I have to admit, I’m a huge sucker for fantasy romance, and with the holidays around the corner what better way to get into the magical season than digging into some of the best fantasy books to date? 

I’m an author second, a reader first and I take my job as a reader very seriously (as well as my recommendations!)

Ahem, here is RVD’s go to fantasy book list in no specific order: 

Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning

Listen, if you haven’t read a fae book and are curious what all the hype is about, this is where you start. Dare is ay, Karie is the OG fae writer, she’s where in my reading journey my obsession with the fae and fantasy began. I devoured this book (and this series). I have never in my life. We have a FMC who is easy to understand (especially her justification for what she does in the beginning), along with a very morally grey hero in Jericho. Study his character it’s a master class in how to write a good mysterious MC. I promise. You’ve got magical powers, books, jump scares, eerie beautiful fae creatures, and a world that Mac, as a human can see. Buckle up. It’ s a good one! 

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black 

I read this one a while ago and instantly fell in love. I loved that it was a true enemies to lovers and even then you still question all the motives—and the intentions behind every decision made. This also takes place in the fae world and is extremely captivating from star to finish! 

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer Armentrout

When this first came out I snatched it up and prayed it would be my next favorite read—and it was.  Readers will be immersed in a rich fantasy world unlike anything they’ve ever experienced. The world building is extremely strong and within the first fifty pages you’re completely invested in Poppy and the rules of the world she’s grown up in. One of the reasons I liked this book was because it felt different to me. The storyline of our FMH existing for a singular purpose—never to really enjoy anything and to ascend for her people was fascinating. The love story is of course great as it goes from friends to potential lovers to enemies very fast. 

Dune By Frank Herbert

Okay, this should be a given and I feel like if you haven’t read this, what are you even doing with your life right now? This book is one of the best science fiction/fantasy book of all time and you will never change my mind about it. The political intrigue is chefs kiss and everything about it is mind blowing. Read it. Devour it. Thank me later. 

The Deep End of the Sea By Heather Lyons 

This fantasy dives deep (see what I did there?) into the lore of Medusa asking the question what if everything we knew about her story? About the gods? Was wrong? This one is completely unputdownable. If you love mythology you won’t put it down, with excellent writing and a unique storyline, it’s the kind of story that makes you forget to adult, it’s escapism at it’s best.

Wicked Nights By Gena Showalter 

I’m a huge fan of Gena Showalter, she can write everything from paranormal underworld lords to angels—this specific series focuses on angelic warriors who are on the cusp of losing their wings, mainly in this book Zacherel. If you love urban fantasy with a angelic kick, this series is for you. 

While writing my latest romantasy Fallen Gods, I tried really hard to take some of the key elements of my favorite fantasy novels, like the ones above, and ask myself the question, what do I absolutely love about these books? What didn’t I love and how can I put the really addicting themes into a story that hasn’t been done before.

I’d like to think I was successful in writing a very unique book in Fallen Gods where I took Norse mythology and asked myself the question, what if Odin was bad? What if he existed now in modern day Seattle as a mob boss? What if, the Giants somehow gained Mjlonir (Thors hammer) and what if Mjolnir is a sentient and chose to go against the gods? Ohhh I can work with that and that is exactly what you get with Fallen Gods, Urban Fantasy with a kiss of Mafia and a whole lot of Norse mythology mixed in. I know fantasy readers will love it just as much as I do!

Reading fantasy should be a complete and total escape, whether you read Fallen Gods or one of my choices above, do yourself a favor and allow your brain the vacation of diving deep into another world, you won’t’ regret it!

Fallen Gods is due for release 4th December 2025 from Tor Bramble – you can pre-order your copy on Bookshop.org

Rachel Van Dyken is the #1 New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA TODAY Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching guilty-pleasure TV.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and, adorable sons. She loves to hear from readers!