There’s nothing like reading a story where the two main characters cannot stand each other, only to end up slowly falling in love.
It’s great as a reader because you will sense that the characters are into each other long before they do, and you then get to go on a suspenseful journey with them, trying to work out if they will continue to loathe each other or if they will give in and get together.
If you are in the mood for one of these stories, and you also want a healthy dose of fantasy and magic, then you have come to the right place!
Below, you will find a detailed list of the best enemies-to-lovers fantasy books that are so great, you’ll definitely need to read them all! So let’s take a look at them!
30 Best Enemies To Lovers Fantasy Books That Are So Great You’ll Need To Read Them All
From princes and princesses in warring kingdoms, all the way to strong female heroines and slow burners, there are plenty of different enemies-to-lovers fantasy books that you can sink a good chunk of time into.
The titles we have included in this list are immersive and perfect for what you are looking for, and when you read them for yourself, you will definitely love them!
In a realm ruled and controlled by magic, the Queen of Thorns is determined and fueled to destroy her nemesis, the Prince of Evernight.
As the threat of war stirs between the old and bitter enemies, the prince forces Queen Adaia to uphold a treaty that has long been a part of their world – she must send one of her daughters to his court as a political hostage for a total of three months.
With the treaty in mind, the Queen tells Princess Iskvien that this is her opportunity to end the war before it even begins.
But when she meets Thiago for the first time, she knows she cannot fulfill her mother’s wishes.
As she spends more time with the prince and gets to know his court, she starts to uncover secrets that make her question her mother’s motives.
Pros
The story is fast-paced so it’s easy to stay engaged the whole way through.
The characters feel real and they have realistic flaws and imperfections.
Cons
The editing throughout the book is a bit hit or miss.
In the autumn of his eighteenth year, the heir of Emberfall, Prince Rhen, believed that he could be saved if a girl would fall for him.
But that idea changed the moment he was turned into a beast that only cares about destruction.
This caused him to destroy not only his castle but his family and any shred of hope he still had.
With her mother fading and her father long gone, Harper has never had an easy life.
Her brother constantly underestimates her because of her cerebral palsy, and she had to learn to be tough so she could survive.
But when she tries to help a stranger, she finds herself pulled into a magical world.
Arriving in an unknown world, Harper doesn’t know what to believe. She learns of a prince who has been cursed and she starts to spend time with him.
As she is around Rhen more, she begins to realize just what is at stake. And Ren realizes that Harper is no ordinary girl – she isn’t going to be charmed easily, and suddenly, his hope comes back.
Pros
The main characters are described with a lot of depth.
The fantasy world is immersive and atmospheric.
Cons
The writing is very slow paced which can make it hard to stay engaged.
Ketterdam is a hub of international trade where you can find anything you need for the right price, and no one knows that better than Kaz Brekker.
He is a criminal prodigy and good at what he does, so when he is offered the chance to pull off a deadly heist, he takes it.
This heist has the potential to make him rich in a way he couldn’t possibly imagine, but he can’t pull off this heist alone.
Also joining the heist is a spy known as The Wraith, a sharpshooter, a vengeful convict, a magical Heartrender, a runaway with a privileged past, and a thief who is gifted in the art of unlikely escapes.
They are a band of outcasts and none of them trust each other, but they must work together if they have any hope of pulling off this dangerous heist.
Pro
The main characters are all fleshed out and full of personalities.
The story is a very unique take on the heist genre.
Cons
The world-building is a bit awkward and you’ll need to read the other books in the series for a lot of the concepts to make sense.
Seventeen-year-old Eelyn has spent her entire life being raised to be a warrior.
She was raised alongside the rest of the Aska in order to fight in an ancient rivalry with the Riki clan. All her life she has known that in order to survive, she must fight.
But Eelyn’s world completely shatters when she sees her brother on the battlefield- the same brother she saw perish over five years ago.
She has no choice but to face her brother’s betrayal, and she is forced to spend the winter surviving in the mountains with the Riki.
