It would be hard to overstate the enormity of the tidal (title?) wave coming out of the newly coined “Romantasy” genre. What began primarily within the Young Adult space has now expanded to capture a good portion of the Adult market as well. Filled with the cherished tropes of both Romance and Fantasy, its broad appeal makes for perfect reading this Valentine’s month.

For this edition, I am listing some entries that fuse passion and invention into a chimera that differentiate Romantasy into its own category. These titles are either recognized as canon within the genre or are newer efforts that circumvent the redundancy that often plagues a genre’s sudden popularity.

All the Birds in the SkyAll the Birds in the Sky - Charlie Jane Anders

"Childhood friends Patricia Delfine, a witch, and Laurence Armstead, a mad scientist, parted ways under mysterious circumstances during middle school. But something is determined to bring them back together—to either save the world, or end it."

Red QueenRed Queen - Victoria Aveyard

"Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime. But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance—Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart."

BrideBride - Ali Hazelwood

"A dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf becomes a love deep enough to sink your teeth into in this paranormal romance."

What the River KnowsWhat the River Knows - Isabel Ibanez

"The Mummy meets Death on the Nile in this lush, immersive historical fantasy set in Egypt filled with adventure, a rivals-to-lovers romance, and a dangerous race."

Fourth WingFourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros

"Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die."

Divine RivalsDivine Rivals - Rebecca Ross

"When two young rival journalists find love through a magical connection, their fate depends on their facing the depths of hell… together."

The Serpent and the Wings of NightThe Serpent & Wings of Night - Carissa Broadbent

"War for the House of Night brews, shattering everything that Oraya thought she knew about her home. And Raihn may understand her more than anyone - but their blossoming attraction could be her downfall, in a kingdom where nothing is more deadly than love."

The Book of LoveThe Book of Love - Kelly Link

"Late one night, Laura, Daniel, and Mo find themselves beneath the fluorescent lights of a high school classroom, almost a year after disappearing from their hometown, the small seaside community of Lovesend, Massachusetts, having long been presumed dead. Which, in fact, they are."

The Very Secret Society of Irregular WitchesThe Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches - Sangu Mandanna

"A warm and uplifting novel about an isolated witch whose opportunity to embrace a quirky new family--and a new love--changes the course of her life."

First Grave on the RightFirst Grave On the Right - Darynda Jones

"Charley Davidson is a part-time private investigator and full-time grim reaper. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she's been having about an entity who has been following her all her life..."

Once Upon a Broken HeartOnce Upon a Broken Heart - Stephanie Garber

"Evangeline strikes a deal with the charismatic but wicked Prince of Hearts. In exchange for his help, he asks for three kisses, to be given at the time and place of his choosing."

WitchmarkWitchmark - C.L. Polk

"In an original world reminiscent of Edwardian England in the shadow of a World War, cabals of noble families use their unique magical gifts to control the fates of nations, while one young man seeks only to live a life of his own."

When the Moon HatchedWhen the Moon Hatched - Sarah A. Parker

"A fast-paced fantasy romance for fans of witty banter and strong, sassy protagonists. Beneath the cover is an immersive, vibrant world with mysterious creatures, a unique magic system, and a love that blazes through the ages."

Half a SoulHalf a Soul - Olivia Atwater

"Bridgerton meets Howl's Moving Castle in this enchanting historical fantasy, where the only thing more meddlesome than faeries is a marriage-minded mother."

The Dead RomanticsThe Dead Romantics - Ashley Poston

"A disillusioned millennial ghostwriter who, quite literally, has some ghosts of her own, has to find her way back home in this sparkling debut."

The Hurricane WarsThe Hurricane Wars - Thea Guanzon

"Talasyn and Alaric both know this war can only end with them. But a greater threat is coming, and the strange new magic they can create together could be the only way to overcome it."

SwordheartSwordheart - T. Kingfisher

"When Halla draws the sword that imprisons him, Sarkis finds himself attempting to defend his new wielder against everything from bandits and roving inquisitors to her own in-laws…"

UprootedUprooted - Naomi Novik

"Agnieszka loves her valley home, her quiet village, the forests and the bright shining river. But the corrupted Wood stands on the border, full of malevolent power, and its shadow lies over her life."

A Promise of FireA Promise of Fire - Amanda Bouchet

"Cat Fisa isn't who she pretends to be. She's perfectly content disguised as a soothsayer in a traveling circus, avoiding the destiny the Gods—but then she locks eyes with an ambitious warlord from the magic-deprived south and her illusion of safety is shattered forever."

Summaries adapted from publisher marketing materials

February's Featured Review

SeveranceSeverance - Ling Ma

I reread this for the GPL Thrilling Reads Book Group, and I liked it even more the second time!

Hop on the Holds List

The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits – Jennifer Weiner

Strangers in Time – David Baldacci

Great Big Beautiful Life – Emily Henry

Lethal Prey – John Sandford

Say You’ll Remember Me – Abby Jimenez

Quote of the Month:

"Fantasy love is much better than reality love. Never doing it is very exciting. The most exciting attractions are between two opposites that never meet." - Andy Warhol

Bookish News and Links:

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Love Lists? Try these:

This article in The Guardian attempts to pinpoint the appeal of the Romantasy genre.

ScreenRant looks at some new streaming shows coming out that are based on some Romantasy juggernauts.

Goodreads has posted a list for the most popular upcoming Adult and YA Romantasy releases.

Bookpage released their list of their most anticipated books of 2025.

If you have more time, take a look at LitHub's list of 291 books coming this year.

Adaptation News: Upcoming movies and shows based on books:

The fourth Bridget Jones installment, Mad About the Boy, based on the book by Helen Fielding will arrive in theaters (natch) on Valentine's Day.

The Monkey
, an extended version of a short story by Stephen King is due to be released in theaters on Feb.21.

Recent Reads

I have recently finished reading Rejection by Tony Tulathimutte and Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino. I also just finished listening to Dearest by Jacquie Walters.

I am currently reading The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami and The Tatami Galaxy by Tomihiko Morimi. I am also listening to the audiobook of The Book of Accidents by Chuck Wendig.

Have you recently discovered the Romantasy genre? Do you think its popularity will be here to stay or just a passing fad? Fill me in: jnmegan@gpl.

Until next time: Be safe, be well, and be well-read!

Joelle


So, who am I, anyway? I am a resident of West Groton, with a husband, 3 children in college (and one at GDRHS) and a Samoyed that keeps my vacuum well-employed. I am currently working part time at the Groton Public Library and writing monthly reviews for Bookllist Magazine. In a former life, I was a Director of PR/Marketing at a high-tech consulting firm. My BA is in Psychology, but most of my time was spent in college earning a Concentration on the Novel. That is all to say that I make no claims at being an expert of any kind and my thoughts, opinions and mistakes are solely my own. I am just a person whose passion for books has continued to grow from the moment I was first able to grip and gnaw on them. I have been devouring them ever since.

Feb 01, 2025 / Joelle M Egan