Spotify Brings Romantasy to Life With Our Dark and Mysterious Forbid-Inn Audiobooks Experience
From enemies-to-lovers banter to star-crossed soulmates battling curses, romantasy has taken over Spotify playlists thanks to Audiobooks in Premium. Blending the heart-racing tension of romance with the magic, danger, and wonder of fantasy worlds, this unique fusion has attracted a legion of loyal listeners who can’t get enough of the genre.
“Romantasy has absolutely exploded into a cultural phenomenon, largely driven by authors like Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros. Social media—particularly the BookTok community—has definitely contributed to this conversation,” says Spotify Audiobooks Editor Katie del Rosario. “But at the core of it, we think readers are really craving a lot of what romantasy delivers: intense, character-driven plots; stakes that feel like they really matter; empowered, complex female protagonists who hold real power; and romance that takes your breath away.”
Earlier this week, romantasy fans were invited to step into the Forbid-Inn as New York’s Bowery Hotel was transformed for two days into a romantasy-themed space, immersing visitors in the magical worlds of the books they love and blurring the lines between fiction and reality.
Inside the Forbid-Inn: A celebration of magic and storytelling
During the day, fans wandered through candlelit halls, velvet-draped lounges, and enchanted nooks, each space inspired by the worlds of their favorite audiobooks. At check-in, guests received ornate room keys and a single gold token to spend on one of three whimsical quests.
Some chose Drawn by Destiny, where artists sketched fantastical portraits infused with magical details. Others opted for Written in the Cards, a romantasy-themed card-reading that revealed their romantic archetype. And for the bold, The Marking Ritual offered intricate temporary tattoos worthy of any fantasy hero.
In the evening, the inn shifted into an intimate salon where guests mingled with authors, sipped themed cocktails, and enjoyed a surprise appearance from one of the genre’s most beloved storytellers, who shared behind-the-scenes insights into their creative process.
More than just an experience, the Forbid-Inn was a celebration of the stories, the voices, and the fans who’ve made romantasy a cultural phenomenon.
But if you weren’t able to attend, or are just discovering romantasy for the first time, you can transport yourself into the same universe by pressing play on one of these captivating audiobooks from the event’s featured authors.
Lightlark
Written by Alex Aster
Narrated by Suzy Jackson
Every hundred years, the island of Lightlark appears for only one hundred days to host a deadly game, where the rulers of six realms must lie, cheat, and betray to break their curses and win unparalleled power, even as love complicates everything.
The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy
Written by Brigitte Knightley
Narrated by Heather Long and Thomas Judd
He’s a deadly assassin. She’s a gifted healer. Forced to work together to stop a deadly plague, Osric and Aurienne must ignore their orders—and their hearts—as a slow-burning attraction turns enemies into something far more dangerous.
Dire Bound
Written by Sable Sorensen
Narrated by Avery Caris and Gabriel Michael
To save her sister, Meryn enters the deadly Bonding Trials, where survival means taming a feral dire wolf, enduring a sadistic instructor, and navigating a princely romance that may just ruin her.
Silver Elite
Written by Dani Francis
Narrated by Amanda Dolan
Wren Darlington is a psychic fugitive forced to infiltrate the military’s brutal Silver Block program. When her commanding officer turns out to be hiding secrets of his own, falling for the enemy might be her most dangerous rebellion yet.
Blood of Hercules
Written by Jasmine Mas
Narrated by Meg Sylvan, Teddy Hamilton, Aiden Snow, and Tristan Morris
Alexis thought she was ordinary until a blood test revealed that she’s descended from Hades and Persephone and bound for a brutal war academy where survival means conquering trials, rivals, and her own demons. But as sparks fly with the enemy she’s sworn to beat, embracing her power may be the only way to survive the gods’ deadly game.
Quicksilver
Written by Callie Hart
Narrated by Stella Bloom and Anthony Palmini
When desert thief Saeris Fane steals a magical gauntlet, she’s dragged into the fae realm and bound to a ruthless warrior who might just be Death himself. But as war brews and her alchemical powers awaken, her fiercest battle may be resisting the pull of an enemy she was never meant to love.
This Vicious Dream
Written by Stacia Stark
Narrated by Meg Sylvan and Tim Paige
Imprisoned for guarding a deadly secret, Madinia escapes into a war-torn world, and into an uneasy alliance with a ruthless man she can’t afford to trust. But as sparks ignite and ancient gods rise, a book that could save the world might also destroy the only person she’s beginning to love.
The Knight and Moth
Written by Rachel Gillig
Narrated by Samantha Hydeson
Sybil Delling is a Diviner who provides visions for the kingdom’s elite and survives by obedience until her fellow Diviners start vanishing and she’s forced to partner with a brooding, battle-worn knight to uncover the truth. As desire sparks and truths unravel, they’ll have to choose between blind faith and a dangerous rebellion that could cost them their lives . . . and each other.
To discover even more great romantasy reads, check out our Hearts & Hexes playlist:
