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When did Romantasy become so popular?
Romantasy. Is this just a fad that TikTok made up, or is this really going to be the next new genre in publishing? Let’s have a bit of a dive into the history of the term and genre, what made it popular and where it’s going to go.
If you’d asked me five years ago what my favourite romantasy book was, I’d have been unable to answer. Romantasy? Do you mean fantasy? Romance? What even is this? However, now it is one of the biggest genres that I read, although it did get me thinking on how we got here.
Is romance in fantasy just a modern idea?
In 2023, Goodreads added a Romantasy category to their Choice Awards. This was a big step, especially as this was the year where both Fourth Wing and Iron Flame were released. The book community was torn. Is this new category devaluing romantasy books? Is it suggesting that they aren’t quite as good as fantasy? Or is Goodreads acknowledging that this is a genre that can stand on its own now. It is equal to fantasy. In my opinion, I think it was a good move. Since 2020, Sarah J Maas has won the fantasy category every year. We know that she is an absolute powerhouse of an author, now potentially rivalled by Rebecca Yarros. So splitting the categories allowed more fantasy books a chance to be nominated, and to win. In 2024 TJ KLune won the best fantasy with just shy of 70,000 votes. Sarah J Maas won the best romantasy with 122,000 votes. We can clearly see who the winner would have been if they were in one category.
However, there has always been romance in fantasy. Even The Lord of the Rings (famously one of the first fantasy books, and with almost no women), has a romantic sub plot (Aragon and Arwen, super cuties). This makes total sense- a typical fantasy plot will include someone trying to save something (maybe saving the world, maybe saving their loved ones), and including a romance subplot will help to move almost all books along. It’s a great motivation for your characters! However, just because there is romance in your fantasy book, doesn’t mean that it is a romantasy. So what is?
Fantasy Romance vs Romantasy
I think that there is a difference between fantasy romance, and romantasy. In my mind, the former is a fantasy plot first and foremost, with a romantic plot supporting. If you took out the romance, you’d still have a fantasy story. Examples here include Outlander or Faebound. Whereas romantasy has a romance plot with equal importance to the fantasy plot. You wouldn’t be able to separate out the romance without the whole story falling apart. Examples include the Crescent City series or Fourth Wing. However, something that is key to both categories is that there is a romance plot line, that follows the plot beats of a typical romance story. You need a meeting, sexual tension, a break up or separation, and of course a happily-ever-after. Think of some of the most popular romantasy books, for example ACOTAR or Fourth Wing; across the series, all these plot beats happen.
What romantasy to read next
Whether you’re a die hard fantasy fan, or a smitten romance reader; I think that there is something for you in romantasy. These books tend to be spicy, imaginations go wild with the possibilities from having non human main characters. (Fae, elves, vampires and werewolves are currently the popular MC’s). Romantasy is a genre where you can explore in safety- LGBTQ characters are much more common, Kinks are explored and different relationship set-ups are popular. You may have heard of Why-Choose romances, Reverse Harem or a praise kink, all themes that are much more popular in romantasy than classic romance. Below is a list of recommendations of books to try if you’re just dabbling, books to read if you’ve read another popular title, and books to try if you want to read something totally different.
If you’re just starting out
ACOTAR by Sarah J Maas. Arguably this is the book that started the idea of fantasy romance or romantasy. Don’t be intimidated by the size of these books, they are fantastic! Perfect if you like fae and character development over a series.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. You can’t go on to booktok or bookstagram right now without seeing everyone reading Onyx Storm, the third in the Empyrean series. This is another very popular series. Perfect if you like dragons, magic schools and underdog stories.
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout. This is a completed series (yay), although there is a spin off series in progress. Perfect if you like the bodyguard trope.
If you liked this, try this
If you liked Crescent City by Sarah J Maas, try Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma. These are both fantasies with urban settings, so if you enjoy a more modern fantasy world, try this one.
If you liked Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco try Phantasma by Kaylie Smith. Kingdom of the Wicked follows a girl who makes a deal with a prince of hell (one of the deadly sins) to avenge her sister. Phantasma is about a girl who makes a deal with a ghost to rescue her sister. If you enjoy sibling relationships and romance with devils or ghosts, this is for you.
If you liked Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahuin, try The Crimson Moth by Kristen Ciccarelli. Both of these include a romance between a witch and a witch hunter. Perfect if that sounds like your kind of thing.
If you want to read something with themes you haven’t seen before
Now we’re getting into the different kinks and relationships often explored in romantasy!
If you’re curious about knotting, try Bride by Ali Hazelwood. There’s discussions on whether this is a romantasy or a romance, but in my opinion as it is a romance between a vampire and a werewolf, it has to sit in the romantasy category!
If you’re wondering about Why Choose, try Bonded by Thorns by Elizabeth Helen. This is a Beauty and the Beast retelling where our Beauty has all four fae princes
Overall, I think that romantasy is here to stay. This is a genre that is allowing women to reclaim sexual fantasies, and remove the stigma of verbalising these. It is also one of the fastest growing genres currently and with new releases such as Onyx Storm taking over the internet, I can’t see this genre going anywhere!
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