If Anathema by Keri Lake Consumed You, These Dark Romance Books Will Drag You Deeper
January 23, 2026
If you devoured Anathema's gothic atmosphere, morally grey anti-hero, and all-consuming romance, discover 13 dark fantasy romances with the same addictive blend of danger, obsession, and devotion.
Keri Lake's Anathema took BookTok by storm in 2024 with its intoxicating blend of gothic atmosphere, a brooding anti-hero who's equal parts terrifying and irresistible, a strong heroine who refuses to be a damsel, and a romance so intense it borders on obsessive. If you found yourself completely consumed by the dark fairy tale vibes, the enemies-to-lovers tension that crackles with danger, the unapologetic monster romance elements, and that perfect balance of menace and devotion, you're part of a passionate community desperately seeking their next dark fantasy romance fix.
What makes Anathema so addictive is how it embraces darkness without apology. This isn't sanitised romance where the dangerous love interest is secretly safe - Lake gives readers an anti-hero who's genuinely threatening, morally compromised, and capable of violence, whilst making you root for him anyway. The gothic setting drips with atmosphere, the romance develops with delicious tension between fear and desire, and the heroine holds her own against a man designed to intimidate. It's Beauty and the Beast if the Beast stayed beastly and Belle liked it that way.
We've gathered ten books that capture different aspects of what made Anathema so compulsively readable. Some feature monster romance with actual monsters. Others deliver gothic atmosphere and brooding anti-heroes in crumbling estates. Many share that distinctive blend of danger and devotion, where love develops despite (or because of) darkness rather than in spite of it. All feature morally grey or outright villainous love interests, heroines who aren't afraid of the dark, and romance that's obsessive, intense, and unapologetically dark. These books promise the same kind of stay-up-until-dawn reading experience where you're equally scared and seduced. So light your candles, prepare for morally questionable life choices, and get ready to fall for anti-heroes who probably shouldn't be anyone's book boyfriend but absolutely are.
A Soul of Ash and Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Jennifer L. Armentrout's A Soul of Ash and Blood retells From Blood and Ash from Casteel's perspective, revealing his true thoughts during his fake kidnapping of Poppy and the dangerous game he's playing. Whilst the main series has over 500,000 ratings, this companion provides the dark, morally grey hero's internal monologue that Anathema fans crave - Casteel's obsession with Poppy, his manipulation of her emotions, and his struggle between his mission and his growing feelings. The From Blood and Ash series delivers gothic castles, forbidden romance, and a hero who's part vampire mythology.
This appeals to Anathema fans because Casteel embodies the morally grey anti-hero archetype. He's literally kidnapped Poppy as part of a revenge plot, lies to her constantly, and manipulates her feelings - whilst genuinely falling for her and becoming increasingly protective and possessive. Armentrout doesn't shy from the problematic dynamics; she leans into them, creating a romance where danger and desire are inseparable and the line between captor and protector blurs deliciously.
The gothic fantasy world features crumbling kingdoms, vampire-like creatures called the Craven, blood rituals, and ancient magic. The atmosphere is dark and lush, with castle settings, forbidden forests, and supernatural threats creating constant tension. Armentrout writes steamy romance that's unapologetically intense, with Casteel's possessiveness and Poppy's attraction to danger creating explosive chemistry. The power dynamics shift throughout as Poppy discovers her own considerable power.
The main series (From Blood and Ash through six books currently) expands into epic fantasy with wars, betrayals, and revelations about Poppy's identity that raise the stakes exponentially. The romance remains central even as the plot becomes more complex, with Casteel's devotion to Poppy becoming increasingly feral and absolute. For readers who want morally grey heroes who kidnap, manipulate, and obsess over their love interests whilst being genuinely dangerous and devoted, this series delivers dark romantasy that's wildly popular for good reason.
A Soul of Ash and Blood
Blood And Ash (Book 5)
A Soul of Ash and Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout revisits the From Blood and Ash saga through memory, love, and loss—revealing how devotion shaped destiny.
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
Carissa Broadbent's The Serpent and the Wings of Night follows Oraya, a human adopted by the vampire king in a world where humans are prey. To prove herself and win power that might protect her, she enters the Kejari - a deadly tournament held every century where vampire warriors compete in brutal trials. Her alliance with Raihn, a mysterious competitor with his own agenda, becomes complicated as attraction develops alongside their necessary partnership. With over 748,000 Goodreads ratings, this dark romantasy became a massive hit.
