What’s all this chatter about “romantasy”?
It was approaching midnight in a New York City bookstore when Sarah J. Maas stepped onstage to celebrate her latest novel, House of Flame and Shadow. In her Valentino tweed skirt the crowd erupted into screams[1]. It was a rockstar welcome — but then Maas’s fans know her books well: Throne of Glass and A Court of Thorns and Roses have sold 37 million copies in 38 languages[2]. Fans treat her like a pop icon because Maas and others write romantasy — a blend of sweeping fantasy and sweeping romance. In other words, their stories promise epic quests and steamy love. One industry editor coined the term “romantasy” to describe Maas’s work[3].
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This hybrid genre has broken out across TikTok and bestseller lists: Rebecca Yarros’s dragon-riding saga Fourth Wing (2023) became a #1 New York Times bestseller after its BookTok buzz, even winning a “TikTok Book Awards” for International Book of the Year[4]. In 2024, one analysis found one in four bestseller-chart entries was romantasy[5], reflecting an explosive mix of escapism and love stories.
What Defines Romantasy?
Romantasy novels are defined by equal devotion to love and world. As critics note, it’s a fantasy only so long as love drives the plot — remove the romance and the castle walls come crashing down[6][7]. As one Goodreads analyst put it, dressing up a “standard romance with elves” doesn’t make it romantasy; instead “fantasy worldbuilding is as central to the plot as the love story”[6].
A telling historical example is Robin McKinley’s Beauty (1978): a fairy-tale retelling whose enchanted castle and library serve as much story as the growing love between Beauty and the Beast[8]. Early pioneers include Emma Bull’s urban faerie romance War for the Oaks (1987), explicitly marketed to both fantasy and romance readers[9]. Even Edgar Rice Burroughs married the genres long ago: his Tarzan of the Apes (1912) was subtitled “A Romance of the Jungle,” and John Carter of Mars fights four-armed aliens to wed his red-haired Martian princess[10]. In short, romantasy has older roots than the name suggests.
What’s New About Romantasy
What is new is the genre’s sheer scale and tone. The effect can be almost satirical: picture a Hogwarts swept up in Bridgerton levels of longing, with everyone brandishing a sword or casting a spell between kisses. These novels aren’t coy about sexual tension: explicit love scenes — cheekily called “spice” or “smut” online — are routine[11], almost a selling point. It’s part of the package: as one HarperCollins editor notes, romance readers now demand familiar tropes (“enemies to lovers, soulmates, love triangles”) in settings worth escaping to[12]. One author quips that her book was “The Bachelor meets The Hunger Games,” noting you can have a love interest who also literally tried to kill you — but now you fall in love with them anyway[13].
These tropes aren’t accidental. World-ending stakes entwined with romance raise the emotional payoff: a “magic curse” can keep lovers apart until the last moment, or a dragon’s prophecy can demand true love’s kiss. (It’s a fantasy authors’ cheat code: high stakes and heart-rending angst.) Romance expectations also shape structure: readers expect a satisfying happy ending, a wedding or at least a promise of one[7], even as kingdoms burn. This mirrors the market: erotic or “smutty” scenes generate buzz on social media, and indeed an imprint at HarperCollins is dedicated entirely to spicy romantasy[11]. In the Age of BookTok, clips of lovers reunited or kissing in dragonlight go viral. Maas’s publisher reports that hashtags for her books have amassed over 14 billion views on TikTok[14].
The Appeal of Romantasy
Romantasy appeals partly as a modern antidote to “grimdark” melancholy. Analysts note that when Game of Thrones-style epics dominated the early 2010s, today’s readers now crave a “cozy,” uplifting feel[15]. These books offer the comfort of a love story wrapped in magic. As Kathleen Farrar of Bloomsbury observes, they feature “bold heroines” and “strong yet nuanced female characters” — no damsels-in-distress, just adventurers who happen to be very well-read and somewhat flirtatious[16]. One fan blogger aptly says “romantasy allows women to have it all” — love and power together, in worlds both dangerous and glamorous[16].
The romance market itself is vast (generating ~$1.5 billion annually)[17], and the lively crossover with fantasy taps readers on both sides. In fact, one industry report ranks “Romance & Romantasy” the #2 genre of 2025 after YA[18].
