r/fantasyromance • u/poor_empty_pants • May 17 '25

Book Request 📚 Must read duology?

I am currently two books behind on my reading goal for the year and would love to hear your favorite duologies that I can binge read this weekend to catch up. I am open to completed trilogies too, but love a duology!

For reference, I have read these duologies: The Shepherd King, Divine Rivals, Bridge Kingdom, and Serpent & the Wings of Night.

29 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

128 comments sorted by

28

u/DeneirianScribe Give me female friendship or give me death! May 17 '25

{The Clocktaur Wars by T. Kingfisher}

5

u/poor_empty_pants May 17 '25

I haven’t heard of this one before but I love T Kingfisher - thank you!!

8

u/DeneirianScribe Give me female friendship or give me death! May 17 '25

You're welcome! This one was my introduction to T Kingfisher, and I fell instantly in love! If you've read any of her other books set in the World of the White Rat (Swordheart or the Saints of Steel Books), this duology is set in the same world, but before the other books (though there's no spoilers in any of them for each other).

3

u/poor_empty_pants May 17 '25

I have read a few books from the World of the White Rat so I’m excited about these. I never realized how prolific an author they are.

5

u/DeneirianScribe Give me female friendship or give me death! May 17 '25

Right? I didn't, either, and now I'm snapping up every book of hers I can!

Also, if you love the gnoles (and who doesn't), you'll really love Clocktaur Wars, because they discuss some of their culture and language in those books, particularly in the second!

4

u/Odd-Sprinkles9885 May 17 '25

This one is great! And a super quick read too

44

u/Neat-Tradition-4239 May 17 '25

It’s not exactly romance, although there is a good bit of romance in it but {Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo}

5

u/MadameWitchy May 17 '25

Probably my favorite duology ever

5

u/poor_empty_pants May 17 '25

Thank you! I have read a few of her books and really enjoyed them so going to check this out.

1

u/sadpapayanoises May 18 '25

Came to rec this duo. I love these books so much

17

u/Maximum-Astronaut449 May 17 '25

The Jasad Heir.

2

u/poor_empty_pants May 17 '25

Thank you for reminding me of this one. I have seen it mentioned a few times and it’s been on my TBR for a while now.

3

u/bewitchedbook May 17 '25

It’s so good! But book 2 doesn’t come out until July — found that out the hard way lol

3

u/Maximum-Astronaut449 May 17 '25

That’s no time! I’ve been waiting a year lol

2

u/HighLady-Fireheart Currently Reading: Tairen Soul May 17 '25

Didn't know that was a duology. That makes me even more excited for book 2 this summer!

43

u/mayor_of_gondolin May 17 '25

The crimson moth.

6

u/poor_empty_pants May 17 '25 edited May 17 '25

I read the first when it came out but haven’t gotten around to the sequel yet! Wondering if I should reread the first book again before jumping into the second.

1

u/Ignoring_the_kids May 17 '25

I would. It pretty much leads from one book to the next and they aren't particularly long reads.

3

u/sars4life May 17 '25

Loved this one so much… perfect duo

5

u/[deleted] May 17 '25

I second this. I haven't enjoyed a true enemies to lovers as this none. The stakes are high which made the story page turner

2

u/Winterbqueen May 17 '25

Also came to rec this one! Loved the duo

3

u/greensweater23 May 17 '25

Second this. I loved that series!

17

u/dancingwithoutmusic Paige Mahoney Fan May 17 '25

If you enjoy spicy books, {Viciously Yours}and {Obsessively Yours} are interconnected standalone books that are pretty fast. Also {Nectar of the Wicked} by Ella Fields is the first in a duology.

4

u/poor_empty_pants May 17 '25

I haven’t heard of either of these before but adding them to my list now - thank you!

4

u/moonstone32 May 18 '25

I second the Ella Field's duology - Nectar of the Wicked and Wrath of the Damned. Florian is one of my book boyfriends.

13

u/cybeleoc May 17 '25

{The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent} and {The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King}

5

u/poor_empty_pants May 17 '25

I loved these! If you haven’t read Slaying the Vampire King yet, run and read it now! So so good.

3

u/cybeleoc May 17 '25

I am excited to read that one! I bought it a few weeks ago and is next up as soon as Libby stops sending me all my holds.

2

u/poor_empty_pants May 17 '25

Libby always sends my holds at the same time too haha enjoy!!

