Bestselling author Scarlett St. Clair names her 5 favourite romantasy books
There's nothing better than sitting back after a long day and unwinding with a good book. But choosing your next read is sometimes easier said than done; do you opt for the latest big release everyone's talking about online, try something recommended to you by a friend or just pick something at random?
If you like reading fantasy or romantasy books, it can be even harder to choose, thanks to a never-ending supply of recommendations on TikTok. Luckily, number one New York Times bestselling author Scarlett St. Clair is on hand with five of her own favourites, perfect for any romantasy fan.
Scarlett's own books include the Hades X Persephone Saga, the Hades Saga and the Adrian X Isolde series. Her latest book, Terror at the Gates, is a feminist retelling of Lilith's story, marking the start of an all-new fantasy series, Blood of Lilith.
Without further ado, here are Scarlett's top five romantasy recommendations. And for more book reviews and news, click here to subscribe to our free weekly newsletter, The Bookish Drop, on Substack.
1. Master of Crows by Grace Draven
"Grace Draven was writing romantasy before it had a name and let me tell you, she is a QUEEN. I was honestly torn between Master of Crows and Radiance for this list, but Master of Crows was my first romantasy and is, therefore, sentimental.
"The book follows Martise, a woman with an orgasmic voice (my words but we all know the MC is thinking it), who is sent to spy on Silhara of Neith. Silhara, Master of Crows, is under attack from Corruption, a god with immense power who wishes to use Silhara as a vessel to take over the world.
"I think I loved this book so much because there is nothing extraordinary about these two main characters. Despite magic, they feel like normal people struggling with everyday challenges. Silhara is grumpy... and Martise has the patience of a saint. Watching them fall for each other is frustratingly entertaining."
You can buy Master of Crows on Amazon.
2. The Winter King by C.L. Wilson
"The Winter King by C.L. Wilson is the first in the Weathermages of Mystral Series. It's unfinished, but each book can be read as a standalone.
"In The Winter King, we are introduced to Wynter Atrialan who has just conquered the land of Summerlea and is tricked into marrying one of its princesses, the fierce Khamsin Coruscate whose storm magic makes for some tense scenes and passionate encounters. At its heart, this book is a romance set in a vibrant and chilly fantasy world—and, yes, the puns are intended."
3. Her Soul for a Crown by Alysha Rameera
"Her Soul for a Crown is a debut romantasy by Alysha Rameera. Inspired by Sri Lankan mythology, this tale follows Anula, a fierce and determined heroine who has every intention of marrying the raja who destroyed her kingdom—all so she can poison him and take this throne.
"When things don't exactly go as planned, she's forced to make an offering to Reeri, the Blood Yakka, a divine being who has goals of his own. Her Soul for a Crown was inspired by one line Alysha read in a book about a Sri Lankan queen who poisons six of her husbands for the throne.
"Unlike my previous two recommendations, I'd say Her Soul for a Crown leans heavier on fantasy than romance, though the slow burn is burning for sure. My favourite thing about Alysha's writing is her vibrant and meticulous world-building. This one is a must read and out August 12!"
You can pre-order Her Soul for a Crown from Waterstones or Amazon.
4. The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard
"Amalie Howard wrote one of my favourite regency romances, The Beast of Beswick, so when she announced a romantasy inspired by Persian and Indian mythology, I said gimme! The Starlight Heir follows Suraya Saab, a bladesmith with dreams bigger than her small forge. When she receives an invitation to participate in a set of trials to become the prince's bride, she sees it as a chance at adventure. The only issue is the prince isn't actually looking for a bride, he's looking for the Starkeeper, a girl with the magic of stars in her blood.
"Amalie manages to weave a fast-paced plot with a slow burn romance that leaves you breathless and yearning for more. If you are looking for something familiar and fantastical, this one is for you!"
5. For Ever by Jenny Hickman
"Jenny Hickman is in her cosy fantasy era and I am obsessed. For Ever is about a young woman named Kerris who is on the hunt for a husband, but most importantly, love.
"She has no lack of potential suitors—among them, the Prince of Rosehill—but all of these handsome Seelie men are sidelined when Kerris lays eyes on Everett Gathin, a brutally sweet Unseelie warrior. What follows is a whimsical tale of forbidden love best enjoyed with a cup of tea, a soft blanket, and a roaring fire."