How to Write Successful Romantasy
So how does an author write a successful romantasy? The key is integration: never let the love and the lore feel like separate products. Many writers recommend build the world first, then let the romance flourish within it. Jennifer Estep, bestselling fantasy-romance author, advises: establish your magical system, kingdoms and heroes’ quests up front, and then ask who in that world your hero or heroine will fall for[19][20]. A common pitfall is a disjoint plot where a princess falls for some noble who has no connection to the central conflict. Instead, craft their goals and allegiances to overlap. Estep suggests a technique: give both lovers similar goals but allied to different sides of a conflict[20]. In her Capture the Crown, Gemma seeks to uncover a conspiracy while Prince Leonidas hunts for traitors — when they collide, the tension comes from personal motives (and the flirty banter), and from the shared high stakes[20]. This way the romance feels embedded in the fantasy quest.
World-building is another secret weapon. Since romantasy readers love setting, try writing your setting as a character. Ask: how do the rules and societies of this realm complicate love? IngramSpark’s guide notes that magic or cultures should create obstacles (or advantages) for lovers[21]. For example, if you have a caste system of mages and non-mages, maybe a romance must cross that divide. Or if your land is cursed to full moon lust (à la Underworld / Twilight vibes), show how magic itself tests trust. Sensory details matter: paint the sun setting over a dragon horizon so vividly that a candlelit kiss feels natural there. As one instructor advises, if your setting is a haunted forest, ask “What color are the skies? What sounds echo?”[22]. Build customs, festivals, even nicknames that pair rituals with romance. (Imagine a festival of vows among faeries, or an island where lovers tack their names to a wishing tree.) All of this makes the love story believable in context.
In practical terms, structure the plot to balance romance tropes and fantasy plotlines. Tropes are your friend; decide which ones drive your story. Do you want slow-burn “fake engagement turned real” dynamics, or enemies-to-lovers? Or a prophecy that the king’s daughter must wed a shapechanger? Put that promise in chapter one, and in every chapter mix public duty with private spark. Writer advice often sounds formulaic (mix recognized romance arcs with fantasy quests)[23], but you should also innovate: maybe the threat is winning the throne instead of saving the kingdom, and love helps the hero see value in peace. Either way, outline both an external goal (save the realm, break a curse) and an internal goal (trust and love your chosen partner). The romance should grow in tandem with overcoming the big conflict. Jennifer Estep’s fourth tip is spot-on: similar goals, different squads[20]. If your knight wants peace and the rebel wants freedom, their motivations conflict and cling together.
Characters in romantasy tend to be larger-than-life but relatable. One lesson from the genre is to make your protagonists feel real even amid unicorns. Strong character arcs (as in any romance) require that lovers change each other. For example, your princess might begin cynical of love but learns vulnerability through her sworn protector. Give each a flaw (stubborn honor, or mistrust of magic, for example) that the other helps overcome. Also consider who has the more active role: many readers enjoy the heroine taking the lead quest. (Romantasy often subverts traditional roles — the love interest might be the one to rescue, not the rescued[24].) Complex villains or rivals can also double as secondary lovers; an old flame from an enemy house can be a subplot.
Tone and voice matter. The narrative voice can shift to suit the hybrid vibe: many romantasy novels lean lyrical and third-person, but some use first-person to get emotional intensity. Think of A Court of Thorns and Roses: it’s lush and introspective, letting you sink into Feyre’s inner passions. Others, like Fourth Wing, narrate in pragmatic first-person while still slipping into fantasy dread and desire. Pick a style that makes magic feel vivid and the banter sparkle. Avoid too-modern slang if you’ve got medieval castles; on the other hand, a sassy quip in a dungeon can be utterly charming if it fits character.
Market awareness is also key. Romance and fantasy crowds each have expectations. From the romance side, readers generally want both a satisfying love plot and an upbeat ending[7]. No one writes heartbreak porn in this field — the couple must see a clear future together, even if it’s only implied in the final lines. That means don’t plan a sequel hinge on “Will they get back together?”, unless your publisher explicitly sells it as multi-book love arc. From fantasy side, the setting should feel authentic: avoid anachronisms that jerk the reader out of the spell. On the other hand, feel free to tune romance norms: some romantasy protagonists have sex openly in ways a classic knight-errant would balk at. Current trends show readers happily accept adult passion scenes as long as they serve emotional truth. Judith A. Bennett (of Mills & Boon) notes that spicy scenes give readers a “safe space to explore… their own fantasies”[25]. If you include such scenes, make them character-driven (not gratuitous), and ensure the relationship grows even through intimacy.
Be practical in the book’s business positioning. Romance novels often need clear marketing hooks. If it helps, write a pitch that has two parts: “This is X meets Y.” Many authors describe their books as “The Bachelor meets Hunger Games” or “Bridgerton in space.” That shorthand can focus you on blending tones. It also signals to agents and editors what shelf they might sit on. If agents are looking for the next hit, mention comparative titles (Fourth Wing, ACOTAR, Serpent & Dove, etc.) that match your blend of fire and flirtation. Market trends indicate publishers are actively acquiring romantic hybrid fantasies[26], though some caution exists (one source finds some houses hesitate on new romantasy entrants if they have established queens of the genre[27]). In any case, be prepared to highlight how your novel offers both escapism and emotional catharsis — that’s its unique selling point.
