Fantasy Books Without Romance (or Very Little): My Top 7 Picks of 2024

I’m a bit of a mood reader, and even though I usually love a fantasy book with a strong romantic subplot, (and sometimes even outright “romantasies”), once in a while, I want to read fantasy stories that focus more on the action, magic, and political intrigue. 

I’ve found some amazing fantasy books without romance (or at least, very little) that transport me to magical realms with wizards, monsters, and politics. And I’m not just talking about classics like The Hobbit.

Here are my favorite clean fantasy books without no spice or romance (or with very little) that fit that bill, with very little and in some cases zero romantic subplots. 

Disclaimer: There are affiliate links below which means if you make a purchase after clicking on one, I may earn a commission. Full disclaimer here.

Babel by RF Kuang

Babel is a dark academia fantasy set in 1830s Oxford, about a Chinese boy named Robin who’s recruited to study translation magic. The story explores colonialism, racism, and the ethics of magical power.

Kuang’s world-building and character development are amazing. It’s one of the best books I’ve ever read – so good that I don’t even do the book justice in my Babel review.

What really sets Babel apart is the focus on deep friendships rather than romantic relationships. There might be a tiny bit of attraction between two of characters, but it’s so subtle you could easily miss it.

Instead, the relationships that drive the story are the friendships between Robin and his fellow students, especially the bond he forms with the three other “outcasts” at his school as they navigate their magical education and the moral dilemmas they face.

Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb

I read Assassin’s Apprentice the first book in the Farseer Trilogy for the first time earlier this year, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. It’s about a young boy named Fitz who’s the illegitimate son of a prince and is learning to be an assassin.

What makes this book special is Hobb’s world-building and character development. You really feel Fitz’s struggles and get wrapped up in the politics of the Six Duchies. The magic system, mysteriously referred to as “the Skill”, is also really cool.

This book is 100% about the character work, and although there are hints of romance they’re minimal and don’t drive the story at all. You’ll get fully immersed in Fitz’s training, the dangers he faces, and the family ties that shape his journey without traces of romantic subplots getting in the way.

(Confession: I have yet to read books two and three in this series, and I suspect that as Fitz gets older, there may be more romantic interests. But based on the writing style and plot of the first book, I don’t expect romance to take up much of the plot. If I’m wrong I’ll definitely update this review!)

The Way of Kings: An Epic Fantasy by Brandon Sanderson

The Way of Kings is the first book in the Stormlight Archive series. It’s set in the fantasy world of Roshar where the fatal, storms regularly sweep the continent, which shapes the landscape and society. The story follows several characters including Kaladin, a surgeon-turned-soldier, Shallan, a scholar studying ancient artifacts, and Dalinar, a former warlord whose been experiencing mysterious visions.

What really stands out is Sanderson’s world-building and magic system. I was blown away by the depth of the lore and the spren of Roshar. The characters are complex and great, with amazing character arcs and plot twists that kept me hooked for over 1000 pages.

Romantic relationships do develop, but they are not described in great detail and serve more as character development than focusing on the romance itself. This book is all about the world-building and character development first. 

The Sword Of Kaigen by ML Wang

I just read this one last month. The Sword of Kaigen is about Mamoru Matsuda and his mother Misaki as they defend their isolated mountain village from invaders. It’s set in a world inspired by Japanese culture with elemental magic and epic sword fights.

What I loved was the world-building and character development. The action scenes are awesome, with ice magic and sword fighting scenes that had me on the edge of my seat. I was also really moved by the themes surrounding the complex family dynamics and duty versus personal freedom.

It’s not a story that takes you where you expect it to, which makes it a super refreshing (if at times utterly heartbreaking) read. There are romantic relationships in the story, but the plot is solidly about familial relationships, personal growth, self-discovery, and impending doom.

There’s no shoe-horned love interests or unnecessary romantic tension to get in the way of the main plot. It’s nice to read a fantasy that doesn’t use romance to drive character motivations or story arcs.

Vicious by V.E. Schwab

This is something of a villain origin story that flips everything on its head. Vicious is about two college friends who discover how to get extraordinary powers through near-death experiences. Their rivalry escalates into a game of cat and mouse of revenge and power.

What really stands out is the morally gray characters and the exploration of heroism and villainy. V.E. Schwab’s writing style is really good at being poetic and descriptive while keeping the prose clear and easy to consume. There are plenty of twists and action scenes that keep the story moving at a good clip.

There’s a notable lack of romance. Part of what makes the story interesting is the way the main characters simultaneously respect and hate each other. It’s all about complicated relationships and conflicting motivations. No distractions, just tension and suspense from start to finish.

(Sidenote: V.E. Schwab has also published another duology called Monsters of Verity in the YA category that has only platonic relationships only. The first book is This Savage Song.)

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

I read Susanna Clarke’s Piranesi in one sitting and loved every moment of it. The story is about a strange man living in a huge mysterious house with endless halls (some of which get routinely flooded) and statues, and has only one other person for company whom he simply refers to as “The Other.”

What’s great about this book is the world-building and the atmosphere. You’ll love the puzzle-like nature of the plot and the slow reveal of the protagonist’s true situation.

This is one of those stories that really does have zero romance whatsoever. Instead, the story is about identity and memory as his world falls into chaos.

The Will Of The Many: A Tale of Political Intrigue by James Islington

The Will of the Many is the first of the Hierarchy series. The story takes place in a world where the powerful ruling class, known as the Hierarchy, wields a unique ability called Will, which they siphon from the populace to maintain control and power. The story follows Vis, a young man with a mysterious past, who is thrust into the elite Catenan Academy, where he must navigate deadly politics, alliances, and his own secrets while uncovering the dark truths behind the Hierarchy’s power.

As Vis grapples with his role in a brewing rebellion, he must decide how far he’s willing to go to challenge the system that binds his world.

The political machinations feel real and high stakes, the magic system is unique and adds another layer to the world. I liked the dark academia vibes the most, it gave the story a moody atmosphere.

If you’re looking for a fantasy without much romance this is a good one: The plot is 50% politics, 25% unique magic system, 24% dark academia, and 1% romance. It’s there, but barely. 

Final Thoughts

Fantasy with little to no romance is a nice change of pace. I love getting into worlds where the focus is on adventure, magic, and personal growth, allowing romance to take a backseat rather than being a central focus of the narrative.

Of course, there are many other fantasy books that don’t focus on romance, but these are my current favorites as they explore complex themes and relationships beyond just romantic love. Friendships, family bonds, and personal quests are the main focus, creating rich and satisfying stories.

They prove you don’t need romance to have a great story and emotional payoff.

So if you want to broaden your fantasy horizons I highly recommend trying these out. You might just find you like the lack of romantic tropes and expectations.

Remember there’s no one size fits all in reading preferences. It’s always good to have options for different tastes and moods!

FAQ