20 Best Fantasy Smut Books to Transport You to Another World

I entered the world of fantasy through magical wardrobes and walls with shifting bricks, and I got to watch the genre shift and transform into something vast and epic. Now we have dangerous faerie realms, thrilling vampire nations, and captivating cities of angels – and to spice it all up, we also have swoonworthy, blush-inducing smut set in other-worldly settings. 

Fantasy smut – or romantasy – perfectly blends the imaginary world with the sensual scenes found in erotica novels. So if you’re looking for that fantasy smut kick, then check this list out – it’s got some fantastic fantasy smut that combines the thrilling worlds of fantasy with passion and steam.

Best Fantasy Smut Books List

Why Is Fantasy Smut So Popular?

The fantasy smut genre gives us a necessary escape from reality, letting us indulge in those not-so-secretly-kept desires in the safety of another world. That’s why it has really risen up the ranks in pop culture literature, especially among the most popular genres over at #BookTok and #Bookstagram. 

If you’re longing for a good fantasy smut, my spice meter will definitely help. Your smut preferences might vary, but the meter will give you some idea of the level of smut in each book. Lookout for 🌶️🌶️🌶️ and up for that extra spiciness!

• 🌶️– sexual language and a little on-page action
• 🌶️🌶️– a lot of sexual language and some on-page action, may be occurring couple times
• 🌶️🌶️🌶️– some explicit action and dirty talk, occurring frequently
• 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ – a lot of explicit action and dirty talk, occurring frequently
• 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ – super graphic and explicit, occurring very frequently

Best Fantasy Smut Book Reviews

1. Fourth Wing – My Favorite

Fourth Wing is the latest romantasy #booktok sensation and when my friend told me it had a war college with dragons and plenty of sexytimes, I hit ‘buy’ pretty much immediately. What can I say, the rest is history – Fourth Wing became my favorite fantasy smut book of all time because it managed to blend a fast-paced plot with incredible characters and accessible worldbuilding.    

Violet is one of the coolest FMCs I’ve come across in the genre; she battles with a chronic illness (inspired by Yarros’s struggle with the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome) and handles her overbearing mother while proving everyone who underestimated her wrong. Her struggles become a matter of life and death as she trains to become a dragon rider before one of the dragons (or a fellow student) takes her life.  

I also really loved the romance! Xaden is such a menace to Violet but I understand why Violet couldn’t say no to him. He’s brooding, calm, freaking obsessed with Violet, and protects her with his life. The smut is to die for because the stakes are a lot higher when Violet and Xaden get together; the enemies-to-lovers trope always delivers the hottest spice, folks. 

I absolutely loved Violet’s found family. My heart melted for her when she realized that her ragtag bunch of friends truly got her back, after being misunderstood by her birth family all her life. But the issue with having such great secondary characters is that you get too attached to them, and then the author goes and kills certain ones off. I won’t say anything more here because *spoilers*, but Ms. Yarros, you may as well have ripped my heart out and fed it to a dragon. That would’ve hurt less than your plot twist. 

Fourth Wing is a great easy-to-read fantasy novel with beautiful characters and a wonderful plot. You get to read about high-stakes action, romance, and friendships (and dragons!) all in one book. If that sounds like an awesome combo for you, this is the book you should pick up next.

• Best for – Fans of easy-to-read fantasies, enemies to lovers
• Not for – Readers who are looking for a quick burn

2. A Court of Thorns and Roses

A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) is hands down one of the best series in the fantasy smut genre. I started this book because of the raving reviews, especially about Sarah J. Maas’ writing style, and I finished it thanking the universe for its existence. 

That might have sounded a bit dramatic, but this is the greatest retelling of Beauty and the Beast I’ve read because it made me feel both nostalgic for the original version and excited about the new story. Maas truly did justice to the classic story with her unique style of writing by building an epic world where Feyre, our FMC, is being held captive by Tamlin, the beast. 

The enemies-to-lovers trope between Feyre and Tamlin is hot. There’s nothing like a good hate-fueled makeout scene, which Maas delivers with perfect execution. When Tamlin pinned Feyre to the wall in one scene, I really had to put the book down and take a breath. That said, Tamlin does come off as a little toxic sometimes, which I didn’t particularly like.

