There are several excellent classic fantasy books, they are well worth reading all the same.

Spice in fantasy is not necessarily for everyone, and plenty of fantasy books deliver romance with little or no spice at all, proving that spice is not always necessary for a compelling narrative. However, some fantasy books contain a significant amount of spice, but not enough to overtake the plot—just enough to provide sensual chemistry while the plot primarily drives the narrative. The storyline is the heart of these books, but the little spice they contain enhances the narrative and provides a bit of steam for readers who might still want some without consuming the narrative.

10 All Souls By Deborah Harkness (2011-2024)

All Souls Has Minimal Spice, But The Few Scenes Are Electrifying

All Souls by Deborah Harkness is a trilogy about a witch named Diana Bishop and a vampire named Matthew Clairmont who fall in love even though witches and vampires are supposed to stay away from each other. The narrative follows Diana and Matthew as Diana finds a special alchemy manuscript, which might inflict war between witches, vampires, and daemons. All Souls primarily focuses on Matthew and Diana's forbidden romance and the repercussions it might have on the world, only heightened by Diana's discovered manuscript.

All Souls has a TV show adaptation that ran for three seasons, named after the first book, A Discovery of Witches. Despite Matthew and Diana's electrifying romance, the spice is relatively tame and consistent throughout the trilogy, except for a few off-the-charts moments. All Souls focuses much more on the discovered manuscript and how Diana and Matthew's romance changes the world. Although there will not be a fourth season of A Discovery of Witches, Deborah Harkness has continued this rich narrative by telling Phoebe and Marcus' story in All Souls' fourth book Time's Convert.

9 Deathless By Catherynne M. Valente (2011)

Deathless Has A Decent Amount Of Spice, But The Other Plot Elements Take Over

Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente is a standalone historical fantasy fiction book that explores Russian mythology—specifically Koshchei, a villainous equivalent of a witch or demon. Deathless is a unique interpretation of this classic myth, following Koshchei's wife, Marya Morevna, and the life she leads, eventually bringing Koshchei to his downfall, an unusual depiction of Russian folklore. The book contains a moderate amount of spice, but it definitely does not overwhelm the narrative, especially considering the frequency of other elements such as violence, death, abuse, and body horror.

8 The Winternight Trilogy By Katherine Arden (2017-2019)

The Winternight Trilogy's Slow Burn Romance Prevents Spice From Overwhelming The Plot

The Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden is another fantasy historical fiction work immersed in Russian folklore. The narrative follows the protagonist, Vasya Petrovna, as her church firmly believes she is a witch because she can see mythological creatures. Vasya falls in love with Morozko, the winter demon who guides Vasya to defeat Medved, Morozko's brother, who has an ambition to destroy the world. Despite Vasta and Morozko's heated romance, the heart of the narrative revolves around Vasya's journey to defeat Medved and his human vassal, Konstantin.

In The Winternight Trilogy, the slow-burn nature of Vasya and Morozko's romance protects the story from too much spice while still maintaining a healthy dose of it.

The Winternight Trilogy continues to balance plot and spice throughout the books because of Vasya and Morozko's unexpected romance. While Vasya prepares to fight and defeat Konstantin and Medved, her relationship with Morozko blossoms. However, their romance is a slow burn, preventing the narrative from becoming too steamy and consuming the plot altogether. In The Winternight Trilogy, the slow-burn nature of Vasya and Morozko's romance protects the story from too much spice while still maintaining a healthy dose of it. The series is a perfect candidate for fantasy books with a little spice but focuses more on the plot.

7 Empirium By Claire Legrand (2018-2020)

Empirium Becomes Steamier As The Narrative Progresses

Empirium by Claire Legrand revolves around two women—Rielle Dardenne, the Blood Queen, and Eliana Ferracora, the Sun Queen, as their destinies entwine because of the battle between humans and angels. Rielle falls in love with her best friend, Audric, and they become betrothed. However, the devious angel, Corien, also entices Rielle. At the same time, Simon is responsible for Eliana and her magical training, which she must complete to defeat Corien in a future timeline. There is a lot of romance in Empirium, but it does not always include spice.

There is only one spicy scene in Empirium's first installment, Furyborn, but the spice level increases with each book. Nevertheless, the steamy romance scenes never overwhelm the plot; the narrative remains strong throughout the trilogy. Rielle's descent into her status as the Blood Queen and Eliana's destiny to become the Sun Queen are the primary driving forces of the trilogy, despite their respective romantic entanglements. Their romances serve to heighten the tension, but their spicy scenes never overpower the storyline. However, Rielle and Audric, Rielle and Corien, and Eliana and Simon's relationships continue to flavor the narrative.

