Fairy Tales and Fantasies: My top romantasy books and artists that inspire my art
- studiolrn2024
- Jun 16
- 5 min read
Romantasy, a mix of romance and fantasy, is absolutely thriving right now, especially with readers who crave a bit of magic, emotion, and escapism. What once felt like a quiet little corner of the literary world has exploded into one of the most popular genres of the moment, and it’s largely thanks to TikTok’s BookTok community. It’s hard to overstate just how influential it’s become, #BookTok has racked up over 200 billion views, and romantasy is a big driver of that wave. Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses (often shortened to ACOTAR) has sold over 12 million copies globally and is regularly credited with sparking this new era of romantasy obsession. Despite the series being known for its steamier chapters, what keeps readers hooked is the immersive worldbuilding, the emotional stakes, and the slow-burning relationships that make you feel deeply invested.
According to a recent WordsRated report, romantasy book sales have jumped an incredible 77% in recent years. And it’s not just big publishers, self-published indie authors are thriving too, offering fresh takes and diverse characters. Many readers, myself included, have found whole new favourite authors through Kindle Unlimited, which has become a treasure trove of dragon-filled epics, fae politics, and enchanted romances. I love how the app tailors suggestions based on what I’ve just finished, it’s like having a bookish best friend who always knows what I’ll like next.
What draws me in most about these stories is how they let me fully switch off from reality. Whether it’s flying alongside dragons, exploring enchanted castles, or navigating magical academies, it all has this way of echoing real-life feelings like grief, hope, self-discovery, but through a fantastical lens. Living with a chronic illness can feel isolating and limiting, but honestly, being able to get cosy with my Kindle, a fluffy blanket, and my trusty heat pad has been such a lifeline. Reading romantasy offers a kind of emotional rest and escapism that I didn’t know I needed until I found it.
And the dragons. I’m a little bit obsessed, I won’t lie. They’re not just cool or fierce, they’re often portrayed as loyal, emotionally bonded creatures that reflect the strength and vulnerability of their riders. Books like Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros and Bloodwing Academy by Briar Boleyn bring these bonds to life in such a compelling way. The dragons in these stories aren’t sidekicks, they’re vital to the plot, to the world, and to the emotional development of the characters. It’s that mix of power and connection that inspires so much of my art. I’m also currently loving The Legacy Series by Melissa K. Roehrich and Marion Blackwood’s Flame and Thorns. Both are rich in intrigue, powerful heroines, and the kind of magical stakes that keep you turning pages into the early hours.
Themes like resilience, identity, emotional healing, and transformation come up over and over again in romantasy and they feel especially close to home. As someone working through long-term health challenges, I find comfort and inspiration in the way these characters navigate both external dangers and deeply personal struggles. They often start unsure, scared, or lost, and through their journeys, they gain self-understanding and strength. Their development reminds me that no matter how tough things can get, there is always a way forward and brighter, happier days will come.
Below is what I've recently been reading on Goodreads, add me as a friend so we can share book recs!
Fantasy Artists: My Personal Favourites
Emotional storytelling isn’t exclusive to writing, fantasy artists are telling their own version of these tales through their paintbrushes, pencils, and tablets.
Artists like John Howe and Alan Lee, whose work on The Lord of the Rings films helped define what fantasy landscapes could look like, create imagery that echoes the same awe and intimacy I feel when reading. Howe’s bold, mythic scenes evoke the thrill of battle and ancient magic, while Lee’s gentle watercolours capture the quiet in-between moments, the pauses in a story where characters reflect, love, grieve. They don’t just depict worlds; they create emotional spaces, much like the best romantasy novels do.
Brian Froud’s creatures, too, are full of storytelling. His designs in Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal look like they’ve lived long, strange lives. They aren’t conventionally beautiful, but they don’t need to be. Their expressiveness tells you everything you need to know about their place in the world. In the same way you might find yourself crying over a scene where a romantasy heroine finally embraces her magic, Froud’s work stirs something deep, an emotional connection to the uncanny and the otherworldly.
Some of the most powerful romantasy-inspired art I’ve seen has come from artists who know exactly how to evoke those tender, fierce, and transformative feelings we experience in stories. Stephanie Pui-Mun Law’s work feels like poetry in watercolour. Her pieces flow like spells, drawing from nature, myths, and dreamscapes. You don’t just look at her work, you feel it. It’s the same feeling I get reading about a world on the brink of war, where love still manages to bloom.
Kinuko Y. Craft’s ornate, deeply symbolic illustrations are filled with regal beauty and hidden meanings. Her art reads like epic poetry, every colour, every detail matters. When I see her work, I think of the high-stakes courts, ancient prophecies, and secret powers that fill the pages of my favourite books. Ruth Sanderson’s fairytale-inspired art also strikes a chord, her heroines radiate quiet strength and spiritual depth, like they've just stepped out of a romantasy storyline full of self-discovery.
And in the digital realm, artists like Charlie Bowater and Julie Dillon are capturing exactly what I love about these stories. Bowater’s portraits practically hum with mood. Her characters look like they’ve been through something, they carry the same haunted, hopeful expressions I imagine when reading romantasy protagonists. Her work with the ACOTAR series visualises beloved characters in a way that deepens our emotional connection to them. Dillon’s digital paintings are full of light and movement, often with central figures caught in that moment just before transformation. They feel cinematic and spiritual all at once.
Even Loish (Lois van Baarle), whose art leans more toward whimsical than high fantasy, taps into that same well of emotion. Her use of soft colour palettes and expressive characters gives me the same feeling I get when a romantasy novel quietly reveals a character’s backstory, intimate, delicate, and powerful.
Final Thoughts
The more I create, the more I realise that making art and reading romantasy aren’t separate parts of my life, they’re intertwined. Both are about connection, emotion, and storytelling. Both let us build worlds where pain can be transformed into beauty, where the overlooked find their power, and where the imaginary feels more honest than real life sometimes does.
So, if you’re curled up with a romantasy book right now and feeling swept away by magical realms, strong-but-soft characters, and dragons that could totally be your emotional support animal, you’re not alone. Let it inspire you. Let it light a creative spark. For me, these stories aren’t just entertainment, they’re fuel. They’ve helped me heal, grow, and believe in myself even during these tough times.
Thanks for sticking with me through this ramble, if you’ve got any romantasy recs (especially dragon-heavy ones!), please send them my way. I’m always up for a new magical obsession. Let’s keep the story going and the magic alive.