Romantasy: The meme-able literary genre that has us hooked

Every few years, the book world falls head over heels for a new genre, and right now romantasy is the one sweeping us off our feet. Think epic fantasy worlds, slow-burn (or sometimes very fast-burn) romances, and morally grey love interests who could kill you but choose to flirt instead. Whether it’s fae courts, dragon academies, or dark magical prophecies, romantasy books are serving escapism on a silver platter—and readers can’t get enough.

If you need proof that romantasy has us all in a chokehold, just look at Onyx Storm, the latest instalment in Rebecca Yarros’s Empyrean series, which, earlier this year, became the fastest-selling adult novel in the past 20 years. Yes, the same series that launched Fourth Wing, a book that had grown-ups collectively losing their minds over dragon riders and military academies like they were back in their Divergent phase. And it’s not alone—Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) and Crescent City books, Scarlett St. Clair’s Hades x Persephone retellings, and Jennifer L. Armentrout’s From Blood and Ash have become essential reading for anyone who wants to be part of the romantasy phenomenon.

Romantasy isn’t the first genre to sweep through bookstores like an enchanted tidal wave. The early 2000s saw a vampire romance frenzy (Twilight, Vampire Academy, House of Night), followed by the dystopian boom (The Hunger Games, Divergent, The Maze Runner). The mid-2010s leaned into YA fantasy (Throne of Glass, An Ember in the Ashes), and now, we’ve circled back to fantasy—but with a twist. Where vampire romances focused on pale brooding immortals lurking in modern-day high schools, today’s romantasy thrives on intricate world-building, political intrigue, and heroines who wield swords alongside their devastatingly attractive love interests. The relationships have gotten steamier, the stakes have gotten higher, and the fantasy elements are now just as central as the romance—if not more.

So why is romantasy the genre right now? Blame it on social media—especially BookTok and Bookstagram—which has turned reading into a lifestyle. #Romantasy has millions of views, with readers breathlessly recommending their latest obsession (often featuring morally grey, devastatingly attractive fae males). These books are discussable, but also meme-able, and tailor-made for internet fandom. They create the kind of feverish engagement that publishers dream of—TikTokers cry over character deaths, make fancasts, and lose their minds over exclusive sprayed-edge editions.

For fans like Anina Jacob, a 24-year-old Bengaluru-based graphic designer, romantasy is not just about the magic; it’s about the love. “There’s something about romantasy that makes love feel the way it’s supposed to be—epic, all-consuming, and worth every risk. I think that’s why I love it so much. Because when reality makes love feel fleeting or uncertain, these stories remind me of what love could be—deep, undeniable, and fated. The kind of love that can survive kingdoms falling and stars burning out.”

It’s not just BookTok doing the heavy lifting. Instagram is overflowing with spellbinding fan art of witches brewing trouble (and romance), Reddit is deep-diving into conspiracy-level fan theories. And AO3? Well, let’s just say if the book didn’t have enough spice, the fanfiction definitely will. Romantasy isn’t just something you read—it’s a whole ecosystem of obsession. On TikTok alone, #romantasy has racked up over 800 million views, proving just how obsessed readers are. Once aimed at teens and young adults, romantasy has now cast its spell on women in their late twenties and early thirties. Every major publisher, from HarperCollins to Penguin has a dedicated romantasy section now, proving that the genre isn’t just a trend—it’s a movement.

Ditsha Gupta, who works at the marketing and publicity department of Penguin, clarifies, “More than a demographic shift, it reflects a broader emotional resonance—romantasy offers comfort, escapism, and an emotionally immersive experience, which appeals across age groups. Speaking as a reader myself, I’ve seen firsthand how powerfully this genre can reconnect people with reading—it’s pulled me out of reading slumps more times than I can count. That kind of emotional impact is compelling, and it’s a key reason the audience continues to grow and diversify.”

Another reason for the genre’s meteoric rise is timing. Post-COVID, fiction sales—particularly romance—have boomed. A report released earlier this month shows that fiction sales in India jumped 30.7 per cent in 2024, defying the myth that nonfiction dominates. Gurveen Chadha, executive editor at Penguin Veer, adds, “I think in the post-pandemic era, we are turning towards fiction, and romantasy in particular, to find what we can’t have in real life, and to escape from the troubled times we live in. Modern dating today is more complex than ever, and we tend to find comfort in the fantastic, romantic escapades that romantasy books offer.” And what better way to escape than through a world filled with magic, fated mates, and political intrigue?

Modern readers aren’t just here for epic quests or forbidden magic—they want strong-willed witches, dangerously charming warlocks, and slow-burn romances that make you scream into your pillow at 2 am. Unlike traditional fantasy, which often treats romance like a side quest, romantasy puts it front and centre without skimping on the world-building. Take Fourth Wing, for example—sure, there are deadly trials, dragon battles, and a war brewing, but let’s be real, half the obsession comes from the tension between Violet and Xaden. Plus, these books don’t demand a PhD in lore to enjoy. They’re fast-paced, easy to sink into, and perfect for readers who want magic and mayhem without getting lost in 500 years of made-up history.

But for all its swoon-worthy moments, romantasy isn’t without its problems. The genre leans heavily on tropes like possessive love interests and toxic power dynamics that sometimes blur the line between passion and manipulation. The “fated mates” trope—seen in titles like Kingdom of the Wicked—can strip characters of agency, while the “not like other girls” heroine is still going strong. While these elements fuel the drama, they also raise questions about representation and the messages readers absorb about relationships.

So far romantasy has largely been ruled by Western authors, Indian writers are just crashing the fae-filled party—and bringing their own magic with them. Kritika H Rao’s The Surviving Sky and Aparna Verma’s The Phoenix King have already delivered worlds dripping with Hindu cosmology, airships, and deadly court intrigue. But the genre is only heating up. Rao’s The Legend of Meneka, released earlier this year, reimagines the celestial apsara in a sizzling tale of divine romance and political drama, while Anuja Varghese’s A Kiss of Crimson Ash, which is set to release next year, promises gothic vibes, cursed love, and all the angst we live for. Indian romantasy isn’t just sprinkling in mythology for aesthetics—it’s rewriting the genre with rich, immersive worlds that go beyond the usual brooding fae and medieval castles.

The real question is: will romantasy stick around, or is it just another literary fling? If history tells us anything, every “it” genre eventually gets dethroned—but romantasy has a few tricks up its billowing, enchanted sleeves. Its older audience (who actually have money to spend on fancy sprayed-edge editions), its viral appeal on social media, and its ever-expanding subgenres (romantasy mystery, romantasy sci-fi, probably romantasy tax fraud at some point) mean it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. As long as authors keep serving up swoon-worthy angst, morally grey love interests, and just the right amount of dragon-related chaos, we’ll all happily staying under its spell.