By Mark Seavy

As the popularity of romantasy books explodes, they have taken on the trappings of tentpole films minus the release dates.

And while films are still in the works, sales of romantasy books have soared from 10.8 million print copies in 2020 to 35.7 million in 2025, according to Circana BookScan’s sales tracker. It also has led book publishers to latch onto the genre and create new romantasy imprints.

When author Sarah J. Maas released “A Court of Splintered Harmony” on October 27 (a seventh installment is due in January), for example, it quickly sold 1.7 million copies. It also spawned release parties at 250 Target stores and 500 Barnes & Noble locations replete with licensed merchandise including jewelry (Alex and Ani), party games and Monopoly version (Hasbro), playing cards (Chronicle Books), and dresses (designers Laura Hall and Gillian Rose Kern’s For Love & Lemons label). The book series also landed an agreement for enamel pins, journals, and bookmarks (Con Quest Journal), which were delivered in advance of an earlier novel being released (October 2025), a strategy that is de rigueur in the film industry.

Rivaling Maas is author Rebecca Yarros, who has written 20 novels including “Fourth Wing,” which has been accompanied by licensed merchandise including keychains and plush (Noble Collection), board games (Goliath Games) and collectibles (Just Play).

The success in licensing and book sales has produced film deals although most remain in the initial stages.

For example, Yarros’ Empyrean series (which includes Fourth Wing) is in the works at Amazon’s Prime Video with actor Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society attached to produce. And Apple TV landed the rights to the author’s “Peculiar Stars” novel, which will be released on November 17.

Meanwhile, Maas’ journey to films and streaming series was slowed when Hulu dropped plans in 2025, four years after securing the rights for A Court of Thorns and Roses. Maas has since resumed seeking a new home for the book series. Among other romantasy authors, Callie Hart secured a deal with Netflix for “Quicksilver.”

“By bringing one of the world’s most iconic board games together with Sarah J. Maas’s unforgettable characters, locations and lore of Prythian, this edition invites fans to immerse themselves more deeply in the story, spark friendly competition and create meaningful memories with fellow readers, friends and family,” said Jen Boswinkel, VP of Hasbro Games Global Brand Management.