6 The Drowning Empire By Andrea Stewart (2020-2023)

The Drowning Empire Is Primarily Fantasy, But There Is Some Spice In The Third Book

The Drowning Empire is an adult fantasy trilogy by Andrea Stewart, revolving around the corrupt and tyrannical Phoenix Empire and the group of people who strive to take over to change the world and make it a better place. The protagonist, Lin Sukai, is the daughter of the Phoenix Empire's emperor, and she develops a relationship with Jovis, a smuggler looking for his lost wife, who becomes an unexpected hero. Their relationship is definitely a slow-burn romance as they struggle with their individual conflicts and growing feelings.

Despite Lin and Jovis' relationship, the primary romance is between Phalue and Ranami, a governor's daughter and a resistance fighter. Both romances could not be more different, but they are compelling in their own ways. However, there is little spice for Phalue and Ranami and even less for Lin and Jovis until the final installment, The Bone Shard War—but the scenes are well worth the wait. In the meantime, the politics and fantastical elements of The Drowning Empire are riveting and creative, establishing a fascinating narrative immersed in Asian-inspired cultures.

5 The Witches Of Thistle Grove (2021-2024)

The Witches Of Thistle Grove Balances Romance, Fantasy, & Spice

The Witches of Thistle Grove is a series featuring five witchy romance books, with each installment featuring a different romance. Each novel has a unique plot, with all the books connected through their setting of the magical city, Thistle Grove. From Emmy and Talia's sensual team-up to Isidora and Rowan's steamy rivals-to-lovers romance to the unlikely interspecies attraction between Delilah and Catriona, each book brings something different to the table.

The five books in The Witches of Thistle Grove can act as standalone novels, but the superior reading experience should follow the order of publication dates.

While The Witches of Thistle Grove is a romantasy book series, the spice level is still relatively low, focusing on the romantic development and the fantastical setting of Thistle Grove instead. From Thistle Grove's secret history to spellcasting tournaments to otherworldly threats, each book has its own compelling narrative. The spice in The Witches of Thistle Grove is tightly controlled and only appears when it is absolutely necessary, rather than attempting to incorporate spice at every opportunity. This narrative decision makes the payoff much sweeter and the romances much more riveting.

4 Artefacts of Ouranos By Nisha J. Tuli (2023-2024)

Artefacts of Ouranos Has A Significant Amount Of Spice, But The Plot Steals The Spotlight

The Artefacts of Ouranos by Nisha J. Tuli is like a mix of several well-known fantasy series. The Artefacts of Ouranos has An Ember in the Ashes' trial episodes, The Selection's spousal competition, and Empirium's destiny twists, but Nisha J. Tuli adds her own flair and creativity to create a compelling story. The Artefacts of Ouranos actually has quite a few spicy scenes, but the intricate fantasy plot and its high stakes ultimately trounce the spice. The plot is definitely the strongest part of the narrative, despite the series' level of spice.

3 This Spells Disaster By Tori Anne Martin (2023)

This Spells Disaster Only Incorporates Spice When It Is Necessary

This Spells Disaster by Tori Anne Martin is a standalone fantasy romance novel featuring witches and fake dating as the two protagonists, Morgan Greenwood and Rory Sandler, arrange a fake dating plan to last throughout the biennial New England Witches' Festival. Although This Spells Disaster is a romance-centered fantasy story, Martin only includes spice when the narrative calls for it, focusing on the disastrous arrangement between Morgan and Rory instead. As a result, the book focuses on the primary conflict—Morgan accidentally giving Rory a love potion and trying to end the effects at all costs, despite her growing feelings.

2 The Chronicles of Castellane By Cassandra Clare (2023-)

The First Installment, Sword Catcher, Features A Relatively Low Level Of Spice

The Chronicles of Castellane is Cassandra Clare's first venture into adult fantasy, despite having one more trilogy in The Ragpicker King, will be released in 2025, and another installment, The Bone Conjurers, will follow. Given that it is only the first book of the series, Sword Catcher has relatively little spice, focusing more on the world-building of Castellane and the unfolding narrative for Kel, Conor, and Lin. However, it is unknown if this pattern will remain for future installments.

1 Bride By Ali Hazelwood (2024-)

Bride Has A Surprising Amount Of Plot That The Narrative Prioritizes Over Spice

Bride by Ali Hazelwood is a paranormal fantasy romance novel featuring an arranged marriage between a Vampyre and a Werewolf. Ali Hazelwood's books are well-known for their steamy romantic scenes, and Bride is no different. However, there is a surprising amount of plot that overtakes the spiciness, and there will be a sequel at least, suggesting there are more narratives to uncover rather than additional spicy scenes. Ali Hazelwood posted on her Instagram stories in early fall 2024 about turning in a draft for Bride's sequel, focusing on Serena and Koen.