On the other hand, Rhysand, another High Lord who makes a few appearances, has a special place in my heart. He’s a morally gray character who kept me guessing his every move at every turn of the book. When I initially read this book, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the rest of the series mostly because I wanted to see more of Rhysand. 

If you’re a fantasy smut pro or just dipping into the genre, this is one you should not miss out on in the slightest. It’s so well praised by fans for a reason – pick it up to explore a new world through Feyre’s eyes.

• Best for – Fans of enemies to lovers
• Not for – Readers who are looking for a one-love trope

3. A Court of Mist and Fury

I immediately read A Court of Mist and Fury after ACOTAR because I couldn’t wait to see how the plot developed, and holy moly, A Court of Mist and Fury (ACOMAF) is probably my favorite in the whole series. Now, if you don’t want spoilers for the first book, I suggest skipping this review and reading ACOTAR first.

What I loved the most about ACOMAF was Feyre’s arc. Feyre learns to love herself and heal from all the trauma from the first book and after escaping Tamlin’s iron grip, she really comes into herself. Rhysand is such a great love interest; he is thoughtful, caring and always thinks of Feyre first. 

When Feyre finally escapes Tamlin, she trains with Rhysand, where they develop such a great dynamic, sweet and spicy at the same time. One of my favorite scenes is when Rhysand interrupts her wedding to Tamlin and takes her to his Night Court, she throws a freaking shoe at him – such a Feyre thing to do😄. They start from a rocky place caught in fae politics, and I love how their relationship transforms to one of deep commitment and love. 

Oh and they end up having so much fun together (if you know what I mean😉). A ton of graphic smut goes down between the pair, and I particularly enjoyed how the fast-paced nature of their sexual relationship balanced against the slow-burn of their romance. 

The story might be set in a whole other world but it’s ultimately one about difficult choices. The characters we meet in the story aren’t wholly good or bad so the choices they make are heart wrenching at times. The cliffhanger at the end had me screaming and I simply had to get the next book, which I did next. 

If you’ve read ACOTAR, don’t waste a single moment – jump on ACOMAF! A story of love, life, and the thin lines that lie in between awaits you.

• Best for – Fans of graphic smut and fans of ACOTAR
• Not for –  Readers who are looking for a one-love trope throughout the series 

4. A Court of Wings and Ruin

The thing about fantasy is that you can’t get out of those worlds once you enter. So that’s why I picked up A Court of Wings and Ruins (ACOWAR) immediately after I finished ACOMAF. 

We need to begin this review by talking about our OTP, Rhysand and Feyre, because Maas gives us a healthy dose of insight into what comes after the HEA. I loved watching them fight together on the same team and overcome problems as a couple. Their bickering is hella cute too, and the smut doesn’t disappoint either. It has a TON of juicy sex scenes so get ready to settle in with some erotica. 

Now I have to say that ACOTAR was good, ACOMAF was great, but A Court of Wings and Ruin kinda fell flat for me. It could have been a bit of series exhaustion, but I found the writing to be a little on the tedious side. I’ve heard many of my reviewer friends complain that it requires another round of serious copyediting, which I completely agree with.

I did love the secondary characters though, especially Feyre’s sisters Nesta and Elain. They honestly couldn’t be more different from each other (Nesta is cold and calculating while Elain is gentle and sunny). Feyre’s personality is somewhere in the middle of her two sisters, so the Archeron family has a lot of family dynamics, drama, and love for us to indulge in. 

ACOWAR deals with some beautiful character development which you shouldn’t miss out on. If you fell in love (and developed an unhealthy attachment like me) with everyone in the Courts while reading the first two books in the series, then you’ll definitely enjoy reading this third installment. Go for it!

• Best for – Fans of the Archeron sisters, complex worldbuilding, and good smut 
• Not for – Readers who are not into war/political fantasies 

5. A Court of Frost and Starlight

So this is the fourth in the fantastic ACOTAR series. Yes, I was a bit disappointed with the third entry, ACOWAR, but I’m such a big fan of this fantasy world that I couldn’t say no to this book. 

