Today, we want to explore a popular trend that has been burning up in the bookish realms: the Romantasy genre. Romantasy has been a hot topic on BookTok and a favorite among Bookstagrammers. But what exactly is Romantasy? In this feature, we will unpack the definition a bit more and explore where this idea originated. But we’ll also investigate if this is really a new concept at all.
What is Romantasy?
The term “Romantasy” has been trending lately in the book world. But what is “Romantasy”? Depending on who you ask, this may be a difficult definition to pin down. But simply put it is usually the combination of the romance and fantasy genres. If you are a fan of forbidden love, enemies-to-lovers, or star-crossed lovers combined with the backdrop of a fantastical fictional universe, then the genre of Romantasy is for you!
According to a blog on Reedsy outlining the details of Romantasy, the term first appeared in the Urban Dictionary in 2008. But popularity did not flare up until Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses in 2022. During the past few years since ACOTAR, there have been a slew of trendy authors and titles following the same Romantasy path, including Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing.
Is Romantasy Really a New Thing?
In that same blog from Reedsy, the writer quotes an interview they held with author Jennifer L. Armentrout in which she claims this new genre of Romantasy is offering readers an alternative to “high fantasy” classics from such authors as J.R.R. Tolkien and George R.R. Martin. While we all enjoy an epic Lord of the Rings story, sometimes we need a little spicy romance to keep our attention.
But is Romantasy a new concept? As an elder millennial, I would say no. Over the years, there have been many popular series and titles that could have been considered part of this Romantasy wave. Let’s take a moment to look at a few examples from the past and how they relate to the suggested themes.
The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by A.N. Roquelaure (a.k.a. Anne Rice)
No shade on Anne Rice, because she has produced some of the most iconic vampire and gothic horror novels of our time, but this book was on my TBR for years, until I broke down and attempted to read it — spoilers, it was not my cup of tea. However, I must say that it could be featured as one of the OG Romantasy novels, in which Rice took a well-known fairy tale and made it extremely adult. In what was supposed to be an adaption of Sleeping Beauty, Rice’s twist is to place these characters in a kingdom of BDSM and sexual fantasy. While I do appreciate a good amount of spice in my reading, the details in this feature are a bit too much.
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Geared more to the young adult crowd and published in 2010, this series fits into the Romantasy genre. The main character Meghan seems to be living an ordinary teenage life. That is until she finds out that her father is a mythical faery king. Even more alarming, she finds herself in the middle of a fae war, as she is the princess of the faery kingdom. This one even adopts the ever-so-popular enemies-turn-to-lovers trope, as Meghan is romantically intertangled with an icy prince who is fighting against her. This magical, fantasy world spans ten installments within the series.
Eternity by Maggie Shayne
As one of my favorite Romantasy reads, this was first published back in 1998. The entire story spans three installments in The Immortals series, as readers follow along multiple generations of witches. Throughout the centuries, witch hunters have been hot on their trail, causing them pain and heartache along the way. Heavy on the themes of forbidden love and star-crossed lovers, Shayne’s stories keep readers enthralled with the perfect level of spiciness and paranormal fantasy.
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Published only a couple of years after Twilight and riding on the popularity of young adult fantasy romance, The Mortal Instruments had more to offer to its readers with its fantastic world-building, suspenseful plot twists, and romantic tension between Clary Fray and Jace the Shadowhunter. After she is attacked by a demon and her mother vanishes, Clary is immersed in the exciting world of the Shadowhunters. This series is definitely worth a re-read if it’s been a while since you’ve read it.
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
Earlier in this article, we covered fantasy exploring the fairy world. This one from Carter adapts its fantasy world from inspirations of Greek mythology. Life is pretty rough for Kate. She is uprooted to live in a new neighborhood and go to a new school, while her mother is terminally ill. However, things become a bit complicated when Kate meets Henry. Henry claims to be Hades, the God of the Underworld. He also claims that he can save Kate’s mother — but with a price: Kate’s hand in marriage.
As we take this trip down memory lane to revisit some of our favorite fantasy romances, it is evident that the Romantasy genre is nothing new. But we are glad that it is seeing its trendy revival.
For more suggestions on books in fairy universes, check out 5 Fantastic Fae Reads With Sensational Seasonal Settings.
For even more romance fantasy picks, explore our bookshelf Fantasy Lovers Paradise: Epics, Romances, and More!
