I’ve done a couple other posts about sci-fi/fantasy books with no romance (which you can find here and here), and they’re some of my most viewed posts of all time. I assume that means people really want more books without romance, so I’m here to give them to you! Here are five more recommendations to add to your list.
The Under Series by M.N. Arzu
I adore this series about a family of merfolk living on land. It has such great family dynamics but also really explores the consequences of merfolk being discovered by humans. One of the teenage characters gets a girlfriend later in the series, but it’s such a minuscule part of the otherwise (so far) romance-free series.
Dead Boys by Gabriel Squailia
I’ll admit this book wasn’t really for me, but it was a cool idea about a man traveling through the Afterlife. There are all sorts of weird happenings and strange characters, a Black protagonist, no romance that I can remember, and other people might really enjoy it.
The Municipalists by Seth Fried
This is another that didn’t perfectly click with me, but it was quirky with a wild plot and a fun artificial intelligence character. Again, no romance that I can remember, but there was some friendship, and I always enjoy that.
The Frost Arcana Series by Clara Coulson
I believe I am four books into this fast-paced post-apocalyptic urban fantasy series about a fae cop trying to save his city, and so far there’s no romance, other than mere mention of a date. And judging from other similar Clara Coulson books I’ve read, even if something eventually develops, it’s likely to remain firmly in the background.
Tin Crickets by Joseph Wise
This book was kind of a dystopian horror about teens finding out dark secrets about the underwater bunker where they live and getting into some life-threatening danger involving monstrous creatures. I think some feelings were mentioned, but they don’t go anywhere; the characters are all too busy running for their lives to worry much about romance.
More SFF Books without Romance
10 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Books with No Romance
5 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Books with No Romance (2)
Ooh I remember you covering Underneath- I think I have that on my list of merfolk books to read. There can never be too many of those. :)
The Crickets sounds awesome!
You should definitely try the Under series!
“the characters are all too busy running for their lives to worry much about romance”.
Haha! As it should be! I mean, in the name of a realistic plot.
Thanks for those!
Right? Romance should not be every characters biggest concern when their lives are at stake LOL.
I’ve actually read two of these. I didn’t like Dead Boys either but it’s a great example of a book with no romance. Thanks for the recs!
I was disappointed, I really thought I would like it! But it could be a great book for people we don’t want romance.
I mean… no romance is not my usual go-to but I remember when I read more scifi/fantasy (no idea why I stopped tbh) one of my biggest complaints was romance which just didn’t fit with the book so these recs are brilliant. I can see in the one you mention the one may have romance at some point, but if it does it’ll very much be in the background and that is the way romance should be in fantasy/sci-fi reads because you don’t want it to detract from the main story.
I do like romance, but sometimes a really is just kind of forced into the story. So it’s great to find books that don’t do that or don’t let it overshadow the main story.
No romance???!!! *gasp* lol
i do like (even need a little) romance but I know how difficult it is for readers who don’t want any to find a good book rec.
Karen @ For What It’s worth
Lol yeah, it can be definitely hard to find for those who want it!
I do like a bit of romance, or at least, a hint at blossoming romance later on as it usually balances any tension in the plot. Saying that, I haven’t come across any romance in Kevin Hearne’s The Iron Chronicles or Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files but they do have humour to balance the conflict and tension.
I like a bit of romance too! I also like it sometimes when books don’t have it though. I should really read those recs! It is good to have something to balance the tension.
As much as I am a hopeless romantic when it comes to books, I am all for books with absolutely no romance in them. I liked this recs list! The Municipalists is one I want to try, and I have to admit that Dead Boys intrigues me as well :3
Same, I love romance, but I also like that there are books without it! Maybe you’ll like those books :-)
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I would have totally read Dead Boys too by the way you describe it :) I don’t know if I read a book where I know there is No romance though :) I’m a romantic at heart :) LOL
Thanks for sharing! I can’t think of any examples at the moment, but sometimes I really do want a book that just doesn’t have romance – or much of it!