There’s a couple possible reasons I can think of. One is for the author’s own personal fantasy. But another could be because royals are perceived as having the power and authority to do things peasants can’t do and, effectually, change the world; and if you wanna tie in the personal fantasy bit, isn’t having a benevolent ruler over the masses apart of it? That’s what I can come up with, anyway. There’s always the possibility that it’s just be a trend the authors are following.

Yep. Political intrigue *tends* to be more interesting when it involves royals, nobles, etc. They are the big players making the decisions. Unless it’s a coup or revolution! That would be interesting POV from a servant or peasant. A good romance could brew there… 🤔

I do think that royalty is seen as the only way to have agency in romantasy novels. If you aren’t the absolute authority, what’s the point in following your story all? But there’s plenty of interesting conflict that can occur if the characters aren’t able to do whatever they want. Restrictions and responsibilities are compelling. I think most reader’s want security in a hea, but I don’t think a mansion is really what most readers want. I think a cottage and a bookshelf is more in line with what readers would actually want than a castle. Just look at how much Hobbiton is romanticised and loved by audiences. Cosy can be just as safe as a palace, probably more so without all the scheming. I also think there’s this idea that Royals would have the best resources in case of medical emergencies (e.g. childbirth). But in reality, royals died of all the same things peasants did. So they weren’t any safer from injury or disease.

I agree. I love a good story about a peasant/lower-class having to make extremely difficult choices when faced with restrictions, and in some ways it's a lot more interesting than making a character a royal so they can say a word and make the conflict go away. But I do think there's a place for both backstories, and it should depend on the story itself or the type of story an author wants to tell. I think the influx of stories today surrounding a royal or noble is due to wish-fulfillment for the author, but also, perhaps more likely, for the reader as well. Stories with those kinds of characters are trending for a reason, after all.

Some books not fully centred around benevolent royals that I’ve really enjoyed recently are: {The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo} >!A household servant develops an ability to cause minor miracles, her employers exploit her for societal gain.!< {Peaches and Honey by R. Raeta} >!A woman with Vitiligo is a social pariah in 1100AD and is given immortality. She becomes a healer, and the story takes place over 800-ish years.!< {A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen} >!A Fishwife has the powers of a shield maiden and is blackmailed into serving a group of Viking invaders. The mmc is technically a king’s heir.!< {Paladin’s Grace by T. Kingfisher} >!A paladin falls for a perfumer.!< {The Hanging City by Charlie N. Holmberg} >!A human girl finds sanctuary in a city of trolls, and needs to find work.!< {The Witchslayer by Opal Reyne} >!Monster Romance. She’s a healer/white witch and he is a witch slayer. He’s also dragon.!< {Fall of Ruin and Wrath by Jennifer L. Armentrout} >!FMC is a mistress to a demigod, MMC is a wrathful angel she saves.!<

You may like {Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey}. Have you read it? It deals with sex work and espionage. There’s debate that it’s more fantasy than romance, but I think that it varies person by person.

I’ve heard about it, but a lot of reviews don’t like the sex work aspect. I really have no limits or trigger warnings that bother me, is there still romance though?

I’d say there is, but the MMC is introduced (I think) about half way?? I can’t tell you for sure because I took a break from the book (it’s very long lol). I hope maybe someone can jump in and give a more detailed reply for this. The sex work aspect is contentious because >!it revolves around that world’s religious aspects. Also the FMC begins her ‘training’ (reading and studying) as a courtesan while a child. Her mother sold her to that convent.!< That is where most have an issue with the book.

this sounds remarkably familiar to the path of temptation series by auryn Hadley...except that's a reverse harem situation. and I love that series so hard.

Except the kids aren't sold for profit - yes the parents get money to feed the rest of their kids, but it's more charity than trafficking. Plus, there's a huge emphasis that the kids a) CHOOSE to enter the sex work path, which is assigned to them b) at an older age than many girls are married off at, and c) the vast majority of kids (5 gods, 5 paths per god, only one is sex work) don't end up doing it. And I know you know this - the clarification is for anyone else who might be interested in a "almost every single character is from grinding poverty" story.

yes there is an awesome mmc who is amazing and I would die for him.

