Book Recs 101 Part One: The Best Romantasy & Dark Romance

Your ultimate guide to romantasy and dark romance is here. The Spicy Librarian Podcast's Book Recs 101 is the episode every new and seasoned spicy reader needs. Whether you're just starting out or ready for the deep end, Dee and Katie have you completely covered.

Hold on to your TBRs because this week we are sitting down for a full hour of book recommendations- and we are not sorry about what we have done to your reading list. From gentle entry points to the books that will absolutely ruin you, we're covering the full spectrum of romantasy and dark romance in one gloriously chaotic episode.

We break it down into three categories- start me gently, middle of the road, and drop me in at the deep end. We cover the first romantasy and dark romance reads you should pick up, where to go next once you're hooked, and what you graduate to when you are ready to go full feral reader. Consider this your official reading roadmap.

Our TBRs have extended by approximately 100 books as a result of this conversation and we regret absolutely nothing. This is part one; buckle up.

00:00 — Introduction and Etsy Witches for the Weather01:44 — Katie's Reading Recap: What's on Her TBR This Week04:04 — Dee's Reading Recap: What Dee Has Been Reading13:01 — HSF: Cringe Reading Moment of the Week16:36 — Book Recs 101: Your Listener Requests Answered26:25 — Romantasy Recs: The Best Books to Pick Up First30:27 — Romantasy Recs: What to Read Next33:33 — Romantasy Recs: High Fantasy Picks for the Deep End35:47 — Dark Romance Recs: The Best Books to Start With40:00 — Dark Romance Recs: Where to Go Next48:21 — Dark Romance Recs: Pitch Black — The Deep End52:28 — Wrapping Up: Come See Us & Send in Your Recommendations

If you loved this episode follow the podcast so you never miss a drop, leave us a review — it genuinely means the world — and head to our website or Instagram for more details on everything we have coming up. We'll see you next Thursday. 🖤

Books mentioned;

Bitter Sweet- Hattie Williams

Crown me Yours- Liv Zanders

Death Valley- Karina Halle

Vanguard- Karina Halle

Branded- Saffron A Kent