Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
For last year’s Valentine’s themed freebie, I chose book couples. For this one, I decided as it’s kind of a hot topic, I’d post my top Fantasy & Paranormal Romances! Some of these lean more towards the fantasy aspect, others towards the romance, but to me they have enough to both to work. If you do have any recommendations in these genres, I’d love to hear them!
Top Ten Fantasy & Paranormal Romances
Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
Genre: Fantasy
Age: Young Adult
Format: Paperback
Published: July 6th, 2021
I am so glad I finally got around to reading this one – I admit, I had high expectations for it, considering it’s Elizabeth Lim, but this one managed to hit and exceed all them. It’s a beautifully written book with a wonderful fairy tale quality to it, and though it’s more Fantasy than Romance, the romance subplot was handled really sweetly.
Girl, Goddess, Queen by Bea Fitzgerald
Genre: Fantasy
Age: Young Adult
Format: ebook
Published: July 20th, 2023
Review
The romance plays a big role in this fantasy re-imagining of Hades and Persephone, where more weight is given to her agency and power, and she and Hades work together to keep the gods off their backs and away from their home. It was a wonderful novel, and I definitely one I’d recommend if you’re looking for these sort of retellings.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Genre: Fantasy
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: August 23rd, 2022
Review
This book still ranks among my favourites – it’s one that, with it’s present day, ‘real world’ setting, kind of staddles the line between fantasy and paranormal, and where the romance is an important element, but not the focus. Instead, the story is about Mika helping her community, and finding kindness in unexpected places.
Genre: Fantasy
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: March 29th, 2020
Review
A historical fantasy romance, specifically a regency fairy tale, that blends regency romance with the fae in an excellent way. I adored Theodora and the way she was written, as well as the way she saw past the gossips around her. I really need to pick up book 2 and read it asap!
Witch, Cat, and Cobb by J.K. Pendragon
Genre: Fantasy
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: October 13th, 2015
Review
This was an absolutely delightful novella – a great example of just how much a talented writer can convey in such a short space, this short fantasy romance really balances the worldbuilding with the romance in such a cute way.
Genre: Fantasy
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: September 28th, 2021
Review
I loved this one! Again, it’s another book that remains firmly among my favourites. And it’s another nice blend of paranormal/fantasy with a dash of small town romance, when Vivienne Jones’ ex, Rhys, arrives back in town, and Vivi realises the curse she cast when they broke up wasn’t as harmless as she thought. Highly entertaining, and I also loved book 2! Book 3 is due out this year, and I can’t wait.
Genre: Paranormal
Age: Adult
Format: Paperback
Published: January 7th, 2014
Review
This is a hill I’m willing to die on: this graphic novel (another favourite, too) is, in fact, a Paranormal Romance. Starring Deadpool. And it works, completely brilliantly.
A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
Genre: Fantasy
Age: Young Adult
Format: Paperback
Published: January 29th, 2019
Review
This book (and the next one) is one I think of fondly – these two are ones I picked up when I started really getting into book blogging and was focusing on expanding my ‘bookish’ circle on social media. People mentioned this (and raved about the next one!) and I was immediately drawn into this world, so much so I grabbed the next books as soon as I could, though I don’t think 2 and 3 quite lived up to the first book in the triology.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Genre: Fantasy
Age: Young Adult
Format: Paperback
Published: January 2nd, 2018
Okay, I never actually reviewed this one – but I absolutely devoured the whole The Folk of the Air trilogy, one after the other. I loved this series, and I mainly picked it up because of all the hype around it I was seeing at the time. Honestly, I can completely understand the popularity around this, and it definitely seemed to spark (or re-ignite?) a fresh wave of fae focused fantasy.
Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim
Genre: Fantasy
Age: Young Adult
Format: Hardback
Published: July 9th, 2019
Review
And we end where we started – with a fairy tale-like fantasy retelling. Like Six Crimson Cranes, Spin the Dawn is beautifully written and builds this absolutely wonderful world – the romance that runs through the duology works really well. This was a book I was really excited for, and I was right to be! Like some of the others mentioned here, it’s still one of my favourites.
I’m always on the lookout for similar books, so if you do have any recommendations, I’d love to hear them! What are some of your favourite Fantasy and/or Paranormal Romances?
Unwrapping Words 
I think my son will enjoy “Deadpool: Dracula’s Gauntlet.” Thank you for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s honestly great – probably one of my favourite graphic novels!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to know. Thank you and I’m definitely going to get it for him then.
LikeLiked by 1 person