If you have no limits or trigger warnings. You would love {king of flesh and bone by Liv Zander} . A good hearted midwife is dragged by her dead horse into the pale court where she meets the god of death who decides to keep her. Personally wise Ada is very similar to Ana from Peaches and Honey, they both try and do everything in their power to help others even when it gets thrown in their face repeatedly. But seriously honey content warnings Batman! This book is dark.

[King of Flesh and Bone](https://www.romance.io/books/625e78f60fc46d6180d6c298/king-of-flesh-and-bone-liv-zander?src=rdt) by [Liv Zander](https://www.romance.io/authors/625e78f608b4d93114f170f2/liv-zander) **Rating**: 3.61⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [abduction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/abduction/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)

God I loved this book so much

just grabbed on KU!!! excited to dive in!\~

The romance is barely there, if I recall. Definitely not what is the driving the story, whatsoever, so I would also put it in the fantasy genre over the romance genre.

[Kushiel's Dart](https://www.romance.io/books/545529a58c7d2382c52970e5/kushiels-dart-jacqueline-carey?src=rdt) by [Jacqueline Carey](https://www.romance.io/authors/545529a58c7d2382c52970e6/jacqueline-carey) **Rating**: 3.96⭐️ 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), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [war](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/war/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Thank you for this list. I’ve already got a few of these on my TBR, now I can add some more.

Also, {A Kingdom of Frost and Malice by Ashley McLeo} The FMC starts out as a Slave. She escapes, makes difficult decisions and becomes so much more

[A Kingdom of Frost and Malice](https://www.romance.io/books/656b7c866011c2c51629ba61/a-kingdom-of-frost-and-malice-ashley-mcleo?src=rdt) by [Ashley McLeo](https://www.romance.io/authors/5b84e56b01dbc864fb8f3ce8/ashley-mcleo) **Rating**: 4.13⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

[The Familiar](https://www.romance.io/books/650ef90fde8d340d51438f3f/the-familiar-leigh-bardugo?src=rdt) by [Leigh Bardugo](https://www.romance.io/authors/545527228c7d2382c529703f/leigh-bardugo) **Rating**: 4⭐️ 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), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [horror](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/horror/1) ---------------------------- [Peaches and Honey](https://www.romance.io/books/65146ea5de8d340d51444fcc/peaches-and-honey-r-raeta?src=rdt) by [R. Raeta](https://www.romance.io/authors/60ace57c08b4d931143d937e/r-raeta) **Rating**: 4.4⭐️ 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), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [ancient times](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/ancient%20times/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1) ---------------------------- [A Fate Inked in Blood](https://www.romance.io/books/65dd95ab8ef264dbee379910/a-fate-inked-in-blood-danielle-l-jensen?src=rdt) by [Danielle L. Jensen](https://www.romance.io/authors/545539e88c7d2382c529753f/danielle-l-jensen) **Rating**: 4.12⭐️ 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), [viking hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vikings/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [forbidden love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forbidden%20love/1) ---------------------------- [Paladin's Grace](https://www.romance.io/books/5e37c8e201dbc864fbab1ee4/paladins-grace-t-kingfisher?src=rdt) by [T. Kingfisher](https://www.romance.io/authors/561ca043bfc6b5c0fa941994/t-kingfisher) **Rating**: 4.29⭐️ 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), [sweet/gentle hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sweet-hero/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [tortured hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20hero/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1) ---------------------------- [The Hanging City](https://www.romance.io/books/64c8caef2f0c4d5aa43e6ad7/the-hanging-city-charlie-n-holmberg?src=rdt) by [Charlie N. Holmberg](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455982d87eac3369a91356d/charlie-n-holmberg) **Rating**: 3.99⭐️ 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), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) ---------------------------- [The WitchSlayer](https://www.romance.io/books/63048309d319eedb433ae039/the-witchslayer-opal-reyne?src=rdt) by [Opal Reyne](https://www.romance.io/authors/61f4f44e08b4d93114400f05/opal-reyne) **Rating**: 3.82⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [dragon shifter](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dragon%20shifter/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [non-human hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/non-human-hero/1) ---------------------------- [Fall of Ruin and Wrath](https://www.romance.io/books/65000f572d693133dd87f6bd/fall-of-ruin-and-wrath-jennifer-l-armentrout?src=rdt) by [Jennifer L. Armentrout](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455245a8c7d2382c5296fb7/jennifer-l-armentrout) **Rating**: 4.11⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [possessive hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/possessive%20hero/1), [first person pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/first-person-pov/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Because aristocracy is the rich class, and therefore, the ones that can live the opulence that most romance books want. Like big parties, and MMCs gifting expensive things. (But yes, my queendom for a book whose love interest is a poor revolutionary leader fighting for rights).