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The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
The rise of ‘SugarTok' where women ‘date' wealthy, older men and make up to £40k a year in a bid to pay off debts
SCROLL through TikTok and you can't miss the increasing number of young women flaunting luxury 'sugar baby' lifestyles funded by wealthy, older men. But is it a bit of fun, or something darker – and at what cost? Fabulous investigates… 5 5 Looking at the mounting pile of bills on the hall table of her student flat, Roxy* felt a rising sense of anxiety. Studying geography at university by day, her four-night-a-week bar job simply wasn't enough to keep up with the rising cost of living. It was a TikTok video that would open Roxy's eyes to the possibility of a controversial way out of her financial struggles. As she scrolled through the app one evening three years ago, the algorithm shared a video made by a 'sugar baby' – a young woman involved in a relationship with an older, wealthy partner. Showing off a £5,000 Chanel handbag, the petite blonde explained her flash lifestyle was all down to her 'sugar daddy', who paid for her company and lavished her with gifts. Searching #sugarbaby, Roxy was stunned and intrigued to see thousands of similar videos, with young women on luxury holidays, showing off designer clothes and revealing their bank statements – all paid for by their sugar daddies. 'I'd heard of sugar daddies, but had no idea this lifestyle had become so prolific among girls my age,' she says. 'There was this whole world out there of women leading amazing lifestyles, and although some did mention they were having sex, many seemed like they were just being paid and rewarded for their company.' With 314k videos on TikTok using the hashtag #sugarbaby and thousands more using #sugarbabyproblems, it's now a thriving social media trend. 'I saw these girls my age living lives of luxury, and I wondered where I'd gone wrong' Roxy was 21 when she first spotted the posts. 'Life was so hard at that time,' she recalls. 'I was living off pasta and beans, struggling to pay bills and working until 3am, then getting up to go to lectures. My mum helped when she could, but money was already tight for her. I wasn't able to buy new clothes or go on nights out. I was feeling increasingly isolated. 'I saw these girls the same age as me living a life of luxury, and wondered where I'd gone wrong,' she says. In 2022, at the start of her second year of university, Roxy signed up to a site where men are invited to bid for dates, after finding herself unable to afford the deposit for a new flat. 'That was the tipping point when I thought: 'Enough is enough.' I wanted more than life was giving me. 'The site popped up when I googled 'sugar daddies'. If a man makes an offer, you can accept, decline or counter. The money is exchanged on the date itself. There was no mention of sex and it seemed legitimate. It was just going on dates. 'I went on a few dates and, initially, men were buying me dinner and paying me around £200,' Roxy says. 'Most of them were in their 50s or 60s, but they weren't terrible company. We'd talk about their jobs and their hobbies and sometimes they'd kiss me on the cheek at the end of the night. It seemed like an easy way to make money.' One or two were 'creepy', she admits. 'I had one guy who kept saying: 'I'm going to stroke you now', and he would touch my back and arms. He hadn't even given me the money at that stage. I always met the men somewhere public, where I felt safe.' In three months, Roxy went on eight dates and made around £2,000. Then, in December 2022, she met Mike, a 58-year-old investment banker who said he'd struggled to hold down a 'proper' relationship as he travelled so much for work. After paying for four dates, he asked to make their relationship more permanent. 'I was worried,' Roxy admits. 5 'Did he want me to sleep with him? I wasn't sure how much 'sugar' I wanted to give. He'd already paid me over £1,000 in a month in cash. 'But I liked spending time with him, and he was clear that he only wanted one 'baby'. I didn't want to lose him. I agreed to go to Dubai with him and spent five days shopping and lazing by the pool. It was amazing and I couldn't believe I was being paid £2,000 to go on holiday. We didn't have sex. He was gentlemanly and considerate, and I had my own room.' Roxy isn't unique in having experienced the financial challenges of being a student nowadays. A recent survey by UCL revealed 68% of students can't afford course material. A separate poll found 67% sometimes skip meals to save cash.* Added to that, a recent study by and the Campaign Against Living Miserably found that half of young people feel pressure from social media to buy things or to look a certain way, and 43% spend more than they can afford to keep up with what they see on their feeds. Against this backdrop, it's perhaps little wonder that women like Roxy are being tempted into finding a 'sugar relationship'. Chartered psychologist Dr Louise Goddard-Crawley says: 'Social media doesn't just reflect culture, it creates it. When you're constantly exposed to images of designer clothes, luxury holidays and filtered lifestyles, it's easy to feel like you're falling behind.' She adds: 'If you're financially stretched and still working out who you are, the idea of being wanted and looked after can feel incredibly appealing. But what is never shown is the emotional cost, the power dynamics, the pressure to perform and the impact on your self-worth. 