The creation of a fantasy world, with its intricate magic systems, diverse races, and epic quests, is a feat of imagination. But within this world, the writer must also weave a narrative, a story that resonates with readers. Comparing the fantasy I was encountering now to the fantasy I read maybe 10 or 20 years ago, I was left with a question. What was the difference..? I felt there was one and it could have been due to any number of things, but there was something about the more recent...

As a lifelong fantasy enthusiast, I’ve watched the genre evolve, adapt, and expand. From the whimsical adventures of Narnia to the magical world of Hogwarts, fantasy has always offered an escape, a chance to explore worlds beyond our wildest imaginations. However, a recent trend has left me, and others like me, feeling increasingly alienated: the overwhelming dominance of romantic fantasy. This isn’t a critique of romance as a genre – romance novels have their place and their dedicated...