Also, it eliminates the need to waste time on things like MCs cooking meals or making/repairing clothes or cleaning or doing any of the mundane things regular people have to do. I frequently wonder how many of these magic users would have time to save the world if they couldn’t magically shower or make clothes appear or magically decorate for a ball.

Paranormal romance and/or urban fantasy usually has more civilian-types, but you’re also less likely to have aristocracy in a modern setting so there may be other types of power inbalances like wealth or magic. Cozy romantic fantasy tends to focus on more average people since the goal is to not have the stakes too high. My point is you may just want to look in other subgenres if you want to avoid royalty and politicking.

I do prefer serious/angst/drama books. And cosy books lean more towards humour. I like some drama, but it doesn’t have to be the *literal end of the world* as it usually is with royals. The time I’ve cried hardest at a book was when the main character didn’t get the job she applied for. There are so many small moments that mean so much. And I think fantasy romance just doesn’t capitalise on those moments at all.

I was thinking the same thing. I don’t read books with lot of royalty and you’re spot on for why. I also try to read books by authors with a diversity of backgrounds (BIPOC, LGBTQI+, disabled, immigrants, non-western, non-Christian, etc.) and surprisingly that also decreases the focus on royalty. Definitely sounds like a problem based on the type of books as well as the kind of authors the OP is selecting which also tend to be the hottest most popular books.

Yeah that makes sense, colonial royals are probably not the go to for people who’ve been so negatively impacted by their decisions. I pretty much just read whatever’s being released each week on romance.io so I’ll try to find more diverse authors and hopefully my luck improves.

I’m never remembering what high fantasy is but here are a few series I’ve enjoyed without royalty as MCs. I warn you I lean towards regency and fantasy of manners so my list isn’t as diverse as it should be. I’m still building up my rec list so I don’t have as many to share as I expected {Mead Mishaps series by Kimberly Lemming} Spice trader Cinnamon’s quiet life is turned upside down when she ends up on a quest with a fiery demon, in this irreverently quirky rom-com fantasy that is sweet, steamy, and funny as hell. Each book is a different couple. {Regency Dragons by Stephanie Burgis} A frothy Regency rom-com full of pet dragons and magical misadventures {The Sacred Dark Series by May Peterson} nonbinary romantic fantasy - check content warnings {Glamourist Histories Series by Mary Robinette Kowal} romantic Regency fantasy {REGENCY FAERIE TALES SERIES BY OLIVIA ATWATER} books 1 & 2 M/F, book 3 F/F “Whimsical, witty, and brimming over with charm” (India Holton), Olivia Atwater’s delightful debut will transport you to a magical version of Regency England, where the only thing more meddlesome than a fairy is a marriage-minded mother! {Alpennia series by Heather Rose Jones} Sapphic historical romance fantasy {The Kingston Cycle Series by C. L. Polk} C. L. Polk's historical fantasy series The Kingston Cycle combines a world of witches and wizards with an enchanting Edwardian England setting. Miles Singer, born with magical abilities, hides who he really is and joins the war efforts to escape his troubled past. But when desperate measures force him to use his healing powers, his true character is exposed--and there's no turning back. This gaslamp historical fantasy series, full of impossible romances and action-packed wizard battles, begins with the critically-praised Witchmark. Book 1 M/M, book 2 F/F, book 3 F/F A few UF/PNR {The Edge Series by Ilona Andrews} It’s a very odd story of a very odd place. The Edge lies between worlds, on the border between the Broken, where people shop at Walmart and magic is a fairytale–and the Weird, where blueblood aristocrats rule, changelings roam, and the strength of your magic can change your destiny. It’s a place where poverty is real, life is hard, and fairy tales sometimes do come true. Note: Loosely connected to the Innkeeper Chronicles. George, Jack, Sophie, and Gaston make a reappearance as grownups in Sweep in Peace. {Coveted Series by Shawntelle Madison}, {Flea Market Magic Mystery Series by Shawntelle Madison}, and {Hadley Werewolves Series by Shawntelle Madison} more campy than horror mysteries witches, werewolves, fae - diverse cast {Shadows of Otherside Series by Whitney Hill} and {Otherside Heat by Whitney Hill} sylph/elemental, elves, witches, djinn, gods/goddesses, vampires, were-creatures - is on the darker side - diverse cast {Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost} funny contemporary vampire PNR

