reading the hit or miss books tiktok is obsessed with ✨ fantasy romance
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 มิ.ย. 2023
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today we are reading the romance fantasy genre that ive been seeing all over tiktok!
review for:
- The serpent and the wings of night by Carissa Broadbent
- Bitterthorn by Kat Dunn
- Divine rivals by Rebecca Ross
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Hi! My name is Leonie and I am a 25 year old girl from the Netherlands who loves talking about books! From YA to non-fiction to classics, I read it all (although fantasy will always be my fave).
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Years ago, I was in a Barnes & Noble and saw a section labeled "realistic romance" on an end shelf. I think it just meant "no vampires," but I really wish it was about a woman approaching her mid-thirties deciding to settle for a not-bad-looking, nice-enough guy with a decent job to marry before she got too old to have children (and to shut up her mother's nagging).
lmao
that’s just general fiction not romance at all
Irony aside, I hope you don’t force yourself in a life you don’t want just to be palatable to your parents or society. But if you want a book rec related to that i suggest Convenience Store Woman
I think you would enjoy the book Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata. It’s the closest thing I’ve found to what you’re talking about.
@@thewannabegamer9 But that title sounds like it would not also cross over with the Woman in Period Costume Looking Away on the cover genre.
I think a lot of the criticism towards fantasy romance and romantasy is often due to the poor writing and/or glorified portrayals of toxic relationships that are quite common within the genre. Of course it’s not all like that though and it would be nice if people were more open to giving things a chance before dismissing them
toxic relationships are way too common in romance and smut. If you transplant it to a trailer park, is it still appealing? No? It's toxic. Such a simple litmus test. It seems like to get a healthy relationship you have to read what I guess is called 'women's fiction' but then the steamy scenes are more alluded to than explicitly spelled out. But then you find books labeled romance that are clearly not of the smutty or even steamy variety... and because males can be pig-headed numpties.. when something is shelved in romance, they won't read it, even if they'd actually enjoy it because the book is witty with good writing and a brilliant plot and relatable characters.
Yeah and early sci fi romances that went heavy on the damseling and ravishing messed it over
One thing that might help with reading on a screen is having the background be black with white text! I know this has helped me with using an ereader :)
great tip, thank you!
@@TheBookLeo you might want to try the pistachio color, I used beige for literal years but turns out the green one is much less straining for the eyes than black for me
I think its also a big diffrence if you read on an ipad or an ebook reader. I like to read on my reader but not on any other screen
Yes! I do that, too! Depending on the screen size, I also really like using a sepia toned background with dark brown lettering. I use that for my mobile nook app and it has been helpful for my eyes if I’m reading at night
For me using black is worse 😅 but using grey or beige for background helps with eye strain because there isn't so much contrast
Romantasy is huge here in Germany, many people love that genre. I used to as well, but I'm in my 30s now and I realized more and more that I'm not that interested in reading about teens and characters in their early 20s anymore. I would love older protagonists, but can hardly find any. If someone here has recs, I'd be very thankful. 😊
that's so interesting! here in the netherlands fantasy isn't popular at all, let alone romantasy :(
It's so much I don't know how to find fantasy without romance 😅
Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series is the closest think I can think of. The characters are more mature but still maintains the fun atmosphere of a fantasy world. While it's more on the fantasy side of romantasy, it's still an enjoyable read! The first one is The Wizard's First Rule and from what I can tell (aka a Google search), it's available in Germany. Hope this helps :)
Sword heart by T Kingfisher has an older protagonist, as does Outlander by Diana Gabaldon 😊
@@TheBookLeo the ako at Leiden station always has a lot of fantasy on one of their English tables
I heard "A Far Wilder Magic" and "Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries" are great fantasy romance books!
i love a far wilder magic!
Yes yes yes!! So good!
Omg a far Wilder magic was fucking stunning
Just bought the emily wilde book at a renfaire, can't wait to start it!
