I like fantasy. I like romance. But I am not a young adult. I am not interested in one more teenage girl with dead parents going to magic school, faerie court or dragon training. Of the 20 “Romantasy” nominees on the Goodreads Choice Awards, I’ve read “A Dawn of Onyx” and “The Hanging City,” the only grown-up books on that list. I Dnf’d “Fourth Wing,” because FOMO, but not my jam.
What possible distinction is there between “Romantasy” and “YA Fantasy?” Who is writing for us olds?
Romantasy is just romance with a fantasy backdrop. They’re adult. Women can write adult books. I know it’s shocking, but women can.
There is YA and adult that fit it, just like there is for scifi, mystery and fantasy. It’s similar to paranormal romance but with more epic fantasy elements.