What is Romantasy? A Beginner’s Guide to the Genre Everyone’s Talking About

If you’ve been on TikTok (#BookTok, anyone?), Instagram, or browsing the fantasy section of your local bookshop recently, chances are you’ve come across romantasy.

But what is romantasy exactly? Is it romance? Is it fantasy? Is it both? (Spoiler: yes!)

 

 

The Lovechild of Romance and Fantasy

Romantasy is a genre mash-up of romance and fantasy. It blends the epic world-building and imaginative magic of fantasy with the emotional stakes and relationship connections of romance.

Think of it as the best of both worlds – dragons and desire, kingdoms and kisses, swords and smouldering looks.

In romantasy, neither element plays second fiddle. The romantic arc is just as central as the fantasy plot. That means you’re getting magical adventures and love stories in a one-stop shop. 

 

 

Why Is It So Popular Right Now?

Romantasy has been around in various forms for years, but it’s really hit the mainstream in the last few years thanks to platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Goodreads.

It combines escapism (and who doesn’t love some of that?) with high stakes, delivering entire worlds filled with castles, curses and chosen ones. It’s not just “will they/won’t they?”, it’s “will they complete the quest, reclaim the throne and fall in love?”

It also provides a load of opportunities to reimagine some of the traditional romance tropes.

 

 

What Makes a Book Romantasy?

How is romantasy different from a fantasy book with romantic elements, or a romance with fantasy elements? To really fit the label, a story needs to check a few boxes:

1. Balanced Blend of Romance and Fantasy

The romance isn’t just background fluff – it’s central to the plot. Likewise, the fantasy world is rich, immersive, and full of its own rules.

2. Character-Driven Plot

While traditional fantasy leans heavily on external conflict (wars, quests), romantasy also zooms in on relationships and emotional stakes.

3. Emotional Depth

Romantasy tends to elicit intense feelings – longing, betrayal, joy, heartbreak. 

 

 

Popular Romantasy Books:

New to the genre and wondering where to start? Here are some of the best-selling reads:

• A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas – Think Beauty and the Beast meets political fae drama.
• Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros – A war college, dragons, and a love interest with secrets.
• Direbound by Sable Sorensen – If you liked Fourth Wing, you’ll love this!

 

 

Have you Written a Romantasy?

I specialise in editing books in the romance and fantasy genres, and have added romantasy to this list. If you’ve written a book in any of these genres, and would like to have it edited, please get in touch!