'Even if sex is technically consensual, if it's tied to financial support or a sense of obligation, it can leave people feeling out of step with their own desires. I've heard people say: 'I didn't really want to, but I felt I should.'' 'He said he'd up my allowance to £4,000 a month if I slept with him' It was following their Dubai trip that Mike first asked Roxy for sex, after giving her a £10,000 Chanel handbag. By this stage, they'd been 'dating' for three months. He was paying her £3,000 cash every month, as well as buying her fancy gifts, but said he'd up his allowance to £4,000 if she slept with him. 'He was much older than me and I hadn't slept with many men in the past, so I was nervous. But in many ways, I was happier than I'd been in years. I was doing well at uni without money worries on my mind, I got to go out and spend time with my friends, and he wasn't jealous or possessive, so I said yes.' Roxy describes the first time as nerve-wracking and says she just wanted to get it over with. 'Afterwards, I asked myself: 'Am I now the same as a prostitute?' But I decided this was different. We were in a relationship of sorts, and there are plenty of marriages where the men support the wives who stay home. I didn't enjoy the sex – I liked Mike but I wasn't attracted to him in that way, but I pretended to be having fun for his sake.' Roxy and Mike were in a sugar relationship for two years, sleeping with one another several times a month. 'I didn't tell my family, as I knew mum would be ashamed. I told her I had a boyfriend who came from a wealthy family. Even then she warned me to be careful. I confided in some close friends, who thought it was great – they didn't judge me at all.' Their relationship ended in 2023 when Mike moved overseas, but since then she's had two more regular sugar daddies. She is currently in a relationship with Paul*, 55, who she's been seeing for six months. 'Paul likes me to attend events with him and go for dinner after work. I haven't slept with him,' Roxy says. 'He buys me gifts, takes me away for weekends, and he pays my rent.' But dating coach Eimear Draper warns such relationships are fundamentally unhealthy. 'In a healthy relationship, there should be equality. That doesn't mean you have to earn the same, but there should be respect for what you contribute to a life you are building together. In a sugar-baby relationship, there is no equality. It's transactional.' 'One girl's sugar daddy paid for her New York apartment, but he wanted sex every night' 5 Former sugar baby Nova Jewels dated four sugar daddies in five years, earning herself around £40,000 a year. Despite making so much money, she hates seeing this kind of lifestyle promoted on social media. 'People don't realise how dangerous it can be,' says Nova, 29, from Dundee. 'Each time you get a new daddy, you have to do security checks, find out if they are legitimate and if the name they give is their real name. I have my wits about me. If I got the slightest inclination that something was off, I'd cut them off.' Nova understands why sugar babies would brag online. 'They can earn a mad amount of money, and I don't think people believe it's real until they experience it themselves,' she says. 'But it's not always as luxurious or straightforward as some influencers would have you believe. 'I often see naive women commenting on posts and saying they are going to do it to pay off debt or feed their children. But this is an adult industry. I knew one girl whose daddy paid for her to live in a multimillion-dollar apartment in New York, but he wanted sex every night. I don't think many people understand where the line is now.' Nova quit working as a sugar baby in April and now has a regular nine-to-five job in events. 'I've had a total turnaround,' she says. 'The money was amazing, though I never slept with my sugar daddies. It provided me with a life and money that a nine-to-five job would never have done, but it needed to stop. 'I definitely don't earn the same now, but I love the independence of having my own job and earning my own money. It's time to stand on my own two feet,' she says. Sugar relationships are not just attracting young women like Roxy and Nova. Sarah* is 50 and has earned over £4,000 since signing up to be a sugar baby in December last year. She was newly divorced and struggling to pay off £10,000 of debt she'd been saddled with in the wake of her marriage breakdown. 'I was sinking under the weight of the debt, which we'd had as a couple. We had to split it when we broke up, and we had two children to look after,' she says. 'My children are teenagers, so I am able to work nights in a supermarket, but it isn't enough. 