My first thought reading A Court of Frost and Starlight (ACOFAS) was “finally, a breather!” ACOFAS is sort of a Christmas novella where we get to see the day-to-day lives of the inner circle. It was honestly a welcome change from the fast-paced action and tension of the main series.

The smut in this book is yummy because it’s classic Maas-style erotica, especially in the pretty explicit Rhys-Feyre sex scenes. I love that Maas doesn’t compromise on the smut, even this late in the series. 

I love that we get to see the complexities of Nesta’s character. She’s cold and distant but she may be my most favorite Archeron sister (Feyre fans, don’t come for my head). Her battle with depression and substance abuse was really heartbreaking to read about. And oh my god, I ship Nesta and Cassian so much! Cassian goes all out for her; he’s completely and hopelessly smitten by her even though she refuses to let anyone in. 

Although it’s not a part of the main storyline, ACOFAS is a great bridge between the first three books and the fifth book. It’s a refreshing read about some of our favorite characters as they take on normal lives, with some delicious smut in the mix. Don’t miss out!

• Best for – Fans of slow-paced fantasy
• Not for – Readers who are looking for an action-packed, fast-paced fantasy

6. A Court of Silver Flames

I’ll admit it, I picked up this book because I wanted to see more of Nesta and Cassian (aka my loves) and I wasn’t disappointed because we got a whole romance about the pair here. After ACOMAF, A Court of Silver Flames (ACOSF) remains my favorite from the ACOTAR series. 

To begin with, Nesta. Look, I know okay? I know that the fandom finds her difficult. But me, personally? I really like the complexity of her character. The depiction of her mental health, her struggles with alcoholism, and her difficulties in adjusting to a new world that she had been forced into felt very real to me. I feel like those experiences are universal when going through a particularly shitty time in life and that really moved me. In this book, we are able to see Nesta try and overcome these problems and put family (and herself) first. I love that for her!

And Cassian? Man, after Rhys, he’s my favorite MMC in this series. He’s so sweet and just genuinely funny. I shipped him and Nesta dearly so THANK THE STARS that these two finally decided to put aside their differences at the end of the book. I was thinking they’d do something stupid and not end up together (which I couldn’t have been able to handle – I’m fragile, yes). 

Also, ACOSF has the most amount of smut in the entire series (if that’s even possible after the shenanigans of Rhys and Feyre). Nesta and Cassian might take their sweet time getting to it, but when they do, they engage in some kinky sex. The scene where they have sex for the first time was simply *chef’s kiss*. Their smut is the perfect blend of rough and loving, and I have zero complaints about it. 

ACOSF is a heartwarming dark fantasy smut about two very complex characters. So if you’re into the opposites-attract trope in a complex fantasy world with some heavy smut, this is the book for you.

• Best for – Fans of dark fantasy, opposites attract, explicit smut
• Not for – Readers who are looking for a quick burn

7. Outlander – My First Fantasy Smut Book

Outlander has a special place in my heart because it was my first book from the fantasy smut genre. I picked it up thinking it was a historical romance (I’m a bit of a history buff), and quickly learnt that it’s a brilliant historical romantasy. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the time travel in the book, when Claire is transported to 1700s Scotland while she is on her second honeymoon with her husband. There is so much vivid imagery about the Scottish highlands, including how they lived, cared for the sick and the struggles they faced – it felt like I myself was being transported back to 1743 with Claire. 

Now, historical details can be exhausting to some, but I swear in this book, it’s not. Gabaldon expertly brings in the context of the times while capturing the thrill of a fantasy novel and the dreaminess of a romance. I was so engrossed with the book that I barely felt the pages turning – it was that good!

And honestly, I could’ve read another 800 pages about Jamie, the Scots warrior that Claire meets when she lands in Scotland. He was so mysterious and thrilling, I felt like I had to know everything I could about him. It was fascinating to learn his story while understanding the reasons behind his actions.

Jamie and Claire’s relationship is just absolute goals. I love that their relationship progressed so realistically; they are from different eras and they took some time to adjust to each other. Claire, being a very thoughtful woman, doesn’t rush into anything. She gives off such confidence and self-assurance, and is quite possibly one of my favorite fictional women of all time.

