The Rise of Romantasy Books

Before 50 Shades of Grey, there were the Harlequin books. Women have always been drawn to erotica, so it’s no surprise that our affinity for spicy literature continues to evolve. But this time, it’s wrapped in swords, sorcery, and seduction. Welcome to the age of “romantasy,” a genre where epic fantasy meets steamy romance — lovingly dubbed “fairy smut” by its followers.

In reality, romantasy (romantic fantasy) is nothing new. Authors like Anne Rice and Laurell K. Hamilton paved the way with their sensual paranormal tales. But the genre has exploded recently, thanks to a powerful mix of TikTok virality, accessible e-readers, and a cultural shift toward unapologetic female pleasure. Today, romantasy is one of the fastest-growing literary genres. 

Leading the way in the romantasy genre is A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. Known as ACOTAR among fans, it gained significant popularity on bookish social media platforms and became a bestseller thanks to #BookTok — the book-loving corner of TikTok that propelled fantasy romance into the spotlight. To date, Maas has sold over 70 million copies in English worldwide, and her series has been translated into more than 30 languages, solidifying its status as more than just a social media trend.

What makes reading about sex in romantasy special?

So what makes romantasy such a turn-on? It offers the best of two literature subgenres, combining a richly imagined world that feels far from reality and romantic stakes that hit close to home. They feature all hallmarks of both fantasy and erotica. Think: the adrenaline of a dragon ride and the slow-burn build of forbidden attraction. Women are hooked — and not just on the romance, but on the power dynamics, the emotional depth, and yes, the spice.

There’s something unique about reading erotica, especially within romantasy. While porn is visual and audio erotica taps into imagination through sound, reading is a deeply personal experience because your brain fills in the blanks. Every moan, every glance, every electric brush of skin is filtered through your own internal lens. It’s private, customizable, and more emotionally intimate.

Romantasy takes this a step further. The sex isn’t just there for titillation; it’s woven into character arcs and plot twists. The build-up is everything. You fall for the characters, and when they finally fall into each other’s arms (or against a castle wall, or during a magically-induced mating bond), it’s deeply satisfying. And that hits harder than any visual or audio format can.

There’s also something to be said about how, unlike in a lot of erotic literature, romantasy female protagonists aren’t just being pursued. They’re often powerful in their own right, slaying monsters, battling curses, and yes, claiming their pleasure. These stories give women a chance to explore dominant/submissive dynamics, sexual awakening, emotional healing through intimacy, and more, all on their own terms.

Why do women read erotic fiction?

Women have always desired, imagined, and explored sexuality, despite being historically discouraged from doing so. Erotic fiction gives women a safe space to explore fantasies that range from tender to taboo — and research backs this up. 

Studies show that erotic literature might even help enhance female sexual function. A lot of this insight comes from research on bibliotherapy, which is basically using books (like erotic stories and self-help guides) to help address sexual dysfunction in women. Reviews of these studies suggest that bibliotherapy can actually lead to improvements in how women experience sexual arousal and satisfaction. Interestingly, the benefits seem to be more pronounced in women than in men, too. 

Some studies also found that reading erotic stories can quickly boost sexual arousal in women. Both suggestive and explicit literature have led to significant increases in how aroused women feel. Emotional responses and sexual thoughts triggered by reading erotica are important factors that predict how aroused a woman might feel, which shows how useful erotic literature could be in enhancing sexual function.

The spiciest romantasy reads right now

Now that we’ve established why romantasy has become such a phenomenon, here are some of the most buzzed-about (and blush-inducing) reads lighting up #BookTok and beyond:

• A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas: The modern gateway drug into romantasy. Think Beauty and the Beast, but with more fae, more battles, and a lot more sex. Book two (A Court of Mist and Fury) is where the real spice begins.

• Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros: Dragons, deadly trials, and a brooding warrior with wings of his own. This one has action, angst, and off-the-charts sexual tension.

• From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout: A chosen maiden, a dark secret, and a forbidden romance that burns through every page. Expect high stakes and very high heat.

• The Plated Prisoner Series by Raven Kennedy: A darkly poetic retelling of the King Midas myth, this series is pure romantasy gold (pun intended), with deep character development and lush, erotic scenes.

• The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen: Enemies to lovers, political intrigue, and steamy tension that builds like a war drum. This one balances strategy with sensuality.

• Quicksilver by Callie Hart: A breakout hit in 2024, Quicksilver delivers an irresistible enemies-to-lovers romance in a dark, fae-infused world. Lyrical, violent, and deliciously steamy.

• A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson: Set in an alternate 1920s London, this romantasy features dragons, secret societies, and a forbidden love that burns slowly and brightly. It’s atmospheric, fresh, and captivating.

• The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig: A lush, gothic fantasy about a cursed knight and a reluctant diviner. Emotional tension and shadowy magic create a sensual slow-burn that hits deep.

• Bloodguard by Cecy Robson: A fae gladiator romance that blends brutal combat, court politics, and intense chemistry. Expect a fierce heroine, a dangerous love interest, and scenes that sizzle.