In this edition of our 5×5 series, we venture into the cosplaying world. Here we have five influential cosplayers specializing in the romantasy genre, bringing the books and the characters to life. Join me and our lovely romantasy cosplayers as we learn more about what inspired them, their dream cosplay, and their advice for getting into cosplay. But first, who are our five cosplayers?
The Cosplayers
Callie (@callie.cosmic)
Callie (aka Callie Cosmic) is a filmmaker, cosplayer, actress, and content creator! She is most well-known for her fantasy and book-related content online, and you can find her consistently attending fantasy balls, book events, conventions, and Renaissance faires as either a performer or a content creator. Callie began doing bookish cosplays after reading the ACOTAR series for the first time in 2021, and the rest is history! She initially started cosplaying in the comic con/comic book scene, but gradually changed to mainly bookish and fantasy cosplays as she fell back in love with reading. Callie is originally from Atlanta, Georgia, USA, although she grew up living around the world, mainly in South Africa and Kenya, from a young age.
Some upcoming exciting events for her are performing at the Mythical Memories Ball by Fae Club in Manchester, UK, this coming October, and performing at Dragons and Rings by Haustier Events in Canada next year, as well as working on creating an original fantasy episodic for YouTube that she is writing and developing with the help of some wonderful, creative friends!
Dakotah (@dakotahsgrotto)
Dakotah (Dakotahsgrotto) is a multifaceted cosplayer, actress, and content creator, celebrated for her captivating portrayals of bookish characters and enchanting fantasy figures, with a sprinkle of mainstream cosplay. Her journey into the world of cosplay began around the age of 13, sparked by a memorable decision to embody Alice from Twilight during her self-proclaimed “Twilight phase” — a passion that may never truly fade. While she has occasionally ventured into cosplaying other literary characters, Dakotah’s creative focus primarily centered on anime, Marvel, and Disney until the summer of 2023. Driven by a desire for boundless creative freedom and limitless possibilities, she shifted her focus solely to book and fantasy cosplays, crafting intricate and imaginative designs that bring beloved characters to life. Originally hailing from Riverside, CA, USA, Dakotah’s life has been a vibrant tapestry woven with experiences in Texas and Florida. Her adventures have also taken her overseas, where she showcased her talents as a performer in Japan and China.
Some upcoming events for her are Moonlit Productions – Night of the Enchanted Realms, on September 27, 2025; Fabled Fantasy – Romantasy Con Orlando, on October 23-25, 2025; the Lark Escapes Cruises, and Fantasy Ball: Dragons and Rings in Kitchener, Ontario, on April 18, 2026.
Morri (@morri.day)
Morri has been cosplaying since 2018 and is an English major with a BFA in Theatre. She is a reborn book nerd with a soft spot for swords, spells, and slow burns. Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, she was raised in classic lit and chaos. Now she lives for romantasy, YA, and dark romance. The messier the emotions, the more she wants to wear them. Cosplay is her love letter to the heroines who feel too much, fight like hell, and fall hard — whether it saves them or ruins them, soft-hearted, sharp-tongued, and always a little dramatic — on purpose.
She has an upcoming event, the Court of Villains Halloween Ball with Always Booked on October 17, 2025.
Ashley (@ashleyfiglow)
Ashley is a fantasy cosplayer, actor, singer, and lifelong nerd based in Sarasota, Florida. She is most well-known for her cosplay of Feyre Archeron from A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, but she loves exploring roles that highlight the complexities of femininity.
She will participate in Fantasy Fête with Booked Entertainment in San Francisco, CA, on March 14, 2026.
Jane (@overlydramaticjane)
Jane, a passionate character performer and cat-lover, has been making videos on BookTok and attending events as romantasy characters since April of 2024. She was previously a character performer at Walt Disney World and is now the owner and operator of Booked Entertainment LLC. She’s originally from Hawaii and advocates for those with chronic illnesses. Her favorite romantasy characters to cosplay are Catriona of The Empyrean Series by Rebecca Yarros and Amren of A Court of Thorns and Roses Series by Sarah J. Maas.
