The "romantasy" genre, a fusion of romance and fantasy literature, has become a significant force in the publishing industry, generating nearly a billion dollars in sales in the past year alone, according to data analytics firm Circana. This surge in popularity has also drawn the attention of political figures and celebrities, while sparking debate among critics who dismiss the genre as "book porn."
Political commentary has even touched upon the genre. In early 2025, following the 2024 presidential election, a Democratic House candidate reportedly encouraged supporters to "read some fairy smut," expressing her own enthusiasm for the genre. Similarly, actress Cynthia Erivo publicly endorsed Rebecca Yarros's best-selling romantasy novel, "Fourth Wing," calling it "good" on a podcast.
Despite its commercial success and growing fanbase, romantasy faces criticism from some who deem it low-brow literature. Critics have derided popular titles such as "The Dragon's Bride" and "Stalked by the Kraken," labeling them as "book porn" and not "real reading." This sentiment is often amplified on BookTok, a community on TikTok where users share reviews and recommendations. Books that gain traction on BookTok frequently experience substantial sales boosts and climb bestseller lists.
The genre's fans often use a shorthand of red pepper emojis to indicate the "spice level" or explicitness of a book. While some critics dismiss these novels as mere "trash," proponents argue that they offer more than just explicit scenes. Many romantasy novels feature "slow burn" romances, detailed plots, and complex character development, challenging the notion that they are solely comparable to pornography, which is readily available on digital platforms.
This debate echoes historical criticisms of the novel as a literary form. In "Northanger Abbey," Jane Austen's narrator defended the novel against contemporary critics who considered fiction a "base" form of entertainment. Austen argued that novels display "the greatest powers of the mind" and offer "thorough knowledge of human nature."
Proponents of romantasy suggest that dismissing any art form containing sexual content is a broad generalization that could impact the entire media industry, citing popular television shows like "Game of Thrones" as examples of critically acclaimed content with mature themes. They also point out a perceived double standard, where male consumption of violent or sexually explicit media is often labeled as "nerd culture," while women's enjoyment of romance novels is criticized as "degenerate."
At a time when a significant portion of the American population reportedly reads very few books—with a YouGov poll indicating 40% read zero books in 2025—the popularity of romantasy is seen by some as a positive development, encouraging reading for entertainment and escapism. Fans contend that these books can serve as a gateway to more challenging literature, making reading accessible to those who might otherwise be deterred by more traditional or dense literary works.