There exists a particular sort of magic, dear reader, that occurs when adventure and romance intertwine like ivy upon a castle wall. This enchantment has a name in our modern age—romantasy—and it has captured hearts across the realm with remarkable swiftness. Should you find yourself yearning for tales where love blooms amidst sword fights and sorcery, where fae princes make dangerous bargains and dragon riders discover unexpected devotion, then you have arrived at the right place.
Allow me to guide you through the very finest young adult romantasy novels, from the most anticipated releases of 2026 to the beloved treasures that have already proven themselves worthy of your precious reading hours.
Anticipated YA Romantasy Releases of 2026
The coming year promises an extraordinary bounty of romantic adventures. These forthcoming tales arrive bearing all the hallmarks of magnificent storytelling—cursed princes, magical competitions, and love that defies every reasonable expectation.
The Swan’s Daughter by Roshani Chokshi
January 2026
Here is a delicious predicament: Prince Arris knows that marriage shall result in his murder, thanks to a most unfortunately worded wish made to a sea witch. His family tree consists largely of sentient trees—former rulers who met their end quite literally at the altar. His only salvation lies in finding true love amongst a tournament of brides, each potentially murderous in her own charming way.
Enter Demelza, a veritas swan whose song compels truth from all who hear it. She strikes a bargain with our doomed prince, agreeing to help identify which lovely contestant might actually love him rather than his crown. What unfolds is a fairy tale of the finest vintage—whimsical, darkly humorous, and absolutely enchanting.
Immortal Game by Allison Saft
August 2026
From the author who captured countless hearts with A Dark and Drowning Tide comes a sapphic fantasy of extraordinary cleverness. Shea Fury is a chess grandmaster whose sister was stolen away by the High King of the Otherworld six years past. When an invitation arrives to compete in a fae chess tournament—where the victor may claim one wish—Shea sees her chance at last.
Yet winning requires an alliance with her longtime rival, the sharp-tongued fae princess Ciara of Bri Leith. In a realm where dark magic lurks and opponents bend every rule, these two must navigate both the game and their complicated feelings. Strategy has never been quite so romantic.
When Dealing With Dragons by Dana Swift
June 2026
For those who prefer their romantic entanglements served with scales and fire, this cozy romantasy offers pure delight. Copper-crafter Farren Walsh dreams of becoming a dragon veterinarian like her father. Her nemesis? Arrogant dragon racer James Murphy, whose silver-crafting family represents everything she despises about those who exploit dragons for their precious metals.
When circumstances force James to intern at her family’s dragon sanctuary, Farren must guard not only an endangered species but also a secret that could transform their entire society. Meanwhile, James harbors his own secret—a years-long crush on the very woman who claims to hate him most.
Heart of Mischief by Emma Noyes
March 2026
The thrilling sequel to Soul of Shadow continues where its predecessor left off, with Charlie Hudson plotting revenge against Elias Everhart, whose betrayal nearly destroyed everyone she loves. One month later, her determination remains steadfast—even as feigning alliance with Elias becomes the best strategy for discovering how to destroy him.
But proximity proves dangerous when matters of the heart are involved. As bodies appear in the forest and Asgard’s delights and dangers threaten those she loves, Charlie must determine whether she can maintain her vengeful resolve—or whether she will make the grave mistake of falling for Elias Everhart twice.
Her Sharp Embrace by Kate Koenig
June 2026
Set in the glittering, New Orleans-inspired city of New Soleil, this sapphic fantasy introduces the Nightshades—an all-girls outlaw gang who wield magic, courage, and blades against the corrupt and powerful. Noa Toussaint fled her privileged life to join their ranks, utterly infatuated with their ferocious leader, Lennon.
As enemies draw closer and magic grows ever scarcer—hoarded by the wealthy few—Noa must uncover threats hidden in plain sight while protecting both her found family and the heart she has so recklessly offered.
The Finest YA Romantasy of 2025
Should you wish to devour something immediately rather than await the coming year’s treasures, these 2025 releases have already proven themselves magnificent.
The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig
This gothic romantic fantasy introduces Sybil Delling, a Diviner who receives visions from unearthly figures known as Omens. For nine years she has served the great cathedral, and freedom approaches at last—until her fellow Diviners begin vanishing one by one. Her unlikely ally? A rude, heretical, and devilishly handsome knight named Rodrick who holds no respect for her prophetic gifts.
The slow-burn romance unfolds amidst misty moors and dark mysteries, proving that sometimes salvation arrives in the most aggravating of packages.
