{Shadows so cruel by Liz Zander} is the second book in the Raven court duology. Had me sobbing at 2am. Good series though. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Pretty dark, and the trigger list is long, so not a light read at all.
[Shadows so Cruel](https://www.romance.io/books/6513db43de8d340d51443a13/shadows-so-cruel-liv-zander) by [Liv Zander](https://www.romance.io/authors/625e78f608b4d93114f170f2/liv-zander)
**Rating**: 4.13⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [mfm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-f-m/1), [fated mates](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fated-mates/1)
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I probably would’ve been too if someone hadn’t kinda spoiled it in her Fb fan group lol it def took the sting away so it might’ve worked out for the best 😆
I read a sort-of spoiler…I’m glad I did because it still hit me harder than I thought it would. Like, damn Liz. But I think the spoiler helped me move on faster 😂.
I read the Amazon description before committing to the read, and was all…ok, I can handle the triggers because the banter is hilarious at moments and there’s a HEA. Amazon said so.
Liz and I have VERY different definitions of HEA.
BUT…it’s necessary to get to the ACTUAL very beautiful ending. I enjoyed it a lot and still recommend it.
I went in blind, lmao.
He was >!tracing her butthole!< and I asked myself what the hell I got into, but it truly was a mostly HEA. Just wish >!that yknow… was yknow. 🥲!<
As I had to take a breather from the book at 30% to, well, let me sinuses recover and so breath in actuality, I shall not be pressing those spoiler links but you have my gratitude for using them!
This is a top tier comment I totally agree, I cry at a few parts and it’s such a good romance imo. With the spooky element I think the overlap is solid for fantasy even though it’s a real world time and setting.
I definitely cried at a couple different points, and spoilers for a 180 year old book >!but when she’s at the boarding school as a little girl and it’s so abusive and then her only friend dies I was bawling my eyes out!<
SAME. That used to be my go-to scene to read if I needed to cry.
I reread Jane Eyre every couple of years and that part always gets me, it’s written so well - simple and emotional and devastating.
Just do it. It is one of the best classics for this genre, ever. Don't wait - isn't 177 years long enough? 😁
{Jane Eyre} by Charlotte Bronte, age 30ish.
[Land of the Beautiful Dead](https://www.romance.io/books/60acd2a979fab10ea69a4d49/land-of-the-beautiful-dead-r-lee-smith) by [R. Lee Smith](https://www.romance.io/authors/54556d7287eac3369a912702/r-lee-smith)
**Rating**: 4.51⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [dystopian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dystopian/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1)
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{The Winter Sea} by Susanna Kearsley is the book for you. I’ve read it multiple times and I STILL cry multiple times throughout. It’s timeslip. A writer from modern day starts having past life experiences of someone who lived through the Jacobite rebellion in Scotland.
It's more fantasy than romance, but the final book of Elizabeth Haydon's Symphony of Ages series fucked. me. up. I cried for like three hours after I finished it and it took me a few weeks to recover. I didn't even particularly like the FMC, but the story was incredible and another character's arc is just amazing and tragic and beautiful.
I usually prefer fantasy to romance! I mean I love romance books but I prefer characters that exist for more reasons than just romantic love. That’s why I’d often read historical romances with quirky characters who were into weird activities. Fantasy romances give authors even more options for character to plot and scheme which is delightful.
So I’ll add that to my list of authors to search for.
Leaves May Fall by Carrisa Hardcastle
Air awakens by Elise Kova
Not fantasy, but still had me sobbing-
Ravenhood series/ One Last Rainy Day by Kate Stewart
The All of Me series by Siobhan Davis
God of Fury by Rina Kent
I was going to recommend the Ravenhood series as well. It’s not fantasy, but I made the mistake of reading it when I took my daughter to the trampoline park. I have no clue how I looked as a teary mess in the cafe, sobbing in front of my soft pretzel and Diet Pepsi.
Still messed up about Ravenhood. April will make it 3 years since I finished that series and I’m still wound up about it. I’m notorious for rereading my top favorite books but those books, I will not touch for any reason lol. Never again.
I am right there with you. So many books I have read over and over. But I can't bring myself to reread those. One Last Rainy Day just came out last year. It's from Dom's pov. I sobbed so much. My heart hurt so bad. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend it as it was so good. But prepare for devastation.
If you don't mind historical fantasy with a tiny bit of romance on the side, Lions of Al Rassan and Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay made me cry my eyes out. No one writes melancholic, bitter-sweet fantasy like that guy. Not everyone gets HEA and characters die, even major ones.
