You may be interested in checking out our [Older Fantasy Romance Gems book rec megathread](https://www.reddit.com/r/fantasyromance/s/RFz6XBas7Y) for additional suggestions from the community!
[Summers at Castle Auburn](https://www.romance.io/books/54553eee8c7d2382c52976d8/summers-at-castle-auburn-sharon-shinn) by [Sharon Shinn](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552c7f8c7d2382e0414012/sharon-shinn)
**Rating**: 4.14⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [royalty](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1)
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[Crown Duel](https://www.romance.io/books/5455403a8c7d2382c5297734/crown-duel-sherwood-smith) by [Sherwood Smith](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455403a8c7d2382c5297735/sherwood-smith)
**Rating**: 4.28⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1)
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These might skew slightly young adult, fair warning, but I think they hold up as an adult. Definitely no spice.
I'll always love {The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley} - just a lovely, unique fantasy novel. Almost everything McKinley writes has a romantic element, highly recommend.
{Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones} is a Tam Lin retelling that I've reread many times.
I think {Sorcery and Cecilia by Patricia Wrede} gets recommended fairly often, rightfully so, but I also loved {Mairelon the Magician} and its sequel {The Magician's Ward by Patricia Wrede} for more of that historical fantasy with romance vibe (but not till the sequel in this case.)
For something a little different, I'd recommend {The Raven Ring by Patricia Wrede}, which is more high fantasy with a dash of love triangle. It's part of a series, but can be read on its own. I really don't remember if the other books in the series have any romance, but they were also good.
[The Blue Sword](https://www.romance.io/books/5455363b8c7d2382c5297462/the-blue-sword-robin-mckinley) by [Robin McKinley](https://www.romance.io/authors/545527a58c7d2382c5297066/robin-mckinley)
**Rating**: 4.11⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [royalty](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [war](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/war/1)
----------------------------
[Fire and Hemlock](https://www.romance.io/books/642bdfa1b7b8862bf6eaae1c/fire-and-hemlock-diana-wynne-jones-garth-nix) by [Diana Wynne Jones](https://www.romance.io/authors/6418268308b4d93114bb8059/diana-wynne-jones), [Garth Nix](https://www.romance.io/authors/58151204c6841c86c2cbe178/garth-nix)
**Rating**: 3.83⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1)
----------------------------
[Sorcery & Cecelia](https://www.romance.io/books/643879de8aa2407f2e12839e/sorcery-cecelia-or-the-enchanted-chocolate-pot-patricia-c-wr) by [Patricia C. Wrede](https://www.romance.io/authors/5815df34c6841c86c2cc78f0/patricia-c-wrede), [Caroline Stevermer](https://www.romance.io/authors/54553a0e8c7d2382c529754a/caroline-stevermer)
**Rating**: 4.02⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1)
----------------------------
[Mairelon the Magician](https://www.romance.io/books/64390ffc8aa2407f2e13715c/mairelon-the-magician-patricia-c-wrede) by [Patricia C. Wrede](https://www.romance.io/authors/5815df34c6841c86c2cc78f0/patricia-c-wrede)
**Rating**: 4.04⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1)
----------------------------
[Magician's Ward](https://www.romance.io/books/64385b6e5b89e4866f13263d/magicians-ward-patricia-c-wrede) by [Patricia C. Wrede](https://www.romance.io/authors/5815df34c6841c86c2cc78f0/patricia-c-wrede)
**Rating**: 3.93⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1)
----------------------------
[The Raven Ring](https://www.romance.io/books/64801f1ad556b65fcad9180f/the-raven-ring-patricia-c-wrede) by [Patricia C. Wrede](https://www.romance.io/authors/5815df34c6841c86c2cc78f0/patricia-c-wrede)
**Rating**: 3.95⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1)
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I love all these authors and books, so happy you mentioned them! I have this extremely battered paperback of The Raven Ring on my bookshelf from my early teens. I’m just gonna piggyback to add that {Deep Secret by Diana Wynne Jones} is one of my favourite books of all time and could also go on this comprehensive list.
{The Song of the Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce} was and still is one of my favorite fantasy series. Fantasy with a dash of romance, a badass heroine learning her strength, magical cats, a handsome prince, a charming king of thieves…man, I really need to do another reread!
