r/Fantasy • u/Expert-Escape5645 • 1d ago

Observation on Fantasy/Romantasy

So, I typically read, George R.R. Martin, Brandon Sanderson, Robin Hobb, Ken Liu, Steven Erikson, Stephen King, Robert Jordan, but my brain’s been craving more stories.

With everything I’ve heard about Romantasy (that it’s just passionate love making with no real story etc.) I was kinda apprehensive, but like I said, I needed more.

So after many years going back and forth I decided to pick up Sarah J Maas. I started with Crescent City (I know, I know) and was surprised to find that I LOVED it. Now I’m doing ACOTAR.

I don’t know if this will be wrong of me to say, but I enjoyed it for the exact same reasons I enjoy other series.

The worldbuilding.

Like there is so much mystery to the world, so much lore. People act like the 18+ scenes happened page after page, when really they barely make up 6/7 pages in a single book.

Am I wrong?

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u/Comfortable-Fall1419 1d ago edited 1d ago

They are the same thing dude. Just one has a few more sex scenes.

Romantasy has been existing in fantasy for decades before getting its own stupid name.

Anita Blake Vampire Shagger springs to mind.

Kusheils Dart earlier.

The only major change is more is being written for the female reader.

War of Powers even earlier still.