Adventure romance comp titles for your query letter (updated 2026)

Choosing the right comp titles for your adventure romance’s query letter can make or break your changes of being published.

If you’re wondering what the purpose of a comp title is, it’s to allow agents and publishing house editors to quickly gauge the genre and market potential of your book.

I regularly update this list of adventure romance comp titles to make sure you’re always working with relevant books.

No matter if you’re writing a sweet, slow-burn adventure romance or something fast and spicy, you’ll find titles below to help you write a killer query letter!

If you’re looking for something a bit more specific, check out my romance comp database.

1. A Sky Beyond the StormAuthor: Sabaa TahirYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adventure, dystopia, fantasy, high fantasy, magic, young adult
2. Aurora BurningAuthor: Amie KaufmanYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adventure, aliens, fantasy, science fiction, space, young adult
3. Brigands & BreadknivesAuthor: Travis BaldreeYear published: 2025Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, adventure, cozy, cozy fantasy, fantasy, queer
4. Brigands & BreadknivesAuthor: Travis BaldreeYear published: 2025Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, adventure, cozy, cozy fantasy, fantasy, queer
5. Criminal MischiefAuthor: Stuart, WoodsYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, adventure, crime, mystery, suspense, thriller
6. Crowns of IceAuthor: Krista StreetYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, adventure, fae, fantasy, high fantasy, magic, romantasy, science fiction
7. Destroy the DayAuthor: Brigid KemmererYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adventure, dystopia, fantasy, romantasy, young adult
8. Don't Be In LoveAuthor: Liana CincottiYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adventure, book club, contemporary, rom com, young adult
9. DragonfruitAuthor: Makiia LucierYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adventure, dragons, fantasy, mythology, retellings, young adult
10. Empire of ShadowsAuthor: Jacquelyn BensonYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, adventure, fantasy, historical, romantasy
11. Float PlanAuthor: Trish DollerYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, adventure, chick lit, contemporary, summer, travel
12. Glorious RivalsAuthor: Jennifer Lynn BarnesYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adventure, contemporary, fantasy, mystery, thriller, young adult
13. House of Vampires and FlameAuthor: Meg Xuemei XYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, adventure, fantasy, magic, science fiction, vampires
14. I'm Afraid You've Got DragonsAuthor: Peter S. BeagleYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, adventure, cozy, cozy fantasy, dragons, fantasy, humor
15. Kingdom of ClawAuthor: Demi WintersYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, adventure, enemies to lovers, fantasy, magic, romantasy
16. One True KingAuthor: Soman ChainaniYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adventure, fantasy, magic, science fiction, young adult
17. Paladin's FaithAuthor: T. KingfisherYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, adventure, fantasy, magic, romantasy, science fiction
18. Return of the ThiefAuthor: Megan Whalen TurnerYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adventure, fantasy, high fantasy, historical, mythology, young adult
19. RuinationAuthor: Anthony ReynoldsYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, adventure, epic fantasy, fantasy, high fantasy, magic
20. SaintAuthor: Adrienne YoungYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adventure, fantasy, pirates, romantasy, young adult
21. SeasparrowAuthor: Kristin CashoreYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adventure, fantasy, high fantasy, magic, romantasy, young adult
22. ShieldedAuthor: KayLynn FlandersYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adventure, fantasy, high fantasy, magic, romantasy, royalty, young adult
23. Something WilderAuthor: Christina LaurenYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, adventure, chick lit, contemporary, mystery, second chance
24. Spice RoadAuthor: Maiya IbrahimYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adventure, fantasy, high fantasy, magic, mythology, young adult
25. StellarluneAuthor: Shannon MessengerYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adventure, fantasy, magic, mystery, young adult
26. Sunrise on the ReapingAuthor: Suzanne CollinsYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adventure, book club, dystopia, fantasy, science fiction, young adult
27. The Ballad of Songbirds and SnakesAuthor: Suzanne CollinsYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adventure, book club, dystopia, fantasy, science fiction, young adult
28. The Brothers HawthorneAuthor: Jennifer Lynn BarnesYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adventure, contemporary, fantasy, mystery, thriller, young adult
29. The Eve IllusionAuthor: Giovanna FletcherYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adventure, dystopia, fantasy, science fiction, young adult
30. The Evening and the MorningAuthor: Ken FollettYear published: 2020Genre and themes: British literature, adult, adventure, fantasy, historical
31. The Final GambitAuthor: Jennifer Lynn BarnesYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adventure, contemporary, fantasy, mystery, thriller, young adult
32. The Ghost ShipAuthor: Kate MosseYear published: 2023Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, adventure, fantasy, historical, pirates, queer
33. The Grandest GameAuthor: Jennifer Lynn BarnesYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adventure, contemporary, fantasy, mystery, thriller, young adult
34. The Half KingAuthor: Melissa LandersYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adventure, fantasy, magic, new adult, romantasy, young adult
35. The Hanging CityAuthor: Charlie N. HolmbergYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, adventure, fantasy, magic, romantasy
36. The Hawthorne LegacyAuthor: Jennifer Lynn BarnesYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adventure, contemporary, fantasy, mystery, thriller, young adult
37. The King's RansomAuthor: Janet EvanovichYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, adventure, crime, humor, mystery, suspense, thriller
38. The Lies of Vampires and SlayersAuthor: K.M. SheaYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, adventure, fantasy, magic, paranormal, science fiction, urban fantasy, vampires
39. The Queen's SecretAuthor: Melissa de la CruzYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adventure, fantasy, magic, romantasy, young adult
40. The RomanticAuthor: William BoydYear published: 2022Genre and themes: British literature, adult, adventure, book club, historical, literary fiction
41. The Secret War of Julia ChildAuthor: Diana R. ChambersYear published: 2024Genre and themes: World War II, adult, adventure, book club, historical, war
42. Thieves' GambitAuthor: Kayvion LewisYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adventure, contemporary, fantasy, mystery, thriller, young adult
43. Tress of the Emerald SeaAuthor: Brandon SandersonYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, adventure, book club, fantasy, high fantasy, pirates, young adult
44. UnraveledAuthor: Shannon MessengerYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adventure, fantasy, magic, mystery, urban fantasy, young adult
45. Vengeance of the Pirate QueenAuthor: Tricia LevensellerYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adventure, enemies to lovers, fantasy, pirates, romantasy, young adult
46. What the River KnowsAuthor: Isabel IbañezYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adventure, fantasy, historical, magic, mystery, young adult
47. Where the Library HidesAuthor: Isabel IbañezYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adventure, fantasy, historical, mystery, young adult

Other resources to assist with your querying journey

Comp titles are only a small piece of the querying puzzle! Here are other resources I offer to help writers achieve their dreams of publishing their novels:

• Developmental editing services
• Pre-querying package
• Publishers accepting manuscript submissions this month
• Romance tropes list
• Random romance trope generator

Frequently asked questions

How recent do comp titles need to be?

Comp titles should be published within the past five to seven years so it is representative of the current market potential of your manuscript.

Can I use bestselling books as a comp title?

Yes, you can! However, the bestselling books aren’t always the most suitable options. While it’s integral that a comp title has sold well, it’s better to choose a comp title that’s sold less well but closer represents the tone and overall vibe of your own book.

How many comp titles should I include in my query letter?

You should aim for two comp titles in your query letter. You can include three, but agents would expect more than one.

Can I use a series as a comp title?

You can, but it’s best to pick a specific book within that series that best represents your manuscript.

What if I can’t find a adventure romance comp title that fits my book?

You can broaden your horizons to also include other subgenres of romance!”