The chemistry between the pair is off the charts. The wedding night scene between them was especially hot, as it was Claire taking charge of the night and starting things when she was ready. There is tons of sexual tension between the pair, giving us some pretty smutty scenes to read. 

I’m so glad this was my first historical fantasy smut, because Gabaldon delivers an epic of fantasy, time travel, and romance so flawlessly with this book. It’s got all our favorite storylines from history to thriller and romance with lots of smut in between, so pick it up for a slow burn and immersive reading experience.

• Best for – Fans of historical fiction, historical romances, love triangle romances
• Not for – Readers who are looking for a one-love trope, quick burn

8. House of Earth and Blood

I love a good urban fantasy any day. Sarah J. Maas’ fae fantasies really did it for me, so I decided to read House of Earth and Blood (an urban fantasy combined with some yummy smut, of course) and it was just perfect on all counts. 

I have a special spot for FMCs who are not destined to be heroines as it gives me all the feels that characters like Katniss gave me when I first read them as a teenager. Bryce is one such FMC, who’d honestly be anywhere else other than with a notorious fallen angel, at the heart of a criminal investigation. Even though she doesn’t want to be a hero, I admire her determination in the face of all odds against her. 

And can we take a moment to talk about Hunt? He’s a fallen angel, forced into servitude for rebelling – so when I say he’s the perfect archetype for the rebellious MMC, I really mean that.

I loved the hate/love relationship between Hunt and Bryce. They had so much angst and sexual tension between each other that at one point I wanted to put the book down and yell at the two of them to get on with it already. You have to be a little patient with the book – the angst will drive you crazy but once you get to the good stuff, there’s no turning back. 

It’s a fantasy combined with urban mystery, including a lot of different mythical creatures from merpeople to werewolves, and I swallowed it whole. If you’re into a slow burn, mystery-thriller urban fantasy with that classic hate/love trope, then this is the book for you. Sarah J. Maas fans, you won’t be disappointed!

• Best for – Fans of urban fantasy, mystery-thriller, hate/love trope
• Not for – Readers who are looking for a quick burn

9. From Blood and Ash

From Blood and Ash has raving reviews literally everywhere – from Goodreads to #BookTok to BookTube. I knew I had to read it to see what all the hype was about, and oh my god, it turned out to be an angsty bodyguard/maiden love story. I absolutely love it when the plot is driven by the choice between duty and desire as it makes everything forbidden and more tense. 

Book 1 of the Blood and Ash series follows Poppy, a Maiden who was chosen by birth to usher in a new era to her kingdom. She spends her days with her guards, waiting for the day of the Ascension – a mysterious ceremony for the anointing of new royals. Hawke is one such guard, who particularly gets on her very last nerve. 

Poppy is one of my favorite FMCs in the fantasy genre as she’s a quietly rebellious girl who takes things into her hands (like by sneaking out of the castle) and faces problems. Even though she’s a fantasy character, it’s so easy to keep up with how she faces numerous challenges, thanks to her hilarious one liners and incredible sass. Her bravery made her all the more inspiring for me. 

Hawke is literally her knight in shining armor. He’s fiercely protective of Poppy AND he knows how to treat her like a princess everywhere it matters! 😉

I love a good forbidden romance – we can feel the tension between Poppy and Hawke from the beginning of theirs. Their chemistry is sizzling, what with all that sneaking around, the angst, the longing, the stolen glances. All of this also makes the smut absolutely delicious.  

In addition to the relationship development between our two MCs, I really admired the suspense levels in the plot. I was on the edge of my seat as Armentrout threw plot twist upon plot twist at us, making the book impossible to put down once I started reading it. 

The suspense, the drama, the immersive new world, and the complex characters make this book the perfect fantasy, so give it a go and find out how the forbidden romance takes flight in this one!

• Best for – Fans of forbidden romances, bodyguard/maiden
• Not for – Readers who are looking for a quick burn

10. A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire

Heads up! I mentioned the plot twists in book 1 of Blood and Ash – From Blood and Ash – and the review about book 2 will contain a major spoiler so if you haven’t read Book 1 yet, skipping this review is a good idea.

That being said, once I read that plot twist from the first book, I knew I had to read A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire too to find out what on earth was going on. Strap in, because it’s a wild ride. 