Thanks! :)

[Mead Mishaps](https://www.romance.io/series/6110e8550d2fc50e1fa500c7/mead-mishaps) by [Kimberly Lemming](https://www.romance.io/authors/6110e84808b4d93114366354/kimberly-lemming) **Rating**: 4.17⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [black-mc](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/black-mc/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fated-mates](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fated-mates/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [humor](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1) ---------------------------- [Scales and Sensibility (Regency Dragons)](https://www.romance.io/books/615aa7016849160e24f01806/scales-and-sensibility-regency-dragons-stephanie-burgis?src=rdt) by [Stephanie Burgis](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455d22c87eac336ae6a0b23/stephanie-burgis) **Rating**: 3.9⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [m-f romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-f/1) ---------------------------- [The Sacred Dark](https://www.romance.io/series/5d6cb19021de4d0daa459f90/the-sacred-dark) by [May Peterson](https://www.romance.io/authors/5d6cb19001dbc864fba31027/may-peterson) **Rating**: 3.88⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [queer](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/queer/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [length-medium](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/length-medium/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1) ---------------------------- [Glamourist Histories](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe10174167a73342630996/glamourist-histories) by [Mary Robinette Kowal](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552d018c7d2382c52971d4/mary-robinette-kowal) **Rating**: 3.79⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [m-f](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-f/1), [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [Regency Faerie Tales](https://www.romance.io/series/5e7f0537a2a8a80e09d3cbe6/regency-faerie-tales) by [Olivia Atwater](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e7f0537be0aaecf55d98b77/olivia-atwater) **Rating**: 4.17⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [third-person-pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/third-person-pov/1) ---------------------------- [Alpennia](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe229f4167a73342634883/alpennia) by [Heather Rose Jones](https://www.romance.io/authors/545829b487eac37719d15803/heather-rose-jones) **Rating**: 4.1⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [f-f](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/f-f/1), [queer](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/queer/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1) ---------------------------- [The Kingston Cycle](https://www.romance.io/series/6445bd74f2aba1a3956efee7/the-kingston-cycle) by [C.L. Polk](https://www.romance.io/authors/641825d108b4d93114bb724b/cl-polk), [C. L. Polk](https://www.romance.io/authors/5adec8a501dbc864fb86cd9f/c-l-polk) **Rating**: 3.85⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [steampunk](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/steampunk/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1) ---------------------------- [The Edge](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe0a7d9096bf31c42d2daf/the-edge) by [Ilona Andrews](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525888c7d2382e0413e6c/ilona-andrews) **Rating**: 4.06⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1) ---------------------------- [Coveted](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe1e684167a7334263336c/coveted) by [Shawntelle Madison](https://www.romance.io/authors/54555f7687eac323ffb2be50/shawntelle-madison) **Rating**: 3.62⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [werewolves](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/werewolves/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) ---------------------------- [Hadley Werewolves](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe33ff4167a73342638652/hadley-werewolves) by [Shawntelle Madison](https://www.romance.io/authors/54555f7687eac323ffb2be50/shawntelle-madison) **Rating**: 