Archive · 25 Jan 2026
Romantasy: Women-Centered Fantasy Fiction Boosts Publishing Industry
Romantasy is a type of book that mixes fantasy and romance, focusing on women as the main characters.
These stories often include romantic and sexual elements that are enjoyable and empowering for women.
They feature women going on adventures, falling in love, and overcoming challenges.
The genre has become very popular, with books like 'Onyx Storm' selling millions of copies.
Some people criticize romantasy for not including enough diversity, but many women find these books inspiring and liberating.
They enjoy seeing women in these stories having fun, being strong, and experiencing love and pleasure.
The publishing industry is benefiting from this trend, and there are hopes that more diverse stories will be told in the future.
Romantasy, a genre combining fantasy and romance, has surged in popularity, with books like 'Onyx Storm' selling 2.7 million copies in its first week.
The genre centers female protagonists and their sexual pleasure, offering consensual and empowering narratives, and has revitalized the publishing industry with $610 million in sales in 2024.
Romantasy incorporates familiar fantasy tropes like good vs. evil and magical settings, but also includes romance tropes such as enemies to lovers and forbidden love.
Critics argue that some popular romantasy books perpetuate heterosexual norms and lack racial and sexual diversity, while others highlight diverse representations in the genre.
The genre is not just about sex but also explores complex themes like chronic illness, trauma, and female empowerment, resonating with women who seek acknowledgment of their desires and safety.
- Who
- Women readers and authors, particularly feminist marketing scholars
- What
- The rise of romantasy, a genre combining fantasy and romance, centering female protagonists and their sexual pleasure
- When
- 2024-2025, with significant growth in popularity and sales
- Where
- Globally, with a notable impact on the publishing industry
- Why
- Romantasy offers female-centric narratives, consensual sexual experiences, and complex themes, appealing to women's desires and fantasies
- Genre
- Romantasy (fantasy romance)
- Sales
- $610 million in 2024
- Best-Seller
- Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
- Copies Sold
- 2.7 million in first week
- Key Themes
- Female empowerment, consensual sex, complex social issues
- Criticisms
- Heteronormative, lack of racial/sexual diversity
- Diverse Examples
- The Emily Wilde series, Paladin's Grace, The Inheritance Trilogy