She has some fun events coming up, such as Booked Entertainment’s Fantasy Fête on March 14, 2026, in San Francisco, CA, and Haustier Events’ Paws and Claws: Dragons & Rings on April 18, 2026, in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.
The Questions
1. What inspired you to cosplay a romantasy character?
Callie: I started getting into reading again during the pandemic, and absolutely fell in love with the genre of romantasy. It combined my two favorite genres! So how could I not love it? I read the ACOTAR series and realized how popular they were, so I started cosplaying some of the characters, and it just grew from there! I resonated particularly with Nesta’s journey in the ACOTAR series, and thought that was a good place to start, so she was actually my first romantasy cosplay! And now I’ve gotten to cosplay so many characters from so many authors across the genre!
Dakotah: I’ve always been a reader, cherishing the escape books offer from reality. Cosplaying characters from these books extends that escape, helping me feel powerful and confident, even when I’m just embodying a character.
Morri: Honestly? Romantasy has always felt like a safe space for me — where softness and strength coexist. Cosplaying these characters is my way of stepping into that magic. I’m drawn to the emotional depth, the intensity, the power of it all. These stories let women be fierce, flawed, beautiful, and broken — and still worthy of love and victory. So when I put on a romantasy cosplay, I’m not just dressing up — I’m honoring the version of myself that needed these stories to survive, and celebrating the one who’s still standing.
Ashley: I first picked up A Court of Thorns and Roses at a time in my life when I was in desperate need of an escape from reality. We had just lost our soul dog, and I was struggling to feel excited about anything. After randomly seeing the first ACOTAR book in the store one day, and reading it casually for the first few chapters, I began to see myself in Feyre, not just in her physical description, which just coincidentally happened to look a lot like me, but in her strength and her fears and her struggles. I completely devoured the series in just a few weeks, and when it was over, I found that I wanted to bring this world to life in my own little way. I began making videos as Feyre, also as an acting exercise to practice on-camera acting after almost 20 years as a stage actor. And after a little while, people started responding to them, and it just grew from there.
Jane: After leaving my role as a Disney Parks character performer and starting my “big girl job,” I began to deeply miss the world of make-believe and character performing. At the same time, I had just begun my journey of reading rediscovery: becoming hooked on books very quickly and very passionately. My friends from work, Cory and Dakotah, had inspired and encouraged me to combine those two loves of character performance and reading, and follow in their footsteps of trying out cosplaying the very characters I was reading about and connecting to. Being able to bring to life words on a page to the actual real world was oddly exhilarating, and brought me into this amazing community of new friends and a new lifestyle.
2. What is the most challenging part of bringing a romantasy character from the page to real life?
Callie: I suppose one of the most challenging, yet also most rewarding parts of cosplaying romantasy characters is that there’s typically no “onscreen” version of the character, so something like “screen accuracy” doesn’t exist. Sure, you can get as close as the character is described in the book, but ultimately, there’s not too much visual reference unless there’s fan art for the character. Still, even then, it’s someone’s interpretation of how the character looks. So, it’s both challenging, but also creatively so much fun to get to put together a romantasy cosplay, because a lot of it is up to your interpretation. “This character wore fighting leathers” — okay… but how those leathers specifically look is up to you! And I’ve seen people interpret characters in so many different ways, while still keeping the key traits that are described in the books.
Dakotah: Finding a way to merge my own take on the character and the details within the book. I’m very detail-oriented, so I like to add as many hidden details in my cosplays as I can. Even if it was said once in the entire book.
Morri: The most challenging part is capturing everything you feel when you read them. Romantasy characters are more than aesthetics — they carry pain, power, softness, trauma, and resilience. Translating that to a photo or a video? It’s not just about the costume, it’s about embodying the emotional weight behind their story. I always ask myself: Can someone look at this and feel even a fraction of what I felt reading it? That’s the goal — and the hardest part.
