‘Visions of six-foot shadow daddies’: A beginner’s guide to Romantasy

Intrigued by Fourth Wing and the unstoppable Romantasy trend but don’t know where to start? Hot debut star Olivia O’Flynn offers top tips for late arrivals.

Romantasy is exactly what it says on the tin: romance + fantasy = Romantasy. A delicious blend of magical kingdoms, epic quests and forbidden love.

It’s a haven where feisty heroines duel their enemies (who they obviously fall in love with afterwards, duh), ragtag groups of friends save the world, and sassy sidekicks have scales and wings.

While the term ‘romantasy’ might be new, the genre itself isn’t (hello, Twilight). However, it’s recently exploded in popularity thanks to readers craving both fantastical escapism and emotional connection.

At its core, I believe romantasy is about wish fulfilment. Who doesn’t want a love story where the stakes are higher than just “will they text me back”?

Hot sauce ... Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer in True Blood, a favourite on the spicy chilli scale. (For clarity: It’s a vampire series, not a cooking show).

Here, the consequences are literally life and death, queendoms rise and fall, and often the fate of the universe rests in the hands of heroines and heroes who not only save the world – they also get a happy ending. It’s the ultimate escape, one that’s hard to replicate anywhere else.

There are some TV series that have done the genre well.

I’d argue that Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a precursor to the moniker, and True Blood sits on the spicier end of the chilli spectrum (a spectrum that rates explicit, intimate scenes for anyone curious).

Yet I think the reason that romantasy works well in books is because so much longing happens inside the characters’ heads – we hear their secret yearnings, have a front-row seat to their enemy becoming a lover, and understand the way that a brush of hands (or a foot … in a hot spring …) can feel like lightning.

Viral hit ... Fourth Wing author Rebecca Yarros.

Trend starter ... ACOTAR writer Sarah J Maas.

Our imaginations fill in the blanks, tailoring the experience so it conjures our own visions of six-foot shadow daddies (a fan favourite trope, recently immortalised in the viral sensation Fourth Wing).

On screen, it’s hard to capture that inner world without resorting to awkward voice-overs or endless staring, which is why books are leading the charge.

To get you started, I’ve chosen six books that are great introductions to the genre, because – and I say this with my chest – romantasy is for everyone.

‘Romantasy is for everyone’ ... Olivia O’Flynn. Credit: Jacquie Manning

OLIVIA’S ROMANTASY STARTER PICKS

Ever Blessed by Olivia O’Flynn

Now this one is a bit cheeky to include, as it’s my own debut romantasy novel, but they say write the story you want to read – and for me, that’s how Ever Blessed was born. Love, mythology, and magic collide in this spellbinding tale of two heroines. Elva, a fierce warrior princess, is thrust into an arranged marriage to secure her queendom’s future. Meanwhile, Innes, a hunted witch, must embark on a mission to save the world’s fading magic. Torn between love and loyalty, freedom and fate, Elva and Innes must decide what — and who — they’re willing to fight for. Expect slow-burn enemies-to-lovers, failing magic, soulmates, and a rich tapestry of mythologies, all set in a queernormative world. Plus: juicy tropes galore and yes, a steamy hot spring scene.

‘Juicy tropes galore and yes, a steamy hot spring scene’ ... Ever Blessed.

‘Started the internet’s obsession’ ... A Court of Thorns and Roses, aka ACOTAR.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas

This is the series that started the internet’s obsession with the genre! Book 1 is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but book 2, A Court of Mist and Fury, is when the fun (magic, mayhem and spice) really kicks off.

When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A Parker

A fast-paced book for fans of witty banter and strong, sassy protagonists. This one has some epic worldbuilding, and it’s got dragons!

‘For fans of witty banter and strong, sassy protagonists’ ... When The Moon Hatched.

‘Weaves another fun subgenre into the romantasy fold’ ... Immortal Dark.

Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma

A lost heiress must infiltrate an arcane society and live with the vampire she suspects killed her family … and kidnapped her sister. This weaves another fun subgenre into the romantasy fold too: dark academia.

Immortals by Sue Lynn Tan

A standalone romantasy that draws inspiration from Chinese mythology, it’s filled with dangerous secrets, forbidden magic and passion as we follow a young ruler fighting to protect her kingdom.

‘Filled with dangerous secrets’ ... Immortal.

‘A rollercoaster of a medieval romp’ ... Lady's Night.

The Lady’s Night by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

While this one is Young Adult, The Lady’s Night is a rollercoaster of a medieval romp set in a world of dragons, witches and excellent snacks. Think of the movie A Knight’s Tale but with queer heroines.

Ever Blessed, the debut novel by Australia’s Olivia O’Flynn, is out now, published by Voyager.

Does Romantasy make your blood pulse? Tell us at The Sunday Book Club group on Facebook.

Originally published as ‘Visions of six-foot shadow daddies’: A beginner’s guide to Romantasy