Romantasy: The Biggest Trend of 2025
- 02/10/2026
- 15:55
- Mary Lovell
Romantasy became one of the biggest trends of 2025 (and a featured segment of our 2025 Summer Reading Guide!) with books and series often promoted and shared on TikTok and other forms of social media. But what is it, and why is it such a big deal?
Romantasy is a subgenre of fantasy fiction that blends romance with fantasy. Often featuring a fantasy setting along with elements of adventure, magic, and mythical or magical creatures, romantasy also contains many of the tropes and key elements, including a happily ever after or happy for now ending, of romance. In all romantasy fiction, relationships are key. What often sets romantasy apart from traditional fantasy is that the plot relies so heavily on the romance that the story would fall apart without it.
While romantic fantasy and fantasy romance have existed for many years, the popularity of titles like Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses series, and Rebecca Yarros’s Fourth Wing (Empyrean series) has brought romantasy to the top of the bestseller’s lists and to the attention of everyone. It’s also no surprise that romantasy is a favorite here among the staff. Here are some of our thoughts on the subgenre and what we’d recommend for you.
Jackie Kolb, Director of Programs and Outreach
Why do you like Romantasy?
As a teen I loved paranormal romance- vampires, shapeshifters, ghosts, etc. I watched a lot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and devoured anything by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, Holly Black, Meg Cabot, and Libba Bray- which definitely set the groundwork for my love of romantasy. Romantasy allows the reader to step into magical worlds, often with the most terrifying creatures, imperfect characters, and at the heart of everything- romance.
Plus, then I picked up A Court of Thorns and Roses as an adult, and it was all over for me!
What are your favorite tropes, themes, or character types?
What do I look for when picking out my next romantasy read? Well, I love enemies to lovers, a female protagonist who discovers her inner strength, well developed magical worlds, imperfect characters, spice, fairies, vampires, a dash of darkness, and of course a magical library is always nice!
Your top 3 Romantasy titles and why you like each one:
- A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas
This is the book that restarted my love of fantasy! I hadn’t read anything but books for school or historical fiction for years, and then, one day, because of the library’s Read More! Reading Challenge, I picked up Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses. It had been reviewed as a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, which was what initially intrigued me- but the story went far beyond that. Years after the death of her mother, and the failure of her father’s business ventures, Feyre continues to fight for the survival of her family. At 19, it falls to her to put food on the table- which is hard, when you have no money and it is the dead of winter. When Feyre kills a wolf that turns out to be a faerie, Tamlin, the High Lord of the Spring Court, drags her into the land of magic and monsters, as retribution- but something rotten lurks behind the cracks of this new glittering world. Beautiful world-building, fantastically disturbing creatures, and a complicated romance at the front and center of the story. Plus, a main character that continues to grow and find her inner strength…and then has to find it again! Book two of this series, A Court of Mist and Fury, is in my top five reads of all time!
- The Wolf King series by Lauren Palphreyman
Werewolves are not usually my go to, when I am picking out a romantasy read- however, how can one resist a book described as “Outlander meets werewolves.” Yes- you heard me right, werewolves in kilts, which granted could have been very cheesy, but Lauren Palphreyman makes it amazing! On the night before her wedding to an absolutely horrendous human being, Princess Aurora finds herself forced to watch the barbaric display of captured werewolves being made to fight for the entertainment of her betrothed’s court. When a young werewolf is basically sentenced to death, forced to fight an alpha, Aurora speaks out, stopping the fight, and putting herself on the radar of the aforementioned alpha- Callum. This sets off a series of events that leads to Aurora being captured by Callum, who decides to use her as a political tool, taking her north to the Wolf King, in hopes of ending the bloodshed between the humans and the werewolves. Of course, it’s not that straightforward. Are Callum’s actions simply to save his people, or is he possibly protecting Aurora too? And how does Blake, the dangerous, always scheming werewolf, factor into all of this?!! I can not wait for book three!!
- Quicksilver by Callie Hart (Fae & Alchemy #1)
Currently reading book two of the Fae & Alchemy series with every fear that it will be a cliffhanger! A little late to the Kingfisher party, I read Quicksilver by Callie Hart last year and could not put it down. Saeris Fane lives day-to-day in the harsh desert city of Zilvaren, where her primary goals are her brother’s safety and water. When a decision to steal a gold gauntlet from one of Queen Madra’s guards lands her in hot water- not really, it lands her in quicksilver- she finds herself face-to-face with a Fae warrior. Kingfisher pulls her back through the portal that she accidentally opened, and into the kingdom of Yvelia. Que terrifying creatures, a centuries-long war, a tricky bargain made with a brooding duty-bound fae, romantic tension, and the fact that Saeris’s Alchemist powers might be the only thing that can save everyone…but also might be the end of her. A fantastic, thrilling, magical read!
Olivia Wojnar, Senior Library Associate
Why do you like Romantasy?
I love a blend of genres and fantasy and romance are my two favorite genres. Most stories, especially those of the fantastical nature, have some romance in them. Romantasy books allow the romance elements to take center stage more frequently in fantasy stories. I think movies such as the Princess Bride and any Disney Princess movie primed me to enjoy this genre.
What are your favorite tropes, themes, or character types?