In the village she stays in, everyone is an enemy, and she could have very well inflicted some of the scars she sees on the clansmen.
When the village she is staying in is attacked, Eelyn just wants to go home and return to her family even more.
Eelyn has no choice but to trust in her brother’s friend, Fiske. He sees her as a threat and this starts their relationship off in a bad place.
Forced to work together, the two must do the impossible – unite the clans, or watch them perish.
Pros
The enemies-to-lovers trope is done really well throughout the story.
The female protagonist is strong and not a damsel in distress.
Cons
Not much happens in the story and it can feel a bit slow at times.
Romeria is a gifted thief who has spent her childhood using that gift on the streets in order to survive.
In the present day, she takes jewels from the richest people and works for the most notorious crime boss in all of New York City.
But when a woman forces her to work for her, Romeria is thrown into a world of elemental magic, opposing thrones, and elves, and she doesn’t know what she has been dragged into.
The task the woman has assigned to her is simple – steal a stone from Islor’s garden, but she must do so without revealing her true identity, which would have disastrous consequences.
This is made even more complicated when she discovers that she has assumed the identity of the Ybarisan princess – who is one of Islor’s biggest enemies.
With no other option, Romeria has no choice but to embrace the royal role, and convince her husband-to-be that she is madly in love with him.
This role brings her much closer to the king than she ever thought possible, and even though the two have no fondness for each other, she digs deeper into the sacred garden and she discovers horrific truths that could change everything.
Pros
The main characters are fleshed out well and they stay interesting.
The world-building is incredibly detailed.
Cons
The ending feels a bit rushed in comparison to the pacing throughout the rest of the book.
In a land that is ruled by a malevolent boy-king, each passing day is the cause of heartbreak for a new family. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan is truly a monster.
Each night, he takes a new bride, but she never makes it to the morning, and when sixteen-year-old Shahrzad’s best friend falls victim to the same fate, she vows to get revenge and volunteers to be his next bride.
Every night, Shahrzad manages to survive, and she does everything in her power to keep him enchanted and entertained, but she knows any night could be her last.
But then the unexpected happens – she learns that Khalid is nothing like what she had originally imagined.
He is just a tormented boy, and she finds herself falling in love with him.
She considers her newfound love for Khalid to be the ultimate betrayal, to herself and to her best friend.
But still, Shahrzad knows that everything is not what it seems, and she uncovers many secrets in the palace.
She still swears that she will get revenge for her best friend, but will love conquer all and save them both?
Pros
The world is incredibly detailed and described really well.
The story is filled with clever plot twists that will keep the reader engaged.
Finley, her family, and everyone else in the kingdom have been struggling to survive ever since a curse polluted their land.
This curse leaves shifters stuck in human form and people throughout the land are ill and perishing.
Finely has managed to make an elixir to lessen the symptoms, but she cannot eradicate it completely.
Now that her father is seriously ill, she has no choice but to venture into the Forbidden Wood and find the leaves from the plant she uses to make the elixir.
But when there are demons prowling around the town at night and rumors of a dangerous beast lurking in the woods, getting the leaves from this plant won’t be easy, and going to harvest them at midnight will make it even more dangerous.
Then, Finley is thrown into a situation where she comes face-to-face with the beast in the woods, and he takes her prisoner, forcing her to live in his castle. It is here that Finley discovers a whole new world.
Pros
The story is really engaging and entertaining.
The growth of the characters throughout the story is very well done.
Cons
The writing style is a bit immature and there are lots of expletives.
Seraphena Mierel’s fate has never been her own. She was born within the veil of the Primals, as a Maiden, which had been promised by the Fates.
Before she was even born, she was chosen to uphold the deal her ancestors had agreed to save their people.
Forced to leave her life behind and become the consort of the Primal of Death, she has no choice but to fulfill her duty.
However, what the Primal and all the people of Lasania don’t know is that Seraphena isn’t actually the Maiden, rather she is an assassin. She only has one mission – destroy the Primal of Death.