Ashley: I think that one of the hardest parts of bringing these characters to life is being able to translate what I see in my head when I think of a character into real-life application. Some of the things these characters wear are fantastical on purpose. Everyone has a different idea of what they should look like (think of Feyre’s Starfall gown as an example), and finding pieces in real life that give the same energy is extremely difficult and expensive.
Jane: The most challenging part of bringing any character to life is that they already exist in millions of people’s minds in a million different variations. Each reader has a deep, meaningful, fully developed relationship with a character — and as a cosplayer of that character, you have to be aware of that connection and expectation. Trying to do justice to that expectation while using cosplay to express my own passions and make myself happy is a fine line to walk sometimes.
3. How do you embody the character’s romantic or emotional side when you are in cosplay?
Callie: I’d say typically if I’m doing something more romantic or emotional, it typically will happen in photoshoots. In this case, having another person to react off of helps a lot. One of my good friends, Stephen (@cassian_cosplay), has become an amazing content creation partner-in-crime, and we’ve done so much content together, and cosplayed so many romantasy couples together at this point, so we are quite comfortable around one another. I think working with someone you feel really comfortable around is key, and having that person’s energy to bounce off of really helps. I have done some things just on my own, and I have to admit it’s definitely more challenging! If there’s a particular scene or scenario we’re trying to capture in a photo or video or whatever, if I’m able to, I’ll try to listen to or read the scene prior to the shoot in order to get into the mental space that’s needed. Listening to music with the right tone also helps and is a great tool!
Dakotah: I’m fortunate I get to work with my partner in a lot of the cosplays I do, so the romance comes naturally. But even if it’s with someone else, we always communicate boundaries and ask. And when it comes to the emotions, sometimes it can be tough if it’s something heavy. You spend so much time studying the character that when you get into their headspace, it’s hard to separate your own.
Morri: It’s all in the intention. I think about who the character loves, why they love the way they do, and what it cost them to open their heart. Sometimes it’s a soft gaze, a protective stance, or the ache in the way they hold themselves. Romantasy love is rarely simple — it’s messy, consuming, and deeply earned. When I’m in cosplay, I try to let that live in my body. I don’t just pose; I feel — and let the emotion guide every expression, every movement.
Ashley: I have been a stage actor for almost 20 years now, and getting into character is one of my favorite things to do. I like to think of what this character is feeling at that moment, what they want in that moment, what they are trying to convey. Once I’ve locked down their motivation, I try to correlate it with something similar from my own life. Another very helpful thing that I implement is finding where the other character I’m speaking to is in the room and where their eyes are. Maintaining eye contact with someone who isn’t there can be very tricky, but I just find a spot on the wall, a section of my ring light, or the camera lens itself, and imagine that it’s someone’s eyes instead. Having that connection to go back to really helps it to feel real for me and for the audience as well.
Jane: Personally, I cosplay characters I am strongly drawn to and relate to heavily. With that established connection, it’s easier for me to draw from my own experiences and possible reactions to personify these beloved characters. Throughout the filming process and event preparations, I also try to keep their backstories and motivations fresh in my mind, to help my instincts pull from the most accurate world of storytelling. Maintaining that character’s frame of mind is very helpful in adopting their persona.
4. What is the most memorable interaction you have had while cosplaying a romantasy character?
Callie: Oh my… there’s honestly so many to choose from. I’ve had my fair share of interesting interactions in cosplay for sure. I’d have to say, though, it’s always the more heartfelt interactions that stick out to me the most and that I think about more often. I’ve had a few people at events before come up to me to tell me that my content inspired them to start cosplaying, and I cannot even fathom that, honestly. The fact that my content inspired someone to step outside their comfort zone a bit and try something as amazing and fun as cosplaying is just wild to me.
I am so, so, so touched by those folks’ words, and I won’t ever forget those interactions. They mean so much to me. After all, cosplaying and the whole world of bookish and fantasy cosplay is for everyone, and everyone deserves to feel the whimsy and magic of getting to step into the shoes of their favorite characters. So, the fact that I could introduce someone to that in some way? Priceless.
Dakotah: It happened at my first ball as Feyre. By the end of the night, people were coming up to us, sharing how much the books and characters meant to them. One woman even started crying, saying we made the experience so magical and connected her more deeply to the books.
