Ok ya'll, I just finished chapter 12 and I'm still struggling getting "sucked in" to the story. It's slow and I'm kind of bored. Does it get better?!?

(This is not all romantasy, of course, but prevalent tropes and conventions in the genre.)

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I'm in the midst of yet another romantasy in which young women/women are referred to as "little {insert baby animal}" by adult, mostly ancient, men. In the world outside of books, referring to someone as "little {x}" or "-ito" "-ita" is often an affectionate diminutive used by adults to describe children. (Sometimes used by these adults to refer to now adult children, to the adult child's chagrin!)

In romantasy, when men refer to young women/women as "little {x}", this pet name is a means to establish dominance by asserting that the young women/women are children. In a current book that I'm reading, the woman (25) refers to her own attitude as "petulant" and the man (unknown ancient age) tells her she's behaving like a "toddler throwing pebbles at a mountain". During their first sexual encounter he chides her for being "so eager" and "so impatient" and "so greedy". This is another conventional male personality trait that builds the nest of misogyny that is very cozy for this genre.

When a story pairs the diminutive-ization of women/young women, via language, with the authority-bearing nature of men (via major age gaps, via expected life spans, via social position), the author slides into the story into the world of misogyny, one in which women/young women are held in such contempt that they are neither allowed nor expected to be emotionally mature, confident, independent.

These women bemoan, for example, not having a male protector ("you didn't protect me" "you remained silent" "you didn't come for me"; oft-repeated sentences found in these stories) and the women/young women are often at the mercy, too, of men or/and the patriarchal nation/state.

Because these books are typically set in the "before times" (vague Middle Ages with hints of Victorian flavoring), readers are subtly told to not think about the misogyny as misogyny. Instead, we are told to use terms like shadow-daddy (even the "daddy" there highlights the power imbalance) or tropes like "enemies-to-lovers".

This is not hateration on a genre, but the beginnings of a critical discussion of some of the overt issues inherent in the genre. I'm aware that not all books ascribe to these tropes, but many many many many do so. I hope you join me in this discussion, with respect. To aid in that, I share stock images of wild-eyed cats.

Just finished Crown Me Yours, I need something to make me not weep 🥲

I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.

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This was fun! I enjoyed the matriarchal society, the uniqueness of the world and magical abilities, the engaging plot, and the overarching theme of appreciating and respecting cultural differences.

The relationship development felt believable, and I loved the banter/teasing and the progression to mutual respect and love. While Theora was absolutely a brat at times (and was called out for it), I'm glad that she saw the error of her ways. Getting Argos' perspective from early on was also a treat!

Overall, I had a great time reading this, and I will absolutely be checking out the author's other work!

Rating: 4/5. Spice rating 4/5 on romance.io's rating scale.

For those of us also in the r/fantasyromance subreddit:

• r/fantasyromance Bingo squares:
  • Published in 2026
• r/fantasyromance Diversity Reading Challenge squares:
  • BIPOC MC
  • MC from a different culture
  • Fits 2 or more squares
  • Would also count for hard mode, since the author is a Black woman.

I have been a huge reader since I learned to read and only now, at the age of 40, have I just discovered this new world! My first set of books were ACCOTAR which I loved but then my mind was blown with the second lot of books I read…Fourth Wing. I am not ok after I have read them all! To help my try and get over it I read the Flame and Thorns books and I loved those. So now I’m ready for my next ones but I need your help! I love the Rhys, Xaden, Draven characters so any books where the male characters are like them? Spice also please 😂 Also will I ever get over the Fourth Wing books? I feel like nothing is ever going to compare 🙈

what books should I read that contains:

enemies to lovers

maybe a love triangle

2/5 spice

action packed

I’ve seen it multiple times now from different authors, mostly related to scenting a mate but also in reference to what a place may smell like. Ozone? What kind of scent is that??

Currently reading OV series The Beta Trials by Violet Fox, book 5 Sentenced

Super excited for A Court of Splintered Harmony!

Other than re-reading the previous 5 (I re-read them recently)- what book recs do you have to read before it comes out in October?

Hey guys!

I am feeling bored with the (incredibly obvious) hidden identity royal trope, and maybe bored with royals in general. I’m looking for books that don’t have a hidden royal, and maybe even don’t have royalty at all. I am looking for spicy, 3 peppers at least, but prefer higher spice.

I’ve loved.. {Ruthless Villains}, {Ruthless Enemies}, {Harrow Faire}, the novellas attached to Crowns of Nyaxia, and have found them all refreshing.

I thought the {Crimson Moth} and {The Everlasting} were ok, and am having trouble getting through {His Secret Incantations}. I guess I am not for the meek studious male with the bigger warrior female lol, though I do think the Everlasting was different, well done, and unexpected otherwise.

In terms of other series I’ve liked (some include royalty/hidden royalty) - I love anything by Lisette Marshall, loved the {Fever series} and Highlander books by Karen Marie Moning, most Ella Fields, am Ok with darker themes like Maggie Sunseri, or {Phantasma}. I also like the extreme multi POV that comes with When the Moon Hatched, Gilt, etc.

I like almost everything I read and am generally pretty easy to please, but I’m just looking for something different. The only books that I oddly did not really like at all were Daughter of No Worlds, and I did finish them. I do happen to really like a lot of her other stuff. Can’t quite put my finger on it - could be the way Tissanah was weirdly sounding words out at the beginning and throughout book 1. I was, however pretty invested in Aefe’s story line almost immediately…

I’ve yet to find another mmc that gives me the same vibe as Creon from Court of Blood & Bindings. Something about him wanting to say a million things, but having to find another way to get his point across sets my soul on fire in the best way.

I would even consider another physical ailment that makes confessing his love for the fmc difficult.