I’ve read both and loved them! I liked Emily Wilde more, personally, mainly because Wendell gave off extreme Howl vibes (from Howl’s Moving Castle, the book more than the movie) but they were both really good!
Rebecca Ross is an amazing author. Her duology A River Enchanted and A Fire Endless are absolutely incredible. I have never felt so many emotions so early into them. Please read these I know you would love them! ❤️
Yes ^
I completely agree! Love all these books and Divine Rivals😊
The "e ink" of a regular e-reader does make all the difference for your eyes :)
Inverting black and white colours helps a lot on tablet.
Leonie, I just wanted to say that your videos totally make my day. There’s nothing else more inspiring and relaxing than your content. Thank you.
damn i am currently reading Divine Rivals and the way it was marketed made me assume it was just a fun, banter filled rivals to lovers. Well, boy I was so wrong and ended up sobbing through the whole book :)
It was so saddd 😭😭😭
I remember when people used to paint all fantasy as rubbish just because it was fantasy and not mainstream or 'real', so its a bit rich for fantasy readers to get snobby about any kind of sub-genre within fantasy. If the book describes itself accurately then you are free to read it or not, it may not be for you but that doesnt make it rubbish. I'm not much into romance writing but lots of people are and theres room for all tastes without throwing shade or hate.
Exactly! I'm a huge fantasy fan but not much into fantasy romance but that doesn't mean I write off the entire subgenre as bad! If people don't like the genre as a whole they can just...not read it.
Hell, I felt tricked into reading Daughter of the Moon Goddess as its synopsis led me to believe it was adult fantasy and not the YA fantasy romance it turned out to be. I was extremely disappointed as I am simply not in the demographic for that, but that's a me problem and not a problem with the genre.
All the youtubers that I usually watch and who generally prefer traditional high fantasy talk about fantasy romance like it's some kind of inferior fantasy, that isn't as well written, as profund etc, so when I tried it myself I had very low expectations and was just willing to enjoy a good shallow romance book in an unimportant fantasy world. I was shocked to discover how there were actually all the traditionnal elements of fantasy (high stakes, complex magic system and worldbuilding, very dark and serious topics being discussed) very well managed and written, but with more romance than usual which is perfect for me.
This sounds just like my experience. Do you have any recommendations:))
I hated reading books on my iPad but once I got an actual kindle I love ebooks now. I think the one I got was only $100 but so worth it!
Bitterthorn and Divine Rivals were such wonderful reads for me, simple, enjoyable and made me happy ❤ (also FMC with actual interests which is sorely lacking in so many fantasy books)
bitterthorn is my favourite book- it's literally SO GOOD
@jasjasrarajuanta3774 yes! Definitely one I will re-read
Divine Rivals is one of my favorite reads of the year 💖 Everything about it made me swoon
Loved this! Also, i think my problem with a lot of the romance fantasy books that are hyped is that the writing itself is not very good. A lot of them just read as amature or cringey. So its not necessarily the romance or sex thats the problem but the writing skill that I personally dislike. Cannot wait to pick up Divine Rivals as it seems up my alley! ❤
you took the words right out of my mouth!
It should be illegal to be this cute. The vibes are the best. The editing and b-roll are so cozy. Ugh I just love it.
I haven’t finished watching yet, but I totally agree that serpent and wings is the perfect balance of fantasy and romance. Loved it.
Planning to read it one day as it seems right up my alley
Rebecca Ross was the first author I came to love forever I read her debut book and duology (the queen’s rising) and I cried in both books and have about half of her releases she is very talented and skilled
Am I interested in this genre at all? No.
Yet, I pull up for the vibes👀
always for the vibes
💯%!!!
