throne, a slew of eligible, lovely and (possibly murderous) bachelorettes make their way to Rathe Castle. But Arris cannot tell who is here out of love for him . . . or lust for power.
Until he meets Demelza. As a veritas swan, Demelza's song wrings out the truth. Forced into hiding, Demelza strikes a deal. Arris will provide her with safekeeping in exchange for her truth-telling song to sort through his potential brides. What begins as a bargain for safety becomes something far more dangerous - and far more romantic.
The Swan's Daughter is a truly enchanting story that will will sweep you away.
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The Girl With No Reflection by Keshe Chow
The perfect blend of royal court drama and spine-chilling horror, The Girl With No Reflection is a lush romantic fantasy.
Ying Yue believed in love . . . once. Yet when she's chosen to wed the Crown Prince, Ying's dreams of a fairy tale marriage fall apart. Her husband-to-be is cold and indifferent, confining Ying to her room for reasons he won't explain.
Left alone with only her reflection for company, Ying begins to see strange things in her mirror, and her world is shaken when she discovers the dark truth the royal family has been hiding for centuries. Two worlds with a blood-soaked history, and Ying has a part to play in both. And the brides who came before her? By the time they discovered their roles, it was already too late . . .
The Girl With No Reflection is an ornate fairytale filled with sharp edges. It will grip you, break your heart, and slowly piece it back together.
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Darker by Four by June CL Tan
First in a YA urban fantasy duology, Darker by Four a fantastical story full of secrets and betrayal, with an achingly slow burn romance at its heart.
Rui is an Exorcist-in-training with one goal in mind - honing her magic to avenge her mother's death.
Yiran is the black sheep of an illustrious family. The world would be at his feet - had he been born with magic.
But when an accident causes Rui's power to transfer to Yiran, everything turns upside down. Without her magic, Rui has no tool for vengeance. With it, Yiran finally feels like he belongs. As dangerous monsters overrun the city, Rui will do whatever it takes to regain her power. Even if that means making a deal with a shadowy stranger to track down a god who does not wish to be found . . .
Darker By Four is the perfect book for anyone looking to immerse themselves in a shadowy world brimming with magic. This stunning story concludes in Brighter Than Nine, which is available now in hardback.
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These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan
An instant BookTok sensation, These Hollow Vows is the first book in an action-packed fantasy romance duology about a girl who is caught between two treacherous faerie courts and their dangerously seductive princes.
Brie would do anything before making a deal with the Fae; death is better than their vicious schemes. But when her sister is taken by the sadistic king of the Unseelie court, there is nothing Brie wouldn't do to get her back.
Gaining unfettered access to the Seelie court is easier said than done and Brie's must pose as a potential bride for the Seelie Prince, Ronan – a prince who's not quite as wicked as she once thought. But when Brie accepts help from a band of Unseelie misfits she finds herself struggling to resist the seductive charm time of their mysterious leader, Finn. Caught between two dangerous courts, Brie must decide who to trust with her loyalty . . . and with her heart.
These Hollow Vows is a dark and brooding young adult fantasy that will keep you guessing every step of the way. And you can lose yourself in this beautiful world for even longer with the spellbinding conclusion, These Twisted Bonds.
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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 and book two, Our Violent Ends, is also available now.
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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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The Ones We Burn by Rebecca Mix
The Ones We Burn is a fierce, sapphic YA fantasy with magic, witches, princesses and enemies-to-lovers, what more could you want?
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 just like we did.
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. The darkly seductive sequel, Drown Me With Dreams, is available now in paperback.
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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.
Adventurous and epic, Spice Road is the gripping beginning in a magical series, with Serpent Sea available now and the shocking finale Spirit Lands coming in November.
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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.
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A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim
Famous for her breathtaking and heartfelt East Asian fantasies, Elizabeth Lim fails to disappoint with her latest romantic fantasy standalone - think Beauty and the Beast meets The Little Mermaid.
A gifted art forger, Truyan Saigas has the unique ability to paint the future. But when her father is lost at sea, not even magic can heal her family, or save her two younger sisters from the dangerous consequences of her mother's gambling debts.
Then Elang, a mysterious dragon lord, offers her a deal: in exchange for a fresh start for her mother and sisters, Tru must enter a marriage contract and join him in his desolate undersea palace. Once there, Tru will embark on her most dangerous forgery yet. To infiltrate the tyrannical Dragon King's inner circle and paint a future so treasonous, it could upend both the mortal and immortal realms . . .
Devastatingly romantic, vibrant characters and gorgeous storytelling, once again Lim will captivate you and whisk you away on a magical journey.
