There are those who say that darkness holds nothing but terror, dear reader. Those people, we are quite certain, have never discovered the delicious shiver of a properly dark romantasy.
If you find yourself yearning for fantasy worlds where the romance burns as fiercely as dragonfire and the heroes are as likely to bite as to kiss, then you have wandered into precisely the right corner of the reading realm. Here, we shall explore the finest dark spicy romantasy books that the past few years (and in some cases the past few months) have offered unto those brave enough to turn their pages.
What Makes a Romantasy “Dark and Spicy”?
Before we venture deeper into these shadowed waters, let us establish what distinguishes dark spicy romantasy from its gentler cousins. These are tales where the romance carries weight and consequence—where passion is not merely suggested but explored with frank abandon. The “dark” speaks to morally complex characters, dangerous circumstances, and tensions that simmer like storms on the horizon.
Quicksilver by Callie Hart
This BookTok sensation swept across reading circles like wildfire through dry timber, and for excellent reason. Saeris Fane is a young woman harboring secrets—strange powers she dare not reveal and a talent for thievery that has kept her alive. When she inadvertently reopens a gateway between realms, she finds herself thrust into a land of ice, snow, and devastatingly beautiful Fae.
The enemies-to-lovers dynamic here crackles with razor-sharp banter and heart-stopping tension. Hart delivers a sentient substance called Quicksilver that bargains and chants, creating magic both wondrous and unsettling. Content warnings include graphic scenes and violence, making this firmly for readers seventeen and older.
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
In the medieval-inspired kingdom of Solis, Poppy has lived her entire existence as the Maiden—scrutinized, isolated, and destined for the gods. Her life transforms utterly when she encounters the mysterious guard Hawke Flynn, and nothing shall ever be quite the same.
This USA Today bestseller earned the Goodreads Choice Award for Romance in 2020 and continues to enchant readers with its forbidden passion and devastating plot twists. The chemistry between Poppy and Hawke burns so bright one might need protective eyewear. A television adaptation is now in development with Amazon Studios.
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
Emilia and her twin sister Vittoria are streghe—witches living secretly among humans in a world inspired by medieval Sicily. When Vittoria is found murdered most terribly, Emilia vows vengeance at any cost, even if it means consorting with Wrath himself, a prince of Hell.
The kitchen witchcraft here feels delightfully authentic, and the banter between Emilia and her demon prince delights at every turn. Kirkus Reviews praised it as “an intoxicating, tightly plotted feast for the senses.” The rich world-building weaves post-unification Italy with demons, shape-shifters, and the ever-present shadow of forbidden magic.
The Plated Prisoner Series by Raven Kennedy
This darkly imaginative reimagining of King Midas introduces us to Auren, a woman whose skin, hair, and very essence have been transformed to gold. She exists in a gilded cage, a symbol of the King’s power—until circumstances force her onto a path she never anticipated.
Fair warning: this series contains challenging content including assault and emotional manipulation. Yet readers who appreciate complex explorations of agency and redemption find it utterly compelling. The consensus suggests the series strengthens considerably as it progresses, rewarding those who venture beyond the first volume.
The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig
This instant New York Times bestseller offers gothic romantasy of the most atmospheric variety. Sybil Delling is a Diviner who receives visions from otherworldly figures called Omens. When her fellow sisters begin vanishing from their cathedral home, she must flee alongside the heretical knight Rodrick—a man who despises everything she represents.
Gillig has crafted something moody and magnificent here, with sentient gargoyles, mysterious sprites, and a slow-burn romance that unfolds like mist across moorland. Elle Magazine proclaimed it cements Gillig “as one of our finest romantasy writers.” The feminine fury woven throughout makes this particularly satisfying.
The Bargainer Series by Laura Thalassa
Callypso Lillis is a siren carrying a most unusual burden—a bracelet of black beads representing magical debts to a powerful Fae king called the Bargainer. Only death or repayment shall free her from these obligations, and after seven years, the Bargainer has returned to collect.
Beginning with Rhapsodic, this four-book series delivers dark Fae romance, forbidden magic, and a love forged in shadows. Readers seeking to fill the void left by certain beloved fantasy romances have discovered great solace here. The series concludes with Dark Harmony, where ancient curses and court intrigue collide magnificently.