This appeals to Anathema fans through its gothic vampire world where danger is constant and romance develops between people who might kill each other. The vampire court setting drips with dark elegance - blood, power, ancient magic, and brutal politics. Oraya is surrounded by predators who view her as food or weakness, creating constant tension and the sense that survival requires becoming as ruthless as those around her. The tournament structure adds life-or-death stakes to every interaction.
Raihn embodies the dangerous love interest archetype - powerful vampire warrior with a dark past, questionable morals, and genuine threat despite growing feelings for Oraya. Broadbent writes enemies-to-lovers that earns its progression, with Oraya and Raihn's alliance built on necessity before evolving into genuine partnership and eventually obsessive devotion. The power imbalance (human vs vampire, physically weaker vs supernaturally strong) creates interesting dynamics that Broadbent navigates thoughtfully.
The romance is slow-burn but intensely emotional when it finally ignites, with both characters willing to betray everything for each other. Broadbent doesn't shy from showing violence, morally grey choices, and the cost of survival in a brutal world. The duology (The Serpent and the Wings of Night and The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King) provides a complete arc. For readers who want vampire romance with actual stakes, tournament settings, morally grey heroes, and romance that develops through shared danger and eventual absolute devotion, this is dark and addictive.
The Serpent and the Wings of Night
Crowns of Nyaxia (Book 1)
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent is a dark romantasy of deadly trials, vampiric courts, and slow-burn love where survival demands sacrifice.
Credence by Penelope Douglas
Penelope Douglas's Credence follows Tiernan, who's sent to live with her estranged uncle and his two sons in rural Colorado after her parents' deaths. The isolated mountain setting, the three men who are equal parts protective and predatory, and Tiernan's growing realisation that her attraction to all of them might be reciprocated creates an unconventional, taboo romance that pushes boundaries. With over 150,000 Goodreads ratings, this became one of Douglas's most controversial and beloved books.
This is perfect for Anathema fans who appreciate romance that embraces taboo elements and morally questionable dynamics. Douglas doesn't apologise for the unconventional relationship structure or the possessive, obsessive behaviour of the male characters. The isolation of the Colorado mountains creates gothic atmosphere despite the contemporary setting, with the cabin in the woods feeling as removed from civilisation as any gothic manor. The men are rough, damaged, and dangerous in different ways.
The power dynamics are complex and deliberately provocative - Tiernan is dependent on these men whilst also holding power over them through their desire for her. Douglas explores consent, desire, and the appeal of dangerous men in ways that some find problematic and others find refreshingly honest about dark fantasies. The tension builds slowly as Tiernan navigates her attraction to men who are technically family whilst they struggle with wanting someone they're supposed to protect.
The book is deeply divisive - readers either love its unapologetic approach to taboo romance or find it too problematic. Douglas writes steam that's explicit and emotionally intense, with the men's possessiveness and Tiernan's response creating a relationship dynamic that's obsessive and all-consuming. For readers who want contemporary romance with gothic isolated atmosphere, multiple dangerous love interests, taboo elements explored without apology, and characters who choose darkness together, this is intense and unforgettable - just be aware of content warnings.
Credence
Credence by Penelope Douglas follows Tiernan, sent to live with her estranged uncle and his two sons in rural Colorado after tragedy. This controversial standalone explores forbidden desires, isolation, and complicated relationships in the remote wilderness.
Shatter Me by Taahera Mafi
Taahera Mafi's Shatter Me introduces Juliette, whose touch is lethal - she kills anyone she touches. Imprisoned by The Reestablishment, a totalitarian regime, she's offered a choice by Warner, the ruthless young commander: become a weapon for the regime or die. As Juliette navigates her captivity, she discovers Warner is obsessed with her, and his villainy might conceal deeper complexity and genuine, twisted devotion. With over 800,000 Goodreads ratings, this launched a beloved dystopian romance series.
This appeals to Anathema fans through Warner, one of YA's most beloved villain love interests. He's genuinely terrible in the first book - cold, controlling, manipulative, and willing to use Juliette as a weapon regardless of her wishes. Mafi doesn't soften his villainy initially but slowly reveals the damaged person beneath, creating a redemption arc that feels earned across the series. His obsession with Juliette starts creepy and evolves into devotion that's equally intense but consensual.