@MarlonMorenoPayestoo funny🤍
Wow. I totally agree with what you said at the end ! I can't stand it when people bash any kind of romance books. Or judge people for what they read and what they enjoy. And you're so good with words! I love how you tell your opinion without disrespecting others. So thank you 💗 I love your videos and I think you're such a great person. You're so cool and inspiring without even trying 🥹
Try changing the setting to dark (ie dark background, white text). A lot of people find it easier on the eyes. You can also change font and font size to see what makes your eyes most comfortable. A Kindle paper white also has less glare (as it’s specifically designed for purpose).
Reading hands free truely is a life changing experience! 💥 I had the same revelation last year when I got my tablet. Especially for me it's in the night time, before going to sleep. Not having to physically hold my arms up and not needing to put the light on is a game changer for me
I have a Kobo e-reader and love it! It isn’t backlit, so it actually looks like you’re just reading off a page. Also I’ve had mine for almost 11 years and it has never given me problems! Of course I prefer reading physical books, but my Kobo has always been there for me.
Since I got my kindle in 2019 physical books were never the same. I hate reading on my phone or iPad but reading on the kindle is perfection to me
Is it possible sharing PDF files from phone to kindle???
@@Starlight_60562 yep. your kindle has an email that if you send files to it, it'll send them to your kindle. you can also convert pdfs and epubs to mobi to make them better for the kindle by using the word 'convert' as the email subject
I bought my kindle for economic reasons four years ago and now I feel more comfortable reading ebooks than physical books :)
I don’t usually comment but I have been watching your videos for a little while now. I absolutely ADORE the editing in this one. Something about getting the insight into your summer days mixed with super peaceful literature reviews it’s just 10/10 - hope it cools off for you soon! Thank you for sharing your peacefulness with us
I've spent the last decade reading from devices. Started with PDF books and later through eBooks. Takes getting used to.
I immediately thought of "Sorcery of Thorns" When you talked about a magic system that is living and breathing and specific to the book. That one actually has such an original magic system that actually Takes from the user and is not some easy free-for-all thing that characters can easily access. I loved that. The book in general is great and I recommend it! Loved the characters
You inspired me to order Bitterthorn. I am usually interested in M/M romance but this book has caught my interest. Great video!
Getting an e-reader was my best decision ever tbh! I find it so much easier to hold and it's less heavy in bags. It also made me able to read so much more books. I have the Kobo Clara HD which has been working great for me these last 2 years!
i love the way leo is so bubbly and expresses in a dramatic way. i love that about you. keep going.
Really liked having my class texts on the ebook since it made note taking so simple and convenient, but alas, I'm 90% sure I lost it in an airport five years ago
I'm not a big romance reader but I love fantasy and I love it when a romance sneaks up on me and gets me really invested. I just read Keeper of Enchanted Rooms which has a very sweet very slowburn romance and I loved it! The focus is more on the fantasy aspects, but I liked the balance between the two
Good to see you back! Always a pleasure to hear your thoughts! Hope your week is going well, Leonie!
Ive gotten to the point where I get bored if theres no romance 😭 ill read any genre but there HAS to be romance or i just cant get invested lmaoo 😅
SAME
I absolutely hate romance, except when it is in fantasy.
This is a good video for someone like me to watch - I'm not a big fantasy or romance reader, I just enjoy Leonie as a content creator, but I have enjoyed fantasy and romance books in the recent past, but I've noticed that I really don't enjoy spice or sex in books or movies, and it seems to be a staple of romance, so I tend to steer clear. I think the end to this video shows a great line between not enjoying something and then criticizing others for liking what they like - I'm very glad people enjoy smutty romance books, and I never thought from the angle of women being able to express their sexuality through that lens. Thanks for the perspective Leonie and great video as usual!
The first book sounds like the author took all my fave tropes and put them into one book IM SO EXCITED TO READ IT thank you for this video
I really appreciate your content Leoni, it actually has motivated to get back into reading books! keep doing what you do!
