How Romantasy Seduces Its Readers
2Digest
This podcast delves into the rapidly growing Romantasy genre, a blend of romance and fantasy. The hosts, initially unfamiliar with the genre, explore its unexpected popularity through discussions of several popular books and an interview with New Yorker staff writer Katie Walman. They analyze Sarah J. Maas's "A Court of Thorns and Roses," highlighting its impact and common tropes like "enemies-to-lovers." Rebecca Yarros's "Fourth Wing" is examined for its unique elements and contemporary language, contrasting with Tracy Wolff's "Crave," which is critiqued for repetitive plot structures and the overuse of the "too dumb to live" trope. The podcast explores the role of BookTok in the genre's rise, considering theories about its appeal, including escapism, community building, empowerment, and the fulfillment of unmet needs in modern life. The discussion incorporates listener experiences and perspectives, offering a comprehensive overview of Romantasy's current landscape and its cultural significance.
Outlines
Introduction to Romantasy and Key Books
The podcast introduces the Romantasy genre, its surprising popularity, and the hosts' initial unfamiliarity. It previews discussions of "A Court of Thorns and Roses," "Fourth Wing," and "Crave," along with listener contributions.
Hosts' Experiences and Interview with Katie Walman
The hosts share their prior exposure to Romantasy, followed by an interview with Katie Walman, who discusses her exploration of the genre and its prevalent tropes, sparked by a copyright infringement lawsuit.
Book Discussions: "Fourth Wing" and "Crave"
Detailed analyses of Rebecca Yarros's "Fourth Wing" (focusing on unique elements and the "specialness" theme) and Tracy Wolff's "Crave" (highlighting repetitive plot structures and the use of contemporary references). Listener perspectives are incorporated.
Romantasy's Popularity and Social Media Influence
Theories about Romantasy's explosive popularity are explored, considering escapism, community building, empowerment, and the significant role of social media, particularly BookTok, in shaping the genre.
Book Discussion: "A Court of Thorns and Roses"
A detailed discussion of Sarah J. Maas's "A Court of Thorns and Roses," focusing on its narrative structure, common tropes (enemies-to-lovers), and its contribution to the Romantasy boom. Listener experiences are shared.
Keywords
Romantasy
A literary genre blending romance and fantasy, characterized by strong female leads, supernatural romance, and often trope-driven narratives. It's experiencing a surge in popularity.
Tropes
Recurring narrative devices in Romantasy, such as "enemies-to-lovers," "fated mates," and "too dumb to live." These predictable elements contribute to the genre's comfort and appeal.
BookTok
The book-related content on TikTok, a significant platform for Romantasy marketing and community building. Readers share reviews, theories, and engage with authors.
Escapism
The act of seeking refuge from reality through fantasy. Romantasy provides an escape from the complexities and disappointments of modern life.
Community
The strong online and offline communities surrounding Romantasy, fostering connection and shared experiences among readers. Bookstores and social media play a crucial role.
Empowerment
The feeling of strength and agency often experienced by readers who identify with the strong female protagonists in Romantasy novels.
Sarah J. Maas
Author of "A Court of Thorns and Roses," a pivotal book in the Romantasy genre.
Rebecca Yarros
Author of "Fourth Wing," a popular Romantasy novel known for its unique elements and contemporary language.
Tracy Wolff
Author of "Crave," a Romantasy novel discussed for its tropes and repetitive plot structure.
Q&A
What are the key tropes that define the Romantasy genre, and how do they contribute to its appeal?
Common tropes include enemies-to-lovers, fated mates, and the "too dumb to live" trope. These predictable elements offer comfort and a sense of familiarity, while also providing specific pleasure points for readers.
How has social media, particularly BookTok, influenced the Romantasy genre's popularity and evolution?
BookTok has become a crucial marketing tool and community hub. Readers share their experiences, creating a feedback loop that influences authors and publishers, shaping the genre's direction and tropes.
Why is the Romantasy genre experiencing such a significant surge in popularity, particularly among women?
Theories suggest it offers escapism from the complexities of modern life, provides a sense of empowerment, and fosters a strong sense of community among readers. It also fulfills a need for validation and idealized relationships.
Does the Romantasy genre offer a purely escapist experience, or does it reflect and address underlying social anxieties?
Both. While offering escapism, the genre's tropes and narratives can reflect societal anxieties related to gender roles, power dynamics, and the search for meaning and connection in a rapidly changing world.
How do the books discussed in the podcast ("A Court of Thorns and Roses," "Fourth Wing," "Crave") exemplify the key characteristics and trends within the Romantasy genre?
Each book showcases common tropes, varying degrees of contemporary language, and different approaches to character development and world-building. They highlight the genre's diverse appeal and its ability to cater to specific reader preferences.
Show Notes
A few years back, novels classed as “romantasy”—a portmanteau of “romance” and “fantasy”—might have seemed destined to attract only niche appeal. But since the pandemic, the genre has proved nothing short of a phenomenon. Sarah J. Maas’s “A Court of Thorns and Roses” series regularly tops best-seller lists, and last month, Rebecca Yarros’s “Onyx Storm” became the fastest-selling adult novel in decades. On this episode of Critics at Large, Vinson Cunningham, Naomi Fry, and Alexandra Schwartz are joined by their fellow New Yorker staff writer Katy Waldman as they delve into the realm of romantasy themselves. Together, they consider some of the most popular entries in the genre, and discuss how monitoring readers’ reactions on BookTok, a literary corner of TikTok, allows writers to tailor their work to fans’ hyperspecific preferences. Often, these books are conceived and marketed with particular tropes in mind—but the key ingredient in nearly all of them is a sense of wish fulfillment. “The reason that I think they’re so powerful and they provide such solace to us is because they tell us, ‘You’re perfect. You’re always right. You have the hottest mate. You have the sickest powers,’ ” Waldman says. “I totally get it. I fall into those reveries, too. I think we all do.”
Read, watch, and listen with the critics:
“Did a Best-Selling Romantasy Novelist Steal Another Writer’s Story?,” by Katy Waldman (The New Yorker)
“The Song of the Lioness,” by Tamora Pierce
“A Court of Thorns and Roses,” by Sarah J. Maas
“Ella Enchanted,” by Gail Carson Levine
“Fourth Wing,” by Rebecca Yarros
“Onyx Storm,” by Rebecca Yarros
“Crave,” by Tracy Wolff
“Working Girl” (1988)
“Game of Thrones” (2011-19)
“The Vampyre,” by John Polidori
“Dracula,” by Bram Stoker
“Outlander” (2014–)
New episodes drop every Thursday. Follow Critics at Large wherever you get your podcasts.
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