But to do this, she will first need to lower his guard and make him fall in love with her.
Regardless of her true title, she has always had her fate decided for her, that is until the Primal of Death starts to chase away the darkness that is gathering inside her.
Regardless of what she chooses, Seraphena knows that her life is forfeit.
Pros
The foreshadowing throughout the book is really good and ties together nicely.
The story includes a mystery subplot that ties together well with the main story.
Cons
The writing can feel quite repetitive throughout the book.
Simon Snow is the Chosen One, but he is the worst Chosen One that has ever been. At least, that’s what his roommate Baz says.
And Baz may be evil and a vampire and an awful individual, but he’s probably right.
More often than not, Simon can barely get his wand to work, and even when it does work, all he can do is set things on fire.
His girlfriend has broken up with him and his mentor is completely avoiding him, and to make matters even worse, there is a magic-eating monster that is wandering around wearing his face.
It is Simon and Baz’s last year in the Watford School of Magicks, but Simon isn’t expecting much, and his nemesis hasn’t even bothered to show up.
Pros
The chemistry between the two main characters is really entertaining and well done.
The overall plot is fun and interesting.
Cons
There’s lots of unnecessary information thrown into the story which can ruin the pacing a bit.
Evangeline Fox has believed in happy endings and true love for as long as she can remember.
It’s all she’s ever wanted, at least until she discovers that the love of her life is set to marry another.
She is desperate to stop the wedding and heal her broken heart, so she does the only thing she can – she strikes a deal with the wicked Prince of Hearts.
He agrees to help her, but in return, she must share with him three kisses, all of which must be given at a time and place of his choosing.
But after she gives the Prince of Hearts the first kiss, she learns that bargaining with an immortal is an extremely dangerous game.
She soon learns that the Prince of Hearts wants a lot more than what was bargained for and he has plans for Evangeline.
Pros
The story is fun and not too serious, which is great if you want an immersive read without having to commit too heavily.
The book is a real page-turner.
Cons
Some of the interactions between some characters feel forced and not very fluid.
Shiori is the only princess of Kiata, and she has a secret. Throughout her veins, forbidden magic runs, and she cannot reveal it to anyone.
Usually, this isn’t a problem, but on the morning of her betrothal ceremony, she completely loses control.
In many ways, this mistake is actually a stroke of luck because it postpones the wedding she never wanted in the first place, but it also, unfortunately, catches the attention of Raikama, her stepmother.
Raikama has her own dark magic, and she banishes Shiori. She turns her brothers into cranes and warns the princess that she must speak to no one.
If she does speak, one of her brothers will perish each time she lets a single word escape her lips.
With no money, no voice, and no one to turn to, Shiori goes on a journey to find all of her brothers and she ends up discovering a conspiracy to take the throne.
This betrayal and conspiracy are even worse than what Raikama did to her.
Shiroi is the only person who can save the kingdom, but the only way she can save it is by placing her trust in the boy she didn’t want to marry.
She also needs to embrace her magical powers, no matter what the cost may be.
Pros
The characters are well written and interesting.
The immersion into the fantasy world the story is set in is really detailed.
Cons
The writing is quite immature and even though it’s aimed at slightly older audiences, it comes across as a lot younger.
After her home in Ruina has been destroyed by war, Emelina Flores has nothing left.
She lacks the powers her fellow Ruined have and she had to watch her parents’ brutal demise, while also watching helplessly while her sister, Olivia, was kidnapped.
But when someone has nothing, this also means they have nothing to lose.
Driven by sheer will and revenge, Emelina finds herself setting off on a dangerous mission right into the enemy kingdom of Lera.
Once she arrives, she hopes that she will find Olivia, but the only way she can do that is by infiltrating the royal family.
As part of her elaborate plan, she ends up marrying Prince Casimir, who is also next in line to inherit the throne.
Emelina must protect her identity because if anyone discovers she is not his true wife, then she will be executed and she will never see her sister again.
