Looking for Epic Fantasy with great romance?

I know I am! The problem is, these books aren’t often easy to find.

This issue lies with how some online bookstores and bloggers define Epic Fantasy Romance. These books tend to get confused with, and put in the same category as, other types of fantasy romance: alternative history, vampire, werewolf or shifter paranormals. Epic Fantasy Romance can also get lumped with Young Adult Fantasy Romance, and although some of these do span genres, many aren’t actually Epic Fantasy Romance.

What is Epic Fantasy Romance?

They’re set in a fantasy world that’s not our own, has extensive world-building and features magic and/or fantastic beasts and monsters. So, this means you have a big book with the scope of the classics such as The Lord of the Rings, or Game of Thrones … but you also have a dominant central romance story that centers around the developing love between a couple that always ends in a HEA ‘Happily Ever After’.

Readers of Epic Fantasy Romance love the tropes of epic fantasy (e.g. coming of age, quest, darkness threatening the world etc.), but they also love the tropes of romance (e.g. friends to lovers, enemies become lovers, love triangle, HEA etc.)

How to find good Epic Fantasy Romance for adults

Goodreads is a great source for hunting down these novels in this genre. I’ve found many news reads this way:

• Check out the Epic Fantasy Romance master-list on Goodreads.
• Browse the most ‘popular’ Epic Fantasy Romance list on Goodreads.

There are a number of good sites, which feature Epic Fantasy Romance novels, or forums where readers suggest great books they’ve read in the genre:

• Epic Fantasy Romance – a website where authors of this genre can list their books.
• SFF World – a forum where readers suggest and discuss their favorite Epic Fantasy Romances
• Best Fantasy Books – a guide of the best romantic fantasy novels.
• Library Thing – a discussion about romance plots in fantasy novels that are actually good!

What are the best Epic Fantasy Romances I’ve read?

I’ve got a my favorite Epic Fantasy novels (I wrote a blog post about them), but here are those that are specifically Epic Fantasy Romances that I’ve really enjoyed.

Poison Study (Study series) by Maria V. Snyder

Fantastic, character-driven fantasy about a young woman sentenced to death but given a second chance as a food taster. The only problem is it’s for a commander trying someone’s trying to kill!

Daughter of the Forest (The Sevenwaters Trilogy) by Juliet Marillier

This isn’t strictly Epic Fantasy (as it’s a Historical Fantasy Romance set in our world), but I just had to include it! The story of a brave young woman, who sets out an epic journey to save her brothers.

Radiance (The Wraith King series) by Grace Draven

An arranged marriage between a man and woman of vastly different races and cultures, set against the backdrop of political treachery.

Master of Crows (Master of Crows series) by Grace Draven

The enthralling, passionate story of Martise and Silhara – she’s a spy and he’s a mage – and together they fight to stop a god who risks destroying their world.

Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass) by Sarah J. Maas

The exciting first book of a gripping series, about an assassin and a world under threat.

A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses) by Sarah J. Maas

An emotional Epic Fantasy romance series that takes unexpected directions. Feyre, a huntress, accidentally kills a beast in a forest, and starts off a chain of events that will change her life forever.

I’m constantly on the look out for more Epic Fantasy Romances to dive into – so if you have a suggestion, please let me know!

Update: Check out Part #2 to this blog post, with more of my favourite Epic Fantasy Romances.