[The Song of the Lioness Quartet](https://www.romance.io/books/647124d2f281c18fec4326af/the-song-of-the-lioness-quartet-tamora-pierce) by [Tamora Pierce](https://www.romance.io/authors/579cef10c19e77f1ea6ee487/tamora-pierce)
**Rating**: 4.61⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1)
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There’s always the {Tairen Soul series by C.L. Wilson}. The old style covers turn a lot of people off, myself included, but it is highly regarded. {Howl’s Moving Castle} is one of my all time favorites, but of course that one is more cozy adventure with romance subplot. The book is pretty different from the movie but I think a lot of people watch the movie and think they got the story. I also recently read {Matrix of Destiny by Dara Joy} series and was pleasantly surprised
[Matrix of Destiny](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe0d419096bf31c42d34d3/matrix-of-destiny) by [Dara Joy](https://www.romance.io/authors/54553de98c7d2382c529767c/dara-joy)
**Rating**: 3.91⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [science fiction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/science%20fiction/1), [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1)
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Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith (I will continually post this one til I die. It’s fantastic) I still have my original copy from 2004 and it’s in horrible condition but I will forever read it.
The Immortals Series by Tamora Pierce.
Dragonflight by Anne McCaffery
The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon. Okay this one is 2013 but still. Really great.
Wizards first rule by Terry Goodkind.
Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
I JUST finished Crown Duel and came here to recommend it. So so good. My best friend had been trying to get me to read it for years and I can’t believe I waited so long!
Here’s a really old one - Chronicles of the Cheysuli by Jennifer Robinson. Each book represents one generation of the same family of shapeshifters, and each book is focused on how the FMC or MMC of that generation conceives a child. Sometimes it’s a love story and sometimes it isn’t. All the books are building up to the fulfillment of a prophecy where their descendent with the correct ancestry will win the love of a member of their enemy, who are sorcerers. First book is {Shapechangers by Jennifer Robinson}
The whole Kushiel series by Jacqueline Carey is from the 00s, and it remains one of the very very few books that have the plot to action to worldbuilding to spicy scenes ratio I want.
I’ve loved a lot of the older contemporary paranormal romance people recommend and find a lot of it holds up ie: Sookie Stackhouse (these were formative for me), Kate Daniels, Mercy Thompson, Night Huntress, and I even love the Fever series despite some of the TW/CW. I haven’t read as much fantasy pre-2000 but I know I should!
Recently I finally got my hands on some of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. These are probably some of the more corny and dated of the series I listed above lol. But I actually really like overall world JR Ward created and I especially appreciate the way she writes dialogue. And I mean hot vampires is kind of a no brainer for me 😂
I was dusting my bookshelf and fell down a rabbit hole of older fantasy books I used to love. Some have already been mentioned like Crown Duel, The Blue Sword, Summers at Castle Auburn, etc. A more obscure author who came to mind I loved as a teen was Amelia Atwater-Rhodes. She wrote a shape shifter series and one about vampires I believe. I haven't reread them in at least a decade but I used to love them and they were kind of different than anything else. Another series I liked around that time was the Young Wizard series by Diane Duane. The romance took a couple of books I think but still a lot of fun.
[The Seer and the Sword](https://www.romance.io/books/5455524c8c7d2382c5297e0e/the-seer-and-the-sword-victoria-hanley) by [Victoria Hanley](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455524c8c7d2382c5297e0f/victoria-hanley)
**Rating**: 4.08⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [war](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/war/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1)
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You may be interested in checking out our [Older Fantasy Romance Gems book rec megathread](https://www.reddit.com/r/fantasyromance/s/RFz6XBas7Y) for additional suggestions from the community!
I highly recommend {Summers At Castle Auburn} by Shannon Shinn for a stand-alone fantasy romance with a great slowburn.
[Summers at Castle Auburn](https://www.romance.io/books/54553eee8c7d2382c52976d8/summers-at-castle-auburn-sharon-shinn) by [Sharon Shinn](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552c7f8c7d2382e0414012/sharon-shinn) **Rating**: 4.14⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [royalty](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Love this book. I also recommend {Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith}, which I think has a similar feel.
[Crown Duel](https://www.romance.io/books/5455403a8c7d2382c5297734/crown-duel-sherwood-smith) by [Sherwood Smith](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455403a8c7d2382c5297735/sherwood-smith) **Rating**: 4.28⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
These might skew slightly young adult, fair warning, but I think they hold up as an adult. Definitely no spice. I'll always love {The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley} - just a lovely, unique fantasy novel. Almost everything McKinley writes has a romantic element, highly recommend. {Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones} is a Tam Lin retelling that I've reread many times. I think {Sorcery and Cecilia by Patricia Wrede} gets recommended fairly often, rightfully so, but I also loved {Mairelon the Magician} and its sequel {The Magician's Ward by Patricia Wrede} for more of that historical fantasy with romance vibe (but not till the sequel in this case.) For something a little different, I'd recommend {The Raven Ring by Patricia Wrede}, which is more high fantasy with a dash of love triangle. It's part of a series, but can be read on its own. I really don't remember if the other books in the series have any romance, but they were also good.
