The fantasy genre is packed with subgenres that explore different facets of the magical worlds and enigmatic characters they portray. In recent years, two subgenres have risen to prominence: litRPG and romantasy. Cultivating enormous fanbases and some of the most dedicated readers out there, series like Dungeon Crawler Carl and Fourth Wing are the best of their niches within the fantasy world. Though they might not have much in common on paper, the stories in the best litRPG books and romantasy novels overlap to create some amazing series.
The settings, characters, and pulse-pounding action of both DCC and Fourth Wing can be found in romantasy books and litRPG alike. What makes any fantasy novel good is its ability to cross genre boundaries and incorporate elements of romance, action, magic, horror, and anything else the author can imagine to immerse the reader in the story. Though not every reader is drawn to litRPG or romantasy, the 2024 genre-bending gothic romance, Phantasma, will appeal to audiences of all kinds, learning from the success of DCC and Fourth Wing.
Phantasma Is The Perfect Blend Of Dark Fantasy Games And Romance
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Kaylie Smith’s book, Phantasma, is an underrated contemporary work of fantasy that will appeal to readers looking to find common ground between litRPG and romantasy. Sometimes classified as a horrormance book, Phantasma has a darker tone than other romance novels, putting the characters in intense, dangerous situations. However, Phantasma doesn’t lose its sense of humor or self-awareness, and a large part of this is thanks to the characters.
The protagonist, Ophelia, goes on a quest not unlike Carl’s in DCC, though there aren’t any aliens involved. In Phantasma, Ophelia lives in New Orleans in the early 20th century, living in a world of ghosts and magic with her family. However, when her younger sister disappears into the folds of the mysterious mansion, Phantasma, it’s up to Ophelia to enter. She must work her way through the nine challenges of the mansion to win the ultimate prize and save her sister. Full of ghosts, demons, and vicious rivals, winning Phantasma won’t be easy.
Ophelia is a main character audiences will recognize and identify with, as she’s far from perfect and has to be pushed to her limits to step up and become the strong young woman she was always meant to be. For a dark fantasy book, Phantasma finds a successful balance between the romance between Ophelia and Blackwell, an inscrutable man she meets in Phantasma, and the engaging action of each level of the mansion that she must overcome.
The forced proximity and instant passion that define the relationship between Ophelia and Blackwell in Phantasma have a lot in common with one of the best fantasy romances we’ve seen in years: Violet and Xaden. Ophelia and Blackwell are thrown together in Phantasma, as Blackwell holds the key to her survival throughout the trials in the haunted mansion. Though their attraction is near-instant, Ophelia questions whether she can trust the enigmatic figure or if he’s hiding something more sinister than she can imagine.
The second book in the series, Enchantra, focuses on Ophelia’s sister, Genevieve, and crafts another compelling romance that unfolds in the midst of a game that could cost her life. It’s true that Phantasma doesn’t break boundaries when it comes to the familiar structure and plotting of the best fantasy novels. However, the atmosphere of Phantasma, building with every new challenge Ophelia faces, and the relationship between the two leads make the book a dark romantasy with a twist that readers won’t be able to put down.
Phantasma is available for purchase Dungeon Crawler Carl Meets Fourth Wing.
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