Carissa Broadbent has another series called The War of Lost Hearts and it’s soooooo good and surprising. Slow burn done so well with so many good plot twists
Your videos are always so cozy and comforting
Queen Léonie feeding us with content !
i also love the highlighting feature on kindle it makes it feel like an interactive experience!!
I know it’s sold out everywhere but Fourth Wing is so gooooood
Devine Rivals was like Fantasy You Got Mail only not kinda crap. It was incredibly good and I can't wait for the sequel
Leonie saying about Bitterthorn "why do I tell myself that I'm only allowed to read these specific types of book that I really love during one part of the year" is literally me a few weeks back when I picked up Belladonna and just went for it. And I had an amazing time! Don't gatekeep yourself, all.
P.S. Leonie, I think Belladonna would be right up your alley!
yes i want to read belladonna too!
I really enjoyed Belladonna and am looking forward to the sequel releasing soon.
omg. this couldn't get any better. i missed your reading vlogs like this. your videos always puts me in a good mood. 💛
I had to come back to this video to say a big big thank you Leonie for The Serpent and the Wings of Night! What a book, this is why I love this community, your videos, and above all your recommandations. This was an amazing read and I don’t even like vampires stories. A 2hours flight delay never went so fast in my life thanks to this book !
love this!!!
your editing and filming style is absolutely everything!
As soon as you started talking about Bitterthorn I thought to myself "is this the first fantasy romance book I will buy??"
For years there were things I didn't like about romance as a genre, but only recently did I discover... I actually LOVE romance... if it's sapphic! Two women! And on top of that, the whole gothic fantasy setting and the duke's daughter and witch setup really resonates with me. It might not become a favourite for me either, but it sounds like it has a lot of notes that will at least make it a very very enjoyable read for me. (:
Leonie! I wasn’t an e-book person until recently. I have Kindle on my iPad too but I found that matte/paper-like screen protector helps A LOT! I also set the colour of the paper on my Kindle app to green. Feel much more friendly to my eyes!
I would definitely recommend getting an ebook, I’ve had my kindle for 7 years and it still works really well, at this point I think those things are indestructible. I also find that I read much faster on an ebook than a physical book and it’s also much easier if you like reading laying down or in the dark, which I’m definitely guilty of.
Just wanted to add that the white and blue dress you wore is gorgeous and suits you so perfectly!!!
I love my ebook reader (kobo) I make the text super big and I read way faster that way! I never liked reading on my ipad because the light is too harsh.
You can get croissants in a can!? That is not a thing in Australia. My jaw hit the floor - I want to try that. 🤩😆
getting this notification quite literally made my evening
If you like Carrisa Broadbents writing you MUST read her other serious “daughter of no worlds” it is sooo good as well!
I've been an e-reader since January and it's a great experience especially the dark mode option! reading at night isn't a problem for me anymore :)
I am glad you are reading Rebecca Ross ❤ her books are amazing in the world bulding even tho not very complex and so atmosferic 😍
when it comes to e-reading, I switched completely to night mode and that has helped a LOT, even in the day time
Have you read reverse harem trope in romance books. You can find many Amazon kindle books exploring this, which is refreshing because normally when a threesome or foursome scenario is explored is always to please the man/boyfriend/husband but in these romances, the female protagonist decides to be with multiple men. Sometimes, they fall in love; sometimes, it is just for the sex.
Divine rivals is amazing, I felt the war part very hard! It was like I was there with them.. the serpent it’s ok but the second made me hate everything jdbdhsbshshd I didn’t even finished, maybe one day.
Thanks for your videos ❤️ I really enjoy watching these! I can’t wait to read these
The e-reader has been the best for my eyes but I also wanted to mention that you can buy screen protectors for the iPad that help with eye strain. I make art on the iPad and it’s made a huge difference! Also, I’ve been cycling through fantasy romances and couldn’t find one I could get into. These are great recommendations! Thank you 🤍
Hi! I love your content. I studied abroad in Utrecht for 6 months and The Netherlands became one of my favorite places in the world :) I love seeing your walks around town. It helps me live vicariously! :)
I got into ebooks recently and it took me a little while to get into them, but when I did, game changer! so yes, veryy relatable
Leonie's videos are such a vibe
i read Bitterthorn after i watched this video and i am so so so glad i did... I loved it so much. And i just brough a copy for a friend for Christmas... It is just cosy and beautiful and sweet.
