What is Romantasy?
A beginner’s guide to the genre that broke BookTok (and your emotional stability).
If you’ve ever fallen in love with a fictional character, cried over a magical trial, or finished a book only to realise you need therapy — congratulations: you’ve entered the world of romantasy. But what exactly is romantasy? And why is it everywhere right now?
✨ Romantasy Defined
Romantasy is a hybrid genre that blends romance and fantasy, with both elements holding equal emotional weight. Think magical kingdoms, complex world-building, swoony love interests, and plotlines where love and survival are equally high-stakes.
It’s not just fantasy with a romantic subplot — it’s a genre where the romance is the point, but with dragons, magic, political betrayal, and emotionally devastating plot twists.
📚 Popular Romantasy Series
If you’re new here, these are the gateway books that converted millions:
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas — Beauty and the Beast meets fae kingdoms, starfall skies, and a tattooed mate who owns your soul.
- Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (The Empyrean Series) — Dragon riders, enemies-to-lovers tension, magical powers, and the slow unraveling of your emotional well-being.
- Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas — Urban fantasy, celestial lore, trauma, and an ending that made readers question everything.
- The Serpent & The Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent — A vampire trial of death, divine curses, and one hell of a morally grey love interest.
- Caraval by Stephanie Garber — A deadly game of illusions, twisted fates, and a love story hidden behind masks and magic.
- The Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole — A cursed love between chaos and death, wrapped in dark magic, ancient war, and fated destruction.
💘 Common Tropes You’ll Love
Romantasy thrives on drama. Here are some tropes you’ll see again and again (and still scream over every time):
- Fated Mates - Soulbonded lovers who were destined to be together — often reluctantly.
- Enemies to Lovers - “I hate you” energy with so much tension.
- Magical Trials - Tests of strength, strategy, and heartbreak. Usually end in pain (yours).
- Slow Burn - 500 pages later and they finally hold hands? Worth it.
- Found Family - Because your blood family is terrible and now your best friend is a telepathic griffin.
🖼️ Why Romantasy Inspires Merch That Feels Personal
Romantasy doesn’t just give you stories — it gives you entire identities. Your favourite quote? Your comfort character? The scene that lives in your head rent-free? These things matter. That’s why fan art, candles, and cozy merch feel so meaningful.
We create items that let you bring your favourite worlds into your real one. From canvas prints of the Fourth Wing dragons to sweatshirts that say “fated mates club,” romantasy merch lets you say: these stories are part of who I am.
Ready to Fall Hard?
You’ve been warned: romantasy is beautiful, emotional, and slightly addictive.
Welcome to the genre that reads like a love letter and hits like a battle cry.