Morri: Without a doubt, it was the day I met someone who saw my Feyre the same way I see her — like a soul mirror. At a romantasy event, this incredibly kind person came up to me and told me that Feyre was their soul character, the one who healed them and brought them home to themselves. They were emotional just seeing me in costume, and when we talked, it felt like something sacred. They said I reminded them of Feyre, and by the end of our conversation, I took off the Feyre crown I was wearing and gave it to them. I’ll never forget their face. It was the kind of moment that reminds you cosplay isn’t just about the clothes — it’s about connection, healing, and being seen.
Ashley: I’d have to say that one of my most memorable moments ever is being lucky enough to attend Fantastique’s Creator Gala last year and getting to meet some creators that I’d been online friends with for quite some time in person. Being at a venue as beautiful as the Cloisters Castle and making content with my incredible friends was a night I will truly never forget. Most especially the “Feyreverse” content we made with three of my absolute favorite Feyre cosplayers ever, @whimsytayy, @coscaitt, and @bardic_bookclub, where we all came together and shined in our own ways dressed as the same character.
Jane: I think there is no greater honor than someone confiding in you their personal connection with a beloved character that you’re portraying at the time. That human has already formed an entire relationship with that character, and they’re trusting you with bringing their fictional friend to life. To then interact, converse, and bond with you face-to-face is an indescribable experience. So each and every interaction I’ve had where people let themselves play pretend with me for a split second to bring that character to our real world is one that fills my heart completely.
5. If someone wants to start romantasy cosplay but feels intimidated, what advice would you give them?
Callie: I would say start simple, and start cheap! Not all cosplays cost hundreds of dollars. You can start with something like a closet cosplay (which is using the clothing you already have in your closet), and maybe a reasonably priced wig from an online retailer. Especially characters from urban fantasy novels, those are so easy to pull together closet cosplays of! If you want to start crafting a little bit or customize a cosplay, I’d say go thrift shopping and try to find pieces that way! That way, you’re not spending too much money as well.
Then, as you start to feel more comfortable putting cosplays together, you can gradually start investing more into higher quality pieces or crafting higher quality pieces. If I’m purchasing something for a cosplay myself, almost always my go-to place to look is Etsy. I love finding small businesses that make pieces that fit my vision, and that way the pieces are pretty unique as well. And then, of course, learning more crafting skills will also be an amazing skill to have as a cosplayer. However, all forms of cosplay are valid! Whether you’re buying things from online retailers or building a cosplay from scratch, all of these ways are valid, and I personally use a combination of all of these methods!
Dakotah: Take a note from the FMCs in the books we read and just do it! It doesn’t have to be elaborate or completely accurate. We all start somewhere and learn as we go. I’ve grown in my craft from my first book cosplay until now, making changes every day. You just have to take the leap and jump in!
Morri: You’re gonna need thick skin — but do it anyway. Romantasy cosplay is powerful, emotional, and sometimes vulnerable, especially when you’re portraying characters that mean something deeply personal to you. People will have opinions. Some might not get it. That’s fine — they’re not your audience. What matters is how you feel when you become that character.
If it lights you up, heals something in you, or just makes you feel hot and powerful — that’s reason enough. Start where you are, wear what you have, and let the love for the character guide you. The rest follows.
Ashley: I would say that the most important thing to remember is to create the art that you want to create and not to let the pressures of the internet deter you from it. If you want to start with the clothes you already have in your closet, wonderful! The vast majority of my videos have me in random tank tops. If you want to buy your full cosplay, great! There are specialty websites that have super high-quality pre-made cosplays, but you can also hunt down the perfect items in thrift stores or online shops as well. If you want to make your own cosplay by hand, amazing!
I am useless with a needle and thread and am always astounded when people are able to bring their visions to life with their own two hands. Moral of the story is: don’t let what someone else does dictate how you do things. When it comes from you, it shines.