I enjoy more fast paced books in general. I want to be enveloped in the world and its characters immediately. How the romance-ies find each other doesn’t matter as much to me. They can be friends, enemies, or passing acquaintances before the plot of the book and I will still enjoy their love story. I do enjoy some witty banter between the love interests. I also love fun side characters. In the Saint of Steel series, there is the recurring character Bishop Beartongue who is an absolute delight. There is also some deranged ferret-cat creature that is the main character of the first book’s pride and joy. Human, animal, or creature- I require some good side characters.
Your top 3 Romantasy titles and why you like each one:
- Saint of Steel series by T. Kingfisher
Don’t you love a series where every book is a keeper? The Saint of Steel series is comprised of four loosely linked books. The series is set in a world ruled by various deities called saints and their cults. The Saint of Steel was a cult of berserker warriors who then all experienced their saint’s death. Some went insane, some died, and the survivors are forever scarred. All the books follow a different survivor and how they have dealt with the death of their saint. Each book also features the most well-rounded heroines I have ever read in romance novels. In the first book, the heroine, Grace, is a perfumer who experiences the world through scent which makes her POV incredibly interesting. T. Kingfisher is also known for writing heroines that are not barely legal, naive women swept away by a story. This series is a unique entry into the romantasy genre that is definitely worth a read.
- Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan
Liyen is the heir to the throne of Tianxia when she is poisoned. Her grandfather steals a magical lotus flower from the immortals that rule over them to save her life. The Queen of the Immortals sends the God of War in an act of revenge, killing Liyen’s grandfather. Liyen ascends to the throne of Tianxia, vowing to free her people from the immortal’s rule. When she is summoned to the Immortal Realm, she believes she has the opportunity to make good on her promise. She is swept into a larger issue and a budding romance with the immortal that attacked her people. Sue Lynn Tan is a master of worldbuilding that instantly sweeps you away into her stories. I also love a standalone!
- Tusk Love by Thea Guanzon
This book is based off of a fictional book from a Dungeon’s and Dragon’s game. I needed no other indicators that I would love this book. Guinevere has been the perfect daughter to her merchant parents. She has long been betrothed to a noble of the Dwendalian Empire. As she sets off to meet her future husband, her caravan is attacked, awakening a power in her and setting her into Oskar’s path. Oskar, a hardy orc just trying to make his way home, agrees to help Guinevere reconnect with her family and guard her along the dangerous Amber Road. This story is the perfect blend of romance, adventure, and finding your true self along the way. Absolutely amazing! This book references the world of Exandria in a way the fans of Critical Role, Dungeons & Dragons, and romance readers everywhere will love.
Mary Lovell, Head Librarian
Why do you like Romantasy?
I’ve always loved fantasy but also books that focus on relationships, so I was drawn to more romantic fantasy from the beginning, with a love of Diana Wynne Jones and Juliet Marillier. Later, I picked up A Court of Thorns and Roses (before it became the phenom that it is today) and knew I’d found a new favorite. Romantasy can be dark, epic, and grand, or it can be gentle and cozy but there’s always love at the core.
What are your favorite tropes, themes, or character types?
I love a good slow burn romance, maybe that’s why I enjoy a good rivals/enemies to lovers story. I also love when a story has found family elements and romantasy is great for that. Lastly, I love cozy elements with plants and animals just as much as high fantasy with its deep political machinations.
Your top 3 Romantasy titles and why you like each one:
- Under the Oak Tree by Suji Kim
A South Korean web novel now available in print and translation. This story has so many fantastic elements! Maxi is married off to Riftan who seems cold and vicious. He heads off to war the morning after their wedding night, leaving Maxi under the brutal control of her father, but when Riftan returns, Maxi finally gets the chance to spread her wings. Much of the story’s focus is on Maxi’s growth, healing, and self discovery under the love and care of Riftan, who hides a lot of passion for his wife beneath a stoic exterior.
- The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
Cozy romantasy at its best! Librarian Kiela and her sentient spider plant Caz flee the library with their special collection of magic books while the rest of the stacks burn behind them during a political revolution. Fearing the repercussions, Kiela escapes to her childhood home on a remote island. As she readjusts to a quiet life in hiding, Keila comes to understand the importance of magic on the people, but how can she share the knowledge and magic found within her books, while keeping herself safe from those in power? With a great and varied cast of characters, including a very helpful and handsome neighbor, The Spellshop is as warm and welcoming as a familiar hug or a comfy warm drink on a cold day. The series continues in The Enchanted Greenhouse and the upcoming Sea of Charms.
- The Emily Wilde Series by Heather Fawcett
Rival professors, a secret identity, and the fairy realm! Emily Wilde is a Cambridge professor who studies faeries. In the first book, Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries, Emily travels to a small town in the far north. She’s content with her books, dog, and her studies, but when her academic rival, professor Wendell Bambleby, distractingly handsome and insufferably friendly, arrives, Emily goes to great lengths to make her discoveries before Wendall. The Emily Wilde series is fantastic academic, cozy romantasy.
I also recommend: Kill the Beast, A Harvest of Hearts, Quicksilver, Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore, The Courting of Bristol Keats, A Feather So Black, and the big two: A Court of Thorns and Roses and Fourth Wing! Many of our top circulating fantasy books of 2025 were romantasy titles! The list includes A Court of Thorns and Roses series, The Empyrean series, The Serpent and the Wings of Night, Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries, Swordheart, The Knight and the Moth, The Enchanted Greenhouse, and Sorcery and Small Magics. From epic adventures to cozy intimate tales, romantasy has something for everyone!
Now that you have a wide selection of titles to choose from, be sure to join us in the fun with our 2026 Read More Reading Challenge!