The gothic elements include Juliette's imprisonment in the asylum and later in Warner's compound, her isolation from human touch creating tragic beauty, and the dystopian world's bleakness. Mafi's prose is lyrical and distinctive, with crossed-out thoughts revealing Juliette's internal struggles and the poetry of her observations. The touch-based power creates built-in tension for any romance - how can she be with someone when her touch kills?
The series (six books with novellas) allows Warner's character development across substantial time, showing how he earns Juliette's trust and love through genuine change whilst retaining his edge. The romance becomes intensely devoted, with Warner's possessiveness channelled into protection rather than control. For readers who want villain-to-hero arcs, dystopian settings with gothic atmosphere, heroines with dangerous powers, and romance that starts problematic but evolves into mutual obsessive devotion, this is a fan-favourite series that defined the archetype.
Shatter Me
by Tahereh Mafi
Shatter Me (Book 1)
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi is a lyrical dystopian fantasy about a girl with a lethal touch, a ruthless regime, and the slow awakening of power, love, and identity.
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
Kerri Maniscalco's Kingdom of the Wicked follows Emilia, a Sicilian witch whose twin sister is murdered. Desperate for vengeance, she summons Wrath, a demon prince of Hell, to help her hunt the killer. As they investigate, entering demon courts and uncovering supernatural conspiracies, Emilia must navigate her growing attraction to Wrath - who's dangerous, infuriating, and might be using her for his own agenda. With over 200,000 Goodreads ratings, this Italian-inspired fantasy romance became a beloved series.
This is perfect for Anathema fans because Wrath embodies the dangerous, morally grey love interest. He's literally a demon - Pride personified - arrogant, manipulative, and pursuing his own goals whilst reluctantly helping Emilia. Maniscalco creates delicious enemies-to-lovers tension through their constant bickering, Emilia's refusal to be intimidated, and Wrath's growing respect for her strength. The Sicilian and Hell-based settings provide lush gothic atmosphere.
The romance is slow-burn across the trilogy, with Maniscalco taking time to develop genuine connection beneath the antagonism. Wrath reveals himself in layers - dangerous and untrustworthy but also honourable by his own code, protective of Emilia despite claiming indifference, and capable of genuine vulnerability beneath the arrogance. The power dynamic shifts as Emilia discovers her own considerable power and refuses to be manipulated.
The series (Kingdom of the Wicked, Kingdom of the Cursed, Kingdom of the Feared) expands into Hell's politics, ancient magic, and revelations about Emilia's identity that raise stakes. The Italian setting, food culture, and family dynamics ground the fantasy elements whilst the demon courts provide dark elegance. For readers who want witch/demon romance, Italian gothic atmosphere, enemies-to-lovers that burns slowly, and heroines who hold their own against literally demonic love interests, this trilogy delivers darkness with style.
Kingdom of the Wicked
Kingdom of the Wicked (Book 1)
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco follows Emilia, a Sicilian witch whose twin is murdered. She summons demon prince Wrath for vengeance, beginning an enemies-to-lovers romance. This romantasy blends Italian culture, murder mystery, and demon intrigue.
The Crimson Moth by Kristen Ciccarelli
Kristen Ciccarelli's The Crimson Moth, also known as The Heartless Hunter, is set in a world where witches have been hunted to near extinction. Rune, a former witch who's hidden her identity, lives as a socialite whilst secretly helping witches escape. Gideon, the republic's most ruthless witch hunter, suspects Rune and gets close to her to gather evidence. As they're drawn together, their cat-and-mouse game becomes complicated by genuine attraction despite being on opposite sides of a deadly conflict. With over 50,000 Goodreads ratings, this Regency-inspired fantasy became a BookTok favourite.
This appeals to Anathema fans through the enemies-to-lovers dynamic where the danger is absolutely real. Gideon isn't pretending to be a threat - he's actively hunting witches, and if he discovers Rune's identity, he could execute her. The romance develops with genuine stakes where trust is nearly impossible and every interaction could be a trap. Ciccarelli creates delicious tension through their verbal sparring and the knowledge that falling for each other could be fatal.
The Regency-inspired setting provides gothic atmosphere - glamorous balls concealing deadly politics, witch burnings, and secret resistance movements operating in shadows. Rune must maintain her socialite persona whilst conducting dangerous rescue missions, creating constant tension. Gideon is morally complex - genuinely believing he's protecting society from dangerous magic whilst slowly questioning whether the witches he's hunting are truly monsters or victims of propaganda.