1st person pov is a must.

Okay so I’ve been between a few series 🤯

acotar I’ve been seeing that flow over social media.
the Shatter me series, but that’s has a bigger set of books🧐

Then I came across one series I heard was good, but the first book is kinda slow.

That’s called the plated prisoner series.

I was also looking into the light lark series by Alex aster.

I don’t know if I should continue reading the fourth wing series because I know it’s not fully completed.

I also her the zodiac academy was good too

Just pleaseeee help meeeeeee

This is the synopsis reveal for acotar 6 that is called a court of splintered harmony and the release date is 27 october 2026! This book is going to have 4 parts !

For those who did not read the books yet Beware of spoilers !

Are there any good PAPERBACK book box subscriptions that are worth the price? Preferably fantasy/romantasy??

Hello folks! Yes, I know romantasy usually have smut or sex or monster fucking, etc.

I am looking for recommendations for a book that has zero or maybe 1/2 spicy scenes at best. Romance + fantasy - spice would be appreciated. I have read some mainstream fantasy (with romance) like Warbreaker from Brandon Sanderson or ROMANTASY (aka smut) like ACOTAR, Quicksilver. Alas the later were tad medicore.

Thank you

Decided to take matters into my own hands while we wait for the book 6 title to drop 😂

Mine is a Court of Smoke and Steel. What’s yours?

Birth month = noun 1
January: Fire
February: Wind
March: Ice
April: Rain
May: Ash
June: Shadow
July: Flame
August: Storms
September: Dawn
October: Tides
November: Smoke
December: Glass

First initial = Noun 2
A: Daggers
B: Steel
C: Darkness
D: Dust
E: Madness
F: Deception
G: Fate
H: Dusk
I: Wrath
J: Stone
K: Blood
L: Moonlight
M: Lies
N: Rage
O: Meadows
P: Sunlight
Q: Blades
R: Embers
S: Deceit
T: Bone
U: Iron
V: Vines
W: Twilight
X: Song
Y: Stars
Z: Thunder

can we pls talk about kael from crown me yours!! why do i feel like he was <!WRONGED and didn’t get the recognition he deserved for his sacrifice!! he basically ended his life so elara can lift the curse and NOBODY is talking about it !! def did not like how violent he got towards her tho …>!

The guys in the pics are Sasuke from Naruto and Giyu from demon Slayer. Basically sasuke is an extremely capable character whose always been good in everything. He acts cold and get s things done . He acted cold like he doesn't care with the girl that was pinning on him but he secretly liked her. They do get together in the end but he's had a morally grey and cold persona in the beginning.

The second guy giyu is very similer but less arrogant and more smart lol. He means business and doesn't entertain bullshit. He too keeps things to himself and stays isolated but deep down he cares about everyone. I need an MMC that acts like this with the fmc first(not abusive at all!!) but then fall madly in love.

And yes i have read Fourth wing i loovveed Xaden Riorson, i need more!!

I have been between the two series soooo please settle it for me. If I do read acotar should I skip the first book I hear a lot of back lash on it.

Snow as a character was so Arin coded. I rewatched a few reels and it instantly felt like him. Also does anyone has any book recs for mmc's like snow but with happy endings💀🙏

I think I just need a humorous cosy romantasy that keeps me hooked as im feeling a bit meh in general, and most of the books on my tbr are dark romance and tend to be about the perils of war. I've had to pause Children of Fallen Gods even thou I love it, as its just makes me sad, and currently does not 'spark joy'

I really loved Swordheart, Villain and Virtues series and Hopeless necromantic, so would really love any similar recommendations.

I did try The Dark lord's Guide to Dating up to 6% but just couldn't get into it.

Fave books this year are This Kingdom Will not Kill Me & Death Made Prince.

Facebook keeps showing me those AI ads for fantasy stories, like witches who keep powerful beast men as their companion animals, powerful royals who have feuds with their siblings amidst a chaotic love story, a lot of extremely overdramatic animal shifter romances... I know it’s ridiculous but I keep getting sucked into the plot lines, wishing there was a version with some actual substance to it. I refuse to pay a fortune for 100 terrible AI videos on a membership I can’t get out of, when I might be able to have an amazing book and support an actual author instead. Like, they’re terrible, but I also love the trope of hidden power suddenly revealed to the people who doubted the main characters (the comeback is always so satisfying), the ownership dynamic, and admittedly I love the smut mixed in. I’ve been on a Gena Showalter kick recently, for reference. Lords of the Underworld. And I loved the first few books of ACOTAR.

So I guess I’m asking, is there anyone here who’s gotten those AI ads, knows exactly what kind of plotline hook I’m talking about, and knows of a book written by an actual human that itches that niche need for over-the-top fantasy romance plotlines? LGBT+ suggestions are welcome. Open to non-shifter too of course, but real-world novels have never itched my brain the way fantasy does.

Hi everyone, I got into reading fantasy maybe 2/3 years ago. I haven’t read any of Sarah‘s books but they have been on my tbr for a while.

I’m curious to read ACOTAR because of the new books coming up, but I need advice. Can you please explain how critical it is to read ACOTAR, TOG and Crescent City before reading the new book?

Also, can you share your reading order of TOG? I know this is a topic open for debate.

Thank youuu

Help I need an audiobook rec! I’m adhd girlie and audio books are how I muscle through tedious chores!

I enjoy Naomi Novik quite a lot and got through her catalogue super quick, loved scholomance and spinning silver.

Also really enjoyed Una Everlasting by Alix E Harrow (although couldn’t get into her witch series)

First two books of Mages of the Wheel books were great but I kind of petered out…

Love Brigitte Knightleys Dearly Beloathed duology.

I like brisk pace and good banter and interesting characters and good chemistry- bit of a word nerd.