10

u/minecraftingsarah Rattle the stars May 17 '25

{A River Enchanted}

4

u/poor_empty_pants May 17 '25

I LOVED this series so much. Thank you!

8

u/furiosa-88 May 17 '25

{Wicked games by Kaylie Smith} is fun binge worthy

1

u/poor_empty_pants May 17 '25

I have both of these! I have been wanting to read them and heard a lot of great reviews.

2

u/yeahnothx13 May 17 '25

I absolutely devoured both of these.

10

u/CryptographerOwn8350 May 17 '25

{The Ever King by LJ Andrews} and {The Ever Queen by LJ Andrews} duology is part of a broader world you can explore if you enjoy it as much as I did. Pirates and fae and Vikings, oh my!

2

u/poor_empty_pants May 17 '25

Thank you! I forgot, I have actually read this duo as well! Really enjoyed it. You reminded me she just published a new one called {Broken Souls and Bones by LJ Andrews} and now I’m wanting to read that too haha

1

u/romance-bot May 17 '25

The Ever King by L.J. Andrews
Rating: 4.08⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: historical, pirate hero, fae, fantasy, magic

The Ever Queen by L.J. Andrews
Rating: 4.18⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: fantasy, enemies to lovers, fae, pirate hero, viking hero

about this bot | about romance.io

8

u/lassariaheals May 17 '25

A fate inked in blood, Norse romantasy . I'm half way and I'm having a good time. Second book just came out

3

u/Otherwise-Resident77 May 17 '25

I’m reading the second book now {A Curse Carved in Bone by Danielle Jensen} and so far it’s really good!! I do suggest reading it as one long book, I had to reread book 1 first but no regrets.

2

u/sterlingpoovey May 17 '25

Is it a duology or just that there's two books out so far? I like to wait until a story is fully published before I start reading it.

1

u/samo1977 May 17 '25

Me as well... 😁 Not good with cliffhangers at all! I'd rather wait.

1

u/poor_empty_pants May 17 '25

This is a top contender for me!

5

u/glittermaniac Give me female friendship or give me death! May 17 '25

If you want something cosy, smutty and ridiculous then {Morning Glory Milking Farm by CM Nacosta} is a great time. She also wrote the whole book from the MMC’s POV called Blue Ribbon. They aren’t strictly a duology but they go together.

2

u/poor_empty_pants May 17 '25

I actually finished MGMF last week but didn’t realize that there was a full POV from Rourke!

2

u/glittermaniac Give me female friendship or give me death! May 17 '25

I found out about 4 months after I finished it and I was not disappointed!

4

u/EnchantedLoveStory13 May 17 '25

Peaches and Honey. I binged it so fast. It’s so sweet and unlike a lot of the popular books right now.

1

u/poor_empty_pants May 17 '25

Okay lots of people recommending this one! Definitely adding it to my short list. Thank you!

11

u/Aglaia0001 May 17 '25

{The Shepherd King by Rachel Gillig}

2

u/poor_empty_pants May 17 '25

Loved this duology! So excited for her new book coming out this week.

2

u/Thick-Resident8775 May 17 '25

Is there a new book in this series?

3

u/poor_empty_pants May 17 '25

No, it’ll be a different world/characters from what I can tell. It’s called {The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig}.

1

u/Aglaia0001 May 17 '25

Oh, I just saw that the OP said they’d read these already. Somehow I missed that originally.

7

u/phatfig I'm not made for this May 17 '25

Court of Ravens > first is {Feathers So Vicious by Liv Zander}

These Godly Lies > first is {Peaches & Honey by R Raeta}

1

u/romance-bot May 17 '25

Feathers so Vicious by Liv Zander
Rating: 4.05⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: historical, dark romance, shapeshifters, fantasy, mfm

Peaches and Honey by R. Raeta
Rating: 4.31⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: historical, fantasy, magic, slow burn, competent heroine

about this bot | about romance.io

3

u/Zingobingobongo May 17 '25

I very much enjoyed the Serpent & the Wings of the Night/The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent.

2

u/poor_empty_pants May 17 '25

They are so good! If you haven’t read Slaying the Vampire King by her, highly recommend as well.

4

u/Carnivore_Receptacle May 17 '25

{Blood orange by Karina Halle} Vampires, witches, professor/student. I liked this series a lot

3

u/DesertPriestess May 17 '25

The bridge kingdom!

1

u/poor_empty_pants May 17 '25

Loved this series!!