First, Hawke. Or is it Cas now? His character development is literally out of this world. From the caring knight we were introduced to in book 1 to the Dark One we get to know in this book, he had me flipping the pages just on his own. He’s OTT protective of Poppy but has to work hard to rebuild her trust after his betrayal from book 1, which gives us a good look at the dynamics of an imperfect relationship between Hawke and Poppy. 

Poppy remains one of my favorite FMCs in the fantasy smut genre for good reason. She really comes into her character in this book, where we see her becoming independent and strong. She doesn’t wait for Cas or anybody else to save her as she battles her own demons and enemies, and Cas is incredibly supportive of the way she learns to look after herself. I was sobbing my eyes out at some of the tender, vulnerable moments between these two. 

And the smut? The tenderness just makes the smut between Cas and Poppy all the better. They learn about their vulnerabilities while giving us kinky, toe-curling smut to swoon over.

The story is a little slow-paced though, when compared to book 1. There’s some repetitive monologue which kind of bored me, but the world building and plot lines are as amazing as in the first book. 

It’s got that perfect mix of action and romance because it follows a superb female lead and a complicated MMC as they navigate a world full of betrayal and enemies – give it a chance if you loved From Blood and Ash!

• Best for – Fans of a slow burn, second chance romance
• Not for – Readers who are looking for a quick burn or fast-paced romantasy

11. The Crown of Gilded Bones

After I fell in love with the Poppy-Cas ship in the first two books of the Blood and Ash series, I had to read the third one to see how that ship would sail. And oh boy, this book has a devil’s mix of romance, smut, action, and fantasy to keep you hooked. 

Let’s start this review with my OTP – Poppy and Cas. All hail to the King and Queen, because these two do not just rule their world, they rule mine too. When they said “I love you” to each other, it ruined me completely (in the best way possible). 

Also, the smut between these two is amazing! Hats off to Cas because he gets around to doing all the kinky things he promised Poppy he’d do on their wedding night. There’s also some interesting voyeurism with Kieran (Cas’ best friend) which doesn’t venture as far as a threesome, but is still pretty eyebrow-raising. Speaking of, I love Kieran almost as much as I love Cas and I certainly hope we get more of him. 

There are some truly heart wrenching moments in this book too. I love it when one MC is injured and the other MC would move the world to make them alright, and that happens in this book. It tore my heart out, but I thank Armentrout for giving us that scene. 

I’ve been a massive fan of the Blood and Ash series from book 1, and this third book really cemented my praise for it. It’s got to be my favorite book from the series because of the romantasy and the action made an unbeatable combo for a fantasy smut. I recommend this for you if you’re looking for a steamy romance set in a world of exciting action!

• Best for – Fans of heavy smut, action fantasies
• Not for – Readers who are looking for a slow burn

12. The Serpent and the Wings of Night

Let me tell you this – I was not ready for what The Serpent and the Wings of Night did to me, because it destroyed me on a whole other level. After coming across the book during a fantasy smut binge, I never knew it would change my life like it has. 

Oraya, our FMC, has all the odds working against her because those around her will literally eat her the first chance they get, but she doesn’t let that stop her from achieving her goals. She’s the picture of fierceness when she takes on the competition to death, to prove to the world that she does not need to be guarded every second of her life. 

And that’s where she meets the deadly (but also big softie on the inside) vampire, Raihn. Think Hunger Games meets Twilight meets Vampire Mates. In fantasy smut, I absolutely love a dangerous yet conflicted male love interest and Raihn is exactly that, mourning for his lost mortality while trying to tame the monster inside of him. 

The romance between the pair is an agonizing yet ever-so-satisfying slow burn. It was the perfect pacing for me because they go from being enemies to allies and then cautious friends to lovers who are head-over-heels for each other. Their hilarious banter combined with pretty explosive smut ticked all my boxes for a great fantasy smut. After reading this book, I’m definitely on the lookout for more Carissa Broadbent novels (I’ve heard that Mother of Death and Dawn is particularly good too). Don’t miss out on this heart wrenching, pulse-racing novel!