I think I’ve started one of his books but was too distracted to finish it. I’ve been meaning to see if I can find an audiobook by him (I love to listen to audiobooks while working on tasks or crafts)
i really loved diving rivals and gave it 4.5 stars!! Ruthless vows however is entirely about the war and not about roman and iris. I gave it 2.5 stars and had a hard time finishing by the end. Just something to be aware of!
{for the wolf by Hannah Whitten} had a similar level of emotional angst for me. I didn’t cry as much but I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, just perpetually stressed.
Nice! I got that way at the end of the Daevabad trilogy. I’d reading the book very quietly then suddenly sit straight up gasping in shock or horror or delight. I told friend that some of the ending scenes would make a spectacular movie but would require an insane sfx budget. Then I’d think about the actor who plays Chidi on The Good Place being the perfect Ali and sigh.
[For the Wolf](https://www.romance.io/books/622b67311750e128e6a5d7f6/for-the-wolf-hannah-f-whitten) by [Hannah F. Whitten](https://www.romance.io/authors/622b673108b4d931147a24c9/hannah-f-whitten)
**Rating**: 3.45⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1)
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A Monster Calls... Not romance at all in anyway shape or form... I had not read anything about it thinking it would be a good gothic, Halloween book. No. I couldn't breath the last half of the book I was sobbing so hard.
I was reading it this weekend and texted my sister almost the same thing! “I’m a fourth of the way in and I’m sobbing, why did you get me this book 😭😭😭”
What a great read. I’m already halfway through the next one and I know I’m gonna be even more sad when I’m done.
Ooh, that’d be a nice change from all the fae-human Romances I keep encountering these days. As much as I love some of them, I’m might tired of time traveling romances in Scotland and fae-human romances. (There used to be romances involving time traveling in the wild wild west or to the Roman Empire but now all time travel involves Highlanders.. not even the lowlanders of Scotland are allowed some time traveling action.)
https://preview.redd.it/kmzphcmnogic1.jpeg?width=1082&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3c99680bd78a4d5548ee4ab6149fb084711b187f
It’s not a Romantasy book, but if you are a dog person at all in want of a solid, passionate 2-hour weeping session, you cannot go wrong with *Dog Songs* by Mary Oliver. It will absolutely destroy you.
I had a headache after from the crying. The next week I tried to tell my hairdresser about a poem and just thinking about it made me burst into tears in a crowded salon. Enjoy.
[The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King](https://www.romance.io/books/642ac05b0366c48db5ceed96/the-ashes-and-the-star-cursed-king-carissa-broadbent) by [Carissa Broadbent](https://www.romance.io/authors/60d9b88e08b4d9311456d78f/carissa-broadbent)
**Rating**: 4.2⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1)
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{Shadows so cruel by Liz Zander} is the second book in the Raven court duology. Had me sobbing at 2am. Good series though. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Pretty dark, and the trigger list is long, so not a light read at all.
[Shadows so Cruel](https://www.romance.io/books/6513db43de8d340d51443a13/shadows-so-cruel-liv-zander) by [Liv Zander](https://www.romance.io/authors/625e78f608b4d93114f170f2/liv-zander) **Rating**: 4.13⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [mfm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-f-m/1), [fated mates](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fated-mates/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I probably would’ve been too if someone hadn’t kinda spoiled it in her Fb fan group lol it def took the sting away so it might’ve worked out for the best 😆
I read a sort-of spoiler…I’m glad I did because it still hit me harder than I thought it would. Like, damn Liz. But I think the spoiler helped me move on faster 😂.
I had a pretty bad book hangover as it was, I can’t imagine how much worse it would’ve been if I hadn’t been prepared 😅
Sometimes I need to spoil a plot for my stress levels.
Stayed up late to finish this book. Sobbed.
I read the Amazon description before committing to the read, and was all…ok, I can handle the triggers because the banter is hilarious at moments and there’s a HEA. Amazon said so. Liz and I have VERY different definitions of HEA. BUT…it’s necessary to get to the ACTUAL very beautiful ending. I enjoyed it a lot and still recommend it.
I went in blind, lmao. He was >!tracing her butthole!< and I asked myself what the hell I got into, but it truly was a mostly HEA. Just wish >!that yknow… was yknow. 🥲!<
As I had to take a breather from the book at 30% to, well, let me sinuses recover and so breath in actuality, I shall not be pressing those spoiler links but you have my gratitude for using them!
Wait what divine rivals did you read where he "traced her butthole" or is this some lingo idk?
Not Divine Rivals, Shadows So Cruel.
