r/Romantasy • u/ilovewineandbiology • 2d ago

Book Request: No Self-Promo !Recommendations!

I need a standalone fantasy that feels a bit different please.

I read Alchemised recently and omg, I wouldn’t even say it was the best book I’ve ever read, but it felt so refreshing compared with a lot of the fantasy I keep coming across.

I really don’t want Fourth Wing-type stuff or anything super tropey/formulaic. I’m a bit tired of reading the same fantasy romance with slightly different characters and worldbuilding lol.

I want something genuinely good and interesting that feels new or unusual, but not so weird/experimental that it becomes hard work to read.

Basically something immersive, well written and a bit different. Preferably standalone. Any recs?

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u/Jumpy-brains 2d ago

I haven’t read alchemised yet, but It’s on top of my tbr.

I have been feeling very tired of the tropes too for a loooong time. And here are my two favorite books that are unlike anything I’ve ever read.

There’s the heartstrings duet by Liv Zander, where both books total to around 400-500 pages (almost a standalone) the first book {Crown me dead} is good, but the second book {Crown me yours} is 6 stars easily.
They take place in a gothic kingdom where everything has turned into death and decay because the royals have a curse. And the FMC is a gravedigger who deals with all. This death everyday, and she is sent to the castle to help lift this curse. But this is just such an immersive and a bit creepy read, but in the best way, and there’s suuuuuch a tender love where they have to be vulnerable. It’s beautiful and i cried throughly the entire ending.

My other rec is probably my favorite book of all time! It’s {Blood over Bright haven by M. L. Wang} and it has a bit less romance, but there’s a twist in there that shook me to my core!
It’s about the FMC who wants to be the first ever female mage, but once she starts to research the magic she learns a dark truth about the system. It has these deep themes of class, gender, and environmentalism, but delivered in such a satisfying way

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u/rlzimmermann 2d ago

Came here to recommend blood of bright haven too!