Is Fantasy Just Smut with Dragons Now? Romantasy, BookTok & Viral Series Debate

Why do some fantasy series absolutely explode while others quietly disappear from your TBR? In this episode of Fully-Booked, Megan and Shirin unpack the rise of romantasy, dark romance, and spicy dragon epics to figure out what really makes a fantasy series go viral.

Is there a magic formula behind today’s breakout fantasy hits? The hosts talk worldbuilding vs romance, character-driven sagas, the role of BookTok and RomantasyTok, and whether every new “high fantasy” release really needs explicit spice on every other page. They compare classic epic fantasy vibes (Tolkien, The Dark Tower, Shannara) with the current wave of dragon academies, fae courts, and dark romance crossovers, and wonder if we’re due for the next shift.

If you’ve ever picked up a “high fantasy” only to discover it’s basically an erotic novel with dragons, or you miss old-school worldbuilding where the plot is more than just who’s kissing who, this conversation is for you.

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