Emelina is determined to succeed and she will do everything she can to keep the ruse up, but as she gets closer to the prince, she starts to question her mission and finds herself in a situation she had never planned for.
Pros
The fantasy setting is lush and detailed, and aesthetically pleasing.
You will really feel like you are going on an adventure with the main characters.
Cons
There are lots of plot points and interactions in the story that don’t make much sense.
When the patriarch passes away, Jace becomes the new leader of the Ballenger empire.
The nearby kingdoms bow to the strength of this family, but as a new era begins, the dynasty targets a young queen, who is the whole reason behind their anger and resentment.
Kazi is a former street thief who is legendary, and she is sent by the queen to investigate what has been going on in the new settlements.
When she arrives in the land of the infamous Ballengers, she soon learns that there is a lot more to Jace than meets the eye.
As unexpected events happen and everything spirals out of their control, Kazi and Jace continue to play their cat-and-mouse game, which inevitably brings them closer together.
But one false move can cause both of them to fail, and that is not an option for either of them.
Pros
The descriptions of the landscapes are mesmerizing and extremely detailed.
Both of the main characters have lots of development that add more interest to the plot.
Cons
As the story takes place in an already established world, you may need to read some of the other books to understand some of the world-building.
Mariko is the daughter of a prominent samurai and she has always known her place.
She may be a very accomplished alchemist and can often rival her brother Kenshin, but as she is not a boy, her future has never been hers to decide.
When she is seventeen years old, her hand is promised to Minamoto Raiden- the son of the emperor- and this marriage will put her whole family in a better political position.
But when she is on her way to the imperial city of Inako, Mariko escapes an ambush from a dangerous gang of bandits known as the Black Clan.
Now, dressed as a peasant boy, Mariko decides to infiltrate the Black Clan and find those who were responsible for making her a target.
Once she joins the ranks, she discovers that she is appreciated for her intellect and abilities for the first time in her entire life.
She also finds herself falling in love, but it is forcing her to question everything that she already knows, about family, her purpose, and herself.
Pros
There are many colorful characters in this story, all of whom have depth.
It is one of the better Young Adult (YA) novels available.
Cons
The paragraph styles are quite distracting and can ruin the immersion a bit.
In a world where magical powers rule, the population is divided.
Reds are commoners who don’t have any powers, and they are ruled by the Silvers – the elite who possess god-like superpowers.
This is how it’s always been, and Mare Barrow, a Red from the poverty-stricken area of Stilts, does not believe that this status quo will ever change.
When she finds herself working in the Silver Palace, she is suddenly surrounded by everyone she loathes.
She discovers that despite her status as a Red, she somehow has powers of her own- and these powers are dangerous.
Discovering her powers, the Silvers hide Mare in plain sight and declare that she is a long-lost Silver princess who is engaged to a Silver prince.
She knows that a single mistake would result in her demise, so silently works to help the Red Guard- a militant resistance group – in order to bring down the Silvers once and for all.
But in this new world that Mare has found herself in, she has to work out where her loyalties, and her heart, lay.
In this world, it is forbidden for humans and elves to fall in love. But even the most absolute of laws can be broken.
If a human is caught in the elflands, it means execution will soon follow. When Venick is caught there, he ends up lying about his identity to save his own life.
But the elf, Ellina, does not trust the human and knows that he can lie because he is a man. But lying in elvish is impossible.
Ellina decides to give Venick a chance, but only if he meets her conditions – he must learn elvish and reveal his truths, and then she will set him free.
As Ellina and Venick begin to get to know each other, their feelings start to shift into uncharted territory.
And when Venick discovers a very dark secret, the entire fate of the elflands falls to him.
Venick must decide whether to risk his life to protect a race that loathes him and if he does it, it’s all for an elf he is not allowed to love.
Pros
The battles and fights within the story are quite realistic and well-written.
The writing style is beautifully done and immerses you into the story really well.
Cons
The chemistry between the main characters can be a bit hard to believe at times.
