About BroMantasy
A Personal Note
I avoided romantasy books for years, convinced they weren't for me. What finally changed my mind was seeing J.J. Watt (former NFL Houston Texans star—whom I recently mixed up with Travis Kelce when telling this story!) reading A Court of Thorns and Roses. That was enough to convince me to give the genre a chance, and it completely transformed my perspective.
What I discovered was that the fantasy elements in these books often far outshine the romance, and the relationships added depth to the characters in ways I hadn't experienced before. This journey fundamentally changed how I approach reviewing books.
Now, I strive for balance—sharing my honest enjoyment while recognizing that others may appreciate the very elements I didn't connect with. I don't believe a book deserves a poor rating solely because it contains romance or any other single element I personally didn't enjoy. That said, I still recognize when books struggle with objective issues like problematic prose or pacing problems. I have yet to find a book I'd rate as low as 1-1.5 stars, which speaks to finding value in stories across the spectrum.
The philosophy behind BroMantasy is giving these books a fair chance, beyond the genre labels and marketing that might keep readers away.
BroMantasy provides a fresh male perspective on romantasy, fantasy romance, and speculative fiction with romantic elements—genres typically marketed toward women but filled with incredible worldbuilding, magic systems, and character development that everyone can enjoy.
Our Mission
We believe great stories shouldn't be overlooked based on their genre labels. Our mission is to bridge the gap between traditional high fantasy readers and the rich world of romantasy by highlighting the elements that make these books universally compelling:
- Immersive world-building and magic systems
- Epic battles and action sequences
- Complex political intrigue
- Memorable characters with depth and growth
- Character development enhanced through romantic plotlines
Who Is BroMantasy For?
While our primary goal is to help fantasy-loving men discover romantasy books they might otherwise overlook, BroMantasy welcomes all readers regardless of gender. We're creating a community for:
- High fantasy readers curious about romantasy but unsure where to start
- Readers who enjoy character-driven narratives alongside epic fantasy elements
- Anyone looking for honest, thoughtful reviews that focus on storytelling excellence
- Romantasy fans interested in perspectives that highlight different aspects of these books
What We Cover
While our focus is on romantasy and fantasy romance, we also review:
- Traditional epic and high fantasy
- Science fiction with romantic elements
- Urban fantasy
- Speculative fiction across subgenres
Each review provides honest assessments of a book's world-building, character development, plot pacing, magic systems, and overall storytelling—with particular attention to how these elements interact with any romantic storylines.
Our Rating System
BroMantasy uses a comprehensive rating system that evaluates books across multiple categories:
Story Elements
The depth, originality, and consistency of the setting and its rules
The complexity and growth of characters throughout the story
The engagement and momentum of the storytelling
The innovation and integration of magical or technological elements
The quality and engagement of the prose
Reader Experience
How explicit the romantic content is in the book
Whether you'd feel comfortable reading this in public
The intensity of dark or disturbing content
Our final verdict, considering all aspects of the book
For a full breakdown of our scoring and what each category means, see our detailed rating system →.
Join Us
Whether you're a seasoned romantasy fan or a traditional fantasy reader curious about branching out, we invite you to explore our reviews and discover your next great read. Great storytelling transcends genre labels, and we're here to guide you to books that deliver epic adventures and meaningful character journeys.