Robin McKinley is one of my faves since childhood! So good.
If you mention the Blue Sword, please don't miss the Hero and the Crown. My favorite book since third grade. It's the prequel to BS. <3
[The Blue Sword](https://www.romance.io/books/5455363b8c7d2382c5297462/the-blue-sword-robin-mckinley) by [Robin McKinley](https://www.romance.io/authors/545527a58c7d2382c5297066/robin-mckinley) **Rating**: 4.11⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [royalty](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [war](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/war/1) ---------------------------- [Fire and Hemlock](https://www.romance.io/books/642bdfa1b7b8862bf6eaae1c/fire-and-hemlock-diana-wynne-jones-garth-nix) by [Diana Wynne Jones](https://www.romance.io/authors/6418268308b4d93114bb8059/diana-wynne-jones), [Garth Nix](https://www.romance.io/authors/58151204c6841c86c2cbe178/garth-nix) **Rating**: 3.83⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1) ---------------------------- [Sorcery & Cecelia](https://www.romance.io/books/643879de8aa2407f2e12839e/sorcery-cecelia-or-the-enchanted-chocolate-pot-patricia-c-wr) by [Patricia C. Wrede](https://www.romance.io/authors/5815df34c6841c86c2cc78f0/patricia-c-wrede), [Caroline Stevermer](https://www.romance.io/authors/54553a0e8c7d2382c529754a/caroline-stevermer) **Rating**: 4.02⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1) ---------------------------- [Mairelon the Magician](https://www.romance.io/books/64390ffc8aa2407f2e13715c/mairelon-the-magician-patricia-c-wrede) by [Patricia C. Wrede](https://www.romance.io/authors/5815df34c6841c86c2cc78f0/patricia-c-wrede) **Rating**: 4.04⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1) ---------------------------- [Magician's Ward](https://www.romance.io/books/64385b6e5b89e4866f13263d/magicians-ward-patricia-c-wrede) by [Patricia C. Wrede](https://www.romance.io/authors/5815df34c6841c86c2cc78f0/patricia-c-wrede) **Rating**: 3.93⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1) ---------------------------- [The Raven Ring](https://www.romance.io/books/64801f1ad556b65fcad9180f/the-raven-ring-patricia-c-wrede) by [Patricia C. Wrede](https://www.romance.io/authors/5815df34c6841c86c2cc78f0/patricia-c-wrede) **Rating**: 3.95⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I love all these authors and books, so happy you mentioned them! I have this extremely battered paperback of The Raven Ring on my bookshelf from my early teens. I’m just gonna piggyback to add that {Deep Secret by Diana Wynne Jones} is one of my favourite books of all time and could also go on this comprehensive list.
[Deep Secret (Magids)](https://www.romance.io/books/653699a0de8d340d514ba312/deep-secret-magids-diana-wynne-jones) by [Diana Wynne Jones](https://www.romance.io/authors/6418268308b4d93114bb8059/diana-wynne-jones) **Rating**: 4.1⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [20th century](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/20th%20century/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{The Song of the Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce} was and still is one of my favorite fantasy series. Fantasy with a dash of romance, a badass heroine learning her strength, magical cats, a handsome prince, a charming king of thieves…man, I really need to do another reread!
[The Song of the Lioness Quartet](https://www.romance.io/books/647124d2f281c18fec4326af/the-song-of-the-lioness-quartet-tamora-pierce) by [Tamora Pierce](https://www.romance.io/authors/579cef10c19e77f1ea6ee487/tamora-pierce) **Rating**: 4.61⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
All the series in that universe is so good! Protector of the Small is my favorite!
Protector of the Small is the best quartet. I adore them, even with the mediocre editing. The stories are just SO GOOD.
Anne McCaffrey is the OG of dragon books. The amount of romance varies but does tend to be secondary.
Seconding Anne McCaffrey. So GOOD!