I find turning the contrast down on the screen, or turning on the eye comfort shield can help a lot.
I read Bitterthorn because of this video and I loved it, thank you for recommending it!
oh man, reading an ebook on an Ipad is true dedication! Seriously, it was so bad for my eyes, once I had an ereader a whole new world opened up for me. I still read 'book books' but when it's book with like 700 or 1000 pages it's just so much easier on an ereader.
yup
i’ve been waiting for thisssss
Funnily enough I’m currently trying to get into the fantasy romance book everyone is currently hyped about, Fourth Wing, and I am struggling! I will say that I haven’t made it that far yet, I’m only on chapter 3, but so far it feels very YA. Dialogue like “I can do many things with my tongue, you would be impressed.” just completely out of nowhere is always going to make me cringe.
I thought the same of ACOTAR. I don't see what's so special about it. And now I am afraid of reading Fourth Wing because of the hype. I feel like the recommendations from TikTok readers aren't from hardcore readers because those books are usually bottom of the barrel.
Oh my god yes. I really can’t work with that one. It’s not for me, I guess. It’s… too “young” I guess. Or it hits too many tropes I he seen done too much. Wow, I *am* getting older.
And even worse, I am just coming out of a re-read of Gideon the ninth, which does the… questionable teenage-y dialogue so much better.
If you’re struggling with it now I’m afraid it’s not gonna get much better if you continue..
If you’re looking for a good romantasy give the All Souls trilogy a try. It’s a relatively healthy relationship (coming from someone who stays away from romance because of the toxic relationships). It follows a witch who accidentally finds this long lost, and highly sought after book. She meets a vampire who is after the book, and he decides to protect her from the other creatures after the book. The witch is in her thirties I believe, so that’s a plus.
Edit to add the female protagonist is also a strong female character with agency.
I recently got very into ebooks myself. I was always an old-school physical books person, but I'm really enjoying the ease and convenience of ebooks! I bought a Kobo Libra 2 (because I don't like supporting Amazon much either) and I LOVE it. It's even waterproof and I can borrow library books right from it.
Getting an kindle was absolutely life changing and I can definitely say I read more with my kindle. The portability was extremely convenient. I used to read on my iPad but had the same issue of eye strain. I definitely would suggest getting a kindle for the portability and convenience. But whatever works best works for you!
Ohhh, ik dacht ook dat ik nooit fan zou worden van een e-reader, maar kan nu echt niet meer zonder! Het is zó handzaam en zoveel boeken binnen handbereik! Toch wel echt een absolute aanrader
Hey Leonie, I just wanted to quickly mention that switching out your screen settings to dark mode helps with brightness and eye strain. I use the kindle app on my phone and iPad, and switching to white text on a black background makes for a much more pleasant reading experience. 🥰
You're my comfort channel. I had to pause the video to light the fireplace and make coffee. you're good for my moral it's what im trying to say
OMG i am so early today. I love your content a lot Leonnie. You are one of my favorite TH-camrs. I wish you nothing but the best! Sending you so much love from Nepal!
I read bitterthorn recently and loved it. Very happy I bought the pretty illumicrate version
I love the Howl earrings !!
Have you ever read any Juliet Marillier? It's sort of historical/folkloric fiction, usually set in Ireland, and always contains a romance plot but also politics and complex family relationships and often some kind of quest. I think the best is the series which starts with Daughter of the Forest.
My favorite fantasy romance book is Radiance, by Grace Draven. I will recommend that book all day every day.
Yes! Love Radiance!
