I started reading as most people did during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Having nothing to do and nowhere to go, we all immersed ourselves in fictional stories, trying to escape real life. It was at this time that I discovered my passion for contemporary romance books. I’ve probably read more than 200 books to this date and now know exactly what I like and look for in these love stories.
I get most of my book recommendations from BookTok which is a platform on TikTok that also emerged during the pandemic. I found a community of people who, as I do, enjoy reading romance books, such as sports romances, childhood to lovers, and enemies to lovers (my personal favourite). I am the kind of person who cannot enjoy a book if there is no romance; even as a subplot, it is necessary for me as a reader. I am a hopeless romantic myself, and love reading stories filled with sexual tension.
Because of my passion for romance stories and magical world-building, I need to introduce the Romantasy genre to more people. I never was a big fan of fantasy books because I found that the world-building was taking up too much space compared to romance which was usually almost irrelevant to the plot. But then I discovered Powerless by Lauren Roberts. If you like The Hunger Games and so much tension, you need to get your hands on this book ASAP! The fantasy universe is amazing and Lauren is probably one of the best debut writers I have read so far. The tension in this book is like nothing I have ever read before – so so good! If you are a fan of knife to the throat, begging, and ‘who did this to you’ scenes, this book is for you. Another Romantasy book that came out in 2023 and blew up on TikTok is Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. It took me a while to start reading as I thought it was just another story about dragons but oh boy how wrong I was! The author wrote the most heart wrenching and emotionally loaded sentences which ended up making me fall in a reading slump after finishing reading it. The main male character, Xaden, is protective and charming without even trying. The slow burn is one of my favourite romance plot which is why I instantly connected with the book. Contemporary romances became too basic and plain for me. I needed something more exciting – stories that were different and unique – not the same plots in every single book, which is why Romantasy was it for me.
Genres often intermingle, giving birth to captivating hybrids that captivate readers with their unique blend of elements. Romantasy is the fusion of romance and fantasy. It transports readers to worlds where love and magic intertwine, creating narratives that appeal to both heart and imagination. Romantasy embraces the idea that love can blossom in the most extraordinary circumstances. It could be wizards and witches falling in love or ordinary individuals falling in love in magical realms. Romantasy allows for a diverse range of storytelling possibilities. Authors push the boundaries of creativity, introducing readers to ever-expanding worlds where the extraordinary becomes the backdrop for the most universal of human experiences: love.
Here’s a list of romantasy books to get you into the genre:
- Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros:‘There’s a palpable energy in every room, he enters, and brushes over my skin, like a caress each time our eyes meet. Even now, I’m aware of every breath he takes, as he sits next to me midway down the table.’
- A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas:‘You are my salvation, Feyre.’ (A Court of Mist and Fury)
- Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross:‘I am coming to love him, in two different ways. Face to face, and word to word.’
- Powerless by Lauren Roberts:‘If I am to be her enemy, I want it to be because she loathes herself for wanting me.’