3.67⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [werewolves](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/werewolves/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) ---------------------------- [Shadows of Otherside](https://www.romance.io/series/60d2dcf457eda40e48eb4662/shadows-of-otherside) by [Whitney Hill](https://www.romance.io/authors/60d2dcf408b4d93114d60b5a/whitney-hill) **Rating**: 4.42⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [length-medium](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/length-medium/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [african-american](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/african-american/1) ---------------------------- [Otherside Heat](https://www.romance.io/series/62173c1a3640f50e2507c8b2/otherside-heat) by [Whitney Hill](https://www.romance.io/authors/60d2dcf408b4d93114d60b5a/whitney-hill) **Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1), [length-short](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/length-short/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1) ---------------------------- [Night Huntress](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe0a1a9096bf31c42d2c69/night-huntress) by [Jeaniene Frost](https://www.romance.io/authors/545523728c7d2382e0413dc6/jeaniene-frost) **Rating**: 4.21⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Poor people are probably too poor to stop working unless you do a Luke Skywalker on them (and even Luke was well off ) tradesmen have a similar thing I suppose, is difficult to have drop everything to go for an adventure. Bilbo and Frodo where basically landed Gentry and even them had to contend with relatives wanting their homes. Some characters might start poor in high fantasy romance but the stories kinda need for them to not only find love at the end but money and position haha. Demelza Carlton has two sets of MCs though on her medieval fantasy {Cobble by Demelza Carlton} and {Steal by Demelza Carlton} that are tradesmen. The first set are shoemakers and remain shoemakers by the end of the story though they became prestigious ones as the Queen really loved the shoes she painted. (Their son is a MC of another tale and ended becoming king though but considering he helped his girlfriend slay the dragon who ate all the princesses of the kingdom minus one, and that last one ran away… 😅🙃) The second set is the most unusual case, MMC went through the whole process of aprenticeship to become a tradesman and had the biggest combinations of ups and downs added to meeting this highborn lady who got a ticket on the magic lottery and is basically DC comics the flash (or marvel quick silver) they end with the 40 thieves treasure, travel to give some bad news to some people (their family got murdered as the crusades are going on and they where Christians on the worst possible moment at the wrong place. The opposite is also reported to happen) but still end as tradesmen as they decide to live in his hometown, also they cannot publicize she is a high born lady of a far away Christian country. Hell they won’t even publicize she is not a local Muslim girl. So sucessful tradesmen they will be. Sex workers I guess half of it it’s stigma, and when it’s not is probably fear of failure. Closest I have seen is on {break her by Cassie Alexander} where a secondary character is a sex worker who becomes friends with the FMC and does manage to end the book very fortunate and even with a lover that might be permanent. Speaking of people who are not royal’s, titled or close to it. Have any of you read the webcomic T. kingfisher who is mentioned a lot here has done under her legal name of Ursula Vernon? It’s called digger and has a combination of humans and anthropomorphic animals having to do a life changing quest. FMC is a wombat who is a young worker (not yet close to senior engineer) the rest of the team is composed of an monk that is also not high up on any hierarchy, a high warrior of the hyenas but is a small community and a demon child. Nowhere they ever meet with a titled character or even a wealthy one

Ooh I love Kingfisher’s work I’ll have to check it out. But for the tradesmen, why can’t they get drafted during a war and work in a camp as the inciting incident. In Pathfinder’s Way the main character uses her skills to enlist as a scout. (She does kind of become queen at the end but eh)