Love this video! Also, side note, with the croissant rolls, at least here in the US, if you peel off the wrapping and bang the tube on the counter, it will open!
Clicked as soon as I saw! Fantasy romance isn't a subgenre I tend to dive into much, since I'm not always a big fan of romance
also reading divine rivals right now! i love it so far
I liked your earrings, the shots outside, the flowers, all very nice and comforting.
Late to watch this video, but you made me order Bitterthorn straight away now 🤩
I just ordered Bitterthorn today! I usually read M/M romance but this one sounds good.
Seeing you reading Bitterthron in the summer when you said it matches the autumn vibes, that's exactly what I'm doing with my copy of "The secret history " by Donna Tart, and I'm actually now attempted to start reading it because i can't stop myself anymore from waiting until autumn. I guess this is the sign. Thank you for pointing that out *Runs to grab the book*! :)✨
Did you like 'The Secret history'?
@@el-tw4tt yes it was fantastic 😌
@@Moniaar_ oh, I read that too a while ago and it wasn't my type at all lol. I kept thinking if somehow I'd picked up the wrong book because I've only ever heard good things about it
@@el-tw4tt tbh I kept thinking about the ending for 2 weeks after I finished it. But I think it's more character heavy based than plot, and it is very slow burn too. While reading I was afraid I wouldn't like it too, but as the story kept progressing it became more interesting. And the ending made me clap, but it is so sad and shocking 🤯
Was just thinking that I could really use one of your videos, just in time to watch before bed❤
I love your editing in this vlog
I really like your vibe and aesthetic. You are living my dream!
Whatching these videos gives me the same feeling as shopping for school supplies. It's very nice 📚
I must say that switching over to an e-reader was amazing for me. It’s so easy to carry, I really like the display (as I can put the backlight off entirely) and by now I have saved up the money it cost by the amount the books cost … like twice. Example: I recently read all three books of the locked tomb series, and paid less for all three than I would have spend on the first one, which is only available as hardcover in my bookstore.
Also, this might be controversial, but I do not have a lot of space in my life. I therefore keep the amount of books I have to a minimum, and it is so nice not to have to store the books. My local library sadly primarily caters to … people with different reading habits, so it was always, so; I am very happy with the e-reader I have ^^
Highly recommend If you could see the sun by Ann Liang for great rivals to lovers! Especially since you love cruel prince. I think these books have some very interesting similarities :)
Love the chill Lost Woods remix outro
I read a lot of ebooks because sometimes it's hard to get books in the original languages in my country (or any books for that matter). It's very portable and you can even read lying down ocmpletely. And you can anotate so easily! It has its perks even though I also love physical books.
Just take breaks every hour when reading from screens! Well, you should also take breaks when reading normal books. Just 5-20 mins doing something else, watching something far away the better. And use a soft green, beige or grey background when reading instead of white. It really helps with eye strain and even to read faster because it lowers the contrast between the background and the words. (For me a black baclground doesn't help because the letters get muddled.)
Divine Rivals was such a beautiful read! I enjoyed every minute of it. Rebecca Ross’ books never cease to impress. ❤️
Her other duet was romance heavy? Do you love them?
@@shumi7051Are you referring to her Isle Of Cadence duology? A river enchanted and a fire endless?
@@sarahl7968 yes 💗
@@shumi7051 yes! I absolutely love those two novels ❤️
I made the switch to mostly reading ebooks a few years ago and it's been great! One thing I don't see anybody mentioning is the ability to check out books from your local library much more easily!! :) I'm in America I use an app called Libby where I just gave it my local library card and I'm able to borrow from a really huge catalog of books. Popular books can have a 2-3 month wait time but most other stuff is available either right away or within 2 weeks for me. Also, +1 on reading white text on a dark background, I find that it helps immensely when trying to prevent eyestrain.
I just finished divine rivals.. It's indeed a truly beautiful story!