When Lark’s mother was executed, her mother told her father that she would never speak again.
She also told him that if Lark were to perish, he would perish too. Her mother also predicted that the king would lose his son to the sky when he traded his soul.
Lark’s father has a claim to the throne, but he is waiting for her mother’s predictions to come true before he makes his first move.
All he wants in life is to become king and Lark just wants to be free.
But in order to be free and live life how she wants to, she will have to escape from her mother’s curse and her father’s greed.
She can’t wield a sword and she cannot utter a single sound, let alone words, so she will have to find help outside the only life she has ever known…
Pros
The main character is likable and easy to identify with.
The story is very descriptive and easy to picture in your head while you are reading.
Cons
There isn’t much world-building in this novel, despite the fantasy elements.
From birth, Poppy’s life has never been her own. She was chosen to be the Maiden, and this means that is never to be looked upon, she is never to be touched, and she must live her life in solitude.
She counts down the days until her Ascension, but she would rather be with the guards, vanquishing the evil that took her family.
The future of the entire kingdom rests solely on Poppy’s shoulders.
She knows that this is expected of her, but she isn’t entirely sure that it’s something she even wants.
She may be the Maiden, but she still has a heart, and she still has longing.
When she meets Hawke, a guard who is bound to ensure her Ascension, their destinies and duties become tangled with their desires.
Hawke makes Poppy question everything she has ever believed in and tempts her with things forbidden to a Maiden.
A fallen kingdom that was forsaken by the gods is rising once more, and they will take back what is theirs with a fierce vengeance.
As war creeps closer and closer, the lines between what is expected and what is wanted blur.
Poppy is on the verge of being undesired by the gods and losing her heart, and she is also in a dangerous position that threatens her very life.
Pros
The overall story is exciting, and suspenseful, and will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The plot is easy to follow and flows really well.
Cons
There is a lot of “angsty-teen drama” littered in the dialogue of this book.
When Jude was seven years old, her parents perished. She and her two sisters were then stolen away and forced to live in the High Court of Faerie.
Ten years after these horrific events, Jude now just wishes that she could belong in her new home, regardless of being a mortal.
But almost all the fey despise humans, and fitting in is anything but easy. And no one despises humans more than the youngest son of the high king, Prince Cardan.
In order to win a place at the Court, Jude must defy the Prince, and face whatever consequences come with it.
As Jude integrates herself more and more into the Court and the world of the fey, she learns about all sorts of deceptions, secrets, and palace intrigue.
She also discovers that she isn’t so bad at trickery and fighting either, and these things only confuse her more.
But when a threat comes to the Courts of Faerie, Jude will have no choice but to risk her life and form a very dangerous alliance.
One that will save her sisters and the Court itself.
Pros
The story is full of strong, female characters that have depth.
The world is full of diversity and carefully thought-out characters.
Cons
Lots of the story is quite sad, so it’s not a great choice if you want a light read.
Seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa is sent on a mission to find a hidden treasure map.
This map is the key to a legendary treasure trove that pirates from all corners have been trying to find for years.
In order to find the map, Alosa allows herself to be captured by her enemies in order to search their ships for clues to the map’s whereabouts.
When she is taken onto the ship, she is not worried about taking on the ruthless pirate crew.
There is only one thing standing in Alosa’s way: the cunning and attractive Riden, who is this pirate crew’s first mate.
But Alosa isn’t worried and she has plenty of tricks up her sleeve. Ridden may be cunning, and he may be attractive, but she is skilled too.
Determined to find the treasure map and all the riches that await, it’s going to take more than a single pirate to stop the Daughter of the Pirate King.
Pros
The entire story makes you feel like you are going on an adventure with the characters.
Six weeks after the angels of the apocalypse had descended, street gangs now rule in the day, and superstition controls everyone at night.
When some warrior angels with a helpless little girl, seventeen-year-old Penryn will do anything to bring her sister back.