The romance forces both characters to confront their beliefs and biases. Ciccarelli explores themes about propaganda, prejudice, and whether love can bridge ideological divides when both parties have committed or enabled violence. The duology continues the story whilst maintaining the central tension. For readers who want Regency-inspired fantasy romance, witch persecution narratives, enemies-to-lovers where the enmity is genuine and dangerous, and moral complexity about both sides of conflict, this is elegant and tense.
The Crimson Moth
The Crimson Moth (Book 1)
The Crimson Moth by Kristen Ciccarelli is a dark fantasy romance of magic, secrecy, and rebellion, where a deadly hunter and a hidden witch are bound by fate.
The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller
Tricia Levenseller's The Shadows Between Us follows Alessandra, an ambitious young woman with a plan: marry the Shadow King, kill him, and take his kingdom for herself. The Shadow King possesses power over darkness and is suspected of murdering his previous fiancées. As Alessandra gets close to him, executing her plan becomes complicated when she realises he's not the villain she expected and her attraction might derail her ambitions. With over 150,000 Goodreads ratings, this became a beloved standalone fantasy romance.
This is perfect for Anathema fans who appreciate morally grey protagonists on both sides. Alessandra isn't a good person - she's already murdered before the book begins and approaches her marriage with cold-blooded calculation. The Shadow King is dangerous, isolated, and possibly a serial killer of his own fiancées. Levenseller creates romance between two people who are both potentially villainous, both manipulating each other, and both possibly falling genuinely in love despite their agendas.
The gothic atmosphere includes the dark palace, the king's shadow powers, rumours of murdered brides, and the constant sense of danger. Levenseller writes banter that crackles, with Alessandra and the king verbally sparring whilst circling each other's secrets. The power dynamic stays relatively balanced - both are playing dangerous games, both are capable of violence, and neither is entirely trustworthy even as they develop genuine feelings.
What makes this work is Levenseller's refusal to fully redeem either character. They remain morally grey, their relationship built on initial deception but evolving into genuine partnership between equals who accept each other's darkness. The standalone nature makes this perfect for readers who want complete stories. For readers seeking ambitious antiheroine protagonists, dangerous kings with shadow powers, marriage of convenience with murderous intent, and romance between two people who are both villains choosing each other, this is wickedly entertaining.
The Shadows Between Us
The Stathos Sisters (Book 1)
The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller follows Alessandra, who plots to seduce the Shadow King, marry him, and kill him to take his throne. This YA fantasy romance delivers witty banter, morally grey characters, and unapologetic female ambition.
House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland
Krystal Sutherland's House of Hollow follows three sisters who disappeared as children and returned a month later changed - black eyes, white hair, strange scars, and a door behind them that no one else could see. Ten years later, when the eldest sister Grey vanishes again, middle sister Iris must uncover what really happened during that missing month and what's now hunting her family. With over 100,000 Goodreads ratings, this dark contemporary fantasy blends gothic horror with mystery.
This appeals to Anathema fans through its gothic atmosphere in a contemporary setting and its exploration of the monstrous. The Hollow sisters aren't entirely human anymore - something changed them fundamentally, giving them powers but also marking them as other. Sutherland creates a sense of creeping dread and beautiful horror, with descriptions of decay, transformation, and the thin line between human and monster that feels similar to Anathema's dark fairy tale vibes.
The romance element is subtle but present, with Iris drawn to a mysterious musician connected to her sister's disappearance. The relationship develops with danger and the unknown, the appeal of darkness rather than light. Sutherland's prose is gorgeous and unsettling, creating imagery that's both beautiful and disturbing. The mystery of what the sisters became and what wants them back drives the plot.
What sets this apart is its focus on sisterhood and trauma alongside the darker romantic elements. The book explores identity, transformation, and whether becoming monstrous means losing humanity or discovering it. The contemporary Edinburgh setting grounds the fantasy elements whilst maintaining gothic atmosphere. For readers who want dark fairy tale vibes in contemporary settings, body horror elements, mystery and atmosphere prioritised over romance but with romantic elements present, and gorgeous unsettling prose, this is haunting and original.
House of Hollow
House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland follows the Hollow sisters, who vanished as children and returned changed - with black eyes, white hair, and strange abilities. When the eldest disappears again, Iris must uncover the dark truth about what happened to them.
