When Tropes Take Over: Is Romantasy Losing Its Heart?
For romance lovers, fantasy worlds filled with passion, danger, and fated mates have always been a thrill. But with the meteoric rise of romantasy—a blend of romance and fantasy—some authors and readers are starting to wonder: When do tropes enhance a story, and when do they become the whole story?
From Beloved Tropes to Algorithmic Trend
There was a time when enemies-to-lovers, fated mates, and reluctant queens were organic elements of a great story—woven into unique, character-driven narratives. But in today’s publishing landscape, particularly with the explosion of romantasy on TikTok, tropes have evolved beyond storytelling tools into marketing checklists.
Many of today’s best-selling romantasy titles—like Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros and A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas—have set off an industry-wide gold rush for “dark and broody love interests,” “dangerous magical tournaments,” and “reluctant heroines with hidden powers.” At its best, this trend brings thrilling, binge-worthy books into readers’ hands. At its worst? It leads to copy-paste plots where the tropes are the only substance.
Is Romantasy Becoming Too Predictable?
A glance at today’s romantasy bestseller list reveals an undeniable pattern:
📖 Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross – Forbidden romance, rivals-to-lovers, magical letters.
📖 What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez – A feisty heroine, mysterious love interest, an ancient curse.
📖 House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas – Chosen one, fae warrior, hidden legacy.
📖 Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin – Witch hunter falls for a witch—classic enemies-to-lovers.
📖 The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon – Deadly magic, sworn enemies, but fate has other plans.
These books are beloved by readers (and rightly so!) because they execute their tropes with heart. But as the market becomes flooded with similar stories, the question arises: Are publishers focusing too much on tropes and not enough on originality?
When Tropes Take Over, Romance Loses Its Magic
At its core, romance—whether contemporary, historical, or fantastical—is about emotional connection. Readers fall in love with characters, not just the fact that they fit into an “enemies-to-lovers” mold. The best romance novels make us feel something beyond just ticking off a trope checklist.
When publishing houses chase only what’s trending, it leads to books that feel formulaic rather than fresh. Romantasy can be so much more. Imagine:
✨ Enemies-to-lovers… but with a twist that genuinely surprises readers.
✨ A brooding hero… who has layers beyond just “I don’t talk about my past.”
✨ A chosen one… who doesn’t follow the standard prophecy playbook.
Romantasy doesn’t have to abandon its tropes—it just needs to breathe new life into them.
Readers Want More Than a Pretty Cover and a Trope List
We’ve all seen it: the sprayed-edged romantasy with a gorgeous illustrated cover and an AO3-inspired trope tag list. These books look stunning and sell fast. But as this trend matures, readers are beginning to ask: Where’s the depth? Where’s the risk-taking?
The good news? Some authors are already pushing back against the trend’s cookie-cutter approach. Books like Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett and The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen bring fresh, unexpected twists to fantasy romance.
The Future of Romantasy: Where Do We Go From Here?
Romantasy isn’t going anywhere—it’s here to stay. But if the genre wants to keep thriving, publishers need to balance trend-chasing with real storytelling. Readers will always love a swoon-worthy romance, but they also crave something that feels new.
It’s time for romantasy to reclaim its heart. Less checklists. More emotion. More daring. More magic.
📚 What are some of your favorite romantasy books that feel fresh and unique? Drop your recommendations in the comments!