Fantasy books with a strong "Feel Good" romance subplot?

[Chris]

Hey guys, I originally (and mistakenly) asked this question in a PNR group. I got a bunch of people suggesting really campy, shallow spaghetti romance novels - You know, the kind of book that has a guy's bare chest on the cover? That is not was I was looking for, so I backed away from that group slowly and reposted here.

Here's what I'm looking for:

1. A single protagonist - One main character only please
2. Fantasy Setting
3. Strong, "Feel Good" romance subplot - We're talking bunnies and sunshine here people. Sad endings need not apply.
4. NO RAPE - A book that features the rape of a main character is a deal breaker. As soon as I start reading about how the main character's sister/mother/wife/GF got raped, I just close the book and throw it in the trash.

Here are some books I've already enjoyed that more or less fit the aforementioned criteria. Some have less of a romance plot than I'd like, but you'll get the idea:

1. Dresden Files - Jim Butcher
2. Kingkiller Chronicle - Patrick Rothfuss
3. Alex Verus - Benedict Jacka
4. Courts of the Feyre - Mike Shevdon
5. Eddie Lacrosse - Alex Bledsoe
6. Ravirn - Kelly McCullough
7. Curse Workers - Holly Black
8. The Curse of Chalion - Lois McMaster Bujold
9. Iron Druid Chronicles - Kevin Hearne
10. Lumatere Chronicles - Melina Marchetta
11. Codex Alera - Jim Butcher

So yeah, I'm looking for a fantasy story that has substance, features one main protagonist, and has a strong romance subplot.

Any advice would be appreciated!

[Sysilouhi]

I would recommend at least Lynn Flewelling's Tamir Triad and Trudi Canavan's Magician's Apprentice, Black Magician Trilogy si also fantastic but it breaks one of your rules.... Little bit more childish but nevertheless one of my favourites are Diana Wynne Jones' Howl's Moving Castle and Marianne Curley's Old Magic. The one protagonist rule is kinda tricky there are many good books that at least partially break it (actually I'm not 100% about the ones listed above either but I think they have pretty clear "main" storyline), but I would still list The Night Circus and The Song of the fallen (which is probably pretty much one main character, but I read this ages ago and I hardly remember anything..)

[Brandt]

Hmm.. it's a bit hard to figure out what you want, some of the books you mention have very little romance in them, and both kvothe and harry dresden have their share of problems with the ladies..

Almost all fantasy have some sort of romance subplot, if you want feel good i'll suggest going old-school, like Pawn of Prophecy, or maybe YA, like The Warrior Heir or City of Bones..
I remember all as being good fantasy, with sub- romance plots that wasnt frustrating.

In line with the books you have listed, i'll also suggest Midnight Riot, it's an urban fantasy series about a london policeofficer who dabbles in magic. It has about as much romance as the "Iron Druid", but it is really well-build UF, and great entertainment.

[Caron]

I don't know if you've ever tried Dean Koontz but one of my favorites of his is Lightning. It has a little romance but nothing over the top and I really enjoyed the suspense and action. It also meets all your criteria.

[Contrarius]

If you enjoyed The Curse of Chalion, then you also need to read Bujold's Paladin of Souls. She also has the whole Sharing Knife series, which has too much romance for my tastes.

[~Thena~]

I find it a bit interesting that you include the Dresden books in with "feel good romances"--have you read them all? I think they're some of the most tragic in the romance department that I've read in a long time. I know what you mean about the bare chested men on the covers, because I generally feel the same way. I used to flat out reject books with covers like that, whether they were men or women. But I've come to realize that not all books with covers like that are horrible. Some of them contain quality stories that aren't filled with cheese or erotica or forced consent. While I have no issue with sex being in a story, I'm not a an of sex thrown into a story if it does nothing for the story.

I posted in your first thread and I recommended the Sharing Knife books by Lois McMaster Bujold because you like The Curse of Chalion and specifically requested romance.

I would also recommend the Chronicles of Elantra series, which starts with . There isn't a lot of romance at all, but they are Very interesting detective stories set in a different word.

I would also recommend the Mortal Instruments, though they do have bare chests on the covers sometimes. The first book is . They aren't what the covers would make you think they are. They are very good stories, with almost no sexual content (and no rape at all), though there is romance with a bit of a struggle.