'I signed up to a site and, within days, I had men offering me money to go on dates with them. I did worry I was too old and no one would be interested, but I had a lot of interest despite my age.' Sarah's first sugar daddy was married and, after several dates, she had sex with him, earning around £1,500. But he constantly pestered her, and said he wanted her to fall in love with him. 'In the end, I had to cut him off,' Sarah says. 'I kept on dating, but after that I did make my boundaries clear. I won't have sex with a sugar daddy again. 'Now, I mainly just have lunch dates and coffee with lonely older men. They just want some company and a woman on their arm. It's harmless,' she says. 'For me, it's just a way of paying off my debt. When it's done, I'll stop. There is no emotional connection. It's a way of getting my life back. 'No one knows that I've been dating sugar daddies. I'd be devastated if my children found out. It's not an example I want to set for them.' 'I have to look good for my daddies – I'm in the gym every day and I have my hair and nails done' 5 Now on her third sugar daddy, Roxy says although she felt financially pressured into the lifestyle initially, now she wouldn't change it for the world. She has come out of university debt-free and hasn't found the need to find a proper job, thanks to her 'income' of £3,000 a month from her relationships. 'My family think I do a bit of fashion work to earn money. I'm not flashy with it. Most of my stuff is understated and I never brag on socials.' 'I don't need to work,' she says. 'I do have to spend time taking care of myself, as I want to look good for my daddies, so I'm in the gym every day and I get my hair and nails done regularly. 'Of course, not everyone will approve of this lifestyle, but it's my life – you only get one, and I'll live it how I choose. 'I'd love to meet someone for a 'real' relationship one day, but right now that's not a priority and I'm certainly not looking. If it happens, maybe I'd have to give this up, but they'd have to be really special – or rich.'
Daily Mirror
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- Daily Mirror
Mariah Carey halts Brighton Pride performance for iconic on-stage diva demand
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Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I went from doing hair and makeup for the living to working with the dead, here's the truth about getting embalmed
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FORMER beautician shared an insight into her shocking change of career. In a pivot from doing hair and make up for the living, this woman now provides the same service for the dead. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 A woman working in a funeral home shared an insight into her unique job Credit: TikTok / @funeralbabe In a viral video, the TikToker known as Funeral Barbie broke down the unique job for her 4.5 million viewers. She explained that she worked as a "cosmetologist for the living" before qualifying as an embalmer. According to the viral funeral director, "beauty school wasn't a total waste". While she still does hair for living clients as a "side hustle", the TikToker mainly focuses on the deceased. Read More On Jobs WORTH IT I make £4,000 a MONTH from my extremely unusual job with NO qualifications "Doing the hair on the deceased is so much more different than doing it on the living and it's not just because of the changes that they will undergo or the challenges that are presented," she said. She revealed that there is a specific art required in this technique of making someone look like they did when they were alive. The TikToker revealed that she is often given a picture to go off, doing her best to recreate the person's appearance after death. She added that she finds her work as a mortiuary cosmotologist to be rewarding as the families of the deceased find comfort in how she makes them look like their old selves. The beauty expert also shared a little known fact about getting embalmed. She described the process as a "spa treatment for your dead body". I quit my £43K job in the UK to be a grape-picker in Italy and have ZERO regrets - I don't get paid but I'm so happy According to the pro, you get your hair shampooed and conditioned and your nails cut, filed, and cleaned. Your ear and nose hairs will also be trimmed and your eyebrows will be plucked as part of the procedure. She revealed that your body is even "massaged" during the emaballment process. The TikToker compared the work of an embalmer to that of a "personal stylist". TikTok viewers shared their thoughts on the revelations in the comments section. "I hope when I pass someone knows how to do my makeup how I have it," one follower said. "This is my dream job but I can't afford the schooling," wrote another inspired commenter. "The one day my husband and kids will leave me alone long enough to have a spa day," joked a third person. More on unique jobs One woman became a millionaire doing a kob that makes people's skin crawl. Another worker makes £10,000 a month doing job that everyone hates and it only takes seconds. And a mum earns £80,000 annually doing a job nobody else wants to do. A reality TV star revealed the job they did that nobody else wanted to do. Plus, a round-up of the jobs nobody wants to do, and you don't even need a degree.