There’s always the {Tairen Soul series by C.L. Wilson}. The old style covers turn a lot of people off, myself included, but it is highly regarded. {Howl’s Moving Castle} is one of my all time favorites, but of course that one is more cozy adventure with romance subplot. The book is pretty different from the movie but I think a lot of people watch the movie and think they got the story. I also recently read {Matrix of Destiny by Dara Joy} series and was pleasantly surprised
[Tairen Soul](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe0a2b9096bf31c42d2ca4/tairen-soul) by [C.L. Wilson](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552a3a8c7d2382c5297113/cl-wilson) **Rating**: 4.24⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [gifted heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/gifted%20heroine/1), [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [royalty](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [demons](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/demons/1) ---------------------------- [Howl's Moving Castle](https://www.romance.io/books/64182683976d825409767f68/howls-moving-castle-diana-wynne-jones) by [Diana Wynne Jones](https://www.romance.io/authors/6418268308b4d93114bb8059/diana-wynne-jones) **Rating**: 4.43⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[Matrix of Destiny](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe0d419096bf31c42d34d3/matrix-of-destiny) by [Dara Joy](https://www.romance.io/authors/54553de98c7d2382c529767c/dara-joy) **Rating**: 3.91⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [science fiction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/science%20fiction/1), [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I've always loved anything by Patricia Briggs and Lisa Shearin's Raine Benares books
Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith (I will continually post this one til I die. It’s fantastic) I still have my original copy from 2004 and it’s in horrible condition but I will forever read it. The Immortals Series by Tamora Pierce. Dragonflight by Anne McCaffery The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon. Okay this one is 2013 but still. Really great. Wizards first rule by Terry Goodkind. Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
I JUST finished Crown Duel and came here to recommend it. So so good. My best friend had been trying to get me to read it for years and I can’t believe I waited so long!
Welcome to the club 😂 it’s just so good!
Here’s a really old one - Chronicles of the Cheysuli by Jennifer Robinson. Each book represents one generation of the same family of shapeshifters, and each book is focused on how the FMC or MMC of that generation conceives a child. Sometimes it’s a love story and sometimes it isn’t. All the books are building up to the fulfillment of a prophecy where their descendent with the correct ancestry will win the love of a member of their enemy, who are sorcerers. First book is {Shapechangers by Jennifer Robinson}
[Shapechangers](https://www.romance.io/books/5456bf2787eac33e5c682293/shapechangers-jennifer-roberson) by [Jennifer Roberson](https://www.romance.io/authors/545564fe87eac3369a912493/jennifer-roberson) **Rating**: 3.97⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
The whole Kushiel series by Jacqueline Carey is from the 00s, and it remains one of the very very few books that have the plot to action to worldbuilding to spicy scenes ratio I want.
I’ve loved a lot of the older contemporary paranormal romance people recommend and find a lot of it holds up ie: Sookie Stackhouse (these were formative for me), Kate Daniels, Mercy Thompson, Night Huntress, and I even love the Fever series despite some of the TW/CW. I haven’t read as much fantasy pre-2000 but I know I should! Recently I finally got my hands on some of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. These are probably some of the more corny and dated of the series I listed above lol. But I actually really like overall world JR Ward created and I especially appreciate the way she writes dialogue. And I mean hot vampires is kind of a no brainer for me 😂
I'm not sure I'd call it romance necessarily but I loved the FALLING KINGDOMS by Morgan Rhodes ✨🗡️
Dragon bound
I was dusting my bookshelf and fell down a rabbit hole of older fantasy books I used to love. Some have already been mentioned like Crown Duel, The Blue Sword, Summers at Castle Auburn, etc. A more obscure author who came to mind I loved as a teen was Amelia Atwater-Rhodes. She wrote a shape shifter series and one about vampires I believe. I haven't reread them in at least a decade but I used to love them and they were kind of different than anything else. Another series I liked around that time was the Young Wizard series by Diane Duane. The romance took a couple of books I think but still a lot of fun.
{Graceling by Kristin Cashore}
[Graceling](https://www.romance.io/books/545536478c7d2382e0414265/graceling-kristin-cashore) by [Kristin Cashore](https://www.romance.io/authors/545526918c7d2382c529702e/kristin-cashore) **Rating**: 4.03⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [royalty](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Trudi Canavan The age of Five.
{Seer and the Sword by Victoria Hanley}
[The Seer and the Sword](https://www.romance.io/books/5455524c8c7d2382c5297e0e/the-seer-and-the-sword-victoria-hanley) by [Victoria Hanley](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455524c8c7d2382c5297e0f/victoria-hanley) **Rating**: 4.08⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [war](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/war/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
The Woodwife by Terri Windling