There’s something quietly powerful about seeing Black women written into fantasy worlds where they are desired, protected, feared, chosen, and allowed to be soft and dangerous at the same time.
I didn’t always have the language for romantasy. I just knew I kept gravitating toward fantasy stories where the romance mattered. Where love wasn’t an afterthought or a reward at the end of the plot, but something woven directly into the journey. Over the last few years, I realized something else too. The books that stayed with me the longest were the ones where Black women were allowed to step into magic and still be loved inside it.
This list isn’t meant to be exhaustive. It’s a snapshot of romantasy by Black authors that either took over my reading life or earned a permanent spot on my TBR because of what they represent. Some are dark, some are cozy, some are messy, and some are still waiting for me. All of them expand what it means to see Black women at the center of fantasy stories that care about love.
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6 Romantasy Books by Black Authors Worth Reading
Vicious Bonds by Shanora Williams
Short synopsis:
This trilogy follows a woman who gets pulled into a hidden magical world she didn’t know existed, one ruled by power, violence, and ancient bonds. She ends up tied to a deeply guarded, emotionally unavailable man who carries the weight of that world on his shoulders. Magic, danger, and romance are all tangled together in ways that make it hard to look away.
This trilogy absolutely consumed me in 2023 and 2024. It’s one of those stories that quietly takes over your life until you realize you’re thinking about the characters when you’re not even reading.
At its core, Vicious Bonds is a fantasy romance built on contrast. The male lead is stoic, unyielding, deeply traumatized, and emotionally guarded in that way only fantasy men seem to master. The female lead is curious, sassy, kind-hearted, and also carrying a heavy past of her own. When she falls into his world, magic becomes part of her everyday reality.
What made this series hit so hard for me was how rare it feels to see Black women written into epic fantasy worlds where they don’t just survive the experience. They live inside it. They are chosen. Desired. Protected. Allowed softness without weakness. This series didn’t just give romance. It gave emotional payoff.
This book is on Kindle Unlimited, too!
If you’re the kind of reader who loves romantasy that completely consumes you, you might also like my list of Best Romantasy Books That Will Ruin You (In the Best Way).
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Short synopsis:
After losing her mother, Bree stumbles into a secret society connected to an underground magic system rooted in Arthurian legend. As she starts to uncover her own connection to that world, she’s forced to navigate grief, legacy, and power structures that were never built with her in mind.
The writing in this series is sensational. Full stop.
Tracy Deonn takes you on a deeply intentional journey with Bree, and she makes you root for her even when the path gets complicated. This is one of those romantasy series where the romance exists alongside grief, identity, and legacy rather than replacing them.
What stands out most to me is how much Legendborn teaches without ever feeling like it’s lecturing. There are moments where Black history, systemic racism, and generational trauma are folded seamlessly into the narrative. It reminds me of something romance author Kennedy Ryan once said about using love stories as a place to offer truth because readers are already open.
This series proves that romantasy can be emotionally rich, politically aware, and deeply romantic all at once.
If you’re drawn to fantasy worlds built around legacy, power, and high-stakes training, you may also enjoy my list of 6 Books Like Fourth Wing (and Other Dragon Rider Reads) to Fill the Void.
I, Medusa by Ayana Gray
Short synopsis:
This is a reimagining of the Medusa myth that centers her story instead of treating her like a footnote. It explores what happens when power, punishment, and transformation collide, especially when the gods are involved. I haven’t read it yet, but it’s firmly on my list.
I haven’t read this one yet, but it belongs on this list without hesitation.
A friend sent this to me almost as soon as it came out, and it’s been sitting on my shelf waiting for the right moment. I love Greek mythology, and I love seeing Black authors step into spaces we were never expected to occupy. Retelling Greek myths through a Black lens feels powerful in a quiet, expansive way.
The idea that Black writers are reimagining Medusa’s story feels symbolic in itself. We’re everywhere now. And that matters.
Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana
Short synopsis:
A young woman leaves her village to work with the Fae and slowly realizes that the world she’s entered isn’t as simple as it first appeared. As secrets unravel, she starts to learn more about herself, her power, and the delicate balance between magical realms.
This is cozy high fantasy at its core.
The stakes exist, but they don’t overwhelm the story. A young woman leaves her village to work with the Fae and slowly uncovers truths about herself and the world she’s entered. There are twists, romantic tension, and moments of quiet discovery that make this a slower but rewarding read.
And yes, it is deeply satisfying to see Black women written as High Fae. If you enjoy romantasy that leans softer without losing its magic, this duology is worth your time.
This one is on Kindle Unlimited!
If you’re drawn to softer fantasy with cozy, immersive worlds, this book fits alongside the titles I shared in Books That Feel Like a Studio Ghibli Movie.
Blood Moon by Britney S. Lewis
Short synopsis:
This story drops you into a supernatural world shaped by vampires, tension, and forbidden attraction. As relationships deepen and loyalties are tested, the main character has to decide who she trusts and how far she’s willing to go when the stakes start rising.
This book was marketed as Twilight meets The Vampire Diaries, and I honestly wish it hadn’t been. It stands well enough on its own without the comparison.
The prose is lush and figurative, which made it genuinely enjoyable to read. That said, it does lean more YA in tone, whether intentionally or not. I think my high school self would have devoured this book.
Even so, the story is compelling, and I plan to continue the series. Sometimes a book doesn’t have to be groundbreaking to be worth reading.
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Short synopsis:
In a world where magic has been violently taken away, a young woman sets out on a dangerous journey to bring it back. Along the way, she’s forced to confront power, oppression, and what it really costs to fight for something bigger than yourself.
This was one of the earlier fantasy books I read that blended African-inspired folklore with epic storytelling. I read the first two books before 2020, and while I need a refresher, I remember being deeply impressed.
The world-building is rich, the magic system is layered, and the emotional stakes feel real. It helped open the door for more culturally rooted fantasy stories to gain mainstream attention, and that alone makes it significant.
Why Romantasy by Black Authors Matters
Seeing Black women fall in love inside magical worlds isn’t just escapism. It’s affirmation.
These stories say that Black women deserve softness without losing power. That we can be central to epic narratives. That our love stories belong in fantasy just as much as anyone else’s.
Romantasy by Black authors expands what fantasy looks like and who gets to be cherished inside it.
FAQ: Romantasy by Black Authors
What is romantasy?
Romantasy is a blend of romance and fantasy where the romantic relationship is a central part of the story, not a side plot. The emotional arc and the magical journey develop together.
Are there Black romantasy authors?
Yes. Black authors are actively shaping the romantasy genre across epic fantasy, cozy fantasy, mythology retellings, and dark romantic fantasy. Their work brings cultural depth, emotional nuance, and representation that has long been missing from the genre.
Final Thoughts
This list reflects where my reading life has been lately. Some of these books changed how I see fantasy. Some are still waiting for me. All of them remind me that Black women belong in stories where magic and love coexist.
If you’re building a romantasy reading list and want stories that center Black women as powerful and desired, this is a strong place to start.
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