As you wish…
13 February 2018
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: That Artsy Reader Girl, The Broke and the Bookish, Top Ten Tuesday
Top Ten Tuesday
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme where every Tuesday we look at a particular topic for discussion and use various (or more to the point ten) bookish examples to demonstrate that particular topic. Top Ten Tuesday (created and hosted by The Broke and Bookish) is now being hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl and future week’s topics can be found here. This week’s topic is :
Love Freebie
I don’t really read romance books on a regular basis, I don’t mind romance being a part of the book I’m reading but I don’t want it to be the primary focus. With that in mind I’m going to suggest some fantasy books with a smidgen (or maybe a little bit more) of romance:
- The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss – very light on romance but there is a definite theme going on here.
- The Study series by Maria V Snyder – starting with Poison Study. Valek and Yelena.
- Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. This really is a great series. I read it a long time ago and there is quite a bit more romance involved with this – but it’s just addictive to read.
- The Gentlemen Bastards by Scott Lynch – Locke and Jean – both enjoy a little bit of romance during the course of the series, but it’s very, very mild, the main focus are their elaborate heists.
- The Rebel Angel series by Gillian Philips – because of Seth MacGregor. That is all. Well, when I say that is all, obviously I enjoyed the books!
- The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar – a recent read of mine that I loved. Feels like a classic book but is new and very easy to read. Fun and with a strange romantic element.
- The Nightingale and the Bear/The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden – because I just love these books – and there’s a frost demon, which why wouldn’t you love that?
- The Princess Bride by William Goldman – The beautiful girl and the farmboy – I do love this book and indeed the film. I could read this again at the drop of a hat.
- Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey – the first three books in the Kushiel series are just amazing. Reading about Phedre and Joscelin’s journey is just so damned good.
- ?? Your pick. If you know of a great fantasy book with an element of romance then give me a shout.
Books and travelling with Lynn 
What? No Lannisters on your list. 😉
Yeah – Game of Thrones certainly has enough romances going on – even if quite a few end badly.
Lynn 😀
The only one I’ve read from your list is the Kushiel trilogy. It was, indeed, excellent in many ways.
My recommendation for fantasy books which have an element of romance but not the main thing: “Curse of Chalion” and “Paladin of Souls” by Lois McMaster Bujold.
I’ve still not read McMaster Bujold but I did buy Curse of Chalion so hopefully will get to that one soon.
Lynn 😀
A frost demon…must learn more about him!
I love the books and the frost demon.
Lynn 😀
It’s been years since I read Poison Study, but you just reminded me how much I love that series. Definitely a romance I can get behind 😁
Yeah, Valek 😀
Jean is literally the best friend that anyone could ever ask for. No matter what, Jean is ALWAYS there to have Locke’s back.
I think Jean Tannen is just such an excellent character.
Lynn 😀
I absolutely love Outlander. I think it’s amazing!
It is amazing. Although I don’t think I’ve read the last book (or maybe two) such a long time ago it feels since I read it.
Lynn 😀
Sadly I haven’t read any of these, except the first of The Gentlemen Bastards books by Scott Lynch. However I would really love to read most of them! I also adore The Princess Bride film. 😀
The Princess Bride is one of my comfort films – I can watch it any time.
Lynn 😀
And me! Growing up I wore out two video copies of it! 😀
I read all of the Outlander books back in 2009 (before the 2015 book was released) and adored the series. Except I haven’t read the latest book since I’ve totally forgotten everything that happened in the first 7 books lol
Yeah, I’ve not read the most recent book either.
Lynn 😀
‘Here’s a book with a smidgen of romance– … Kingkillers… …Lies…” set the mood for the entire post hahaha. Love it.
Cheers,
Joey @ Thoughts and Afterthoughts
Thanks Joey 😀
I think it would have to be Ivy Wilde and Raphael Winter from Helen Harper’s Slouch Witch series. They are complete opposites, clearly mad about each other and absolutely hilarious – and their romance doesn’t swamp the rest of the story, either…
I’ll add that to my list.
Thanks
Lynn 😀
Oooh, my heart just melts for Phedre and Joscelin. Theirs is a romance for the ages 😀
Absolutely – love those two.
Lynn 😀
Love Poison Study and you are reminding me that I need to finish that series. I just recently read The Bear and the Nightingale and loved it so much. As far as fantasy and romance go, I love Roshani Chokshi’s A Crown of Wishes.
Thanks for the book tip – I’ll go and check that one out 😀
Love The Gentlemen Bastards and The Kingkiller Chronicles being on here 😀 both amazing and with just the right amount of romance! I have to say I really didn’t like the Study series when I read it – either far too much romance for my tastes or not done in a way that appeals to me.
The Study series does have much more of a romantic focus although I liked that Yelena and Valek didn’t live in each other’s pockets.
I can’t wait for the next Lynch and Rothfuss books.
Lynn 😀
YEEEEEEEES The Gentleman Bastards. Jean in love warms my heart every time, although I’m still a bit weird about how young Locke fell in love.
I surprised myself by loving Wintersong which is all romance (but I guess at least I knew that from the outset); I normally avoid it as far as I can, although I grew up on the Deverry Cycle (Katharine Kerr) which spends – I’m not kidding – at least 12 books exploring How Love Can Mess You Up through multiple reincarnations. By the time you get to a pay-off it’s HALLELUJAH and tears all round.
…maybe this is why I rarely read romance-driven narratives, thinking about it. I read Deverry awfully young and it’s enough to put anyone off love for life 😉 Suddenly all my teen faves featuring star-crossed lovers and disappointment make so much sense (sorry Shakespeare, it wasn’t you).
Haha – I’ve not read Katharine Kerr – do you recommend her? The multiple reincarnations puts me in mind of The Gargoyle which is also a story of love through the ages – it’s not a soft and fluffy read though – have you read it?
Lynn 😀
I’m going to reread the first Deverry book for Wyrd and Wonder if you fancy joining in – they were my absolute favourites for years, but it’s been ages since I revisited them (so I’m a little apprehensive 😉 ). The Gargoyle is new to me, I’ll have to look it up!
Oh yes, I might join in for that. Thanks 😀