Exploring Romantasy: Where has my brain gone?

One of the fastest-growing book genres is romantasy with sales that totaled over $600 million in 2024 alone. Why is the genre so successful? Disheartened by the real-world’s chaos and daily life’s banality, romantasy offers an escape hatch, a world in which anything is possible. Right from page one, your nasty neighbor, the colleague from hell, uncontrollable children, maxed-out credit cards, and a sourpuss partner all vanish. You’ve been sucked into a fantasy realm of magic, sorcery, and castles where dragons, wizards, metamorphosing wolves, vampires, witches, elves, extraterrestrials, faeries, mermaids, and a prince charming billionaire warrior will keep you company. And when you hit the last page, you’re eager and panting for the next book in the series. So what if the plots are repetitive, predictable, and the writing is sometimes poor? Romantasy hooks our brain by triggering two dopamine circuits simultaneously: the first is stimulated by unfamiliar worlds, unreliable power grabs, and spine-chilling threats; the second, roused by the romantic arc, floods you with overwhelming love chemicals. Lo-and-behold: when both circuits are activated, our brain, as useful and sharp as it might be most of the time, can no longer distinguish between fictional experiences and real life. Even more confusing, that passionate fantasy world feels more relevant — and far more desirable — than the real one. But romantasy isn’t all innocent fun. As a book’s resolution approaches, anticipatory dopamine intensifies. The story’s main characters will, of course, overcome all ghastly obstacles and bond, and when they do, we also feel rewarded. But how do they reach that satisfying goal? Usually by means of violence, threats, battles, torture, murder, bloodshed, Alpha audacity, pure selfishness, and ruthlessness. Our poor brain, still unable to distinguish between reality and fiction, now registers that unacceptable behavior pays off. And when those fantasy relationships with strange beings include bad treatment, abuse, and violence as part of “great love”, our brain unconsciously equates romance with pain… leading to the tragic belief that a toxic relationship is normal, and unpleasant sexual demands are bearable. Jill Culiner can be found here: https://www.j-arleneculiner.com https://www.jill-culiner.com https://www.jillculiner-writer.com