Have you read or or ?

[Sharon]

Chris wrote: "So yeah, I'm looking for a fantasy story that has substance, features one main protagonist, and has a strong romance subplot. "

The only book I've read on your list is Curse of Chalion, but it happens to be one of my favorites so based on that, here are some of the ones I think would work.

First, the second book in the Chalion series, Paladin of Souls. I also like her "Sharing Knife" series, though as Contrarius said, more romance than fantasy.

The Fairy Godmother is a great retelling of the Cinderella story. If you like that one, it is the first of the "500 Kingdoms" series, all fantasy with a strong romance storyline.

Robin McKinley writes great fantasy/romance books, Beauty, The Blue Sword and The Hero and the Crown are particular favorites of mine and Deerskin is the only one I would definitely not recommend for you. Most of hers are listed as YA but I find them very entertaining reads.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

I second The Blue Sword.

I would also suggest Kushiel's Dart series. With some reservation: There is technically one MC but lots of heavy secondary characters. Also, the (female) MC is a sexual masochist. But there's a strong love story and it's a great fantasy series. But its not for everyone.

[Brenda]

I wrote a novel, REVISE THE WORLD, which is pretty fairly romantic. Lots of other stuff going on, of course. Time travel, exploration, the whole thing.

[Samuel]

There's an entire line of romantic fantasy from Luna books (a division of Harliquin so heavier on the category romance than on the fantasy)

Sharon Shinn's Twelve Houses series is solid traditional fantasy with a strong romantic element.

Any of the paranormal romance books have romance aspects. Mindy Klasky's Girl's Guide to Witchcraft series might be a good start.

[Chelsea]

Catherine Asaro's The Charmed Sphere and its sequels.

Also anything and everything by Robin McKinley. Especially Sunshine. Because that book is, like, my bible. (certainly is more worn, at any rate)

[Jenelle]

Fantasy with only one main protagonist? Good luck! :)

I'll +1 the Robin McKinley suggestion, as well as Mercedes Lackey's 500 Kingdoms series...

(Thanks for catching that, Sharon! Serves me right for trying to type one-handed!)

[Sharon]

Jenelle wrote: "Fantasy with only one main protagonist? Good luck! :)

I'll +1 the Robin McKinley suggestion, particularly her 500 Kingdoms series..."

The 500 Kingdoms series, starting with The Fairy Godmother is by Mercedes Lackey ... and this series you do want to start with the first book. It sets the 'world view' ... the others can pretty much be read in any order.

Several of the McKinley books are also on my permanent bookshelves and have been re-read many times. I've replaced Beauty, The Blue Sword and The Hero and the Crown ... and need to replace Sunshine soon (pages are starting to fall out).

[Chelsea]

Sharon wrote:"I've replaced Beauty, The Blue Sword and The Hero and the Crown ... and need to replace Sunshine soon (pages are starting to fall out). "

The irony was when I read Sunshine the first time I was working as a Baker, so I went "THIS IS SO MY LIFE!" without, you know, the vampires.

And then I became a waitress and re-read Sunshine, and went "THIS IS STILL SO MY LIFE!"

Also, I want a Constantine. Why can't I have a Constantine?

[Sharon]

Chelsea wrote: "Also, I want a Constantine. Why can't I have a Constantine?"

Constantine is the only ... absolutely only ... vampire I have ever had the slightest inclination to so much as shake hands with. I liked him ... and McKinley did an absolutely marvelous job developing the very reluctant friendship between them.

And if you like characters that are bakers, I found a series starting with Earthly Delights with the main character a baker with her own shop and a wacky set of neighbors ... easy reads, but fun.

[Jenelle]

Hmmm, I haven't heard of this "Sunshine" book... I've read most of McKinley's other things... will have to put that one on my to-be-read shelf!

[Chelsea]

Sharon wrote: "Chelsea wrote: "Also, I want a Constantine. Why can't I have a Constantine?"

Constantine is the only ... absolutely only ... vampire I have ever had the slightest inclination to so much as shake hands with."

I'll cop to a HUGE crush on Jerath the Goblin King, so I have an unfortunate predisposition to liking vamps in general (with the exception of Sparkly Ed. he can go die in a fire) but Con re-set the bar astronomically high.

