2021 Best of Part 5: Fantasy Romance Continued
I love a good year in review. There’s something so satisfying of seeing it all laid out there, to be able to reflect on the journey, and hopefully to help others find a couple great reads. Like I’ve mentioned I’m approaching 400 titles read this year, which is pretty wild if you ask me, and totally fine if you’re speaking to my therapist.
I’m still reading (🙄obviously) at the time of writing this blog, so we might have a couple late editions, who knows. Below I’m going to call out my fave reads of the year, continuing with (part 2 of 2) the Fantasy Romance sub-genre and will do my best to sell-em’ to y’all.
(Disclaimer: this is *my * best of 2021 reads, not books that were published in 2021!)
When I was putting this list together I wasn’t sure that I would even have enough titles to populate sub-genres that I had been reading. But as it happens I have read so many fantasy romances this year I am breaking it out into two parts. I know, the scandal. I promise it will be worth it.
There are so many great fantasy romances out there, more than I could possibly wax poetic about. I read some of the more traditionally popular titles, and some that my good friends over on the subreddit r/romancebooks graciously suggested. There is really something for everyone, from rich high-fantasy, to fantasy set in the “modern” world, to my most beloved discovery: dragon shifters. Enjoy checking out of reality for a little while to visit the wild worlds of fantasy romance.
From Blood & Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Goodreads 2020 romance novel of the year award winner, From Blood and Ash is book 1 of possibly one of my current favourite fantasy romance novel series. Poppy, the maiden, is a violent bad ass that has been dealt such a terrible hand. We come to understand quite quickly that there are only a few that are genuinely kind for her. Making space for her to try her best to experience what little of life he is allowed to see.
Right from the first few pages, you will become entranced with Poppy, and extreme hottie Hawke. There is so much in this book: suspense, action, grief, and ultimately the beginning of such deep and devoted love.
Kingdom of Flesh & Fire Jennifer L. Armentrout
Picking up from where we leave off in FBAA, KOFAF puts us right back into the fray with our two crazy kids as they are dealing with, betrayal, and the realities of what Poppy is, and what she has learnt about Hawke. I think I loved this one a little more.
We get to see more of the world JLA has created. We meet Kieran and really get a lot of time (bless you forced proximity) with our two lovebirds. Also, I stupidly assumed this would also be a trilogy, not a 6+ planned book series. So imagine my absolute despair when I read book three this summer. 🤦♀️
Also you’ll never look at honeydew the same again.
The Sinner by Emma Scott (Free on KU)
Oh my gosh this book. This is the definition of I will keep finding you no matter what type of love. It’s not to talk about this book without spoiling the sh*t out of it. But we meet Lucy Dennings, a very introverted woman who keeps to herself. She finds herself reading romance to simply float away, feeling some part of her soul is missing, only to be found through reading the stories of soul mates finding each other.
She accidentally stumbles upon a dead body in her back alley, and everything changes for her. Forever. I cried so many times reading this book, so get your tissues ready.
Plated Prisoner Series By Raven Kennedy (Free on KU)
A retelling of the myth of King Midas, is the Plated Prisoner series by Raven Kennedy. This is a currently unfinished series, so keep that in mind, and absolutely don’t do what I did (read the first three books in 24 hours). This should also come with a host of content and trigger warnings, so read with caution. But y’all this series is incredible. Auren and Slade will rip your heart out and stitch it back up a number of times. And you will want to skin Midas alive. Enjoy.
Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
I kept seeing all these Throne of Glass TikTok’s about being Rowan’s High-Lady and of course I was intrigued. Also all the damn fan art sold me because I am fickle and he is hot. This is a huge series, so keep this in mind, and know that I did not have the energy to review them all. However two stand out as my strong favourites of the entire series. EoS (book 5 of the Throne of Glass Series) is a heart wrenching book for both Aelin and Rowan that moves the entire overarching plot along, but there were times when my babies were suffering and I kept thinking BUT AT WHAT COST?!
Line that riggity-wrecked me:
“Where is Aelin? Where is my wife?”
Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas
I almost decided to skip this book. I know, I know. I even went so far as to google, is it worth reading. Because the end of empire of storms so thoroughly smashed my heart to bits I needed to see how SMJ was going to give us a HEA, I just about thought f*ck it I’ll skip it.
I am SO glad I didn’t. This book is SO fantastic. It’s a parallel book to EoS, so reading it in tandem is sometimes suggested. But I read it after, and I’m glad I did. It gave me more space from what had just transpired and kept that blind faith in the overall HEA that I just threw myself into Chaol’s journey. This book has everything: giant flying sparrows, huge spiders, cats, healers, friends to lovers, homecomings. It is fantastic.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Another extremely popular series, ACOTAR was everywhere on tiktok. I couldn’t go a few swipes without seeing a Rhys or Azriel or Cassian fan cam, or video or fan art. It was everywhere. The series is really great. Is it perfect? No. Did I read it after Throne of Glass, yes. Do I have a preference between Rhys and Rowan, yes. Will I disclose that? Hmm, no I don’t think I will.
The first half of this book gives lots of little red riding hood, meets beauty and beast, and the second half is Katniss in the hunger games and you know what, we’re not mad at it. So many hidden Easter eggs in this book, that readers of book 2 will get a brand new appreciation for. And learning all about the courts, was so fantastic.
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Book 2 of ACOTAR, is essentially how most (if not all of the players in the first book) are dealing with the fall out of Feyre’s actions and new place among the fey nobility and courts. It also is a delicious slow burn that is a little bits enemies to friends to lovers and when I tell you the hype on chapters 54 and 55 are just as good as the internet says. Readers are so deeply rewarded getting there, and hearing what Rhysand has to say to Feyre. And what, in-turn Feyre serves to him.
These books are some of my most happy places. If you are a person who’s love language is words of affirmations, you will absolutely LOVE Rhysand.