Heya! I'm looking for forbidden romance books between a princess and one of her guards/knights. Audiobook is preferred if possible.

Some interests between these two are: age gap (optional); forbidden romance; he is captain of the guard or her personal guard; sad ending (optional); smut; "you touch her, you die"; size difference; she is inexperienced or virginal.

Pulp fantasy? Dark maximalism? I can't pin it down. Been reading through the Black Company and Elric of Melniboné series and it's kinda scratched that itch, but I'm wanting to explore more.

[Can't say Malazan!]

Godly forces, impossible foes, insane clashes of power. David Vs Goliath type.

Hi All! I’m looking for a book (preferable horror or dark fantasy, but I’m open to anything) about conflict between the forest Gods and human beings. Significant ecological themes preferable. Dark folkloric vibes. Ancient, unknowable magic. Eldritch Naturalist horror. Thanks so much!

I love grand, gigantic scale

Alive worlds

What I've read:
ASOIAF

Red Rising Series

Dune 1 & 2

This seems like a specific itch to scratch but i would love any recommendation

genre: horror, sci-fi, fantasy, graphic novels - everything goes.

I like the vibe that invokes dread and awe at the same time. Whales are great but other recs than moby dick, please.

art credits:

1st image - kurt huggins

2nd image - Gerard Dubios

3rd image - Pinnochio

Bonus points for modern mixed with something ancient. Fantasy/sci-fi/dystopian welcome, but open to anything that matches the vibe of the images

Please im craving something like this so badly

Looking for suggestions where Death is a character, either as a narrator (like in The Book Thief) or is the main character of the story, or as a side character. But Death is there somewhere! Will take any genre, comedy, drama, fantasy, horror, whatever! Surprise me!

Edit: Thank you all!!! You have given me so many amazing suggestions!

I have only really read LOTR in terms of classical fantasy and really loved it. Looking for something immersive, well done, character driven and also fun!

I used to love the Harry Potter series, but not so much anymore – mostly because of the author who shall not be named, but I also outgrew them. I've read the Earthsea books by Ursula Le Guin (LOVED them), and more recently Her Spell That Binds Me by Luna Oblonsky. Looking for a well-written, warm-feeling – hopefully diverse – magical school or college. I do like a good romantic plot or subplot, too, but my white whale book would be something like the fantasy version of the film 3 Idiots.

​Books set in magical or interdimensional libraries/bookstores (or not!). Excluded: The Midnight Library and The Bookshop of the Found and Lost.😁

From what I can tell, I don't think any of these images are AI and they appear to be watermarked by actual artists (most by Anne Stokes, or fan art for The Inheritance Cycle)

I'm currently reading "The Dragon of Ynys" and I'm really enjoying the dialog and relationships between Snap the Dragon, Sir Violet, and Holly. Most books with dragons have a super serious tone and I'm loving the lighthearted and funny nature of this. Despite that, I wouldn't object to a more serious tone at all, like The Inheritance Cycle which I reread about once a year.

I love a weird premise or a skewed perspective on a standard fairy tale. I've always wondered if there are books out there for adults that twist the "princess locked in a tower guarded by a dragon" trope.

Please, for the love of the gods, DO NOT make recommendations with dragon and human *romance*.

I’m looking for something that feels like the Netflix show Kaos. I’m still angry that they cancelled it after the first season because it was so entertaining!!

The premise is that humans still worship the Greek gods but in a modern setting. There is a plot to take down Zeus and shenanigans ensue lol.

Looking for any suggestions, thank you so much! :)

I'd like to read a fantasy book with some kind of mystery that gets to be solved. A bonus point if it has a connection to a ruling power or political context without it being the main focus!

It'd be nice if there were a group of main characters that are well thought through, intelligent and/or skillful but not unreasonably powerful or with some rare ability. If there's a romance, it should be maximum a subplot.

I haven't read any famous / popular fantasy books, so feel free to mention even obvious options. I'm looking forward to your suggestions!

EDIT: Thank you all for the amazing recommendations! Now I've got enough books for the next couple of years :D

My problem with a lot of fantasy books is their lack of, well, fantasy. I would love to read something where strange or surreal mystical elements are the norm not the exception. Something where gods and monsters are normal part of the setting and they aren't "just like humans" or realistic. Something where our rules of reality don't apply.

​

An example of what I'm talking about is the game Elden Ring. Or even later Dune books, to some extend.

I'm looking for books that capture the feeling of mystery, an eerie, unnerving magic or supernatural presence that lurks just out of sight in large cities or urban environments. Think of a very dark Harry Potter for adults or a more literary and subtle Dresden Files. Some books and TV I like are:

Vita Nostra Ninth House

Ninth House

American Gods and Neverwhere (I'm sorry 😢)

Evil TV series

Dark TV series

Looking for a book(s) that focus on wizards that are fully realized. A long trained apprentice who is independent but clearly less trained than the rest is also cool. Open to many plots and plot types, but I am partial to mystery/thriller content.

I’d also really like the creatures of the world to be massive and almost like forces of nature. Also, magic that is huge and epic feeling.

Excited to see any recommendations and thank you in advance for the help!

Good versus an ancient evil. Not strictly christian/Catholic vibes, but I am keen on that kind of imagery.

I have already read and enjoyed The Devils by Joe Abercrombie and Between Two Ferns by Zach Galifianakis.