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- Hidden Enchantments: 10 Overlooked Romantasy Books from 2022 You Need to Discover
Hidden Enchantments: 10 Overlooked Romantasy Books from 2022 You Need to Discover
Beyond the viral sensations lie these magical gems where love and fantasy intertwine—quiet treasures the algorithm failed to amplify.
Romantasy has exploded across BookTok and reading communities in recent years, blending magical worlds with heart-racing romance to dominate bestseller lists. From the viral sensation Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros to Sarah J. Maas's sprawling A Court of Thorns and Roses series, readers can't seem to get enough of worlds where magic and romance intertwine. But beyond these algorithm darlings lie equally enchanting stories that deserve the spotlight.
The genre's appeal is undeniable — romantasy offers the perfect escape into worlds where love and magic coexist, where emotional connection feels as powerful as any spell. These stories tap into our desire for both adventure and intimacy, creating reading experiences that satisfy on multiple levels. Whether you're drawn to enemies-to-lovers dynamics, dark academia settings, or slow-burn tension that builds to a crescendo, the romantasy genre delivers with its intoxicating blend of fantasy worldbuilding and swoon-worthy romance.
We've curated seven exceptional romantasy books that deliver all the enchantment, tension, and heart-fluttering moments genre fans crave—without having received the algorithm's spotlight. From lyrical tales of divided lands to gender-flipped fairy tale retellings, these overlooked treasures deserve a place on your reading list.
A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross
In a divided land where girls are going missing and spirits whisper through the wind, a reluctant bard named Jack returns to the isle of his birth after a decade away. Summoned home by the laird's daughter—his childhood nemesis—Jack must use his music to communicate with the spirits causing mischief across the island. As ancient feuds and dangerous magic swirl around them, Jack and Adaira must navigate their complicated history and growing attraction while solving the mystery of the missing children.
Ross weaves Scottish folklore and elemental magic into a lyrical, slow-burning tale where music becomes a bridge between worlds. The atmospheric setting of the isle of Cadence, divided between east and west, creates the perfect backdrop for this story of magic, memory, and love across enemy lines. The dual-perspective narrative allows readers to witness both sides of a generations-old conflict as these reluctant allies discover that solving the island's mysteries may require healing old wounds.
Goodreads: 4.07 | Amazon UK: 4.2
For fans of: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow, and folklore-inspired fantasy with enemies-to-lovers romance.
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The Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder
In a clever gender-flipped Sleeping Beauty retelling, treasure hunter Fi teams up with axe-wielding Briar Rose to break a centuries-old curse. Fi, a bookish scholar with a talent for finding magical artifacts, accidentally pricks her finger on an enchanted spindle and becomes psychically connected to the cursed prince. Alongside her partner Shane, a fierce huntress with secrets of her own, Fi embarks on a dangerous quest that leads them through forgotten ruins and treacherous magic to wake the sleeping prince.
Vedder crafts a fast-paced adventure full of sword fights, cursed princes, and sapphic slow burns. The unlikely trio of treasure hunters, warriors, and royalty must navigate their complex feelings for each other while battling witches and ancient magic. With its sharp dialogue, inclusive representation, and inventive take on classic fairy tale elements, this pulpy romp with heart offers the perfect blend of action and romance.
Goodreads: 3.79 | Amazon UK: 4.2
For fans of: Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron, Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan, and feminist fairy tale retellings with LGBTQ+ representation.
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One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
In a kingdom shrouded by the Rot, a magical plague that has infected the land, Elspeth Spindle harbors a dangerous secret: she carries a spirit called the Nightmare in her mind, the result of a fever that should have killed her. When she discovers a way to combat the Rot through collecting magical Providence Cards, Elspeth forms an unlikely alliance with a mysterious highwayman known as the Nightmare, who shares a connection to the spirit in her head.
Gillig creates an atmospheric and brooding world where forbidden magic carries deadly consequences. The unique magic system based on tarot-like Providence Cards adds depth to this Gothic tale of corruption and redemption. With its eldritch forest setting, mind-sharing protagonist, and simmering romantic tension, this debut perfectly balances dark fantasy elements with a romance that builds from mutual distrust to something much more dangerous—and irresistible.
Goodreads: 4.28 | Amazon UK: 4.5
For fans of: The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson, Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo, and Gothic fantasy with morally gray romance.