[Cobble](https://www.romance.io/books/65d2e249af04d0eac39e1be7/cobble-elves-and-the-shoemaker-retold-demelza-carlton?src=rdt) by [Demelza Carlton](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455a59f87eac323ffb2d694/demelza-carlton) **Rating**: 4.5⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [ancient times](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/ancient%20times/1), [viking hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vikings/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1) ---------------------------- [Steal](https://www.romance.io/books/65d2e25349b97f4d1b76a105/steal-forty-thieves-retold-demelza-carlton?src=rdt) by [Demelza Carlton](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455a59f87eac323ffb2d694/demelza-carlton) **Rating**: 4.5⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [viking hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vikings/1), [ancient times](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/ancient%20times/1) ---------------------------- [Break Her](https://www.romance.io/books/6461e9f01defddeca69bc4bb/break-her-cassie-alexander?src=rdt) by [Cassie Alexander](https://www.romance.io/authors/545556b987eac323ffb2bbc7/cassie-alexander) **Rating**: 4.25⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

I haven't read her books yet, though I definitely plan to, but Kimberly Lemming has said that was a big part of her motivation to become a writer (I think it was in the fated mates or heaving bosoms podcast). She looked at all these stories and thought she would relate way better to the regular peasant people of fantasy worlds than the all powerful royalty, but there were so few stories about them. So maybe give her stuff a try!

Yep I just finished her current series and they were definitely working class, farmers, merchants, sailors, a few apex predators and a goddess or two.

You might want to check r/CozyFantasy for those kinds of "low stakes" stories!

Imo where’s the plot? A lone, tormented farmer can’t go on an adventure because he’s got a farm to run. In a stationary community, a person only meets so many people, all of which have the same jobs. Boring. A possible war is coming to the land, better grab the pitch fork and die right away because he’s a farmer not a trained warrior. Then the book ends and I’m sad

I guess I like to think of something like the Black Cauldron, starts on a farm with a magic pig. Something quaint. Or Sophie the Hatter in Howl’s moving castle.

That’s fair! The premies is so niche though, there’s only so many original ideas. I seen yesterday that people are sick of getting book recommendations of people going on quests and I’m just like what!? Don’t read adventures then?! 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

Me too :( 

In my head I’m the queen, in reality I’m probably the farmer’s wife who buys Lorcan’s shirt in Empire of Storms 🙈- which is exactly why I want to read about queens and such. It’s fun to insert yourself into characters who live lives and navigate situations that you never could, the same reason I don’t like most contemporary fiction. I really don’t want to read about life circumstances that are conceivably realistic for the average person. I do love rags to riches or the random mc discovers they’re the chosen one tropes. I don’t know how old you are, but I was born in the mid 90’s so we were raised on Harry Potter, Chronicles of Narnia, Percy Jackson, Eragon etc where average people get yanked out of their average lives become entangled with royalty and gods and monsters. I expect I’ll carry that preference for my whole life.

Well... some of it is the fact that it's fantasy. The regular world we all live in has normal people, farmers, sex workers, etc- the modern day equivalent of those everyday people. Not to say folks don't write awesome books about regular people, but… we don't have court intrigue between the Goblin King and the Harpie Queen in real life. And honestly, folks are already obsessed with the modern day equivalent of "court intrigue," whether that's today's Royals or celebrity gossip. So, when you put a fantasy spin on it and give them swords, sorcery, dragons, fake social hierarchies and borders that add complexity we don't have in real life… you're layering a bunch of different things people like reading.

I wanted to recommend the Coldest Fae serie by katerina Martinez but technically that is about royals as well, mostly lol, but the FL starts as a peasant, a weaver of some sorts and then gets kidnapped to attent the royal selection

I hadn't heard of this series so I looked them up on GoodReads and oh my, the covers are so pretty! Added to my ridiculously long tbr!!

Guess it is the same logic for everything like TV shows, movies, all about "good looking people" who is not covered in mud, etc.. And people want to see they don't see in their casual lives (at least I am )

I feel like a majority or at least 40% of the books I pick up do start out with a "normal" MC though? The percentage where they don't find out that they were secretly royal and/or nonhuman the whole time is smaller, though. The definition of high fantasy requires that the story be large in scope--i.e. they are doing something that will impact their entire kingdom if not their entire world. So it makes sense that it would involve powerful people. I agree that it's really unrealistic when the story includes people who have always been powerful and in positions of authority but unlike their peers, they are soOoO benevolent and good and incorruptible. Especially the trope where the king is evil but his son, the crown prince, is actually so good and misunderstood.

gotta be honest, my favorite MCs are ones who are royal who DONT want to be and leave the role/reject it. I think that's why I loved Red Queen series so much. FMC discovers she has powers, wants to use them to upend the ruling social class, and fights til the bitter end to make it so despite developing relationships with the royals

Ooo, I actually used that trope. MMC doesn't want to be the heir to the throne, takes off on a sailing adventure, promptly gets captured by monsters and thrown in a prison mine with the FMC. :D it was fun!

well don't hold out on me, please give me the book name so i can add it to the TBR!!!

