by CJ Holmes
Where to start with fantasy and paranormal romance…
I thought I’d start by delving into the difference between fantasy romance and paranormal romance. There’s a fine line between fantasy and paranormal romance, and fantasy romance books often have paranormal elements and characters in them. As a reader, I love both genres, but I want to know what I’m getting into before I sit down with a book, so my expectations are set and the book stands the best chance of doing what it’s supposed to do – captivating me, thrilling me, taking me into a world I don’t want to leave and introducing me to characters I’m sad to leave.
On a technical (and dare I say it boring) level, fantasy romance arose from the fantasy genre, whereas paranormal romance was born from romance. I expect fantasy romance to have a lot more epic or high fantasy in it, so when I read a book that’s marketed as fantasy romance I’m prepared for complex world-building, intricate rules about magic, and hierarchy systems for any creatures or characters in them. The romance is important, but I’m expecting pages of detail that plunge me into this world and make me live and breathe it. Paranormal romance, on the other hand, is about the romance – and the plot should be driven by the relationship between the main characters. When I snuggle up with one of these books, I want a love story with paranormal features – so werewolves and vampires and ghosts and demons are all very welcome - but pages and pages of intricate world-building shouldn’t be included.
If this all seems straightforward, it isn’t. Both fantasy romance and paranormal romance require a happily-ever-after or happy-for-now ending, and both require a hero’s arc in some way, shape, or form. Both genres introduce new worlds and new rules, often with magic and fantastic characters. You’ll also often find writers who write in both genres, with different books landing on either side of the divide, although some authors stick to either fantasy romance or paranormal romance.
And then the term “romantasy” was introduced and I don’t know where the line between fantasy romance and romantasy is! Both are fully fantastical genres and both should have you fighting battles alongside the main characters as you fall in love with them. The line here is even finer, and lots of people have differing and strong opinions on the difference between fantasy romance and romantasy. Romantasy is relatively new, so its definition is going to change as the genre develops and matures. I think the most common difference I’ve heard stated is that fantasy romance is fantasy first, romance second, and romantasy is the other way around.
So, that leaves me concluding that paranormal romance books are about romance-driven plots, usually where at least one of the characters is paranormal and you’d expect the world to be much more like the one we live in. Romantasy is all about romance too, and I want lots of it, but I expect more complex fantasy and I’m prepped for the paragraphs of explanation. And in fantasy romance, I’m ready for pages (or even chapters) of back story and explanation about how things work, with a stong romantic element but much more fantasy.
Crystal clear, right?!?!
Well, not exactly – because the lines blur, and what you think is a complicated and exciting new world might be different from what I think that looks like on paper. I often try to write the world as I go along, rather than in pages and pages that I tend to find a little dull if I’m honest, and that works for some readers but not others. I found my way by figuring out what books I like and which ones I don’t (I know, it’s almost sacrilege to say it but there are some books that I do not like!) and then reading more by the authors I love.
And so, I’ve almost perfectly segwayed into some recommendations if you want to try fantasy romance or romantasy. These are all “classics” in the genres and I recommend them without hesitation to anyone who wants to dip their toe in to this exciting and captivating genre.
This is the first in the Married to Magic romantasy series, and I’d place this squarely in the romantasy category. The plot is all romance driven and it’s a very quick read that is immensely satisfying, and while there’s enough world-building to satisfy even the more ardent epic fantasy reader, it’s all really well done and a lot of it is very subtle. It’s a book that’s perfect if you’re looking to try this genre, or if you want a palate cleanser or read between series.
You’ll discover a female main character who is strong, determined but also very vulnerable and a broody, severe Elf King who is delightfully sexy. A DEAL WITH THE ELF KING is, at its core, a retelling of the Hades-Persephone myth, and you can expect lots of fun, cheeky dialogue and some great side characters who add to the richness of the plot. The romance is slow-burn and when it finally breaks it is perfectly timed, although this is far from the spiciest book you’ll ever read.
