YA Romantasy for the Win: Suggestions from this Popular Genre
A new week and a new post. For my money, one of the great readers of YA Literature is Margaret Robbins. For all of the years I have known her, she is always reading and exploring something new. Every time Margaret writes for the blog I learn something. We are pleased to have Margaret back with us to discuss "Romantasy" with us.
| Margaret A. Robbins has a PhD in Language and Literacy Education from The University of Georgia. She is a Teacher-Scholar at The Mount Vernon School in Atlanta, Georgia. She has peer-reviewed journal articles published in The ALAN Review, SIGNAL Journal, Gifted Child Today, Social Studies Research and Practice, and The Qualitative Report. She recently co-edited a special issue of English Journal. Her research interests include comics, Young Adult literature, fandom, critical pedagogy, and writing instruction. |  |
I did not think that Romantasy was a genre that would win my heart.
Normally, I’m into realistic and speculative fiction with a strong, empowered female protagonist who does not prioritize her love life. Perhaps this is because that’s been me for most of my life, and I like to read about protagonists with whom I can relate.
But over the past few years, I’ve opened up my reading taste buds. My reading focus has been hit or miss during recent years, to be honest. When I was quarantined at home during Spring 2020, I read a lot, particularly the Truly Devious series by Maureen Johnson and other thriller/”whodunit” books. Since I couldn’t solve the problems of the pandemic, losing a colleague to Covid19, and my then baby niece being very sick, a book with a mystery that could be solved was comforting, along with watching the tv show Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.
Normally, I’m into realistic and speculative fiction with a strong, empowered female protagonist who does not prioritize her love life. Perhaps this is because that’s been me for most of my life, and I like to read about protagonists with whom I can relate.
But over the past few years, I’ve opened up my reading taste buds. My reading focus has been hit or miss during recent years, to be honest. When I was quarantined at home during Spring 2020, I read a lot, particularly the Truly Devious series by Maureen Johnson and other thriller/”whodunit” books. Since I couldn’t solve the problems of the pandemic, losing a colleague to Covid19, and my then baby niece being very sick, a book with a mystery that could be solved was comforting, along with watching the tv show Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.
 | However, when I went back to work in person in Fall 2020, I had other things on my mind. I mainly read comics and graphic novels about social issues related to my Humanities course, as some of you know from my past academic presentations and, hopefully, can learn more about in a future article. I also read a very fine novel called Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix. It was historical fiction, but it still fit my usual profile of the empowered female protagonist who preferred to feel unencumbered by love, at least, some of the main protagonists did. |
Even with the pandemic being less intrusive on our daily lives, we all know that the past few years have been a whirlwind. We’ve had wars and political upheaval, and sometimes, people just haven’t been as kind and understanding with each other due to exhaustion from these highly stressful times. In an era where it can be hard to connect with others, even on a friendship level, I take comfort in somewhat formulaic novels that involve romances and that take place in alternative universes. I think Romantasy has become big in part because many people are in this space. Love Y’all Book Fest premiered in Atlanta this February, and my friends and I greatly enjoyed connecting with authors and readers who have fallen in love with the Romance genre. The Romantasy panels were particularly popular, and I think this trend will continue to last for a while.
Here are a few of my Romantasy recommendations, and I know I will have more to come. Please note that some of these books are on the “spicier” end of YA literature and may be on the verge of New Adult. Therefore, please use caution before recommending them to middle and younger high school students, particularly if you haven’t read them yet. Having said that, these books are great for readers looking for love, adventure, and/or another world.
Here are a few of my Romantasy recommendations, and I know I will have more to come. Please note that some of these books are on the “spicier” end of YA literature and may be on the verge of New Adult. Therefore, please use caution before recommending them to middle and younger high school students, particularly if you haven’t read them yet. Having said that, these books are great for readers looking for love, adventure, and/or another world.
| Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson: This is a book that I read for book club and, honestly, one that I might not have picked up on my own. I tend to mainly read novels by women and/or queer writers. However, I loved the description of this book, and after reading the beginning, I was intrigued. Tress lives a simple life on an emerald green island, where she enjoys spending time outside and time with her parents and her dear friend Charlie. However, Charlie goes on a voyage that ends up being a total disaster. Since he’s lacking in family support, Tress decides that she must go after him and try to save him by seeking the Sorceress of the Daily Midnight Sea. If you enjoy talking animals, pirates, stowaways, and magical worlds, then this is a book that you’ll enjoy. While this is a coming of age story more so than a romance, there’s just enough romance to satisfy those looking for a sweet love story. This book is appropriate for younger adolescents, and in fact, I lent it to one of my students as soon as I finished reading it. |  |
Daughter of the Pirate King and Daughter of the Siren Queen by Tricia Levenseller: Both of these books are about the same protagonist, and they are so much fun! Alosa’s father is a Pirate King, and her mother is a Siren Queen and a master seductress, so our main character has some complicated loyalties! Yet she is a strong and capable pirate who eventually becomes the captain of her own ship, and she develops feelings for the first mate Riden! Romance isn’t the primary focus of this book, and in a refreshing way, but there’s enough there to make it an interesting plot twist. There’s also mystery and the occasional pirate missions. I haven’t yet read the third book set in this universe, but with a different protagonist, Vengeance of the Pirate Queen. However, I’ve lent it to two students already who fell in love with the first two books! I am not sure I’d feel comfortable recommending these books to 6th graders, but I think they are appropriate for older middle school and high school students.
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| A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft: My good friend and fellow book club member Jamie recommended this book to me when we were looking at books at our beloved indie bookstore, Avid Bookshop in Athens, Georgia. It was a little bit slow at the beginning, but once I got into it, I really enjoyed this novel. Niamh is a very respected dress maker with magical powers who gets commissioned to make outfits for the upcoming royal wedding. She meets Prince Kit, with whom she feels a strong connection, but is otherwise engaged, and to a princess from a faraway land. Niamh has a chronic illness and only has so much energy, so any romance is a risk, particularly this one. Plus, there is political tension between the Machlish people of Niamh’s small island homeland of mostly working class people and the leaders of the kingdom of Avaland, making these romantic feelings even more complicated. Will Niamh be able to find her way amid this political strife? This book is more appropriate for older high school and college students, as there is one particularly steamy romance scene. It’s great for anyone who loves high fantasy and West Side Story like romances. |  |
| The Last Hours series by Cassandra Clare: To be honest, I could not get into the City of Bones series, Clare’s first series that has gotten a lot of hype. I found the primary characters annoying. However, I have loved two of her historical fiction/romantasy series, The Infernal Devices as well as the more recent follow up, The Last Hours. These books are still within the Shadowhunters universe, but set in the 1800’s in England amid the Industrial Revolution, and I’m a sucker for gothic stories with steampunk elements. Both of these series have what Buffy fans like to call a “big bad” who must be defeated. Additionally, they both have love and friendship stories that, to me, are beautiful, and the characters in both series include queer and multiracial representation. I haven’t always enjoyed romance stories, especially teen love stories with love triangles. But both of these series tell complex romance and friendship stories that, to me, are relatable and riveting. Plus, there’s a fantasy world of dark angels (Shadowhunters) who protect humans/mundanes, demons, vampires, and werewolves within historical fiction, so that got me even more interested. |  |
| Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu: Even while expanding my genre and form horizons, I could not write this blog without recommending a graphic novel. My friend and amazing grad school colleague Stacia Long recommended this book to me when we were walking around Barnes and Noble in Atlanta. This book is about a lovely new adult aged queer couple, a witch named Nova and a werewolf named Tam. Nova has been working at her grandparents’ book shop and helping them investigate supernatural occurrences in their small New England town. Nova and Tam reconnect when Nova discovers Tam fighting against a horse demon in the woods. Tam asks Nova and her grandmothers for help fighting evil forces who want to take werewolf magic. In the process, Noval and Tam rediscover each other and rekindle their romance after having time apart. This is a fun story with a combination of adventure, romance, and family relationships that is sure to be a win, especially for fantasy fans. |  |
As I continue to read this genre, I hope to have more recommendations in the near future. There are several that I haven’t read yet, but that look promising.
Writing this blog has reminded me of the power of friendships, especially those with fellow book lovers. Some of my best recommendations have come from long time friends. These friendships have often started either at book clubs or in graduate classes, which I believe emphasizes the importance of affinity spaces where people can share a love of reading and of the written word. How might we bring these affinity spaces into K12 and undergraduate classes? Literature circles and fishbowl activities are the ones I utilize the most, but I am continuing to ponder and experiment with additional possibilities.
Writing this blog has reminded me of the power of friendships, especially those with fellow book lovers. Some of my best recommendations have come from long time friends. These friendships have often started either at book clubs or in graduate classes, which I believe emphasizes the importance of affinity spaces where people can share a love of reading and of the written word. How might we bring these affinity spaces into K12 and undergraduate classes? Literature circles and fishbowl activities are the ones I utilize the most, but I am continuing to ponder and experiment with additional possibilities.
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