The best young adult villain romance books

We’ve all heard a tale or two about a charming, ruthless cutthroat willing to do whatever is necessary to take the throne, be it through political intrigue, seduction, and even murder. The twist here? While 99.9% of these romances have a male sitting in the villain’s seat, The Shadows Between Us delivers a refreshing take by introducing us to femme fatale Alessandra. Not only that, but she’s the protagonist! If you’re looking to sink your teeth into something deliciously wicked, then look no further, because you will be treated to every devilish inner monologue and scheme as Alessandra plots to marry and kill the Shadow King.

Taking place in a world of humans and Fae, the first book in this series is exceptional with its retelling of Beauty & the Beast. Most readers, however, will tell you the real magic begins in this second installment. Paying homage to the tale of Hades & Persephone, protagonist Feyre finds herself indebted to spend one week every month with the villainous High Lord of the Night Court, Rhysand. Even worse, this handsome High Lord decides to start this bargain on the day of Feyre’s wedding…as she’s literally walking down the aisle. Talk about bad timing. Or is it? Feyre may just learn that there’s more to this angel-faced villain than she was led to believe.

Action, romance, the apocalypse, all rolled into a tale of reincarnation with a Hunger Games twist. Intrigued? You should be. After The Flash (an event that rids the planet of most water and life), the remaining survivors have more to fear than starvation and thirst. As it turns out, the characters on tarot cards actually exist, and these magically gifted individuals must compete in a match to the death until only one is left standing. The story centers around Evie, who learns she is the Empress, as she’s hunted down by the game’s most lethal player, Death. Evie may not remember her past lives, but Death certainly does, especially the part where the two were once married…and she may have tried murdering him. All's fair in love and war, right?   

Romance may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you hear “dystopian YA meets X-Men, but don’t be fooled, especially when the villain runs part of the corrupt government and just so happens to be obsessed with our main character. After the United States has been taken over by the nefarious Resistance, protagonist Juliette hasn’t had things easy. Abandoned by her parents, locked away in an asylum, and cursed with an ability that will kill people with her very touch, she at last discovers hope and a blossoming romance with your run-of-the-mill “good guy,” Adam. But it’s the third corner of this love triangle, Warner, who will reshape Juliette’s life and leave fans begging for more.  

We all know the story: good girl meets bad boy (who wants to shroud the world in darkness to obtain world domination). No? Not ringing a bell? Well, you don’t get much more villainous than that, but the man at the helm is just as enticing as he is dastardly. This fantasy world, inspired in part by 19th-century Russia, follows soldier Alina Starkov as she enters the Shadow Fold—an unnatural expanse of shadows that contains nightmarish creatures who threaten to kill all who enter. This ungodly realm has quite literally split her country in half, and there is no hope in banishing it. That is, until Alina is attacked in the Fold, where her dormant sun-summoning magic is awakened. She could very well be the key to destroying the Shadow Fold…but not if our villain has anything to say about it.