Neon Gods by Katee Robert
What if Hades and Persephone existed not as gods but as titles held by powerful figures in a glittering, dangerous modern city? Society darling Persephone Dimitriou plans to flee Olympus until her mother springs an unwanted engagement to the terrifying Zeus. Her only escape lies in the forbidden undercity, where a man called Hades offers a devil’s bargain.
Publishers Weekly awarded this a starred review, calling it “deliciously inventive.” The Dark Olympus series continues through multiple Greek myth retellings, each featuring different divine pairings and equally scorching romance. Library Journal notes it offers much “for romance fans looking for a slightly darker romance.”
Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
This Cat and Mouse duet begins when author Adeline Riley inherits her grandmother’s gothic manor—along with a stalker named Zade who becomes obsessed with her at first sight. The narrative alternates between perspectives labeled “The Manipulator” and “The Shadow.”
Let us be perfectly clear: this is not for the faint of heart. Content warnings include stalking, assault, and trafficking themes rendered in graphic detail. It became an instant New York Times and USA Today bestseller, finding devoted readers among those who appreciate the darkest corners of the romance genre. Recommended for seasoned dark romance readers only.
The Coven by Harper L. Woods
The Magicians meets Ninth House with vampires—a description that either sets your heart racing or sends you running. Willow Madizza accepts a place at the secretive Hollow’s Grove University, but she harbors purposes beyond mere education. The infuriating Headmaster Alaric Grayson Thorne despises her, which naturally means the tension between them could ignite stone.
This Sunday Times bestseller delivers dark academia with paranormal elements, complete with witches, vampires, and demons lurking in every shadow. The gothic atmosphere and enemies-to-lovers dynamic have earned devoted admirers. Do note it concludes on a cliffhanger—pack your patience alongside your enthusiasm.
Eternal Ruin by Tigest Girma
The sequel to the number one New York Times bestselling Immortal Dark, this installment finds Kidan Adane fully embracing her darkness. She has killed without remorse and broken Uxlay University’s most sacred laws. Now she must forge alliances with depraved vampire leaders while navigating her complicated entanglement with Susenyos.
Girma weaves Ethiopian mythology with dark academia in ways that feel both ancient and vibrantly alive. The magic system involving the Sentient and Noble Houses has reached perfection here. Be warned: this book concludes on a cliffhanger that may test your patience most severely.
The Deathless One by Emma Hamm
When Princess Jessamine is murdered at her own wedding altar, her spirit encounters the god of death himself—a trickster deity yearning to return to the mortal plane. Their bargain involves her life and kingdom in exchange for his resurrection, but deals with the Deathless One are written in blood.
This USA Today bestseller delivers slow-burn romance between a witch and a god, set within a deeply dark magical world. Publisher’s Weekly praised the “electric chemistry” between protagonists. The first in The Gravesinger Series, it promises a trilogy of divine complications and dangerous passion.
Throne of Secrets by Kerri Maniscalco
A dark Cinderella retelling featuring not a Prince Charming but the Prince of Gluttony—Gabriel Axton, self-proclaimed rake of rakes who has lived for indulgence in food, women, and the thrill of the hunt. When danger threatens his demon court, he must turn to a journalist he has spent a decade avoiding.
Good Housekeeping UK described it as “Bridgerton—but with magic and dragons,” which tells you everything you need to know. Set in the same universe as Kingdom of the Wicked, each Prince of Sin book follows a different demon prince in standalone romances that scorch and satisfy in equal measure.
Finding Your Perfect Dark Romantasy Match
Every reader’s tolerance for darkness differs, much as every traveler’s appetite for adventure varies. If you prefer your shadows with gothic atmospheres, reach for Rachel Gillig or Harper L. Woods. If mythological retellings set your imagination alight, Katee Robert and Emma Hamm await. For those seeking the darkest depths the genre offers, H.D. Carlton provides experiences not soon forgotten.
Whatever your preference, these dark spicy romantasy books deliver worlds where passion matters, where danger lurks alongside desire, and where happily-ever-afters are earned through fire and shadow. The best romantasy reminds us that the deepest loves often bloom in the most unlikely places.
Now, dear reader, your adventure awaits. Choose your poison wisely, and may your reading hours be absolutely intoxicating.
