What's so appealing about Romantasy, and why has it continued to take ‘Booktok’ by storm?
Looking closer at the hidden reasons behind 'Romantasys' continued success.
(Photo taken from @Erik Mclean, Pexels)
In 2023, the seemingly new book genre ‘romantasy’ took the publishing industry by storm and skyrocketed sales. It became one of the fastest growing genres globally and launched pre-existing authors like Sarah J Mass, and Rebbeca Yarros to new levels of fame.
In 2024 alone, it generated $610 million dollars, and up 34% then the previous year in 2023. Rebbeca Yarros, ‘Fourth Wing’ was the 7th bestselling book in 2024, and sold 2.7 million copies in the first week. The Yarros Empyrean series later went on to sell 12 million copies in the US. Additionally, Sarah J mass, who is often referred to as the ‘mother’ of Romantasy, series A court of thorn and roses sold 40 million copies worldwide, and brought in £61 million in 2023.
These figures are evidence of Romantasy’s success, but the question is why is this such a lucrative genre, and what is it that leaves its audience hungry for more. The social media element of Romantasy’s success is an important element when considering its continued success. BookTok is a large space that encourages Romantasy reads, with the #Romantasy hashtag acquiring over 800 million views and allows readers to discuss recommendations and their latest fan theories.
The romantic element of the stories often are credited to its success, However, I think it’s much more than that. The story usually follows a strong FMC, and a morally grey MMC, who undertake a quest, or trials for the greater good, and somewhere along the way fall in love. However, I think it’s much more than this. Whilst romance has always been popular there’s something hidden deeper within the Romantasy genre that keeps its readers coming back for more.
Escapism.
Romantasy books offer a hidden world, one where love always wins, and hope is your lifeline, something that feels long forgotten in the harsh realities of our existence. When watching Romantasy readers reviews, or conversations online they nearly all point to the same thing, that is these books offer them refuge to reconnect with that hopefulness that was lost as they grew out of childhood.
In these pages, magic is found and it offers a place for readers to really connect with the characters, who often are exploring the trials and tribulations of life. I think the female agency presented in Romantasy books also is a huge reason for its success. The genre often centres itself on strong female protagonists who fight for power, agency and acquire love interests who are their equals. Therefore, this resonates with women, who want to read about strong, authentic women that reflect who they feel they are in real life.
The plot also heavily explores deeper themes such as, trauma, healing, emotional growth and allows readers to connect with the characters and often explore their own traumas through the storylines. During an interview with LiveTalksLA, Sarah J Mass, spoke about how Nesta (one of her ACOTAR characters) reflects a lot of her own feelings, and whilst Mass has thankfully not experienced every trauma Nesta uncovers, she feels she was able to almost ‘walk that journey with her’ as she explores the feelings that journey beside Nesta as she learns to love herself and heal. I think that level of connection transpires to romantasy readers, particularly women, who share those similar feelings with the characters and in doing so, can feel seen, which is often a rare space that victims of abuse or emotional traumas find for themselves.
Personally for me, it says a lot more about where women are right now in society also, popular authors like Sarah J Mass or Rebecca Yarros write FMC as strong, independent women who defy all odds and are often the key, to solve the impending fate, which usually in fantasy worlds is war. Therefore, women are identifying with these characters, because they see themselves reflected in them. In a recent Call her daddy episode, Sarah J mass spoke to Alex Cooper about the amount of friends and fans of the series, she had spoken to who recognised themselves, in ‘abusive’ relationships that were shown in the characters in the book, and for that reason Mass explained how she would find it hard to navigate writing a character redemption, when so many women see themselves represented in those relationships. Therefore, this further proves the point that for many women, these books go far deeper than just enjoyable past times, it’s a connection to who they feel they are, and thanks to authors like Mass and Yarros they are given spaces to feel seen and heard. The timing of these books are interested also, particularly because, it can feel a scary time to be a women, whether it’s the increasing violence against women cases or not feeling safe to travel alone on the tube at night, we as women are living in uncertain times, and so to open up a book, and see yourself the way you feel you should be seen in reality, is a really empowering feeling.
I think Romantasy speaks to its readers in a different way, then perhaps crime novels or generic romances, it promises 800 pages of pure escapism, hope, action and love, in all its forms lacing each of its pages. Therefore, I think its popularity derives from understanding its audience, giving its audience what it promised and allowing them to feel reconnected with a piece of themselves that once was lost.