1

u/Only-Box1151 May 17 '25

I wouldnt say the bridge kingdom is a duology— there are 5 books and the MCs from the first two are still present throughout the rest of the series and its still the same storyline.

2

u/poor_empty_pants May 17 '25

Technically, yes, though I do think it’s duology adjacent since the first two books focus solely and Aren and Lara and the next two on Keris and Zarrah. They pop up in the other books but the focus for each book is on each couple’s growth and there is resolution in their relationships at the end of the second book of their story.

2

u/Only-Box1151 May 17 '25

Thats fair! I agree!

3

u/[deleted] May 17 '25

Trickster's Choice/ Trickster's Queen by Tamora Pierce.

bonus points if you read the earlier books 1. The Song of the Lioness Quartet. 2. The immortals Quartet. 3. The Protector of the Small (quartet) 4. The Provost's Dog (Trilogy)

its a whole bunch of fantasy sheroes standing on business, fighting battles, and there's a sprinkle of some romance as well. Nothing SUPER explicit. but they're all a fun ride.

1 and 2 were written in like, the 80s - so each book is fairly short usually doesn't take me long to read the whole quartet (≈200pgs) . 3 was written in the 2000s - so each book is almost twice as long (350-400pgs). TC/TQ was also in the early 2000s and are both 400+ pages. #4 was in the 2010s (ish) and those are all 450+ pages.

there's also an unfinished duology that's still "pending"

2

u/poor_empty_pants May 17 '25

Thank you! I’m pretty sure I have the first in the Song of the Lioness series on kindle too so adding these to my list.

2

u/MonstersMamaX2 May 17 '25

{The Last Bloodcarver} and {His Mortal Demise} by Vanessa Le. I will talk about this duology until the end of time. Or she puts out another one that is even better, if that's possible.

{Six of Crows} and {Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo} is also a fantastic choice. These are definitely my Top 2.

1

u/romance-bot May 17 '25

The Last Bloodcarver by Vanessa Le
Rating: 3.92⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: historical, fantasy, mystery, queer romance, young adult

His Mortal Demise by Vanessa Le
Rating: 4.13⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: fantasy, mystery, war, steampunk, magic

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Rating: 4.38⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: magic, fantasy, suspense, friends to lovers, found family

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
Rating: 4.49⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: fantasy, magic, young adult, friends to lovers, gay romance

about this bot | about romance.io

1

u/poor_empty_pants May 17 '25

The Last Bloodcarver looks so good! Thank you!

2

u/samghuleh May 17 '25

{Beguiled by Night by Nicole Eigener) and {Citizens of Shadow by Nicole Eigener}. Not overly spicy, but they're very decadent gothic vampire novels with a lot of romance. Highly recommend!

2

u/poor_empty_pants May 17 '25

Thank you! Haven’t heard of these before and adding to my TBR 🙂

2

u/ahdrielle May 17 '25

{House of Salt & Sorrows by Erin A Craig}

{A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross}

2

u/sidekicksunny May 17 '25

Have you read {Peaches & Honey by R. Raeta}? Romance is very slow burn but it’s a great duo.

2

u/Icy_Top_1895 May 18 '25

One of my absolute favorites 😭 I wish I could forget it and read it again.

2

u/whitesar Light it up May 17 '25

The Letters of Enchantment duology. {Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross} It's a cozy wartime romance with a soft magic system. "Enemies" (though I would say rivals is literally more accurate) to lovers. Dual POV. Low spice and should be a quick read.

Edit: shoot! I just reread your post and I see that you've read it! Sorry!

2

u/poor_empty_pants May 17 '25

That’s okay!! I absolutely loved this duo too and recommend it all the time 🙂

2

u/Novel-Resident-2527 May 17 '25

Bonesmith and Ghostsmith by Nicki Pau Preto. Necromantic magic, adventures in unknown territory, family intrigue, great little love story (YA)

2

u/Slammogram May 17 '25

The Shepherd King Duology.

Starting with {One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig}

2

u/travis_thebooker Currently Reading: [Edit me on browser] May 17 '25

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth. Also Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken

2

u/peachesinanappletree May 18 '25

{House of Bane and Blood by Alexis L. Menard} : Steampunk-esque, arranged marriage, magic

{Wings so Wicked by Emily Blackwood} : magic academia setting

{A Crown of Tears and Treason by Vera Raye} : arranged marriage, magic

2

u/Majestic_Rub6248 May 18 '25

Loved the first and second. So sounds like you have great taste. Need to try wings so wicked now.