A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES is also a romantasy classic, and the first in a series. Sarah J Maas is one of the biggest authors around – and this book is all about a human girl who finds herself taken into a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends. The world is rich and dark and gloomy, but also happy and hopeful and full of light. You’ll get all the feels with this book that really makes your emotions come alive with the characters as the story moves along.
As a reader, you’ll discover the world and its plot along with Feyre, the female main character, and you’ve got to be patient as it evolves (in fact Sarah J Maas keeps this going through the whole series, so you’ll discover even more hidden depths later in the series). The male lead is swoon worthy and there are some truly despicable villains you’ll love to hate, and the relationship that drives this story has a great push and pull to it.
THE WITCH COLLECTOR has high fantasy with a well-rounded and in-depth magic system and some world-building that is to die for – although it starts a little later so you have to pay close attention early on. The foreshadowing in this book does everything it should do and more (takes notes for my own writing) and the plot is well-rounded and detailed. You’ll find gods and monsters, a duel point of view and did I mention how very cool the magic system is??!!??!! For these reasons, I’d put this in Fantasy Romance, although others would call this book paranormal romance.
Raina’s sister is taken by ‘The Witch Collector’ and she vows to take revenge on him and The Frost King. When enemies from the east invade, Raina is forced to re-evaluate everything she’s ever known and face feelings she never expected to experience. The character chemisty is off the charts and the spice is hot but it doesn’t take up too much time in the story or become the main plot of the book.
This starts with two sisters and one brutal murder, which sets up a quest for vengeance that will unleash Hell itself. This book is darker, involving the princes of Hell and black magic, and it is seriously addictive – and it’s set in Sicily, so expect a rich and vibrant environment that incredibly well written. I’d place this in paranormal romance, but only because most of this is set in the present world.
This is an enemies-to-lovers trope where the main characters are thrown together and their alliance is really unwilling. Wrath says that he’s been tasked with investigating these witch deaths, and Emilia’s trying to find out what happened to her twin sister. You get the feeling that nothing is what it seems and that someone is pulling the strings behind the scenes, and let me tell you, Kerri Maniscalco does a fantastic job with the reveal (when it comes). Also, the tension is so fraught it’ll have you reading into the night with the light on, and I make no apology for the sleep deprivation you’ll suffer as a result of this series.
This is a relatively new release and it’s well and truly in the fantasy romance genre. You’ll discover a unique magical system, immersive world that’s rich and full of political intirgue and a very slow burn romance that’s set on the backdrop of epic fantasy. The fantasy world is simply stunning. There’s no other world to describe it – and I’d wager that even classic fantasy readers would find this book unputtdownable.
You will find pages of world-building in this book but you’ll also find beautiful language, complex characters you’ll fall in love with, and a story that touches your soul. An assassin for the rebellion gets caught and a rival bounty hunter shatters her world, leaving her at the mercy of the Guild of Nobles, and sent to a high-security prison where a heartbroken dragon rider stumbles upon her. You’ll fall deeper and deeper into the world as the back stories and plot evolve, and did I mention there are fae? And dragons???!!!??? DRAGONS… if you’re looking for a book that lets you jump on the dragon reading trend then I think that WHEN THE MOON HATCHED is one of the best in the genre.
CJ Holmes writes paranormal and fantasy romances with sizzlingly hot heroes and strong, sassy women. Her first two series have reached the top ten category bestseller lists on Amazon and she has recently signed a four-book deal with City Owl Press. You can expect a strong dash of dry British humor, enough action and adventure to keep you turning the pages, and spice that might be too hot to read in public.
You’ll find CJ hanging out in one of her local cafes or walking somewhere in the UK countryside, invariably inappropriately dressed for the weather. If she isn’t there, she’ll be in a bookshop adding to her TBR list and book collection, and she considers herself fortunate that her husband is also an avid reader.
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