I’ve been reading a lot of fantasy but I don’t like how the romance usually is in them. Usually the romance is underdeveloped or underwhelming. I’d like something that places a little more emphasis on romantic relationships.
To be clear, I’m not looking for a romance book, I’m looking for epic fantasy, but I’d like one that has really good romance. I’ve read a couple by female authors that did it better but I’m a guy and I didn’t feel like they resonated that well with me, could just be a perspective thing. So looking for stuff that is from a male POV if possible.
Thank you!
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Catherine Asaro’s books are technically Sci-Fi and not fantasy, but her Skolian Empire series starting with Primary Inversion has a ton of well done, story integral romance. I don’t search for romance in books, but don’t mind it, but my wife reads a lot of romance and enjoyed these as much as I did. Different books in the series focus on different family members, so sometimes the main POV is female, and sometimes male.
Lois McMaster Bujold has written a lot of great stuff (Vorkosigan series, Chalion series), but The Sharing Knife (Book 1 is Beguilement) is more of a romance.
Lions of Al Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay
‘Mistborn: The Final Empire’ by Brandon Sanderson is a novel I recommend for its unique magic system and the revolution against a dark lord. Sanderson’s storytelling is both accessible and deeply satisfying, making it a great entry point for new fantasy readers.
If you enjoy stories with strong female leads, ‘Sabriel’ by Garth Nix is a book I often suggest. It’s a dark and captivating tale of a young necromancer’s quest to find her father and stop the Dead from overrunning her world, all while learning about her own powers.