Book Review: Fantasyland
Series details
What this series is about
High-spice MF fantasy romance series: A parallel realm mirrors the real world with the same faces and names—but not necessarily the same personalities. In each book, a new couple takes center stage when a woman from the real world ends up in that magical world, stepping into the life of her counterpart and colliding with an alpha hero, a strong overarching plot, and a seriously spicy, high-escapism romance.
World setting
Genres
Relationship tropes
Rating & review
My review
Very few series have been—or will be—as good as Fantasyland for me.
This series sits in “how many times have I reread this?” territory.
One Asterisk: I’m talking about the series as a whole here, but I do have one note: the first three books are the ones I’ve reread over and over. The fourth didn’t hit the same for me, and I still haven’t read the last one.
Fantasyland has everything I’m into, but with steroids: alpha macho men who fall hard, morally grey choices, strong plots that don’t feel like filler, and romance that’s both tense and seriously spicy. The escapism is the whole point here, and it delivers because the world feels vivid and built-out—magic, kingdoms, talking animals, dragons, the whole package.
The other thing that makes it work is that the couples don’t blur together. Each book is a different story with a different dynamic, and the heroines actually have their own personalities instead of feeling like the same woman in a different outfit.
Very few series have been—or will be—as good as Fantasyland for me.
This series sits in “how many times have I reread this?” territory.
One Asterisk: I’m talking about the series as a whole here, but I do have one note: the first three books are the ones I’ve reread over and over. The fourth didn’t hit the same for me, and I still haven’t read the last one.
Fantasyland has everything I’m into, but with steroids: alpha macho men who fall hard, morally grey choices, strong plots that don’t feel like filler, and romance that’s both tense and seriously spicy. The escapism is the whole point here, and it delivers because the world feels vivid and built-out—magic, kingdoms, talking animals, dragons, the whole package.
The other thing that makes it work is that the couples don’t blur together. Each book is a different story with a different dynamic, and the heroines actually have their own personalities instead of feeling like the same woman in a different outfit.
If I had to critique something
The biggest make-or-break factor with this series is Kristen Ashley’s writing style.
If you already like how she writes, you’re safe here. If you don’t, this series probably won’t convert you—because the voice is a huge part of the experience. Check one of the book reviews for more details.
The biggest make-or-break factor with this series is Kristen Ashley’s writing style.
If you already like how she writes, you’re safe here. If you don’t, this series probably won’t convert you—because the voice is a huge part of the experience. Check one of the book reviews for more details.
The romance
4
MF
New Couple Each Installment
Relationship tropes
Romance on the Fantasyland series
This series is built on:
-
alpha, dominant heroes (possessive, controlling, morally grey)
-
high romantic tension
-
“capable warrior” moments that are absolutely part of the appeal
-
unique couple dynamics from book to book
-
high spice that’s written to stay readable as romance, not straight erotica. Maybe 2-3 very explicit and hot scenes per book.
This series is built on:
-
alpha, dominant heroes (possessive, controlling, morally grey)
-
high romantic tension
-
“capable warrior” moments that are absolutely part of the appeal
-
unique couple dynamics from book to book
-
high spice that’s written to stay readable as romance, not straight erotica. Maybe 2-3 very explicit and hot scenes per book.
-
Reading order
Books I've reviewed from this series
Series similar to Fantasyland
Oh hey! I’m Becky, book hugger and the one-woman team behind RBM. I hope my reviews help you find a story you’ll love.