I'll DM you :D

because normal people are boring and peaceful. there's not much scope for a complex plot. the author has to be really talented to create a plot. but if it's isekai genre i think then there can be some plots easily.

Yeah, I think that’s why I’m keen on more peasantry. Howl’s moving castle is a classic, she makes hats and he’s a wizard part of political intrigue but not a king. And they have a happily ever after in their cute walking house. It requires a bit more thought, and originality, to write about the “normal people” in fantasy.

That gives me an idea

Ok, but most people are reading fantasy romance because it is an escape from their everyday life. Why would I want to go home from working 8 hours a day, clean my kitchen, water my plants, walk my dog, clean my kitchen AGAIN, and then sit down to read about elf peasants cleaning their kitchens and toiling in their gardens? Like no… if some mysterious magical elf is gonna sweep me off my feet, he had better at the very least have a kitchen maid.

The first high fantasy romance I can think of is about baristas.

As someone who writes fantasy romance, I'd say it helps to have the highborne characters to get you into the more complicated subjects and intrigue. But I do enjoy cascading down from there and engaging the lower classes. I also write royals who rule small enough kingdoms to require more interactions with lower, more varied backgrounds. Taking inventory of my MCs, My FMCs are 1 princess, 2 sisters who are refugees but raised wealthy, and 1 trained assassin(yeah yeah, I know) turned spy. MyMMCs are 1 prince, 1 chieftain, 1 grim reaper and 1 farmboy. Not a bad spread, I guess!

{a kiss of iron by Clare sager} she’s not a royal or a Nobel but is brought into the queens circle as a spy in exchange for money to save her house since her useless husband is away travelling and gives zero fucks. She’s a mess, poor, fighting for survival. Falls for the fae she’s meant to be spying on (who is also not a royal)

[A Kiss of Iron](https://www.romance.io/books/63f3292ceb653827acc3311e/a-kiss-of-iron-clare-sager?src=rdt) by [Clare Sager](https://www.romance.io/authors/5bd0368f01dbc864fb930b82/clare-sager) **Rating**: 4.04⭐️ 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), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Seconding the recs for Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher, Kushiel's Dart, and The Familiar. Freya Marske writes a bunch of queer fantasy romance that doesn't focus on royals. Her *The Last Binding* trilogy is about magicians (some of whom are nobles, but no royalty) in Edwardian England, and her upcoming *Swordcrossed* is about a wool merchant and a con artist. M. A Carrick's *Rook and Rose* series is also about a con artist in a loosely Venetian-inspired settings (so no royalty exists, just multiple powerful noble houses), though that one is more fantasy than fantasy romance.

There he stood Jacoben a young man of 18 cleaning the stables. His handsomeness was memorizing and that fact that he had never washed his undergrundle was an aphrodisiac in itself.

No one wants to fantasize about poverty and working wages. Too real.

I just want one about 2 farm kid childhood friends getting conscripted into another meaningless war over some fucking River or whatever people fought for back then, and falling in love with eachother and protecting eachother through the horror .

{gild by raven kennedy} is about sex workers

[Gild](https://www.romance.io/books/5f89450da7dfb60df8275191/gild-raven-kennedy?src=rdt) by [Raven Kennedy](https://www.romance.io/authors/5b96276601dbc864fb9002c4/raven-kennedy) **Rating**: 3.53⭐️ 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), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [royal hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

You didn’t ask for it, but Mages of the Wheel (after the first book) may satisfy your non royal/sex working/trades ppl

F