I'll add that series to the list. I need a few new addictions, anyway.

[Matt]

Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson has a romantic subplot. I've only read the first book in the trilogy so I don't know if the romance goes sour later on. Great book though.

[Edward]

I would recommend Riyria Revelations by Michael J Sullivan. Even though it violates your first rule since it has 2 protagonists, if I am interpreting what you want by that rule correctly, this will fit your taste pretty well. Both protagonists are male and usually stick together in adventure. They both got their own romantic interests. Honestly this series feels very, very similar to Codex Alera with similar themes, setups and feel-goodness. The series also has a lot of plot twists.

[Kieran]

If you're interested in more of a young adult read, I loved the Chronicles of Pyrdian as a kid. Start with The Book of Three and marvel at the Oracle pig.

It inspired me to write about an Oracle Chicken named Lydia. I have to finish that story sometime...

[Valerie]

Based on your list, I think I get what you mean about a romantic subplot, but with strong fantasy. Here are some of my suggestions that I think fit this bill:

Mistborn/Mistborn: The Final Empire
October Daye/Rosemary and Rue
Kate Daniels/Magic Bites
Lightbringer/The Black Prism - so far, at least
The Others/Written in Red

[Arley]

Edgar Rice Burroughs John Carter of Mars series. The romance is dated since most of the stories were written a hundred years ago, but the action in the stories is mostly driven by the love the male lead has for the female lead. I usually don't care for so much romance in my fantasy/adventure novels, Burroughs pulled it off well for me.

[Budd]

I just finished John Carter of Mars. I agree with your observations.

[Ken]

Melanie Rawn's Dragon Prince and Dragon Star trilogies had a pretty strong romantic subplot in it and was a great series overall. IMHO

[Ken]

Piers Anthony's Adept series was another one.

[Maria]

Someone mentioned Patricia Briggs further up. She's mostly known for urban fantasy these days, but she started out firmly in the swords-and-sourcery camp. If you liked the Curse of Chalion, you'll probably like these.

Masques has is about a shapechanging mercenary and her wolf companion that turns out to be more of the human sourcerous variety. It even has a sequel, Wolfsbane. There are two more books set loosely in the same world, and they are all fun action oriented fantasy books with heart (and a romance).

Oh, and Juliet Marillier – all of her books.

[Tessa]

I second Written in Red, and the whole series by Anne Bishop. However, the MC has been raped. It occurs before the books begin and is not told graphically at all, but you should know this. I adore that series, though. I rarely, if ever, reread books, but I have read each of those three times now. I also rarely buy books (I'm a librarian), but I own all those. You might enjoy Tamora Pierce's Beka Cooper series, too. Technically YA, I enjoy them a lot--they feel more mature than, say, The Circle of Magic series. Also, de Lint's Newford books frequently have a romance to them. I also second the Kate Daniels' series and all of the Ilona Andrews' books. Some are better than others. They currently release a new chapter in their Innkeeper series every Friday on their website. It makes me love Fridays even more!!!! That series is light and great fun!

[Tessa]

Oh, and I love all Nix's Old Kingdom books, including Sabriel.

[Kody]

I cannot express how much you need to read the Demon Accords series. It checks all of your boxes. The audiobooks are amazing. I want to stress something important, it is NOT a harem romance series. for some reason goodreads labeled it harem. I've read the entire series. The romantic subplot through out the series is strictly monogamous.

[Eva]

You'd probably love Kings of the Wyld, even though it's about a group of old adventurers: there's only one POV character, and while there is no particular romance plot, it's all about going out to save the beloved daughter of one their friends and definitely has a heart-warming feel-good ending, with a lot of humor and no rapes.
Clean Sweep also fits the bill, even though the romance is only very much in the background and very slow-burn, the main plot is about other things.
Elantris breaks one of your rules in terms of having three POV characters instead of one, but it's still really wonderful and has a sweet romance subplot.
Across the Universe is a fast-paced SF thriller with a little bit of a romance subplot. (Rape doesn't happen to the MC, but it's strongly threatened - not by the hero obviously.)
Skyward - single POV (apart from some small interludes), great characters and plot, hint of romance. The series is not yet finished but I can't imagine Sanderson won't give us a happy ending.
All the others I can think of have multiple POVs because you usually get the perspective of both partners in the love story.