Fantasy Romance Favorites

This month’s theme is Fantasy Romance Favorites so I’m sharing a new favorite I read just a few weeks ago, The Well of Shades by Juliet Marillier. Marillier’s books are a cross between historical fiction and fantasy. She’s an amazing writer with an incredible gift for establishing her world so vividly you feel like you’re there. Most of her books are set in ancient Britain and Ireland but it’s the fantastical version of ancient Britain with wise druids, meddling fae and brave women who go on grand and life-transforming adventures.

While her stories usually have a strong romantic subplot, I’ve always read Marillier for the fantasy. The Well of Shades is the first book I’ve read of hers where I found the romantic storyline completely satisfying. So, for readers of fantasy romance, if you haven’t tried this one yet, I highly recommend it.

Note: This is the third book in the series but it can be read as a standalone. I didn’t read Book 1 but I did read Book 2 years ago and that was where I started to fall for Faolan. Book 2 is also good but not as good as this one.

And if I haven’t convinced you, here’s one of my favorite parts. Faolan is telling Eile a story because, well, she asked for one and she keeps shushing him when he tries to tell her he loves her. This is halfway through Faolan’s story. Saraid is Eile’s daughter.

Remarkably, he got another chance. She gave him that; she was wiser than he was. This time he determined to tell her how he felt; how she had opened him up and let light into his life. But she kept saying, shh, no, not yet, and he held his tongue. Until the time he nearly lost her again. Then he told her, even though she tried to stop him, because he knew that if anything happened and he hadn’t said it, he could never forgive himself.”

A silence. Then she murmured, “I suppose you’d better say it, then.”

“I love you,” he whispered. “I’ll take as much or as little as you’re prepared to give me. I’ll give you and Saraid everything that’s in me.”

The fire flickered; the birds on the tapestry moved in the draft; the silence lengthened. At last Eile’s voice came, hesitant and sweet: “That was the best story I ever heard, Faolan…”

Sigh.

What are some of your favorite fantasy romances?