• Best for – Fans of slow burn smut/romance, vampire fantasy smut
• Not for – Readers who are looking for a quick burn

13. A Touch of Darkness

The beauty of fantasy is the sheer variety of retellings that exist. From classic fairy tales to Greek mythology and Norse mythology, you’ll find a bit of it all in this genre. One of my favorites is storylines which involve our Greek Gods, and that’s why I read A Touch of Darkness – an urban fantasy about Persephone and Hades. 

I’m a huge Greek history fan and Hades has always been my favorite God (yes, I like my men dark and ready to burn the world for me). St. Clair did true justice to the OG Hades in her retelling, making him such a lovable character. We get to understand his motives, and the insta-attraction he feels towards Persephone is beautifully portrayed. 

It had such a Neon Gods (which I reviewed in my list of best smut books!) vibe to it as we get to see gods living among mortals in the modern times. That’s how Persephone and Hades meet in this retelling, because Hades owns a chain of nightclubs in the human world. 

The smut is sinfully hot. Honestly, most of the latter half of this book is just smut without plot. Do I have any complaints about that? Of course not, because the chemistry between Hades and Persephone is sizzling🔥. 

If you’re looking for a quick burn, extremely smutty urban fantasy about two of the most famous Greek Gods, then this is the book for you. Block out a weekend and get to it.

• Best for – Fans of greek mythology, urban fantasy, Hades/Persephone
• Not for – Readers who are looking for a slow burn or complex world building

14. The Bridge Kingdom

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I was convinced by #BookTok to read The Bridge Kingdom because the reviewers said the book had the enemies to lovers trope combined with a marriage of convenience. I couldn’t say no to that combination, so here we are now, about to review it as one of my favorite fantasy smut books. 

There were so many things I enjoyed about this book from the plot to the captivating writing and the extremely likable characters. Let’s start with the plot. Yes, the whole ‘marriage of convenience to your enemy whom you end up falling for’ has been done before, but there was something captivating about the way Jensen brought political plot twists into the quasi-magical world she had built with remarkable ease. It was so interesting to read about the different nations surrounding Ithicana, and the mystery revolving around Ithicana itself. 

Now let’s get to Lara, the woman of the hour. She’s absolutely amazing! I loved that she’s ruthless but also self-sacrificing, incredibly committed to duty, and willing to change her views on a subject when presented with new information. There’s no beating around the bush with her. She makes decisions fast and knows how to step up to the occasion. She’s honestly the best companion for King Aren, who’s loyal and committed to his subjects. 

The chemistry between these two sizzles slowly but once they realize their attraction to each other, they cannot keep their hands off of each other. I love that we get to see all those angsty moments of longing turning into insatiable smutty desire.

If you’re looking for an intriguing fantasy smut with the right amount of political mystery, combined with angsty tropes such as enemies to lovers, then this is the book for you.

• Best for – Fans of enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience
• Not for – Readers who are looking for a slow burn

15. Gild

Oh my god, this book was complicated but also such a compelling read. A friend recommended this to me when I said I was into fantasy smut, and I couldn’t put down the book until I finished it. 

This is a retelling of the story of Greek King Midas, who has the ability to turn anything into gold with his touch, and Auren, his favorite captive who has been blessed with his golden touch. The story follows the war between six kingdoms and how Auren is being used as a political pawn by the men around her. 

Auren is such a well-developed character. Her Stockholm syndrome is perfectly portrayed in the book while we also get to see her bravery and empathy. She’s always ready to stand up for others and help those in need, making it very easy for us to root for her. 

King Midas is a very complex MMC – some find his actions questionable and I can see why. While I could see how he truly cared for Auren, he was also extremely possessive of her. There was also Commander Rip whom I kept being drawn to. All I know is that my Sammy-senses are tingling and since this was just book 1 of the series, I’m super excited to see where book 2 takes me.  

There is so much graphic smut in this book – think about the level of smut in Game of Thrones, and you have an indication of how graphic it is. Be warned though, this is not your typical hero meets the heroine archetype, so it’s not for the faint of heart. There were a lot of dubcon scenes which I really wasn’t a fan of. 

However, if you’re on the lookout for complex worldbuilding, morally gray characters, and lots of graphic smut, Gild is a great choice. It’s got a captivating storyline, and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.

