3 romantasy novels that 'get it right' with the perfect blend of romance and fantasy
Annie Nguyen | CBC Books | Posted: March 15, 2024 8:23 PM | Last Updated: January 3
CBC Books producer Bridget Raymundo shares romantasy reads with The Next Chapter
Originally aired on March 16, 2024.
CBC Books associate producer and BookToker Bridget Raymundo has been following the surge of interest in "romantasy," a book subgenre which blends fantasy and romance genres, for some time.
For her, the success of books in this category do not add either elements as afterthoughts.
"Where romantasy gets it right," she says, "is where the world building, the romance and the quest or the goal of the main character are all given equal footing and they're all integral to the plot."
On TikTok as @bridgelikesbooks, she sat down with The Next Chapter's Ali Hassan to discuss the growth of the term's use in book publishing and marketing and recommend three titles.
Goddess Crown by Shade Lapite
Raised outside the opulent Galla Kingdom when her parents are labeled enemies of the crown, 16 year-old Kalothia can fend for herself when it comes to hunting, fishing and the forest. But when her home is attacked by assassins, Kalothia must flee to the new, dangerous world of the king's court. Surrounded by schemes, poison and an intense patriarchy in Goddess Crown, Kalothia follows the guidance of the Goddess while struggling to choose between her country and heart.
It's definitely an evolution of a young person finding themselves and finding their culture.- Bridget Raymundo on the novel Goddess Crown
Raymundo describes Goddess Crown as "a Rapunzel-esque fairy tale with Nigerian culture and influence mixed into it." She enjoyed following Kalothia's personal journey.
"It's definitely an evolution of a young person finding themselves and finding their culture."
Shade Lapite is a British Nigerian writer who works in digital marketing. She holds a degree in media arts from Royal Holloway, University of London and now lives in Toronto.
The Sanctuary of the Shadow by Aurora Ascher
In Sanctuary of the Shadow, the world plays host to creatures of the four elements: earth, air, water and fire. Harrow hides her identity as a rare water elemental from the traveling circus she calls home, wary of a looming darkness presented by visions of the future. Enter Wraith, a winged creature who wakes up in the middle of the desert with no recollection of who or what he is. Abducted by Salizar's circus, Wraith meets Harrow. Their connection is immediate, electric and deadly.
[Romantasy] really centres a female gaze or a female perspective when it comes to desire and things like that.- Brigdet Raymundo
Much of Raymundo's appreciation of The Sanctuary of the Shadows and the romantasy genre comes from the positive presentations of romance and how "it really centres a female gaze or a female perspective when it comes to desire and things like that."
Aurora Ascher is a professional musician, visual artist and writer. She currently resides in Montreal.
The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon
Orphaned Talaysn grew up with soldiers in The Hurricane Wars. In their plight against the Night Emperor, Talasyn has a secret power: she wields light magic, in direct opposition to Prince Alaric's shadow. The pair collide on the battlefield, their magic combining into a powerful new force that they must wield together against a new threat. Thrust into a reluctant alliance, Talasyn and Alaric uncover the root of the war and a passion that could both save and destroy their country and one another.
Raymundo particularly wanted to bring "a dragon book" to the show for the Year of the Dragon. While she appreciates the possible escapism to a world as vivid as The Hurricane Wars, she spoke to Hassan about her personal experience of how the fantasy actually grounded her in reality.
Also as a Filipino, resisting imperialism like colonialism is in the DNA of our stories and the way that we tell those stories.- Bridget Raymundo
"I don't think you can disconnect the two," Raymundo said. Author Thea Guanzon holds a degree in international policies and peace studies, and "you can see that directly in the politics of this world she's created."
"Also as a Filipino," Raymundo continued, "resisting imperialism like colonialism is in the DNA of our stories and the way that we tell those stories. So for me, it helps me gain perspective in a way that's outside of reality."
Guanzon's writing has topped lists at publications such as USA Today, Indie List, Sunday Times and New York Times. She currently resides in Metro Manila.
Comments have been edited for length and clarity.