Romantasy: The Genre We Can’t Stop Reading—Or Critiquing
Romantasy is a genre of novels that has been gaining popularity since 2020. It is widely read and is famous for its use of romantic tropes. While some may argue that this genre is an exciting and enriching mode of literature, others believe it lacks the qualities of true storytelling. Ultimately, Romantasy has come and is here to stay -for now, anyway.
The title of the genre says it itself: Romance + Fantasy = Romantasy. It comprises the two separate genres, Romance and Fantasy. The components of both genres are mixed together in Romantasy novels. Fantasy features themes such as faeries, dragons, and magic, hallmarks of the genre's fictional worlds. On the Romance end, there are tropes such as enemies-to-lovers, soulmates, and love triangles that the story plots center on. Romantasy combines the tenets of both worlds into a vibrant, unique genre.
Romantasy has gained significant popularity on social media since the pandemic. There is a corner of TikTok called “Book Tok” where Romantasy is frequently posted about. BookTok is a section of TikTok where people give book recommendations, predict what may happen in future novels, and do almost anything book-related. Part of the appeal of Romantasy is its explicit sex scenes, which are also referred to as “smut” or “spice.” They also feature female protagonists who cater to a female audience. They are characterized as strong and bold but also vulnerable.
Another reason for its appeal could be its use as a form of escapism from the world’s problems and issues, especially since the pandemic. This genre’s uplifting feel gives people hope.
However, some would also argue that Romantasy has its downsides. Some believe that Romantasy is focused solely on the main romance rather than on a bigger story. Which isn’t bad in and of itself; however, that can give off the feeling that Romantasy books are more interested in smashing tropes together than telling a cohesive story. Especially if the story is built entirely around these tropes.
All books of this genre can tend to fall into the same rut. The two main characters pretend to hate each other even though they’re immediately in love or attracted to each other. Some readers feel that the romantic attraction between the two main characters has little to no complexity. While these may all be rather unpopular observations, there are people out there who believe that Romantasy lacks rich storytelling.
To conclude, Romantasy is two genres in one: Romance and Fantasy. It has its upsides, such as its appeal to readers and indulgent sense of escapism. However, it can be a little cliche, incohesive, and lacking in rich storytelling or any form of complexity. Romantasy, ultimately, is an evocative subject and a genre that deserves to be explored.