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The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen
In a world where the living and dead coexist uneasily, Hart is a marshal who patrols the wilderness for drudges—reanimated corpses that threaten the living. Mercy is an undertaker who gives the dead their proper respects. They can't stand each other, despite the undeniable chemistry between them. When Hart pens an anonymous letter never meant to be sent, it somehow reaches Mercy, beginning a correspondence between strangers that reveals their truest selves.
Bannen delivers a genre-bending fantasy rom-com that balances whimsical worldbuilding with genuine emotional depth. The unique setting combines Western frontier elements with magical undertakers, necromancers, and zombies, while the enemies-to-pen-pals-to-lovers romance offers both laughs and heart-wrenching moments. This delightfully quirky tale proves that sometimes the person who drives you crazy might just be your perfect match.
Goodreads: 4.07 | Amazon UK: 4.4
For fans of: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, You've Got Mail, and fantasy worlds with quirky characters and heartfelt romance.
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The Oleander Sword by Tasha Suri
In this stunning sequel to The Jasmine Throne, Princess Malini continues her campaign to claim her rightful throne as her alliance with priestess Priya faces new challenges. As rebellion spreads across the empire, Priya struggles to control the dangerous flower magic awakening within her, while Malini navigates treacherous political waters. Their forbidden love complicates an already perilous situation, as enemies both mortal and supernatural gather against them.
Suri crafts an epic South Asian-inspired fantasy that masterfully balances political intrigue, magical battles, and deeply emotional romance. The lush world-building incorporates complex religious systems and magical traditions that inform character motivations and relationships. This second installment raises the stakes of both love and war, demonstrating how personal connections shape larger conflicts, and how two women might reshape an empire through both political power and ancient magic.
Goodreads: 4.12 | Amazon UK: 4.2
For fans of: The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon, She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan, and epic fantasy with sapphic romance and political intrigue.
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A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft
When the mythical Hala, a legendary fox, appears in the forest surrounding their small town, alchemist's apprentice Wes Winters and sharpshooter Margaret Welty form an unlikely alliance to hunt it. Margaret needs to capture the Hala to lure her famous mother home, while Wes hopes winning the hunt will secure him a university position despite the prejudice he faces as an immigrant. As they spend more time together in the atmospheric, misty woods, their initial distrust evolves into something neither expected.
Saft creates a richly detailed world inspired by 1920s New England, where alchemy functions as science and prejudice shapes society's structures. The slow-burn romance develops naturally against the backdrop of the dangerous hunt, allowing both characters to reveal their vulnerabilities and strengths. This story of unlikely partnership features complex characters dealing with family expectations, religious discrimination, and the courage it takes to open one's heart after past betrayals.
Goodreads: 3.83 | Amazon UK: 4.2
For fans of: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater, Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson, and atmospheric fantasy with slow-burn romance.
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The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi
In a society strictly divided by blood—red for the ruling Embers, blue for the servant Dusters, and clear for the laborless Ghostings—Sylah was raised to overthrow the empire. When her rebellion failed, she lost everything. Now she has a second chance when she's selected to compete in the Aktibar—a series of trials that determine who will become the next ruler's Ember advisor. Disguising herself to enter the competition, Sylah becomes entangled with the emperor's daughter Anoor and the revolutionary Hassa, forming complicated bonds that challenge her mission.
El-Arifi crafts a complex, West African-inspired fantasy featuring intricate worldbuilding with blood magic, brutal trials, and an oppressive empire ripe for rebellion. The sapphic romance develops against a backdrop of revolutionary politics and ancient secrets, creating high emotional stakes. This debut novel balances intimate character relationships with grand-scale political machinations, offering both personal and societal journeys toward liberation.
Goodreads: 4.20 | Amazon UK: 4.4
For fans of: The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna, The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter, and fantasy with competition plots, sapphic romance, and revolution themes.
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Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater
In Regency-era England where magic exists alongside polite society, Dora Ettings has been living with only half her soul since a childhood encounter with a malicious faerie. When her cousin's marriage prospects are threatened by a magical curse, Dora accompanies her to London for the season, where she meets the irritable, yet intriguing Lord Elias Wilder, a brilliant magician who serves as advisor to the Royal Society. Despite his caustic demeanor, Lord Wilder is fascinated by Dora's unique condition that leaves her indifferent to social norms and expectations.
