No-Spice YA Fantasy Books

You HAVEN'T Read Yet!

(for when you're tired of hearing about ACOTAR and Fourth Wing)

My Favorite YA Fantasy Books You've Never Even Heard Of

I love me a good YA fantasy adventure, especially if it includes no-spice romance and some witty banter. But I know you're tired of hearing about the same ones over and over!

That's why I'm sharing my favorite YA fantasy book recommendations that you likely HAVEN'T heard of yet. If you're tired of everyone talking about ACOTAR and Fourth Wing, you're in for a treat. I've rounded up some of my favorite YA fantasy romance books that fly under the radar but are just as magical as the "popular" ones—without the spice. Whether you love swoon-worthy slow-burns, epic adventures, or enemies-to-lovers (my personal fav), these hidden gems deserve a spot on your TBR. Get ready to discover fresh new reads with all the romance and none of the heat.

No-Spice YA Fantasy Books For Your TBR

You can find synopses for each of my YA fantasy book recommendations below, along with links to buy a copy for yourself! Make sure to follow me on my bookstagram and booktok to see aesthetic photos of these titles and more.

Welcome to The Enchanted Ink Pot, a cozy little corner where I write about all things writing, books, and poetry. I'm Darcy, and I'm overjoyed to welcome you to this scrap of internet parchment where I scribble behind-the-scenes glimpses into my author journey, the inspiration behind my books, fantasy book recommendations, (and the occasional odd bout of poetry). Whether you're looking for your next enchanting read or want to explore the world of storytelling, you're in the right place. Grab your favorite mug of tea, settle in, and let's go adventuring together.

Kingdom of Swords and Seelie

My Synopsis: Voted #7 'Best Books To Read This Summer', it's a tale of sisterhood and found-family. Perfect for fans of Tamora Pierce, A Curse of True Love and The Prison Healer

Alicina Peterson accidentally led her little sister into an enchanted forest overrun by dark fae...who thought it would be fun to kidnap and torture her. But Alicina is willing to lay anyone in the cold dark earth to get her back. And they messed with the wrong little girl... because little Emily will grow up to be one of the deadliest shifter knights in Telidore. And she'll never forget what they did to her.

Buy the book: Amazon | Kindle Unlimited

Hawksong

My Synopsis: An enemies-to-lovers romantasy about war, duty, and family. Zane was absolutely my TOP book boyfriend as a teen! If you liked Rhysand... you're gonna love this book.

Danica Shardae is an avian shapeshifter, and the golden hawk’s form in which she takes to the sky is as natural to her as the human one that graces her on land. The only thing more familiar to her is the war that has raged between her people and the serpiente for so long, no one can remember how the fighting began. As heir to the avian throne, she’ll do anything in her power to stop this war—even accept Zane Cobriana, the terrifying leader of her kind’s greatest enemy, as her pair bond and make the two royal families one.

Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Beauty

My Synopsis: A fairytale retelling of Beauty and t the Beast by Newbery Medal & NY Times-bestselling author Robin McKinlsey. This is by far and large the BEST version of the classic story I've ever read!

Beauty has never liked her nickname. She is thin and awkward; it is her two sisters who are the beautiful ones. But what she lacks in looks, she can perhaps make up for in courage.

When her father comes home with the tale of an enchanted castle in the forest and the terrible promise he had to make to the Beast who lives there, Beauty knows she must go to the castle, a prisoner of her own free will. Her father protests that he will not let her go, but she answers, "Cannot a Beast be tamed?"

Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Vespertine

My Synopsis: A fantastic book for anyone (like me) who loved the Abhorsen series by Garth Nix.

Artemisia is training to be a Gray Sister, a nun who cleanses the bodies of the deceased so that their souls can pass on; otherwise, they will rise as spirits with a ravenous hunger for the living. She would rather deal with the dead than the living, who trade whispers about her scarred hands and troubled past.

When her convent is attacked by possessed soldiers, Artemisia defends it by awakening an ancient spirit bound to a saint’s relic.

Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

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