Fallen out of love with Romantasy

[CoubousAndTourmaIet]

Does anyone else feel they've reached saturation point with romantasy?

Having been an avid fantasy reader when I was young, I moved away from the genre for many years. I came back to it during the pandemic, when I seemed to need escapism. I started with Throne of Glass and the Grishaverse then ACOTAR and it went from there. I've read hundreds and some of them I did enjoy (notably Samantha Shannon).

Now, I'm suddenly having a lot of DNF's and they're all starting to feel a bit samey; pretty dresses, enemies to lovers, marrying princes and lots of kissing. Stephanie Garber was the final straw.

So, I'm looking for recommendations for recent fantasy series with relatable females please. I've done all the old ones - Tolkien, Ursula Le Guin, the three Terry's (Brooks, Goodkind & Pratchett), Anne McCaffrey, Katherine Kerr, Robin Hobb etc. But there must be plenty of modern writers that have slipped under my radar and this is what I'm looking for.

I know there are more recent male authors - Brandon Sanderson, Jay Kristoff, John Gwynne to name but three, but I don't know what sort of female characters they create... Don't want glamour or sexism cause I'm an old thing of 61.

Grateful for any recommendations. Thank you.

T Kingfisher has some great books most of which feature a mix of ages and lots of older characters which is very refreshing. The Winnowing Flame Trilogy by Jen Williams is an interesting mix of scifi & fantasy. M L Wang has written some great books. Shannon Chakraborty & N K Jemisin have great books with amazing female characters.

Thanks @Honnomushi
I'll have a look at all of those this evening.

Have you tried the Chronicles of St Mary's by Jodi Taylor?

I haven't. I'll check them out. Thanks @cariadlet

I second the previous two recommendations also Jen Williams, excellent characters, well written and lots of fun. Think there’s a female protagonist. First trilogy starts with The Copper Promise (The Copper Cat #1).

It's not that recent but I highly recommend Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold if you haven't read it before.

Didn’t read previous post properly , The Winnowing Flame is Jen Williams second triology! 😁. Also Travis Baldree, a bit romantasy but sharp and a nice read. I personally avoid anything that says romantasy on the cover I’m afraid I just can’t be doing with it!

I second Lois McMaster Bujold who is brilliant - her characters and her wisdom stay with you. Curse of Chalion does have a male protagonist (a great one) but sets you up well for Paladin of souls with a delightfully cranky 40 year old woman

The Invisible Library series is great too, perfect for any book lovers and with a great female heroine and very varied settings.

T Kingfisher is not quite on the same level but lots of fun , especially Swordheart which is hilarious.

Thanks for all the recommendations so far. Will definitely be trying some Jen Williams for starters.

I’m reading the library trilogy by Mark Lawrence who I think has written a wonderful female lead character! I have to do one on one off with romantasy at the moment, some of it is utter trash but still lovely to read!

Sorry to contradict a previous poster, but I bought the Jodi Taylor books after they came highly recommended on here and thought they were dreadful. I rarely give up on a book, but I just couldn’t tolerate any more. Repetitive language, badly written, “goofy” main character who was not endearing at all…sorry, not much help otherwise as I’m pretty new to the genre having only just started ACOTAR.

Thanks. @NellyWest I'll try Mark Lawrence.
I do still enjoy some romantasy. I think I just need to be more selective and steer clear of the sugary sweet and girly ones. I want something more gritty at the moment.

@BuzzYourGirlfriendWooof Thanks for giving an honest opinion. I've just read some previews and I suspect I'd agree. I was like that with Genevieve Cogman and I'm seemingly the only person in the entire universe without much of an appreciation for Terry Pratchett (yes, I know, sacrilegious to say this 😬). I have a friend who would love the Jodi Taylor's though, so I will recommend them to her.

I thought N K Jemesin was an absolute load of wank, frankly. +1 for Lois McMaster Bujold. I can take or leave Brandon Sanderson, I don’t rate his female characters.

i also felt too simple for Ursula Le Guin, but did like Raymond Feist’s Empire series. I’m rereading a lot of classic stuff right now because I can’t get on modern fantasy. Noped pretty quickly out of current Romantasy.

Naomi Novik - Spinning Silver & Uprooted
Katherine Arden - the Winternight trilogy

Great post, im so with you. Did you mention the towering growling male, and the purring tiny female?

Anne Bishop, black jewels
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Black_Jewels

Ann Aguirre
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ann_Aguirre
Sirantha Jax

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabaa_Tahir#An_Ember_in_the_Ashes_series

I second mark Lawrence but stay away from the thorns trilogy if you're easily offended as it's brutal in parts.

His red sisters trilogy is good, pretty much all female cast. And the same with the girl and the stars.

Anne Bishop black jewels was a fantastic story but has some quite challenging parts in terms of themes, again not reading for the faint hearted.

Ooh have you read the mist born trilogy by Sanderson? I think the female lead can be a bit lacking but it's a strong story.

Tamora Pierce the Alanna books are great

Oh Anne Bishop’s World of the Others is so good, love her alternate setting. Wish she’d write more of them. (Haven’t read the Black Jewels series)
If you like Urban Fantasy then the Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter are good fun, they get a bit silly towards the end but still a satisfying story with good characters and a sensible balance of sex and storyline!
Also the Hollows series by Kim Harrison are fun again get a bit silly towards the end but an enjoyable read nonetheless.

The Morgan series by Sophie Keetch is also good, taking the story of Morgan Le Fay so historic fantasy. Starts with "My Name is Morgan".

Just read the realm of elderlings again. It can’t be beaten!

uprooted by naomi novik it's a stunning book.

Thanks - I've read all of these and absolutely loved them. Folklore is very much my thing. Also read Hannah Whitten and Ava Reid which are in the same vein.

They were going to be my suggestions as well!

Wow! Thanks all, amazing response to this thread and I see I'm not alone in this. Checking everything out, but please keep suggestions coming.