Romantasy is everywhere right now, and it is dark!
Published on 10 February 2026
Recent romantasy fiction novels are quite dark in subject matter, storyline and character exploration and are testing the boundaries between romance, fantasy and paranormal horror. This seems to be a winning format as so many readers are captivated!
Here a just a few recommendations if you want to explore the darkness.
Alchemised by SinLinYu
A wonderfully traumatising and emotionally gruelling story that will have a lasting effect. SenLinYu has masterfully created a dark, grotesque and painfully beautiful romance between the two main characters in this book who are trapped in a horrible, decomposing war-torn world where brutality, torture and suffering is widespread. The agony of their suffocating love persists throughout the entire book as they fight for survival.
The story is set in the Kingdom of Paladia, where a war between the Order of the Eternal Flame and the Undying has come to a brutal end and the Undying has won. The Chosen One is dead, the resistance is non-existent and Paladia is now run by the High Necromancer and his immortal followers. Helena, a gifted alchemist, wakes up in the Undying’s regime with no memories from the last year of the war – this is where her atrocious suffering begins.
A book that will utterly consume you and never let you go! Content warning for gore, torture and sexual assault.
A Forbidden Alchemy by Stacey McEwan
An unpleasant backdrop, a society of inequality and a power play asking the question of who’s life is more worthy is what drives this powerful page turner of a book. The character development is engaging, as each character has their own secrets and motivations that build and come to light as the story unfolds. The tension is biting with twists and turns that will keep you absorbed from cover to cover. Mixed in with the tension is bouts of light-hearted banter that is enjoyable to read and breaks up the intense darkness.
The story begins by introducing a world that is divided by power, in which one’s destiny is determined by a single vial of Idium. Once consumed, the Idium will awaken elemental powers or have no effect at all – the difference between life as a powerful Artisan or a lower-class Crafter. Nina and Patrick are brought to the alluring city of Belavere to determine their fate with the Idium. However, at the ceremony they stumble upon a dangerous truth that will lead them on individual journeys paved with unjust violence, hardship and unexpected romance.
Both books (although extremely dark) are mythical and successfully combine elemental magic, unforeseen romance, secret hidden identities, brutal betrayal and social inequality in fantastically harsh worlds. They will leave a lasting impression, and you will feel emotionally attached to the characters and their stories.
Article written by Sam from Robina Library.