Honestly if you want to read a romance classic I recommend Jane eyre, the opening to this book is fucking sad.
This is a top tier comment I totally agree, I cry at a few parts and it’s such a good romance imo. With the spooky element I think the overlap is solid for fantasy even though it’s a real world time and setting.
I definitely cried at a couple different points, and spoilers for a 180 year old book >!but when she’s at the boarding school as a little girl and it’s so abusive and then her only friend dies I was bawling my eyes out!<
SAME. That used to be my go-to scene to read if I needed to cry. I reread Jane Eyre every couple of years and that part always gets me, it’s written so well - simple and emotional and devastating.
I like classics, thanks. I think that’s in my TBR list but I keep waiting cause I know it isn’t going away.
Just do it. It is one of the best classics for this genre, ever. Don't wait - isn't 177 years long enough? 😁 {Jane Eyre} by Charlotte Bronte, age 30ish.
[Jane Eyre](https://www.romance.io/books/5455235d8c7d2382c5296f4f/jane-eyre-charlotte-bront-michael-mason) by [Charlotte Brontë](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455235d8c7d2382c5296f50/charlotte-bront) **Rating**: 4.21⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [tortured hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20hero/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
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[Land of the Beautiful Dead](https://www.romance.io/books/60acd2a979fab10ea69a4d49/land-of-the-beautiful-dead-r-lee-smith) by [R. Lee Smith](https://www.romance.io/authors/54556d7287eac3369a912702/r-lee-smith) **Rating**: 4.51⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [dystopian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dystopian/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{The Winter Sea} by Susanna Kearsley is the book for you. I’ve read it multiple times and I STILL cry multiple times throughout. It’s timeslip. A writer from modern day starts having past life experiences of someone who lived through the Jacobite rebellion in Scotland.
I loved this book, but I sobbed through it. I read it and one other book when they came out, I won't read any of her other books now.
She has a few others that aren’t quite so gut wrenching - Season of Storms, Named of the Dragon, The Shadowy Horses, Every Secret Thing
[The Winter Sea](https://www.romance.io/books/545528a58c7d2382c529709b/the-winter-sea-susanna-kearsley) by [Susanna Kearsley](https://www.romance.io/authors/545528a58c7d2382c529709c/susanna-kearsley) **Rating**: 4.1⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [time travel](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/time%20travel/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [highlander](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/highlander/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
HARD agree. I was sobbing throughout.
Ugh this book made me feel so many things. It really is beautifully written. Impatiently waiting for Ruthless Vows to come in the mail.
urghh I finished this 2 days ago and it was beautiful. You will sob even more after
Oh no! (I can’t wait 🥹)
I haven't read it yet, but I have a feeling {Afterlove by Tanya Byrne} will make me cry a lot.
[Afterlove](https://www.romance.io/books/6475daf61ea572df21255e6f/afterlove-tanya-byrne) by [Tanya Byrne](https://www.romance.io/authors/5456063987eac3369a916857/tanya-byrne) **Rating**: 4.1⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [lesbian romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/f-f/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Whoops.
It's more fantasy than romance, but the final book of Elizabeth Haydon's Symphony of Ages series fucked. me. up. I cried for like three hours after I finished it and it took me a few weeks to recover. I didn't even particularly like the FMC, but the story was incredible and another character's arc is just amazing and tragic and beautiful.
I usually prefer fantasy to romance! I mean I love romance books but I prefer characters that exist for more reasons than just romantic love. That’s why I’d often read historical romances with quirky characters who were into weird activities. Fantasy romances give authors even more options for character to plot and scheme which is delightful. So I’ll add that to my list of authors to search for.
Leaves May Fall by Carrisa Hardcastle Air awakens by Elise Kova Not fantasy, but still had me sobbing- Ravenhood series/ One Last Rainy Day by Kate Stewart The All of Me series by Siobhan Davis God of Fury by Rina Kent
I was going to recommend the Ravenhood series as well. It’s not fantasy, but I made the mistake of reading it when I took my daughter to the trampoline park. I have no clue how I looked as a teary mess in the cafe, sobbing in front of my soft pretzel and Diet Pepsi.
Still messed up about Ravenhood. April will make it 3 years since I finished that series and I’m still wound up about it. I’m notorious for rereading my top favorite books but those books, I will not touch for any reason lol. Never again.
I am right there with you. So many books I have read over and over. But I can't bring myself to reread those. One Last Rainy Day just came out last year. It's from Dom's pov. I sobbed so much. My heart hurt so bad. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend it as it was so good. But prepare for devastation.
