5 Fantasy Books With Minimal Romance You Must Read
Almost all of my bookish friends have one condition when it comes to reading a book… it must have romance. While I do love a good romance, I have actually adored so many books that have little to no romance in them. I’m very much of the frame of mind of if it has an epic plot and the characters are strong enough to hold their own, romance is just not needed. I have read so many books where I didn’t even notice that there was no romance, or very very little, until I had already devoured the entire book. So here you go… if you are like me and you don’t mind a book with no romance, here are five of my favourite fantasy books with minimal romance.
Vicious by VE Schwab was the first book with no romance that I actually read. It was this book that made me realise that as long as the story and characters are strong, you just don’t need it. This was the first VE Schwab book that I read, and it is still to this day my favourite. It is absolutely phenomenal and will make you question everything you think makes a hero and a villain.
Blood Heir by Amelie Wen Zhao is the first book in the Blood Heir trilogy which is a YA fantasy retelling of Anastasia (Which I didn’t realise until after I’d finished the book and then I was like oh yeah… and felt stupid). It has a little more romance in the later books but it definitely takes a back seat to the plot. I loved this entire trilogy.
The City of Brass by SA Chakraborty is the first book in the Daevabad series which is an adult epic fantasy trilogy featuring the djinn. It has a teeny tiny bit of romance in the background but the whole trilogy mainly focuses on the plot and the magic. I love books with djinn so this one was a must-read for me. It is still to this day my all time favourite fantasy series.
A Darker Shade of Magic is the first book in the Shades of Magic series by VE Schwab. Another VE Schwab series that I am completely obsessed with. This again has a little side plot of romance but it is mainly focused on the magic of the different Londons and being able to travel between them. This book is phenomenal and the spin off series is out soon so the perfect time to read it.
Finally, a newer book by the phenomenal Shannon Chakraborty is The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi. There is no romance in this. Not even a little bit. The biggest relationships in this book are between mother and daughter, and found family type relationships. It’s such a great book! I really enjoyed this swash buckling, female pirate story. I highly recommend it.
If you have any recommendations for fantasy books with low romance, definitely let me know.
K-Books
I’m Kayleigh, a teacher and blogger who is obsessed with all things bookish. I love reading YA books of all genres and I am happiest when sharing my love and passion for books.