She makes a deal with Raffe, an enemy angel who is broken and wingless on the streets.
Traveling together through a broken Northern California, they only have each other to rely on and they will do everything it takes to get Penryn’s sister back from the angel’s stronghold in San Francisco.
Pros
The setting for this novel is dark and unique.
The story is easy to read and flows well.
Cons
The main characters feel a bit stereotypical in terms of YA protagonists.
Damen, the rightful heir to Akielos, is a hero to his people.
But when his brother takes his powers, Damen is stripped of his identity and captured- and forced to serve the prince of an enemy nation.
Prince Laurent is both manipulative and beautiful, and Damen soon discovers that everything in the Veretian is not what it seems.
When he finds himself in a position where he is caught up in a play for the throne, he must work together with Laurent in order to not only save his country but to also survive.
Pros
The chemistry between the two main characters works really well.
The whole book is paced well and is a real page-turner.
Cons
The language in the book is extremely simple and not too detailed.
When Pestilence, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse comes to her town, Sara Burn is certain of one thing: everyone she knows and loves is in danger.
The only way she can save her town is by stopping the Horseman.
But no one told her that he cannot be defeated when she made an attempt on his life.
Very much alive and angry, Pestilence takes Sara prisoner. But the longer she is with him, the more she is uncertain of his feelings toward her, and her own toward him.
Pros
Sara is a strong-willed protagonist and easy to identify with.
The concept is unique and interesting.
Cons
There are not many plot devices throughout the book.
When the huntress Feyre claims a wolf in the woods, a creature arrives and demands retribution.
She is taken to a magical land that she only thought existed in legends.
She soon learns that the beast who captured her is no beast at all, but rather he is one of the immortal faeries who were once the rulers of her world.
As she becomes more familiar with her new home, she starts to get feelings for her captor, Tamlin.
But something is not right in the land of the fae, and Feyre must find a way to stop the growing evil that lurks in the shadows…
Pros
The pacing of the story really picks up as you read more and gets more engaging.
The writing is descriptive and detailed and will immerse you in the world and characters.
Cons
There are a lot of “damsel in distress” stereotypes.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it! The books we have listed here are some of the very best enemies to lovers fantasy books.
They will whisk you away to intricate worlds filled with detailed characters, who will stay with you long after you have finished the last page!
Give some of these books a read for yourself and see which one is your favorite.
How To Choose The Best Enemies To Lovers Fantasy Books
Pick A Book That Has Fleshed Out Characters
When choosing the perfect “enemies to lovers” story, it is important that you pick a book with fleshed-out characters.
This is mainly important when it comes to the main characters/love interests.
If the characters are flat and one-dimensional, it will make the overall story boring and you won’t be able to engage with the characters very well.
Look For A Story That Blends Genres
Romance and fantasy are already blended together for these types of stories, but when you add another genre on top, it makes the whole story more interesting.
Having the two main characters solve a mystery or engaging in lots of action can really flesh the story out a bit more!
Be Wary Of Longer Books
While there are plenty of “enemies to lovers” books that are a bit longer, overall it’s in your best interest to choose books that are a bit shorter.
This is because you want the pacing to be balanced and the suspense to be engaging rather than frustrating.
Smaller novels in this subgenre of books are a lot more immersive and will keep your attention for longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do People Read Enemies-to-Lovers Fantasy Books?
Because they are entertaining and show that characters and people are more than their flaws.
What Is The Difference Between Rivals-to-Lovers And Enemies-To-Lovers?
Enemies-to-Lovers usually means two characters who are on opposing sides of a battle, war, or conflict.
Rivals-to-Lovers usually means there are no wars or battles, and they can be on the same side, but the characters usually despise each other.
Noah Burton works as a Librarian full time, and is a blogger in his spare time. His goal is to write compelling recommendations for all of the most popular books he can find, from science fiction to romance.
With a passion for books, a drive to find new reads to get stuck into, and a love for sharing book recommendations with others, Noah can help you find the next novel for your bucket list.
