Daughter of No Worlds
Author: Carissa Broadbent
Spice Level: 
Release Year: 2019
You’re probably here because you crave epic fantasy with a side of romantic tension—something that doesn’t drown you in spice but leaves you wanting more. The War of Lost Hearts series by Carissa Broadbent delivers exactly that, and I’ll be honest: it’s my #14 all-time romantasy for a reason. The world-building is dense and immersive, the stakes are high, and the emotional journey feels like a punch to the gut in the best way. What struck me most was how the characters’ pain and hope thread through every page, never feeling forced or melodramatic. You get grit, you get heartbreak, and you get just enough heat to keep things interesting, but this isn’t the kind of series that’s going to steam up your glasses every other chapter.
Epic fantasy is the backbone here, not just a backdrop. Broadbent’s magic system is unique but never distracts from the raw, sometimes brutal, journeys her characters undertake. I found myself caring about the outcome of battles and political struggles as much as the romance. There’s a sense of urgency and consequence that’s missing from a lot of romantasy—here, the world and its conflicts matter, and the romance grows out of that chaos rather than being the sole focus. The pacing can be slow, especially in the first book, but that’s because the author is laying the groundwork for a payoff that feels earned. Sometimes I wanted to scream at the characters, sometimes I wanted to hug them, and sometimes I just needed to put the book down and breathe.
The romantic tension is what I’d call a simmer, not a boil. There’s chemistry, there’s longing, but the spice factor hovers at a 2.5—enough to keep you invested, not enough to overshadow the plot. I appreciated that. The relationship builds through shared trauma, trust, and mutual respect, not just physical attraction. It’s refreshing to see a romance that doesn’t rely on endless misunderstandings or forced drama. Once the main couple comes together, their bond feels solid, supportive, and real. The conflict comes from the world around them, not from endless will-they-won’t-they nonsense. It’s a slow burn, but the payoff is worth it.
What really elevates this series for me is the character work. Tisaanah and Max are both deeply flawed, shaped by loss and hardship, but neither wallows in self-pity. Their growth is hard-won, and the supporting cast is just as layered. Every decision carries weight, every betrayal stings, and every moment of hope feels like a victory. I found myself genuinely invested in their fates, which is rare for me in a genre that often leans too heavily on tropes. There’s a darkness to this world, but also a persistent thread of hope and resilience that kept me turning pages even when things got bleak.
This series isn’t for everyone. It’s heavy, it’s sometimes brutal, and it doesn’t offer easy answers or neat resolutions. But if you want epic fantasy with a romance that feels earned, a magic system that’s actually interesting, and characters who will break your heart and put it back together, The War of Lost Hearts is a must-read. It’s not the spiciest series on my shelf, but it’s one of the most emotionally satisfying. I wish I could experience it again for the first time—there’s something special about a story that lingers long after you’ve finished the last page.
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