As they investigate a mysterious illness affecting London's poor children, Dora and Lord Wilder must navigate high society, magical politics, and their growing feelings for each other. Atwater creates a delightful blend of Jane Austen-inspired comedy and enchanting fantasy, delivering witty dialogue alongside thoughtful commentary on class divisions in this refreshing first book of the Regency Faerie Tales series.
Goodreads: 4.07 | Amazon UK: 4.3
For fans of: Sorcery & Cecelia by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke, and Regency romance with magical elements and social commentary.
Reader Options: Digital (instant) | Print | Audio narration
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Spear by Nicola Griffith
In the misty borderlands of sixth-century Britain, a nameless girl grows up hidden in a cave with her mother, learning survival skills and ancient knowledge. When she comes of age, she fashions a spear and sets out alone, guided by visions toward the legendary court of King Arthur. Taking the name Peretur, she disguises herself as a young man to join the warriors at Camelot, where she proves herself through feats of bravery and forms a connection with the mysterious enchantress Nimuë.
Griffith's stunning prose creates an immersive, dreamlike atmosphere where Welsh mythology and historical detail merge into something both ancient and startlingly relevant. This compact novella explores themes of gender, sexuality, and self-determination through a protagonist whose journey challenges traditional narratives, offering a queer, feminist reimagining of Arthurian legend that weaves romance, magic, and identity into a powerful tale of self-discovery.
Goodreads: 4.07 | Amazon UK: 4.5
For fans of: The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, Circe by Madeline Miller, and lyrical retellings of ancient legends with queer themes and feminist perspectives.
How to Enjoy: Kindle | Hardback | Listen on the go
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The Rogue Crown by A.K. Mulford
Princess Ceanna of the Northern Kingdom has spent years in hiding since her parents were murdered and her realm fell to treachery. When she infiltrates the Southern Court to attend the coronation of the new Rogue King, she intends only to gather intelligence for the resistance. Instead, she finds herself face-to-face with King Rowan—a man whose reputation for ruthlessness is matched only by his striking presence and unexpected complexity. As political tensions escalate, Ceanna and Rowan find themselves caught in a dangerous game of attraction and suspicion.
Mulford crafts a rich fantasy world where fae courts, political machinations, and elemental magic create a backdrop for this enemies-to-lovers romance. The simmering tension between Ceanna and Rowan builds alongside the larger conflict between kingdoms, raising the stakes of their forbidden attraction. With its complex court politics, magical bargains with serious consequences, and characters who challenge each other's preconceptions, this romantasy delivers both emotional depth and thrilling adventure.
Goodreads: 3.89 | Amazon UK: 4.1
For fans of: From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout, The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen, and fantasy featuring royal intrigue, enemies-to-lovers romance, and fae magic.
Why Romantasy Continues to Captivate Readers
The enduring appeal of romantasy lies in its perfect balance of magical escapism and emotional connection. These stories allow readers to explore complex emotions through the lens of extraordinary circumstances, where love becomes as transformative as any magic system. The heightened stakes of fantasy settings—whether ancient curses, political rebellions, or magical plagues—intensify romantic connections, making every stolen glance, reluctant alliance, or forbidden touch feel monumental.
What sets these ten underrated gems apart is their commitment to creating unique worlds where magic and romance intertwine in ways both dangerous and delicious. Each offers distinctive magic systems, from Providence Cards and musical enchantments to blood magic and alchemy, providing fresh frameworks for relationships to develop. The diversity of representation across these titles—featuring LGBTQ+ romances, characters from various cultural backgrounds, and different relationship dynamics—ensures that readers can find themselves in these magical worlds.
As romantasy continues to evolve beyond its most viral sensations, these overlooked treasures demonstrate the genre's rich potential. They prove that the most captivating stories combine imaginative worldbuilding with authentic emotional connections, creating reading experiences that stay with you long after the final page.
Which of these romantasy adventures will you discover first? Your next magical romance awaits.
Until next time, happy reading.
— The Page Sage
Prefer stories with fresh heat?
Our recent Romantasy list explores the Spring 2025 wave of magic, tension, and swoony danger:
Enchanted Escapes: 10 Spring Romantasy Books That Blend Magic and Desire (2025)
Thumbnail Photo by Deepak Swarnkar on Unsplash
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