• Best for – Fans of political fantasies, captor/captive, graphic smut
• Not for – Readers who are uncomfortable with dub con, explicit smut scenes

16. Rhapsodic

Rhapsodic was another recommendation by a fellow fantasy smut nerd, and it truly lives up to the hype. The extremely steamy romance between Callie and Des (our MCs) and the fast-paced plot were just incredible when it came to creating a captivating world of fantasy.

Getting straight to it, the romance is the best thing about this book because Callie and Des are goals, period. They’ve gone from being best friends to enemies to cautious allies to friends again, and then eventually and finally, to lovers. Their chemistry keeps you enthralled from the beginning and it keeps you entertained because the banter between the pair is the cutest thing ever. 

I loved that we get to see their past relationship in parallel to the current one, as we get to learn how they lost their previous friendship and the work that is ongoing to rebuild their current one. There are so many truly heartwarming instances between these two, from when Des agrees to finish watching the Harry Potter series with her to Des beating the stuffing out of the teacher who assaults Callie. 

Des is one of those morally gray characters you can’t help but love. Kind of a villain, but the most endearing, puppy dog kind. Callie’s no-nonsense attitude is the perfect match for him, keeping him on his toes. She too is a morally gray character because of her magical ‘siren’ abilities, which represent her wicked side alongside her sexual desires. 

And the smut between these two is off the charts. Right from the get go, I was just waiting for Des and Callie to get together. The spicy moments strike the perfect balance between heartwarmingly tender and excitingly wicked. 

If you’re looking for an easy-to-read fantasy with lots of fluffy smut and sizzling chemistry between the two MCs with a second chance romance/friendship, then this is the book for you!

• Best for –  Fans of easy-to-read fantasies, frenemies to lovers
• Not for – Readers who are looking for complex world building

17. A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows

A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows (AKOSAS) is new to the fantasy smut genre, but has fantastic reviews so I had to check it out. I may have come for the fantasy, but I stayed for Everyn, our MMC, and the man of my dreams. 

So we have fae, vampires, an arranged marriage, and forbidden romance: all the perfect ingredients for a really good fantasy book. Adara, a star-blessed human, is arranged to marry the crowned prince but it’s the Prince’s half-breed bastard brother, Everyn, that has her craving for something more than a political alliance. 

Everything from Everyn’s dirty mouth to his talent on the battlefield and his seductive skills to his hilarious one liners has got me daydreaming. The hold this man has on me is real (and slightly concerning, if I say so myself). And the fact that he is forbidden? That just makes him all the more tempting. 

Honestly, I don’t know how Adara managed to say no to the temptation for so long. She’s also such a free spirit, determined not to let fate make the final call on her life. 

The forbidden sexual attraction between Adara and Everyn also just kept adding to how hot the smut was. Most of the plot was a lot of smut and angst, and I was on the edge of my seat, fanning myself as I read it. The spice starts very early on in the book, and it’s extremely descriptive. I loved seeing how these two sneaked around to get handsy with each other.

But I do wish we had more of the fantasy element in the plot. Renee spends a lot of time on the smut, which is awesome, but I also wanted to see more worldbuilding and action. This also meant we didn’t get to see Adara’s character development as well as I would’ve liked. 

Overall, if you’re looking for a fast-paced, quick burn fantasy smut which is an easy page turner, AKOSAS is the one for you. It’s that easy weekend fantasy read for your guilty pleasure.

• Best for – Fans of lots of smut, quick burns, forbidden romance
• Not for – Readers who are looking for complex world building

18. Trial of the Sun Queen

I absolutely love fantasies that feature a compelling challenge or trial. There’s just something about the tension of the heroine having to get through numerous perilous trials to get to what she wants that has me fully at attention. When I heard that Trial of the Sun Queen has a similar trope, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy. 

The trials in this book are EXCELLENT. I loved the female dynamics and the fierce competition between the nine women for the title of Sun Queen, which comes with a bond to Atlas, the Sun King. Lor, our FMC, faces all of these trials with admirable resilience. We really get to see her survival instincts and attitude come out as she utilizes the skills she gathered as a prisoner.