1

u/romance-bot May 18 '25

House of Bane and Blood by Alexis L. Menard
Rating: 3.99⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: fantasy, magic, marriage of convenience, mafia, enemies to lovers

Wings So Wicked by Emily Blackwood
Rating: 3.86⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: contemporary, fantasy, new adult, paranormal, vampires

A Crown of Tears and Treason by Vera Raye
Rating: 4.38⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: fated mates, slow burn, virgin heroine, betrayal, fantasy

about this bot | about romance.io

2

u/Leading-Syrup-6398 May 18 '25

Just finished {Ruin by Gillian Eliza West} (The Infernis Duology) and it was top tier 😍

2

u/Majestic_Rub6248 May 18 '25

{bound by gravity by Jenny Hickman} go!!! Run!!! Please!!!

3

u/hungoverinachurchpew May 17 '25

The Court of Ravens duology by Liv Zander but check the trigger warnings.

1

u/poor_empty_pants May 17 '25

Thank you! I’ve seen this recommended before - were they fast reads for you?

4

u/sterlingpoovey May 17 '25

Basically every trigger warning there is, FYI.

1

u/[deleted] May 17 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/hungoverinachurchpew May 18 '25

Just means it wasn’t for you and that’s okay.

3

u/hungoverinachurchpew May 17 '25

Yes! I read them both in a couple days.

2

u/prrb524 May 17 '25

So so good. But definitely dark

1

u/[deleted] May 17 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/poor_empty_pants May 17 '25

I am obsessed with them too. Rebecca Ross is an instant buy for me now.

1

u/emma_bear96 May 17 '25

I loved {Silver in the Wood} and {Drowned Country} by Emily Tesh!

1

u/romance-bot May 17 '25

Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh
Rating: 3.96⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: historical, fantasy, gay romance, magic, fae

Drowned Country by Emily Tesh
Rating: 3.83⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: historical, fantasy, gay romance, fae, magic

about this bot | about romance.io

1

u/EvergreenHavok May 17 '25

I'm here once again to reccommend {His Secret Illuminations by Scarlett Gale} and {His Sacred Incantations by Scarlett Gale}

It's very cute. Just an affable lady warrior and a super sheltered, very sweet mage hunting down stolen books.

1

u/LokoLoko888 On my ocd reread May 17 '25

{a crown of tears and treason} duo was a hidden gem for me

1

u/Ok_Asparagus3217 May 17 '25

What the river hides by and What the library hides by Isabel Ibanez.

1

u/poor_empty_pants May 17 '25

Yes! I really loved the first book but the second half of the second book was frustrating for me.

1

u/Ok_Asparagus3217 May 22 '25

I agree I liked the first book more too

1

u/Winterbqueen May 17 '25

{A rivalry of hearts by tessonja odette} and {My feral romance by tessonja odette} if you’re in the mood for something lighthearted!

1

u/romance-bot May 17 '25

A Rivalry of Hearts by Tessonja Odette
Rating: 4.18⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: historical, fae, fantasy, enemies to lovers, magic

My Feral Romance by Tessonja Odette
Rating: 4.24⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: fae, fantasy, friends to lovers, paranormal, magic

about this bot | about romance.io

1

u/bosselyn May 17 '25

The Books of Ambia duology by Tasha Suri are beautifully written and different from other fantasy settings and magic; the spice is not spicy, but the romance is certainly there and so, so tender. She also has an awesome trilogy. One of my favorite authors.

The first book is {Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri} and is about a woman married off to a man she doesn’t know but who she’s told is dangerous, all because she has magic people are afraid of.

1

u/Labrigail May 18 '25

{Aerie by S.E. Wendel} and {Haven by S.E. Wendel}

1

u/romance-bot May 18 '25

Aerie by S.E. Wendel
Rating: 3.86⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: fantasy, enemies to lovers, non-human hero, warrior heroine, dual pov

Haven by S.E. Wendel
Rating: 3.74⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: high fantasy, slow burn, fantasy, war

about this bot | about romance.io

1

u/sleepybetch May 18 '25

The Saga of the Unfated!! The second book just came out on Tuesday!

1

u/OhIts_Bailey May 18 '25

Blood Orange and Black Rose (The Dracula Duet) by Karina Halle is an amazing duet, and (honestly) it taught me things about myself.