The Fastest-Selling Adult Novel In 20 Years Is A Romantasy Book
Once relegated to the realm of tweens and judged adults, the romantasy genre is now undeniably mainstream, bringing with it an air of social acceptability. Just last month, Onyx Storm – the latest book in Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean series – sold 2.7 million copies in its first week. According to The New York Times, this staggering statistic makes it “the fastest-selling adult novel in 20 years.” So what exactly is this genre taking the literary market by storm, and where should you start if you’re interested in learning more?
What is romantasy?
As you might’ve guessed, romantasy is a hybrid of romance and fantasy. Characterised by otherworldly settings, mythical creatures, and supernatural abilities, it’s a genre that blends the excitement of epic world-building with the emotional depth of romantic storytelling. Literary critics have playfully nicknamed it ‘fantasy smut’, but the genre offers far more complexity than that dismissive label suggests.
Why is it having a moment right now?
The rise of romantasy can’t be attributed to a single cause, but rather a perfect storm of trends. The post-pandemic world created a hunger for escapism, with readers craving stories that transport them beyond the constraints of everyday life. Simultaneously, the rise of BookTok – a vibrant reading community on TikTok – dramatically transformed book discovery and marketing. A recent study by the Publishers Association found that over half of Gen Z (16-25-year-olds) turn to TikTok for book recommendations, giving niche genres like romantasy unprecedented visibility.
For me, I was over going to the bookshop only to find that the novels recommended to me were various spins on topics like grief, loss, trauma and breakups. While they’re undeniably important themes deserving of the spotlight, I found myself becoming desensitised and craving something more lighthearted and fantastical. I wanted a book I couldn’t put down. Enter: Romantasy.
What are the best romantasy books?
If you jump on over to BookTok, you’ll likely find thousands of different opinions on this front. Sarah J. Maas’ A Court Of Thorns And Roses series is one of the most-loved genres, and with good reason. Described to me by a friend as a “guilty pleasure read that you can’t put it down,” it was these books that truly reignited my love of reading.
Plus, the aforementioned Empyrean series is also worthy of the hype, with the Fourth Wing book
Described to me as a ‘guilty pleasure read that you can’t put it down’ it was these books that truly reignited my love of reading.
On-screen iterations to follow
The romantasy genre’s momentum shows no signs of slowing. Multiple titles are being adapted for the screen, signalling mainstream recognition. The internet is abuzz with casting rumours for the Fourth Wing TV adaptation, while the From Blood and Ash series has already secured a television deal. Fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses have long anticipated a screen adaptation, and recent developments suggest this might finally become a reality.
Best romantasy books to read
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