Eternal Ruin by Tigest Girma
The breathtaking sequel to Immortal Dark finds Kidan Adane fully embracing her darkness. She has killed without remorse, broken sacred laws, and invited rogue vampires into Uxlay University. Now, trapped with an unstable vampire and reeling from her sister’s return, Kidan wields anger as her weapon.
Woven through with Ethiopian mythology and dark academia atmosphere, this tale expands upon one of fantasy’s most fascinating magic systems while delivering romance that cuts as sharply as any blade.
Fearless by Lauren Roberts
The triumphant conclusion to the Powerless trilogy reunites Paedyn Gray and Kai Azer in the Kingdom of Ilya. Paedyn faces a life-altering choice whose consequences shall determine not only her fate but that of everyone she holds dear.
She fled as a betrayer. She returned as a bride-to-be. What happens next has kept readers breathless across three beloved volumes.
Gateway Books to YA Romantasy
Every magnificent journey requires a proper beginning. These beloved titles have welcomed countless readers into the romantasy realm, and for very good reason.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a terrifying creature demands retribution—dragging her into a magical land of immortal faeries. Her captor, Tamlin, proves far more complex than any beast, and Feyre’s icy hostility transforms into passion that burns through every lie she has been told.
Many consider this the gateway into romantasy itself, and they are not wrong. Once you enter Prythian, you shall never quite wish to leave.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Violet Sorrengail expected to become a scribe, living quietly among books and history. Instead, her commanding general mother orders her to become a dragon rider—despite Violet’s smaller stature and fragile body. At Basgiath War College, death awaits a single heartbeat away, for dragons do not bond with those they consider weak.
This phenomenon has done much to define modern romantasy, with its lethal dragon academy, slow-burn romance, and heroine who proves that strength takes many forms.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
When Jude was seven, her parents were murdered and she was stolen to the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, she yearns to belong there despite her mortality—but many of the fae despise humans, none more than the wicked Prince Cardan.
What begins as enmity transforms into something far more complicated across a trilogy that combines political intrigue worthy of any throne room with romance that lingers long after the final page.
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
The Prince of Hearts is immortal, convincing, and undeniably evil—yet when Evangeline Fox requires help preventing a devastating wedding, she strikes a bargain with him anyway. Three kisses, given at times and places of his choosing, in exchange for his assistance.
Set in the same universe as the beloved Caraval series, this trilogy proves that bargaining with immortals produces consequences both terrible and terribly romantic.
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
There exist but two rules in the deadly contest called Phantasma: Stay alive, and do not fall in love. When Ophelia’s sister disappears, winning Phantasma’s prize—a single wish—becomes her only hope. The haunted mansion offers nine challenges, each more dangerous than the last, and a mysterious stranger named Blackwell offers guidance in exchange for ten years of her life.
Dark, gothic, and utterly absorbing, this tale weaves romance through horror with remarkable skill.
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Imagine Cinderella as a cyborg mechanic in a futuristic world plagued by pandemic and interplanetary tension. Cinder is a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother—until her life intertwines with handsome Prince Kai’s and she finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle.
The Lunar Chronicles prove that fairy tales grow only more magical when reimagined with science fiction wonder.
How to Choose Your Next YA Romantasy Adventure
The romantasy realm offers such abundance that choosing proves delightfully difficult. Consider what calls to you most:
For fae courts and dangerous bargains, reach for A Court of Thorns and Roses, The Cruel Prince, or Once Upon a Broken Heart.
For magical academies and deadly training, Fourth Wing and Eternal Ruin await with their dragon-riding warriors and dark academia atmospheres.
For fairy tale retellings with fresh perspectives, Cinder and The Swan’s Daughter transform familiar stories into something entirely new.
For sapphic romance in fantastical settings, Immortal Game and Her Sharp Embrace promise love stories between extraordinary women.
For cozy fantasy with romantic warmth, When Dealing With Dragons offers the gentler magic of found family and creatures who need protecting.
Final Thoughts
The great secret of romantasy, you see, is that it understands something fundamental about the human heart. We yearn for adventure, certainly—for magic and mystery and the thrill of danger. But we yearn equally for connection, for the particular alchemy that occurs when two souls recognize something in each other worth cherishing.
These books offer both in generous measure. Whether you begin with the established favorites or await eagerly for the 2026 releases to arrive upon your doorstep, know that extraordinary journeys await you.
Now then—which adventure shall you choose first?
