I like the question you raise about whether romance and fantasy should actually depend on each other rather than just coexist. When the worldbuilding feels optional, it’s hard to stay invested because the stakes never fully take shape. Your point about aesthetic being stronger than setting makes sense; atmosphere can’t replace a lived-in world. It also sounds like there were interesting themes sitting just beneath the surface that never quite got explored. Curious to see how you’d define the balance in the kind of romantasy you want to write yourself.
This was a very interesting read, and as someone who is aro-ace, I thought your perspective really incapsulates the big push for romantasy and the lack of world-building. Publishers want to follow trends, authors want to get published so they end up making their books cookie-cut-outs of popular genres to appeal to publishers. The last interesting book I read in regards to romance was a Jane Austen retelling, but I couldn't finish it because the author continued to add so much unnecessary things. Also, I liked that you pointed out the sex magic could only be used by girls and women because that just feels...weird? Maybe not unknowingly sexist, but definitely sexualizing women.
The sex magic itself was just the main character's power, every gift was different though we didn't learn much other than these powers exist.
Cookie cutter definitely describes this. This easily could have been a historical romance, the political plot could still go on without anyone being magical. But historical romances aren't popular at the moment ...
Sexy magic was just Cate's thing. Her sister was a Seer and it wasn't being used very sexily. I am not quite sure what the antagonist's power was... she just got stronger by other people's powers but made her stronger with what exactly I'm not sure. Not sex though, she was old and old people don't do that.
There were quite a few people involved so making it into a lesbian orgy might have been more interesting. There were also people chained up (it was a castle dungeon I think??) so missed opportunity for sure.
I like the question you raise about whether romance and fantasy should actually depend on each other rather than just coexist. When the worldbuilding feels optional, it’s hard to stay invested because the stakes never fully take shape. Your point about aesthetic being stronger than setting makes sense; atmosphere can’t replace a lived-in world. It also sounds like there were interesting themes sitting just beneath the surface that never quite got explored. Curious to see how you’d define the balance in the kind of romantasy you want to write yourself.
This was a very interesting read, and as someone who is aro-ace, I thought your perspective really incapsulates the big push for romantasy and the lack of world-building. Publishers want to follow trends, authors want to get published so they end up making their books cookie-cut-outs of popular genres to appeal to publishers. The last interesting book I read in regards to romance was a Jane Austen retelling, but I couldn't finish it because the author continued to add so much unnecessary things. Also, I liked that you pointed out the sex magic could only be used by girls and women because that just feels...weird? Maybe not unknowingly sexist, but definitely sexualizing women.
The sex magic itself was just the main character's power, every gift was different though we didn't learn much other than these powers exist.
Cookie cutter definitely describes this. This easily could have been a historical romance, the political plot could still go on without anyone being magical. But historical romances aren't popular at the moment ...
"People with Gifts were used in the action, the antagonist was collecting them like Pokémon,"
Super important question. Sexy magic is lethal? Or is the sexy magic just one persons thing.
Also loved the review kinda want to indulge just for the sexy magic
Sexy magic was just Cate's thing. Her sister was a Seer and it wasn't being used very sexily. I am not quite sure what the antagonist's power was... she just got stronger by other people's powers but made her stronger with what exactly I'm not sure. Not sex though, she was old and old people don't do that.
I feel like that's a missed opportunity. Like they could have a sex magic fight?
There were quite a few people involved so making it into a lesbian orgy might have been more interesting. There were also people chained up (it was a castle dungeon I think??) so missed opportunity for sure.
Is there a sequel? :3
Supposedly this is the first in a series so maybe eventually. Don't think I'll be picking it up though 😅
You should. Then I'll know if I should think about picking it up…