Romantasy is having its moment — and honestly, I’m here for it. The genre has exploded in recent years, blending sweeping fantasy worlds with heart-stopping romance, slow-burn tension, and just the right amount of angst. But here’s the thing: a lot of the magic is happening in indie publishing.
Indie romantasy authors aren’t afraid to take risks. They’re breaking genre rules, creating unique magic systems, and giving us characters we want to both hug and scream at. If you’ve been devouring books like Fourth Wing or ACOTAR and you’re desperate for more, this list is for you.
1. Carissa Broadbent
Author of The Serpent and the Wings of Night and The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King, Broadbent delivers lush worldbuilding mixed with a slow-burn romance that hits hard. Think vampire trials, political intrigue, and jaw-dropping betrayals. If you love morally grey characters and emotionally devastating twists, she’s a must-read.
2. Shannon Mayer
With her The Forty Proof Series and The Desert Cursed Series, Mayer writes fast-paced fantasy full of attitude, humour, and heart. Her heroines are fierce but flawed, the kind you root for even when they make terrible decisions. Plus, her worldbuilding seamlessly blends modern snark with magical chaos.
3. Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti
If you’ve been anywhere near BookTok, you’ve probably heard of their Zodiac Academy series. It’s messy, addictive, and unapologetically wild. Expect rivalries, morally grey love interests, found family vibes, and plenty of heartbreak. It’s the kind of series you binge at 2 a.m. and immediately text your friends about.
4. Scarlett St. Clair
Her Hades x Persephone series (A Touch of Darkness) and King of Battle and Blood are staples in the romantasy space. St. Clair blends mythology, high-stakes romance, and emotionally intense plots that leave you breathless. If you love brooding gods and steamy tension, this is your stop.
5. Katee Robert
While known more widely for spicy mythology retellings like Neon Gods and Electric Idol, Robert’s work fits beautifully into romantasy. Her worlds drip with intrigue, her characters smoulder, and the pacing keeps you hooked. If you want something sexy and politically clever, add her to your list.
6. Lana Pecherczyk
Her Fae Guardians series is a hidden gem for romantasy lovers. Time travel, fae courts, enemies-to-lovers tension — it’s got everything you need. Pecherczyk writes lush, escapist fantasy with characters that feel messy and real. Perfect if you want that blend of magic, heartache, and redemption.
7. Rachel Gillig
Author of One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns, Gillig writes gothic romantasy like no one else. Her worlds are atmospheric and dark, her magic systems unique, and her romance layered with delicious tension. If you like slow-burns wrapped in haunting prose, she delivers every time.
8. Lexi Ryan
Her These Hollow Vows duology is perfect if you’re craving fae courts, betrayal, and star-crossed love. Ryan’s writing is sharp, emotional, and designed to break your heart before stitching it back together.
9. Laura Thalassa
With books like Rhapsodic and Pestilence, Thalassa thrives in morally complex romances set against fantastical backdrops. Her love stories are dark, often devastating, but always unforgettable.
10. K.A. Tucker
Best known for A Fate of Wrath and Flame, Tucker combines vivid fantasy with sweeping romance and fast-paced plotting. Her worlds feel cinematic, and her characters linger with you long after the last page.
Why These Indie Romantasy Voices Deserve Your TBR
Indie romantasy is where creativity thrives. These authors:
Take risks traditional publishing won’t. Craft layered romances with authentic chemistry. Build worlds as rich and addictive as any blockbuster series. Give readers exactly what they want without watering it down.
If you’ve been scrolling TikTok or Bookstagram and wondering where to go after Fourth Wing, ACOTAR, or From Blood and Ash, these authors are your next obsession.