Atlas is possessive (as is expected from a Sun King) and soon falls in love with Lor. I can definitely see why Lor fell for him – I mean, who doesn’t want to marry a king, right? He’s a bit of a charmer and the enemies-to-lovers dynamics between the pair was enjoyable to read about. But since this is high fantasy, I have a sneaking suspicion that Atlas is not all he seems to be (waiting to read the rest of the series to see if I’m right!). 

The plot was a little predictable at times, but Tuli’s writing kept me involved in the story. It’s a lot of worldbuilding but she doesn’t overload us with information, making this a light, enjoyable read. 

If you’re looking for an easy-to-read high fantasy fae novel with fluffy smut and a badass heroine, this is the book for you. Give it a try and thank me later!

• Best for – Fans of trials, strong FMCs, easy-to-read fantasies
• Not for – Readers who are looking for complex world building 

19. The Awakening

First off, I admit I have a soft spot for fantasy books set in academic settings – there’s just something about them that’s so irresistible! But fair warning: The Awakening, the first of the Zodiac Academy series, might not be everyone’s cup of tea due to its heavy bullying storyline and some elements of dubious consent.

However, once you dive in, you can go on a thrilling journey into a magical academy where students are connected to their zodiac signs and wield incredible powers. There’s not just one FMC but two: the twins Tory and Darcy Vega, and when they are thrust into this world of fae, magic, and intrigue, there is an epic adventure waiting for them. 

Now, while there are no explicit scenes, I am happy to report that the teasing, banter, and the foreplay are so electric that I kept blushing over every interaction. 

So if you’re like me and adore academies of magic and intrigue, and you’re up for a read that’s as enchanting as it is steamy, The Awakening is a wild, enchanting ride that’ll leave you craving more!

• Best for – Fans of fantasy academies and fluffy smut
• Not for – Readers who are looking for explicit smut

20. Flames of Chaos

Flames of Chaos is one sizzling fantasy read that’ll set your world on fire! The algorithm whispered its name one day, and I couldn’t resist the temptation. Let me tell you, it’s like walking into a steamy, fantastical, fever dream.

The first half of the story? Pure, unadulterated smut – and boy was I there for it! Knox and Aria, our fiery MCs, have this insane sexual chemistry that ignites the pages. And when they got down to business, my mind just went whoa. Hutchins said she liked her books spicy, and she wasn’t kidding – there’s enough heat in the book to melt a glacier.

But this isn’t your cute, cuddly, fairy tale romance. Knox and Aria have their own agendas that pit them against each other – Knox is out for revenge, and Aria is on the other side of that plan. The tension, the longing, the power struggle – I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to handle all of it. But I did, and it was pure perfection.

So, if you’re craving a fantasy with a heavy dose of smut, this one will leave you hot and bothered in the best possible way!

• Best for – Fans of enemies to lovers trope
• Not for – Readers who are looking for a quick burn

So that rounds up my top fantasy smut picks! From urban and mythical to magical and mystical, fantasy smut books are a real treat when you need to travel into an epic world right from your reading chair. My list has a pretty wide variety of fantasy settings, but the common factor? You guessed it. The spice is swoonworthy in every book in the midst of warring nations or fae courts, so take your pick for some fantasy smut indulgence.

What Are Some ‘Must Read’ Fantasy Smut Books?

Fourth Wing is a must-read because Rebecca Yarros gives us a fascinating combo of enemies-to-lovers trope, a badass FMC, a brooding heartthrob of an MMC, and dragons. I absolutely loved reading it and cannot wait for the second book, Iron Flame. 

A Court of Thorns and Roses, the first from its series, is definitely in my fantasy smut hall of fame. Sarah J. Maas is such a popular novelist because many people love this series of hers. From her complex world building to her steamy smut, Maas does a fantastic job with this book, making it a must read in the genre. 

Outlander is a favorite of mine (and not just because it introduced me to this genre). Diana Gabaldon develops this beautiful love story set in 1743 Scotland, while exploring themes of femininity, violence, and duty. It’s such a fantastic historical romance of a woman caught between two men from different worlds, with some delicious smut scenes to satisfy our cravings.

What to read next

If fantasy smut books hit the sweet spot for you, my list of best smut books is definitely up your alley. Check it out and indulge, folks!

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