Spicy romantasy books: 8 high-heat reads (and how spicy they get)

Some readers want fade-to-black; you want the opposite. These eight romantasy reads bring real heat alongside the world-building — with a rough spice note so you know what you’re picking up. (Heat is subjective; consider this a friendly heads-up, not a rating.)

1. A Court of Mist and Fury — Sarah J. Maas

The book that earned the genre its reputation. 🌶️🌶️🌶️ and a swoony slow-burn payoff.

2. From Blood and Ash — Jennifer L. Armentrout

Forbidden-guard tension that delivers. 🌶️🌶️🌶️, with a propulsive plot.

3. A Touch of Darkness — Scarlett St. Clair

Hades & Persephone, contemporary and very steamy. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.

4. Haunting Adeline — H. D. Carlton

Dark and intense with strong content warnings — check them first. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.

5. Iron Flame — Rebecca Yarros

The Empyrean books bring heat with the dragons. 🌶️🌶️🌶️.

6. Kingdom of the Wicked — Kerri Maniscalco

Witches, demons, and a wicked prince. 🌶️🌶️🌶️ with a gothic edge.

7. Neon Gods — Katee Robert

Greek myth reimagined in a modern city. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ — romance-forward, lighter on fantasy.

8. The Serpent and the Wings of Night — Carissa Broadbent

A vampire tournament with a slow-burn that catches fire. 🌶️🌶️🌶️.

A note on spice

Heat levels vary by reader and by edition, and several of these carry content warnings worth reading first. When in doubt, flip to the author’s note or a content-warning list before you dive in.

Turn up the heat

Find these on our shelves or tell the Matchmaker how spicy you like it. Prefer the opposite? We also have a clean, low-spice romantasy guide and our best romantasy list.