Jane: DO IT ANYWAY, DO IT SCARED! I promise that every single cosplayer you see on your feed was absolutely TERRIFIED when they started cosplaying (let alone when they started posting). The payoff of cosplaying in this community is so much more rewarding than any scary, lying monster in your mind. I know it’s easy to just say “don’t be scared,” so my best actionable advice is to build up a support system to help cheer you on along the way. Round up a group of friends with similar interests and ambitions, bounce ideas off of each other, collaborate, and put yourselves out there as a group! No one has ever been made worse off by supporting someone else — cosplay and character performance are not competitions.
Bonus Questions
1. Do you prefer high fantasy (castles, magic, kingdoms) or darker romantasy vibes (fae, curses, enemies-to-lovers)?
Callie: Oh gosh… how does one choose!? I definitely think I tend to lean on the darker romantasy side typically. But also, who doesn’t love magic and castles?! My favorite romantasy books still include magic and castles, even if they are a bit darker. But enemies-to-lovers is easily my favorite trope, so I must side with that!
Dakotah: I’m definitely a dark romance girlie! I love a good slow burn with enemies-to-lovers.
Morri: Darker romantasy all the way. Give me fae courts, ancient curses, morally gray lovers, and the kind of slow-burn tension that feels like it might kill you. I love the ache of it — the beauty tangled up in danger, the softness wrapped in sharp edges. Castles and crowns are fun, but I’ll always choose the story where love is survival, magic has a cost, and nothing is safe except maybe their arms.
Ashley: A little of both would be my absolute favorite. The best series I have ever read and probably will ever read is Throne of Glass, and I feel like it exudes both of those vibes perfectly.
Jane: I do love to escape to high fantasy vibes, but I do naturally gravitate to darker romantasy vibes. I’m more of a moody, evil performer with all the sass in store. Curses and enemies keep me on my toes, and I love plot twists.
2. What is your dream romantasy cosplay that you have not done yet?
Callie: I’ve cosplayed Saeris Fane from Quicksilver by Callie Hart a few times so far (Quicksilver is my current favorite book by the way), and I am DYING to do a full armor version of Saeris that incorporates the traits she has at the end of Quicksilver (If you know you know hehe). That would be an absolute dream! Another one that’s up there for me is doing a winged and tatted up version of Oraya Nightborn from the Nightborn Duology by Carissa Broadbent. I simply must do her in her final form at some point! And lastly, one that I’ve been working towards lately is Tem from Kiss of the Basilisk by Lindsay Straube, BUT… actually doing a shoot of her in an actual cave. I have lots of ideas, but those are just a few of the dream cosplays I have, because I can’t simply choose one!
Dakotah: Ever After: Danielle’s “Breathe” dress. It’s her mother’s wedding dress that she wears to the ball, and I have always been in love with it.
Morri: She’s not technically a romantasy bookish character, but Elizabeth Swann in any form is a dream cosplay for me. From corseted governor’s daughter to Pirate King drenched in salt and fury — she is the blueprint. Romantic, defiant, clever, and constantly underestimated — she holds her own in a world built to break her. That kind of transformation? That’s peak romantasy energy, whether it’s on the page or the sea.
Ashley: I would love to put together an Aelin Ashryver Galathynius cosplay from Throne of Glass. She is my #1 FMC; walking in her shoes would make me feel so powerful.
Jane: I cannot wait to get the time and resources to cosplay Evie Sage from Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer! The series is such a feel-good, cheesy romantasy that I absolutely adore. I love Evie Sage and her spunk, and it’s always exciting to meet an FMC with a similar physical description to your own. Additionally, I would also fall for my evil boss.
These cosplayers are making their marks on social media and in the bookish community with their stunning and unique ways of cosplaying romantasy series. Huge thanks to Callie, Dakotah, Morri, Ashley, and Jane for participating in this installment of 5×5.
Find Callie on TikTok and Instagram.
Find Dakotah on Instagram.
Find Morri on TikTok and Instagram.
Find Ashley on TikTok and Instagram.
Find Jane on TikTok and Instagram.
Read about more romantasy series here!
Click here for the team’s favorite fantasy books here!