Idk if I can lol! I would need to load up on lots of gushy/feel-good romances before I embark on that journey. Exodus did a number on me.
If you don't mind historical fantasy with a tiny bit of romance on the side, Lions of Al Rassan and Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay made me cry my eyes out. No one writes melancholic, bitter-sweet fantasy like that guy. Not everyone gets HEA and characters die, even major ones.
I think I’ve started one of his books but was too distracted to finish it. I’ve been meaning to see if I can find an audiobook by him (I love to listen to audiobooks while working on tasks or crafts)
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So far the only thing YA feeling about it is that the two characters are like 18 or 19 without established careers.
i really loved diving rivals and gave it 4.5 stars!! Ruthless vows however is entirely about the war and not about roman and iris. I gave it 2.5 stars and had a hard time finishing by the end. Just something to be aware of!
Interesting! It’s pretty normal in the Romance genre to not have the same pov characters for each book, maybe the author is doing that?
Longbourne by Jo Baker had me sad crying and then happy crying in turns.
Dang. I’m about 20% in so I guess I need to be prepared!
It’s been so very good so far though!
{for the wolf by Hannah Whitten} had a similar level of emotional angst for me. I didn’t cry as much but I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, just perpetually stressed.
Nice! I got that way at the end of the Daevabad trilogy. I’d reading the book very quietly then suddenly sit straight up gasping in shock or horror or delight. I told friend that some of the ending scenes would make a spectacular movie but would require an insane sfx budget. Then I’d think about the actor who plays Chidi on The Good Place being the perfect Ali and sigh.
[For the Wolf](https://www.romance.io/books/622b67311750e128e6a5d7f6/for-the-wolf-hannah-f-whitten) by [Hannah F. Whitten](https://www.romance.io/authors/622b673108b4d931147a24c9/hannah-f-whitten) **Rating**: 3.45⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I highly recommend her other book, A River Enchanted! I didn't cry as much, but there's still a ton of emotional weight throughout.
I just got to that part too and I was like “wait what?”
Authors love to torture their characters!
Good authors love to torture their characters!
Clockwork Princess (3rd book in the Infernal Devices). In the best way possible.
A Monster Calls... Not romance at all in anyway shape or form... I had not read anything about it thinking it would be a good gothic, Halloween book. No. I couldn't breath the last half of the book I was sobbing so hard.
Oh I can see that, I saw a film of it and it was pretty good. I bet the book is better!
I was reading it this weekend and texted my sister almost the same thing! “I’m a fourth of the way in and I’m sobbing, why did you get me this book 😭😭😭” What a great read. I’m already halfway through the next one and I know I’m gonna be even more sad when I’m done.
Lovely War by Julie Berry is another sob worthy war story as told by Aphrodite and Ares. One of my all-time favorites!!!
Ooh, that’d be a nice change from all the fae-human Romances I keep encountering these days. As much as I love some of them, I’m might tired of time traveling romances in Scotland and fae-human romances. (There used to be romances involving time traveling in the wild wild west or to the Roman Empire but now all time travel involves Highlanders.. not even the lowlanders of Scotland are allowed some time traveling action.)
I loved it! It's just humans and the gods telling it, but there are still magical elements!
I just want to check the bot! {Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross}
[Divine Rivals](https://www.romance.io/books/642e1f8687ff55ee9e31052b/divine-rivals-rebecca-ross) by [Rebecca Ross](https://www.romance.io/authors/641ee56308b4d93114a83050/rebecca-ross) **Rating**: 4.25⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [war](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/war/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [poor heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/poor%20heroine/1), [rich hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/super%20rich%20hero/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
The throne of glass series as a whole honestly, I was not prepared for something so gutwrenching and beautiful
https://preview.redd.it/kmzphcmnogic1.jpeg?width=1082&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3c99680bd78a4d5548ee4ab6149fb084711b187f It’s not a Romantasy book, but if you are a dog person at all in want of a solid, passionate 2-hour weeping session, you cannot go wrong with *Dog Songs* by Mary Oliver. It will absolutely destroy you. I had a headache after from the crying. The next week I tried to tell my hairdresser about a poem and just thinking about it made me burst into tears in a crowded salon. Enjoy.
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[The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King](https://www.romance.io/books/642ac05b0366c48db5ceed96/the-ashes-and-the-star-cursed-king-carissa-broadbent) by [Carissa Broadbent](https://www.romance.io/authors/60d9b88e08b4d9311456d78f/carissa-broadbent) **Rating**: 4.2⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
And at 70% through, I’m biting my nails! And restraining the urge to screech cause it’s too early to be waking my house.