Best Romantasy Books for Beginners (2026): Series Starters

Starting the best romantasy books for beginners means picking a story that teaches the genre while it entertains. This list compares series openers by what each listing actually states: series position, publication date, reading age and the romance each book promises. New readers get clean slow-burns, YA entries and a new-adult portal fantasy to choose from.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Dragon's Blood by Welker	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Sora's Quest by Shreffler	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Anchored by Baker	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
4	The Bone Crown by Richardson	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
5	A Touch of Magic by Andreas	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Dragon's Blood by Welker

Leah E. Welker·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits beginners who want clean, slow-burn romantasy; readers wanting darker or faster-paced romance should skip it.

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Pros

• The listing calls it a clean and wholesome romantasy with a dual POV, slow-burn romance.
• Book 1 of 6 in the Blood of the Covenants series, in a 1st edition dated June 20, 2024.
• The listing states a reading age of 13 - 17 years.

Cons

• It is a series starter, so the story continues past this book.
• No print page count is stated in the listing.
• The listing calls the romance a slow burn, which may feel slow for some readers.

2

Sora's Quest by Shreffler

T. L. Shreffler·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits beginners who like enemies-to-lovers quests; the listing states a reading age of 18 years and up, so younger teens should skip it.

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Pros

• The listing states it won the SKOW Best Fantasy Award.
• Book 1 of 6 in The Cat's Eye Chronicles, with an enemies-to-lovers quest plot.
• The listing states a reading age of 18 years and up.

Cons

• Published November 21, 2013, an older edition.
• It is a series starter, so readers must continue the series for the full story.
• The listing does not state a print page count.

3

Anchored by Baker

Bridget E. Baker·9.5/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits new-adult readers who like portal fantasy; readers wanting a standalone should skip it, since it opens a five-book series.

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Pros

• The listing states it won the 2021 IAN Book of the Year in Fantasy.
• Book 1 of 5 in The Anchored Series, published April 15, 2021.
• The listing quotes trade reviews from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus Reviews.

Cons

• No reading age or page count is stated in the listing.
• It is a series starter, so the story continues past this book.
• The premise involves death and being hunted, so sensitive readers should preview.

4

The Bone Crown by Richardson

Ava Richardson·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits YA readers new to romantasy who like fae and dragons; readers avoiding series starters should skip it.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 6 in Charassi's Fae Queen, published July 27, 2022, with 348 pages stated.
• The listing describes a wholesome romance with fae curses, dragons and a Fae prince.
• The YA framing suits younger beginners new to romantasy.

Cons

• No reading age is stated in the listing.
• It is a series starter, so the story continues past this book.
• The description mentions danger and dark secrets, so sensitive readers should preview.

5

A Touch of Magic by Andreas

Marie Andreas·9.5/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits readers who want a clean princess adventure; readers wanting darker romantasy should skip it.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 3 in Magic & Sorcery Chronicles, published June 1, 2022.
• The listing calls it a clean romantasy adventure with a princess heroine.
• The listing states Lizeth is the eldest of three princesses and the most powerful spell singer in generations.

Cons

• No reading age or page count is stated in the listing.
• It is a series starter, so the story continues past this book.
• The description mentions dead bodies and intrigue, so sensitive readers should preview.

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More picks to compare

• The Romantasy Collection by BurokerFour complete stand-alone romantic fantasy novels in one bundle.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. Where a listing states no reading age, that part of the score is zero. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best romantasy books for beginners

Start with a series opener

Every pick here is Book 1 of its series, from Book 1 of 3 for A Touch of Magic up to Book 1 of 6 for Dragon’s Blood, so a beginner starts at the story’s beginning either way. Anchored opens The Anchored Series as Book 1 of 5, and The Bone Crown opens Charassi’s Fae Queen as Book 1 of 6. For the wider genre, the best romantasy books list covers more established series.

Match the heat and tone

Dragon’s Blood, A Touch of Magic and The Bone Crown are all listed as clean or wholesome, which suits readers who want romance without explicit content. Sora’s Quest leans darker, with an assassin, a bloodmage and a brooding hero in the description. Readers who like that edge can also browse the dark romantasy books list.

Check the reading age and length

Only two listings state a reading age: Dragon’s Blood at 13 – 17 years and Sora’s Quest at 18 years and up. Only The Bone Crown states a page count, 348 pages. The rest give no age or length, so new readers should weigh the description’s tone instead.

Before you buy

• Confirm the series position on the listing: every pick here opens its series, so the story continues past book one.
• Note the stated reading ages: Dragon’s Blood lists 13 – 17 years and Sora’s Quest lists 18 years and up; the other three state none.
• Check the format on the listing: a page count is stated only for The Bone Crown, at 348 pages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which romantasy book suits a total beginner?

Dragon’s Blood is listed as a clean and wholesome romantasy, and its reading age of 13 – 17 years suits younger beginners.

Are these books part of series?

Yes: each pick is Book 1 of its series, from Book 1 of 3 for A Touch of Magic to Book 1 of 6 for Dragon’s Blood.

Which pick has an award?

The listing states Anchored won the 2021 IAN Book of the Year in Fantasy, and the listing states Sora’s Quest won the SKOW Best Fantasy Award.

Still deciding? Our top pickDragon's Blood by Welker

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Related lists

See every Fantasy and Romantasy list and all Fiction lists.

More lists: romantasy books, indie romantasy books, dark romantasy books.