Examples of success abound. Sarah J. Maas remains the marquee name; her ACOTAR series (2015–present) kicked off the modern craze and every new volume sells in the millions. Rebecca Yarros’s Fourth Wing (2023) shattered records: it sold ~2.7 million copies in its first week and went viral on BookTok[4]. Likewise her sequel Iron Flame topped UK pre-orders in a single day[28]. Jennifer L. Armentrout’s From Blood and Ash and its sequels are perennial NYT bestsellers (she sold nearly five million copies so far across her fantasy romances[29]). On the indie side, WebNovel sensations like Tessa Bailey’s Hook, Line and Sinker (monster marriage romance) or K.F. Breene’s dragon-princess series have carved out substantial audiences. Even acclaimed literary authors have dipped toes: Madeline Miller’s mythic retellings (Circe, Song of Achilles) are fantastical and romantic. And remember, classic tales like The Princess Bride or Stardust were essentially romantasy before the term existed.
From Dream to Page: Writing Exercises for Romantasy
Try these ten exercises to practice blending romance and fantasy in your writing. Each will sharpen a different skill:
Design a World with Lovers in Mind: Sketch a mini-map of a fantasy realm and list two regions with conflicting cultures. Write a brief scene where a hero from region A and a heroine from region B meet. Show how their cultural differences (or a magical curse) create tension in their initial encounter.
Character Courtship Dialogue: Pick a classic romance trope (enemies-to-lovers, fated mates, fake marriage, etc.) and write a dialogue-only scene between your characters early in the story. Focus on subtext: let them argue about a trivial issue (a game or dress) while hinting at deeper attraction.
Love under Siege: Write a journal entry or letter from one character’s point of view, describing their longing for the other while an external danger (dragon attack, army, curse) looms. Let the romantic longing and fear of the threat intertwine.
Build a Magical Society: Outline the laws or customs of a fantasy culture that affect romance. Then write a short scene showing the conflict it causes (for example, lovers defying a lovelock taboo or a prophecy forbidding their union).
Flip a Fairy Tale: Choose a fairytale (e.g. Beauty & the Beast, Cinderella) and rewrite its setup as romantasy: introduce an unexpected element (witchcraft, prophecy, dragons). Draft a page where your heroine recognizes true love in an unconventional way.
Magic Meets Romance: Invent a magical rule (e.g. two lovers can merge powers, or only love can break a spell) and describe how this rule changes a typical romantic moment. For instance, a kiss might literally heal wounds or break enchantment. Write that scene.
Adventure and Intimacy: Write an action sequence (battle, escape, quest) immediately followed by a romantic scene (whispered confessions, a kiss, bedtime conversation). Practice transitioning the tone smoothly, maintaining the characters’ voices in both thrill and tenderness.
Narrative Voice Shift: Take one of your previous scenes and rewrite it in a different point of view (first person instead of third, or vice versa). See how it alters the intimacy and fantasy detail. A more lyrical tone may fit mythic elements; a grounded tone may suit gritty politics or war.
Spicy vs Sweet: Write two versions of the same romantic chapter, one emphasizing sensuality and one focusing on emotional connection. Compare how language and pacing change. (No need for graphic detail—implication and emotion often suffice.)
Plot Garden: Finally, outline a four-chapter arc in bullet points: Chapter 1 introduces love interest; Ch. 2 raises magical conflict; Ch. 3 intensifies both; Ch. 4 resolves threats and unites the lovers. Ensure each chapter’s romance subplot advances as much as the fantasy plot.
These exercises force you to mix ingredients: worldbuilding with chemistry, magic with desire. They help avoid the two-plot pitfall and keep heart and sword singing together.
Conclusion
Whatever specifics you choose, remember: romantasy lives and dies by balance. World and romance should feel indivisible[6][7]. If your readers can easily imagine removing one plot thread without ruining the story, you’ve missed the mark. In successful romantasy, breaking the enchantment often means finding true love, and vice versa. The fantasy setting is not mere wallpaper; it frames the lovers and can even change the definition of “happily ever after.”
The genre’s recent popularity means opportunities — but also competition — for aspiring authors. Savvy writers watch the market (note which medieval settings or fantasy races are hot on TikTok) and also remember that creativity wins out. A novel might hit due to viral buzz, but the enduring hits earn that way by giving readers exactly what they crave: a sweeping escape where both sword and soul ignite.