A Dawn of Onyx by Kate Golden
Kate Golden's A Dawn of Onyx follows Arwen, a young woman with healing powers who's forced to join other women being sent to the brutal Onyx Kingdom as part of a treaty. The Onyx King is rumoured to be a monster, and the kingdom itself is dark and dangerous. As Arwen navigates the brutal court and catches the attention of the king, she must survive political intrigue whilst hiding her powers and unravelling the kingdom's dark secrets. With over 150,000 Goodreads ratings, this became a BookTok sensation.
This appeals to Anathema fans through its dark kingdom setting and monstrous king love interest. The Onyx Kingdom is gothic and threatening, with dark magic, brutal politics, and a king whose reputation suggests he's as dangerous as rumoured. Golden creates atmosphere through the threatening court, the sense that survival requires cunning and strength, and the slow revelation that the king might be more complex than his monstrous reputation suggests.
The enemies-to-lovers romance develops with proper tension, as Arwen has every reason to fear and distrust the king whilst being drawn to him despite her better judgment. Golden balances the dark content with character development, showing how both Arwen and the king are products of their circumstances and trauma. The power dynamics shift as Arwen discovers her own strength and refuses to be merely another captive.
The series (currently three books: A Dawn of Onyx, A Promise of Peridot, A Reign of Rose) expands the world and relationship whilst maintaining the dark fantasy elements. Golden writes action, political intrigue, and romance in equal measure. For readers who want dark kingdoms with morally grey kings, heroines with hidden powers navigating dangerous courts, slow-burn romance that earns its development, and fantasy that embraces darkness whilst allowing hope, this series delivers addictive romantasy.
A Dawn of Onyx
by Kate Golden
Sacred Stones (Book 1)
A Dawn of Onyx by Kate Golden follows healer Arwen Valondale, taken to the court of King Kane Ravenwood, the brutal ruler of Onyx. This romantasy delivers enemies-to-lovers tension, morally grey kings, fated mates, and steamy romance in a fantasy kingdom.
These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan
Lexi Ryan's These Hollow Vows follows Brie, a human girl desperate to save her sister from servitude, who makes a bargain with the Prince of the Unseelie Court. As she's drawn into Faerie politics and a dangerous love triangle between the dark Unseelie prince and a golden Seelie prince, Brie must navigate court intrigue, ancient magic, and conflicting loyalties whilst questioning which prince is truly the villain. With over 100,000 Goodreads ratings, this fae romance became beloved for its morally grey fae politics.
This is perfect for Anathema fans who love morally ambiguous love interests and gothic fae settings. Ryan's Unseelie Court is dark, dangerous, and seductive - the prince is manipulative, possibly villainous, and undeniably attractive. The moral ambiguity extends to both potential love interests, with neither being purely good or evil. Ryan explores the appeal of darkness and danger, with Brie drawn to the Unseelie prince despite knowing he's using her.
The fae world is richly developed with distinct courts, complex politics, and dangerous magic. Ryan doesn't make Faerie safe or sanitised - bargains have real consequences, the fae are genuinely threatening, and survival requires matching their cunning. The gothic atmosphere of the dark court, with its shadowy halls and dangerous inhabitants, creates constant tension. The love triangle is genuinely complicated, with valid reasons to choose either prince.
The duology (These Hollow Vows and These Twisted Bonds) provides complete resolution whilst maintaining moral complexity. Ryan writes steamy romance that's emotionally fraught, with Brie's choices having real consequences and her relationships tested by conflicting loyalties. For readers who want fae romance with genuine darkness, morally grey princes on both sides, political intrigue and dangerous magic, and love triangles where both options are compelling and flawed, this is tense and romantic.
These Hollow Vows
by Lexi Ryan
These Hollow Vows (Book 1)
These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan follows Brie, who bargains with fae princes to rescue her kidnapped sister from the faerie realm. This YA fantasy romance features morally grey fae, dual love interests, dangerous bargains, and Seelie versus Unseelie court politics.
These ten books capture the essence of what made Anathema so addictive: dangerous love interests who are genuinely threatening, heroines who don't need saving but choose darkness anyway, gothic atmospheres that seduce and terrify in equal measure, and romance that's obsessive, intense, and unapologetically dark. Whether you're drawn to morally grey anti-heroes, monster romance that embraces the monstrous, enemies-to-lovers with real stakes, or simply relationships where danger and devotion are inseparable, these books promise the same kind of consuming reading experience. So embrace your questionable taste in fictional men, settle in somewhere atmospheric, and prepare to fall for anti-heroes who definitely aren't boyfriend material but absolutely are book boyfriend material. Your next obsession awaits.