Romantasy has become a newly popular genre of book series that mixes the genres of romance and fantasy. Fantasy became a popular genre in late 19th century England. It stemmed off of old myths, legends, and epic poems. Writers started seeking supernatural stories to dive into instead of the ruthless, industrial world of England during the period. Before the fantasy genre was even born, there were still many aspects of fantasy in the Greek and Roman myths discussing the stories of their Gods and how they interacted daily. The works of romance can also be traced back to the ancient Greeks, but romance became a more popular genre in 19th century England with the release of Jane Austen’s romance novels.
The newest edition to the selection of genres readers may choose from is romantasy. Many have attributed romantasy’s success to people enjoying the idea of happily ever after, even when times are rough. With the current world and its politics, many are finding safety and adventure by exploring a new world and visiting new places through fantasy books, while still lighting up the subject by adding some romance into the plot. Romantasy is a genre that is set in a fantasy world, with a mixture of what is a normal fantasy and a normal romance plot into one main plot line throughout the book or series.
Woodgrove English teacher, Mrs.Tammy Pyle, reads romantasy novels frequently and loves to discuss one of its more popular books, Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. Pyle remarks on how her love of the genre has grown throughout the years. “I have always loved dragons. I have always loved world building, anything with a map since I was in high school. The romance part of it I think really developed for me years ago when a student recommended that I read A Court of Thorns and Roses.”
When sharing why she loves the books from the genre, Pyle explains, “To me fantasy is imagination run amok. Which I love, but when you put in there that element of many of [the characters] have not just the need to be loved, to be understood, but then most of the characters have some hidden ugliness to them that they’re afraid for the world to see. That’s so each and every one of us. We feel like there is something that we don’t want the world to see.”
Pyle’s top romantasy recommendation for students to read is the Seven Realms Series by Cinda Williams Chima. The first book in the 4 book romantasy series is The Demon King. Pyle describes why she continues to read romantasy series, ”It’s almost like when you binge something on Netflix, you want more of the same thing. That’s not a feeling I get from too many books or from many other genres.”
Junior Chelsea Macinnes also enjoys reading the romantasy genre in her free time. She started reading the genre because it was recommended to her by her sister and then she started looking on to Book Tok, which helped foster her interest in the genre. “I just find it more interesting than normal romance, which is kinda straight forward, where romantasy has more plot to it,” remarks Macinnes.
Macinnes discusses how she likes the addition of magic and dragons to a normal romance plot, while still being able to be “kicking my feet and giggling about the romance.” She recommends the romantasy genre for entertainment and for a good escape for students who are stressed out.
Macinnes discusses why she thinks the genre will grow in the future, “It gives the best of both worlds, because it is two superior genres in one.” Whether it is a reread or a new book, there are plenty of story lines and romantasy books out there to find one that is enjoyable.
